Articles by Mike Rhodes

Village Merchants Association Returns After Successful Event

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—The business owners in the Village, the eight block commercial area due south of Ball State University, are organizing for the first time in decades. The Village Merchants Association is re-forming to address issues common to all merchants, such as trash, parking, outdoor seating, event promotion, and relationships with the city and university. After a successful event called “$2 Tour of the Village” in August, sponsored by the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association, the merchants decided to…

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United Way Suicide Prevention Event Set For Morrow’s Meadow On Sept 29th

By: Juli Metzger— Yorktown, IN—United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties is helping raise awareness about the growing urgency behind suicides across the state by helping sponsor “You Are Not Alone,” an afternoon event at Morrow’s Meadow in September, which is suicide prevention month. Pam Taylor, whose 35-year-old son died by suicide in 2015, is lead organizer of the event, which will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29 under the pavilion in the park….


Muncie Robotics Team Expanding Reach; To Move From MadJax to Matthews

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Robotics Team 1720 PhyXTgears is moving out of Madjax (514 E. Jackson St.) and into a new warehouse location north of Muncie. “PhyXTGears had an opportunity pop up that we had to jump on,” said Shawn VanNess,” robotics team president. “We will be moving soon into a new permanent home in Matthews.” Matthews is located about 16 miles north of Muncie in Grant County. This will also mean a name change for the team. “We will…


John Carlson: They’re Everywhere!!!

By: John Carlson— Holy flippin’ moly! That was all I could think the other day when I stumbled upon my iPhone’s trove of emojis. To preface this, I should note that I am not someone who is “with it” on modern technical advances such as light bulbs, channel changers or using those things that have come to be known as “devices.” Like, not long ago I wrote a post complaining about trying to use my iPhone’s camera to photograph a…


BY5, Open Door to Host Community Baby Shower On Sept 27th

By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN — New and young parents are invited to attend a Community Baby Shower on Sept. 27, hosted by Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, Inc. and Open Door Health Services.  The shower will feature several tables of community resources and raffle prizes.  “Caring for our community is at the heart of what we do at Open Door, and we want our new parents to know support for their growing families is never far…


City of Muncie Launches ‘BuildingBlocks Website’, Prioritizes Open Data

By: Sarah Beach, City of Muncie— Muncie, IN— The City of Muncie has launched BuildingBlocks, a web-based mapping software that compiles property data into one easy-to-use application, to the public. Through BuildingBlocks, users can see property information like code violations and issued building permits. In the past, this information was attainable only through public records requests made to each individual governmental entity office. The public information BuildingBlocks gathers is from many different public sources including, but not limited to: the…


Community Champions Fund Awards Over $32,000 To Local Organizations

By: David Huhnke— Muncie, IN– The Community Champions Fund is pleased to announce that it has awarded funds to ten organizations totaling $32,895.00.  This is the final disbursement of the Community Champions Fund, which was subsidized by Old National Bank’s 100 Men Who Cook event, to support organizations within the community to provide programming, services, and activities that endeavor to reduce violence as well as provide security and care for victims of violence.  Since 2015, Community Champions Fund has awarded…


2019 United Way Campaign Goal: $1.5 million

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—Thousands packed onto Walnut Street in the middle of Muncie’s downtown Thursday to kick off the 2019 fundraising campaign for United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. This year’s goal: $1.5 million, about 5 percent more than the 2018 goal of $1.43 million. Co-chairs Damon Elmore and Liz Ludwick say the energy in the community is palpable. United Way has met goal each of the last two years. “I could not be more excited with how…


Founding Member of STYX, Dennis DeYoung to Perform At Emens

By: Tara Kenney— Muncie, IN—Emens Auditorium presents Dennis DeYoung The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour on September 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at Emens box office, by phone at 765-285-1539, or online at Ticketmaster.com. In 1977, history was made upon the release of The Grand Illusion album. Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX celebrate that history by performing the album in its entirety plus all eight Top Ten hits: Lady, Babe, Come Sail Away, Too…


Top Young Organists to Play at Sursa American Organ Competition September 6-8

By: Gabrielle Glass— Muncie, IN– Six of the country’s top young organists will perform in the Sursa American Organ Competition on the Ball State University campus September 6-8. The musicians will perform on a Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. All events throughout the competition are free and open to the public. On the last day, the audience can vote for their favorite organist. “We’re proud to host this competition of world-class musicians for the third time,” said Stephen…