Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Non-Profit April 30, 2020

‘Safe Recovery Site’ for Persons Experiencing Homelessness and COVID-19 to Open May 5th

By: Ryan Remington— Muncie, IN—Through a joint effort, Bridges Community Services will open an emergency, isolation quarantine facility for all individuals experiencing homelessness who have tested positive or are presumed positive, for COVID-19 on May 5th, 2020. Partners in this project include Bridges Community Services, Inc., Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Muncie Community Development Office, the City of Muncie, the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Heartland Ambulance Services, Open Door Health…

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Photo provided by: Roo's Holistic Pet Supplies

Business April 29, 2020

There’s More To Muncie! PineAcre Kennels and Roo’s Holistic Pet Supplies

By: Hailey Perkins— Muncie, IN—There’s More to Muncie! We have all heard that phrase by now on the radio and the special #MoreToMuncie campaign. But what does that mean? To Hailey Perkins and Amber Corduan, it means there is more to this community than you might see. There is a whole community of pet people that make Muncie an interesting, well-known, and diverse city! For example, PineAcre Kennels is one of the many hidden gems of Muncie. PineAcre has been a staple in…

Duncan McLarty. Photo provided

Non-Profit, Positivity April 28, 2020

Duncan McLarty Is Making a Difference During The Pandemic

By: Hannah Dunckel— Muncie, IN—It was the beginning of March, and the world was changing before our eyes. Every hour there was a new update on canceled events, businesses closing, kids going home from school, and most importantly, people who needed help due to the rising concerns of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. People were scared and unsure of where to turn. Through anxiety and fear, we began seeing “the helpers.” Fred Rogers was quoted saying, “When I…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo provided

Non-Profit April 28, 2020

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards $75,000 to Local Hospitals, Continues COVID-19 Support for Front-Line Workers

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in East Central Indiana, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded a $75,000 grant to the IU Health Foundation. The grant will support the needs of hospital employees in Delaware, Jay and Blackford Counties who are working around the clock to fight COVID-19.  More specifically, the funding will be used to provide team members in the East Central Indiana region with meals, including during night shifts when cafeterias and…

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Entertainment April 27, 2020

Farmers Market at Minnetrista Moves Forward With Modified Model

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, IN—The Farmers Market at Minnetrista will be open for business on May 2nd from 9 a.m.–noon. The Farmers Market is classified an essential community service as an event which provides fresh and healthy food options for our community. Minnetrista has been working closely with the Delaware County Health Department for direction, to ensure that we are aware of all guidelines concerning COVID-19 (coronavirus) best practices. Farmers Market will understandably look different than it has in the…

Ross Community Center continues to serve neighbors by modifying their weekly market to drive-through food distribution. Ross Community Center is a recipient of an Emergency Response Grant from The Community Foundation. Photo provided

Non-Profit April 27, 2020

Community Foundation Grants Additional $13,000 in COVID-19 Response Funding

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN— The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded an additional $13,000 to eight non-profit organizations to support response efforts to the COVID-19 crisis.  Community Foundation staff continue to connect with and listen to the plans, challenges, and needs of a variety of vital community organizations across Delaware County. Decisions for this third round of response funding were made to come along side these vital community organizations with identified immediate needs related…

First Merchants Corporation

Business April 26, 2020

First Merchants Corporation Pledges $1 Million to Communities Impacted by COVID-19

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN– First Merchants Corporation, Indiana’s second largest financial services holding company, has announced a $1 million commitment to local non-profit organizations supporting communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The negative economic impact caused by this pandemic cannot be overstated, and First Merchants is committed to doing everything we can to assist our communities during these difficult times,” said First Merchants CEO Michael C. Rechin. “Our success in recent years is a direct reflection of…

Muncie Central High School. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education April 26, 2020

Principal Chris Walker: The NEW Normal at MCHS After COVID-19

By: Chris Walker, Principal at Muncie Central High School— Muncie, IN—Friday March 13, 2020 started out as a normal day at Muncie Central High School.  Normal until about 2:50 pm when I was on the public address system informing our students and staff that we would be conducting eLearning the following week and the week after Spring Break. As I outlined expectations for the next three weeks and gave instructions on items that needed to be taken home at dismissal,…

Downtown Muncie's iconic sculpture, “Passing of the Buffalo” standing tall at dawn. Photo by: Matt Howell, Farmhouse Creative

Business April 25, 2020

Community Leaders Comment On Instilling HOPE To The Citizens of Muncie During COVID-19

By: Mike Rhodes, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN— Munciejournal.com reached out to a number of local community leaders to get their thoughts on how to keep hope alive during the coronavirus pandemic. Their thoughts and comments are below. Dan Ridenour, Mayor of Muncie The City of Muncie is such a vibrant community. The city’s best resource is its people. I see people unite and come together in times of need. While these circumstances related to the COVID-19 epidemic are less than ideal,…

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Education April 24, 2020

Ivy Tech Is Offering Free Tutoring

By: Jennifer Gasiorek— Does 5th grade math have you perplexed? Muncie, Ind—Ivy Tech Community College Muncie and Henry County Campus is offering free tutoring for students in all grade levels. Dr. Mia Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs was getting frustrated with trying to help with her son’s Math homework. “I bet many of our students, staff and community members may be facing the same struggle with their children being at home. Let’s face it, e-learning isn’t easy, and many parents…