Articles by Mike Rhodes

$2.2 Million in New Grants Reflect BBF’s Historic Interests

MUNCIE—Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF), marking its 90th anniversary in November, has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to 21 organizations primarily located in Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana. With a nod to history, the grants support programs and projects that reflect the interests and priorities of BBF’s founders. “The dollars have escalated but the focus is the same,” says Jud Fisher, BBF president and chief operating officer. “As an example, one of the Foundation’s earliest grants in the late-1920s was for $25,000 and benefited Muncie’s public schools association. Ninety years later we’re investing more than $900,000 in…

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National Recording Artists to Headline 2016 Muncie Three Trails Music Series

By: Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Three Trails Music Series returns in 2016 for its 4th season and again features a stellar line-up of critically acclaimed national recording artists who will perform in a series of 4 free concerts in downtown Muncie. Full series information, including songs and videos of the performing artists, can be found at www.munciethreetrails.com. Bluegrass greats The Grascals will kick things off on Sat., July 9th at Canan Commons. The Grascals are two-time winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award and three-time Grammy nominees. They have played over 150 shows at the…


Morry Mannies Woof Boom Radio Scholarship Award Winners Announced

By: Mark Foerster— This year, seven area high schools nominated six female and seven male high school seniors for the Second Annual Morry Mannies’ Woof Boom Radio Scholarship. We want to congratulate each of the nominees for their achievements throughout their high school career. It was a thrill to watch these student athletes compete with emotion, sportsmanship, and character all year long in our coverage on WXFN 102.9FM & 1340AM Muncie’s Sports Station and 103.7FM & 1240AM WHBU. The scholarship committee concluded that this year’s winners of the Morry Mannies Woof Boom Radio Scholarship separated themselves from the other nominees…


Jackson and Walnut St. Intersection To Close June 20th

By: David Heilman— Downtown Muncie is open for business but, there will be a detour starting Monday, June 20th, 2016, at the Jackson St. and Walnut St. intersection. The intersection will not be open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during construction efforts relating to the ongoing Walnut Street Streetscape Improvement. The project includes work related to MSD’s efforts to separate the combined sewer system as required by federal mandate. Traffic on Jackson Street will be routed south on High St. to either Adams Street or around to Mulberry Street. Adams Street is open both ways East and West and the…


East Central ISBDC Celebrating Entrepreneurship Week

By: Christy Ragle— More than 97% of Indiana businesses are classified as “small,” and small business and entrepreneurship continue to build a strong state economy, according to the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC). The Center is celebrating all aspects of entrepreneurship and all stages of business development during Indiana Entrepreneurship Week from June 19-25. The East Central ISBDC is working together with area partners to present a variety of events during Entrepreneurship Week. Entrepreneurs who have started businesses recently with the help of the East Central ISBDC will be honored at The MIX. This free event is from 5…


Ontario Systems Acquires Columbia Ultimate Business Systems

ARM market experts come together, strengthening product set and presence in the government sector Muncie, IN— Ontario Systems, a leading revenue cycle management (RCM) and accounts receivable management (ARM) software and services provider, announces it has acquired Columbia Ultimate Business Systems (CUBS™) of Vancouver, Wash. Joining together two ARM market software and services experts, the acquisition will benefit both organizations’ customers through expanded product offerings and access to an even broader set of compliance consulting services. Both Ontario Systems and Columbia Ultimate are well-known brands in the ARM market, and each holds distinct market leadership positions in adjacent verticals. Ontario Systems…


Mayor Tyler’s Upcoming Muncie Events Update

This morning Steve Lindell interviewed Mayor Dennis Tyler about some of the events coming up around the city. Topics included: Evening fireworks at Prairie Creek, City of Muncie fireworks, Muncie City Baseball league, Co-ed softball program, Prairie Creek and Tuhey Pool, car show and music at Westside Park, Teen Works program, Muncie Pride event and the MuncieJournal.com 1st birthday party. Click below to listen.   


Tri Kappa Awards Local Grants

MUNCIE, IN—The Delta Phi Chapter of Kappa, Kappa, Kappa, Inc. recently distributed $9,000 in grants and scholarships. Grants of $250 to $500 each were awarded to nonprofit organizations that fit the goals of Tri Kappa, which are to promote culture, charity and education within the community. Recipients of this year’s Charitable Grants are East Washington Academy, Ball State University Guardian Scholars Program, Whitely Community Council, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Clothing Center, Muncie Civic Theatre and Harvest Soup Kitchen. Scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to outstanding high school students who have made significant contributions to both their high school and their…


Photo Gallery: MSO Festival on the Green

Photos by: Mike Rhodes — The Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s “Festival on the Green” was held Saturday evening on the lawn of the Ball State University Arts Terrace. An Arts Fair, presented by the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC), was held prior to the concert. You may view photographs of the event below. Click on a thumbnail below to see larger images and a clickable slideshow.  


Look Out Chubby Folks! Here Comes Active Wear!

By: John Carlson— If you are a chubby person like me, you are probably alarmed by the latest fashion trend. The big new thing is “active wear.” Active wear is that sort of sleek, colorful, sporty apparel that clings to your body like an extra epidermal layer. It shows off every bulge you’ve got, whether you’re running in a marathon, or just running to the grocery store to restock your training table with some nutritious Hostess Ding Dongs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Bulges, I mean. You want bulges? Believe me, I’ve got bulges. It’s just that at…