Articles by Mike Rhodes

Over 1,000 Students Enroll in BSU Journalism’s Summer Workshops

Education June 25, 2020

Over 1,000 Students Enroll in BSU Journalism’s Summer Workshops

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—More than 1,000 middle and high school students and teachers representing 36 states registered for Ball State University Department of Journalism’s Summer 2020 Journalism Workshops in the first-ever online only programming of the iconic skills bootcamp. The on-campus residential workshop moved to a virtual experience after quarantine orders and other mandated precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was 35 free sessions covering topics like reporting basics, writing, photography, digital design, using social media,…

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Scholarships Awarded to Students by Muncie Pride and Muncie OUTreach

Non-Profit June 25, 2020

Scholarships Awarded to Students by Muncie Pride and Muncie OUTreach

By: Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN—Two Delaware County recent graduates were awarded scholarships for their essays on the origin of the gay pride flag. Trevor Lowe,  Muncie resident and recent graduate of Muncie Central, will receive a $1000 scholarship.  Micah Brown, Dunkirk resident and  recent graduate of Wes-Del High School, will be awarded a $500 scholarship. Lowe is a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra; Muncie Central Marching band and plans to study music education at University of Indianapolis. Brown organized…

New Walking and Biking Trails Planned for South Side of Muncie

Government June 24, 2020

New Walking and Biking Trails Planned for South Side of Muncie

By: Delaware County Redevelopment Commission— Muncie, IN – Three miles of new walking and biking trails south of the city, serving fast-developing areas, are planned by Delaware County officials. The Muncie Industria Center Trail, which will connect residents of the south side of Muncie to the Ivy Tech Community College campus, industrial areas and the new Delaware County Justice Center complex, is a project created and led by the Delaware County commissioners. The trail, estimated in cost at about $3.3 million,…

Ball State Faculty and Students Win Regional Emmy® Awards

Education June 24, 2020

Ball State Faculty and Students Win Regional Emmy® Awards

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN – Ball State University faculty and students received two Regional Emmy® Awards and seven Student Production Awards during the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Lower Great Lakes Emmy ​Awards on June 20, conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sports Link, Ball State’s digital sports production program, was honored in seven student production award categories. Ball State received the following production awards: College Long Form — Non-Fiction — “Why It Matters: A Tale of Two…

Final Friday: ‘Bridges and Borders’ with the David Owsley Museum of Art 

Entertainment June 24, 2020

Final Friday: ‘Bridges and Borders’ with the David Owsley Museum of Art 

By: Rachel Buckmaster—  Muncie, IN – Muncie’s creative community will be celebrated with the David Owsley Museum of Art’s first ever online Final Friday event on Friday, June 26 from 7 – 9 p.m.. Final Friday: BRIDGES & BORDERS will feature a variety of distinctive local voices, as emcees C.S. Hendershot and Michael Mares introduce PechaKucha speed talks on Facebook Live. Following the presentations, DJ Jannell will provide music and video collages inspired by summer and celebrating art and community. …

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards 2nd Allocation of Funds to Muncie Community Schools

Non-Profit June 23, 2020

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards 2nd Allocation of Funds to Muncie Community Schools

Muncie Community Schools Expands Preschools to all Elementary Buildings, and Project Lead the Way STEM Curriculum at all Muncie Community School Buildings with Support from the George and Frances Ball Foundation By: Thomas J. Kinghorn— Muncie, IN—The George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded the second allocation of a $1 million, 3-year commitment to the Ball State University—Muncie Community Schools partnership. The first year’s grant supported summer professional development for teachers, introduction of Project Lead the Way curriculum in 4 schools,…

First Merchants Announces .4 Billion Community Benefits Plan

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…

Southside Middle School Getting New 0,000 Fitness Center

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…

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

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…

John Carlson: The Stuff of Nature…

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…