Articles by Mike Rhodes

Scholarship Applications are Now Available

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Delaware County high school seniors and current college students can apply for scholarships through Monday, February 24. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County manages more than 50 scholarships. Scholarship awards totaling more than $200,000 benefit students each year. Students should visit DelawareCountyScholarships.com to begin their application. WHO CAN APPLY? Requirements vary from scholarship to scholarship. Most scholarships are available for high school seniors in Delaware County, Ind. Some scholarships are also available for current…

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Local Community Unites to Support Foster Care Youth with ‘Comfort Cases Packing Party’ in Muncie

By Lauren A. Schregardus— MUNCIE, IN—On Tuesday, December 10, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Comfort Cases, and Isaiah House 1:17 joined forces at the Ross Community Center in Muncie to host a heartwarming event aimed at improving the lives of foster care children throughout Delaware County. Approximately 40 local individuals including volunteers from these organizations, alongside local community partners, gathered to pack 200 backpacks filled with essential and comforting items for children entering local foster care. The backpacks, which…


BSU Names Multicultural Center in Honor of Civil Rights Icons Vivian Conley and Hurley Goodall

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Board of Trustees on Friday approved the naming of the University’s Multicultural Center the Vivian V. Conley and Hurley C. Goodall Jr. Multicultural Center, in honor of two local civil rights icons. Both individuals made significant contributions to the University and the broader Muncie community, leaving legacies of education, advocacy, and service that continue to inspire. The Multicultural Center, which moved to a prominent new location in the heart…


Minnetrista Opens New Exhibit That Explores the History of the Ball Family

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN–Minnetrista Museum & Gardens invites visitors to step into the captivating story of one of Muncie’s most influential families with its original exhibition, Deep Roots: Exploring the Ball Family Tree. This exhibition traces the remarkable history of the Ball family—from their origins in Buffalo, New York, to their transformative impact on East Central Indiana, and their enduring influence on the region today. Deep Roots explores the Ball family’s evolution through a rich collection of family photographs and…


Ruth Sherck—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 A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Delta High School junior Ruth Sherck is all about sports, faith and family. Throughout her high school years, she’s been a three-sport athlete with soccer, basketball and track. This year, she’s missing basketball due to an injury. But that doesn’t mean she’s not busy….


Local Families Promote Reading, Dreaming, Doing

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—Research shows 90 percent of brain development occurs within the first five years of life. It’s one reason why early childhood engagements like play matters. That’s just one statistic that is driving the local Cradle to Career Muncie support network, a national movement that has emerged locally. C2CMuncie is made up of 9 Collaborative Action Networks each led by a local nonprofit, whose cross-sector team members focus on a timeline that goes from pre-kindergarten to career….


2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients from Delaware County Announced

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Delaware County – Zachary Baty from Delta High School and Josephine Burton from Burris Laboratory High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Finalists for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Delaware County must show great leadership potential, be well-rounded in their involvement, and…


IU Health Ball Named to U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

By IU Health— INDIANAPOLIS— U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named six Indiana University Health hospitals as 2025 High Performing hospitals for Maternity Care. Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital Indiana University Health Medical Center (Riley Hospital for Children) Indiana University Health North Hospital Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of…


Indiana Economic Outlook 2025 Forecast Breakfast to be Held on Jan. 16 at Horizon Convention Center

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN—What drives the decisions of the Federal Reserve Bank, and what are the implications of its actions? Back by popular demand, Dr. David E. Altig, executive vice president and chief economic adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will address these questions at Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research’s (CBER) annual Indiana Economic Outlook 2025 Forecast Breakfast. This event will also feature the 2025 economic forecast by Dr. Michael J. Hicks,…


Award-Winning Broadway Musical to Play at Emens Auditorium on December 13

By Haley Wade— MUNCIE, IN – Local residents will have the opportunity to see Dear Evan Hansen perform on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. “A brilliant musical. The message of hope and humanity is central in this incredible show, and it touches (families, parents, kids,) everybody.” – CBS News Tickets for Dear Evan Hansen are currently on sale at the Emens box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 765-285-1539. Declared “one of the most…