Articles by Mike Rhodes

Justin Favela, Photo provided.

Entertainment March 17, 2025

Arts Alive! Series Presents Multidisciplinary Artist Justin Favela at Ball State University, March 19

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Arts Alive! series continues this Spring with a presentation by multidisciplinary artist Justin Favela at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Sursa Performance Hall. The event, made possible by the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Arts Alive! program, is free and open to the public. A catered reception will follow. Parking is available in the McKinley Parking Garage (entrance on Ashland Avenue) south of Sursa Hall, and…

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Beer lovers from a prior Brewfest gather to sample a variety of beverages and enjoy some fun and fellowship in downtown Muncie. Photo provided.

Entertainment March 14, 2025

DWNTWN Muncie to Host 2nd Annual Magic City Brewfest

By Dawn Brand Fluhler— MUNCIE, IN — The second annual Magic City Brewfest, presented by Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP), will once again bring together a range of craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, non-alcoholic beverages, music, artisans, and makers. The event takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Madjax Maker Force, 515 E Main, Muncie, IN, from 2-5 p.m. “This is an exciting event for the Community. Muncie has really been on the forefront of craft beer since long before it…

Photo provided

Government March 14, 2025

City of Muncie Takes a Significant Step Toward Expanding Language Access for All Residents

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN— Indiana’s language-access efforts continue to make strides, and now, another municipality is leading the way in improving access for its growing non-English-speaking population: Muncie, East Central Indiana’s largest city. On Monday, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and Language Matters CEO Lucas Fonseca joined city department heads to officially announce the launch of Muncie’s language-access study. This study will utilize Language Matters’ proven city-wide model to gather valuable input from non-English-speaking residents, community organizations, and city departments….

Isabel Quirk as photographed by Thomas Peek.

Education March 13, 2025

Isabel Quirk—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—In the four years she’s been at Muncie Central High School, Isabel Quirk has been making a mark. From athletics to community service to academics, Quirk happily maintains a busy schedule and is looking forward to attending Indiana University Bloomington next fall to study law,…

Photo provided

Non-Profit March 12, 2025

Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity to Celebrate 300th Family at Dedication on March 13

By Habitat staff— MUNCIE, IN—The public is invited to celebrate the 300th family served by Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity on Thursday. Since its founding in 1986, Muncie Habitat has worked diligently to provide families with security, safety, and stability through homeownership. Whether by constructing new homes or making critical repairs to existing homes, the organization has helped 300 families achieve housing stability through affordable, no-interest loans. “This milestone is a testament to the power of community and the impact…

Millennium Place Homes. Photo courtesy of Muncie Housing Authority.

Non-Profit March 11, 2025

Muncie Housing Authority Acquires Millennium Place Homes

By Muncie Housing Authority staff— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Housing Authority is thrilled to announce its recent acquisition of the Millennium Place developments from Flaherty & Collins. This significant expansion includes Millennium Place I, II, III, IV, Howard Square Apartments, and the Muncie Home Ownership (MHO) properties. Completed on January 1, 2025, the acquisition adds 200 affordable housing units to the MHA portfolio. Among these are 62 public housing residences. Restoring units for single-family households has become an advanced priority. Currently,…

Parents and students at last year’s roundup at West View Elementary. Photo provided.

Education March 11, 2025

MCS Kindergarten Roundup, Open Enrollment Set for April 10

Preschool registration for 4-year-olds also available By Andy Klotz, MCS— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will be holding kindergarten roundup at all six of its elementary schools Thursday, April 10 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for families to register their 5-year-olds for the 2025-26 school year while getting a first-hand look at classrooms and having questions answered directly by teachers and administrators. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to be eligible…

Business March 8, 2025

Photo Gallery: Anxious Community Gets First Look at NEW Downtown YMCA

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN— On Saturday, the Muncie Community finally got its first look inside the brand-spanking new YMCA in downtown Muncie. The first thing you’ll notice that is different from the old YMCA is how bright and airy the facility is. There are windows on every side of the building. On Saturday, there was plenty of sunlight beaming through the windows illuminating all kinds of brand new equipment. Everything is new. On the deck of the new…

The offices of Woof Boom Radio located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business March 7, 2025

Woof Boom Radio’s Grant Application Cycle is Now Open

By Megan Orbin— MUNCIE, IN—Woof Boom Radio takes our role seriously as partners to those in the cities and towns we serve.  One of the ways we serve our community is through the Hometown Heroes and Airwaves in Action (formerly Unity in the Community) Grant Programs. One organization or event is highlighted each month on either 104.1 WLBC and WMUN or 104.9 WERK-FM and 93-5 MAX with on-air promotions, commercials, morning show interviews, and social media support. “Because of this…

Pictured L-R: Haley, Kolson, Mary, and Lisa who are individuals Hillcroft supports and serves. Photo provided.

Health March 7, 2025

Protecting Medicaid’s Promise for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

By Debbie Bennett, President and CEO, Hillcroft Services— MUNCIE, IN—In Indiana, more than 50,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) rely on Medicaid for their long-term care and support needs. These are our neighbors, our family members, our friends—and they deserve to have the support needed to live independently, have careers, and thrive in their communities. That support might be in the form of someone coming to their home to help them with activities of daily living, helping them…