Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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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…

Photo courtesy of Purdue Extension-Delaware County Facebook Page.

Non-Profit September 4, 2019

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $80,000 in Grants To Local Non-Profits

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation, one of the state’s oldest and largest private foundations, awarded over $80,000 during the late spring and summer to support a variety of efforts aimed at improving Muncie, Delaware County, and the surrounding region. The grants were made as part of the foundation’s Rapid Grant program which allows the foundation to respond quickly to community needs. In keeping with the foundation’s long-standing interest in supporting children and youth, several grants were awarded to…

This Daniel Tiger painting was created at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts booth during the first Be My Neighbor Day in 2015. Kids painted Daniel’s sweater with their thumbprints. Photo provided

Entertainment September 4, 2019

‘Be My Neighbor Day’ Celebrates 5 years on September 7 At Canan Commons

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN —Won’t you be our neighbor? Join WIPB for the fifth annual Be My Neighbor Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Enjoy free family activities, live entertainment and more with some of Muncie’s great neighbors! Rain location will be YMCA of Muncie (across the street from the park.) At this year’s event, families will be able to pick up special 5-year-celebration goodies, including backpacks filled with stickers,…

First Merchants Corporation

Business September 4, 2019

First Merchants, Monroe Bank & Trust Finalize Merger

By: Chad Mertz— Companies execute legal close following regulatory approvals in August Muncie, IN— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) have finalized a merger of the two companies. Following regulatory approvals last month, the companies consummated their legal closing through a 100% stock transaction effective September 1, 2019. As previously announced in late 2018, Monroe Bank & Trust will also merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operated 20 banking center…