Articles by Mike Rhodes

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 January 21, 2021

Delaware County Weekly COVID-19 Update, January 21st

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.  The state of COVID-19 throughout Indiana is looking—tentatively—better. While the Indiana State  Department of Health’s county…

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Suzanne Clem, Director of Community Awareness, Open Door Health Services. Photo by Matt Howell.

Business January 21, 2021

Open Door Health Services ‘Redefines Typical’ Providing Healthcare For All, Listening to Neighbors’ Hopes and Needs

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on a six-part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Suzanne Clem is in the business of listening. As director of Community Awareness at Open Door Health Services, Clem connects with neighbors about their needs related to healthcare and access. She hears what makes them feel valued and safe, then she works with leaders at Open Door to build those…

Young Artist Competition participants are pictured during a ZOOM meeting.

Non-Profit January 21, 2021

Muncie Symphony Orchestra Announces Awards From Young Artist Competition

By Stephanie D. Wilson— Muncie, IN—The world seems a little bleak right now. Yet wonderful things are happening with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and 26 young people from around the State of Indiana. The Muncie Symphony Orchestra hosted a Young Artist Competition on Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Sursa Hall on the campus of Ball State University for 26 young artists.  According to the Dr. James Thompson, education coordinator for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Young Artist Competition provides a…

The Red Carpet Inn at 29th and Madison was finally demolished by the City of Muncie. Photo by Gretchen Cheesman

Non-Profit January 20, 2021

Muncie Action Plan 2020 Task Force 4 Update

By: Gretchen Cheesman, Chairman Task Force 4— Muncie, IN – The Muncie Action Plan spent 2020 preparing for the City of Muncie’s next strategic investment planning process in combination with an update to the Delaware County comprehensive plan. The last large-scale MAP planning took place in 2009 and although two updates have been completed since, it is time to re-visit the document with another large-scale engagement effort whereby residents help create a new vision for Muncie’s growth and investment. Representatives from the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan…

Photo provided by Ball Brothers Foundation

Non-Profit January 20, 2021

Ball Brothers Foundation Calls for Teacher Nominations, Announces Judging Panel for 2021

By Ball Brothers Foundation— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation will again honor Delaware County teachers in 2021 through the Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Nominations from school districts are due on Monday, February 1. This will be the ninth year that the award will recognize teachers who bring innovation, enthusiasm, and 21st century skills to their classrooms. The announcement of the call for nominations comes in the midst of what has been a challenging year for teachers who have done a…

Sharon Louden. Photo provided

Entertainment, We Fly January 20, 2021

Ball State’s Fred Meyer Lecture Series to Feature Sharon Louden

By Audrey Barcio, Assistant Professor of Art— Muncie, IN—Sharon Louden is an artist, educator, advocate for artists, editor of the Living and Sustaining a Creative Life series of books, and the Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Visual Arts. She graduated with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from Yale University School of Art. Her work has been exhibited in numerous venues including the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Drawing Center, Carnegie Mellon University,…

File photo

Non-Profit January 19, 2021

2021 Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie Board of Directors Members Announced

By Amy Logan— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie has 12 returning board members in 2018, and four new members, and a five-member executive committee. “We are excited about our new incoming Board Members, including full Board positions for two Parent Representatives on the Board. Including parent voices on our Board of Directors will help us do even more to better serve our kids, and respond to the needs of our community,” said Jason Newman, Boys & Girls…

Equipment breaks ground on the INOX facility on South Cowan Road in the Industria Center. Photo provided

Government January 19, 2021

Delaware County Assessed Value Up by $56.8 Million

By Delaware County Economic Development— Delaware County, IN – The Delaware County Commissioners have overseen a great increase in the assessed value of the county over the past four years. Add to that accomplishment a steady increase in investment from new companies and expansions by some longtime local companies. County Commissioner James King said, “Increased assessed values are the building blocks of government. The higher the assessed value of a county, the lower property tax rates and the more impetus for…

Kent Thomas welcomes you to Thomas Business Center located at 333 N. Franklin St. Photo by Matt Howell

Business January 18, 2021

Thomas Business Center ‘Redefines Typical’ Offering Thousands of Products, Exceptional Service, and Free Local Delivery

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on a six-part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Thomas Business Center has called downtown Muncie home since 1930. CF Thomas established the business in the Wysor Building before transitioning to the Johnson Building. From there, he moved the store above the HL Green Dollar Store before setting up shop in the Rose Court Building. In 1954, CF built…

Prairie Creek Reservoir. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government January 16, 2021

IRONMAN Group Selects Muncie to Host Full Distance Event in 2021

By City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN—The IRONMAN Group announced the addition of a new full-distance IRONMAN triathlon event that will take place in the long-standing IRONMAN partner city of Muncie, Indiana on October 2, 2021. This event will be held in conjunction with IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie. “We are excited to bring a full distance IRONMAN triathlon to this community,” said Keats McGonigal, Vice President of Operations, North America for The IRONMAN Group. “We have hosted races in Muncie for…