Articles by Mike Rhodes

Business January 31, 2024

Hull Property Group Acquires Muncie Mall

By John Mulherin, Hull Property Group—  MUNCIE, IN – Hull Property Group announced today the acquisition of the Muncie Mall in Muncie, Indiana. The property adds to the Company’s growing retail property portfolio of almost 20 million square feet, including 35 enclosed shopping malls across 17 states. “We are excited to join the Muncie community. We love the area, and the Muncie Mall has wonderful redevelopment potential,” said Jim Hull, owner of Hull Property Group. “We aim to reposition the…

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Photo provided by Ball State University.

Entertainment January 31, 2024

Charles W. Brown Planetarium FREE Special Eclipse Events Schedule

By Planetarium Staff— MUNCIE, IN—All regular planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door. Plan to arrive early as seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited. One free pair of solar eclipse glasses will be provided to each planetarium show guest for a suggested cash donation of $1, while supplies last. If you are interested in acquiring a large number of eclipse glasses for your organization fill out the Eclipse…

Artist rendering of University’s plan to revitalize The Village. Photo provided.

Education January 31, 2024

Ball State University Hosting Two Community Presentations About Village Revitalization Plan

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns invites campus and local community members to two presentations about the University’s plan to revitalize The Village, the business district located immediately adjacent to campus. The first presentation—for students, faculty, and staff—will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at Pruis Hall on Ball State’s campus. Parking will be available in the New York Parking Garage. The second presentation—for the general public—will be…

West View Elementary students are captured cutting the ribbon during a ceremony at the school. Photo provided.

Education January 30, 2024

Muncie’s West View Elementary Unveils $11.5 Million Renovation

Project caps $42 million in recent MCS facility upgrades. By Andy Klotz, MCS Chief Communications Officer—  MUNCIE, IN – A growing student population and a school already filled to capacity is not a good combination. West View Elementary no longer has to worry about that following an $11.5 million, year-long renovation project that wrapped up earlier this month. Officials from West View, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Core Construction, which oversaw the renovation, officially cut the ribbon on the facility…

A sample product of Clearline Technologies is pictured. Photo provided.

Business January 29, 2024

Clearline Technologies: A Catalyst for Growth and Sustainability in Delaware County

By Bill Walters— MUNCIE, IN—Under the umbrella of the Delaware County Commissioners, the Delaware County Department of Economic Development and Redevelopment diligently works to attract capital investment, spur job creation, and elevate the overall quality of life through diverse projects within Delaware County. Collaborating with the ECI Regional Planning District, the department focuses on enticing businesses to establish their headquarters in the county, with a special emphasis on international companies that bring highly skilled technical positions across various industries. Notably,…

Kimberly Dowling, Judge of Delaware Circuit Court 2.

Government January 29, 2024

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

By Kimberly S. Dowling, Judge of Delaware Circuit Court 2— MUNCIE, IN—January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As I reflect on the advances Indiana has made over the last nine years, I would like to highlight those accomplishments and share recent updates with the Muncie community. My work in human trafficking began in 2014 just after I was first elected to the bench.  It was a hot topic even then, but I learned quickly that we had a lot…

Tree planting by Muncie Central students. Photo by Jason Donati.

Non-Profit January 29, 2024

Muncie Action Plan Task Force 4 Review

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN – As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) closes out the year, we would like to share MAP’s efforts to improve quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County as we approach our Annual Community Meeting on Wednesday, January 31st at 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to join MAP at Minnetrista’s Indiana Room to hear from each of our four task forces as they share the work completed during 2023. This is the fourth of…

Photo provided

Education January 25, 2024

Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County to Provide iPad Airs to Nursing Students

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, Ind. – On January 16, 2024, Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County rolled out the second phase of their Apple initiative on campus. Through a grant opportunity, the campus was able to provide iPad Airs, Apple Pencils, and Logitech Combo Touch keyboards and cases to nursing students. The iPad Airs will be used by the students throughout their time in the program, providing them with experience on industry-standard tools. “The Muncie/Henry County campus purchased 200+ total devices for…

Photo provided

Entertainment January 24, 2024

Muncie Central Basketball History To Be On Display During NBA All-Star Event In Indianapolis

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Central’s basketball history will be on display during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis Feb. 16-18. The school’s historic eight state basketball championships will be featured as one of 24 6-foot basketball sculptures that will be placed at various locations downtown Indianapolis. The Bearcat basketball sculpture will be at West and Washington streets next to Indiana government buildings. The art project is called “Hoosier Hysteria.” The Muncie Central sculpture is called “Muncie Central’s Unmatched…

As part of an effort to investigate and implement best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in operations, The Community Foundation invites all community members to take an awareness and perception survey at cfmdin.org/survey. The survey will close on January 31. Please respond today.

Non-Profit January 23, 2024

The Community Foundation Seeks Community Input

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is strengthening operations by investigating and implementing best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). In the Summer of 2023, the Foundation began work with expert consulting firm Optiplied to evaluate current policies, procedures, and perceptions. The consultation will result in the creation of a task force and subsequent action plan focused on organizational improvements with a DEIB lens. As part of its engagement with…