Articles by Mike Rhodes

Whitinger & Company Member/Owner Receives Emerging Leader Award

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN— Regional public accounting and advisory firm, Whitinger & Company, is pleased to announce that Member/Owner T.J. Bush received the Emerging Leader Award from the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting at Ball State University. Each spring the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting hosts its Alumni Awards Dinner. The event provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of some of its most distinguished alumni. This year, members of the Department’s Advisory Council selected T.J. Bush…

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HB 1315 Passes House and Senate in Special Session Vote

By: Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns— Muncie, IN—Earlier today, the General Assembly passed HB 1315, the legislation that provides our University with the opportunity to appoint a new school board to manage the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”). The legislation passed by substantial margins in both chambers, and I anticipate that Governor Holcomb will promptly sign the bill into law. Now, our Board of Trustees must meet to consider whether our University should accept this significant responsibility. A special…


The Salvation Army and Meijer Partner to Provide Hunger Relief

By: Lieutenant Jonathan Taube, Salvation Army— Muncie, IN—The Salvation Army is proud to announce a partnership with Meijer this spring season to provide much-needed hunger relief to local families through the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer’s customer-driven food pantry donation program, Simply Give. “Our food pantry can see up to 60 families a day visit us for assistance,” said Lt. Jonathan Taube of The Salvation Army of Muncie. “Many of them feel an extra strain in the summer without the help…


John Carlson: That’s Brocco-What?

By: John Carlson— These are exciting days for vegetables. For example, when Nancy and I recently enjoyed dinner at an out-of-county restaurant, our waitress lowered the plates before us, then began apologizing. “I’m so sorry, but that green thing isn’t a broccoli stalk like I told you,” she admitted, sheepishly. “It’s broccolini.” Now, had she failed to mention that, I’d have figured it was simply broccoli that had grown up malnourished in a poor neighborhood, then scooted it to the…


Opinion: Tips to Attract Business Investment to Your Community

By: Quint Studer for the Muncie Journal— Pensacola, FL—Cities across America have been vying for the privilege of hosting Amazon’s $5 billion second headquarters, which is expected to bring with it up to 50,000 high-paying jobs. Back in January the online retailer selected 20 finalists from a list of more than 200 cites that applied. And, as the Wall Street Journal, cities that didn’t make the short list—among them Detroit, Cincinnati, and Sacramento—are rushing to make changes based on Amazon’s…


Community Foundation Announces More 2018 Scholarship Recipients

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Congratulations to the following graduates: Grace Belangee, a senior at Delta High School, is the recipient of the 2018 Delaware Community Schools Memorial Scholarship. Belangee plans to attend Butler University, where she will study health sciences and pre-optometry. She is the daughter of Brian and Ali Belangee. Zoe Brubaker, a senior at Daleville Jr./Sr. High School, is the recipient of the 2018 Kathleen Rozelle-Camplin Scholarship. Brubaker, daughter of Christy Brubaker, plans to attend Indiana…


Have a Business Website? A New European Privacy Law May Affect You

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— A new piece of  European Union (EU) legislation called the General Data Protection Regulation is being touted as one of the most stringent policies to affect the protection of personally identifiable information on the internet in 20 years. The law is primarily aimed at companies who heavily market and collect data from residents of the European Union, but will also have a far-reaching impact in the U.S. Websites must be compliant by May 25, 2018. The…


Four Exciting Kids Summer Camps Coming Up at Minnetrista

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, IN—Add some fun and creativity to your child’s summer break with four camps coming up at Minnetrista! Culinary Kids—June 4–8; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Order up! Treat your child to an exciting cooking camp this summer, where they will learn how to pick and create kid-friendly recipes, experiment with authentic kitchen appliances, and expand their culinary palates. For young cooks 8–10 years old. Registration deadline is May 31.   Junior Chefs—June 11–15; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Yes chef!…


Over $10,000 Granted to Teachers This School Year By Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer—  Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that $10,744 was granted to Delaware County Teachers through the Robert P. Bell Education Grants program to support creative and innovative classroom projects this school year. During teacher appreciation week, and throughout the year, the Foundation is grateful for the teachers in this community that look for ways to stimulate learning in students.   Grants included: Teacher School Award Amount Michelle Bade West View Elementary School…


Motivate Our Minds Annual Dinner Set for May 16

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Motivate Our Minds is growing. Literally. Motivate Our Minds will have its 31st Anniversary Dinner May 16 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., with part of the proceeds benefiting its new community garden. Tickets are $50 a person or $400 for a table of 8. For more information or reservations, please go to www.motivateourminds.org. The theme for this year’s dinner is “Every child is a different kind of flower and all together…