Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Business April 16, 2020

Today’s Jobless Claims Provide Glimmer of Hope for Economy

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Today’s initial jobless claims provide the first glimmer of hopeful economic news in weeks, says Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University. Though the initial claims were very high, at 5.2 million, this is a deceleration from last week’s 6.6 million, he said. Since March 14, the total number of Americans who have filed initial jobless claims is around 22 million, or about 13.5% of the labor force,…

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Airforce Two is pictured landing at the Muncie-Delaware County Airport on May 18, 2019. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government April 14, 2020

U.S. Congressman Greg Pence Announces $69k Grant for Muncie-Delaware County Airport

By: Press Office of Greg Pence— Columbus, IN – U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) today announced $348,000 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the Department of Transportation. The CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, allocated AIP grants totaling $9.1 billion of the $10 billion provided for airports in the Act. “The CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump, includes critical support for our airports affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am in…

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Non-Profit April 13, 2020

 Safe Recovery Site for Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness & COVID-19 

By: Ryan Remington, Bridges Community Services—  Muncie, IN—This morning a joint effort was announced to open an emergency, isolation quarantine facility for all individuals experiencing homelessness who have tested positive, or are presumed positive, for COVID-19. 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, Open Door Health Services, Second Harvest Food…

Clean your car. Dispose of leftovers and edibles, trash, masks, and gloves. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

We Fly April 13, 2020

13 Behaviors to Adapt as Society Battles COVID-19

By: Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN—As society digs into its battle against COVID-19, a health researcher at Ball State University recommends behaviors that to adapt as soon as possible to avoid illness. “Our society is more diverse than ever, and we have developed a tolerance for a variety of behaviors due to greater amalgamation of cultures, traditions, etiquettes, and norms,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, a health science professor. “In general, we tend to ignore unhealthy and unsanitary behaviors in…

Open Door's 333 S. Madison St. location in downtown Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health April 13, 2020

Open Door Health Services COVID-19 Updates

By: Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services is committed to caring for the community safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following changes are in place to protect patients, staff, and the community. Visitor restrictions At this time, only the patient being seen may enter Open Door locations, with the following exceptions: • Minor children of a patient may accompany a patient if no adult is available to remain with them in a vehicle. • One direct caretaker or other…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Health April 12, 2020

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Strives to Keep Patients Connected During COVID-19

By: Liz Yates— Muncie, IN—Even with strict visitor restrictions in place for the safety of the patients and the community, Indiana University Health is continuing to nurture patient’s desire to stay connected with their loved ones during their stay. Though that connectedness may look different right now, it holds the same importance as it always has. “The patient experience has always been important to us,” said Dawn Fluhler, director of experience design, IU Health Ball. “It has only become more so…

The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie are among the recipients of grants that will help pay for support and supplies made necessary by COVID-19 pandemic. In this photo, a Club kid attends an online learning class.

Non-Profit April 11, 2020

George and Frances Ball Foundation Grants $200K in COVID-19 Emergency Support

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN – The George and Frances Ball Foundation has awarded $200,000 to area non-profits for COVID-19 related causes, and notes funding may be available to non-profits for technical support in the preparation of applications for federal CARES Act dollars. “It’s in times like these it becomes clear this is a very special community with everyone pulling together,” said foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Kinghorn. Organizations that need funding to help pay associated expenses of filing for…

Does voltage pose a threat to guys’ sketchy behavior? Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson April 10, 2020

John Carlson: Shocking Information

By: John Carlson— Not long ago I saw a picture of a person from whose forehead a little black box protruded. This person was asleep. Turns out the box was an electronic thingamajig that sends out a shock every time the person snores. This worked something like a Death Row executioner throwing the switch on Old Sparky. Well, except that the black box would shock the wearer into momentary consciousness. Old Sparky, on the other hand, would have the exact…

Attendees view a map of Muncie neighborhoods during the IDEA conference. The attendees pinpointed where they live and where they love with a string connecting the two. Photo provided.

Non-Profit April 8, 2020

Fifth Annual IDEA Conference Focused on Community Building

By: Heather Williams, Muncie Action Plan Task Force 2 Leader— Muncie, IN—On March 7th, over 150 community members, political leaders, and facilitators gathered for the 5th Annual IDEA Conference. Hosted at the Ivy Tech Fisher Building, Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement and Building Better Neighborhoods, Muncie Action Plan and Shafer Leadership Academy brought speakers in to discuss topics relevant to our city’s neighborhoods, including MCS: The Future is Bright, Making Democracy Work, and a demonstration of Web of Support: How Everybody…

Second Harvest Food Bank tailgate held on April 8th. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit April 8, 2020

Photos: Second Harvest Food Bank Tailgate at Scheumann Stadium Parking Lot

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—An extra free food tailgate by Second Harvest Food Bank was held in the parking lot outside Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium on April 8th from 10 am to 12 pm. Food items were handed out by members of the Indiana National Guard to 607 cars filled with appreciative families. “John” and his cousin from Muncie were first in line to obtain food, after arriving at the parking lot at 3am in the morning—a seven hour wait….