Articles by Mike Rhodes

‘State of the Child’ Conference Overview

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—There is progress to report in the latest available statistics that measure trends among Indiana’s youth, experts said at the recent Indiana Youth Institute State of the Child in Muncie. Cigarette use among Indiana’s youngest is on the decline, and the number of children in working-poor households is going down, for example. The number of high-quality early childhood programs is on the rise, statewide. But statistics also show that vaping is on the rise among young people…

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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…


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…


‘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…


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 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 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  


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…


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…


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,…