Articles by Mike Rhodes

Taylor Young—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— COWAN, IN—With applications in to 15 colleges and universities, Cowan Junior/Senior High School senior Taylor Young has a variety of options available for her future. Young plans to become an attorney specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury, a career she’s picked at age 10…

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Local Sports Journalist and Broadcaster Starts New Podcast Highlighting Local Sports Figures

By Doug Zaleski— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie, Delaware County and Ball State University have produced numerous standout players and coaches for many decades. That rich tradition in sports is being put in the spotlight in a new podcast produced by a familiar name. Doug Zaleski, who covered the local sports scene at the Muncie Evening Press and the Muncie Star Press for 26 years, and hosted a local radio sports talk show on WXFN 1340 for three years, this week launched a…


Dr. Matthew A. Akins at Meridian Health Services is Now Providing Chiropractic Care in Muncie

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN – Meridian Health Services is now providing Chiropractic Care at MeridianMD – Family Medical Care located at 100 N. Tillotson Avenue in Muncie. Chiropractic services are available for all ages including pediatrics, adults, and expectant mothers. Meridian Health Services is a progressive healthcare organization treating the “whole-person” with integrated physical, mental, and social health services. The introduction of Chiropractic Care highlights Meridian’s commitment to enhance the patient experience and broaden access to care. Meridian Chiropractic…


Ball State IDIA Lab Partners with Mechdyne to Expand Access to Immersive Educational 3D Experiences

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) has partnered with Mechdyne to help deliver immersive, educational 3D experiences to higher education institutions, museums, and other organizations through Mechdyne’s getReal3D for Unity platform. The collaboration combines Mechdyne’s advanced visualization technology with IDIA Lab’s expertise in creating historically accurate, interactive virtual environments, resulting in a curated library of ready-to-use demonstration experiences for virtual reality systems. As part of the collaboration, Ball State students working…


Muncie Public Library Welcomes NEA Big Read Author Aimee Nezhukumatathil for Special Community Event

By Dottie Kreps, MPL Community Engagement Specialist— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie Public Library invites the community to a special evening with acclaimed author Aimee Nezhukumatathil on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Kennedy Library. Nezhukumatathil’s lyrical essay collection, Bite by Bite Nourishments and Jamborees, was selected as Muncie’s NEA Big Read title for 2025–2026. The library is thrilled to continue its NEA Big Read programming by welcoming the author for an engaging Author Talk and Q&A session. Following…


MOMIX Alice to Perform at Ball State’s Emens Auditorium, March 10

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — MOMIX Alice will bring acrobatics, illusion, and inventive movement to Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Tickets are on sale online at Ticketmaster, at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.),  or by phone at 765-285-1539. Created by Moses Pendleton, MOMIX Alice is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and blends illusion, acrobatics, magic, and whimsy as audiences travel down the rabbit hole. “I don’t intend to retell the whole Alice…


Community Grants Totaling $1 Million Awarded By Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County

By Kallie Sulanke—  MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $1,001,186 in Community Grants this week. Community Grants provide nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County the opportunity to apply for funding to support their work. Grants are awarded to address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team. Through these conversations, Foundation staff and volunteers develop a deeper…


2026 ViVA Award Nominations Are Now Open

By Ben Polk, Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club— MUNCIE, Ind. — The ViVA (Very Important Volunteer Award) Awards were developed as a gift to the community in 1993 by the Muncie Noon Rotary Club and are now held in conjunction with the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage. Up to four individuals and one organization will be recognized with ViVA Awards for their volunteer efforts to the community within the past 12 months. In addition, The Edmund F. Ball…


Ball State University Foundation Unveils 2026 ‘Top 100 Student Awards’ Recipients

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Ball State University Foundation today revealed the recipients of the University’s annual “Top 100 Student Awards,” now in its fifth year of recognizing outstanding undergraduate student achievement. This awards program honors 100 exceptional junior and senior undergraduates who represent beneficence in three areas: academic excellence, campus leadership, and community impact. The full list of Ball State’s 2026 Top 100 Students is available on the Foundation’s website. “We’re proud to celebrate this remarkable group of…


Ball Brothers Foundation Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with IU Health Ball Memorial Chief Operating Officer

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Memorial Hospital has long been shaped by strong local leadership and a deep commitment to the communities it serves. Following the retirement of Dr. Jeff Bird, Art Vasquez has been named President of IU Health’s North Region, supporting Muncie and surrounding communities as part of a broader regional network. Local leadership in Muncie remains central to the hospital’s work. Kreigh Cook, Chief Operating Officer of IU Health Ball Hospital…