Articles by Mike Rhodes

Fifty-eight civilian employers from 28 different companies of New York Air National Guard Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing stand in front of an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2024. The employers participated in an Employer Support of Guard and Reserve 'Boss Lift,' learned about the wing’s critical search and rescue mission and the role their Guard members play in the mission. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Donaldson, 106th Rescue Wing

Veterans November 6, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Ayden Abbott

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special program is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/    

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Non-Profit November 6, 2024

YWCA Raises More Than $90,000 in Annual Fundraiser

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—YWCA Central Indiana raised $93,000 at its 2024 Walk In Her HEELS event last month. More than 350 people turned out for the annual fundraiser at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. “We are thrilled,” said CEO WaTasha Barnes Griffin. “We returned to this annual event last year, following a hiatus due to COVID. This year, proved we’re back 110 percent.” YWCA Central Indiana gave shelter to 687 women and 143 children in 2023, Barnes…

Beneficence, affectionately called “Benny,” is Ball State's institutional icon. She symbolizes the generosity of the five Ball brothers whose land donation to the State of Indiana allowed Ball State to flourish. Photo provided by BSU

Education November 6, 2024

Ball State University Earns Excellence in Diversity National Award for Ninth Straight Year

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—For the ninth consecutive year, Ball State University has received a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education. The HEED Award—which has a rigorous, comprehensive application process—recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ball State will be featured in the magazine’s November/December 2024 issue, along with 113 other HEED Award recipients. “Ball State…

Feed My Sheep chair Jeannine Ferrer stands with her daughter-in-law and volunteer Courtney Lake at a Thanksgiving food drive at Muncie Central High School. Lake volunteered multiple times for Feed My Sheep. Photo provided by Feed My Sheep.

Non-Profit November 5, 2024

Volunteers Explain Why They Like to Volunteer For ‘Feed My Sheep’

By Zach Gonzalez– MUNCIE, IN–Yolanda Velez moved to Muncie to watch over her six-year-old granddaughter while Velez’s daughter, a single mother, studied at Ball State. Velez stayed in Muncie long after her daughter moved to Louisville, Kentucky because she found people to be with once her family was away. Velez, who generally goes by the nickname “Yo,” plugged herself into various communities across Muncie, as she found a church to attend and volunteered at locations like  Second Harvest Food Bank….

The Navy's newest Flight IIa DDG, the USS John Basilone (DDG 122), pulls into Pier 88, New York City, NY, on November 4. The Basilone's arrival kicks off an exciting week for the city and crew as the ship prepares to commission on November 9, 2024. As the newest ship in America's Navy, the Basilone will help boost the Atlantic fleet's readiness for sustained high-end joint combat. Photo by Lt. J.G. Julian Jacobs

Veterans November 5, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Xavior Turner

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special program is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/    

Photo provided

Business November 4, 2024

Business Showcase Week 2024: A Special Week for Muncie Community Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, East Central Indiana’s only full-service Entrepreneurial Support Organization, is thrilled to present Business Showcase Week 2024, November 18 – 23.  All events and workshops will take place at the Innovation Connector, 1208 West White River Blvd, Muncie, and are FREE to attend, but registration is required due to limited space and high demand. Business Showcase Week 2024 will include nineteen separate events, including workshops, presentations,…

The 4th Squad, 3rd Platoon, 529th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, conducts Army Warrior Tasks (ATW) for individual and team elements. The exercise is designed to assess the soldiers' proficiency in a range of skills, including team movement, direct contact, urban external movement techniques, land navigation, communication, perform combat rescue operations, and practice calling a distress call on nine different communication channels. Valle Ugione Italian training area, Livorno, Italy, Oct. 17, 2024. U.S. Army photo by Elena Baladelli

Veterans November 4, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Matthew Bennett

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special program is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/    

United Day Care Center was awarded $125,000 to add on to its existing facility on the east side of downtown Muncie. Photo provided by Ball Brothers Foundation.

Non-Profit November 2, 2024

Childcare Building Expansion Among $5M in Grants Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation

 By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE IN – Ball Brothers Foundation, a family foundation committed to place-based grantmaking in Indiana for nearly a century, has awarded over $5 million in its fall round of grants for 2024, supporting 36 organizations across East Central Indiana. Among the recipients is United Day Care Center, which was awarded $125,000 to add on to its existing facility on the east side of downtown Muncie. As families continue to face challenges in accessing affordable childcare, the need…

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Matthew George, left, an infantry officer with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, glances back while holding a 6th Marine Regiment flag during a memorial run at Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 2024. The run was held to honor the lives lost after the Beirut, Lebanon bombings on Oct. 23, 1983. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Luke Rodriguez)

Veterans November 1, 2024

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Bradley Dickey

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special program is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet. Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/    

A Carolina Chickadee at Mounds State Park, taken by local Audubon member Robert Williams.

Non-Profit November 1, 2024

Audubon Society to Honor Conservation Heroes

By Barb Stedman— MUNCIE, IN—The  Robert Cooper Audubon Society will honor the recipients of its 2024 conservation awards on Wednesday, December 4, 6-9 p.m., at the Ball State University Alumni Center. The public is invited. The event, which includes inspiring presentations by the honorees, appetizers and door prizes, is free and open to non-Audubon members. Attendees should RSVP to cooperaudubon@gmail.com by November 20. The following individuals and organizations will be recognized for their contributions to conservation and environmental education in…