Articles by Mike Rhodes

City of Muncie Launches Educational Program Before Attacking Blight

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—It was an attractive home, nestled between two expansive oak trees. Tiny wind chimes tinkled every so often from the front porch, announcing their presence. The grass was freshly cut, yet the sidewalk and street showed no evidence of trimmings. It was a home someone loved—a home to be proud of. The home next door was quite a different story. Grass and weeds stood over a foot tall. Cigarette butts covered the sidewalk. Trash dumpsters were…

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John Carlson: Wishin’ and Hopin’…

By: John Carlson— This being spring, it is a time of renewal and hope for almost everyone but Nancy and me. For us, it brings only bitterness and shame. This is because we are losing the neighborhood bird races. For example, word got around our neighborhood that some folks were attracting Baltimore orioles using oranges and jelly. Never having seen a Baltimore oriole except on Major League Baseball telecasts, Nancy and I got excited and tried to attract one, too….


Delaware County, Local Communities Eligible for Pandemic Relief Funds

By: Lydia Kirschner, Indiana House Republicans Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE– Delaware County and local communities are eligible for more than $6.5 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses through the federal stimulus package, according to local lawmakers. “Communities across our state are incurring unexpected expenses to fight this virus,” said State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero). “This funding provides an opportunity to recoup some money spent on resources that are needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Hoosiers’ health.” Cook said Indiana…


Chamber Names Naylor 2020 Legacy Award Recipient

By: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber— Muncie, IN— The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor will be recognized as the 2020 recipient of the Chamber’s Legacy Award. This year’s Legacy Gala is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community, and who has provided…


BY5’s Annual ‘Nature Play Days’ Event Moved to At-Home Activities

By: Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, IN — Every summer, Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative hosts a series of community events as part of Nature Play Days, a state-wide event put together by Indiana Children and Nature Network. However, due to health and safety concerns, BY5 has announced that this year’s Nature Play Days—which run from June 6 through June 14—will consist of daily activities families can complete at home.  “Due to COVID-19, Nature Play Days look a little…


Restart and Grow Your Business with a Restart Loan

By: Ted Baker— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the launch of the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund.  Independently-owned for-profit businesses located in Delaware County, Indiana with a maximum of five full-time employees may be eligible for a loan up to $2,500 through the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund. This program is presented by the Muncie Innovation Connector and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. Businesses must have been actively in operation with…


Jason Newman: Talking With Our Kids About Racism

By: Jason Newman, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie— For the past three months, our kids have been scared, in some cases, terrified, about a deadly virus, that has changed their lives completely. Over the past two weeks, all of our media are talking about the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and most recently, George Floyd (and there are so many others, too many others). For those of us who are white, we are asking, should I talk about this…


Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Receive $160,000 Ball Brothers Foundation Grant

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, IN—The Ball Brothers Foundation awards the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie with a $160,000 grant to support the Clubs’ mission to create a safe environment for the youth of our city. The Ball Brothers Foundation grant will allow the Clubs to employ 10 youth development professionals, pay for a portion of the utilities expense and be able to remodel a few rooms within the Madison St. site. Jason Newman, CEO of the Boys & Girls…


Community Foundation Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients 

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—Congratulations to the following graduates: Christian Barton, a senior at Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is the recipient of the Owen H. Ramey Memorial Scholarship. Barton plans to attend Ball State University to study secondary education. He is the son of Shane Barton and Holly Barton.  Noah Collins, a senior at Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is the recipient of the Nicholas Brooks Sherfy Memorial Scholarship. Collins plans to attend Earlham College to study sports management. He is…


Muncie Breaks Ground on First Phase of White River Canal District

By: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN— In a groundbreaking ceremony on May 28th, local officials and representatives of WS Property Group gathered to celebrate the start of construction on White River Lofts, a mixed-use riverfront building in downtown Muncie that includes 55 residential apartments with high quality finishes and views of the White River. Commercial space will be available on the ground floor. The project is the first phase of the White River Canal District, and will be…