Articles by Mike Rhodes

Aerial photo of Muncie and Delaware County by Michael Wolfe

Government June 24, 2020

New Walking and Biking Trails Planned for South Side of Muncie

By: Delaware County Redevelopment Commission— Muncie, IN – Three miles of new walking and biking trails south of the city, serving fast-developing areas, are planned by Delaware County officials. The Muncie Industria Center Trail, which will connect residents of the south side of Muncie to the Ivy Tech Community College campus, industrial areas and the new Delaware County Justice Center complex, is a project created and led by the Delaware County commissioners. The trail, estimated in cost at about $3.3 million,…

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

Education June 24, 2020

Ball State Faculty and Students Win Regional Emmy® Awards

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN – Ball State University faculty and students received two Regional Emmy® Awards and seven Student Production Awards during the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Lower Great Lakes Emmy ​Awards on June 20, conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sports Link, Ball State’s digital sports production program, was honored in seven student production award categories. Ball State received the following production awards: College Long Form — Non-Fiction — “Why It Matters: A Tale of Two…

David Owsley Museum of Art. File photo

Entertainment June 24, 2020

Final Friday: ‘Bridges and Borders’ with the David Owsley Museum of Art 

By: Rachel Buckmaster—  Muncie, IN – Muncie’s creative community will be celebrated with the David Owsley Museum of Art’s first ever online Final Friday event on Friday, June 26 from 7 – 9 p.m.. Final Friday: BRIDGES & BORDERS will feature a variety of distinctive local voices, as emcees C.S. Hendershot and Michael Mares introduce PechaKucha speed talks on Facebook Live. Following the presentations, DJ Jannell will provide music and video collages inspired by summer and celebrating art and community. …

Photo provided by: Ball State University

Non-Profit June 23, 2020

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards 2nd Allocation of Funds to Muncie Community Schools

Muncie Community Schools Expands Preschools to all Elementary Buildings, and Project Lead the Way STEM Curriculum at all Muncie Community School Buildings with Support from the George and Frances Ball Foundation By: Thomas J. Kinghorn— Muncie, IN—The George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded the second allocation of a $1 million, 3-year commitment to the Ball State University—Muncie Community Schools partnership. The first year’s grant supported summer professional development for teachers, introduction of Project Lead the Way curriculum in 4 schools,…

First Merchants Corporation, 200 E. Jackson Street, Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business June 23, 2020

First Merchants Announces $1.4 Billion Community Benefits Plan

By: First Merchants— Muncie, IN – First Merchants has announced  a $1.4 billion community investment plan with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and its community-based members and partners. The collaborative initiative began with a needs assessment in September 2019 and was finalized earlier this month. The commitment, which extends through 2025, includes mortgage, small business and community development investments and lending. Philanthropic funding is a primary focus as well and will be funneled to low- and moderate-income communities across First…

DON'T QUIT! Fitness center equipment. Photo provided by NFGFC

Education June 22, 2020

Southside Middle School Getting New $100,000 Fitness Center

By: Andy Klotz— Muncie, Ind. – A new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center is coming to Southside Middle School this fall. The school is one of just three across Indiana receiving the state-of-the-art equipment as a gift from The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), chaired by fitness icon Jake Steinfeld, and in partnership with Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “This is fabulous!” Muncie Community Schools Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Health and fitness…

Chris Piche of the Fickle Peach.

Non-Profit June 19, 2020

‘United & Ignited’ Campaign Raises $14,250 for DWNTWN Businesses

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN—We are excited to announce that with Muncie Downtown Development support and contributions from the community, the “United & Ignited” campaign raised $14,250 for the DWNTWN Small Business Relief Grant. Nineteen businesses qualified and will be able to use the funds to offset loss of revenue due to COVID 19.   We are grateful to all of you who contributed, shared information and went to bat for our DWNTWN businesses. You really are why DWNTWN is a…

This year’s gardens are truly bursting with color and life. Photo y: John Carlson

Carlson June 19, 2020

John Carlson: The Stuff of Nature…

By: John Carlson— Gazing out a window into our side yard the other day, Nancy said something I’d never heard her say in thirty-eight years of marriage. “I just saw a duck walk by.” Having been rousted from my easy chair by this startling announcement, I looked, too. Sure enough, there among the chunks of stale wheat bread Nancy had pitched out on our lawn, Mrs. Mallard was casually waddling around like she owned the place. It just further reinforced…

Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government June 19, 2020

Judge Confirms Muncie City Engineer a Seat on Muncie Sanitary District Board

By: City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN—In his ruling on June 18th, Special Judge Haviza confirmed that Muncie City Civil Engineer, Brian Stephens-Hotopp, who was appointed by newly elected Mayor, Dan Ridenour at the start of the year, is entitled to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Muncie Sanitary District by virtue of his office. This court ruling ends a long delay as Hotopp was denied his seat by the current board during the January…

Photo by: story blocks

Education June 19, 2020

Ivy Tech Community College Offering 10,000 Participants Free Classes and Trainings

By: Ivy Tech Community College— INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has announced it is offering free classes and trainings for 10,000 participants. The College is elevating its commitment to Hoosiers impacted by COVID-19 experiencing unemployment, reduced hours, and/or furloughs across the state. Participants may take more than one class or training in a range of relevant high-demand areas. Hoosiers can get detailed information about the classes and trainings, and register for free, by visiting www.ivytech.edu/10kclasses. Many of the…