Articles by Mike Rhodes

Grants to Grow Healthcare Talent in East Central Indiana Among M Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation

Non-Profit November 4, 2025

Grants to Grow Healthcare Talent in East Central Indiana Among $5M Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation, a family foundation committed to place-based grantmaking in Indiana for nearly a century, has awarded more than $5 million in its second round of grants for 2025. A major focus of this round supports projects that strengthen East Central Indiana’s healthcare workforce pipeline. This funding will help expand medical education, launch new healthcare credential programs, and provide hands-on experiences for high school and college students preparing for healthcare careers. Among the largest of the healthcare-related grants is $75,000 to Indiana University School of Medicine–Muncie to support expanded physician training. Funding will…

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‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Kaleigh Brinkley

Veterans November 4, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Kaleigh Brinkley

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Gordy Fine Art & Framing: Carl & Barbara Schafer Celebrate Ten Years as Owners

Business November 3, 2025

Gordy Fine Art & Framing: Carl & Barbara Schafer Celebrate Ten Years as Owners

By Barbara Schafer— MUNCIE, IN—This First Thursday, November 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. stop by Gordy Fine Art & Framing to celebrate with Carl and Barbara their first decade of ownership. Greg Pyle will be sharing his musical talents with artworks by various artists that have called Muncie home. Barbara and Carl will be speaking at 6:15 pm. Refreshments will be served. “Our success over these ten years is because we live in a community where people want to  support a small family owned business. They want personalized service with individuals who stand by their work. We learn our…

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Emma Searcy

Veterans November 3, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Emma Searcy

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Broadway Smash ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’ Coming to Emens Auditorium, Nov. 19

Entertainment October 31, 2025

Broadway Smash ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’ Coming to Emens Auditorium, Nov. 19

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University will present the North American tour of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Emens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster, at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.), or by phone at 765-285-1539. Written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, this electrifying stage musical tells the inspiring true story of Tina Turner—an artist who defied racism, sexism, and ageism to become the global “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Featuring…

YWCA Announces Capital Campaign Plans, Raises ,000 at Annual HEELS Event

Non-Profit October 30, 2025

YWCA Announces Capital Campaign Plans, Raises $75,000 at Annual HEELS Event

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—You may not always get to see the result of your kindness, but never doubt that it leaves a mark. Lives are transformed not just by systems and shelters, but by people — people who choose to care, choose to give, choose to believe in someone else’s better future. Nearly 400 supporters turned out for YWCA Central Indiana’s 2025 annual Walk In HER HEELS fundraising event recently. HEELS is an acronym for Help, Empower, Encourage, Lift and Support. “None of us can know what it is like for the individuals seated next to us – none of…

Public Invited to Muncie Area Career Center Open House on November 6

Education October 30, 2025

Public Invited to Muncie Area Career Center Open House on November 6

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN—High school is changing in Indiana. Students must now choose among three readiness seals – Enrollment, Employment or Enlistment & Service – and fulfill that seal’s requirements in order to graduate, beginning with the class of 2029. Many students are expected to focus on an Employment seal, which makes the Muncie Area Career Center (MACC) the perfect place to prepare them for life after school. On Thursday, November 6, prospective students can get a firsthand look at the MACC’s 15 different programs during the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Open House from 5:30 to 7:30…

City of Muncie Awarded .75 Million in READI 2.0 Funding to Advance Downtown Housing & Gateway Project

Government October 29, 2025

City of Muncie Awarded $6.75 Million in READI 2.0 Funding to Advance Downtown Housing & Gateway Project

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN – The City of Muncie is proud to announce that it has been awarded $6.75 million in READI 2.0 funding to support transformative development in the city’s core, including new downtown housing and the creation of a signature gateway experience. The funding, when combined with the over $10 million in city infrastructure investment will be used to advance two major initiatives, the Muncie Central City Housing Project which includes 34 new homes in the Old West End neighborhood and the Highpoint Station/Downtown Gateway; a 4 story multi-use building featuring a public greenspace and gateway art…

ecoREHAB Awarded ,000 Through ‘Make More Happen” Awards Program

Business October 28, 2025

ecoREHAB Awarded $10,000 Through ‘Make More Happen” Awards Program

By Brianna Pisacane— MUNCIE, IN—Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to ecoREHAB, a nonprofit committed to advancing the community through sustainable design, rehabilitation, and education, has been awarded $10,000 through the Make More Happen Awards program. Initially, Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency received a $5,000 donation through the Liberty Mutual® and Safeco Insurance® 2025 Make More Happen™ Awards program for its partnership with ecoREHAB. After the story was featured on the Make More Happen microsite at https://www.agentgiving.com/goosehead-metzler-agency,  the community rallied with over 500 votes and comments—triggering a matching donation and bringing the total to $10,000. Growing up in…

Ball Brothers Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Fellowship Program

Non-Profit October 28, 2025

Ball Brothers Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Fellowship Program

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Fellows Program, bringing together nearly half of the program’s alumni for a special evening of reflection, connection, and recognition at the Delaware Country Club. The Fellows Program, launched in 2004, was created to provide two East Central Indiana nonprofit leaders each year with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the foundation world. Through meetings with Foundation staff, Fellows are invited to step away from day-to-day demands to reflect on current and future issues facing the nonprofit sector and to reflect on nonprofit leadership….