Articles by Mike Rhodes

Local Non-Profits Partner for Muncie Symphony Patrons

By Dan Wolfert— MUNCIE, Ind.—Two local non-profit agencies with long histories in the Muncie community have come together to provide an added benefit to symphony attendees this upcoming season. The Muncie Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Hillcroft Services’ Reliable Transit Division have partnered together for the 2021-22 MSO season to provide FREE shuttle service for MSO patrons in need of extra assistance to and from the two main parking lots that feed Emens Auditorium. This service will be offered for all six shows starting with the September 18th performance of Michael Cavanaugh: The Music of Billy Joel. This shuttle service will…

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Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Halteman Park Playground, Pavilion, and Splashpad

 By J.P.Hall— MUNCIE, Ind.—After years of challenges, the private Halteman Swim Club closed its doors in 2017 and was sold shortly after at the county tax sale. The property became abandoned, blighted, dangerous, and an overall eyesore upon the community. Via an incredible public/private partnership between the Halteman Village Neighborhood Association (HVNA), the City of Muncie, the Muncie Parks Department, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program, and many individual and local Foundation’s, all are ready to celebrate a soft opening of the public park specifically highlighting the new playground, pavilion and splash pad. What: Playground/Pavilion/Splash…


Ro Selvey: Establishing a Registry for Vacant and Abandoned Properties

By Ro Selvey— MUNCIE, Ind. – Like many midwestern cities with a rich history, the City of Muncie has seen its fair share of changes to our local economy, our demographics, and to our neighborhoods. Many of these changes are the inevitable price of progress, they are all accompanied with their own unique challenges. Our housing is no exception. While our community has seen necessary and prudent growth in our residential structures, at the same time we are not exempt from the many homes that are left blighted and in disrepair. According to the most recent census data, 15% of…


Grammy, Oscar Winner Tiara Thomas Returning to Ball State University as Part of Letterman Lecture Series

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer-songwriter Tiara Thomas, a 2012 Ball State University graduate, is returning to Ball State as the next guest in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series. “A Conversation with Tiara Thomas” will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Sursa Performance Hall on Ball State’s campus, and will be livestreamed at bsu.edu/live. Free tickets for Ball State students, faculty, and staff are currently available at the College of Fine Arts box office in Sursa Hall. The box office is open Monday through Friday from noon-5…


American Electric Power Foundation Donates $225,000 To Ivy Tech Muncie’s Youth Empowerment Program

By Corey Ohlenkamp— MUNCIE, Ind. – The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation, on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power, has pledged $225,000 over three years ($75,000 annually) to support the Ivy Tech Muncie Youth Empowerment Program. This first-of-its-kind partnership between the NAACP Muncie Branch, Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana Michigan Power will provide leadership development and educational programming for minority Muncie-area high school students. The Muncie Youth Empowerment Program will provide new opportunities and education to Muncie’s youth, investing in the next generation of leaders for our community, expanding students’ experiences and opening doors to new avenues of higher learning….


Open Door Health Services Launches New Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Program

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, Ind. – Open Door Health Services has launched a new no-cost COVID-19 testing program in Muncie. Testing takes place drive-through style on the site of Open Door Urgent Care, located at 1651 E. 29th St. Monday, Sept. 13 marked the first day for the program, which is contracted through the Indiana Department of Health. As a community testing site, anyone in the community is welcome to seek testing through the program. Both rapid and PCR tests are available. PCR tests generally take 2-5 days for results. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at www.opendoorhs.org/testing. Anyone not able…


Residents Invited to Attend Solarize ECI Zoom Meeting

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—Indiana 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 East Central Indiana. The Zoom meeting sponsored by Solarize ECI, a grassroots community group affiliated with Solarize Indiana, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. The Zoom meeting will involve a 30-minute presentation followed by an hour for questions and answers. There is no charge to attend the Solarize ECI Zoom meeting. Prior registration…


Muncie Symphony Orchestra to Perform ‘The Music of Billy Joel’

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind.— “We’re all in the mood for a melody”—and on Sept. 18, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will give audiences just that, providing an evening of Billy Joel music. MSO will be joined by Michael Cavanaugh, a renowned performer and musician who was hand-selected by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.” Cavanaugh first started performing Billy Joel hits with symphony orchestras with the Indianapolis Symphony in 2008. Now, Muncie is welcoming him back to Indiana for the first show of MSO’s 2021–22 season. “It’s going to be an incredible show,” said Scott Watkins, executive…


Ball State Sustains Strongest Period of Philanthropic Support in University’s History

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University raised $36 million in philanthropic gifts and commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021, marking the third consecutive year of more than $30 million in new private, philanthropic gifts to the University. “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our alumni and benefactors enabled us to achieve one of the best years of fundraising in our University’s history,” said Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “They made these extraordinarily generous gifts because they know that their investments in our people—in our students, our faculty, and our…


Woof Boom Radio Rolls Out LIVE Video Streaming of Local Sports

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—It’s not like a national television network’s coverage of a National Football League game. But it’s close. After quietly testing out equipment and their multi-camera setup for a few weeks, Woof Boom Radio’s sports station has rolled out LIVE video streaming of Delaware County football games. Mark Foerster, program director for WXFN, Muncie’s Sports Station 102.9 FM, 1340 AM says the LIVE video streaming coverage will also include Delaware County basketball games and tournaments, too. “High School Sports live streaming has been something we’ve discussed for several years now. We’re excited to now offer…