Articles by Mike Rhodes

MutualBank's main office is located at 110 E Charles Street in downtown Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 30, 2019

Northwest Bank’s Merger With MutualBank

WARREN, PA and MUNCIE, IN— Northwest Bancshares, Inc., (“Northwest”), (NASDAQ: NWBI) and MutualFirst Financial, Inc., (“MutualFirst”) (NASDAQ: MFSF) jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Northwest will acquire MutualFirst, the Muncie, Indiana-based holding company and parent of MutualBank, in an all-stock transaction valued at $39.89 per share (based on Northwest’s 15-day volume weighted average closing stock price ending on October 23, 2019), or approximately $346 million in the aggregate. The transaction is immediately accretive to…

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Aiesha Allen, Interventionist at West View Elementary, has completed advanced training in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Aiesha’s training has allowed her to better support student learning and will enable her to train fellow teachers across Muncie Community Schools.

Non-Profit October 30, 2019

More than $111,000 Awarded to Muncie Community Schools for Teacher Development

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation awarded $111,722 to Muncie Community Schools to provide teacher professional development. Muncie Schools used this funding to provide training in the Orton-Gillingham approach to 65 teachers and administrators and to give stipends to teachers who participated in a district-wide subscription to online training for all teachers called K-12 Boost. The Board of Directors of The Community Foundation established the Successful Schools Fund in May 2018 following the Indiana…

Opening session keynote speaker Andrew Collins is pictured discussing his experience framing an innocent man who later became his friend. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 29, 2019

Horizon Convention Center Hosts Indiana Criminal Justice Association Fall Conference

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The 86th Annual Fall Conference of the Indiana Criminal Justice Association (ICJA) was held at the Horizon Convention Center October 9-11, 2019 in downtown Muncie. Over 160 association members from across the state attended the conference. The Indiana Criminal Justice Association (ICJA), formerly the Indiana Correctional Association, is a statewide professional member association with the mission of enhancing the continuum of criminal justice in Indiana by focusing on the enrichment of the criminal justice professional and…

Terry Whitt Bailey. Photo provided

Government October 28, 2019

Meet Terry Whitt Bailey, Candidate for Mayor of Muncie

By: Terry Whitt Bailey— Muncie, IN—My name is Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey, and I am proud to be your Democrat candidate for the office of Mayor of the City of Muncie. I’m an honest and hardworking citizen of Muncie who has had a vast amount of local leadership experiences that include working at Ball State University, Cornerstone Center for the Arts and the City of Muncie. I believe that all of these opportunities and experiences have prepared me to be…

A scene from a video production in progress. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 28, 2019

United Way’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Connecting With Thousands of Children

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—There are nearly 1,000 children in Delaware County receiving free books each month as part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. And now, those books have been paired with educational and entertaining videos. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, offered by the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties, is a program that provides children ages newborn to 5 years old with a free monthly, high-quality book. The United Way has partnered with Ball State University’s public television station…

What rake advancements will they think of next? Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson October 27, 2019

John Carlson: Quite The Contraption

By: John Carlson— You want proof that life today is way too complicated? Here it is. Rakes. But let’s begin with drones. Drones are a big deal any more. It’s to the point where those remotely controlled flying machines are being used – or soon will be – to deliver packages shipped by corporations like Amazon and Walmart. Eventually, one presumes that even Pizza Hut’s pepperoni pushers will probably be prone to piloting pizza-delivery drones that plop down on your…

L-R: Jud Fisher and James Rosema

Non-Profit October 25, 2019

James Rosema Honored with Fisher Governance Award

By: Jud Fisher—  Muncie, IN — James Rosema, chairman of the Muncie Mission Ministries Board of Directors, was recognized with Ball Brothers Foundation’s Fisher Governance Award at the Chamber of Commerce’s 125th Annual Meeting Celebration on Oct. 24. The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award is presented annually to a board member of a Delaware County nonprofit organization. Candidates must exhibit “exemplary leadership and … integrity, responsibility and accountability,” according to the foundation’s website. “Our foundation faces a…

First Merchants Corporation

Business October 24, 2019

First Merchants 3rd Quarter 2019 Results With The Addition Of Monroe Bank and Trust

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported third quarter 2019 net income of $36.8 million compared to $41.1 million during the same period in 2018. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.71 per share compared to third quarter 2018 results of $.83 per share. Included in the third quarter results are $11.2 million, or $.17 per share, of one-time charges related to the closing of our acquisition of Monroe Bank & Trust on…

Muncie Police Officer Brandon Qualls runs the ball back during the fire vs. police game at Wapahani High School's flag football game Tuesday night. Photo by: Emma Stanley, Wapahani High School sophomore

Education October 24, 2019

Wapahani Students Host Flag Football Game With Local Fire And Police Departments

By: Maelyn Hobbs— Selma, IN — Wapahani High School’s RADD club (Raiders Against Destructive Decisions) hosted its annual flag football game on Tuesday but with a new twist. RADD club had its usual student game, but it also invited along members of the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Muncie Police Department for a special first-responders match-up. Wapahani RADD hosted its annual flag football game to raise awareness and funds for its student organization. RADD is a club at…

Photo provided

Business October 23, 2019

MITS Introduces Ball State Athletics Themed Wrapped Bus

By: Amanda Price, MITS— Muncie, IN—MITS, Muncie’s local transportation provider, is excited for Muncie to see the newest wrapped bus out on the streets. The new wrapped bus made its debut on Saturday October 19th during the 2019 BSU Homecoming Parade, following behind the Ball State Cheerleaders and Code Red dancers.  The bus represents the on-going partnership between MITS and Ball State Athletics. After many years of successfully transporting incoming freshman to the Meijer Back to School event, MITS staff and…