Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pictured L-R: Liz Ludwick and Damon Elmore. Photo courtesy of JMG by Kurt Hostetler

Non-Profit December 30, 2019

United Way Nears $1.5 Million Campaign Goal, Your Support Is Vital

By: Liz Ludwick and Damon Elmore— Muncie, IN—Six weeks. That’s how much time we have to reach our $1.5 million goal in the 2019 fundraising campaign for Delaware County’s United Way. We’re aren’t quite there. We need your help. Because of the work of your United Way, there are nearly 1,000 children in Delaware County receiving books as part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that provides children ages newborn to 5 years old with a free, high-quality book…

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New Leaf Day promises big changes, even more whistling. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 29, 2019

John Carlson: Whistling in the New Year

By: John Carlson— The other day, Nancy woke me up with the news she has decided to become a professional whistler. This didn’t surprise me all that much, for two reasons. First, she often whistles. By this, I don’t mean the way my Dad whistled back in the last years of his life. His whistle was an unconscious, toneless one – a single unvaryingly flat note – and if it started right after lunch, without intervention he could keep it…

Open Door's 333 S. Madison St. location in downtown Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit December 28, 2019

Open Door Health Services to Relocate Family Planning Clinic Jan. 6th

By: Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN – Beginning January 6, 2020, patients at Open Door Family Planning will receive care in a new location. Services currently provided at 905 S. Walnut Street clinic will relocate to Open Door’s 333 S. Madison St. location in downtown Muncie. Providers, services available, hours, and insurance networks will be unaffected. The public is welcome to an open house in the new space on January 9th from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Open Door’s Madison Street health center…

George Insurance Group will host an active shooter response training course on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Photo provided

Business December 26, 2019

George Insurance Group to Host ‘Active Shooter Response’ Training Course

By: Amy Leffingwell—        Muncie, IN – George Insurance Group will host an active shooter response training course on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Chief Duckham, Ball State University Police Chief, will present C.R.A.S.E. training (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event) at the Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center (Former Mitchell Elementary School) in Muncie. Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center is located at 2809 W Purdue Ave, Muncie, Indiana. This presentation will provide strategies, guidance, and a proven…

A Muncie Action Plan task force learning session is pictured. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 25, 2019

Muncie Action Plan Task Force 1: Linking Learning, Health, and Prosperity

By: Heather Williams— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Action Plan spent 2019 working to address the issues identified by the community during the MAP3 planning process. MAP’s five task forces have focused their efforts on Linking Learning, Health, and Prosperity (TF1), Fostering Collaboration (TF2), Strengthening Muncie’s Pride and Image (TF3), Creating Attractive and Desirable Places (TF4), and Managing Community Resources (TF5). As we close out this year, we would like to share our successes as we approach our Annual Community Meeting on…

Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment, Government December 24, 2019

Photos: 26th Annual Tiny Adams Memorial Christmas Event At Fire Station #1

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—The Muncie Fire Department it holding its 26th Annual Tiny Adams Memorial Christmas Event for local children today under bright sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures. The event began at 11am today and runs until 5pm at the downtown fire station #1 at 421 East Jackson Street. Santa and his helpers arrived at 11am on a firetruck and received an enthusiastic welcome from the kids and parents in attendance. Every child that attends receives a FREE picture with Santa,…

A book and a reader engage in dialogue to uncover and confront stereotypes. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 23, 2019

‘Human Library’ Celebrates Diversity

By: Peggy Lewis— Muncie, IN—What is a Human Library? Like all libraries, this one is filled with books. The difference in this library is that all of the books are humans with lived experiences and compelling stories. At a Human Library event, books and readers come together at a specific time and place to engage in dialogue. Books are people we see in our everyday lives but may never otherwise have the opportunity to meet. At library events, readers borrow…

Pictured L-R: Trent Conway, Mikah L. Wilson, Steve Selvey, and Gretchen Cheesman. Photos provided

Government December 23, 2019

Mayor-Elect Dan Ridenour Announces Appointment of Four Individuals to New Administration

By:  Mayor-Elect Dan Ridenour Transition Team— Muncie, IN—The Ridenour transition team continues to move diligently and with consistency toward a single purpose—hiring the best people we can so Muncie can be successful in 2020 and beyond. The Ridenour administration team continues to develop and take shape as we draw closer to taking office January 1st. We are very proud to add the following appointments: Trent Conway has been appointed to the position of Controller of the City of Muncie. Trent…

Members of the Muncie Police Department, Greg Hubler Ford Hyundai, and Santa Claus are pictured in front of toys MPD will be delivering to local children. 

Business, Government December 22, 2019

Greg Hubler Ford Hyundai Donates Toys To Muncie Police Department For Delivery By MPD Officers

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On Thursday afternoon, Greg Hubler and the staff at Greg Hubler Ford Hyundai located at 2001 E. McGalliard in Muncie donated 330 toys to the Muncie Police Department for officers to deliver to local children while on patrol. According to Jami Brown of the Muncie Police Department, customers of the dealership also participated in providing toys. The dealership sponsored a promotion offering discounts to customers if they came in with a toy of their own to donate….