Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pictured L-R: Tim Pierce, Bekah Clawson and Ben Polk. Photo provided

Business October 11, 2024

Soup Crawl Makes More Than 93,000 Meals Possible for Students in East Central Indiana

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday afternoon, Tim Pierce and Ben Polk of PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union announced the winners of Soup Crawl and presented a donation check to Bekah Clawson, President of Second Harvest Food Bank. The event raised $23,278.05 for Second Harvest’s The Big Idea initiative, which will help provide over 93,000 meals to students and their families in East Central Indiana. “Soup Crawl has been a tremendous success in supporting The Big Idea initiative over the years….

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Government October 11, 2024

League of Women Voters to Sponsor Delaware County Council Candidate Forum, County Commissioner Debate

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County in partnership with Woof Boom Radio will hold a Delaware County Council Candidate Forum and County Commissioner Debate on Thursday, Oct. 17, in the Muncie Central High School auditorium. The forum for County Council candidates will take place from 6-7 p.m. and the debate between the District 1 County Commissioner candidates will take place from 7-8 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Attendees should park in the…

The 1921 Gaston Basketball Team, Delaware County Historical Society Heritage Collection.

Non-Profit October 10, 2024

Delaware County Historical Society Hosts Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 24 at Cornerstone

By Chris Flook— MUNCIE, IN—The Delaware County Historical Society will hold its 2024 annual meeting at Cornerstone Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $40, available through October 17 online here or by calling us at 765.233.6057. This year’s speaker is renowned Hoosier historian, Ron Newlin, author of Legacy and Legend: The History and Mythology of Basketball in Indiana. Alongside his writing, Newlin was also the first executive director of the Indiana Basketball Hall…

First Merchants Chief Credit Officer, John Martin, volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank. Photo provided

Business October 10, 2024

First Merchants Bank: A Bank Interested in You

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—As the world becomes more and more digitally focused, First Merchants Bank is keeping up with digital product offerings but not neglecting the most important aspect of banking: customers. While the bank has 116 locations throughout four states in the Midwest, its headquarters remains in Muncie. Attentive banking “We often use the word attentive,” said Jeff Parsons, Market President. “In the environment where everything is digital now, that can easily mean impersonal. However, we believe…

Alderdice Gates at BSU. Photo provided

Business, Education October 9, 2024

Tax Credit Projects in Indiana Benefit Low-to Moderate-Income Households

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – A new report from Ball State University researchers reveals that more than half of the housing units created or rehabilitated using historic rehabilitation tax credits (HRTC) for income-producing properties in Indiana have been designated for low- to moderate-income households. This key finding underscores the role these tax credits play in addressing housing affordability and revitalizing distressed communities across the state. The study, conducted by experts from the Center for Business and Economic…

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Government October 8, 2024

Early Voting is Underway at Delaware County’s Voter Registration Office

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Now is the time for citizens to plan when and how they will vote. Early voting is underway at the Delaware County’s Voter Registration Office, Room 104, in the Delaware County Building, 100 W. Main St. in downtown Muncie. Early voting began this morning, at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4. Early voting will be available Monday through Friday at the Voter Registration Office in Delaware County. Editor-in-Chief Mike Rhodes voted…

Special shape balloons stand out beautifully against the night sky in the 3rd Fire Up DWNTWN. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 8, 2024

A Day to Remember Thanks to Our Muncie Community

By Nick Tokar, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership Board President— MUNCIE, IN — The third Fire Up DWNTWN brought an unforgettable day full of excitement. The event offered something for everyone—family activities, live entertainment, local artisans, food vendors, and spicy competitions. This year we also introduced a brand-new attraction—DWNTWN IDOL. Downtown had some amazing talent take the stage and show off their singing chops. Events like Fire Up are not possible without incredible support from our sponsors and partners: Please thank them…

Avrum Horsley, Cowan High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Education October 7, 2024

Avrum Horsley—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— COWAN, IN—Avrum Horsley has worked hard to be where he is today. As current valedictorian of his senior class at Cowan Junior/Senior High School, Horsley credits his mom for encouraging him to stay the course. “My mom has motivated me, and she’s stuck me to…

Ball State Campus photo provided by Ball State University

Education October 7, 2024

Ball State Board of Trustees Receive Update on Muncie Community Schools Partnership

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday received updates on several key institutional achievements, including promising Fall 2024 enrollment trends, the University’s continued partnership with Muncie Community Schools (MCS), and progress on Ball State’s new Center for Innovation and Eric Foss Championship Performance Center. Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management, reported to the Board that Ball State’s total Fall 2024 enrollment is approximately 20,000 students—an increase of…

The stuff-a-bus event held at the Payless supermarket. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 6, 2024

Soup Kitchen of Muncie Hosted Third Annual Stuff-A-Bus Event

By Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN—September was Hunger Action Month. The Soup Kitchen of Muncie in partnership with Payless Supermarket, Muncie Schools and Auxilio Services aimed to fill a bus full of groceries and supplies to help feed those in need in our community. “The donations and supplies collected during the Stuff-A-Bus event will be distributed to the Soup Kitchen of Muncie, Southside Middle School Panther Food Pantry, and the Ball State Cardinal Kitchen Food Pantry,” said Dottie Kreps, VP of…