Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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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 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…


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…


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…


An Innovation Connector Success Story: Travis Street and Complete Technology Solutions (CTS)

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Many entrepreneurial start-ups have called the Innovation Connector their first home. One of the earliest start-ups to call the Innovation Connector “home” is Travis Street’s  Complete Technology Solutions (CTS.) Street graduated from Ball State with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but entered into the business of IT almost by accident. He bought his first computer in 1996 and began learning about computers and all they could do. Like most people have experienced at one time or…


Annual WIPB Spelling Bee To Take Place March 9th

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN – Fifty-five spellers are scheduled to compete in the fourth WIPB Spelling Bee, set for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 9, in Sursa Performance Hall, on the campus of Ball State University. WIPB will be broadcasting the regional bee LIVE as well as streaming the event on the PBS station’s website, www.wipb.org. Students will compete from schools in Delaware, Blackford, Jay, Randolph, Madison and Henry counties. The Ball State University Teachers College has generously contributed the…


John Carlson: It’s Bye-Bye Bybee

By: John Carlson— 3/13/19 Story update from John Carlson is below. For anybody who read my column about the end of Bybee Pottery last Friday (see column below) and wished they had the opportunity to buy some, I have good news. I was wrong. Well, sort of wrong. Yes, the historic Bybee Pottery shop in Waco, Ky., that had opened in 1809 did close its doors to the public in 2011. What I hadn’t counted on, and didn’t know about,…


Horizon Convention Center Hosts Delta Tau Delta and Shipshewana On The Road In February

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center was host to Delta Tau Delta’s Northern Division Conference on February 14-17. Delta Tau Delta chapters are divided into five geographic divisions. Every winter, members gather in a place chosen within their division to celebrate the Fraternity, brotherhood, and learn skills to help lead their chapters. The northern division consists of 38 chapters. Some of the schools represented included: Eastern Michigan University, Marietta College, University of Illinois, Kent State University, Marquette University,…


Muncie Journal To Publish 3rd Annual “Virtual Home Show” In April

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Warmer weather will be here soon. (We hope.) So it’s time to begin planning to be included in Muncie Journal’s 3rd Annual Virtual Home Show. You might be thinking, “What is a Virtual Home Show?” I’ll explain. For many years, ECI Builders Incorporated held an annual home show in the spring. It was held in the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. Unfortunately, the last physical home show exhibit at the Horizon Convention Center took place in…