Articles by Mike Rhodes

Avrum Horsley, Cowan High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Education October 7, 2024

Avrum Horsley—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— COWAN, IN—Avrum Horsley has worked hard to be where he is today. As current valedictorian of his senior class at Cowan Junior/Senior High School, Horsley credits his mom for encouraging him to stay the course. “My mom has motivated me, and she’s stuck me to…

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Ball State Campus photo provided by Ball State University

Education October 7, 2024

Ball State Board of Trustees Receive Update on Muncie Community Schools Partnership

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday received updates on several key institutional achievements, including promising Fall 2024 enrollment trends, the University’s continued partnership with Muncie Community Schools (MCS), and progress on Ball State’s new Center for Innovation and Eric Foss Championship Performance Center. Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management, reported to the Board that Ball State’s total Fall 2024 enrollment is approximately 20,000 students—an increase of…

The stuff-a-bus event held at the Payless supermarket. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 6, 2024

Soup Kitchen of Muncie Hosted Third Annual Stuff-A-Bus Event

By Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN—September was Hunger Action Month. The Soup Kitchen of Muncie in partnership with Payless Supermarket, Muncie Schools and Auxilio Services aimed to fill a bus full of groceries and supplies to help feed those in need in our community. “The donations and supplies collected during the Stuff-A-Bus event will be distributed to the Soup Kitchen of Muncie, Southside Middle School Panther Food Pantry, and the Ball State Cardinal Kitchen Food Pantry,” said Dottie Kreps, VP of…

Photo (left to right): Jim Kroger, Jill Palumbo, Karen Ullom, Kristi Brumley and Beth Lipscomb.

Education October 4, 2024

MCS Adult Education Program Honored as One of State’s Best

By Andy Klotz— FLORENCE, IN – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development honored the Muncie Community Schools Adult Education program as a “Program of Excellence” during a special ceremony last night for the Indiana Association of Adult and Community Education (IAACE). The award means the program exceeds state goals in multiple areas of performance and serves as a model provider of adult education services. “I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our entire adult education team…

Photo by Amanda Kishel, Kishel Photography

Entertainment October 4, 2024

Muncie Civic Theatre Announces Fundraiser: A Civic Soirée – The Great Gatsby Gala

By Brittany Covert— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie Civic Theatre is excited to announce its First Annual Fundraiser, “A Civic Soirée: The Great Gatsby Gala,” set to take place on October 26, 2024 at the Muncie Civic Theatre. This dazzling event, inspired by the Roaring Twenties, promises to be an unforgettable evening of elegance and entertainment – all in support of the arts and youth theatre programs that Muncie Civic Theatre brings to the community. Guests will dress to the…

Graphic by pixabay

Government October 4, 2024

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce to Host Candidate Forum on October 10

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum on October 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Legacy Room at Westminster Village Muncie. All community members are welcome to attend the FREE forum to hear from candidates vying for County Commissioner District 1, County Council at Large, and Circuit Court 2 seats. This will be an opportunity for candidates to publicly address constituents and answer moderated questions alongside their respective opponents…

White River photo by: Rick Conrad

Business October 3, 2024

Indiana American Water Celebrates Source Water Protection Week

By Joel Reuter— GREENWOOD, IN – Indiana American Water is celebrating Source Water Protection Week (Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2024) by creating awareness that safe, clean, and reliable water is supported by protecting water resources free from pollution, and by giving the public helpful resources and information, to encourage everyone to contribute. “Protecting water resources like lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and well fields are crucial for helping ensure clean, safe and reliable drinking water. These natural sources can be vulnerable to pollution…

Graphic by pixabay

Government October 2, 2024

Citizens Who Care for Home-Bound People Can Vote With Absentee Ballot

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Thursday, Oct. 17, is the first day a citizen who cares for a confined person at a private residence can vote an absentee ballot. The patient who is a citizen with a disability may also vote with an absentee ballot at the same time. Under these circumstances, voters for confined people need to call their county’s voter registration office and arrange for a member of the Absentee Voter Board to come to the voter’s residence or…

Photo provided by Indiana and Michigan Power

Business October 2, 2024

I&M Sends Additional Crews to Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts

By Schnee’ Doyle, Communications Consultant Sr.— FORT WAYNE – A second wave of power restoration crews from Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) are in numerous states after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction and millions of people without power. In total, 466 I&M employees and business partners are helping our sister companies, Kentucky Power and Appalachian Power Company, restore service to their customers. Among the team are line workers, damage assessors, tree trimming experts, meter technicians, fleet technicians, safety personnel…

Photo provided by Shafer Leadership

Non-Profit October 1, 2024

Grant Enables Free Access to Shafer Leadership Academy’s Signature Program ‘Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams’

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN – Thanks to a generous grant, Shafer Leadership Academy is offering its highly sought-after program, Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams, free of charge to the public. Typically valued at $250 per participant, the program will be held on October 29, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Ivy Tech’s Fisher Building in downtown Muncie. The grant was provided by American Electric Power Foundation, whose support makes it possible for a wider audience to access this…