Articles by Mike Rhodes

6th Annual IDEA Conference is Saturday, Followed by Mayor Ridenour’s ‘State of the City’ Address

Non-Profit March 1, 2021

6th Annual IDEA Conference is Saturday, Followed by Mayor Ridenour’s ‘State of the City’ Address

By Heather Williams, MAP Task Force 2 Leader— Muncie, IN—COVID-19 hasn’t stopped Muncie’s neighborhood associations from supporting their residents. Improvement and advocacy work continued throughout 2020 and this year’s I.D.E.A. Conference will be a time to celebrate these efforts. Due to the pandemic, the 6th annual I.D.E.A. Conference will look a little different this year. Previously, I.D.E.A. has involved break-out sessions and moving participants between a variety of spaces for an interactive and informative day of learning, networking, and community building. This year, we are going to hear from the neighborhoods themselves in a series of brief seven minute presentations…

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City of Muncie Secures Two Developers for Projects Totaling Million

Government February 27, 2021

City of Muncie Secures Two Developers for Projects Totaling $22 Million

By City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN- The City of Muncie, Community Development, IHCDA, and anticipated tax abatements from City Council will pave a way for new developments in Muncie. The city was able to take 21 properties from the Muncie Redevelopment Commission that were demolished and will put the properties back on the tax role through one of the secured projects. “Project City View Homes” will provide the city with a total of 48 new units. 21 of those units will be single family homes and 27 will be town houses all providing two to four bedrooms. The projected…

Free ‘Business Foundations Toolkit Workshop’ Begins March 2nd

Business February 26, 2021

Free ‘Business Foundations Toolkit Workshop’ Begins March 2nd

By Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector and the Muncie – Delaware County Black Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to bring you a free three-part workshop titled, Business Foundations Toolkit. For most, starting a business is a dream or a mere thought, but taking the necessary steps to start the business goes beyond just a dream. The first question for many entrepreneurs is, “where do I start?” and while most resources are out there, finding, securing, and trusting those resources can be a hassle. In this three-part workshop, you’ll learn the business startup steps you need to take, get…

Ryan Vaughn Joins eKeeper Systems as Business Development Director

Business February 26, 2021

Ryan Vaughn Joins eKeeper Systems as Business Development Director

By Arrick Garringer— Yorktown, IN— eKeeper Systems Incorporated, a local computer, network, and system support services company, welcomes Ryan Vaughn to the position of Business Development Director. Ryan brings crucial skills to the firm and will primarily serve as the first point of contact between eKeeper and potential new clients across Central Indiana. He will be responsible for the growth of the eKeeper client base in Central Indiana with a focus on Delaware County and the directly surrounding counties. In addition, he will be extensively involved in the communities the company serves in support of the eKeeper ‘Community: First’ philanthropic…

John Carlson: Think This Was A Storm? Nah…

Carlson February 26, 2021

John Carlson: Think This Was A Storm? Nah…

By John Carlson— Hoosiers and countless other Americans sat around last week waiting for “Snowmageddon 2021” to hit but, assuming you don’t live in Texas, it was hard to take things too seriously. After all, we survived The Blizzard of ’78. That storm’s 43rd anniversary snuck past me a short while back, but for anyone who shivered through it, the blizzard remains a sharply defined memory. Being a young reporter for The Evening Press back then, I had a perfect perch to watch the wintery blast’s drama unfold. There was, to be sure, an immense amount of snow. It bracketed…

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, February 25th

Health February 25, 2021

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, February 25th

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Delaware County weekly COVID-19 updates are released every Thursday and include information from the Indiana State Department of Health county metrics dashboard, which is updated every Wednesday afternoon. For the first time, Delaware County is blue on the Indiana State Department of Health’s county metrics map. The county’s advisory level remains yellow until it ranks blue for two weeks in a row. Under yellow…

2021 MCHS Graduation Ceremony Will Move To Fieldhouse

Education February 25, 2021

2021 MCHS Graduation Ceremony Will Move To Fieldhouse

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN—Muncie Central High School’s Class of 2021 will officially graduate inside the Muncie Fieldhouse rather than Ball State University’s Worthen Arena where the ceremony has taken place in recent years. The decision to move graduation is due to the ongoing pandemic and various restrictions regarding large gatherings. “We want to ensure that our graduates have as traditional a ceremony as possible with family members in attendance,” Central High School Principal Chris Walker said. “The Fieldhouse allows for all COVID-19 guidelines to be followed and will be a fantastic venue for this celebration.” Muncie Community Schools has…

AAUW Offers Scholarship for Nontraditional Students

Education February 25, 2021

AAUW Offers Scholarship for Nontraditional Students

By Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—Applications for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship are due Thursday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2021-2022 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books, and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students of any gender identity who are 25 years old or older Students who are an undergraduate or graduate student at Ball State University, Ivy Tech, and/or other approved post-secondary institution –An undergraduate…

Mary and Cornelius Dollison Are Asking For Your Help

Non-Profit February 25, 2021

Mary and Cornelius Dollison Are Asking For Your Help

By Mary and Cornelius Dollison— Muncie, IN—Family reunification has been a hot topic across the country for the past several years. Learning about parents’ cases experiencing separation from their children has brought about all kinds of emotions from parents and kids alike. On foreign matters, we rely on the federal government to lead the way. However, immigration policies have become such a political issue that the process has become a nightmare for many immigrants. When you add in an international public health crisis this past year— many individuals and families have felt powerless to do anything. During these challenging times,…

INDOT Awards Muncie With Federal Funding for Local Roads

Government February 24, 2021

INDOT Awards Muncie With Federal Funding for Local Roads

By City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN—INDOT has awarded the City of Muncie $4.6 million of Federal Highway Administration construction and inspection funds for local projects. INDOT dedicates approximately 25% of its Federal Highway funds to supporting local projects each year. The projects that were funded include Tillotson from Kilgore to McGalliard,  McGalliard from Tillotson to Wheeling and McGalliard from Martin Luther King Junior Blvd to the 67 bypass, east of Muncie Mall. The Tillotson to Kilgore construction was awarded $2,116,000. West McGalliard to the bypass at east McGalliard was awarded a total of $3,464,000.The awards are provided in a…