Articles by Mike Rhodes

Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District received a $10,000 grant to address environmental problems in the Upper White River Watershed. A similar grant in 2020 supported work in the nearby Upper Mississinewa River Watershed. Pictured, Volunteers participate in the McVey River Clean-Up hosted by the Upper Mississinewa River Watershed and Red-Tail Land Conservancy. Multiple bags of trash, a tire, and a mattress were removed from the watershed. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 20, 2021

Community Foundation Awards $75K to Seven Non-Profit Organizations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $75,118 to seven non-profit organizations during the final Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education,…

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The ATHENA awards at Cornerstone Center of the Arts. Photo by Matt Howell

Non-Profit November 20, 2021

Women in Business Unlimited Announces 2021 ATHENA Award Recipients

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, Ind. – Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU) announced the recipients of its prestigious ATHENA Awards at its annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon. The ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional Award, and WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award were presented. The ATHENA Leadership Awards are internationally recognized awards which WIBU has been pleased to present for twenty-two years. The nominations were submitted to a panel of judges outside of Delaware County to be evaluated and scored with a provided ATHENA recipient…

Can anything be as lovely as pork rinds tumbling enticingly into a bowl? Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 19, 2021

John Carlson: Advancements In Snack Science

By John Carlson— So I’m making one of my rare visits to The Fickle Peach when my pal Willow tosses me what looks like a pack of microwaveable popcorn. “Thanks,” I say. I don’t say it very sincerely, though, wishing he’d tossed me a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken instead. But then I glance at the package a second time, my eyes locking on the word “chicharrones,” and say “Thanks!” again. This time, however, tears of gratitude are cascading down…

File Photo

Government November 19, 2021

Muncie Police Department Receives $375K Grant To Hire More Officers

By Nathan Sloan, Muncie Chief of Police— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Police Department is pleased to announce that the Department of Justice, through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), has selected our agency to receive a grant in the amount of $375,000.00. The funds are to be used to hire three new officers beyond what our current budget allows, with a focus on community oriented policing and crime reduction. The funding is intended to cover the new officer’s entry-level salary, benefits, and…

Enchanted Luminaria at Minnetrista. File photo

Entertainment November 19, 2021

Kick Off the Holiday Season with The Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.—There is no better way to kick off the holiday season than with your family and friends at the Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista, on December 3 & 4 from 5–9 p.m. each night. “Enchanted Luminaria Walk is one of my favorite events to work here at Minnetrista,” said Associate Director of Experience & Education, Ashley Mann. “It’s our gift to the community and there are so many amazing opportunities for family fun and memory making….

An example of a digital smart meter installed at a Muncie residence. File photo by Mike Rhodes

Business November 18, 2021

Good News: Indiana and Michigan Power to Reduce Residential Rates by 5%

By Tracy Warner— FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, has filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) a rate settlement agreement that will reduce base rates for Hoosier residential customers while enhancing reliability. Under the settlement, I&M will reduce its base rates for Indiana residential customers by about 5% over two phases, with a slight decrease of about 1% in May 2022 and an additional, larger decrease in January 2023….

The Winners of the 2021 Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards. Photo by Cat + Matt Creative.

Non-Profit November 18, 2021

Announcing the Winners of the 2021 Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards

By Carl Schafer and Erin Williams— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council, in conjunction with the City of Muncie, celebrated the 4th biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards on Friday, Nov. 12, at Sursa Performance Hall on the Ball State University campus. If you missed the ceremony, it will be broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. on Ball State PBS. More information at www.ballstatepbs.org. The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors given by the city to individual…

Aerial of Muncie City Hall in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes.

Government November 16, 2021

City of Muncie Awards $2 Million To Local Non-Profits Through American Rescue Plan Grants

By Jeff Robinson, President of Muncie City Council, District 2— MUNCIE, Ind.—Seventy-four non-profits applied for grant dollars earmarked to help those organizations and their clients who were hardest hit by COVID-19. In total, $2 million of the City of Muncie’s American Recovery Plan funding of $31.7 million will be awarded to help the non-profit sector and the people they serve. District 2 Councilman and City Council President Jeff Robinson and Heart of Indiana United Way’s President & CEO, Jenni Marsh…

Photo provided

Business November 15, 2021

Minnetrista Opens New Exhibit Titled ‘Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design’

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.—In an age of complex environmental challenges, why not look to the ingenuity of nature for solutions? The forms, patterns, and processes found in the natural world—refined by 3.8 billion years of evolution—can inspire our design of everything from clothing to skyscrapers. This approach to innovation, called biomimicry, is becoming increasingly popular. Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design opens Saturday, November 13 at Minnetrista. The exhibition Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design brings together art…

67th Class of the Academy for Community Leadership .

Non-Profit November 15, 2021

67th Class of the Academy for Community Leadership Recognizes Recent Graduates

By Brenda Brumfield— MUNCIE, Ind.— The 67th Class of the Academy for Community Leadership recognized 21 new graduates at a breakfast event on Thursday, November 11, 2021. “Each year the Academy for Community Leadership program is offered by the Chamber, in collaboration with Ball State University, to expose upcoming leaders in the community to various topics and people to help broaden their understanding of our community,” said co-coordinator Brenda Brumfield, Communications Director at the Chamber. This year students learned more about…