Articles by Mike Rhodes

Mary and Cornelius Dollison Are Asking For Your Help

By Mary and Cornelius Dollison— Muncie, IN—Family reunification has been a hot topic across the country for the past several years. Learning about parents’ cases experiencing separation from their children has brought about all kinds of emotions from parents and kids alike. On foreign matters, we rely on the federal government to lead the way. However, immigration policies have become such a political issue that the process has become a nightmare for many immigrants. When you add in an international…

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INDOT Awards Muncie With Federal Funding for Local Roads

By City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN—INDOT has awarded the City of Muncie $4.6 million of Federal Highway Administration construction and inspection funds for local projects. INDOT dedicates approximately 25% of its Federal Highway funds to supporting local projects each year. The projects that were funded include Tillotson from Kilgore to McGalliard,  McGalliard from Tillotson to Wheeling and McGalliard from Martin Luther King Junior Blvd to the 67 bypass, east of Muncie Mall. The Tillotson to Kilgore construction was awarded…


Where to Get Your March Madness Mask in Muncie

By Josh Rattray, Ball State Athletics— Muncie, IN—With all three NCAA divisions conducting their men’s basketball championships in the State of Indiana in 2021, March Madness is taking on a unique look and feel. To help promote COVID-19 safety measures, Ball State Athletics and the Muncie Sports Commission are teaming up to distribute masks as part of the NCAA’s #MaskMadness initiative. As part of this important program, the NCAA is donating 100,000 masks to Hoosiers from across the state who are in…


Equity and Inclusion Topic of Next Muncie ‘State of the Child’ Event

 By Juli Metzger, Board Member, IYI— Muncie, IN—The fourth annual Delaware County State of the Child, presented by the Indiana Youth Institute, will focus this year on using data to advance equity. Sponsored by the United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counites and Ball State University, the virtual summit is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 12. Presentation of the 2021 Indiana KIDS COUNT Data Book, which covers issues like family stressors by race and ethnicity, and…


ECI Regional Planning District Helps Communities Grow Through Funding, Planning

By ECIRPD— Muncie, IN—No matter if it’s the first steps toward a $30-million plan to widen an interstate highway through two counties, or less than $2,000 to paint markings at a town railroad crossing, growth and improvements and economic development don’t just happen. They require coordinated efforts like those the staff of the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District tackles every day. Created to serve communities throughout East Central Indiana, the Regional Planning District is supported by municipal partners in…


UNITY in OUR Community Event to Take Place on Saturday, February 27th

By Dr. Ruby Cain— Muncie, IN—UNITY in OUR Community Presents Love Fest: Celebrating our Firsts Join us in celebrating our community trailblazers who were the first in job position, community action, academic achievement, and more. If you know of a first, please share with us. Email a brief description and picture, if available to nyalugwemd@gmail.com. WHEN: Saturday February 27, 2021 TIME: 2 to 4 pm WHERE: Minnetrista (limited to 50 attendees) 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway, Muncie IN 47302 Masks, Social Distancing, and Temperature Screening…


Meridian Health Services Moves Rialzo Event to 2022, Replaces 2021 Event With Something New

By Meridian Health Services—  Muncie, IN— In an effort to promote and ensure healthy communities, Meridian Health Services has rescheduled its Charity Gala, Rialzo, from April 10, 2021 to April 9, 2022. This is the event’s second rescheduling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our mission in promoting healthier communities is our focus,” said Hank Milius, President/CEO of Meridian. “It’s unfortunate that our friends of Meridian cannot gather for Rialzo this year. We have always appreciated their support for our programs…


YMCA of Muncie Launches Annual Campaign to Support Community Needs

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN – The YMCA of Muncie is launching its annual fundraising campaign on February 24, via Zoom, to help ensure everyone in the community has access to vital community programs and resources – especially during these challenging times. Every year, the YMCA works to respond to the needs of the community and this year is no different. Since the country began seeing the effects of COVID-19, the Y mobilized to provide the essential services needed. Since…


14 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $597,500 in Grant Funding

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $597,500 to 14 non-profit organizations during the first Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services,…


Ivy Tech Community College Establishes Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Irie Elisabeth O’Shea

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN — The Muncie Campus of Ivy Tech Community College announces its newest endowed scholarship; Irie’s Guiding Fund. The new scholarship opportunity is named for Irie Elisabeth O’Shea, who tragically passed away in a house fire at the young age of 17. Irie was a stand-out Junior at Wes-Del High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the color guard team, and a tutor to younger students. Irie was known…