Articles by Mike Rhodes

Who knows where pandemic haircuts are headed? Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson April 17, 2020

John Carlson: The Unkindest Cut of All

By: John Carlson— Lord knows there is much to fear about the COVID-19 pandemic: the collapse of the global economy, ever-mounting casualties, the end of life as we know it… Plus, I’m starting to sweat my next haircut. See, I’ve got a feeling my upcoming appointment with my barber-buddy Holly won’t happen, just like the last one didn’t. In fact, I could easily miss a number of haircuts before things get back to normal. Worst case scenario: Extrapolate that out…

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DWNTWN United & Ignited, is a crowdgranting campaign designed to generate $25,000 in funding to be offered in the form of grants to qualifying downtown businesses. 

Non-Profit April 16, 2020

Help Muncie ‘Unite & Ignite’ DWNTWN Campaign

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN – Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP), Muncie’s nationally-accredited Main Street organization and the face behind DWNTWN The Original Muncie, unveiled a new campaign this week. The campaign, DWNTWN United & Ignited, is a crowdgranting campaign designed to generate $25,000 in funding to be offered in the form of grants to qualifying downtown businesses.  Local businesses need your help now. United & Ignited offers a way to contribute what you can to preserve all…

Habitat for Humanity's Restore. Photo provided

Non-Profit April 16, 2020

Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity Responds to COVID-19

By: Lindsey Arthur— Muncie, IN—We hope you and your loved ones are doing as well as can be expected in this unprecedented time. As neighbors, we are called to our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity to do all we can to ensure the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, supporters and community. We are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and taking steps to help keep our office, ReStore and construction sites safe. Per the Executive Order on April…

Sue Ellspermann, Ph.D., President, Ivy Tech Community College

Education April 16, 2020

In a Time of Crisis, Ivy Tech Guest Student Program Provides Much-Needed Option

By: Sue Ellspermann, Ph.D., President, Ivy Tech Community College— Indianapolis, IN—During the past month, I have been tremendously impressed by the ingenuity and responsiveness of America’s higher education professionals. With little notice, colleges and universities across the nation moved classes to virtual and online formats and found new ways to provide the services students depend upon as they pursue their educational journey. While I’m most proud of the efforts made by Ivy Tech Community College faculty and staff, it is…

Photo illustration by: story blocks

Business April 16, 2020

Today’s Jobless Claims Provide Glimmer of Hope for Economy

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Today’s initial jobless claims provide the first glimmer of hopeful economic news in weeks, says Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University. Though the initial claims were very high, at 5.2 million, this is a deceleration from last week’s 6.6 million, he said. Since March 14, the total number of Americans who have filed initial jobless claims is around 22 million, or about 13.5% of the labor force,…

Airforce Two is pictured landing at the Muncie-Delaware County Airport on May 18, 2019. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government April 14, 2020

U.S. Congressman Greg Pence Announces $69k Grant for Muncie-Delaware County Airport

By: Press Office of Greg Pence— Columbus, IN – U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) today announced $348,000 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the Department of Transportation. The CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, allocated AIP grants totaling $9.1 billion of the $10 billion provided for airports in the Act. “The CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump, includes critical support for our airports affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am in…

Photo provided

Non-Profit April 13, 2020

 Safe Recovery Site for Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness & COVID-19 

By: Ryan Remington, Bridges Community Services—  Muncie, IN—This morning a joint effort was announced to open an emergency, isolation quarantine facility for all individuals experiencing homelessness who have tested positive, or are presumed positive, for COVID-19. Partners in this project include Bridges Community Services, Inc., Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Muncie Community Development Office, the City of Muncie, the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Open Door Health Services, Second Harvest Food…

Clean your car. Dispose of leftovers and edibles, trash, masks, and gloves. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

We Fly April 13, 2020

13 Behaviors to Adapt as Society Battles COVID-19

By: Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN—As society digs into its battle against COVID-19, a health researcher at Ball State University recommends behaviors that to adapt as soon as possible to avoid illness. “Our society is more diverse than ever, and we have developed a tolerance for a variety of behaviors due to greater amalgamation of cultures, traditions, etiquettes, and norms,” said Jagdish Khubchandani, a health science professor. “In general, we tend to ignore unhealthy and unsanitary behaviors in…

Open Door's 333 S. Madison St. location in downtown Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health April 13, 2020

Open Door Health Services COVID-19 Updates

By: Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services is committed to caring for the community safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following changes are in place to protect patients, staff, and the community. Visitor restrictions At this time, only the patient being seen may enter Open Door locations, with the following exceptions: • Minor children of a patient may accompany a patient if no adult is available to remain with them in a vehicle. • One direct caretaker or other…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Health April 12, 2020

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Strives to Keep Patients Connected During COVID-19

By: Liz Yates— Muncie, IN—Even with strict visitor restrictions in place for the safety of the patients and the community, Indiana University Health is continuing to nurture patient’s desire to stay connected with their loved ones during their stay. Though that connectedness may look different right now, it holds the same importance as it always has. “The patient experience has always been important to us,” said Dawn Fluhler, director of experience design, IU Health Ball. “It has only become more so…