Articles by Mike Rhodes

James Flatford is the Director of Impact for the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 19, 2019

James Flatford Selected for Worldwide Leadership Program

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—James Flatford has been selected to participate in United Way’s Leaders Engaged in Accelerated Development (LEAD) program. The LEAD program is United Way’s exclusive engagement and professional development platform designed for high-performing and high-potential individuals who are committed to building their career within United Way. Flatford is the Director of Impact for the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. “United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties is proud that James Flatford was chosen to be a…

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Winners of Ball State University’s Outstanding Faculty Awards celebrate with President Geoffrey S. Mearns and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Susana Rivera-Mills. Photo provided

We Fly August 19, 2019

Outstanding BSU Faculty Honored at 2019 Fall Opening Convocation

By: Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN — A leading expert in environmental health, especially on the relationship between air pollution and health, and a writer who focuses on the intimacies of family life were among the 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award winners, announced at the Fall Opening Convocation on August 16. Every year, Ball State bestows awards to recognize faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the University community. The 2019 winners are: Outstanding Research Award: Dr. Maoyong Fan,…

Employees of In & Out Cleaning Services are pictured outside their building. Photo provided by: Alex Romoser

Business August 19, 2019

Local Cleaning Service Has A Heart For Muncie

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—While In & Out Cleaning Services specializes in both residential and commercial cleaning services, the company is focused on building relationships with its customers and being part of the Muncie community. Alex Romoser, a co-owner of the business along with Josh Arthur, said the company has been in business for 15 years and continues to grow. In & Out Cleaning Services, which offers everything from gutter cleaning to window washing to regular cleaning services, offers…

Jennie DeVoe poses with John Carlson. The undulating object trailing down his right pant leg is a beautiful banded cane she had made for him. Photo by: Dave Murray

Entertainment August 18, 2019

Singer Jennie DeVoe Subject Of New Book By Muncie Journal Columnist

By: John Carlson— A native of our city who has become an iconic Hoosier singer-songwriter over the past twenty years is the subject of a new book by Muncie Journal columnist John Carlson. The book is “Jennie DeVoe On The Record: Friends, Music and Elvis Dust.” It is available for $18 from the merchandise table at Jennie’s shows, or online at jenniedevoe.com. (Go to “record shop,” scroll down to “merch” and the book will pop up to order. Or just…

A young lady takes a look through an astronaut’s helmet. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 17, 2019

John Carlson: With All Due Respect…

By: John Carlson— A small city of 10,000 people, Wapakoneta sits where Route 33 intersects busy I-75 in southwestern Ohio’s Auglaize County, a place marked by the same gas stations, convenience stores and burger joints as a million others. But pass it on the interstate, especially at night, and the moon-like structure that commands your attention hints why this place is anything but common. Neil Armstrong called it home. That huge full moon, which seems to be rising from the…

Located at 2809 W Purdue Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47304. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education August 16, 2019

Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center Open House is August 24th

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie and Ball State University are committed to strengthening the Muncie community. Through a joint partnership, the YMCA and Ball State’s Child Study Center will be relocating all child care services to the newly renovated Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center beginning August 19th.  The community is invited to attend the open house on Saturday August 24th, 2019 from 10am to 12pm. The center is located at 2809 W. Purdue Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47304….

Jim Mansfield is pictured with Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch receiving his award in ceremonies held earlier today. Photo provided

Business August 16, 2019

Jim Mansfield Named Winner of 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Award

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN—Jim Mansfield, executive director of the Muncie Visitors Bureau was named a winner of the 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Award at ceremonies held earlier today at the Indiana State Fair Wine, Beer, & Spirits Pavilion. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch presented Mansfield with the award. The Hoosier Hospitality Award is given to Hoosiers that have displayed a high level of service in tourism-related professions at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations in Indiana. Jeff Bryan nominated Mansfield…

Ryan Hunter, co-founder of TechWise Academy, leads a Minecraft Party in which students get to learn about command blocks and play online in a safe environment. File photo

Education August 15, 2019

Innovation Connector and TechWise Academy Announce New STEM Classes for Fall

By: Brandon Coppernoll, Co-Founder, TechWise Academy— Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is partnering with TechWise Academy to host a new lineup of STEM classes through the Coding Connector starting on August 16. These classes help K-12 students learn computational thinking and computer science through coding and robotics. New classes this Fall feature Sphero robots for elementary students and new coding classes for middle and high school students. Younger students from kindergarten through second grade will have more opportunities to build and…

A prior year's Fall Fan Jam. Photo provided by: Ball State Sports

Entertainment, We Fly August 15, 2019

Ball State University’s 2019 Fan Jam Is Saturday August 17th

By: Ball State Sports— Muncie, IN—Join us for Ball State Athletics 2019 Fall Fan Jam on Saturday, August 17th! Everyone is invited to Scheumann Stadium from 5-7 pm for this FREE community-wide event to kick off the 2019 sports schedule. Don’t miss the fun! Fans will have the opportunity to meet Ball State coaches, student-athletes – including the entire football squad – receive autographs, take home a poster and take part in interactive stations. Community organizations and corporate partners will…

An early meeting of the Ludingwood Neighborhood Association. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 15, 2019

Ludingwood Neighborhood Association Revises Covenants to Remove Racist Language

By: Bob O’Bannon— Muncie, IN—The Ludingwood Neighborhood Association, Inc., accomplished a major milestone last month when it secured the required number of signatures among its residents to eliminate racist language from its covenants. The Ludingwood Neighborhood Association, Inc., (LNA) was formed in December of 2014. One of its first orders of business was to remove language from the original covenants, written when the neighborhood was established in 1946, that prohibited people from “any race other than the caucasian race” from…