Articles by Mike Rhodes

Cornfed Roller Derby photo by Matt Ruddick.

Entertainment February 25, 2025

Cornfed Roller Derby Faces Off Against Chicago-Style Roller Derby in Season 12 Home Bout

By Debra Roberts— Muncie, IN – Cornfed Roller Derby (CFRD) is set to host its second home bout of Season 12 on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Memorial Building. The high-energy doubleheader will feature two matchups as the Cornfed All-Stars take on Chicago-Style Roller Derby’s A Team, followed by the Cornfed Killer Kernels battling Chicago-Style’s B Team. Doors open at 4 p.m., with the first game kicking off at 5 p.m. Tickets are available for $12…

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Education February 24, 2025

Muncie Central Alumni Association Awards $4,250 in Grants to High School

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association has awarded four teachers, a guidance counselor and an administrator at Muncie Central $4,250 in grants for 2025. Since 1998, the alumni association has awarded nearly $45,000 to cover the cost of materials needed by educators at Muncie Central. Normally, $2,000 in grants is awarded each year, but the alumni board voted at its January 2025 meeting to more than double the amount of money to be awarded this…

Tenisha Harris, MPL Connection Corner Manager, meets with Pastor Rosalind Morris, Shaffer Chapel AME Church, and Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library Manager and MPL Archivist, to discuss the digital collection project. Photo by Spenser Querry, Webmaster & Social Media Specialist, Muncie Public Library.

Business February 23, 2025

New Digital Collection at Carnegie Library Documents Shaffer Chapel Museum

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor at Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—February is Black History Month and those who want to learn more about local, Black history can visit the Shaffer AME Church Chapel Museum or discover the newly created digital collection of the Shaffer Chapel Museum artifacts recently archived through a partnership between Muncie Public Library (MPL) and Shaffer Chapel. The Indiana Historical Bureau and The Delaware County Historical Alliance installed a plaque at Shaffer Chapel in 1996 to recognize…

Indiana Statehouse photo provided by Lydia Kirschner

Government, Health February 22, 2025

SB2 Puts Thousands at Risk: Tell Lawmakers to Protect Medicaid

By Heart of Indiana United Way Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN—At Heart of Indiana United Way, we are committed to building stronger, healthier communities where every individual and family has the opportunity to thrive. Indiana Senate Bill 2 (SB2), known as the Medicaid Matters bill, threatens that mission by putting thousands of Hoosiers at risk of losing their healthcare, including working families, children, andvulnerable populations who rely on Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). If passed, SB2 could strip…

Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government February 21, 2025

News From the Statehouse

Editor’s note: The following releases were sent to MuncieJournal.com from local legislators this week. House approves Prescott’s legislation to strengthen immigration laws STATEHOUSE (Feb. 21, 2025) – The Indiana House passed State Rep. J.D. Prescott’s (R-Union City) legislation to clarify the enforcement of federal immigration laws by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The legislation would ensure that governmental bodies and postsecondary institutions adhere to immigration detainer requests and provides additional tools for compliance and enforcement. House Bill 1531…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $1,004,500 in Community Grants to 19 community organizations during the first quarter of 2025. Pathstone Corporation received $20,000 to support homeownership initiatives, like assisting Scott and Leah, (pictured above) to purchase a home through the Homebuyer Acquisition Rehab Program (HARP). Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 20, 2025

Community Grants Totaling $1 Million Awarded By Community Foundation

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $1,004,500 in Community Grants this week. Community Grants provide nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County the opportunity to apply for funding to support their work. Grants are awarded to address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team. Through these conversations, Foundation staff and volunteers develop a deeper…

Photo by StoryBlocks

Non-Profit February 20, 2025

Indiana Youth Institute Releases Latest Data on the Well-Being and Outcomes of Children in Indiana

IYI’s 31st edition of the Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides insight into the issues Hoosier youth are facing today; a data-driven understanding of opportunities and achievement gaps in the lives of Indiana kids. By Margaret Curtland, Indiana Youth Institute— INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has released the 2025 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book, detailing the state’s ranking of 27th nationally for child well-being. This year’s publication, the 31st annual edition, highlights data intersectionality, disparities, and data-informed solutions for some…

Jackson Taylor photo provided.

Education February 20, 2025

Muncie Man Named to Prestigious Early Career Development Program 

By Megan Custodio— MUNCIE, IN—Jackson Taylor from Muncie has been named to Orr Fellowship’s newest cohort for 2025. He is among 74 talented college seniors who have been matched with leading Indiana-based partner companies to embark on a two-year Fellowship upon graduation. Taylor is currently a student at Indiana State University (ISU), graduating this May. Following graduation from ISU, Taylor will begin his Orr Fellowship as a Business Development Representative for Toolsey, a cloud-based lead management platform for the home…

An EMT unloads a gurney from an ambulance while other EMTs prepare to receive a patient. Photo provided.

Education, Health February 19, 2025

Ivy Tech Muncie to Launch EMT Program to Jumpstart Careers in Emergency Medicine

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—When many students think of a career in healthcare, they think of becoming a nurse or doctor. Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County’s new EMT/Basic Emergency Medical Studies Certificate program will introduce students to another critical role in the healthcare field—emergency medical technician. The demand for EMTs is growing in East Central Indiana, and Ivy Tech’s program, which launches Fall 2025, will help address this critical need while opening doors for students in Muncie…

Daniel Maggart. Photo provided.

Business February 19, 2025

Whitinger & Company Accountant Earns CPA License

By Richard Crist— MUNCIE, IN– Whitinger & Company LLC proudly announces that Daniel Maggart of the firm’s Muncie, Indiana office recently passed all required Indiana exams and received his CPA license. Daniel, from Muncie, Indiana, originally hails from Winchester. He earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting from Ball State University. As a Manager, Daniel is key in providing top-notch service to clients and helping staff grow. His skills include preparing income tax returns for businesses and individuals, business…