Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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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…


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…


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,…


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. …


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…


Tuhey Pool Opens To The Public Today, June 15th

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN—Today, June 15th, at noon Tuhey pool opened to the general public. The hours are Monday through Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pricing Adults (18 & up) $6.00 Teens (13-17) $5.00 Kids(3-12) $4.00 10 day punch card Adults- $35 Teens- $30 Kids- $25 You may visit the pool’s Facebook page here.   


Solarize Indiana to Sponsor Zoom Meeting About Installing Solar Before Federal Tax Credit Ends

By: Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—Solarize Indiana, a grassroots community group, will sponsor a Zoom meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, to tell area residents and business owners how they can add solar panels on their houses or businesses before there is no longer a federal tax credit. The Zoom meeting will involve a 30-presentation followed by an hour for questions and answers. There is no charge to attend the Zoom meeting. Prior registration is required. The Zoom link for…


Rhonda Ward Named MCS’ New Diversity Director

By: Andy Klotz— Muncie, Ind. – The Muncie Community Schools (MCS) Board of Trustees has named Rhonda Ward as the district’s new director of Diversity. Ward is currently the assistant principal at Muncie Central High School where she will continue to serve. “Rhonda is the perfect person for this position as we take the next step with culturally responsive practices,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Her significant experience in Muncie Community Schools and longstanding…


IU Health to Ease Temporary Visitor Restrictions Starting June 15

By: IU Health— INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Starting June 15, Indiana University Health will begin relaxing some of the temporary visitor restrictions put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for all hospitals. The revised guidelines allow for one visitor per patient, per day in inpatient areas. Each visitor will be screened and given a mask, which must be worn at all times inside the facility. Additional visitor guidelines: Visitors must be 18 or older. Visitors will not be…