Articles by Mike Rhodes

Kayla Evans is pictured inside ASG's new offices located at 3301 W. Purdue Ave. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business November 22, 2016

Alliance for Strategic Growth, Inc. Announces Employer Engagement and Corporate Services Team

By: Lyndsey Hellems— Muncie, IN—Alliance for Strategic Growth, Inc. (ASG, Inc.), a leader in workforce development innovation, announced its Employer Engagement and Corporate Services Team today. Denny Cochran is appointed to Manager of Employer Engagement. Cochran will manage ASG, Inc. employer engagement initiatives that align real-time employer-demand data with existing and new customer services and programs to expeditiously meet high-wage workforce demand. Cochran previously served in executive leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. Tod Howard is appointed…

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Photo provided.

Non-Profit November 21, 2016

Dollison receives WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award-Metzger, Jarrett, YWCA are ATHENA Recipients

By: Angie Rogers-Howell— At its annual Catalyst for Empowering Women Symposium and ATHENA Awards Luncheon, Muncie’s Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU) presented three ATHENA Leadership Awards and one WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award. The ATHENA Leadership Awards are a nationally-recognized award which WIBU has been pleased to present for over fifteen years. From a pool of twenty-three nominees, the ATHENA judges had the unenviable task of choosing the 2016 ATHENA Award Recipients. Juli Metzger, a Ball State University instructor, Coordinator for…

File photo.

Non-Profit November 21, 2016

Cornerstone to Offer Half Price Gift Certificates

By: Jessie Irwin— Support the arts in Downtown Muncie for Small Business Saturday by purchasing class gift certificates from Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Cornerstone will offer $50 class gift certificates for just $25 in celebration of the holiday shopping season beginning on Friday, November 25 through Saturday, November 26. Gift certificates are good towards the fees of any Cornerstone group classes including: dance, visual arts, music, martial arts, theatre, and fitness. These may not be used to pay for…

1530 East 1st Street. Photo provided.

Government November 21, 2016

Muncie Continues Fight Against Blight

By: Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey— Muncie, IN – Muncie officials gathered last week at the site of a blighted property at 1530 East 1st Street, commencing the city’s official launch of Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program (BEP). Statewide, the program has made a total of $75 million in blight elimination funds available to reduce foreclosures through stabilization of residential property values. Last week’s demolition was the beginning of Muncie’s effort to fight blight with these funds, taken from…

Newly named Muncie Police Department Chief Joe Winkle answers questions at a news conference at City Hall. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government November 18, 2016

Mayor Dennis Tyler Appoints Joe Winkle as Police Chief for the City of Muncie

MUNCIE, IN – Mayor Dennis Tyler announced the appointment of Joe Winkle as Police Chief for the City of Muncie in a news conference held Friday November 18, 2016. The appointment will take effect upon Joe’s official resignation as current director for the Emergency Communications Center/911 and his appointment of a new director. Until that time, Deputy Police Chief, Mark Vollmar, will oversee day to day operations. Joe is a 34 year police veteran and served as Police Chief from…

Here’s a demonstration of the crass way to hold a fork. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 18, 2016

John Carlson: Rethinking the Whole Cutlery Thing

By: John Carlson— Among the many effects of aging I seem to discover almost daily, one is the way arthritis in your hands affects your ability to properly hold cutlery. Take my spoon (please). Not that long ago, I could easily wield it in a manner that would warm the heart of Miss Manners. And why not? I have been eating for 66 years. But now? Now I have to hold my spoon with the loutish, inelegant grip exemplified by…

Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista. Photo provided.

Entertainment November 18, 2016

Jump Start the Holidays with Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista

By: Sam Condon— Muncie, IN—Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista. The fun takes place December 2 and 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. Enjoy sweet treats, winter games, crafts, carriage rides, and holiday music by local artists in celebration of the season at this FREE community event! “Everywhere at Minnetrista, there are families laughing, couples strolling, and groups of people talking together,” said Director of Experience & Education George…

Curtis Cristler performs during The Facing Project's "Facing Homelessness in Fort Wayne." Photo by: J.R. Jamison

Non-Profit November 17, 2016

The Facing Project Celebrates 5 Years And National Reach on November 20th

By: Stephanie Fisher— Muncie, IN—Five years ago, The Facing Project was founded in Muncie, Indiana, by writers Kelsey Timmerman and J.R. Jamison. What started out as a one-off project, telling the stories of people in Muncie facing poverty, has now grown into a national nonprofit that has spread into 100 communities across the country. On November 20th, the organization will celebrate its 501(c)(3) status and the opening of its national headquarters in Muncie. The Facing Project provides coaching, a model,…

90 years ago this week, Ball Brothers Foundation was established. In partnership with the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce, BBF held a ribbon cutting at 222 S. Mulberry Street to commemorate the occasion. Photo by: Erin Ailstock

Non-Profit November 16, 2016

Ball Brothers Foundation Marks 90 Years as a Community Catalyst

By: Jud Fisher— MUNCIE— With its centennial anniversary just a decade away, Ball Brothers Foundation continues to explore innovative ways of accomplishing its historic goals. “Ninety years later, our founders’ priorities are more relevant than ever,” says Jud Fisher, president and chief operating officer of the private Muncie-based philanthropy. “Our mission hasn’t changed, but the way we live it out continues to evolve.” That mission was established in 1926 when E.B. Ball—Fisher’s great-grandfather—created a trust of more than $3 million,…

Conference participants of Muncie’s Neighborhood IDEA Conference at Ball State University. Photo Provided

Non-Profit November 16, 2016

Proposals Accepted for the 2nd Annual Neighborhood I.D.E.A Conference

By: Mitch Isaacs—  Muncie IN—In March, 130 citizens gathered for the first Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference. The steering committee has now opened program proposals for the second conference, scheduled for March 4, 2017. “Through the IDEA conference, Muncie’s neighborhood associations have gained access to tools and resources to sustain effective, collaborative neighborhood networks and keep open the lines of communication between residents and city leadership,” said Aimee Fant, Muncie Action Plan coordinator. Heather Williams, program manager for Building Better Neighborhoods explained…