Articles by Mike Rhodes

Unit Director, Antonio Benford, coaches kids during Spring Break basketball camp. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 28, 2016

Boys and Girls Club of Muncie Invites Community to Take Tour

By: Micah Maxwell— The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie is joining Boys & Girls Clubs across the country for the annual celebration of National Boys & Girls Club Week, March 28th – April 1st 2016. On Thursday, March 31, 2016 Boys & Girls Club of Muncie will open its doors to the community. Visitors can participate in various activities with our young people and experience some of the ways our Club promotes Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and…

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Entertainment March 26, 2016

Photo Gallery: Mayor and Vickie Tyler’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Heekin Park

Photos by: Mike Rhodes— Mayor Tyler and his wife Vickie hosted their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Heekin Park on Saturday. Prizes were given away for lucky egg hunters including gift certificates and bicycles. In a tweet, Mayor Tyler indicated that squirrels were interested in the eggs, too. Click any picture below to start a slide show you can click through.    

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health March 24, 2016

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns Distinction for Knee and Hip Replacement

Muncie, IN— Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Knee and hip replacement procedures are among…

The bison will reside in Gearbox until its permanent installation in Tuhey Park. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 24, 2016

Delaware County’s Bison-tennial Public Art Project Begins

Muncie, IN —In the spirit of Living United in celebration of Indiana’s bicentennial, the Indiana Association of United Ways is partnering with the Indiana Bicentennial Commission to bring the Bison-tennial Public Art Project to participating Indiana communities. United Way of Delaware County, in partnership with the Muncie Arts & Culture Council (MACC), is proud to spearhead the Bison-tennial project in Delaware County. Indiana Association of United Ways is partnering with the Indiana Bicentennial Commission to bring a Bison-tennial public art project…

Centering Pregnancy® Program. Photo Provided

Non-Profit March 23, 2016

Open Door Health Services Receives March of Dimes Grant

Muncie, IN – Open Door Health Services (ODHS) received a grant from The March of Dimes, Indiana Chapter in January 2016 to provide training and operational support for a Centering Pregnancy® program that will begin at ODHS in May. The Centering Pregnancy® program is an evidence-based model of care that improves birth outcomes, by promoting greater patient engagement, personal empowerment and community-building. “These funds will be used to provide training in the Centering Pregnancy® curriculum to the providers and support…

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

Education March 21, 2016

Muncie Neighborhood Leaders Learn Best Practices at Ball State

By: Erin Moore— On a brisk Saturday morning in March, dozens and dozens of Muncie residents woke up early, streamed into Ball State’s Pittenger Student Center, and gave their entire day to attend keynote presentations and breakout sessions at the city’s first “Intentional Development and Education for Association Members” (IDEA) conference. The 130 participants represented diverse backgrounds, cultures, and every corner of Muncie, but they, along with conference sponsors Muncie Action Plan , Shafer Leadership Academy, Vectren Foundation, the City…

A CASA volunteer and a child in court. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 18, 2016

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

By: Ashley Soldaat—  Join Delaware County CASA’s commitment to helping victims of child abuse and neglect heal, and making sure all children feel safe and loved. Anytime a child is abused or neglected, it’s a tragedy – one that all too often scars victims for a lifetime. The latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are sobering: Child Protective Services agencies across the United States received some 3.6 million referrals of abuse or neglect involving 6.6 million…

Gracie, a 10-week old Shih Tzu/Dachshund Mix.

Non-Profit March 17, 2016

$8,000 Donated in Four Days for ARF Rescue Dog ‘Gracie’ UPDATED

By: Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN—Tiny Gracie, an ARF rescue, is going to get her heart operation, thanks to the generosity of Hoosiers and the support of the news media. Gracie, a 10-week old Shih Tzu/Dachshund Mix with a heart murmur, sees a Purdue veterinarian cardiologist at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The estimate for Gracie’s operation is approximately $3,800. ARF originally thought the cost would be $2,000, but after consulting with Purdue’s veterinarians the cost increased. ARF did not have the…

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium

Entertainment March 16, 2016

MSO Chamber Concert Series Begins Saturday

Muncie, IN – In collaboration with Ball State University’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present, Coming Soon to a Solar System Near You, to open its Chamber Concert Series. Experience chamber music like you never have before! Artistic Director/Conductor, Doug Droste, has developed an exciting program for the March 19th event that is sure to please audience members of all ages. Two shows are offered, 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Seating is limited. “This is another…

Members of the Islamic Center of Muncie, Mayor Tyler and his wife, and other community leaders gather on March 12th, 2016. Photo by: Bibi Bahrami

Non-Profit March 16, 2016

Celebration of Diversity Day at the Islamic Center was a Great Success

By: Jason Donati— Muncie, IN—The Islamic Center of Muncie partnered with R.A.C.E. Muncie to host a ‘Celebration of Diversity’ meet and greet at the Islamic Center on Saturday, March 12th. The celebration followed a recent resolution unanimously passed by Muncie City Council to promote religious freedom and respect for all beliefs in the City of Muncie. Nearly 140 community members attended the celebration on Saturday including Mayor Tyler, his wife Vickie, Police Chief Steve Stewart, Fire Chief Eddie Bell, Community…