Articles by Mike Rhodes

City Hall. File photo.

Government March 12, 2020

City of Muncie Takes Precautions for Coronavirus

By: Jase Crehan, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— At the Advice of the Delaware County Health Department, the City of Muncie Will Be Enacting Procedures to Limit Potential Exposure to COVID-19. Public Procedures At the direction of Jammie Bane, the administrator of the Delaware County Health Department, the City of Muncie will be taking precautions to help protect the health of its citizens and employees. Our goal is to limit exposure of COVID-19; these precautions, in no way, should…

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Geoff Hutchinson. Photo provided

We Fly March 12, 2020

Ball State Graduate on Front Lines in Battle Against Coronavirus

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—From 2014 to 2016, Ball State University graduate Geoff Hutchinson was a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching chemistry in Mozambique. There, he saw the burdens caused by infectious diseases and pledged to do something to help. The 2014 Ball State graduate is fulfilling that promise. Today, Hutchinson is on the front lines in the battle against the coronavirus, working around the clock with scientists at a research center operated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) outside of Washington, D.C As…

The White Spot laundry is located at 417 N. Reserve Street, Muncie, IN 47303. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 12, 2020

‘Laundry Love’ Event To Bring Neighbors Together On Saturday

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), in partnership with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, will hold its 2nd annual LAUNDRY LOVE event this Saturday, March 14th  from 8 am to Noon. With a grant from Thrivent, the Healthy Community Alliance partners will provide a $10 roll of quarters to the first 25 families who come into the White Spot Coin Laundromat, the only one in the RNC neighborhood. Brian Schrieve, the White Spot’s owner, said “Clean clothes are like…

A new Habitat for Humanity home in the process of being constructed. File photo

Non-Profit March 11, 2020

Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity Receives $100,000 Contribution

By: Jaime Faulkner— Muncie, IN—Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity humbly celebrates receiving $100,000 from the MutualBank Charitable Foundation in 2020. The donation comes on the heels of the unexpected passing of the MutualBank Charitable Foundation President and MutualBank President and COO, Pat Botts, in October 2019. Dave Heeter, the newly named President of the MutualBank Charitable Foundation, says, “The Foundation board unanimously voted in favor of this contribution as a tangible means of honoring Pat. Pat was an integral part…

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government March 10, 2020

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour Gives His First State Of The City Address; ‘Better and Brighter Days Are Ahead’

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN—”Do not fret. Better and brighter days are ahead for Muncie.” That was a recurring theme during Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour’s first State of the City address held on Saturday, March 7th in the Community Room of the Ivy Tech Fisher building in downtown Muncie. The Community Room was almost at capacity as Mayor Ridenour gave a 2 hour presentation of his administration’s first 67 days in office. “Muncie will be reborn,” he said….

Coronavirus Task Force Recommendations

Government March 10, 2020

Coronavirus Task Force Recommendations and Infographics

Editor’s Note: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and the Coronavirus Task Force has asked that media outlets share the following document with the American public which was approved on Monday, March 9, 2020. This document features an easy to read format with bullet points and recommendations on how to keep your workplace, school and home safe from the coronavirus.   Click here to open and print the document.    For additional information, visit coronavirus.gov  

The IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital comprehensive orthopedics team. Photo provided

Health March 10, 2020

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Receives Advanced Recertification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement from The Joint Commission

By: Liz Yates— Muncie, IN– Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital has been recertified by The Joint Commission for Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. The advanced recertification is for Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that have already undergone certification and have maintained the quality, consistency and safety of their services and patient care. On January 14thand 15th, 2020, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review as Joint Commission experts re-evaluated our…

Photo by: Ben Yonker

Non-Profit March 9, 2020

United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties Helps Struggling Working Families File Taxes For FREE

By: Holly Juip— Muncie, IN—United Way fights for the financial stability of every person in every community and is committed to supporting programs that allow people to thrive. United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties is partnering with AARP Tax Aides and Yorktown Kiwanis to provide in-person tax assistance so people can easily and accurately file their taxes to get the refunds they deserve. People can also file their own taxes for free anytime at: MyFreeTaxes.com.  MyFreeTaxes is the…

Winners of the 2020 WIPB Spelling Bee were, left to right, Wes-Del Elementary School student Georgia Davis, first runner-up; Lee L. Driver Middle School student Andrew Toney, champion, and Bloomfield Elementary School student Clark Wellman, second runner-up. Photo provided

Education March 8, 2020

Winchester Student Wins Back-To-Back WIPB Spelling Bees

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN – For the second year in a row, Winchester student Andrew Toney has spelled his way to the top spot at the WIPB-TV Spelling Bee. After six rounds, Toney, an eighth-grade student at Lee L. Driver Middle School in Winchester, successfully spelled “binomial” to win the 2020 WIPB Spelling Bee Saturday morning. He was also the 2019 champion. Toney will now go on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May near Washington,…

"The Great Adsby" was the creative theme for this year's ADDY awards. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 7, 2020

Local Marketing Professionals Have ‘Roaring Good Time’ at 2020 American Advertising Awards

By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN — The American Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana (AAF ECI) had a “roaring good time” at the 20s-themed American Advertising Awards on Feb. 29. Also known as the ADDYs, the awards show recognizes the best advertising and creative works from the past year, including that of professionals and of students. As always, submissions were judged by out-of-market advertising professionals in a blind judging process. Silver and Gold awards were presented to the top-scoring pieces…