Articles by Mike Rhodes

Kimberly Dowling, Judge of Delaware Circuit Court 2.

Government May 19, 2021

Local Judge Named to State Task Force

By Kimberly Dowling, Judge Delaware Circuit Court 2— Muncie, IN—The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed Judge Kimberly Dowling to serve on the state’s Civil Litigation Task Force.  Dowling was appointed in January 2021 to the thirteen-member task force.  She will also serve as Chair of the Task Force’s Self-Represented Litigant committee. The Task Force is part of the Indiana Innovation Initiative, started in 2019 “to explore ways to make Indiana’s system of justice more efficient, less expensive, and easier to navigate…

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Artist rendering of the Oliver in downtown Yorktown.

Business May 17, 2021

The Oliver Building Breaks Ground in Yorktown

By Autumn Gasior— Transformational project brings housing, commercial space, and investment to downtown Yorktown, IN – Construction is officially underway on The Oliver in downtown Yorktown. Town officials, Rebar Development, and project partners broke ground on the $6 million mixed-use project adjacent to the new Civic Green late Friday afternoon. An important part of the Town of Yorktown’s Downtown Redevelopment Plan, The Oliver brings housing as well as retail, office, and restaurant space to the area. “When we first started these…

Class of 2020 graduate Brandi Lambertson gives the "Chirp Chirp" sign after graduation ceremonies held on Saturday at Scheumann Stadium. Photo by Aaron Walker

We Fly May 17, 2021

Over 900 Graduates Return To Ball State University For Class Of 2020 Commencement Ceremonies

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN – On Saturday, Ball State University welcomed back more than 900 graduates whose Class of 2020 Commencement ceremonies were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The University held two in-person commencement ceremonies to honor May, July, and December 2020 graduates at Scheumann Stadium on Ball State’s beautiful campus. “Graduates, you earned your degrees from our University during what we know was an extraordinary year—a year unlike any other since our University was founded…

Dr. Lindsey Blom

We Fly May 17, 2021

Ball State Professor Lindsey Blom Earns MAC’s 2021 Outstanding Faculty Award For Student Success

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Dr. Lindsey Blom, a professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ball State University, has earned a high honor from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for her dedication to student fulfillment. Blom today was announced as the overall winner of the 2021 MAC Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. This is the second consecutive year a Ball State educator has earned this recognition, after Jennifer Palilonis, the George and Frances Ball Distinguished…

CEO Jenni Marsh, along with campaign co-chairs Jeffrey Scott, Chancellor of Ivy Tech, and Alisa Wells, Director of Community Engagement and Wraparound Support for Ivy Tech.

Non-Profit May 15, 2021

United Way Celebration Highlights Fundraising Result, Impact and Volunteers

By Juli Metzger, Campaign Communications, United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties—  Muncie, IN—During a most remarkable fundraising campaign year, United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties raised over $1.3 million amidst a global pandemic with unprecedented needs in its three-county footprint. In addition, United Way received Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Economic Relief Initiative grant funds through Indiana United Ways. This brought in an additional $1.1 million for the benefit of the three counties. “We saw first-hand the steady work…

Delaware County officials ceremoniously broke ground on a new trail along McGalliard Road on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Photo by Intersection

Government May 15, 2021

Delaware County Adding New Trail for Recreation, Safety

By Keith Roysdon— Delaware County, IN – People who walk, run or bike on Delaware County’s trails enjoy their recreational opportunities, but also their convenience for access to retail stores, restaurants and other businesses. They appreciate the added safety factor, since trails act as sidewalks along busy streets and roads. And now the Delaware County commissioners are adding even more trail mileage in one of the area’s most traffic-intensive business districts. The county has announced 1.5 miles of new trail…

Pictured L-R: North View Principal Heidi White, Meg Jercha, MCS CEO Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski.

Education May 14, 2021

Meg Jercha, Isaac Denniston Named MCS Teachers of the Year

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN– Muncie Community Schools’ has named Megan Jercha and Isaac Denniston as its Teachers of the Year for the 2020-21 school year. Jercha, a 4th grade teacher at North View Elementary, is the district’s primary Teacher of the Year (grades K-5) while Denniston, a Choir teacher at Northside Middle School, is its secondary Teacher of the Year (grades 6-12). MCS administrators selected Jercha for her dedication and leadership as she helped develop curriculum while building a…

It’s truly amazing, the impact a teacher can have on your future. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson May 14, 2021

John Carlson: Some Late Love For Teachers

By John Carlson— Recently I became aware that I had failed to observe Teacher Appreciation Week. Now, as we all know, these are days when darned near everything has an Appreciation Week, and many of them seem pretty iffy. Paper Clips Appreciation Week. Cicada Killer Insect Spray Appreciation Week, which is probably in the works. And somewhere out there is surely a week called Broccoli Appreciation Week, which I choose not to celebrate. But Teacher Appreciation Week is another matter…

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Entertainment May 14, 2021

Minnetrista Announces Free Community Event: ‘Garden Fair’

By Minnetrista— Muncie, IN—Garden Fair, a free two-day community event, will be returning to Minnetrista in 2021. Garden Fair is the ultimate destination for gardeners of any experience level. On Saturday, June 5, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 6 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. stop by the Garden Fair to visit a wide variety of vendors offering beautiful plants, landscaping tools, and more. Visitors will get a jump start on their summer planting and plans,…

Club kids make a presentation during the Great Futures Start With Us virtual event on April 22.

Non-Profit May 14, 2021

More Than $37,000 Raised for Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie Summer Camp

By Qiana Clemens, Marketing Committee, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie would like to thank the generous donors and sponsors of this year’s Great Futures Start With Us event, presented by Magna Powertrain. The virtual event, held on Thursday, April 22, raised more than $37,000. In true Boys & Girls Clubs innovative fashion, the fundraising event shifted to a solely virtual event enabling the Clubs to increase the net amount raised for…