Articles by Mike Rhodes

Manufacturers, Higher Ed Institutions, State Officials, and Non-Profits Collaborate on ‘The Future of Work in Delaware County’   

By: Corey Sharp, Purdue Polytechnic— Muncie, IN—As Purdue Polytechnic prepares to expand its footprint by providing courses in Muncie’s Mad/Jax facility, initial efforts are underway to explore how shared space and programming in the facility could benefit K-12 students, college students, manufacturers, and non-profit organizations. With manufacturers concerned about the lack of skilled workers who possess the technical training needed to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs, interest in investing in the current and future workforce has never been stronger. Representatives of five major manufacturers, Ivy Tech Community College, Ball State University, Purdue Polytechnic, the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and several non-profits…

Read More

Opinion: Reflections on Muncie Journal Turning 3 Years Old Today

By: Mike Rhodes, Publisher and Managing Editor, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN—It’s official. Today is Muncie Journal’s 3rd birthday. Or anniversary. Wow. Where did the time go? (That can be answered by the photos that appear at the bottom of this story.) Three years ago today, I got up at 4:30 am, and with a queasy, nauseous feeling in my gut, took a deep breath and approached my computer. Specifically, my computer’s mouse. I stared at that mouse for a while, then slowly…ever so slowly… put my jittery index finger on it, said a prayer, and then… Clicked it. 2 seconds later, Muncie…


The Innovation Connector: Home To Mark Slusher’s ‘Endpoint Creative’ Business

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—As you know, the Innovation Connector has been the home to many startup businesses and organizations in the Muncie community. Mark Slusher’s company, Endpoint Creative, is one of them. The company specializes in digital video production, visual marketing,  and high-end live video streaming. Slusher was born and raised in Delaware County and attended Delta High School. “I like Delaware County,” he said. “There are a lot of great things happening here.” An avid community volunteer, Slusher received the 2010 VIVA award for his volunteer work in emergency management. Slusher has been affiliated with the American Red…


John Carlson: To Dream The Impossible…

By: John Carlson— The recent announcement that the Miss America contest was scrapping its swimsuit competition came as a welcome victory to us non-sexist pageant people. We’re not just pieces of meat, ya know? By now, some of you may be saying, “Pageant people? Did I miss something? Is somebody starting a new pageant to pick, like, Mister American Chunk-Butt USA?” Ha-ha. No. It’s just that, for the last five weeks or so, I have felt giddy as a pageant contestant with a legitimate shot at a title. This has been ever since I was urged to nominate myself as…


New Corner Brewing to Open Tasting Room at Prairie Creek Reservoir

By: Shawn Rogers— Muncie, IN—New Corner Brewing Company is announcing its plans to open a tasting room at Prairie Creek Reservoir just minutes outside of Muncie.  The new location will feature all of New Corner’s unique local brews on tap as well as additional local favorites from around the state.  “We are very excited to be able to make this announcement,” said owner Sean Brady. “We think that a tap room located at the Reservoir will add another level of enjoyment and community to the Muncie area.”  The new location will be at 6400 S CR 560 E which is…


Beasley & Gilkison: About Personal Injury Claims

By: Danyel Struble, Attorney at Law— Muncie, IN—If you have suffered a personal injury that is the fault of another person or company, it is important to promptly consult with a personal injury attorney and preserve all evidence of the accident and your injuries. The journey through a personal injury case can be confusing and stressful.  As a personal injury attorney, I guide my clients through the following personal injury road map. The first step for a potential personal injury client is meeting with an attorney to determine whether the client has a viable case. It is important for the…


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 of the book. “The Facing LGBTQ Pride stories tell a collective story of what it means to be in our…


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 world’s foremost undersea asset to the fleet,” said Capt. Christopher Hanson, Virginia class program manager. “It is a proud day…


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 read a proclamation from the City of Muncie in honor of Basham. During the evening, a number of presenter/actors, dressed…


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 our public schools. I appreciate their dedication to our children and to our community.” Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved…