Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

Read More

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…

Photo provided

Health February 21, 2019

Living Well With Heart Failure Disease

By: Bethel Pointe Health & Rehabilitation— Muncie, IN—Heart failure, sometimes called a “weak heart,” is a serious and progressive disease that develops over time and is defined simply as, “a heart that is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands.” If left untreated, the inadequate blood flow  causes the organs to progressively fail. This can result in numerous medical complications which reduces quality of life. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Heart Failure Society of…

An aerial view of downtown Yorktown, IN. Photo courtesy of the Town of Yorktown.

Business February 21, 2019

Indiana Michigan Power Economic Impact Grant Supports Downtown Yorktown

By: Tracy Warner, Indiana Michigan Power— Yorktown, IN – Indiana Michigan Power is helping Yorktown create a more vibrant, flourishing downtown with a grant supporting Destination Downtown Yorktown, the exciting redevelopment plan aimed at increasing business and residential opportunities in the Delaware County town. An I&M grant program aimed at helping customers in our service territory by boosting local economies will help Yorktown properly plan for creating an attractive social and economic downtown hub to help bring a greater sense of community….

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch is pictured speaking at the Horizon Convention Center on February 20th. Photo courtesy of Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce

Business February 21, 2019

LISTEN: Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch Speaks To Chamber Members

By: Mike Rhodes and Steve Lindell— Muncie, IN— Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch spoke to members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon held at the Horizon Convention Center on February 20, 2019. The Lt. Governor spoke about her responsibilities, opportunities to grow jobs in Indiana, collaboration efforts taking place in the general assembly, access to broadband internet, economic development oriented bills the general assembly is working on and much more. You may listen to the Lt. Governor’s…

Sandra Chapman. Photo courtesy of WTHR

We Fly February 20, 2019

Sandra Chapman, WTHR Investigative Reporter, To Be Keynote Speaker During Ball State University’s 2019 Sunshine Week Activities

By: Lisa Renze-Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Investigative journalist and Ball State alumna Sandra Chapman will share her experiences about a multi-year investigation into childhood cancer occurrences in Johnson County, Indiana, as part of 2019 Sunshine Week activities at the university. The results of Chapman’s work include a decision by the United States Senate to direct $1 million in funding for further investigation into the cancer’s reach in the community, along with continued calls by lawmakers and others for the Environmental Protection Agency…

The FaceMePorFavor mural project by artists Matt Litwin and Victoria Eidelsztein from Argentina comes to PlySpace this spring. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 20, 2019

Muncie Arts and Culture Council Announces Spring 2019 PlySpace Residents and Events

By: Erin Williams, PlySpace Residency Coordinator— Muncie, IN—PlySpace, an artist-in-residence program of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council, is excited to introduce the Spring Term residents, Kevin Titzer, Siena Hancock, Matt Litwin, and Victoria Eidelsztein, who will be joining PlySpace and residing in Muncie through April 2019. Each resident brings a host of community-focused projects and an array of skills to the Muncie community. Kevin Titzer, an Evansville, Indiana native hailing from Quebec, will serve as the PlySpace Fellow for…