Articles by Mike Rhodes

Aerial photo of Muncie and Delaware County by Michael Wolfe

Non-Profit January 2, 2019

Muncie Action Plan to Present Updated Strategic Plan at Annual Report to the Community

By: Alex Romoser, Muncie Action Plan Administrative Coordinator— Muncie, Indiana—Muncie Action Plan (MAP) invites you to MAP’s annual Report to the Community at the Minnetrista Cultural Center on January 9 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. MAP’s Board will present the updated Muncie Action Plan (MAP3), a strategic plan first created from input by Muncie community members over 10 years ago. “I believe that most people in Muncie care as much as I do seeing it thrive and provide a rewarding quality…

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Nicolas Egierski of Granger, Indiana, a Ball State University junior computer science major and ROTC cadet (second to the right), poses with other Cadets hin the program after the Fall Commissioning Ceremony recently on campus.

We Fly January 1, 2019

Ball State Student Interns For Intelligence Service

By: Jillian Wilschke— Muncie, Indiana — For Ball State student Nicolas Egierski of Granger, Indiana, a junior computer science major and ROTC cadet, putting his skills learned in the classroom to good use was just one of many unique opportunities offered through his internship with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which manages the United States’ intelligence satellites. “During my time as an intern last summer, I was placed in a special programs office that focused on delivering automated capabilities to discover,…

These are some of the tools I won’t be using in 2019. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 28, 2018

John Carlson: Time for Unresolutions!

By: John Carlson— It’s that time of year when we all resolve to make positive changes in our lives, except the positive changes from my New Year’s resolutions never last longer than noon on January 1. After awhile, these failures get depressing. So in an attempt to enhance my self-esteem, I figured I’d have way more luck detailing the things I resolve not to change in 2019, and sticking to them. For one thing, I am not going to keep…

The Honorable Marianne L. Vorhees is pictured with a young child adopted on National Adoption Day. Photo by: Elizabeth Saylor

Business December 26, 2018

Muncie Journal’s Most Viewed Stories of 2018

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—22 children adopted at the Delaware County Justice Center on National Adoption Day topped Muncie Journal’s most viewed stories list for 2018. The article was written by attorney Rebecca Bruce and continues to be shared by our readers, even today. You’ll find the rest of our most viewed stories for 2018 below. You can click on any story headline to review the initial story and the date it was published. (When you click on a story below, you can hit…

Muncie Police Department officers out on patrol. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government December 24, 2018

Muncie Police Officers On Christmas Patrol

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— As mentioned in the Muncie Journal article below, the Muncie Police Department is randomly handing out treats and toys while officers are out on patrol. On Thursday, Muncie Journal followed Brian Campbell & Damon Stovall (Santa) on patrol. They brought Christmas joy to some Muncie kids today. Watch the video below.   Related article below. Muncie Public Safety Officials Bring Holiday Cheer To Local Children

You might think about putting down the smartphone over the holidays. Photo by: Storyblocks

Health December 24, 2018

Want To Be Healthy Over The Holidays? Put Down Your Smartphone.

By: Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN—Putting away the smartphone, iPad and other device may be the first step to enjoying a healthier lifestyle during the holidays, says Jagdish Khubchandani, a member of the Global Health Institute at Ball State University and a physiology and health science professor. His study found that excessive technology use and professional stress were predictors for lack of adequate physical activity and a decline in healthy eating. “The increasing use of electronic media has…

Local kids’ Christmas wishes in cards tied to trees. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 23, 2018

John Carlson: Children Need A Special Gift

By: John Carlson— “I like trains.” That was it, one child’s fondest wish, hinted at in a card hanging from an artificial Christmas tree in a Muncie church’s narthex. There was more on his wish list, but not much more. A couple items of clothing. A pair of socks. Maybe a pair of shoes. Other cards on this tree represented additional little kids and their wishes. A Barbie doll. A toy car. A dinosaur. And the simple clothing items like…

Pictured L-R: Cecil Bohanon, Bruce Munson, Jonathan Lamb, Frank Baldwin, Martin Hillery and James Rosema. Photo by: TJ Dudley

Non-Profit December 20, 2018

The Baur Foundation Grants Muncie Mission $175,000 For Housing Program

By: Frank Baldwin— Muncie, IN—The Baur Foundation awards Muncie Mission with a $175,000 grant to continue expanding their transitional housing program. The J. Robert & Joanne N. Baur Foundation granted Muncie Mission Ministries $175,000 to fund the Mission’s expanding transitional housing program, and the development of programming to improve healthy lifestyles and job creation. Muncie Mission has nine transitional living units with another six in development. Transitional housing is available to graduates of the life recovery program offered by the…

Jenna Wachtmann is Program Officer at Ball Brothers Foundation. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 20, 2018

Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Adds Jenna Wachtmann To Board Of Directors

By: Lissa Silotto— Indianapolis, IN —Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) has appointed Linda Speed as its new Board Chair and welcomes Stephanie Overbey and Jenna Wachtmann as new members to its Board of Directors. Current Directors becoming officers in 2019 include Theresa Farrington Rhodes, elected as Vice Chair, and Tracy Souza, elected as Secretary. “I value the connection with other grantmakers in our state to learn, collaborate, and make a greater impact through informed grantmaking,” said Speed. “I look forward to ushering in a new era with…

Firefighter Daniel Powell puts together a bag of new toys for a local family inside the Toys For Tots office in Southway Plaza. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government December 20, 2018

Muncie Public Safety Officials Bring Holiday Cheer To Local Children

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—During the holiday season, many of the City of Muncie’s public safety officials kick-into high gear in order to bring a little holiday cheer to underprivileged children around the area. Toys For Tots In early November, the familiar Toys for Tots collection boxes began to spring up inside businesses around town. For 2018, around 65 boxes have been distributed throughout the community. Families who wanted to participate in the Toys for Tots program were first screened by staff at…