Articles by Mike Rhodes

Chris Poland Receives 2023 Merrill Greene Award From Muncie Rotary Club

By Matt Howell, President, Rotary Club of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN — Chris Poland, member of the Muncie Noon Rotary Club and Financial Literacy and Community Engagement Manager at Ball State Financial, received the Merrill Greene Award for 2023.  The award honors Merrill Greene, CPA, long-time Muncie Rotarian and volunteer who served as Club treasurer for over two decades.  The award recognizes a member for their outstanding volunteer efforts for the Club and the community. Club President, Matt Howell, added, “Chris…

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Muncie Downtown Development Announces New Executive Director

By Will Isaacs, Board President, Muncie Downtown Development— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP) Board of Directors has announced Angie Hibner as their new Executive Director effective June 19th, 2023. Hibner had been President/Owner of Respire Strategy, responsible for building a company by providing strategy solutions to the top communication challenges facing small business. For the past 8 years she has played a key role in bringing communication strategy and tools to over 600 entrepreneurs throughout the state…


Nominations Open for 5th Biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards

By Erin Williams— MUNCIE, IN—Save the date! The Mayor’s Arts Awards return September 30, 2023, and the event to celebrate our nominees and award winners will be bigger than ever. The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts), in conjunction with the City of Muncie, is excited to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 5th Biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards. Nominees for this year’s awards will be celebrated at a special reception preceding the award ceremony on September 30th…


Delaware County Regional Wastewater District and Muncie Sanitary District Forge a 25-Year Long-Term Partnership

By Jason Richards— MUNCIE, DELAWARE COUNTY—The Delaware County Regional Wastewater District (DCRWD) and the Muncie Sanitary District are pleased to announce the signing of a groundbreaking 25-year long-term contract, solidifying a mutually beneficial partnership for all parties involved. Under this agreement, DCRWD will continue to use a portion of the Muncie Sanitary District’s wastewater treatment facility and infrastructure for the treatment of the Royerton and Desoto customers sanitary flow. The partnership agreement also includes a provision that guarantees a justified…


Time for a Mid-Year Business Health Checkup 

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—It is hard to believe that 2023 is nearing the halfway point.  After enduring a cold winter and unpredictable spring, warm, nice weather and days full of sunshine are welcomed.  During this time of year, it is important to consider reviewing the status of our businesses and organizations.  Much like my semi-annual physical with my doctor, assessing what is going well and what is not is vital for businesses and…


Yorktown’s 4 Mile Run on the 4th of July Returns With Over $27,000 in Scholarships and Prizes 

By Jonathan Lamb— YORKTOWN INDIANA- The annual “Four for the 4th” run/walk returns to downtown Yorktown at 8:30 AM on the 4th of July, bigger and better than ever.  Thrive Credit Union, the title sponsor has partnered with the Yorktown Community Schools Foundation to work together to raise funds to better the community, trails, parks, schools, and give away scholarships.    This year the overall male and female race champions will each win $1,000 in cash, and all students ages 19…


Local Muncie Woman Competing for National Health and Fitness Title

MUNCIE, IN—The national Ms. Health and Fitness competition draws thousands of athletes every year to compete for national recognition and to benefit Homes for Wounded Warriors. This year, a Muncie resident is in the running for the title. Michele Owen had never run a race and could barely swim before deciding to train for Muncie’s 2021 Ironman 70.3. The grueling triathlon consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile run, and then a 13.1 mile run within 8 1/2…


IU Health Ball Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients

By Vicki Delzeith— MUNCIE, IN – IU Health Ball has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023 which recognizes sustained, high level performance in quality of care. IU Health Ball is one of only 262 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. The award recognizes IU Health Ball’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that IU Health Ball has reached…


Cornerstone Center for the Arts to Hold BBQ Cook-Off

Editor’s note: The barbeque cook-off scheduled for this Saturday, July 8, has been cancelled. The event was cancelled because of a lack of ticket sales. Those who have purchased tickets will get a refund. Cornerstone will look for another, more opportune date for this event. By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, IN – Local restaurants, vendors and food trucks will compete in a BBQ Cook-Off event at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main, on July 8 2023 from 11 a.m. to…


Midwest Writers Workshop Celebrates 50th Conference, July 19-22

By Jama Kehoe Bigger— MUNCIE, Ind. – Since 1973, Midwest Writers Workshop (MWW) has offered a summer conference to help writers improve their craft and become published authors. This year’s 50th conference is July 19-22 and offers two registration options. Participants can register to attend in-person at the Ball State Alumni Center, Muncie, IN, or they can register for a virtual option via Zoom technology. This hybrid version of MWW provides plenty of instruction, networking, and the sense of community…