Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo by: Mallory Huxford

Non-Profit February 27, 2019

March Workshops And Camps At Cornerstone Center For The Arts

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts will be springing into this new month and season with multiple one-time workshops and camps in March. Upcoming workshops in March include Girls Night Out – Jewelry Making, Monthly Dance Club, Pop Up Dance with Katie Cannon, Bad Art Night at Maring-Hunt Library, Pop Up Fitness with Katie Cannon, Coffee & Paints, Belles, Baubles, and Beneficence: Historic Stories of Women in Delaware County, Spring Break Arts Camp, and Pints & Paints…

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A Breakthrough Overhead Line Design®(BOLD) structure is pictured. Photo provided

Business February 26, 2019

Indiana Michigan Power Plans Power Grid Upgrades to Benefit Customers

By: Tracy Warner— Fort Wayne, IN—Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans to enhance energy reliability for customers in east-central Indiana by upgrading a key transmission line using innovative, unique towers. The Muncie-Marion Transmission Line Rebuild Project includes rebuilding about 20 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Delaware and Grant counties. The company plans to conduct most of the construction in the existing right-of-way, although it might need to acquire supplemental easements. The improvements help reduce the likelihood of power outages…

Lindsey and Andy Markelz. Photo provided.

Business February 26, 2019

BIG Idea Pitch Winners Moving Forward With Their Award Winning Product

By: Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—In October of 2018, Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched in front of a panel of judges in the BIG Idea Pitch Competition. Out of 40 participants, Lindsey and Andy Markelz were in the top five winners who moved on to the Excellence in Innovation Awards where they presented once more. But this time in front of over 350 people! The Markelz pitched their invention; the Collar Keeper. The Collar Keeper (patent pending) is a pure invention…

(L-R): Muncie Neighborhoods' 2018 IDEA Conference Neighborhood Award Recipients—Melinda Messineo (Riverside Normal City), Clifford Clemmons (Blaine Southeast), Brad King (Old West End), Frank Scott (Whitely) Photo by: Aimee West

Non-Profit February 26, 2019

Muncie Neighborhoods March 2nd IDEA Conference to Feature Mayoral Candidates Forum  

By: Aimee West, Muncie Action Plan— Muncie, IN—Citizens of greater Muncie will see on their 2019 primary ballots, a record-setting new wave of candidates running for local office this year.  Many of these candidates are leaders in their neighborhoods who have taken the next step in serving their neighborhoods and community, by making the decision to run for office. The Muncie Neighborhoods 4th annual IDEA Conference will be on March 2, 2019, 9:00 am-3:30 pm, at Ball State University’s Student Center….

Shafer Leadership Academy provides leadership development training in our community. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 25, 2019

Local Non-Profits Receive $551,500 in Grants From Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer—     Muncie, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $551,500 to 14 non-profit organizations during the first Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2019. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas…

Melissa Blair, new director of Muncie Animal Care & Services. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government February 24, 2019

Meet Melissa Blair, Director of Muncie Animal Care and Services

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— Melissa Blair was born and raised in Muncie and has been a lover of animals her entire life. Blair is the new director of the City of Muncie’s Muncie Animal Care & Services, located at 901 W. Riggin Rd. in Muncie.  While relatively new as director (she began her new duties at the end of 2018) Blair is no newcomer to animal rescue services. (The video above includes just a few of the many adoptable…

Business February 23, 2019

Indiana and Michigan Power Storm Advisory In Advance of Strong Winds

By: Indiana and Michigan Electric Power— Update: 8pm, 2/24/19 As more than 400 Indiana Michigan Power employees and contractors restore power across I&M’s service territory, incessant winds that have blown since early this morning continue to disrupt service to additional customers. Though I&M has restored power to more than 7,000 customers in a timely manner throughout the day, heavy afternoon wind gusts accelerated the number of outages. As of 8 p.m., more than 10,000 customers were without power. While crews continue…

IU Health uses cardboard cities to test the designed layout, and workflow of staff and patients, before finalizing construction plans. Photo provided.

Health February 23, 2019

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Continues North Tower Remodel With NICU and Pediatric Cardboard City

By: Maggie Stolfa— Muncie, IN—As remodeling continues at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital, recently five skids of cardboard stood floor to ceiling outlining the gutted 5th floor of the North Tower. This Cardboard City replicates the under construction 10thfloor of North Tower that will soon be the new location of Pediatrics and Women’s Services (PAWS) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). IU Health uses cardboard cities to test the designed layout, and workflow of staff and patients, before…

Members of "Hey Mavis" are pictured. Photo provided

Entertainment February 22, 2019

“Hey Mavis” And The Muncie Symphony To Perform Sunday

By: Jennifer Johnson— Muncie, IN—With appearances on NPR’s Mountain Stage and Whad’ya Know?, Americana Band Hey Mavis performs in Muncie for the very first time this Sunday with The Muncie Symphony Orchestra.  The Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Hey Mavis collaborate on Hey Mavis’ newest project – Silver Ribbon Dream~Songs and Stories of the Ohio & Erie Canal.  Witness the unique blending of musical genres this Sunday, February 24 at 4 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. Youth (K-12) tickets are just $5. BSU student tickets FREE w/ ID in…

Fingers shape a lump of clay by the pinch pot method. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 22, 2019

John Carlson: A Fun Day To Mold Clay

By: John Carlson— In an attempt to fulfill our artistic destinies, Nancy and I have begun taking pottery lessons at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Walking into class a couple Wednesdays ago, we were introduced to our teacher, Eugene Boyd, who is sort of a missionary for the joys of pottery-making. A friendly, effusive man, he told us how after retiring from his career as a General Motors toolmaker, he anticipated spending his golden years in a woodworking shop. Then…