Articles by Mike Rhodes

“Frankie” is a 21 month old Black Labrador, fully trained by Support Dogs Inc. of St. Louis Missouri. Photo by: Ashley Soldaat

Non-Profit February 27, 2017

Courthouse Facility Dog Joins Staff of Delaware County CASA Program

By: Ashley Soldaat— On Monday, February 13th, 2017, the Delaware County CASA Office brought their new Courthouse facility dog to the CASA office for the first time. The Courthouse Dog Program uses trained facility dogs to aid children involved with the legal system in reducing their stress and anxiety as they work through the criminal justice system. The use of facility dogs in the legal process has expanded rapidly in the United States since 2003 and started focusing on CASA…

Read More
By: graphicstock

Education February 27, 2017

MCS to Implement Dual Immersion Language Program in 2017-18 School Year

By: Ana Pichardo & Holly Ford— Muncie, IN – Muncie Community Schools is excited to announce our upcoming Dual Immersion program set to begin fall of 2017. Students in this program will learn to speak, read, and write in English and Spanish. Using a research-based immersion approach, teachers will conduct class in Spanish part of the day, and English the other part. With this program, MCS will join more than 400 existing immersion programs in the United States.  The goal…

By: graphicstock

Education February 24, 2017

February 2017 One of The Warmest in 146 Years

By: BSU News— When Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day — an annual event that means six more weeks of cold weather — little did the animal now we were in for one of the warmest Februarys in 146 years, says David Call, who teaches meteorology at Ball State University. And Call believes that even with a cold front ready to burst a streak of unseasonably warm weather, spring may be starting earlier than normal. “While it has…

A barbell creates bulging, he-man muscles. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 24, 2017

John Carlson: Lifting weights? One’ll Do

By: John Carlson— I am a weightlifter. Literally. By this, I mean I lift a single weight. One. Eins. Uno. This lonely barbell came into my possession Christmas morning, courtesy of my wife, Nan. But while it is only a 10-pounder, it was far and away my biggest gift, both in terms of weight and life-changing potential. Along with a certain book of poetry, I asked for this barbell, which means I am getting old. Were I younger and more…

Ontario Systems "Best Places to Work" awards from 2015 and 2016 are pictured. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 23, 2017

Ontario Systems Named a “Best Place to Work in Indiana” by Indiana Chamber

Technology and services provider to the healthcare and ARM industries will accept award May 5th in Indianapolis. Muncie, IN – Ontario Systems, a leading technology and services provider to the healthcare and accounts receivable management industries, announced it has been named to the 11th annual list of the Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, its second placement on that list in as many years. The company continues to credit its staff and You-Powered Talent Credo…

Congressman Luke Messer speaking to members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at the Horizon Convention Center. Photo by: Brenda Brumfield

Business February 23, 2017

AUDIO: Congressman Luke Messer Presents to Chamber of Commerce Members

Muncie, IN—Congressman Luke Messer was in Muncie earlier today, and spoke to members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will frequently bring a legislator to Muncie to speak to chamber members. You can listen to Congressman Messer’s remarks below. Note: You will hear a recurring reference to “Hank” in the audio below. Congressman Messer was referring to one of the sponsors of the event—Hank Milius, President and CEO of Meridian Health Services.      

Mike Lunsford of Coldwell Banker Commercial presents at the 6th Annual State of Commercial Real Estate. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 22, 2017

6th Annual State of Commercial and Residential Real Estate Presented

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The 6th Annual State of Commercial Real Estate in Delaware County was presented by Coldwell Banker Lunsford on Wednesday, February 22nd at the Ball State Alumni Center. The annual presentation and panel discussion by local experts typically covers both the national and local economy, employment and real estate activity. The presentations are generally considered to be a good barometer of how Delaware County is doing in those areas. The presentation began with Dr. Michael Hicks, George and Frances Ball Distinguished…

Douglas L. White of First Merchants Trust Company was one of the recipients of a VIVA Award in 2015. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit February 21, 2017

2017 VIVA Award Nominations Now Open

By: Tom Farris— Muncie, IN – Sara Shade, Committee Chair for the 2017 VIVA Awards announced that nominations for 2017 awards will be accepted until March 17th.  The VIVA Award was created in 1993 as a gift to the community by the Muncie Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage.  The awards were named VIVA for “Very Important Volunteer Award,” and designed by Tom & Linda Farris of Muncie.  Up to five individuals will be recognized with the…

Non-Profit February 21, 2017

Applications for 2017 David Sursa Leadership Award Now Available

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the annual David Sursa Leadership Award.  The award rewards, recognizes and encourages extraordinary leadership by a nonprofit board member in Delaware County. Standing behind the belief that every community benefits from leaders who understand local issues and are able to visualize and promote positivity, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has established the David Sursa Leadership Award in…