Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ida Husted Harper. Photo provided

Education November 23, 2021

MCHS Alumni Association Recognizes Three Distinguished Graduates

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association recognized three distinguished Central graduates at its 2021 annual meeting in November. Thomas L. Raisor, a 1954 Muncie Central graduate, was honored for his long-time service to the community of Muncie and the MCHS Alumni Association. He is the the first alumnus to become a second-generation recipient. His father, Floyd Raiser, was named a distinguished alumnus in 2003. Raisor was a member of the 1951 and 1952 championship basketball…

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Aerial of Muncie City Hall in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes.

Government November 23, 2021

Muncie Pulls In More Than $4 Million In Economic Impact From Ironman Weekend

By: Tony Sandleben—   MUNCIE, Ind. – The Horizon Convention Center released its economic impact report from October which includes financial data from the Ironman weekend. The total economic impact for Muncie for just the IronMan Weekend was $4.092 million. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour said he is very proud of how Muncie came together as a community to host a global event that attracted guests from across the country and the world. “There were a lot of cities involved to pull…

Ball State's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major Class of 2022. Back row, left to right: Hunter Beale, Drew Holl, Holden Robinson. Front row, left to right: Taylor Shockey, Emali Grose, Ani’a Walker, Sophia Chaille, Mya Tolliver. Photo provided

We Fly November 23, 2021

Ball State University Named a Top School for Entrepreneurship Studies by The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur Magazine

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University offers one of the best courses of study for students aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. The Princeton Review, the education services company known for its annual college and graduate school rankings, once again selected Ball State for its list, “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies for 2022.” This project, now in its 16th year, annually names the top 50 undergraduate…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. Photo provided

Health November 22, 2021

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Cancer Center Earns Breast Cancer Accreditation

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, Ind.— The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has granted accredited status to the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Cancer Center in Muncie, Indiana. To achieve voluntary NAPBC accreditation, a breast center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement for patients.  Breast centers seeking NAPBC accreditation undergo a site visit…

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.)

Government November 22, 2021

Senator Todd Young Announces Nominees for United States Service Academies

By Senator Young Press Office— INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his nominations for U.S. service academy appointments. Applications were received from 106 high school students, and a select group was interviewed by an advisory board chosen by Senator Young. In total, 47 exemplary young men and women from across Indiana received a nomination from Senator Young. A nomination does not guarantee admission to a service academy, but is required in order to be considered. Nominees are chosen…

Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District received a $10,000 grant to address environmental problems in the Upper White River Watershed. A similar grant in 2020 supported work in the nearby Upper Mississinewa River Watershed. Pictured, Volunteers participate in the McVey River Clean-Up hosted by the Upper Mississinewa River Watershed and Red-Tail Land Conservancy. Multiple bags of trash, a tire, and a mattress were removed from the watershed. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 20, 2021

Community Foundation Awards $75K to Seven Non-Profit Organizations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $75,118 to seven non-profit organizations during the final Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education,…

The ATHENA awards at Cornerstone Center of the Arts. Photo by Matt Howell

Non-Profit November 20, 2021

Women in Business Unlimited Announces 2021 ATHENA Award Recipients

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, Ind. – Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU) announced the recipients of its prestigious ATHENA Awards at its annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon. The ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional Award, and WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award were presented. The ATHENA Leadership Awards are internationally recognized awards which WIBU has been pleased to present for twenty-two years. The nominations were submitted to a panel of judges outside of Delaware County to be evaluated and scored with a provided ATHENA recipient…

Can anything be as lovely as pork rinds tumbling enticingly into a bowl? Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 19, 2021

John Carlson: Advancements In Snack Science

By John Carlson— So I’m making one of my rare visits to The Fickle Peach when my pal Willow tosses me what looks like a pack of microwaveable popcorn. “Thanks,” I say. I don’t say it very sincerely, though, wishing he’d tossed me a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken instead. But then I glance at the package a second time, my eyes locking on the word “chicharrones,” and say “Thanks!” again. This time, however, tears of gratitude are cascading down…

File Photo

Government November 19, 2021

Muncie Police Department Receives $375K Grant To Hire More Officers

By Nathan Sloan, Muncie Chief of Police— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Police Department is pleased to announce that the Department of Justice, through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), has selected our agency to receive a grant in the amount of $375,000.00. The funds are to be used to hire three new officers beyond what our current budget allows, with a focus on community oriented policing and crime reduction. The funding is intended to cover the new officer’s entry-level salary, benefits, and…

Enchanted Luminaria at Minnetrista. File photo

Entertainment November 19, 2021

Kick Off the Holiday Season with The Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.—There is no better way to kick off the holiday season than with your family and friends at the Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista, on December 3 & 4 from 5–9 p.m. each night. “Enchanted Luminaria Walk is one of my favorite events to work here at Minnetrista,” said Associate Director of Experience & Education, Ashley Mann. “It’s our gift to the community and there are so many amazing opportunities for family fun and memory making….