Articles by Mike Rhodes

Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Pete Velasquez, left, and Master-at-Arms Seaman Chase Atchison, both assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), handle M240B machine guns during gun quarters, Nov. 7, 2024. USS George H. W. Bush is currently undergoing a fast cruise, which is a simulated underway to test equipment, run emergency drills, and stand underway watches to ensure readiness while pier-side at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mitchell Mason.

Veterans November 4, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Kaleigh Brinkley

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

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Carl & Barbara Schafer. Photo provided.

Business November 3, 2025

Gordy Fine Art & Framing: Carl & Barbara Schafer Celebrate Ten Years as Owners

By Barbara Schafer— MUNCIE, IN—This First Thursday, November 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. stop by Gordy Fine Art & Framing to celebrate with Carl and Barbara their first decade of ownership. Greg Pyle will be sharing his musical talents with artworks by various artists that have called Muncie home. Barbara and Carl will be speaking at 6:15 pm. Refreshments will be served. “Our success over these ten years is because we live in a community where people want to …

U.S. F-16 and Canadian CF-18 fighter jets supporting the North American Aerospace Defense Command flying under U.S. Northern Command authorities, intercept a “Track of Interest” (TOI) aircraft as part of AMALGAM EAGLE 25, an air defense and search and rescue exercise to improve operational compatibility between the NORAD, USNORTHCOM, the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense, and interagency partners. This year’s exercise is focused on preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in several locations throughout North America. Photo by Michael Dougherty.

Veterans November 3, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Emma Searcy

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.     Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Illustration provided.

Entertainment October 31, 2025

Broadway Smash ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’ Coming to Emens Auditorium, Nov. 19

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University will present the North American tour of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Emens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster, at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.), or by phone at 765-285-1539. Written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, this electrifying stage musical tells the inspiring true story…

YWCA Capital campaign co-chairs Wilisha Scaife and Juli Metzger. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 30, 2025

YWCA Announces Capital Campaign Plans, Raises $75,000 at Annual HEELS Event

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—You may not always get to see the result of your kindness, but never doubt that it leaves a mark. Lives are transformed not just by systems and shelters, but by people — people who choose to care, choose to give, choose to believe in someone else’s better future. Nearly 400 supporters turned out for YWCA Central Indiana’s 2025 annual Walk In HER HEELS fundraising event recently. HEELS is an acronym for Help, Empower, Encourage, Lift and…

MACC Health Science Pre-Nursing students are pictured. Photo provided.

Education October 30, 2025

Public Invited to Muncie Area Career Center Open House on November 6

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN—High school is changing in Indiana. Students must now choose among three readiness seals – Enrollment, Employment or Enlistment & Service – and fulfill that seal’s requirements in order to graduate, beginning with the class of 2029. Many students are expected to focus on an Employment seal, which makes the Muncie Area Career Center (MACC) the perfect place to prepare them for life after school. On Thursday, November 6, prospective students can get a firsthand look…

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour (far left) presents at a news conference held on Tuesday. Photo provided.

Government October 29, 2025

City of Muncie Awarded $6.75 Million in READI 2.0 Funding to Advance Downtown Housing & Gateway Project

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN – The City of Muncie is proud to announce that it has been awarded $6.75 million in READI 2.0 funding to support transformative development in the city’s core, including new downtown housing and the creation of a signature gateway experience. The funding, when combined with the over $10 million in city infrastructure investment will be used to advance two major initiatives, the Muncie Central City Housing Project which includes 34 new homes in the Old…

Photo provided

Business October 28, 2025

ecoREHAB Awarded $10,000 Through ‘Make More Happen” Awards Program

By Brianna Pisacane— MUNCIE, IN—Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to ecoREHAB, a nonprofit committed to advancing the community through sustainable design, rehabilitation, and education, has been awarded $10,000 through the Make More Happen Awards program. Initially, Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency received a $5,000 donation through the Liberty Mutual® and Safeco Insurance® 2025 Make More Happen™ Awards program for its partnership with ecoREHAB. After the story was featured on the Make More Happen microsite at https://www.agentgiving.com/goosehead-metzler-agency,  the…

Alumni and current Fellows of Ball Brothers Foundation’s Fellows Program gathered at Delaware Country Club to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary. Since 2004, the program has supported 40 nonprofit leaders in East Central Indiana.

Non-Profit October 28, 2025

Ball Brothers Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Fellowship Program

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Fellows Program, bringing together nearly half of the program’s alumni for a special evening of reflection, connection, and recognition at the Delaware Country Club. The Fellows Program, launched in 2004, was created to provide two East Central Indiana nonprofit leaders each year with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the foundation world. Through meetings with Foundation staff, Fellows are invited to step away…

Brett Ellison, executive director of Muncie OUTreach and Dave Franklin, OUTreach board member, at a recent Nonprofit Support Network session.

Non-Profit October 27, 2025

‘All Aboard Workshop’ Will Educate Community on Board Leadership on November 18

By Mitch Isaacs, Executive Director, Shafer Leadership— MUNCIE, IN—Community members from East Central Indiana are invited to attend the annual All Aboard: Board Leadership in Action Workshop on Tuesday, November 18, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the YWCA of Central Indiana, located at 310 E. Charles Street in downtown Muncie. This free event is made possible by Shafer Leadership Academy, Heart of Indiana United Way and Nonprofit Support Network. Additional programmatic and in-kind support comes from the…