Articles by Mike Rhodes

Meet Shafer Leadership Academy’s ‘Community Inclusion Ambassadors’

Non-Profit June 14, 2022

Meet Shafer Leadership Academy’s ‘Community Inclusion Ambassadors’

By Kate H. Elliott— MUNCIE, Ind. —Meet Shafer Leadership Academy’s Community Inclusion Ambassadors, who will work to build relationships across all communities within East Central Indiana. These passionate leaders will travel the region to connect individuals with inclusive leadership development opportunities. Mitch Isaacs, executive director of Shafer Leadership Academy, said the ambassadors are particularly focused on empowering diverse candidates for nonprofit boards and neighborhood associations as well as local government positions. The ambassadors will also provide guidance and insight about the inclusivity and equity of SLA’s public programs and internal operations. “Our region has so much potential, and many people…

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Muncie’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday June 18th

Entertainment June 13, 2022

Muncie’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday June 18th

By Arrick Garringer— All are invited to celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 18th at McCulloch Park MUNCIE, Ind. — The Juneteenth Muncie 2022 celebration will be held from 3-9 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at McCulloch Park. (Rain date: Saturday July 9, 2022) “The Juneteenth holiday falls on Father’s Day this year, so we are celebrating a day early on June 18th to allow people to spend time with family on Sunday,” said Dorica Watson, event co-chair. Everyone is invited to take canopies, seating and coolers to enjoy a day at the park, featuring free food (3-6 p.m.), games, bands, spoken…

Heart of Indiana United Way’s Summer Book Give-Away Program Expands

Non-Profit June 13, 2022

Heart of Indiana United Way’s Summer Book Give-Away Program Expands

By Holly Juip— MUNCIE, Ind.–Nearly 1,200 Muncie students were able to choose and take home 12 books each to keep and read over the summer through Heart of Indiana United Way’s Summer Book Give-Away program. In its fifth year, the program doubled by serving preschool through fifth-grade students at South View, Longfellow, and Grissom Elementary Schools. “United Way is on a mission to grow a love of reading amongst students and their families,” explained President & CEO Jenni Marsh. “Having access to books and words in the home over the summer not only helps achieve that—but it helps kiddos maintain and even…

Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie Receives Grant from George and Frances Ball Foundation

Non-Profit June 13, 2022

Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie Receives Grant from George and Frances Ball Foundation

By Zach Hansen—  MUNCIE, Ind.—Our primary goal at the Clubs is to inspire our kids and help them reach their full potential to be the best person they each can be. This mission has never been more tested given how turbulent the past few years have been globally. However, our community and our partners know that we all need to invest in each other to do whatever it takes to provide for the futures of our Club kids. The George & Frances Ball Foundation certainly understands this and has shown that through their investment into the Boys & Girls Clubs…

The Community Foundation Announces More 2022 Scholarship Recipients

Education, Non-Profit June 11, 2022

The Community Foundation Announces More 2022 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients— Perrin Belcher, a graduating senior from Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is a recipient of the Max V. Creviston and Nellie Cathrine Creviston Scholarship. Perrin plans to study mechanical engineering at Anderson University. He is the son of Lenroy and Andrea Royer. Cade Brinson, a graduating senior from Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is a recipient of the Nicholas Brooks Sherfy Memorial Scholarship. Cade plans to study agribusiness at Vincennes University. He is the son of Del and Jayne Brinson. Keaton Ferrell, a graduating senior from Daleville Jr./Sr. High School, is a…

Indiana Michigan Power and City of Muncie Announce LED Streetlight Conversions

Business, Government June 10, 2022

Indiana Michigan Power and City of Muncie Announce LED Streetlight Conversions

By Corey Ohlenkamp— Upgrades expected to save nearly 1,000,000 (kWh) of electricity annually MUNCIE, Ind.– The City of Muncie’s streets are brighter, safer, and more energy efficient thanks to Indiana Michigan Power’s (I&M) new Public Efficient LED Streetlight Project. The City of Muncie is one of dozens of municipalities across Indiana to near completion on converting streetlights I&M owns and operates on behalf of the city to LED streetlights. I&M crews and contractors converted nearly 4,000 streetlights along public roadways in Muncie at no additional cost to the city. I&M estimates the City of Muncie’s upgrade to LEDs will reduce…

Muncie Earns Mark of Distinction and Receives Award From Arbor Day Foundation

Government June 10, 2022

Muncie Earns Mark of Distinction and Receives Award From Arbor Day Foundation

By The Arbor Day Foundation— Small percentage of Tree City USA participants ultimately earn Growth Award Honor due to a continued dedication towards building a sustainable community LINCOLN, Nebraska – Muncie has received a Tree City USA Growth Award by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. A Growth Award is bestowed to a community alongside their Tree City USA recognition for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. The Growth Award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories on a point based system to build sustainable community forestry…

Marketing Campaign Kicks Off to Help Promote Indiana

Government June 10, 2022

Marketing Campaign Kicks Off to Help Promote Indiana

By Amy Howell— INDIANAPOLIS – Visit Indiana and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) have launched the ‘IN Indiana’ marketing campaign, a unique effort to tell the Hoosier State’s authentic story. Visit Indiana has developed an extensive customizable toolkit of resources available free of charge to every business, small town, big city, and destination in the state. “In keeping with our great state’s spirit of innovation, this campaign gives tools and a voice to everyone, making Indiana stronger together,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “From Indiana’s shoreline to the hills in southern Indiana, there is something for everyone here IN…

CANPACK Completes Steel Framing of Muncie Facility With Topping Off Ceremony

Business June 9, 2022

CANPACK Completes Steel Framing of Muncie Facility With Topping Off Ceremony

By CANPACK Group— MUNCIE, Ind. – CANPACK commemorated the completion of the steel framing for the new 862,000-square-foot aluminum beverage can manufacturing plant during a Topping Off ceremony with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and local community officials and leaders. The future plant will be home to approximately 345 well-paying, local jobs. The dignitaries, Mr. Peter Giorgi, President and CEO of Giorgi Global Holdings, owner of CANPACK, and the Blue Rock construction team signed the steel beam before it was hoisted into place amid a backdrop of celebratory music. The beam marks a significant construction milestone for the property since its…

Ivy Tech’s Lakeia Hargraves Graduates as First ‘Single Moms I.PASS Member’

Education June 9, 2022

Ivy Tech’s Lakeia Hargraves Graduates as First ‘Single Moms I.PASS Member’

By Robin Peterson— MUNCIE, Ind.– On Saturday, May 21, 2022 Lakeia Hargraves walked across the stage at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County with her Associate of Nursing (ASN) degree and as the Outstanding Student for the School of Nursing. She is the first member of the single moms initiative, Ivy Parents Achieve Success with Support (I.PASS) to graduate from the campus. Hargraves is a single mother to daughter Makayla. As a single mother, she was selected to join the Muncie-Henry County campus’ I.PASS initiative by Alisa Wells, Executive Director of Community Engagement. As the first member of I.PASS to…