Articles by Mike Rhodes

Circle of Ivy group photo.

Education November 20, 2024

‘Circle of Ivy’ Awards More Than $6,000 to Support Students at Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County

Women’s Philanthropy Circle supporting the Ivy Tech Foundation works to diminish barriers to higher education for Hoosier students By Leslie DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – Circle of Ivy, the women’s philanthropy circle of the Ivy Tech Foundation, has raised more than $6,000 to support programs at Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County. Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County is one of 19 campuses to receive funding from Circle of Ivy and will support Rudi’s Success Nest and Campus Canvas. Since its inception, Circle of Ivy…

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From left, two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, and two F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, follow a KC-135 Stratotanker refueler aircraft assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, to perform a routine aerial refueling mission on Oct. 9, 2024, off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. The aircraft flew during "Devilsmoke” 2024, a three-day dogfighting competition organized by the 119th Fighter Squadron's 'Jersey Devils', which included F-15C Eagles from the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts ANG, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 175th Wing of the Maryland ANG, and F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. “Devilsmoke” 2024 also received aerial refueling support from tankers with the 108th Wing of the New Jersey ANG and the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the Maine ANG. Dogfighting is a core skill that all fighter pilots must master, and flying against dissimilar aircraft offers valuable experience for fighter pilots. U.S. Air National Guard courtesy photo by Tech. Sgt. James Norman.

Veterans November 19, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Matthew Bennett

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

First Merchants Corporation

Business November 19, 2024

First Merchants Earns American Banker’s ‘Best Banks to Work For’ Award For 2024

By Jaime Faulkner— MUNCIE, IN—First Merchants Bank (NASDAQ: FRME) has been recognized as one of the nation’s top employers by the American Banker. This prestigious honor places them among only 90 banks nationwide to receive this distinction and only one of three banks headquartered in Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio. Earning a spot on this list signifies excellence in employee benefits, satisfaction and overall work environment. According to the American Banker, “Banks that made the list tend to prioritize engaged leaders,…

The Morgan twins of Wapahani High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon.

Education November 18, 2024

Evan and Eli Morgan—Members 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 A. Shannon— SELMA, IN—They may be twins, but Wapahani High School seniors Evan and Eli Morgan aren’t carbon copies of one another. Each has his own interests, and together they have shared interests as well. Evan has participated in cross country and track throughout his high school…

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robinson, the Command Sgt. Maj. of 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade, poses in front of a Sentinel Radar during Exercise Southern Shield in Romania, Nov. 15, 2024. The event highlights NATO's defensive readiness and air defense interoperability among Allied forces. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Leara Shumate.

Veterans November 18, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Caymon Smith

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Caitlin Clark, WNBA Rookie of the Year. Photo provided

Entertainment November 15, 2024

WNBA Star Caitlin Clark and David Letterman Coming to Ball State’s Emens Auditorium

Editor’s note: All tickets have been claimed for this event, according to Ball State.  By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark will be on stage at Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium for a conversation with distinguished Ball State Alumnus David Letterman on Monday, December 2 at 7:00 pm. The conversation is part of the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series, which was established by the university in 2008. The former Late Show…

Artificial Intelligence generated image from descriptors written by Mike Rhodes.

Government November 15, 2024

Muncie City Council Approves Establishment of Three Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie City Council has officially approved the creation of three new designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs) within the city limits, a move aimed at enhancing local tourism, supporting small businesses, and promoting a vibrant, social atmosphere in key districts. The new outdoor refreshment areas will allow patrons to legally carry and consume alcoholic beverages in certain outdoor public spaces, as they explore the local area. The decision comes after months of research, collaboration, and planning….

.S. Marine Corps Rct. Michael Graziano with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, sights in at a target during the table one course of fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 6, 2024. Table one covers the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and rifle safety in all shooting positions: sitting, kneeling, and the prone. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Janell B. Alvarez.

Veterans November 15, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Jacob Garringer

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/    

Jena Ashby is the new Relationship and Resource Director for Nonprofit Support Network. Photo provided.

Non-Profit November 14, 2024

Nonprofit Support Network Welcomes New Leadership

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – Nonprofit Support Network is excited to announce Jena Ashby as the new Relationship and Resource Director. With extensive nonprofit work and volunteer experience, and a wealth of experience convening diverse groups to build authentic, collaborative relationships, Ashby is well-prepared to lead Nonprofit Support Network in expanding opportunities to strengthen nonprofits in Muncie and Delaware County. This transition also allows us to celebrate Carly Acree King, whose leadership helped launch Nonprofit Support Network as a…

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sep. 7, 2024) An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 sit ready on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), September 8, 2024. USS Gerald R. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean to further develop core unit capabilities during its basic phase of the optimized fleet response plan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky.

Veterans November 14, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Audrey Farris

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/