Articles by Mike Rhodes

New Safety Measures Coming to Muncie Central High School

All students, visitors to pass through weapon detection system By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN—Beginning Friday, February 14, all Muncie Central students will start entering the high school through a new, discreet weapon detection system. This system, purchased with funds provided by the City of Muncie, enhances current security measures, providing another layer of safety for everyone inside. Any visitors to the school will also be required to pass through the new system. “We are all aware of unfortunate situations that have occurred in schools around the country, and we want to do everything we can to prevent something like that…

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Meridian Health Services Exceeds Fundraising Goal From ‘Holidays at Gresham’ Event

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN—Meridian Health Services’ holiday fundraiser to provide Hope and Healing Comfort Kits to children receiving services through Meridian’s Child Advocacy Center raised over $20,000 – far exceeding the initial goal of $12,000. Donations were collected beginning on Giving Tuesday, December 3, and throughout the holiday season online and at Holidays at Gresham, Meridian’s drive-thru light exhibit. For nearly 17 years, Meridian has worked with children who have experienced trauma, whether it be from any form of abuse (i.e., physical, sexual, or emotional), neglect, substance use, domestic violence, or other harmful situations through its Child Advocacy Center…


Alice Cooper Brings ‘Too Close For Comfort Tour’ to Emens Auditorium

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14, at 10 a.m. By Haley Wade— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University adds Alice Cooper to its lineup at Emens Auditorium, presented by Honeywell Arts & Entertainment.Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14, at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com or by calling the Emens Box Office at 765.285.1539. Alice Cooper – Thurs., May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Experience the electrifying theatrics of Alice Cooper, the pioneer of shock-rock. Touring worldwide, he continues to captivate audiences with dark and horror-themed shows featuring guillotines, electric chairs, and boa constrictors. With his latest solo album, Road, Cooper’s…


Breaking the Boundaries of Traditional Indigenous Art –Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Imagined in Glass

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN–Minnetrista Museum and Gardens is proud to present Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, a groundbreaking exhibition that explores how contemporary Native American and Indigenous Pacific-Rim artists have transformed glass art. This fascinating exhibition will run from February 8, 2025, through May 18, 2025, in Gallery 3 of the Center Building. “Defining Indigenous art can be challenging. Oftentimes it is thought of as traditional, but art evolves,” says Sebastián Encina, Associate Director of Curation & Exhibition at Minnetrista. “Clearly Indigenous reminds us that Indigenous artists are still here producing brilliant works of art using contemporary…


Selma Woman Has been Selected as 1 of 12 Women Nationally to Represent AHA Program

Molly McGuire’s pregnancy went downhill fast in her third trimester. Serious complications claimed her baby’s life and almost killed her, too. She wants others to push for the care they deserve. By Tim Harms, AHA— SELMA, IN—An east central Indiana woman is 1 of 12 women selected nationally to represent the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement across the country in 2025. Molly McGuire of Selma is part of the Association’s 2025 Class of Survivors that will share how their lives have been impacted by heart disease and stroke. At 30, Molly felt her biological clock ticking. She…


‘Kodo One Earth Tour’ Comes to Emens on February 19

By Haley Wade—  MUNCIE, IN — Emens Auditorium is pleased to announce that KODO ONE EARTH TOUR 2025: Warabe will be here on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. “Indeed, if there is such a thing as perfection in music, Kodo comes as near to it as any group in the world.” – The Boston Globe  Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. In Japanese, the word “Kodo” holds a double meaning. It can be translated as “heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm. However, the…


Celebrate ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’ at Ball State’s David Owsley Museum of Art On Feb. 13

By Rachel Buckmaster, Associate Director, David Owsley Museum of Art— MUNCIE,IN— The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., will celebrate “Anti-Valentine’s Day” the evening before the romantic holiday. The DOMA After Hours event is being held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, and will feature art-making activities, games, refreshments, and a live storytelling competition. The event is free of charge and open to everyone. Embrace your inner cynic and bring your friends! For more info, visit bsu.edu/doma. Free and open to the public, the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University…


MLK Dream Team Kicks Off Black History Month with Annual Celebration

By WaTasha Griffin and the Martin Luther King Dream Team— MUNCIE, IN—The Martin Luther King Dream Team hosted its Annual Black History Month Kickoff Event on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in Muncie, Indiana. The event, which brought the community together for a day of celebration and reflection, included a complimentary breakfast and musical performances by Mr. Isaac Denniston and the Northside Middle School Choir. A key highlight of the event was the Muncie NAACP Youth Council’s tribute to Outstanding Black Women of Muncie. Oratorical biographies were presented honoring local trailblazers such as Bea Moten…


Meridian Health Pediatrics and Prime-Time Urgent Care to Have Open House on Feb 12

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN—Meridian Health Pediatrics and Prime-Time Urgent Care will host an open house on Wednesday, February 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Meridian Health Pediatrics and Prime-Time Urgent Care located at 205 N. Tillotson Avenue in Muncie. The community is invited to tour the newly remodeled building, meet providers, and learn more about the services provided by Meridian’s dedicated pediatric healthcare team.    The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting at the open house at 10:30 a.m. Light refreshments and appetizers will be served. The open house celebration comes after an extensive…


Muncie Completes Annexation of 12 Acres From Ball State University

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN – The City of Muncie has officially completed the annexation of a 12-acre parcel of land donated by Ball State University on February 28, 2023. This strategic move marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between the university and the city to create a new subdivision, aimed at enhancing housing options in the region. The new development will draw inspiration from the successful Storer Estates subdivision, a 34-lot residential project on the former Storer Elementary site. The Storer Estates community, featuring walking trails and the newly developed Storer Woods park, has proven to be a…