Articles by Mike Rhodes

Heart of Indiana United Way President & CEO Jenni Marsh.

Government September 1, 2021

City of Muncie Launches American Rescue Plan Non-Profit Grants: $2 Million to Be Awarded  

By Muncie City Council— MUNCIE, Ind.—Non-profit organizations can now apply 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 Rescue Plan (ARP) funding of $31.7 million was set aside specifically to help the non-profit sector. Applications are available on the city’s website and are due September 30, 2021. Jeff Robinson, President of the City Council and District 2 Councilman, recruited a diverse…

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

Government September 1, 2021

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour Files 2022 Budget to City Council

By Tony Sandleben, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, Ind. – On August 30th, Mayor Dan Ridenour filed his proposed budget for 2022 officially to the clerk’s office for the Muncie City Council review. This is the second budget of his term and will be introduced at the September 13th city council meeting. As was the case in 2021, Mayor Ridenour focused increased funding toward parks and other quality of life items such as streets. “My budget remains focused on…

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business September 1, 2021

First Merchants Appoints Greg Mather as Chief Marketing Officer

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) today announced Greg Mather as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Mather will lead all marketing operations and oversee the company’s initiative to establish a high-performing marketing sales pipeline and multi-channel customer experience. Mather brings over 20 years of marketing experience within the financial industry, serving previously as CMO for large super-regional banks throughout the Midwest and Texas. Mather’s experience in omni-channel acquisition, brand management and marketing optimization…

The official microphone of MuncieJournal.com—the dynamic cardioid Electrovoice model RE3020. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment September 1, 2021

LISTEN: Mike Rhodes’ Podcast From MuncieJournal.com, Episode 4

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, Ind.—In this week’s podcast we dedicate the entire 7 minutes by talking about IRONMAN. Specifically, the need for volunteers to be involved with various activities to make sure the event is successful. HUNDREDS of people are still needed to help. The annual IRONMAN triathlon will be even larger this year after the cancellation of last year’s event. Muncie is hosting not only the regular IRONMAN 70.3 race, as it does every year, but a full-distance triathlon on…

Photo by Keith Roysdon

Government August 31, 2021

Delaware County Saves Hundreds of Thousands on Bonds and Will Repave Streets 

By Keith Roysdon— DELAWARE COUNTY, Indiana — Delaware County taxpayers will save hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to refinancing of bonds — and motorists will see newly repaved roads as a result.  The Delaware County commissioners announced the savings and repaving, which was made possible by recent action taken by the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission.  Officials said $529,000 will be saved by refinancing capital infrastructure bonds issued through the Morrison Road and Park One tax increment financing districts. The…

Asleep at the Wheel. Photo provided

Entertainment August 31, 2021

‘Asleep at the Wheel’ to Headline FREE Muncie Concert on Sept. 11th

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, Ind.– Acclaimed Western Swing band Asleep at the Wheel will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2021 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 11th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. The Ball State University Jazz Lab Ensemble will open the show. This concert is presented by Ball State University. Please note that the…

Photos provided by Saint Mary's College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Non-Profit August 30, 2021

Ball Venture Fund Drives Innovation in Higher Education

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Throughout recent years, college enrollment nationwide has seen a steady decrease. To stay relevant, David Wantz, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana, said colleges need to do one thing: innovate. “Colleges are going to have to find a way of differentiating themselves in order to stay alive,” Wantz said. “From a strictly pecuniary viewpoint, they’ve got to diversify. They’ve got to innovate, or they’ll die.” To spearhead innovation, ICI has, for the…

The official microphone of MuncieJournal.com—the dynamic cardioid Electrovoice model RE3020. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment August 30, 2021

LISTEN: Mike Rhodes’ Podcast From MuncieJournal.com, Episode 3

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, Ind.—In this week’s podcast we begin by talking about some numbers. Like the number 249,600. What does that number mean? Probably not what you think. This is podcast #3, something we are trying to do weekly on MuncieJournal.com. Other topics in this week’s program include: the number 10.2%, a bit about John Carlson who writes a weekly column for us that is published on Friday mornings, how you can dunk Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and…

Ed Asner photo by Rich Kowalski

Entertainment August 30, 2021

Cornerstone Mourns Loss of Ed Asner

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.–  Cornerstone Center for the Arts joins the nation in mourning the loss of beloved actor Ed Asner, who was to have performed GOD HELP US! earlier this month at Cornerstone. GOD HELP US! was scheduled to be presented Aug. 17 – 20, at Cornerstone but was postponed due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Delaware County. Cornerstone has returned to its mask mandate inside the building. “We were looking for new dates to…

White River Lofts illustration.

Business August 30, 2021

White River Lofts Are Ready for Leasing

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, Ind.—According to Vicki Veach, executive director of the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, the White River Lofts are ready for leasing and are filling quickly. Move-ins can begin on September 3, 2021. If you or someone you know is interested in leasing you may contact Middletown Rentals for more information.