Donan Cruz’s arrival at Ball State sparked an influx of Hawaiian volleyball flair into the historic program.
Did you miss it? Catch up on the news from March 25-28...
The Ball State Daily News (USPS-144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Thursdays during the academic year except for during semester and summer breaks. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various campus locations.
March 25: The United Nations Security Council issued a demand for a cease-fire in Gaza March 25. The United States abstained from the vote, presenting the strongest public clash between the U.S. and Israel since the war began, according to the Associated Press. The American ambassador to the U.N. said the U.S. abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas.
March 24-25: After spending the 2023-24 season at Indiana University, former Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year Payton Sparks announced he will be returning to Ball State. The next day, junior Jalin Anderson entered the transfer portal. Anderson led Ball State with 36.3 minutes per game and was second with 15.8 points per game.
VOL. 103 ISSUE: 27
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Daniel Kehn, Editor-in-chief
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Zach Carter, Associate Sports Editor
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March 26: The 11th season of the Muncie Three Trails Music Series, presented by Ball State will return this summer, featuring Josh “the Reverend” Peyton and his Big Damn Band, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, The Sensational Barnes Brothers and Sybarite5. Tickets can be purchased online through Facebook where the event schedule can also be found.
March 28: The Cardinals kick-off a two-game series at Lewis as the red and white look to create a two-game win streak after defeating Purdue Fort Wayne March 23. The match is set to start at 8 p.m. Ball State is the No. 1 team in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) with a 10-2 conference record while the Flyers are the No. 5 team with a 7-5 record.
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THURSDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY
Hi: 53º
Lo: 37º
FRIDAY SHOWERS
MOSTLY SUNNY
Hi: 63º
Lo: 49º
SATURDAY PARTLY SUNNY
Hi: 65º Lo: 42º
Hi: 59º Lo: 48º SUNDAY
THIS WEEK: Next week will be very similar to this week temperature wise. Temperatures are probable to rise from the high 40s, to low - mid 50s and potentially low 60s. The lows will probably drop to the mid-high 40s or high 30s.
START CHECKING, FROM DAY ONE.
Waking Up with Cardinal Weather is Ball State University’s first and only morning mobile show focused on getting your ready for the day through local news, weather and lifestyle trends. Waking Up with Cardinal Weather airs every Friday morning at 8 a.m. at @cardinalwx live on Facebook.
Using Nature to Design Places of Worship combines construction management and interior design students to create better-serving religious spaces.
In a video message released by Buckingham Palace March 22, the Princess of Wales revealed she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer, according to the Associated Press. Her announcement comes after weeks of social media speculation about her health and whereabouts following her last public appearance at Christmas.
A search is underway for six missing people following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early March 26 when a container ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s main supports. The ship’s crew issued a mayday call before the collapse, limiting vehicle traffic, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Four Republican candidates for Indiana Governor took center stage March 26 to debate various topics about the upcoming election. The debate featured criticisms of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s current administration and Rep. Senator Mike Braun’s immigration policies. The candidates also unanimously agreed to protect IVF access.
Daniel Kehn Editor-in-chief
as consultants to provide a feasibility study for the organization.
kylights, walls with natural green colors and the presence of water via a pond or fountain.
We have seen these examples in various waiting rooms or office spaces before, but we probably didn’t notice exactly how deliberate these elements are by designers.
The concept behind these kinds of plans is called biophilia, also known as biophilic design.
“Biophilia is basically a passionate love of life and how you integrate nature to make it more pleasing, more productive, more accommodating to the human inside the space,” Sarah Angne Alfaro said.
Alfaro is an associate professor of interior design in the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), the interior design program coordinator and the lead professor on the Using Nature to Design Places of Worship project, an immersive learning project that strives to utilize biophilic design elements to enhance the experience of religious spaces.
In the project, students work with a client — churches or religious organizations — to act
Students will go on-site and meet with the client to do a walkthrough of their space. Here, the client gives students an overview of what they’re looking to achieve. After initial visits based on meeting with the client at the beginning of the project, the team goes to work on their plans.
“The way we look at this collaboration is that interior design students will look at architectural design [and] interior elevations, suggesting ideas to the community [and] to the partners, and then the construction management students get involved to give feedback on constructability, on cost [and] some of the technical issues that can be a problem,” said Sherif Attallah, associate professor of construction management and co-professor for the project.
Throughout the 10-week project, students focus their development on real-world, problem-solving scenarios. It works in three main phases: First, students create a presentation to make sure they are on the same page with the client. Second, there is an interim presentation to refine ideas. Finally, students present the results to their clients.
“They’re dealing with clients in real spaces,”
It’s important that we’re not just building designers, we’re building well-rounded students to become professionals in this world.”
- SARAH ANGNE ALFARO, Associate professor of interior design and interior design program coordinator, lead professor on the project
Alfaro said. “They have to present to the client and the client tells them ‘You’re on the right track’ or ‘You’re not on the right track.’ So it’s listening skills, time management skills — these are real-world projects activated in the college educational environment.”
While most of the project’s past clients are still in the fundraising stages of their processes, but Alfaro said some have made smaller changes.
“Victory Temple [used plans for] a cafe we designed, that actually was redone this summer,” she said. “Then First Presbyterian up the street [from campus], we had two little annex rooms and those are completely built out, plus their preschool we helped with.”
The project began as a conversation between Alfaro and Attallah.
“We thought together, probably a couple of years ago, that we can work together on improving design conditions of buildings, especially worship buildings like churches and mosques,” Attallah said. “[We wanted to] Look at the existing situations and let the interior design students work on innovative ideas or improvement ideas so the community that is using these worship spaces can
benefit from what nature can offer them.”
In the pilot project in the Fall of 2021, students had the opportunity to work with the Islamic Center of Muncie and Riverside United Methodist Church (now under new ownership and called Berea Church). Alfaro said the students were able to not only focus on architecture and design but study culturally what happens religiously in these entities.
“They’re learning about different faiths, and I think it’s important for them as humans to do this,” she said. “It’s important that we’re not just building designers, we’re building well-rounded students to become professionals in this world.”
with was deciding what system to go with and how efficient it is.”
St. Joseph’s was founded in 1858 by German Catholic Immigrants, according to the Holy Family Parish website, so students were working, in part, with historical renovation as part of their planning.
“I have never really touched historical renovation, so this was something that, because it was a historical building and it was still actively being used as a religious campus, I was able to go into with curiosity and an open mind,” Beyers said.
We actually got to have our own ideas individually which is something you do in the real world.”
- KAI BEYERS, second-year construction management major
The construction management majors looked at maintenance issues on the physical building, while the interior design students were looking at how the space functioned for humans.
After the pilot project in 2021, Alfaro and Attalah obtained a three-year sustained grant — which is currently in its second year.
To emphasize their biophilic goals for the project, students each semester work with Sonja Bochart, a biophilic specialist and designer in Arizona.
“She provides a consultantship for all of our students at the beginning of every semester, helping us learn biophilic elements and principles,” Alfaro said.
The students also take the ‘WELL’ Exam, a national certification for the design industry focused on biophilic design — the grant supports the exam for every student who comes into the program.
This past semester, the project’s group went to LaPorte, Indiana, to work with Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph’s Church. The space was a kindergarten through fourth-grade education building that is connected to the parish.
The construction management students in the project worked on sprinkler systems, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and other internal elements of the building. The interior design students used what their counterparts were working on within the plan to see what the interior of the building would look like and how it would flow.
Second-year construction management major Kai Beyers was one of the students involved in the project and sought out more green and environmentally friendly possibilities.
“I did definitely try to give them ideas of what would be more efficient,” Beyers said. “For example, they needed an HVAC system, they needed an AC (Air Conditioner) and the thing that I did help them
Beyers said his favorite part of the project was being able to be on-site and work with clients in a real-world setting.
“I loved that we got site visits and actually got to talk with the owners, instead of it being more like ‘Hey this is what the teacher tells you to do, this is what you do,’” he said. “We actually got to have our own ideas individually which is something you do in the real world.”
“This was a great project to have students on and I feel like, especially CM/ID (Construction Management/Interior Design), I do feel like we do need more opportunities for projects like this where we can come back and we can have a reallife project but still be able to fall back and ask the teacher,” Beyers added.
Seeing a new level of interaction between the students, despite being in separate majors, is important for Attallah, even if there are better semesters and worse ones.
“During those two years, I would say that some teams did not work well together and some teams really enjoyed the conversation and enjoyed working together,” Attallah said.
Alfaro said it’s always a worry for her to ensure that the students perform to their fullest capabilities, but the students have embraced working in the community with different religions and cultures.
“We’re ready, we’re able, but they get nervous, I get nervous, but then it always turns out fantastic,” she said.
In future projects, Alfaro said they will be working with the Christian Campus House and the Jar Community Church.
Contact Daniel Kehn with comments at daniel. kehn@bsu.edu or on X @daniel_kehn.
Tena Rees and Brenda Poole share a passion for helping others. After attending beauty school, they decided to use their skills to make a difference in people’s lives by styling hair. In 1990, they realized their dream of opening Hot Heads Hair Salon in room 21 of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
For more than 34 years, Hot Heads has been a part of the Ball State University community, as Rees and Poole have been dedicated to making Ball State students look and feel their best. The salon has since built a reputation for its hair care services and dedication to helping customers, having won the Best of Ball State Favorite Salon several years in a row.
Their commitment to their craft and customers has made Hot Heads the only salon destination for students to access on campus.
The women-owned and operated Paul Mitchell salon offers various services, “specializing in colors, hair extensions, classic cuts and the newest styles,” according to the Hot Heads website.
Rees and Poole opened their business in the student center to provide Ball State students who live on campus a more accessible place to fulfill an essential need: maintaining hygiene. A 2020
We just love helping people. We love giving them a place to go to talk or feel their best. It makes us happy.”
- BRENDA POOLE, Stylist
study by the Hope Center surveyed more than 38,000 college students and found three out of five students face insecurity regarding basic needs.
Whether with a haircut or a brow wax, Rees and Poole recognize this and aim to provide a space where students can get the proper services they need without ever traveling off-campus.
“We just love helping people,” Poole, who studied at PJ’s College of Cosmetology, said. “We love giving them a place to go to talk or feel their best. It makes us happy.”
Although those employed by Hot Heads have not solely been women, the business has been operated strictly by passionate women licensed in cosmetology and beauty.
“I have loved doing hair since I was a little girl,” Rees, who studied at Amber’s Beauty School in Muncie, said. “I used to style the hair on all of my dolls, and that’s when I realized I loved doing hair.”
Stylist Sierra West shares a similar passion. Like Poole, she studied at PJ’s College of Cosmetology before being hired at Hot Heads.
“My parents are Ball State alums, so I’m from Muncie, and I love working here,” West said. “I also love talking to the students. They are always so friendly and appreciative of the work we do.”
Rees and Poole’s vision to create Hot Heads adds to the growing representation of womenowned salons in the United States.
According to an economic snapshot from the Professional Beauty Association, about 60 percent of hair salons in the United States are owned by women.
“The nation’s salon and spa industry provides first jobs and career opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and has a broader representation of women and minorities than the overall U.S. workforce,” according to the Professional Beauty Association.
West believes women-owned businesses are essential.
“We weren’t always able to do stuff like that back in the day, because we were women, and now we can,” West said. “Women can own and successfully run businesses.”
Regarding female empowerment at Hot Heads, Rees feels like their business doesn’t lack it, as the employees are never afraid to ask for help or seek each other’s support.
“We are always mentoring and helping each other. If I need help from one of the other girls or they need help from me, we stop what we’re doing and help each other,” Rees said.
Hot Heads is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday by appointment only. Appointments can be made through itsofficial website or by calling or emailing the salon at 765-285-1944 and hotheadshd@gmail.com.
Contact Meghan Braddy with comments via email at meghan.braddy@bsu.edu or on X @ meghan_braddy.
We weren’t always able to do stuff like that back in the day because we were women and now we can. Women can own and successfully run businesses.- SIERRA WEST, Stylist
Wes-Del’s athletic facilities have received updates and will continue to be upgraded during the next few years.Zach Carter Associate Sports Editor
In 2018, Kyle Mealy became the superintendent at Wes-Del Community Schools. One of his first goals was to start looking into opportunities to update the school’s athletic facilities.
“We knew we had some areas outdoors that we really wanted to focus on improving,” Mealy said. “The worst condition we had was our track. We also knew we only had six lanes, and we wanted to expand someday so that we could host some more events.”
An architect was brought in to evaluate the outdoor athletic spaces. Like Mealy assumed, the Warriors did not receive positive feedback.
In 2021, a plan was made to give studentathletes the best opportunities possible. In 2023, a new football field and track were constructed. A golf green was also installed for the Warriors’ teams with multiple tee stations.
We want our kids to experience success and take memories away from this place. They’ll be able to cherish those memories forever as well as leave this place as better people.”-
KYE DENNEY, Wes-Del athletic director
There will be even more coming, as the school announced new dugouts and other additions for the baseball and softball teams.
While the moves seem big on the surface, they’re even bigger for a school that is one of the smallest in the area. So why now? Why does a school with less than 500 students put this type of money into athletics?
With the school’s motto being “small school, big opportunities,” it’s to give the student-athletes everything they need to succeed.
“We want our kids to experience success and take memories away from this place,” Wes-Del athletic director Kye Denney said. “They’ll be able to cherish those memories forever as well as leave this place as better people.”
When Mealy sat down with the school board, everything was laid on the table. After some discussion, four phases were created.
After taking second place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships, the Cardinals will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the NCAA Regionals April 3. The Cardinals will face the University of Illinois in the first round. The winner will take on No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 16 NC State and Ohio State April 4.
Freshman pitcher Keegan Johnson was awarded the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Co-Player of the Week after his 17 strikeouts in 10 innings over the week. Johnson only allowed one run and five hits, making his ERA 0.90 for the week. The left-handed pitcher had 11 of his 17 strikeouts in a 4-2 win against Toledo. His record is 3-0 on the season.
Ball State will head to Toledo, Ohio, for a weekend series against the Rockets. The first two games are scheduled for March 29 and will start at 1 p.m. The following day, Ball State and Toledo will play a single game at 1 p.m. The Cardinals are 2-4 in the MAC and the Rockets are 4-2.
A head coach and a pair of players hailing from Hawaii have helped lead Ball State men’s volleyball.
Solar Telescope Viewing Party at the Scramble Light
April 1, 2 and 4, 11 a.m.-2p.m. — Scramble Light, Ball State University, Muncie
Planetarium Shows
April 5-7 — Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State University, Muncie
Magic at Minnetrista:
The Total Solar Eclipse
April 6-8 — Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie
Magic City Market
April 6-8 — Delaware County Fairgrounds, Muncie
Magic City
Brewfest and Music Fest
April 6, 2 p.m. — Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie
Eclipsed:
A Magical Night of Music
April 7, 5 p.m. — Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie
Eclipse Experience
April 6-8 — Meg’s Country Celebrations, Eaton
Eclipse Watch Party
Downtown Carnival, Food Trucks and Live Muisc
April 5-8 — 1400 Plaza, New Castle
Camping and Music
April 5-8 — Famers Pike, Henry County
Eclipse Bowl
April 5-7 — Rose Bowl, New Castle
Pub Crawl
April 5, 6-11 p.m. — 1400 Plaza, New Castle
April 8 — Prairie Creek Reservoir, Selma
AMA Viewing Party
April 8 — The Academy of Model Aeronautics World Headquarters, Muncie
“Hoosiers” Watch Party
April 5-7 — Hoosier Gym, Knightstown
Broad Street Cruise-In
April 6, 4-8 p.m. — Broad Street, New Castle
Viewing Event at Summit Lake
April 8 — Summit Lake State Park, New Castle
Pig Out at the Black Out
April 8 — Mount Summit Christian Church, Mount Summit
Solar Eclipse Viewing
April 8 — Memorial Park, New Castle
Fly Into Night
April 8 — Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum, Hagerstown
Eclipse at Lewisville Park
April 8 — Lewisville Park, Lewisville
Eclipse Family Primitive Camping
April 5-8 — Cross Roads Global Methodist Church, Anderson
Solar Eclipse Weekend:
The Great American Eclipse
April 5-9 — Mystic Waters Campground, Pendleton
Total Solar Eclipse
April 8, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. — Mounds State Park, Anderson
Markleville Park
Eclipse Watch Party
April 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Markleville Community Park, Markleville
The Sun Don’t Shine on Uranus
April 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. — Uranus Indiana, Anderson
Edgewood in Darkness
April 8, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. — Edgewood Golf Course, Anderson
Solar Eclipse Picnic in the Park
April 8, 1 p.m. — Orestes Town Park, Orestes
Eclipse at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
April 8, 1:30-4:30 p.m. — Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Anderson
Sources: Anderson Madison County Visitors Bureau, Henry County Destination Development, Visit Muncie, Ball State University MEGHAN HOLT, DN DESIGN
The brunch will be held in Minnetrista’s Center Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30. Entrance to the event costs $30 per person, $15 for ages 3-12 and children under 3 are free, and membership discounts apply. The brunch will serve an unlimited buffet made by the Minnetrista hospitality team. It is recommended to pre-register on Minnetrista’s website, but walk-ins are welcomed.
Hunter Lee Band, a Muncie-based power trio band, will perform at the Farm Stand Second Story Lounge April 5. The three-hour performance starts at 6:30 p.m., and the cover fee is $5 with limited seating. The band will have an opening performer and be debuting its acoustic show at the downtown venue. Beverages and food will be served during the performance.
Weather permitting, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 a telescope will be set up to view the sun in a specific red color known as Hydrogenalpha and view its chromosphere, an atmospheric region of the sun, leading up to the solar eclipse. Free solar eclipse glasses will be handed out. The event is free, and paid parking is available in the McKinley Avenue Parking Garage.
Recovery Cafe Muncie is looking to reshape the conversation around addiction.Trinity Rea Associate News Editor
Fred Timberlake often spends his days in downtown Muncie listening to the sound of trains driving past, or listening to the sound of water running down the White River.
Timberlake said he ended up in Muncie to be close to his family, though he hasn’t seen them in some time.
“I became homeless, still am, but my landlord got incarcerated,” he said. “Then where my stuff was, they got incarcerated. So, my clothes were locked up somewhere, and two friends and I had no place to go. It [was] getting cold and windy.”
The veteran was left with nothing but himself, something he embraced, calling himself “a little bit of a loner.” He said he’s always been alone, traveling all around the United States throughout his life.
The familiarity of being alone kept Timberlake away from Recovery Cafe Muncie for a long time until Peer Recovery Coach Robert Flowers Jr. convinced him to step inside.
“I’ve experienced a lot in my life. I’ve been all over the place. Not the whole world, but the whole country,” Timberlake said. “But when people come into this place, you stay in this place — it magnetizes people … I found my family here.”
Timberlake is one of many members of the self-described “peer-based healing community of people in recovery,” according to the Recovery Cafe Facebook.
The non-profit cafe opened in Muncie in 2021 for those looking to start or continue their recovery journey. Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each week, the cafe’s doors are open with a consistent daily schedule.
‘Coffee and connection’ begins at the cafe’s opening, with free lunches offered at noon. At 1 p.m. there is a recovery circle, followed by recovery class and group clean-up before the cafe closes. This predictability of consistent routine is a large part of why the cafe is successful for its members,
most encountering poverty and homelessness. The cafe creates a sense of safety for members and can promote benefits in members’ lives outside of the cafe.
“We have outside activities too; a fundraiser dinner, a breakfast,” Timberlake said. “It’s just awesome, you know?”
Timberlake said he’s grateful he walked into the doors of the cafe more than a year ago. Now, he spends his days around and inside the building, even when it’s not open.
His self-described sense of community and gratitude has become a universal feeling among other Muncie and Recovery Cafe members, something that initially drew Lisa Roosien to the cafe.
“I was just looking for a volunteer opportunity, to give back and feel connected,” Roosien said. “Shortly after I came here, I realized this place is really cool … I totally fell in love.”
Roosien initially chose to give back by volunteering, as she’s in recovery from substance use. However, she said that with each day spent at the cafe, she fell in love with it more.
Shortly after first arriving, a cafe manager position opened up, something Roosien took on part-time. Then, a year and a half later, she became
“They’re not alone, they’re not a bad person, they’re not hopeless, they’re not stuck [and] they don’t have to figure all this out by themselves.”
- LISA ROOSIEN, Executive Director
the cafe’s executive director.
She said alongside the self-fulfillment, being able to help people grow in their recovery journey is what keeps her coming back to the cafe every day.
“I am able to see people have a light on in their eyes when they come here and realize, ‘you too?’”
Roosien said. “They’re not alone, they’re not a bad person, they’re not hopeless, they’re not stuck [and] they don’t have to figure all this out by themselves.”
Roosien has helped ensure this “light” effect is present in all new members by instilling a system of positions that members can earn, providing them with more responsibility in the cafe.
Each person who enters the cafe is a member but can become a Cafe Companion, then a Member Leader, a Senior Member Leader, and eventually, a Peer Recovery Coach.
“The best moments of this job are when I get to talk to a member and ask if they are interested in considering becoming a Cafe Companion … All
that nonsense that they were working with before is now flipped into an asset,” Roosien said. “We get to say, ‘We want you to welcome people, we want you to be the face of the cafe,’ which is really startling for some people.”
Flowers joined around the same time Roosien did and is well-known by staff and members alike.
Timberlake is not the only member who credits Flowers as the reason they joined and everyone in and around the cafe seems to know him.
Flowers said he has stayed at the cafe due to its continued initiative to grow and work with the guiding principles of recovery.
“We got a lot of stories to tell. Stories that will surprise you, stories that will fuel,” Flowers said. “All of them can be stories of success.”
Intern and Ball State student Hannah Hairfield echoed Flowers and said she was drawn to the cafe because of these potential success stories.
Hairfield’s main role in the cafe is to be a safe person for members to talk to and to provide them with resources they might not have but need. She said being able to help members make sure they know they’re not alone has helped her feel as though she’s fulfilling her life’s purpose.
“I wanted to be a police officer … And then my ex-husband passed away, and we have three children together,” she said. “I didn’t want to risk my life, because my kids, they’d have neither one of their parents. I switched to social work, because my main thing was that I wanted to help people.”
She said she loves being a safe and supportive person for those walking into the cafe. Hairfield also mentioned her time at the cafe has helped her become more grateful for her life.
“My life hasn’t been easy by any means, but I have a home, I have a car, I have running water [and] I have heat,” Hairfield said. “It just changes how you look at things.”
Hairfield said this recognition also helped her
create an outlook on life that holds no prejudice.
“I don’t sit here and judge people, I just see humans,” Hairfield said. “We’re all just trying to get through this crazy thing we call life, and I just want to help because a lot of our members don’t really have anyone.”
Roosien agreed with this idea and said people need one another and all need to work together to start “chipping away at the stigmatism surrounding recovery”.
“But when people come into this place, you stay in this place — it magnetizes people … I found my family here.”- FRED TIMBERLAKE,
Member
Additionally, she said it is important to recognize that everyone is just one step away from potentially getting into something that would lead them to a place like Recovery Cafe Muncie.
“Those people have a story. There’s a reason why they are where they’re at, and it’s very likely that their story’s not done yet, but they need our help to get to a happy ending,” Roosien said. “They didn’t have good choices available to them ... We’re all human and we all work. We all got shit, we all have a story … not a single person has ever not made a bad mistake.”
Contact Trinity Rea via email at trinity.rea@bsu.edu or on X @thetrinityrea.
Indiana’s state government just passed a bill that would ban city ordinances on banning puppy mills.
Jacob Rodgers is a third-year media major and writes “Inner Thoughts” for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
I have grown up with dogs my entire life. From my earliest memory, there was always a dog running around our house.
We’ve also seen our fair share of both rescue and puppy mill dogs. Puppy mills are commercial dog breeding facilities that “may sell puppies in pet stores, online or directly to the public,” according to the Humane Society of the United States.
One of the dogs we brought into our home was a beagle, whom my parents purchased from a puppy mill. While there were initial concerns like diseases and proper vaccination — which are common issues often seen in puppy mill dogs — another problem arose. Due to a lack of human interaction and interference, our dog ended up becoming very aggressive.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), dogs from puppy mills and commercial breeding facilities often have behavioral issues ranging from shyness and cowering to hyperactivity and aggression.
After a few biting incidents, the dog had to be given up. While many parents tell their kids the story about their dogs going to “live on a farm” as a coverup, my dog was genuinely sent to live on a farm. And it was the last time my family pursued getting a dog from a puppy mill or breeder.
Indiana — the state where I was born and raised — has passed legislation that would strike down local ordinances banning dog sales from puppy mills and breeders.
In late January 2024, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1412 with a 59-36 vote. It has since passed the Indiana State Senate by a 31-18 vote and was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
This bill not only regulates the retail sale of dogs but bars cities from passing preventative ordinances to protect dogs.
The bill, which is titled the “Canine Standard of Care,” is said to establish a random inspection program for dog breeders, brokers and retail pet stores. The bill would implement canine care certification requirements, pet store return policies and breeder licensing requirements.
On the surface, it sounds like a good idea, but there’s a downside to the bill.
The part of the legislation getting attention and pushback from animal advocates — including the ASPCA — was the section that prevents local ordinances from prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs.
What makes this so dangerous is that the Indiana state government wants to intimidate local governments that are attempting to protect puppies from inhumane conditions.
While many people enjoy going to pet stores and breeding facilities to play with the puppies, what they don’t see is the overflow of grown and senior dogs filling the cages of rescues and pounds.
As the country’s pandemic pet-adoption boom slows, shelters are swamped. There were roughly 250,000 more pets in animal shelters at the end of 2023 than there were in 2022, according to Shelter Animals Count, a nonprofit that gathers statistics on unhoused pet populations.
Growing up in central Indiana, there was never a short supply of pet stores. I used to get so excited to see the young puppies behind the glass, tempted by the prospect of going and playing with them.
But I now realize how young dogs are often bred by the dozens, separated from their mothers and used for profit. Posted around town are flyers of cute puppies, asking potential buyers to come “play” with the dogs instead of “adopt me” or “give me a home.”
More often than not, puppy mills have poor sanitation and hardly any preventive veterinary care for dogs, which causes them to suffer from both long-term physical and mental health issues, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The lack of attention they receive and the minimal amount of space that they have in their cages results in the dogs developing concerning behaviors and traits.
Most potential buyers and/or adopters aren’t equipped with the knowledge or resources to take care of the dogs.
For example, dogs are most likely to be returned to stores or breeders due to the “unrealistic expectations” of the adopter, according to a 2020 study published by the National Library of Medicine. Results from the study showed that while the adoption rate of both dogs and cats has gone up in recent years, many are returned for reasons such as behavioral issues or cost.
Puppy mills, pet shops and breeders don’t often focus on pet care education for new dog owners, which results in returns and puppies left without owners. Due to the mass production of puppies, oftentimes breeders can’t sell and home every single dog bred, leading to an influx of dogs surrendered to already overflowing shelters, according to an article by the BISSELL Pet Foundation.
According to the ASPCA, 6.3 million companion animals are brought into animal shelters every year and only 3.2 million of them are adopted. On top of that, 1.5 million animals are euthanized because animal shelters can no longer take care of them. These are horrifying numbers.
Ethically adopting dogs is very important, but the process of finding a breeder makes a huge difference. The Humane Society of the United States, for instance, suggests doing a background check on breeders in order to make sure they’re responsible and transparent about their breeding practices.
The society also suggests asking around for referrals before looking for potential breeders. Asking a local veterinarian is your best bet. Before buying a dog, check out the breeding facility — see where and how your puppy is being raised. Doing this allows you to background check the breeder on your own and get a better scope of how your dog was raised.
It is also important to look at this on a national scale. Congress has proposed legislation to properly regulate dog breeding and provide humane care for the dogs in the process. In 2019, a Republican congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, proposed two pieces of legislation to make that happen, but they have not gotten anywhere despite the bipartisan backing.
These bills — H.R.2442: Puppy Protection Act and H.R.1002: Welfare of Our Friends — would improve the way we approach dog breeding in this country, and they would put us in the right direction.
Overall, the idea of keeping dogs in cages all day with hardly any attention, space or love is a dangerous and inhumane practice. HB 1412 not only results in a seismic increase in government overreach, but it also increases the risk of animals being neglected based on profit.
Contact Jacob Rodgers with comments at jacob.rodgers@ bsu.edu.
While there are plenty of great local breeders, it is also important to make sure that they are acti ng in good faith. Responsible breeders won’t sell to the fi rst person who wants to buy the dog. A transparent, thorough adopti on process is crucial.
You can always fi nd responsible breeders by requesti ng a referral from a veterinarian. It is important to listen to experts in the fi eld who know which breeder would be best for you to adopt from.
Before buying a puppy, it is important to visit the breeder’s facility and fi nd out where and how the puppy is being raised. Doing your own background check on the breeder can provide more clarity before making any decisions.
JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATIONContinued from Page 07
Phase one featured the football field, the track and concrete around the walkways. Phase two is for the softball field and a new entrance, while phase three will be used for the baseball field. The final phase will be a new clubhouse which every team can use.
“Right now, we don’t have enough locker rooms for our outdoor sports, but we wanted a building that does,” Mealy said. “We’re looking to phase out the old, small buildings and concession stands, and all that would go into one main building.”
While phase one has been completed, there is still plenty of work going forward. However, the timeframe helped with the cost. Mealy said the school has used its debt service fund and bonds to pay for the upgrades. Expiring bonds also played a big factor in the costs.
“If they expire, you lose those tax dollars unless you then re-up and go for another bond,” he said. “So as we were seeing some of that come off, we knew we got some money to free up in there.”
When it comes to bonds, they are paid by
taxpayers. However, the school administration did not want to raise rates for the community. Before the outdoor facilities were looked at, the Warriors updated their gymnasium without having to change the tax rate. For the football field, there had to be some changes. According to Mealy, during a 20year span, it would cost $0.06 for every $100.
“We have bonds that will be phasing out and then we can renew or go after another bond and then we can do another phase of this,” he said. “That came into that whole strategic [plan] on how to fund this without having to use donor money.
“We’re already thinking 15 years down the road with how this will phase into our debt service. So we’re trying to make it as minimally impacted to this taxpayer as possible.”
While there might be some community members upset with it, Mealy believes most of the Warrior faithful are behind the changes.
“Our community, it’s mixed as far as a lot of our I would say a lot of our younger community who have students involved in the school are excited,” he said. “Some of your older community is, I wouldn’t say they’re less excited. They’re less likely to tell you how much they like it.”
However, changes are needed, as Mealy said
facilities like the football field have not been touched for more than 25 years. Due to that, he has no problem putting this much money into the department and thinks change has already happened because of it.
Last season – the first year with the new turf field — the Wes-Del football team won four games, which was the program’s best since the 2017-18 season. But change like that isn’t just happening after a new facility is added. Last fall, freshman girls’ golfer Jane Armington became the first Warrior to win the Delaware County Tournament.
“I think the success is in the fact that our community supports what we’re doing. You can’t do anything without that support,” Mealy said.
While school administration is excited to see the new additions, coaches and athletes are just as giddy. The golf team has already experienced its upgrade with a new practice green.
“It speaks a lot that the school appreciates all of the programs,” senior Trey Adams said. “It’s nice for us. Even if we aren’t the biggest, it’s nice for them to include us too.”
Adams — who also played football — is happy to end his Wes-Del athletics career with the new facilities.
“To me, it tells me that they are all in,” Wes-Del head boys’ and girls’ golf coach Nick Rocco said. “They’re wanting to be the best they can be, and they’re giving us the tools to do that. That’s all we can ask for.”
Even though some athletes are seeing changes now, the key is for future generations to be impacted by the moves.
“We’re currently in the mindset of our current kids plus our younger kids coming out and making sure they have as many opportunities as they can get,” Mealy said.
It’s no doubt that Wes-Del will continue to grow even after the four phases are complete. While Mealy is not certain about what’s next, there is one thing that will never change for the Warriors.
“We do know who we are and what we like about the school: We have a small family atmosphere, and we will never lose sight of that,” he said. “No matter what our gains are, there will be a point where we do not want to outgrow ourselves.”
Contact Zach Carter with comments at zachary. carter@bsu.edu or on X @ZachCarter85.
ACROSS
1 ”Golly!”
5 Infuriated with
10 Light on one’s feet
14 “It’s __ you”: “You decide”
15 Justice Kagan of the Supreme Court
16 Metals from a mine
17 “Jeopardy!”creator Griffin
18 Piccata ingredient
19 Christmas song
20 “Focus on the future now”
23 Top-notch
24 “__ you listening?”
25 “Never in a million years!”
31 Barely lit
34 Makes cursed
35 Some clip-on accessories
36 Game with Skip and Reverse cards
37 ”Need You Tonight” band
38 Cover story
40 Pakistani language
41 Theater sign on a busy night
42 Shortly
43 “Delta of Venus” author Nin
44 Family
45 Easy to set up, as a computer
48 Deg. for an exec
50 Went by bike
51 Equestrian transport vehicles, and what the last words of 20-, 25-, and 45-Across can be
57 Desert in southern Mongolia
58 Clueless gamers
59 Go first
61 Surrounded by 62 Connecticut Ivy Leaguer
63 Spanish “she”
64 Brazilian soccer legend
65 Book of maps
66 Like purple hair
DOWN
1 Bubble blower’s mouthful
2 Go first
3 Houston MLBer
4 Rush-hour traffic conveniences
5 Christopher of “Law & Order: SVU”
6 Pub barrel
7 “Cool for the Summer” singer Lovato
8 “We don’t know who wrote this” abbreviation
9 Cranberry juice quality
10 Sunken ship finder
11 Many a TV crime drama
12 Assault the nose
13 Fashion monogram
21 Unwelcome word from a barber
22 Large coastal inlets
25 Batter blender
26 “Three Bathers” painter Matisse
27 S&P 100 company that’s a descendant of Standard Oil
28 On-the-job risk for a beekeeper
29 White lie
30 Sweet-smelling garland
32 Nepal neighbor
33 Hardly assertive
38 Email pioneer
39 Baseball Hall of Famer Gehrig
40 Still having a rind
42 Health resorts
43 Not incl.
46 Saudi __
47 Beeps and peeps
49 Wedding bouquet tosser
51 Base runner’s goal
52 Irish New Age singer
53 Precisely
54 Tootsie __
55 Depend (on)
56 Cyber Monday event
57 Generation __
60 Family guy
