Articles by Mike Rhodes

Opinion: Still More To Be Done On Tax Reform

Opinion January 18, 2018

Opinion: Still More To Be Done On Tax Reform

By: Jonathan Lamb— Congress passed a comprehensive tax reform package – the Tax Cut and Jobs Act – that was not without controversy, as we all know. As an economist, I believe it was the right legislation at the right time. I would have voted with my Republican colleagues had I been representing Indiana’s Congressional 6th District. There are three simple reasons to support the changes. First, the new tax laws make for lower and less complicated corporate tax rates, which have been among the highest in the developed world. For too long, America’s entrepreneurial spirit has been stifled because…

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Legislation Proposed To Allow Ball State University To Manage Muncie Community Schools

Education, We Fly January 17, 2018

Legislation Proposed To Allow Ball State University To Manage Muncie Community Schools

By: Geoffrey S. Mearns, President, Ball State University— Muncie, IN—Earlier this afternoon, I testified before the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee. At the hearing, Representative Tim Brown introduced proposed new legislation concerning the future of the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”). Chairman Brown had conferred with me in the preparation of the proposed legislation, and he offered me the opportunity to share my perspective with the committee. The proposed legislation provides that, on July 1, 2018, Ball State University may assume the responsibility of managing MCS. After consulting with our Board of Trustees and some members of our University community, I…

Delaware County Commissioners Celebrate 2017 Successes

Business January 17, 2018

Delaware County Commissioners Celebrate 2017 Successes

By: Augusta Consulting— Highlights include 2017 new jobs and investment; County building momentum for 2018 Delaware County – County officials highlighted a year of accomplishments at the January 16th Commissioners meeting. With a focus on the small towns and locally owned businesses of Delaware County. Augusta Consulting, the county’s privatized economic development agent, touted new jobs, capital improvement projects, and more than $17 million in investments in 2017. “Delaware County officials have proactively sought investment and opportunity for the residents of our county, and 2017 marked a year of significant progress,” said James King, President of the County Commissioners. “These…

DCHS to Host 4th Beer Tasting Fundraising Event

Non-Profit January 17, 2018

DCHS to Host 4th Beer Tasting Fundraising Event

By: Chris Flook— Muncie, IN—On Saturday, January 27, the Delaware County Historical Society will host its fourth annual beer tasting fundraiser at the Fickle Peach. From 1:00-3:00pm, guests will sample four different regional craft beers, hear a history presentation Muncie Strikes: A Story of Labor, and can take part in our silent auction. T-shirts and other DCHS items will be on sale. This year’s beer line up includes: 1). Flat 12 Holy Cross Raspberry Kolsch 2). Flat 12 White IPA 3). Sierra Nevada Cocoa Coconut Narwhal Bourbon Barrel Aged (Super Rare) 4). Rodenbach Vintage 2015 Sour The Fickle Peach’s entire…

Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas to Open at Minnetrista

Entertainment January 16, 2018

Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas to Open at Minnetrista

By: Sam Condon—  Muncie, IN—Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas, an engaging exhibition that reveals what living, breathing dinosaurs were really like, is set to open at Minnetrista on Saturday, February 3. Using a combination of major fossil finds, captivating computer simulations, and provocative models, Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas introduces a dynamic vision of dinosaurs and the scientists who study them. This exhibition examines in great detail recent scientific sleuthing and the array of investigative tools—from bioengineering computer software to CT scans—used by modern scientists to reinterpret many of the most persistent and puzzling mysteries of dinosaurs: what they…

First Merchants Announces Company-Wide Raise, Bonuses

Business January 16, 2018

First Merchants Announces Company-Wide Raise, Bonuses

Tax reform, strong 2017 performance leads to employee investment Muncie, IN – First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced that it will raise the wage paid to hourly employees by $1 per hour as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, signed by President Trump in Dec. 2017. Additionally, as a reward for the company’s strong 2017 performance, all associates, excluding senior management, will receive a $500 one-time cash bonus. Part-time associates will receive a pro-rated share. The compensation investments will impact nearly 90 percent of First Merchants’ 1,700 employees and will be in addition…

Opinion: Health Centers Need your Help

Opinion January 16, 2018

Opinion: Health Centers Need your Help

By: Bryan Ayars, CEO— What would you do if 70 percent of your income disappeared? Open Door Health Services will find out if the U.S. Congress does not reinstate essential funding to community health centers throughout the country. Without these vital funds, Open Door — which provides affordable, expert care to more than 30,000 area residents — will lose more than $2 million. That’s money we planned to invest in our community through critical diabetics monitoring, hypertension treatment, dental work, behavioral health, and other services that support the overall health of the individual and the family. Thousands of your neighbors, friends,…

Trayvon Martin Family Attorney to Speak During BSU Unity Week 2018

Education January 16, 2018

Trayvon Martin Family Attorney to Speak During BSU Unity Week 2018

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie,IN — Jasmine Rand, an attorney for the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, is the keynote speaker for Ball State University’s Unity Week 2018. The attorney’s lecture, “Modern Civil Rights Movement,” begins at 7:30 p.m. January 16 in Pruis Hall. Her lecture is free and open to the public, just like all Unity Week events. The National Bar Association recognized her as one of the nation’s Top 40 Lawyers under 40 in the United States. She now shares her insight, experience, and pioneering efforts for social justice and empowerment through her extensive experience, expert teachings…

Helping Kids with Autism Is Focus of Muncie Training Session On January 16th

Non-Profit January 16, 2018

Helping Kids with Autism Is Focus of Muncie Training Session On January 16th

By: Glenn Augustine— Indianapolis, IN—Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is known as a “spectrum disorder,” meaning that although it is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity. According to the 2017 KIDS COUNT® in Indiana Data Book, an estimated one in 68 American youth have been diagnosed with ASD. The Indiana Youth Institute and its community partners are hosting a special training sessions to help caring adults in…

On My Way Pre-K Program Celebrates Early Victories

Non-Profit January 15, 2018

On My Way Pre-K Program Celebrates Early Victories

By: Carrie Bale, Executive Director, Muncie & Delaware County BY5— Free Pre-School Opportunities Still Available Muncie, IN— On My Way Pre-K, Indiana’s state-wide initiative providing eligible 4-year-olds free pre-school in select counties, has found recent success in Delaware County. The program was initiated by Governor Holcomb and is administered by the Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. Ten counties were chosen for a recent expansion of the program, which had a soft rollout in January 2018. Each county was given a designated number of pre-school slots to fill. Delaware County not only…