Articles by Mike Rhodes

Muncie Community Schools Receives ,000 STEM Acceleration Grant

Education March 11, 2022

Muncie Community Schools Receives $75,000 STEM Acceleration Grant

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN – Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has received a $75,000 STEM Acceleration grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The funds will be used to increase students’ access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses, programs and resources during the 2022-23 school year. “This is a big help as we try to do everything we can to attack learning loss from the past two years and expose more students to our Project Lead The Way…

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John Carlson: From Rockers to Walkers?

Carlson March 11, 2022

John Carlson: From Rockers to Walkers?

By John Carlson— We were recently on a road trip with our daughter, son and daughter-in-law when I noticed something amazing, and maybe even a little disturbing. The music my kids prefer is a lot softer than mine. One might even call theirs “more tasteful and mature” than mine. Like, on this trip a bunch of folky stuff, acoustic stuff, and melodic stuff was gently wafting out their car’s sound system. At the same time, I was craving a thousand-volt…

Minnetrista Announces Update to Mask Policy

Entertainment March 11, 2022

Minnetrista Announces Update to Mask Policy

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— In Delaware County, the community risk for COVID-19 has lowered, so Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has announced updates to their Health & Safety Guidelines per CDC recommendations. Starting today, Minnetrista’s visitors will not be required to wear a mask indoors. Masks are always welcome, and Minnetrista will continue to have them at their main entry locations. Safety remains the number one priority for visitors, so Minnetrista will continue monitoring Delaware County’s risk level and make…

Ball Brothers Foundation Appoints New Board Member and Kickstarts New Strategic Planning Initiative

Non-Profit March 10, 2022

Ball Brothers Foundation Appoints New Board Member and Kickstarts New Strategic Planning Initiative

By Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball Brothers Foundation hit a record high of $8.6 million paid out in awards last year as it proudly carried on the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and their families. As the foundation enters its 96th year of grantmaking in 2022, the board of directors is appointing a new board member and launching a strategic planning process. Rick Petty, a fourth-generation Ball family member, was appointed to the foundation’s board of directors at…

Kyle Padgett Named Muncie Central Football Coach

Education March 9, 2022

Kyle Padgett Named Muncie Central Football Coach

By Andy Klotz—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Kyle Padgett has been named Muncie Central High School’s new varsity football coach. The Cloverdale native joins the Bearcats after six seasons as head coach at Centerville High where he went 37-24 and led the Bulldogs to an undefeated regular season last year. Padgett replaces Darrick Lee and will try to turn around a Bearcats program that has struggled in recent years, including last season’s 1-9 mark. “I am not going to stand here…

Community Foundation Now Accepting Grant Applications for Projects in Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown, Indiana

Non-Profit March 9, 2022

Community Foundation Now Accepting Grant Applications for Projects in Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown, Indiana

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—Non-profit organizations serving Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown can apply for funding through The Community Foundation’s Town Endowment Fund Grants Program. Grant applications are available online at cfmdin.org. Town of Gaston Endowment Fund Grants The Town of Gaston Endowment Fund supports projects and programs that benefit the Town of Gaston and Harrison and Washington Townships residents. The fund was established in 2012 by longtime Gaston resident Betty Jane Clark Carter. Betty hoped that she would set an…

IU School of Medicine Researchers Receive Million for Safer Hemophilia Treatments

Health March 9, 2022

IU School of Medicine Researchers Receive $12 Million for Safer Hemophilia Treatments

By IUSOM— INDIANAPOLIS—An Indiana University School of Medicine researcher will lead a multi-institute effort toward improved therapies for hemophilia with help from a $12 million grant from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Led by Roland Herzog, PhD, the program project award will fund basic and translational studies that explore three major themes in a gene therapy approach that could lead to safer—and potentially curative—treatments for the disorder. Hemophilia is an X-linked genetic condition that prevents the blood from…

Living Greens Farm to Locate Operations in Delaware County; Will Invest Million in Fuson Road Facility

Business March 8, 2022

Living Greens Farm to Locate Operations in Delaware County; Will Invest $70 Million in Fuson Road Facility

By Melissa Thomas (IEDC)— DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. —Living Greens Farm, the largest indoor vertical aeroponic farm in the U.S., announced plans today to locate operations in Delaware County, creating up to 120 new jobs by the end of 2024. “Indiana’s central location, strong agriculture sector and business-friendly climate make the Hoosier state the perfect place for companies like Living Greens Farm to put down roots,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “As a state, we’re committed to creating an environment that enables companies like…

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Welcomes IU Football Head Coach Tom Allen to 2022 FCA Banquet

Non-Profit March 8, 2022

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Welcomes IU Football Head Coach Tom Allen to 2022 FCA Banquet

By Jeff Mosier— MUNCIE, Ind.—Fellowship of Christian Athletes of East Central Indiana is very happy to announce that New Castle native and Indiana University head football coach Tom Allen will be the special guest speaker for the 2022 FCA Banquet, Wednesday April 27th at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. Coach Allen has amassed a 29-year 246-90 record, was named 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year, AFCA Coach of the Year, Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year, Dave McClain…

East Central Indiana Regional Partnership Names New President and CEO

Business March 7, 2022

East Central Indiana Regional Partnership Names New President and CEO

By Caitlin Hancock— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ashley Savieo, Past Chair of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership’s (ECIRP) Board of Directors, has announced the selection of Trevor Friedeberg as the new President and CEO of ECRIP, the regional economic development organization representing Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties. “After an extensive search, the board of directors is pleased to welcome Trevor Friedeberg to lead East Central Indiana’s regional economic development efforts,” said Savieo. “Trevor brings…