Articles by Mike Rhodes

A few of the storytellers and writers from Facing LGBTQ+ Pride. Photo provided.

Non-Profit June 27, 2018

The Facing Project Rounds Out Pride Month with Facing LGBTQ+ Pride Event

By: J.R. Jamison— Muncie, IN—From the page to the stage, 23 stories that celebrate the lives of LGBTQ Muncie residents, and their allies, will be brought to life by actors on June 30th at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00. This will be the second Facing Project Event of 2018, following Facing Teaching, and accompanies the publication of Facing LGBTQ+ Pride in Delaware County. All attendees will receive a free copy…

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Virginia-class submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789). (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Stan Bailey.)

Government June 27, 2018

US Navy To Launch New Submarine: USS Indiana

By: Naval Sea Systems Command— WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy accepted delivery of future attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789), the 16th submarine of the Virginia class, on June 25. The ship began construction in 2012 and is scheduled to commission in September. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea superiority. “Indiana’s delivery marks the culmination of millions of man-hours of work by thousands of people across this country to bring the…

Dale Basham is pictured making remarks after taking the oath of office as the 2018-2019 Rotary International District 6560 Governor. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business June 26, 2018

Horizon Convention Center Hosts Inauguration Of Rotary District Governor

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On June 19th, hundreds of people attended a ticketed event at the Horizon Convention Center to celebrate the inauguration of Dale Basham as Rotary District 6560 District Governor for 2018-2019. Basham is the 7th person to represent Muncie as District Governor in the 100 year history of Rotary in our community. District 6560 encompasses 44 service clubs and 2,500 members throughout central Indiana. Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler was one of the first presenters of the evening. Mayor Tyler…

MCS Board Members. Back row,(L-R) Brittany Bales, James Williams, Keith O'Neal. Front row, (L-R) Dave Heeter, WaTasha Barnes Griffin, James Lowe. Not pictured: Mark Ervin. File photo

Education, We Fly June 25, 2018

Ball State University Appoints New Muncie Community Schools Board

By: Marc Ransford— MUNCIE, Indiana — Today, the Ball State University Board of Trustees appointed a new seven-member board to govern the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”). “I am grateful that these seven leaders are willing to assume this important new responsibility of overseeing the future of our local schools. I am confident they will serve with skill, courage, civility, and compassion,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “Each member of this new board has a passion for Muncie and…

Michelle Hill, Patrick Kelley, Kaitlyn Landers, Christopher Lewis (top row); Abigal McGrath, Helena O’Farrow, Samantha Roderick, Joseph Snyder (bottom row); Brandi Lambertson (not pictured)

Education June 23, 2018

Community Foundation Announces More 2018 Scholarship Recipients 

By: Kallie Sullanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Michelle Hill, of Ivy Tech Community College, is a recipient of the Hurley and Fredine (Wynn) Goodall Scholarship. Michelle is studying business administration. Patrick Kelley, of Ivy Tech Community College, is a recipient of the East Central Opportunities Scholarship. Patrick is studying to become a physical therapy assistant. Brandi Lambertson, of Ball State University, is a recipient of the George and Nelda Van Laningham Scholarship. Kaitlyn Landers,…

Should hummingbirds cool it with all that sugar juice? Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson June 22, 2018

John Carlson: Hummingbird! Duck!

By: John Carlson—  With only one hummingbird regularly flocking to our feeder these days, I nevertheless relish evenings spent on our back deck, watching it cavort. It’s an activity that follows a familiar pattern. Pour some bourbon into a glass. Carry the glass out to the deck overlooking our hummingbird feeder. Pull down my goggles. Sip the whiskey and watch nature’s show, all while giving thanks for this place where a hummingbird lives in perfect harmony with wild turkeys. I…

Rodney Stevens, MSNL, RN. Photo provided.

Health June 22, 2018

IU Health East Central Region Announces Additional Critical Access Hospital Leadership

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN – Indiana University Health East Central President Jeff Bird, MD, recently announced the new role of chief operating officer for Critical Access hospitals in the East Central Region, which will be filled by Rodney Stevens, MSNL, RN. In this new role Rod will have direct operational responsibilities for both IU Health Jay and IU Health Blackford. He will continue to serve as chief nursing officer for IU Health Blackford. “Rod has been an important part…

Pictured L-R: Kelly Shrock and Jeannine Harrold. Photo provided.

Non-Profit June 21, 2018

Jeannine Harrold Named Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer– Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that Jeannine Harrold has been awarded the 2018 David Sursa Leadership Award to recognize her dedicated service to Shafer Leadership Academy. Harrold was nominated by Shafer Leadership Academy, where she served as a founding board member when the organization incorporated as LEAD-ECI in 2007 and continued her service until 2017. During her ten years of service to the organization, Harrold…

Future new home of WESCO, 9101 S. Innovation Drive, Daleville, IN. File photo.

Business June 20, 2018

WESCO To Move Into New Daleville Location

By: Autumn Gasior—  DELAWARE COUNTY, IN — WESCO Distribution reaffirmed its commitment to Delaware County with plans to move its Daleville branch at 13880 W. Commerce Drive to a larger 50,000-square-foot-facility at 9101 S. Innovation Drive later this year. The new facility is being completed as a joint partnership between Briner Buildings and the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission. Construction on WESCO’s new location has already begun and is targeted for completion in early fall 2018, according to Mike Swinford, owner…

Hensley Legal Group offices at 619 South High Street. Photo provided.

Business June 20, 2018

Law Firm Hensley Legal Group Returns to Muncie

By: Deanna Menke— Muncie, IN—Hensley Legal Group, PC, an Indianapolis-based law firm, has opened a brand new location in the heart of downtown Muncie. Since April, Hensley Legal Group has been putting the final touches on their new office at 619 South High Street. From 2004 to 2007, the law firm operated an office on the northwest side of town. Now, the legal team has returned with a more convenient location and more experience in a variety of practice areas. “Our…