Articles by Mike Rhodes

First Merchants Corporation Elects Susan Brooks, Mark Hardwick to Its Board of Directors

Business February 12, 2021

First Merchants Corporation Elects Susan Brooks, Mark Hardwick to Its Board of Directors

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation, a $14.1 billion financial holding company, has elected Susan Brooks and Mark Hardwick to the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Brooks represented Indiana’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Hardwick is Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Both Ms. Brooks and Mr. Hardwick will be on the ballot for continuing terms at the Corporation’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in May 2021. “First Merchants’ Board of Directors is happy to welcome Mr. Hardwick and Ms. Brooks, both of whom are…

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John Carlson: The Password? Uhhh, I Dunno

Carlson February 12, 2021

John Carlson: The Password? Uhhh, I Dunno

By John Carlson— Every now and then I wake up in the middle of the night bathed in a cold sweat, screaming something like, “RINKY-DINK-DOUBLE-OH-SEVEN!!!” My computer password nightmare has struck again. Indeed, password overload may be a Top Five candidate for the worst things about life in the 21st Century. In my horrific dream, forgotten passwords surround me, ominously closing in as I desperately try to remember the one that will make them disappear. Odd? Sure. Stupid? Why, of course! But it’s hardly surprising that passwords are becoming the stuff of nightmares. You have to know a friggin’ password…

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, February 11th

Health February 11, 2021

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, February 11th

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 since mid-October, Delaware County is ranked yellow on the Indiana State Department of Health’s county metrics map. Only one Indiana county (Switzerland) is red, and one county (Starke) has even ranked blue….

Sea Salt and Cinnamon Wins PETA’S ‘Sweet Treat’ Award

Business February 11, 2021

Sea Salt and Cinnamon Wins PETA’S ‘Sweet Treat’ Award

By Megan Wiltsie, PETA— Muncie, IN— In time for Valentine’s Day, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has scoured the country for the Top Vegan Sweet Treats—and local bakery Sea Salt & Cinnamon won a spot on the list for its rich, chocolate-drizzled peanut butter pie. From cupcakes and pies to elaborate wedding cakes, all items from the bakery are 100% vegan. Sea Salt & Cinnamon also offers a special Valentine’s Day menu, including macarons, charcuterie, cookie-decorating kits, and cakes perfectly sized for two. “Showing love to hens and cows this Valentine’s Day is as easy as peanut butter…

Emens Auditorium to Offer First In-Person Event in Almost a Year: ‘Wild World of Animals’

Entertainment February 10, 2021

Emens Auditorium to Offer First In-Person Event in Almost a Year: ‘Wild World of Animals’

By Kristi Chambers— Muncie, IN– Emens Auditorium is opening again with its first in-person event in almost a year. Emens Auditorium will present Wild World of Animals live on stage on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Explore a fascinating world of the wildlife; featuring live animals including some of the most majestic, interesting, bizarre, and critically endangered species in the world. Tickets are FREE. Distribution begins Wednesday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Emens box office or by phone at 765-285-1539 (subject to a $4 processing per order fee for phone orders). There are limited…

Indiana Michigan Power Sending Trucks to Kentucky to Assist With Potential Ice Storm

Business February 10, 2021

Indiana Michigan Power Sending Trucks to Kentucky to Assist With Potential Ice Storm

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-chief— Fort Wayne, IN—Indiana Michigan Power is sending more than 250 employees and contractors southward today to assist in anticipation of an expected ice storm with potential to cause major power outages in the eastern Kentucky/West Virginia area. An Ice Storm Warning has been issued for most of Eastern Kentucky for Wednesday through Friday morning, the first warning in that area since January of 2013. Some spots could get up to 1 inch of ice which is defined as “crippling.”  A 1/2-inch accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight. Just a thin coating of…

Muncie Again Named a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists 

Government February 8, 2021

Muncie Again Named a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists 

By City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN- The League of American Bicyclists has honored the efforts of the City of Muncie to build better places for people to bike with a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Muncie joins 485 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes the City of Muncie for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit its residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.  “During one of the toughest years in recent memory, we have seen…

YMCA of Muncie to Reopen Downtown Aquatics Center

Business February 8, 2021

YMCA of Muncie to Reopen Downtown Aquatics Center

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie is excited to announce the reopening of its aquatics center at the downtown YMCA. Made possible by the federal COVID Relief funding, the organization plans to offer more programming, including aquatics classes, safety around water programs and additional active older adult programs, at the location as well. “The YMCA of Muncie has served the community for more than 144 years, during which we have made it through many challenging times together, none perhaps as impactful for our community and our Y as this COVID crisis,” said Chad Zaucha, President & CEO, YMCA…

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for ‘Halteman Park Playground’

Non-Profit February 8, 2021

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for ‘Halteman Park Playground’

By Halteman Village Neighborhood Association— $30,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places initiative Muncie, IN– Muncie residents may soon be able to enjoy a new park if a new crowdfunding campaign reaches its $30,000 fundraising goal by April 6. If successful, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will provide a matching grant as part of its CreatINg Places program. “Parks assist in connecting people and creating a greater sense of community,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “They are incredibly valuable to residents and neighborhoods. We look forward to working alongside the Halteman Village Neighborhood Association, Ball State University, and…

2020 Was an Unprecedented Year—And For Some Pretty Great Reasons

Non-Profit February 8, 2021

2020 Was an Unprecedented Year—And For Some Pretty Great Reasons

By Jenni Marsh, Board President, Muncie Action Plan— Muncie, IN—To say 2020 was an unprecedented year, is a blinding flash of the obvious— a global pandemic with social and political upheaval. Yet, when I think of 2020 as being unprecedented, I think about how it elevated our community’s indomitable spirit! A pandemic could not stop the people of Muncie from finding ways to help their neighbors and to make our community better. Our city’s non-profits worked together, shared resources, and supported each other, as they supported those in need. Our community’s funders collaboratively granted to organizations and schools in response to…