Articles by Mike Rhodes

Beymer brings 15 years experience to her role as Business Manager at Destination: Muncie. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 19, 2024

Beymer Joins Destination: Muncie Staff as Business Manager

 By Scott Smalstig— MUNCIE, IN—LaShanta Vaughn, CEO and Executive Director of Visit Muncie, the local visitor’s bureau, proudly announces the hiring of Joni Beymer as its Business Manager. Beymer started last week and brings over 15 years of experience in a similar role at the Horizon Convention Center where she handled numerous human resources, finance and administrative functions. Visit Muncie is the governing body of Destination: Muncie whose offices are on South Walnut Street in downtown Muncie. “This is a…

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Try your hand at riding the mechanical bull. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 19, 2024

‘$2 Tour of the Village’ Returns Saturday, August 24th

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE — The “$2 Tour of the Village” returns Saturday, Aug. 24, from 3 to 7 p.m., on University Avenue between Calvert and Dill Streets. Admission is free and the first 100 people through the gates will be given a $2 bill to spend on $2 items (t-shirts, goodie bags, food samples) from Village businesses. This event, now in its fifth year, is hosted by the Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), the Muncie Action Plan, and Ball…

Work continues on Tillotson Avenue. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business August 16, 2024

Portion of Tillotson Avenue Will Close Beginning On August 19th

By Indiana Michigan Power— MUNCIE, IN, August 16, 2024 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) crews continue work on an underground power line rebuild project in Muncie. Starting Monday, August 19, Tillotson Avenue will be closed between W University Avenue and W Riverside Avenue. The closure will allow crews to safely install underground equipment. “The road closure is for one reason — safety” said Rob Keisling, I&M External Affairs manager for East-Central andNortheast Indiana. “There have already been two vehicle accidents…

Pictured L-R: Ryan Hunter and Jud Fisher

Non-Profit August 14, 2024

Nominations Due August 15th for 2024 Fisher Governance Award

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN — Delaware County nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate a board member for the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award before the deadline on August 15. The award, given by Ball Brothers Foundation, recognizes the important role board members play in strategic planning and financial oversight to achieve their organization’s mission. The award recipient will receive a $10,000 grant for their organization. “With this award, Ball Brothers Foundation can honor the often unrecognized…

The Buyer's Market north entrance. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business, Government August 13, 2024

Buyer’s Market to Create Up to 60 New Jobs at Former Pepsi Building

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—For Moghees Sheikh, choosing Muncie as the first location of Buyer’s Market was mostly chance. “The opportunity opened up at the right time,” commented Sheikh about purchasing the former Macy’s building. Now, nearly 4 years later, the company is putting down more roots. “I uprooted my life to move to this community, and I’m not going anywhere. I keep telling my friends about Muncie,” the entrepreneur, formerly from Canada, explained. Buyer’s Market operates with a simple…

Vivian V. Conley

Non-Profit August 12, 2024

Six Women To Be Honored At Women’s Equality Day Program on August 26

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin— MUNCIE, IN—The Coalition of Women’s Organizations will host its 32nd annual Women’s Equality Day program at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in the Muncie City Hall auditorium. The event will honor the achievements of women who fought for the right to vote and the successes of today’s community leaders. Women’s Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The Muncie celebration will honor six local women who…

Sarah Hoffman is pictured accepting her award from Dr. Reynolds. Photo provided

Education August 11, 2024

Goldey, Hoffman Named Muncie Community Schools’ 2023-24 Teachers of the Year

Support staff, Rising Stars, school partners also honored By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN—Vanessa Goldey and Sarah Hoffman have been selected as Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) primary and secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively, for the 2023-24 school year. MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Chuck Reynolds presented each with her award during a staff event today at Muncie Central High School. Goldey is a first-grade teacher at Grissom Elementary School who stands out for her professionalism and constant…

Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers. Photo provided

Entertainment August 9, 2024

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers to Headline FREE Concert in Muncie on Saturday

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Acclaimed bluegrass group Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2024 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 10th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. My Brother’s Keeper from Cincinnati will open the show. Joe Mullins began to recognize the power of music to bridge traditions and create…

Toxic Fusion’s 2023 Division 6 National Champions, from left to right: Bryanna Hancock, Tavin Williams, Kayleigha Coby, Averiana Jester, Kayanna Dunn, Lillianna Fisher, Lilly Spears, Addison Hollin, Aubrey Osborn. Photo provided

Entertainment August 8, 2024

Local Cheer Program Brings Home National Titles

By Abriel Fisher— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Toxic Fusion, a competitive cheerleading program through Champion Force Athletics, recently traveled with four different teams (divisions) to Biloxi, MS for the NYAA National Cheerleading Competition and Lexington, KY for the CFA National Cheerleading Competition. With Toxic Fusion’s Division 6 team bringing home the 1st place national title in 2023 and their Division 3 team bringing home the 1st place national title in 2022, the expectation of greatness was set heading into the 2024 season….

The soup crawl is always a popular event downtown. Photo provided

Entertainment August 8, 2024

Tickets Now Available for the 12th Annual Soup Crawl Benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—Tickets for the highly anticipated 12th Annual Soup Crawl are now available at curehunger.org/soupcrawl. Join Second Harvest Food Bank and PrimeTrust Credit Union on Thursday, October 3rd, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., in downtown Muncie for an evening of delicious soups, community spirit, and support for kids and their families facing food insecurity in East Central Indiana. This year’s Soup Crawl will feature a wide array of soups crafted by talented local chefs and restaurants….