Articles by Mike Rhodes

The Royerton Elementary School robotics team. Back Row (Left to Right): Elizabeth Bamidele, Noah Parrot, Mason Hopper, John Atkinson, Alex Miranda. Front Row (Left to Right): Caleb Hunter, Madison Mosser, Hudson Ewing, Luke Huston. Not pictured: Logan Thomas.

Education March 15, 2019

Two Royerton Elementary School Robotics Teams Qualify For World Championship

By: Ryan Hunter, TechWise Academy— Royerton, IN—Over 200 elementary schools from across Indiana converged on Lucas Oil Stadium to compete in the Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship on March 9th. Two of those teams – the Robo Pirates and the Yellow Jackets – were from Royerton Elementary School. To even make it to the State Championship was a great accomplishment considering Indiana has over 1100 elementary VEX Robotics teams (the most of any state in the country). These two teams, however,…

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Practicing yoga with small dogs is a good idea – NOT!!! Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson March 15, 2019

John Carlson: Yoga Is A Family Affair

By: John Carlson— After two hundred hours of training, our daughter Katie recently earned her certification as a professional yoga instructor. She’s been the Public Information Officer with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for a number of years. While she’s already teaching, her goals now include offering stress-relieving yoga sessions to deputies and other first-responders who, trust me, can undoubtedly use them. Another relative named Nancy has been practicing yoga at least twice a week, and occasionally seven days a…

Photo by: graphic stock

Non-Profit March 14, 2019

YMCA of Muncie To Offer Water Safety Lessons Beginning March 25

By: Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN— During Muncie Community Schools Spring Break, the YMCA of Muncie will offer Safety Around Water, a free program designed to engage and educate parents about the importance of water safety skills and provide more of America’s youth access to water safety lessons. The program focuses on reaching underserved communities with a special emphasis on African American and Hispanic communities, where risk of drowning among children is highest. According to a 2017 national research study conducted…

A scene from a past Muncie Brewfest is pictured. Photo provided

Entertainment March 14, 2019

Muncie Brewfest To Be Held At Cornerstone Center for the Arts On April 13

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, IN—Saturday, April 13 Cornerstone Center for the Arts and Indiana Michigan Power bring you Muncie Brewfest presented by PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union and Praxis Consulting. The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Cornerstone’s third floor with a special early bird entrance time of 2 p.m. Cornerstone has collaborated with Indiana on Tap to celebrate Hoosier craft beer, showcasing Indiana breweries and their Hoosier craft beers. The admission fee includes unlimited samples of…

Watasha Barnes Griffin, (far right) CEO at YWCA Central Indiana is pictured announcing the YWCA's name change at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 1, 2019.

Non-Profit March 14, 2019

YWCA Central Indiana To Hold 6th Annual Texas Roadhouse Luncheon On March 21

By: Kat Knox— Muncie, IN—YWCA Central Indiana Sixth Annual Texas Roadhouse Luncheon is Thursday, March 21, 2019 at the Muncie Texas Roadhouse, 200 W. McGalliard Road.  The menu includes: pulled pork, portabella mushroom chicken, made-from-scratch green beans, corn and fresh baked bread. Vegetarian options are also available. You may pick up carry-out meals from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or dine in with Ball State Athletics personnel and Charlie Cardinal from noon to 1:30 p.m. Carry-out options are also available at…

Carrie Valek. Photo provided

Business March 13, 2019

First Merchants Names Carrie Valek SVP and Director Of Consumer Banking

By: Chad Mertz— Muncie, IN – First Merchants Bank has promoted Carrie Valek to senior vice president and director of consumer banking. In this role she will be responsible for the leadership, performance and strategic direction of the consumer bank. She most previously served as director of retail sales. Valek’s areas of concentration include talent management, strategic sales management, executive leadership and financial management. She has been effectively shaping First Merchants Consumer Banking direction and results for many years.  She has…

Pictured left to right: Claire Demirjian, Jillian Wilschke, Eddie Metzger, Kelli Reutman, Alissa Brewer, Michaela Dean, Michelle O'Malley. Photo provided

We Fly March 12, 2019

Thank A Journalist Day Set For March 13, 2019

By: Jillian Wilschke— Muncie, IN– Thank a Journalist Day, a nationwide campaign initiated by a team of Ball State University advertising and public relations students, will recognize the work that journalists do to empower their communities around the world. Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed March 13 as Thank a Journalist Day, in conjunction with Sunshine Week, a national, non-partisan initiative held annually to focus on the importance of open government, the public’s right to know on local, state and national levels,…

Ball State University Campus. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

We Fly March 12, 2019

Ball State College of Communication, Information, and Media Celebrates Proud Past, Bright Future

By: Kate Elliott— Muncie, IN — Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) is hosting a series of dynamic speakers and interactive events to engage Muncie neighbors and the Ball State community in dialogue about issues and trends in journalism, strategic communication, and information technology. As part of its Centennial Celebration, the University spotlights an academic college each month. In March, the university lifts up CCIM’s lasting and innovative impact throughout Ball State’s 100-year history. CCIM Dean…

The I&M Power substation at the corner of Tillotson and University Avenues. Photo provided

Business March 12, 2019

Temporary Lane And Street Closings To Begin March 11 On Tillotson Avenue

By: Rob Keisling— Muncie, IN—Indiana Michigan Power is nearing the completion of its project to enhance the reliability of service to the Muncie area by building a new substation at Tillotson and University Avenues. While there is more work to be done to complete the project, the substation has already begun to serve the Muncie area. To help make the new facility compatible with the neighborhood, the new Kenmore substation encloses key equipment inside buildings, and has a decorative wall…

Andrew Toney (left), a student at Lee L. Driver Middle School in Winchester, was the winner of the 2019 WIPB Spelling Bee. The first runner-up was Trooper Bullock (middle) from Wes-Del Jr./Sr. High School and the second runner-up was Mahathi Raju, a student at Yorktown Middle School. Photo provided

Education March 11, 2019

Winchester Student Andrew Toney Is Winner Of WIPB Spelling Bee

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN— After 35 rounds, Andrew Toney spelled his way to the top spot at the fourth WIPB-TV Spelling Bee. After the competition ended, Toney, a student at Lee L. Driver Middle School in Winchester, said he was feeling “very nice.” Toney, a seventh grade student, will now go on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May near Washington, D.C. Fifty school champions from Delaware, Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Madison and Henry counties competed this year…