Articles by Mike Rhodes

The new Indianapolis regional headquarters is located at 8711 River Crossing Boulevard. Photo provided

Business August 30, 2023

First Merchants Bank Purchases New Indianapolis Regional Headquarters Building

  By Jaime Faulkner, Director of Corporate Communications— MUNCIE, IN— First Merchants Bank of Muncie, recently hailed by Forbes Magazine as one of The World’s Best Banks, announced a building purchase August 29, 2023, for the strategic relocation of its Indianapolis area regional headquarters.  Mark Hardwick, CEO of First Merchants Bank, had this to say about the purchase of the Indianapolis regional office building:  “The purchase of our new, state-of-the-art Indianapolis regional headquarters building is tangible proof of our commitment…

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Entertainment August 30, 2023

Can You Solve the Muncie Mystery?

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—We need a “hand” solving this year’s Muncie Mystery! Grab your mystery-loving friends and family members and head downtown during September’s First Thursday to question suspects, look for clues and – hopefully – solve the case! Muncie Mystery is hosted by Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Ivy Tech Community College, and Muncie Civic Theatre. “I love the collaboration Muncie Mystery provides!” said Cheryl Crowder of Muncie Downtown Development Partnership. “[There…

Pictured L to R: Instructor Nathan Taylor, Monte Foist, Jesse Morris, Richard Macasocol, Tony Randolph, Shawn Miller, Greg Bell

Education August 29, 2023

Ivy Tech Offers Supervisor Skills Training

By Lesley DeVoss—  MUNCIE, IN – Local employers work with Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County to focus on leadership skills in upper supervisory ranks. On Thursday, June 22, the first session of the Ivy+ CareerLink Supervisor Training class was completed. The supervisors enrolled in the class were employed by Honeywell and Arrowhead. On-site for Arrowhead were Tony Randolph and Monte Foist. Honeywell was represented by Shawn Miller, Richard Macasocol, Gregory Bell, and Jesse Morris. Supervisor Training focuses on how to make…

Laurie Lunsford is pictured with her children's book titled "The Solar Eclipse is Coming." Photo provided

Entertainment August 29, 2023

Local Author Writes Children’s Book About the Solar Eclipse

By Laurie Lunsford— MUNCIE, IN—The solar eclipse is coming April 8, 2024. Laurie Lunsford, a local artist and writer was inspired when she attended a planning meeting for this occurrence, which is special to Muncie and those cities along the “path of totality” from Texas, crossing through Indiana and up to Maine.  A large number of people from outside of Muncie are expected to come here to view the total eclipse. During the meeting, she thought about the possibility of…

Last year's 2022 Spirit of Small Business award went to A Team Concessions.

Business August 28, 2023

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Announces Their 2023 Annual Dinner Awards

By Katy Maggart— Muncie, IN— The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce will honor its members for their impact on our community at their Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center. Each year, the Chamber presents five prestigious awards at the Annual Dinner. The Chamber is asking for help from the community and its members in the nomination process for four of the awards. The awards have been updated this year to keep on…

La’Saiha Ewing and Brian Whitley. Photo provided by MCS

Education August 28, 2023

Muncie Central Grads La’Saiha Ewing and Brian Whitley Receive Ball State’s Ryan Family Scholarship

By Andy Klotz, MCS— MUNCIE, IN – La’Saiha Ewing loves art. It helps her express her thoughts and feelings. As creative as she is, the 2023 Muncie Central graduate still never imagined it could help fund her college ambitions and ultimately lead her to a career as a teacher, but that’s what has happened after receiving the Michelle and Jim Ryan Family Scholarship from the Ball State Teachers College (BSTC). “Receiving the Ryan Family Scholarship is a huge honor,” Ewing…

Michelle Metsker-Cass and some of her works. Photo provided

Entertainment August 27, 2023

Cornerstone Artist to Display Creations in September

By Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN–Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 East Main St. will exhibit work from staff member and artist Michelle Metsker-Cass of Made By Meeshy Art. The exhibit opening, entitled Fluid Beauty, will be in Cornerstone’s Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery, Sept.7, from 5-8 p.m. Metsker-Cass’s work features fluid art techniques, a painting style involving acrylic paint poured to create abstract designs, along with inspirational painted illustrations depicting themes such as suicide prevention, depression and overcoming obstacles. Michelle Metsker-Cass…

Ball State's Code Red dancers performing in the village. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 25, 2023

Village Street Fest Returns This Saturday Aug. 26th

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN — What can you get for two bucks? Turns out, quite a bit. The “$2 Tour of the Village” returns Saturday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. on University Avenue between Calvert and Dill Streets. Not only is admission free to this event, but the first 100 people through the gates will be given a $2 bill to spend on awesome $2 items from Village businesses (an Art Mart goodie bag or a $2 t-shirt from…

Non-Profit August 25, 2023

George and Frances Ball Foundation Announces $3.5 Million in Local Philanthropic Investment

By Kelsey Harrington, Program and Analytics Officer— MUNCIE, IN—Earlier this month, the George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors met to review third quarter competitive grant requests. The Foundation’s proactive grantmaking strategy is focused on educational attainment through the collective impact initiative, Cradle to Career Muncie. In addition to this strong, strategic focus, the Foundation also targets grantmaking to advance quality of place. This quarter, George and Frances Ball Foundation leadership made commitments totaling $3.5 million to promote these…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded over $240,000 in Community Grants during the third quarter of 2023, including $26,500 to Whitely Community Council to support core mission work and education initiatives like college visits for middle school students. Whitely Community Council conducted a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) college tour in Washington, DC, for 17 middle school students, pictured, with the support of a similar grant in 2022.

Non-Profit August 24, 2023

$249K Awarded to Community Organizations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $249,100 in Community Grants this quarter. Beginning in 2023, The Community Foundation shifted to a Community Grants program. Nonprofit organizations have a wide-open door for applications instead of separate applications for multiple grants programs through the Foundation. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with Foundation staff. The flexibility of Community Grants allows the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team to develop…