Articles by Mike Rhodes

Keynote speaker—Debbie Weir, national senior managing director for "Everytown for Gun Safety" and "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America." She’ll tell her personal experience with suicide. Photo provided

Non-Profit September 9, 2019

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….

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The PhyXTgears Drive Team poses with the team robot, Space Walrus, before a match. Photo by PhyXTgears Media Team Member Adam Schuler.

Non-Profit September 8, 2019

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…

At least scrolling past emojis keeps your fingers nimble. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson September 8, 2019

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…

The Community Baby Shower will take place in the Open Door Community Room (333 S. Madison St.) from 1–3 p.m. on Sept. 27. Photo provided

Health, Non-Profit September 7, 2019

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…

The homepage of the BuildingBlocks website.

Government September 6, 2019

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…

Business September 6, 2019

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…

Damon Elmore is pictured at the microphone as he announces the United Way campaign goal for this year.

Non-Profit September 6, 2019

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…

"Dennis DeYoung The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour" will take place at Emens on September 20th. Photo provided

Entertainment September 5, 2019

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…

The Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. Photo provided

Entertainment September 5, 2019

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…

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

Health September 5, 2019

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns Distinction for Knee and Hip Replacement 

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN— Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.  Knee and hip…