Articles by Mike Rhodes

Yorktown High School Ranked As One of Indiana’s Best High Schools

Education May 27, 2021

Yorktown High School Ranked As One of Indiana’s Best High Schools

By Emme Hembree, student writer/journalist, Yorktown High School— Yorktown, IN—Yorktown High School ranked #23 as one of Indiana’s best high schools, according to US News & World Report. To Yorktown Community Schools superintendent Greg Hinshaw, one of Yorktown’s biggest strengths is the advanced placement (AP) course turnout. “The reality is, AP tends to score higher on a measure of school-wide effectiveness in high schools just like ours. We are working on creating a college transfer core out of our 27 AP and dual credit classes to transfer as a unit to any state public school.” AP classes are part of…

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Shea Johnson Hits Hole-in-One During Annual Hillcroft Golf Scramble

Non-Profit May 26, 2021

Shea Johnson Hits Hole-in-One During Annual Hillcroft Golf Scramble

By Dan Wolfert— Muncie, IN—There’s a good chance Tim Beaty was looking down from high above during the 17th Annual Hillcroft Services Golf Scramble, held at The Players Club at Woodland Trails in Yorktown a few weeks back. He must have absolutely loved what he saw watching hole No. 13. Tim, affectionately known as Timbo to many, heartbreakingly lost his brave battle with COVID- 19 this past September at the age of 63. He participated in many different services at Hillcroft, dating back to 1976 soon after his graduation from Muncie Northside High School. In 2004, through Hillcroft’s employment services…

Global Packaging Manufacturer Selects Muncie as Second U.S. Plant Location

Business May 26, 2021

Global Packaging Manufacturer Selects Muncie as Second U.S. Plant Location

By Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN—Global packaging manufacturer CANPACK announced today it will build its second U.S.-based, state-of-the-art aluminum beverage can body manufacturing plant in Muncie, creating over time approximately 345 high-paying, local jobs by 2023. The proposed project, which represents a $380 million investment in Delaware County and the State of Indiana with the potential to expand to 425 jobs and $490 million by 2025, will be located on 139 acres of land on the southwest corner of South Cowan and West Fuson Roads in Monroe Township in Muncie. Officials from CANPACK and its owner Giorgi Global…

‘A Can is Never Just a Can’—WATCH

Business May 26, 2021

‘A Can is Never Just a Can’—WATCH

By Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN—Global packaging manufacturer CANPACK announced today it will build its second U.S.-based, state-of-the-art aluminum beverage can body manufacturing plant in Muncie, creating over time approximately 345 high-paying, local jobs by 2023. The proposed project, which represents a $380 million investment in Delaware County and the State of Indiana with the potential to expand to 425 jobs and $490 million by 2025, will be located on 139 acres of land on the southwest corner of South Cowan and West Fuson Roads in Monroe Township in Muncie. Watch the promotional video below.   Related article…

MCS Teachers to Receive Unprecedented Pay Raises

Education May 26, 2021

MCS Teachers to Receive Unprecedented Pay Raises

 Starting salaries rise to $42,000 By Andy Klotz— Muncie, Ind. – Less than a month after approving $1,000 stipends for all active school district employees for the additional work required due to COVID-19, the Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees is boosting teachers’ pay again. The board has approved salary increases for all teachers ranging from $2,400 to $5,200 annually. It has also raised starting teacher pay to $42,000, up from $38,500. The raises are a result of increased K-12 education funding allocated by the Indiana General Assembly in the last legislative session. Teachers will begin receiving their larger paychecks at the…

YMCA of Muncie to Expand Anti-Hunger Fight Through Summer Food Distribution

Non-Profit May 25, 2021

YMCA of Muncie to Expand Anti-Hunger Fight Through Summer Food Distribution

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN— Continuing its efforts to combat hunger in local communities, the YMCA of Muncie will offer food distribution during the summer months at the Downtown Y, Ross Community Center and Heekin Park. Healthy meals will be available to children 18 and under beginning June 1st. A unique partnership between the YMCA, Inside Out, Ross Community Center, Muncie Parks and Recreation and Muncie Sports Commission, the program provides children access to high quality and sustainable meals. “During times of uncertainty, families can count on the Y to provide essential services for the community,” says Chad Zaucha, President…

American Association of University Women Used Book Sale is Underway

Non-Profit May 24, 2021

American Association of University Women Used Book Sale is Underway

By Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—The American Association of University Women and IPR Used Book Sale started Monday. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in Assembly Hall of the Ball State Alumni Center, located at Bethel and Tillotson avenues. Parking is free. The book sale has more than 30 tables of books of nonfiction and fiction, including mysteries, romance, thrillers/adventure, biographies, history, opinion and religion; a great collection of cookbooks; a great collection of children’s books; numerous audio books; more than 600 CDs featuring all kinds of…

Home Instead’s Joe Wrin Presented with Award For Support of Military Employees

Business May 24, 2021

Home Instead’s Joe Wrin Presented with Award For Support of Military Employees

By U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Josh Weaver— Muncie, IN—One weekend a month, three weeks a year, and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. That’s what Citizen Airmen do part time, but full time we live and work locally in communities around the world.In order to serve, Airmen need support from civilian employers. Employers like Joe Wrin, Franchise Owner of Home Instead, whose support of his employees who serve in the Indiana Guard and Reserve has earned him the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Pro Patria Award after being nominated by Master Sgt. Steven Leach, 434th…

10 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive 6K in Grant Funding

Non-Profit May 24, 2021

10 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $186K in Grant Funding

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $186,384 to 10 nonprofit organizations during the second Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2021. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education, and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is a publicly supported philanthropic institution governed by…

Sing With The Cicadas! Join The Human Cicada Chorus Project

Non-Profit May 23, 2021

Sing With The Cicadas! Join The Human Cicada Chorus Project

By Sarah Shaffer— Muncie, IN— The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC), invites the Muncie community to participate in the Human Cicada Chorus led by PlySpace artist in residence Erin Mallea. The Cicada Chorus includes a series of free workshops designed to help prepare participants for the culmination of the project: an outdoor video shoot of the choral performance. The video will premiere in Muncie in late June as a celebration of the 17-year Brood X emergence and as a thank you to all participants who made the work possible. In May and June 2021, Brood X of 17 year cicadas…