Articles by Mike Rhodes

Some sand, some saltwater and avoiding sharks make for a fine vacation. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson March 19, 2021

John Carlson: Another Week On The Beach

By John Carlson— Welcome to another edition of “What I Did On My Vacation.” Arriving at our usual Florida hangout last week, Nancy and I hightailed it up past our knees into the frothy surf while my buddy, Jimmy Hayes, waved his smart phone to greet us. “Smile, honey!” I urged as we faced him, the dazzling sunlight illuminating our ghostly pale epidermal skin layers. But Jimmy just laughed. “I’m not taking your picture!” he said. “I’m showing you a…

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This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion.

Health March 18, 2021

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, March 18th

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Delaware County weekly COVID-19 updates are released every Thursday and include information from the Indiana State Department of Health county metrics dashboard, which is updated every Wednesday afternoon. Muncie, IN—This week, Indiana lowered the age for COVID-19 eligibility to 45 or older and expanded…

Asia Wyatt was awarded the 2019 Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year award at the 2020 Great Futures Dinner.

Non-Profit March 17, 2021

Magna Powertrain Named Presenting Sponsor Of Great Futures Dinner

By Qiana Clemens— Muncie, IN—The Great Futures Dinner is a long-standing tradition benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie (BGCM), and this year’s event will prove to be like no other. This year’s virtual program will stream online on the Club’s Facebook page, website, and YouTube channel beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2021. BGCM is proud to announce this year’s Presenting Sponsor: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc. The event includes an online auction, a performance by the…

First Merchants Corporation

Business March 17, 2021

Forbes Ranks First Merchants as Top Bank in Indiana for Fourth Consecutive Year

By First Merchants— Citing growth and lending ability, Muncie-based financial institution ranks 15th in U.S. Muncie, IN— Forbes has released its 2021 list of “America’s Best Banks,” and once again, one of the Midwest’s legacy financial institutions sits at the top of banks based in Indiana and one of the best in the nation. First Merchants Bank – Indiana’s second largest financial services holding company – is rated by Forbes as the country’s 15th best bank for 2021. “My colleagues…

A recent Habitat Home in the process of being built. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 17, 2021

Muncie Habitat for Humanity Moves Annual Dream Builder’s Breakfast to Virtual Format

By Eileen Oaks Molter— Muncie, IN—The Dream Builders Society Breakfast provides a tremendous opportunity for Muncie Habitat for Humanity to share the work and impact of their efforts, and to invite guests to support Habitat’s housing mission. “After last year’s cancelation we are excited to continue to share stories of homes, communities and  hope, with the community again,” said Lindsey Arthur, Muncie Habitat CEO. “This year will be different while we continue to raise critical funds as we keep the…

A solar panel installation. Photo by: story blocks

Non-Profit March 16, 2021

Solarize Indiana March Zoom Meeting To Take Place on March 17th

By Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—Area residents and business owners will learn how the federal tax credit of 26% has been extended through 2021 and 2022 for installing solar panels on houses, farm structures and places of business during the next Zoom meeting of Solarize Indiana. The Zoom meeting for Solarize Indiana, a grassroots community group, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. The Zoom meeting will involve a 30-minute presentation followed by an hour for questions and answers….

Artwork that was featured at Artswalk 2015. File photo.

Government March 16, 2021

Greg Pence Announces Details for 2021 Congressional Art Competition for High School Students

By Greg Pence Press Office— Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) today shared details of the annual Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The deadline to submit artwork is April 16th, 2021. The Artistic Discovery Contest is…

Nicole South is pictured stacking risers during the State Championship on March 6th. Photo provided

Education March 15, 2021

Muncie Southside Middle School Robotics Team Competes in State Championship

By Brian DeRome, Southside Technology Teacher— Muncie, IN—On March 6th, the Southside Middle School Robotics Team competed in the 2021 Indiana VEX IQ State Championships. Southside was one of 80 teams competing in the event out of more than 1,900 teams in the state. The event was virtual so all the matches took place at Southside and were streamed back to judges based in Indianapolis. They qualified for the event by winning an in-person league tournament held at Jay County High…

Muncie and Delaware County has become a hot real estate market.

Business March 13, 2021

Study Ranks Muncie’s Housing Market #1 Most Affordable in the USA

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-chief— Muncie, IN—A recent study published by Insurify.com using data gathered from Realtor.com lists Muncie, Indiana as the #1 city in the USA for affordable housing. Here are some of Muncie’s stand-out findings according to the report: Median home listing price: $85,217, which is 75.4% below the national average Median price per foot: $62.37, which is 55.9% below the national average Median days on the market: 63, which is 17.11% below the national average The study also…

Major life changes happen while you’re ice skating, not all of them good.

Carlson March 12, 2021

John Carlson: No Skating Around The Issue

By John Carlson— Every year about this time, winter’s last gasps remind me how happy I am to be too old to ice skate. As kids, my sister Patty and I skated a lot. Home being right off Lake Erie in northern Ohio, where winters were invariably a pain in the tush, our city operated two municipal ice-skating rinks. These were fine facilities, with buildings for skaters to warm themselves in, hot chocolate on tap, and Zamboni ice machines to…