Articles by Mike Rhodes

Business August 7, 2025

First Choice for Women Names Maria French as New Executive Director

By Liz Gardner— MUNCIE, IN – Local nonprofit First Choice for Women has announced the hire of Maria French as Executive Director for the organization. As a lifetime East Central Indiana resident, Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Ball State University. The majority of Maria’s career has been concentrated in English education at New Castle High School and Muncie Community Schools, while also holding supervisory and department chair positions. In Maria’s professional experience, she has also…

Entertainment, Non-Profit August 7, 2025

The Best ‘Fire Up DWNTWN’ Yet – Over 17,000 Strong!

By Amber Greene and Vicki Veach— MUNCIE, IN—This year’s Fire Up DWNTWN event was truly one for the record books. With an unprecedented attendance of over 17,000 people, it stands as the largest and most successful Fire Up celebration to date. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us—from families and friends to visitors and first-time attendees. Your enthusiasm and spirit are what make this event so special each year. We also want to sincerely thank the remarkable…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital campus. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health August 6, 2025

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Recognized by AHA for Improving Outcomes of Heart Disease and Stroke

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN— IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is among 4,800 hospitals nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke. Each year, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals across the country for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in…

Photo courtesy of https://ljmsolution.com.

Business August 5, 2025

L&J Manufacturing Solutions Opens New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Muncie

By Justin Clauson, CEO— MUNCIE, IN— L&J Manufacturing Solutions, a fast growing leader in custom machine design and manufacturing, has officially opened its new corporate headquarters and production facility at 1001 S. Council Street, just south of downtown Muncie. The company is investing over $1.5 million into the site, which will now serve as the central hub for engineering, design, assembly, and manufacturing operations. The newly renovated facility marks a major step forward for the company, which saw 2024 sales exceed…

Pictured L-R: Kate Hughes and Mary Kult. Photo provided.

Education August 5, 2025

MCS Names Kult and Hughes Primary, Secondary Teachers of the Year

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN— Mary Kult and Kate Hughes have been selected as Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) Teachers of the Year for primary and secondary grades, respectively, for the 2024-25 school year. MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Chuck Reynolds presented each with awards during a staff event today at Muncie Central High School. The event marked the return of teachers to school for the upcoming year, which begins Wednesday for students. Kult is a kindergarten teacher…

Non-Profit August 4, 2025

The Rotary Club of Muncie Endowment Fund Grant Application Deadline is August 31

By Rotary Press Office— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Noon Rotary Club Board of Directors considers grant requests annually. The Club typically awards in total between $8,000-$12,000 annually to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Board evaluates all requests as objectively as possible, consistent with the expressed priorities of the Club. Last year, grant funding was awarded to the following local nonprofit organizations: 8Twelve Coalition, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, ecoREHAB, First Choice for Women, Home Savers of Delaware County, Motivate Our Minds, Muncie Public Library,…

Students from Upland, Indiana, launch a weather balloon during a NearSpace Education event supported by Ball Brothers Foundation, sparking excitement for STEM learning and aerospace careers. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 1, 2025

STEM, Space, and Small-Town Spark: NearSpace Education Takes Learning to New Levels

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation staff recently visited NearSpace Education in Upland, Indiana—a nonprofit that’s turning heads with its hands-on, high-flying approach to STEM education. From launching weather balloons into the stratosphere to equipping classrooms with aerospace kits, NearSpace is making science exciting, tangible, and local right here in rural Indiana. Through on-site Space Camps both in Upland and Florida, classroom partnerships, and collaborations with colleges across the Midwest, NearSpace helps students…

Health July 31, 2025

World Lung Cancer Day: A Call for Awareness and Action

By Jordan Moss— MUNCIE, IN—Friday, August 1, 2025 marks World Lung Cancer Day, a day recognized globally to shine a light on one of the deadliest and most misunderstood forms of cancer. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and emphasize the importance of prevention, research, and early detection. This day is not just for patients or healthcare professionals, it’s for everyone. Because the truth is simple: anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Too often, people assume that…

Business July 31, 2025

Middle School Students Combine AI, Robotics, and App Design to Develop Business Ideas

By Ryan Hunter— MUNCIE, IN—Local middle school students spent one of the last weekends of summer vacation at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, working together to design and launch their own business ideas. The three day experience, held on July 25-27th, taught these young students the basics of tech entrepreneurship and foundational knowledge of robotics programming, app development, and artificial intelligence. Working in teams, they spent the weekend designing tech-driven businesses aimed at solving challenges both in their community and…

Education, Health July 30, 2025

Infinite Spectrum Support Launches ISA Therapy with ‘Spectrum Talks’ at Ivy Tech Muncie

Innovative, multi-modal therapy model puts connection and creativity at the heart of neurodivergent care By Leslie DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN — A bold new vision for neurodivergent care is taking root in Delaware County. On Tuesday, August 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., local therapist and founder Kristen Peters will introduce ISA Therapy (Integrated Spectrum Analysis)—a multimodal, connection-first approach to healing—during Spectrum Talks, hosted in the Multi-Purpose Room of the John and Janice Fisher Building on the Ivy Tech Muncie Campus at…

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