Articles by Mike Rhodes

Muncie Industrial Revolving Loan Fund Board Creates COVID-19 Relief Loans for Local Small Businesses 

By: City of Muncie— Muncie, IN- The Muncie Industrial Revolving Loan Fund Board has created the “COVID-19 Relief Loan for Small Business.” This loan is designed to provide aid to local small businesses who have felt the economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. The board has made $150,000 of City funds available, which it will spread across 20 businesses. This allows for $7,500 to be allotted to each of those 20 businesses. The loan is non-forgivable, and will need to…

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Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity Seeking Partner Families 

By: Eileen Oaks— Muncie, IN— The Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity is actively seeking qualified partner families who are interested in working with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a home. Qualified homebuyers help build their houses by putting in sweat equity hours, and then, purchase their house with a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. You may qualify if your current housing is inadequate or too expensive, or if you are unable to obtain a conventional mortgage. All partner participants must have the ability to pay the Habitat mortgage, which includes proof of steady income within the guidelines…


Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb Announces ‘Back On Track Indiana’ Plan

By: Governor Eric Holcomb— Indianapolis, IN—On Friday I announced the #BackOnTrack Indiana plan to safely open the economy and remain vigilant about protecting Hoosiers’ health and wellbeing. Across Indiana, we have witnessed a spirit of cooperation and caring for others that has touched my heart. May this spirit of appreciation for one another carry on long after the scourge of #COVID19 is behind us. Hoosiers have done this together and together we will come out a stronger Indiana. I have…



John Carlson: Coronavirus Confusion

By: John Carlson— As an old person who is easily confused, there are many things I do not understand about the coronavirus. For example, in my whole life, I have never been a face-toucher. Oh sure, for a while there as a teenager, I was a more-or-less constant pimple popper. But other than that, as far as I can recall, I have gone entire years at a stretch without touching my face. But now that they tell you, “Do not…


Pondering Myers Briggs During The COVID-19 Lockdown

By: Dr. Joseph Misiewicz— Muncie, IN—Another day and more pondering as I maneuver around the house searching for things to do. Many friends know I’m a Myers Briggs (MB) believer and I’m now pondering my “INTJ” in lockdown mode. As an introvert, there’s much to smile about being home, somewhat alone and not having to deal with conversations. Having done many MB workshops I heard often from participants who felt their ‘type’ was different at home than at work. It…


U.S. Department of Labor Announces All 50 States Are Paying Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Benefits

By: U.S. Department of Labor Press Office— WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation’s (FPUC) weekly unemployment compensation boost is now being paid to eligible individuals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. FPUC is authorized under Section 2104 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Pub. L. 116-136), and provides an additional $600 weekly payment to certain eligible individuals who are receiving other benefits. “I…


‘Safe Recovery Site’ for Persons Experiencing Homelessness and COVID-19 to Open May 5th

By: Ryan Remington— Muncie, IN—Through a joint effort, Bridges Community Services will open an emergency, isolation quarantine facility for all individuals experiencing homelessness who have tested positive or are presumed positive, for COVID-19 on May 5th, 2020. Partners in this project include Bridges Community Services, Inc., Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Muncie Community Development Office, the City of Muncie, the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Heartland Ambulance Services, Open Door Health…


There’s More To Muncie! PineAcre Kennels and Roo’s Holistic Pet Supplies

By: Hailey Perkins— Muncie, IN—There’s More to Muncie! We have all heard that phrase by now on the radio and the special #MoreToMuncie campaign. But what does that mean? To Hailey Perkins and Amber Corduan, it means there is more to this community than you might see. There is a whole community of pet people that make Muncie an interesting, well-known, and diverse city! For example, PineAcre Kennels is one of the many hidden gems of Muncie. PineAcre has been a staple in…


Duncan McLarty Is Making a Difference During The Pandemic

By: Hannah Dunckel— Muncie, IN—It was the beginning of March, and the world was changing before our eyes. Every hour there was a new update on canceled events, businesses closing, kids going home from school, and most importantly, people who needed help due to the rising concerns of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. People were scared and unsure of where to turn. Through anxiety and fear, we began seeing “the helpers.” Fred Rogers was quoted saying, “When I…