Articles by Mike Rhodes

Jeff Lang. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 19, 2018

Edging Close To End of United Way Campaign: We Still Need You…

By: Jeff Lang— Muncie, Indiana—Thanks to the generous support from people like you, United Way of Delaware County is winding up another successful fundraising campaign. We’re not done. Not quite yet. But it’s close and I wanted to say thank you. Like many of you, I have much to be grateful for this holiday season, and one thing is this place I call home. I came to Muncie for a job a few decades ago and I’ve never left. Never…

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A portion of Meridian Health Services campus on Tillotson Avenue in Muncie is pictured. File photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health December 19, 2018

Meridian Health Services Welcomes Madison County Community Health Center

By: Lorri Markum—  Muncie, IN — Meridian Health Services is pleased to announce that Madison County Community Health Center will be joining its organization with an anticipated effective date first quarter of 2019.   This collaboration will bring great strengths to each and offer patients access to a broader spectrum of healthcare services that will provide community benefit. Meridian Health Services is a regional, progressive, not-for-profit healthcare system with a gross annual revenue of $137 million.  Meridian specializes in “whole-person” health…

Ball State University Campus. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

We Fly December 18, 2018

Ball State University Developing Incentive-Based Budget

By: Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, Indiana – Ball State University’s Board of Trustees recently discussed implementing a more decentralized, incentive-based approach to budgeting designed to better align the allocation of resources with the priorities of a new strategic plan. “The new model will incentivize all colleges and units to promote student success, stimulate strategic growth, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and support academic excellence,” said President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “The current budget model has served us well for many…

The Facing Project books have been produced in over 75 communities across the country. Photo by: J.R. Jamison

Non-Profit December 18, 2018

The Facing Project’s Catalog Of 1,500 Stories To Be Archived By Ball State

By: Stephanie Fisher— Muncie, Indiana—Stories connect us. They build empathy and understanding across difference, and they are the basic building blocks of community. This mantra has been the driving force behind the work of The Facing Project, and now the 501(c)(3) non-profit is pleased to announce they are partnering with Archives and Special Collections at Ball State University to archive its catalog of stories. The Facing Project catalog consists of over 1,500 first-person stories collected over a six-year period in…

Kamrein Jackson speaks and tells his story at the Great Futures Luncheon, held in January of 2018. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 18, 2018

Boys & Girls Club 2019 Great Futures Dinner Announced

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, Indiana—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is delighted to announce the 2019 Great Futures Dinner. To help us celebrate the Clubs 85th year of service to the community, The Boys & Girls Clubs will host the 2019 Great Futures Dinner on January 24, 2019 from 6 -8 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. This event serves as a way to showcase the Club kids’ work, fundraise for future programming, and honor the members of…

Delaware County CASA volunteers watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children in our community. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 17, 2018

Funders Forum Collaborative Supports Three Programs with Grants

By: Kallie Sullanke— Muncie, Ind. – Funders in Delaware County have come together to pool knowledge, experiences, and resources to make a collective impact on a current issue in the community.  The Funders Forum Collaborative awarded $31,000 to three Delaware County organizations to support programs that address drug prevention and recovery in our community. Delaware County CASA Program received $15,000 to launch a Family Recovery Court in Delaware County. Family Recovery Courts have been identified across the state and nation…

Mayor Dennis Tyler in the studio of WLBC radio on 12/17/18

Government December 17, 2018

LISTEN: Mayor Dennis Tyler Reviews Successes of 2018

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler was interviewed by Steve Lindell on WLBC this morning. The mayor reviewed some of the successes of 2018 and accomplishments he has been most proud of. The mayor discussed new road paving, the success of the downtown, economic development activity, new partnerships between Muncie Community Schools and Ball State University, the strong employment picture in Muncie and current job training activities, what’s new at the Madjax facility, the downtown animated Christmas tree…

Photo by: Shutterstock

Business December 16, 2018

Walls Mattress to Host Community Blood Drive On Dec. 17

By: Amanda Price— Muncie and Indianapolis—It’s the season of giving, and Walls Mattress is giving back in a new way.  The locally owned mattress store is hosting a community blood drive Monday, Dec. 17 in Muncie and Castleton.  “According to the American Red Cross, someone in the country needs blood every two seconds, and just one donation could save up to three lives,” the Facebook event page for the blood drive says.  The store’s owners decided to host a blood…

Kelly N. Stanley

Opinion December 14, 2018

Opinion: 10 Years After Merger: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

By: Kelly N. Stanley— I have lived in Muncie most of my adult life. I was associated with Ball Memorial Hospital for many years. Over the past two years, I have regularly received care as an outpatient.  And I have been an inpatient. I have seen “our hospital” in action.  While not perfect (and no hospital is), Ball Memorial is an outstanding facility with top-notch, well-trained, compassionate, dedicated staff (including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and technicians). However, 10 years ago it…

There’s no tooth tartar on these pearly babies. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 14, 2018

John Carlson: Modern-Day Dentistry

By: John Carlson— Just the other day I was lying in a dentist’s chair when an intriguing question came to mind: How did the stuff they scrape off your teeth wind up with the same name as the stuff they slather on fish sandwiches?   This is the kind of thing that keeps me wide awake nights.   It’s like, I hate tooth tartar, because it’s a hassle to have removed in the never-ending quest for dental health. On the other hand,…