Articles by Mike Rhodes

Racing drones are pictured at launch during a race. Photo by: Matt Ruddick

Entertainment August 11, 2018

Academy of Model Aeronautics Welcomes MultiGP for the 2nd Annual MultiGP International Open

By: Mandee Mikulski— Muncie, IN – The largest professional drone racing league in the world will again host the biggest drone sports gathering in history. The MultiGP Drone Racing League is proud to announce the 2nd annual MultiGP International Open, Aug. 8-12 at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, USA.  The week long event will attract the best pilots from all over the world including the US, Canada, Latin and South America, Europe, Korea, China, New Zealand…

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The scene downtown last year during the Voices United concert. Photo provided.

Entertainment August 10, 2018

Voices United Reunion Concert to Kick Off 2018 United Way Campaign

By: Jenni Marsh, President and CEO, United Way of Delaware County— Muncie, IN—United Way of Delaware County kicks off its 2018 campaign next month with a downtown celebration and concert reunion of Voices United. This is the first time the full group has come together since it performed in front of a full-house at Emens Auditorium in late 2007. The concert will include two sets – the first an opportunity to feature each artist more individually and the second which includes classic…

U.S. Senator Todd Young is pictured presenting to members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and guests. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business, Government August 10, 2018

U.S. Senator Todd Young Presents to Chamber Members and Guests

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On Thursday, August 9th, 80 members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and their guests listened to remarks by U.S. Senator Todd Young during a luncheon at the Horizon Convention Center. Senator Young represents the State of Indiana. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Commerce, Science & Transportation; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Previously, in the House, he served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Budget…

People wearing shirts like this tend to be go-getters. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 10, 2018

John Carlson: A Visit To The Fittest City

By: John Carlson— We were up in Madison, Wis., for Nancy’s family reunion when I decided it would be the perfect place to film a Martian invasion movie. That’s because you wouldn’t need any extras to play the “people running their butts off in terror” scenes. The folks up there always run their butts off, just for the heck of it. It was kind of unbelievable. We drove into the city past some little lake and there on the shore…

Photo courtesy of Back to School Teachers Store.

Education August 9, 2018

Kiwanis Club of Muncie To Help Honor MCS Teachers August 9th

By: Scott Metzler, President Kiwanis Club of Muncie— Muncie, IN—The Kiwanis Club knows the importance of investing in the community’s teachers and children. On August 9th, the local Muncie chapter will help honor Muncie Community School teachers at the 2nd Annual Teachers Gala from 6-9pm at MadJax, hosted by the local non-profit The Back To School Teachers Store and Muncie Community Schools (MCS). “The Kiwanis Club of Muncie is excited to be honoring our community’s teachers,” said local chapter president…

Mike Lunsford

Business August 8, 2018

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group Merges With Coldwell Banker Lunsford

By: Tom Farris— JOLIET, IL—Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group is pleased to announce its merger with Coldwell Banker Lunsford of Muncie, Indiana, adding one additional office to its Indiana territory. This makes 15 offices operated by Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Indiana since the recent addition of 14 offices resulting from merging with Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber, previously headquartered in Fort Wayne. This merger extends the company’s coverage farther into central Indiana to strengthen its overall…

Pictured L-R: Marianne Nazarian, PT; Chih-ta Lin, MD; Brooke Long, BSN, RN, ONC; Alexandra Martin, BSN, RN, ONC, orthopedic coordinator. Photo provided.

Health August 7, 2018

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Spine Surgery

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN –Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver safe and effective specialty care, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery…

Ball State football coach Mike New addresses participants at the John Frank pre-season mini-camp. Photo provided.

Education August 6, 2018

John Frank Football League Engages Local Youth

By: Commissioner, Dennis Lee Tyler, The John Frank Football League— Muncie, IN—John Frank League honors Mr. John Frank, a long-time Muncie educator and coach.  John Frank lost his battle with cancer July 17th, 2005. He began teaching for Muncie Community Schools in 1972 at Mckinley Junior High School.  During his time as an educator, John was an inspiration to all who knew him. This memorial embodies his passion for developing our youth. He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Margery,…

Photo by: graphicstock

Business August 6, 2018

Ball State Economist Says Jobs Report Shows Nation’s Economy in ‘Full Expansion Mode’

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Ball State economist Michael Hicks said Friday’s national jobs report shows an economy in full expansion mode. With net growth of 157,000 jobs and revisions of the previous two months of 59,000, job growth continues to exceed growth in the labor force. This pushed the unemployment rate to 3.9 percent, well beneath historical estimates of full employment, he said. The composition of jobs was strong with continued growth across all sectors, Hicks noted. “Wage growth last…

The back of Storer Elementary. The parking lot will also be removed. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government August 3, 2018

Mayor Tyler Discusses Storer Elementary Plans With Neighborhood Group

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie IN—Mayor Dennis Tyler met with about 100 residents of the Westbrier neighborhood group on Tuesday to explain and answer questions about the city’s plans for the Storer Elementary property. The meeting was held at Riverside Avenue Baptist Church. Muncie City Council members Brad Polk and Dan Ridenour were also in attendance. The school is scheduled to be demolished by September of 2018. The building and foundation will be removed, according to Mayor Tyler, in addition to…