Articles by Mike Rhodes

Artist rendering

Government July 15, 2024

Muncie Fire Station 6 Placement Finalized

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—Fire Station 6 is one of the most strategic stations in the City of Muncie. Due to the train tracks running parallel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Station 6 is the only station that can serve Whitely and the East side of Muncie when a train is present. Station 6 is also in desperate need of repair, with numerous foundation, mold, and livability issues. The plans to replace Fire Station 6 have been discussed…

Read More
Breakout session from past nonprofit summit. Photo provided

Non-Profit July 15, 2024

Nonprofit Support Network Invites Proposals for Breakout Sessions at Annual Nonprofit Summit

By Carly Acree King— MUNCIE, IN—Nonprofit Support Network is accepting proposals for breakout sessions for its second annual Nonprofit Summit on Wednesday, October 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Horizon Convention Center. The summit will highlight the impact of collaboration through educational sessions, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities for nonprofit professionals across the sector. “Our region is home to an incredible nonprofit sector, filled with dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to make a difference,” shared Carly Acree King,…

Photo provided

Non-Profit July 15, 2024

Red-tail Land Conservancy Unveils New Interpretive Signs at Dutro-Ernst Woods

By Kelley V. Phillips, Assistant Director— MUNCIE, IN—Red-tail Land Conservancy is excited to announce the installation of new interpretive signs at Muncie’s popular urban nature preserve Dutro-Ernst Woods. These signs are designed to enhance visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the natural features and habitats of the preserve. The beautifully illustrated signs provide information about the interdependence of local plants, animals, and habitats within the nature preserve. Visitors can now learn about birds, mammals, insects, trees, and more and the important…

Sue Errington is pictured by her seat in the House chamber. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Education, Government July 11, 2024

Errington Congratulates ‘Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship Awardees’

By Emily Reuben, Press Secretary— INDIANAPOLIS—In a recent release, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced that 300 student scholarships have been awarded through the 2024-2025 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. Each year, this scholarship is given to high-achieving high school and college students pursuing a career in education. The scholarship can be renewed for up to $10,000 annually for four academic years under the agreement that these students will teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school. For…

Photo provided

Education, Government July 11, 2024

City Renews Funding for Muncie Community Schools ‘City Connects’ Program

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—For the past three years, Muncie Community Schools’ City Connects program has become an integral part of helping students succeed in school. As a result, the city of Muncie is renewing its financial commitment to the initiative, providing $100,000 for each of the next three years. The city’s investment will enable the school district to employ family navigators in six of its nine schools. Family navigators are the lynchpins of the program. They assess the strengths…

Illustration courtesy of Walmart.com

Business July 11, 2024

Hoosier Entrepreneurs Invited to Pitch Their Products for a Spot on Walmart or Sam’s Club Shelves

Walmart’s Open Call Provides Business owners the Opportunity to become Walmart suppliers and reach millions of new customers with their U.S.-made products. By Lauren Schregardus, on behalf of Walmart— INDIANAPOLIS – Walmart is now accepting applications for its 11th annual Open Call event, inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs across the U.S. to apply for the opportunity to pitch their products to be sold on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or on Walmart.com and SamsClub.com. Applications are open until July 15, 2024. Open Call is…

Photo provided

Non-Profit July 10, 2024

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Announces New Southside Middle School Site

By Robby Tompkins, Director of Resource Development— MUNCIE, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie, in partnership with Muncie Community Schools and the George and Frances Ball Foundation, has established a new site at Southside Middle School to provide access to exceptional after-school programming for more students and families on the south side of Muncie. This new Southside Middle School Site will play a pivotal role in helping teens reach their full potential and to envision a bright future. This…

The Naptown Hepcats will open for the Dave Bennet Quartet on Thursday at Canan Commons. Photo provided

Entertainment July 8, 2024

IRONMAN Triathlon Brings Music, Games, and More for Runners and Spectators in Muncie

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Saturday, July 13, IRONMAN 70.3 returns to Muncie, celebrating its 45th anniversary. The race, once named the Muncie Endurathon, is one of the Midwest’s most popular triathlons, and the oldest 70.3 distance race in the continental US. In 2022, the Muncie race was voted the number one participant experience in all of the US, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Nearly 1,000 athletes will compete in the long-distance triathlon, which begins with a 1.2-mile swim in…

The soup crawl is always a popular event downtown. Photo provided

Entertainment July 5, 2024

PrimeTrust and Second Harvest Food Bank Team Up and Announce 12th Annual Soup Crawl

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—Soup Crawl is a delicious and heartwarming event benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. Held in downtown Muncie on Thursday, October 3rd from 5pm to 8pm, the 12th annual Soup Crawl features a variety of soups from local restaurants, all for a good cause. “Last year, despite the rain, we had an incredible turnout and saw the Emily Kimbrough Museum take home the Vicky Copley People’s Choice Award. It was a close race,…

From the Hall of Fame archives: 1950-1951 Muncie Central State Champions

Non-Profit June 27, 2024

Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame to Induct 13

By Doug Zaleski— MUNCIE, IN— The Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame has elected 13 new members who will be honored in July in its 2024 class. Ty’Ronda Benning, Ben Botts, Zachary Ervin, Rob Fisher, Hayley (Hall) Garard, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Kasin (Spay) Hoke, Kimberly Kuzma, Taylor Morey, Christopher Overholt, George Taylor, Logan Young and Megan (Allen) Zelasko will be inducted July 20 at the Ball State Alumni Center. Tom Childs will be honored at the banquet as this year’s James…