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 February 25, 2021

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, February 25th

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. For the first time, Delaware County is blue on the Indiana State Department of Health’s county…

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The MCHS 2020 graduation ceremony was held in the MCHS auditorium. Photo provided

Education February 25, 2021

2021 MCHS Graduation Ceremony Will Move To Fieldhouse

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN—Muncie Central High School’s Class of 2021 will officially graduate inside the Muncie Fieldhouse rather than Ball State University’s Worthen Arena where the ceremony has taken place in recent years. The decision to move graduation is due to the ongoing pandemic and various restrictions regarding large gatherings. “We want to ensure that our graduates have as traditional a ceremony as possible with family members in attendance,” Central High School Principal Chris Walker said. “The Fieldhouse allows…

Aerial view of the Ball State Campus. Photo by: BSU Photo Services

Education February 25, 2021

AAUW Offers Scholarship for Nontraditional Students

By Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—Applications for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship are due Thursday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2021-2022 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books, and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students of any gender identity who are 25 years old or older Students…

Mary and Cornelius Dollison. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 25, 2021

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…

Tillotson Avenue, one of the streets funded and identified for resurfacing. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government February 24, 2021

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…

BSU President Geoffrey Mearns is pictured sporting his March Madness mask. Watch his video message at the bottom of this article. Photo provided by Ball State Athletics.

Business February 24, 2021

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…

Heart of Indiana CEO Jenni Marsh at the 2020 State of the Child conference. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 24, 2021

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…

Photo by East Central Indiana Regional Planning District.

Non-Profit February 23, 2021

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…

Some of the community trailblazers featured.

Non-Profit February 23, 2021

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…

Rialzo group photo. MuncieJournal.com file photo.

Business February 22, 2021

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…