Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Non-Profit December 20, 2017

Cornerstone’s Spring 2018 Classes And Workshops

By: Jessie Fisher—  Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts had an incredible year providing arts education to over 2,000 youth and adult students in Delaware County and the surrounding areas. The organization is looking forward to continuing its goal of providing high quality, low-cost arts education to all in 2018. The next 12 week session of arts classes will begin the week of February 5 with classes for youth and adults in visual arts, dance, theatre, music, martial arts, fitness,…

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Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government December 19, 2017

Muncie Police Department and Pacers Organization Give Christmas Gifts To Local Children

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN —Dozens of wide-eyed, giggly happy kids and their families received Christmas presents at Price Hall this morning, courtesy of the Muncie Police Department, the Indiana Pacers, and Jakks toy store. Indiana Pacers Pacemates, (including Muncie’s own Brooke Rees) mascots Freddy Fever and Boomer showed up to visit with the children as well as a personal appearance by Santa Claus. Bill Benner is senior VP for corporate, community and public relations for Pacers Sports and Entertainment….

The opening of the new Daleville Town Park and Splash Pad was our most viewed story of 2017. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 18, 2017

Muncie Journal’s Most Viewed Stories of 2017

By: Mike Rhodes, Publisher and Managing Editor— Muncie, IN—Economic development activity in Delaware County topped Muncie Journal’s most viewed stories list for 2017. Of the thousands of articles published in 2017, the announcement of the opening of the Daleville Town Park topped the list this year. The story was continually viewed daily for months. According to Trina Morgan, deputy clerk and park event coordinator for the Town of Daleville, an estimated 28-30,000 people attended the park throughout the inaugural 2017 season. You’ll find the rest…

Thomas J. Kinghorn Residence Hall is pictured. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education December 18, 2017

Ball State Keeps Housing, Dining Costs Low With Slight Percent Increase in Rates for 2018-19

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN – The cost of living on the Ball State University campus will remain highly competitive as compared to its peer institutions and in-state schools as a result of a 1.6 percent increase in the room and board rates for the 2018-19 academic year. On Dec. 15, Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved a 2 percent rate increase for first-time students while returning students enrolled in the University’s premium plan, which locks in costs for a two-year…

Photo courtesy of: American Red Cross Blood Donors

Non-Profit December 18, 2017

American Red Cross Looking for Blood Donors During Holiday Season

By: Rodney Wilson— Donors of all blood types urged to give blood, platelets this holiday season Ft. Wayne, IN— The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood or platelets. Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms….

Photo by: Kyle Crawford

Entertainment December 17, 2017

Take a Lunch Break With The Cards in Worthen Arena On December 18th

By: Ball State Athletics— Muncie, IN—Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns invites the entire Muncie community to take your lunch break at Worthen Arena on Monday, December 18th as our undefeated women’s basketball team hosts Austin Peay at 11 a.m. This talented team is off to the best season start in the program’s history! For just $5 when purchased in advance of game day, fans in attendance will receive a silver section ticket and lunch – choice of Chick-fil-a, slice…

A resident is pictured with her poinsettia during "Project Poinsettia." Photo by: Liz Valpatic

Business, Positivity December 15, 2017

Watch: ‘Project Poinsettia’ Delivers 1,000 Poinsettias to Local Nursing Home Residents

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On December 7th and 8th, 1,000 poinsettias were delivered to local nursing home residents through Woof Boom Radio’s inaugural “Project Poinsettia.” Numerous community-minded organizations and local businesses participated in and helped sponsor the project. (See their names below.) Sponsoring businesses had their logos printed on the greeting card that was inserted into each poinsettia, so residents would know who the poinsettia was from. Liz Valpatic, administrative assistant and marketing coordinator for Woof Boom Radio, documented the…

By: Storyblocks

Business December 15, 2017

Business Leaders:  Make Moves Now to Take Full Advantage of Tax Reform

By: David McGuire— With all eyes on tax reform and a final bill that now seems imminent, businesses should begin focusing their attention on 2017 tax returns. With so many sweeping changes ahead, several strategies exist to realize the maximum tax benefit from the current system and its likely evolution. First, let’s look at what we know. Under both the House and Senate bills, corporate tax rates dropped to 20 percent, with the latest reports signaling a corporate rate of 21 percent…

An Australian racing barstool rests, nearly obscured, in Lear Unlimited. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson December 15, 2017

John Carlson: Little Racer Packed a Punch

By: John Carlson— If you are under the misguided notion that playing football is the optimum way to suffer a brain-rattling concussion, you’ve probably never driven an Australian racing barstool. I, on the other hand, have. This was due to the largesse of the folks at Lear Unlimited over in Whitely some years back. To certain  people – like most women, I would imagine – the place probably seemed just an odd looking little out-of-the-way shop. But for men? Lear…

Representatives from Miller Amish Poultry, Second Harvest, and the new PayLess store gather to receive a donation of 6,800 pounds of poultry from Kroger stores. Left to right: Fred Lechlitner and Ken Rains, Miller Amish Poultry; Carl Vermilyer, Kroger; Barry Floyd, Empire; and Tim Kean, Second Harvest.

Non-Profit December 15, 2017

Kroger Supplier Miller Poultry Donates $12,000 of Product To Second Harvest

By: Eric Halverson— Muncie, IN – Miller Poultry, a longtime local Kroger supplier and Indiana company donated $12,000 worth of poultry products (6,800 pounds) on Dec. 14, to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana in Muncie. “The reason we do this is to give back to the communities that support us throughout the year,” said Ken Rains of Miller Poultry.  “These are tough times for some, they may be struggling to make ends meet. We want to offer those…