Articles by Mike Rhodes

First Merchants Corporation, 200 E. Jackson Street, Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business June 23, 2020

First Merchants Announces $1.4 Billion Community Benefits Plan

By: First Merchants— Muncie, IN – First Merchants has announced  a $1.4 billion community investment plan with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and its community-based members and partners. The collaborative initiative began with a needs assessment in September 2019 and was finalized earlier this month. The commitment, which extends through 2025, includes mortgage, small business and community development investments and lending. Philanthropic funding is a primary focus as well and will be funneled to low- and moderate-income communities across First…

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DON'T QUIT! Fitness center equipment. Photo provided by NFGFC

Education June 22, 2020

Southside Middle School Getting New $100,000 Fitness Center

By: Andy Klotz— Muncie, Ind. – A new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center is coming to Southside Middle School this fall. The school is one of just three across Indiana receiving the state-of-the-art equipment as a gift from The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), chaired by fitness icon Jake Steinfeld, and in partnership with Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “This is fabulous!” Muncie Community Schools Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Health and fitness…

Chris Piche of the Fickle Peach.

Non-Profit June 19, 2020

‘United & Ignited’ Campaign Raises $14,250 for DWNTWN Businesses

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN—We are excited to announce that with Muncie Downtown Development support and contributions from the community, the “United & Ignited” campaign raised $14,250 for the DWNTWN Small Business Relief Grant. Nineteen businesses qualified and will be able to use the funds to offset loss of revenue due to COVID 19.   We are grateful to all of you who contributed, shared information and went to bat for our DWNTWN businesses. You really are why DWNTWN is a…

This year’s gardens are truly bursting with color and life. Photo y: John Carlson

Carlson June 19, 2020

John Carlson: The Stuff of Nature…

By: John Carlson— Gazing out a window into our side yard the other day, Nancy said something I’d never heard her say in thirty-eight years of marriage. “I just saw a duck walk by.” Having been rousted from my easy chair by this startling announcement, I looked, too. Sure enough, there among the chunks of stale wheat bread Nancy had pitched out on our lawn, Mrs. Mallard was casually waddling around like she owned the place. It just further reinforced…

Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government June 19, 2020

Judge Confirms Muncie City Engineer a Seat on Muncie Sanitary District Board

By: City of Muncie Communications— Muncie, IN—In his ruling on June 18th, Special Judge Haviza confirmed that Muncie City Civil Engineer, Brian Stephens-Hotopp, who was appointed by newly elected Mayor, Dan Ridenour at the start of the year, is entitled to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Muncie Sanitary District by virtue of his office. This court ruling ends a long delay as Hotopp was denied his seat by the current board during the January…

Photo by: story blocks

Education June 19, 2020

Ivy Tech Community College Offering 10,000 Participants Free Classes and Trainings

By: Ivy Tech Community College— INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has announced it is offering free classes and trainings for 10,000 participants. The College is elevating its commitment to Hoosiers impacted by COVID-19 experiencing unemployment, reduced hours, and/or furloughs across the state. Participants may take more than one class or training in a range of relevant high-demand areas. Hoosiers can get detailed information about the classes and trainings, and register for free, by visiting www.ivytech.edu/10kclasses. Many of the…

Photo provided by Paul Brown

Positivity June 19, 2020

Juneteenth is a Holiday We Should All Recognize

Editor’s Note: Today Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a proclamation celebrating Juneteenth as an opportunity to reflect, rejoice and plan for a brighter future. By: Paul Brown— Today is Juneteenth—a holiday of which far too many of us are unaware. This celebration of freedom (the name is short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day in 1865 that news of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached slaves in Texas. In a couple weeks we’ll celebrate America’s Independence Day, but Juneteenth stands as a…

The Lyons family and their new home. Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Non-Profit June 17, 2020

Muncie Habitat for Humanity Dedicates New Home

By: Eileen Oaks— MUNCIE, IN—After months of putting in sweat equity hours, completing homeowner education classes, saving for down payment, and volunteering around the community, the Lyon’s family is finally moving into their new, built-for-them home. The Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity partners with local families, like the Lyons, who are interested in working with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a home with a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. Each Habitat home is a collaboration of volunteers contributing hundreds of labor hours,…

The shelter features 2 free roaming areas for cats to move around and play freely. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government June 15, 2020

Muncie Animal Shelter Receives $10,005 Spay and Neuter Grant From Bissell Pet Foundation 

By: City of Muncie Communications—  Muncie, IN- Muncie Animal Care and Services is proud to announce that they received a spay/neuter grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation in the amount of $10,005. Out of Bissell Pet Foundation’s partner network of nearly 5,000 shelters and rescues, the Muncie Animal Shelter was chosen as a recipient of this grant. Bissell Pet Foundation’s mission is to find every pet a home; the foundation focuses their efforts on adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping, and emergency support. …

The Clemens family. Photo provided

Business June 15, 2020

Virtual Home Show 2020: Clemens Home Solutions

By: Kristina Clemens— Muncie, IN—In an industry where 96 percent of new firms go out of business within five years, Clemens Home Solutions has grown and prospered for more than two decades. Certainly, a good deal of this success has come because construction is in the blood of Shawn Clemens, the company’s owner and founder. Passionate about building things for as long as he can remember, Shawn has been actively working on home construction sites and remodeling projects since he was…