Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Health September 14, 2021

Open Door Health Services Launches New Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Program

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, Ind. – Open Door Health Services has launched a new no-cost COVID-19 testing program in Muncie. Testing takes place drive-through style on the site of Open Door Urgent Care, located at 1651 E. 29th St. Monday, Sept. 13 marked the first day for the program, which is contracted through the Indiana Department of Health. As a community testing site, anyone in the community is welcome to seek testing through the program. Both rapid and PCR tests are…

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Kennedy Library Solar Carport. Photo by: Muncie Public Library

Non-Profit September 14, 2021

Residents Invited to Attend Solarize ECI Zoom Meeting

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—Indiana residents and business owners will learn how the federal tax credit of 26% has been extended through 2021 and 2022 for installing solar panels on houses, farm structures and places of business during the next Zoom meeting of Solarize East Central Indiana. The Zoom meeting sponsored by Solarize ECI, a grassroots community group affiliated with Solarize Indiana, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. The Zoom meeting will involve a 30-minute presentation followed…

Photo courtesy of Michael Cavanaugh

Entertainment September 13, 2021

Muncie Symphony Orchestra to Perform ‘The Music of Billy Joel’

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind.— “We’re all in the mood for a melody”—and on Sept. 18, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will give audiences just that, providing an evening of Billy Joel music. MSO will be joined by Michael Cavanaugh, a renowned performer and musician who was hand-selected by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.” Cavanaugh first started performing Billy Joel hits with symphony orchestras with the Indianapolis Symphony in 2008. Now, Muncie is welcoming him back to…

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We Fly September 13, 2021

Ball State Sustains Strongest Period of Philanthropic Support in University’s History

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University raised $36 million in philanthropic gifts and commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021, marking the third consecutive year of more than $30 million in new private, philanthropic gifts to the University. “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our alumni and benefactors enabled us to achieve one of the best years of fundraising in our University’s history,” said Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “They…

A screenshot of the live video streaming broadcast of the Muncie Bearcats vs. the Anderson Indians football game.

Business September 12, 2021

Woof Boom Radio Rolls Out LIVE Video Streaming of Local Sports

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—It’s not like a national television network’s coverage of a National Football League game. But it’s close. After quietly testing out equipment and their multi-camera setup for a few weeks, Woof Boom Radio’s sports station has rolled out LIVE video streaming of Delaware County football games. Mark Foerster, program director for WXFN, Muncie’s Sports Station 102.9 FM, 1340 AM says the LIVE video streaming coverage will also include Delaware County basketball games and tournaments,…

Charlie Watts’ death reminds us that nothing lasts forever. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Carlson September 12, 2021

John Carlson: Days When the Music Dies

By John Carlson— Our favorite rock ‘n’ roll stars are dying. That’s been happening all along, of course, but the recent death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts brought that fact pointedly to mind. For most of us, these musicians’ passing comes as a shock, especially if they died in the prime of their lives and careers. Think of when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a plane crash, if you can remember that…

Jeff Robinson. Photo provided

Government September 12, 2021

Jeff Robinson: City Council Has No Authority on Vaccine Mandates

By Jeff Robinson, President, Muncie City Council— I’ve been receiving the below email from a number of people throughout Delaware County. Each email I receive is the exact same wording, although the signatures are all different. I don’t blame these people for not understanding the limits of local government’s authority. Someone has misled these people (either purposefully, or through sheer ignorance) to believe city council has the authority on anything regarding vaccine mandates, which it does not. That authority rests…

Photo courtesy of Ball State University Virtual Lobby Display.

Entertainment September 11, 2021

9/11: The Hoosier Call to Courage

Written and Produced By Chris Davis, News Director, Network Indiana— Editor’s note: The audio program below was produced by Network Indiana. It highlights 9/11 with an emphasis on some of the many, many hoosiers that were affected by what happened that day. The stories and voices included in the program below are just a few of the thousands of stories that came out of Washington DC, New York City, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The outstanding audio program below is one…

Photo provided by North Central Industries.

Government September 8, 2021

North Central Industries to Revamp Old Industrial Site

 By Keith Roysdon— DELAWARE COUNTY, Indiana — A longtime local company will purchase an old Muncie industrial building and give it a total makeover into a modern warehouse and distribution facility. North Central Industries, an importer of fireworks with headquarters in Delaware County for decades, will turn the former City Machine Tool & Die building into an updated facility, Delaware County officials said. They intend to take a currently rundown property and make it a new and revitalized commercial site….

Misty Ndiritu. Photo provided

Education September 8, 2021

Misty Ndiritu Named New Principal at Southside Middle School

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, Ind. – Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has named Misty Ndiritu (DAY-ree-toe) the new principal at Southside Middle School. Ndiritu has more than 10 years of classroom and administrative experience, most recently serving as principal at Martinsville High School. “I am truly honored to become the next principal at Southside,” Ndiritu said. “I strive to be a hands-on leader, engaging in daily academics and culture in order to understand the student body, and I’m eager to get…