Tonight: Temperatures will be well below freezing as we hit mid-high teens. Snow showers are expected to continue into tonight with broader accumulations than what we saw today. Expect to see anywhere between dusting to possibly an inch of snow. Colder air will continue through the area as westerly surface winds assisted with strong wind gusts come through. With a combination of dry upper air, well-below freezing temperatures, and strong wind conditions , the wind chill values are expected to drop as the night continues reaching single digits. With that being said conditions will feel drastically colder this evening into early tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Below normal temperatures will remain in the region Tuesday. Very partial and brief sunshine will assist in keeping temperatures in the mid-high 20's.

Seven-Day Forecast: As Wednesday morning approaches, a fast moving low pressure system will move through the area resulting in warm air rising above the colder air with assistance from the upper level jet. This is why there's a small percentage of snow Wednesday morning. The probable snow accumulation will probably be around 1 inch or less. Come Wednesday afternoon, temperatures will quickly increase as wind direction shifts, inviting warm southerly air into the area. Any snow that fell earlier in the day will likely melt. Come Thursday, a dominant upper-level ridge from the west will extend far East, bringing warmer temperatures into our area. Though the small transition to the ridge could provide light showers towards the afternoon. Temperatures this weekend look to be beautiful as this ridge supports southerly wind movement and higher moisture values. As for next week though, temperatures look to cool down from Sunday into Monday as a cold front moves through bringing about possible rain showers.

- Weather Forecaster Rachel Fulton

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One Battle After Another received the most wins of the night with six categories under its belt. Their wins include: Best Picture, Sean Penn for Supporting Actor, Paul Thomas Anderson for Director, Cassandra Kulukundis for Casting, Adapted Screenplay, and Andy Jurgensen for Film Editing. Both One Battle After Another and Sinners have been in a fierce competition during the award season, and it seems One Battle After Another has slightly beaten the curve.

Sinners made history last night with Autumn Durald Arkapaw being the first woman to ever win in the Cinematography category. Being nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, the film took home four, with Michael B. Jordan scoring his first Oscar with a Best Actor win, Ludwig Göransson winning for Original Score, and Ryan Coogler winning for both Best Director and Original Screenplay.

Will Arnett presented for both animation awards and made a statement calling out AI art. "Tonight, we are celebrating people, not AI, because animation, it's more than a prompt. It's an art form and it needs to be protected. Am I right?" Arnett said. With the cultural explosion of Kpop Demon Hunters, the animated film took home the Oscar for Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for "Golden."

Frankenstein also took home a few awards last night. Excelling in the technical department, the film won for Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Costume Design.

Quite a few major films went home without awards last night. Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Bugonia were all nominated for major categories like Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Picture. Sentimental Value went home with one award for Best International Film but failed to win in other categories.

With the award show cycle coming to a close, the 2026 Oscars highlighted the amazing year of film that 2025 was.

Sources: IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, Spotify, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb, IMDb

Photo: The Oscars

Contact Sam Jasionowski with comments at samantha.jasionowski@bsu.edu or on Instagram @sjasionowski.

Ball State University Baseball v. Butler

Cheer on the Cardinals as they face off against Butler! Come see the players throw fast pitches and slide to home base!

• Price: Free for Students
• Location: Shebek Stadium
• Date and Time: Wednesday, March 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday Night Filmworks: Space Jam | Cardinal Financial Wellness Week

That's all, folks! Celebrate your new grasp on financial wellness with a March Madness-themed twist by watching Space Jam! Free for current students, popcorn and drinks provided, raffle winners announced before film begins.

• Price: Free
• Location: Pruis Hall
• Date and Time: Friday, March 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

CATS

The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year - the night of the Jellicle Ball! One by one, they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

• Price: General Public: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, Faculty/Staff/Students: $15 in advance, $17 at the door
• Location: Emens Auditorium
• Date and Time: March 20-21 at 7:30 p.m., March 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Cardinal Chorus and University Choral Union

The University Choral Union is a large and lively mixed choir comprised of approximately 100 students that performs a variety of literature, from multicultural pieces to show tunes. The Cardinal Chorus is a tenor-bass ensemble. Come see these talented students perform!

• Price: General Public: $8 in advance / $10 at the door, BSU Faculty/Staff/Seniors: $5 in advance / $7 at the door, Students: Free in advance, $5 at the door
• Location: Sursa Performance Hall
• Date and Time: Sunday, March 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The public will soon select potential candidates to represent Delaware County in the Indiana House of Representatives in the May 5 primary election.

RELATED: Preparation for the primary elections: a step-by-step guide on how to vote in Delaware County

Out of the 100 current representatives in the House, Delaware County represents parts of three districts: 33, 34 and 35. Of the three, District 34 comprises the majority of Muncie.

District 34 - Central Delaware County (Muncie)

The seat for District 34 has been left open, following Democratic Incumbent Sue Errington's retirement from office.

Errington was elected in 2012, but previously served on the Indiana Senate from 2006 to 2010. In a Dec. 31 Facebook post, Errington announced she would not return to her seat in the House, endorsing Democratic candidate Sara Gullion in her place.

RELATED: Rep. Sue Errington discusses not running for reelection, reflects on career

Gullion was elected to the Muncie City Council in 2024 and currently represents the 4th District. According to a Dec. 31 Facebook announcement of her campaign, Gullion's key issues are centered on "housing availability, fair wages, accessible healthcare, and strong public schools."

"I work at a law firm. We get a lot of calls from renters who have real issues with safe housing that costs too much, and there's not really that much we can do to help them [at the city level]," Gullion said. "I think renters' rights really hit District 34 hard."

Gullion said she also believes that an increase in minimum wage would be "huge" for Delaware County.

Currently, there are two candidates for the Republican primary in District 34: Randall McCallister and Richard Ivy.

Ivy previously served as the deputy mayor of Muncie, but later became the director of human resources for the Muncie Sanitary District after the city council voted to defund his position as deputy mayor.

According to Ivy's campaign website, his focus includes "strengthening infrastructure, supporting public safety, [and] expanding economic development." Ivy did not respond before the March 9 deadline for an interview.

While McCallister has not previously held public office, he said that housing reform is one of the central issues of his campaign.

McCallister said he believes that the income limits to low-income housing programs cause beneficiaries to remain fixed in low-earning jobs and discourage them from seeking better opportunities.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) website, eligibility for public housing programs is determined based on an applicant's income proportional to the median family income in the applicant's county. In Delaware County, the income limit for a four-person family designated as low income is 80 percent of the median family income, or $59,600.

"I think we should give people the opportunity to better themselves daily and not just say 'This is the limit of income and if you don't apply, you're kicked off of it,'" McCallister said.

He also voiced his disappointment in the current leadership of the Republican Party. He feels that neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party are representing "everyday working class citizens."

"I feel like a lot of them talk a big game, but they're not actually putting it into action. They're more focused on these big corporations coming into town instead of the small business guys," he said.

Incumbent officials

Unlike District 34, the other districts within Delaware County have incumbent officials who are seeking reelection.

J.D. Prescott and Elizabeth Rowray from Districts 33 and 35 are both campaigning for reelection. Both representatives did not respond for an interview before the March 9 deadline.

Prescott has maintained office in the 33rd District since 2018. Most recently, Prescott sponsored SB0076, a bill outlining punishments to local law enforcement entities for not complying with federal immigration enforcement agencies. According to an article from Indiana Capital Chronicle, the bill was signed into law by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun March 5.

Both Prescott and Rowray have also sponsored a concurrent resolution officially commemorating the life of Corporal Blake Reynolds, a former officer in the Delaware County Sheriff's Office who was struck and killed by a vehicle while providing roadside assistance last November.

RELATED: Funeral held for Delaware County Corporal

Prescott and Rowray are running unopposed in their Republican primaries, but both representatives will face opposition from Democratic candidates. In the 33rd District, John E. Bartlett is running as a Democrat against Prescott, while in the 35th, Phil G. Gift will oppose Rowray.

District 33 - West Delaware, Blackford, Jay and Randolph counties

Bartlett was successful in securing the Democratic nomination for the 33rd District in 2022 and 2024, but was trumped in the general election by Prescott both years.

For Bartlett, the central issues affecting the 33rd District are healthcare and education. Bartlett said that Indiana lawmakers need to allow educators in the state to determine curriculum changes.

According to a July 21 Chalkbeat article, the Indiana State Legislature ordered an audit for all k-12 schools to find and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and language promoted by the districts, which triggered cuts to several programs across the state.

Another law, SEA 442, requires any school that intends to teach sex education to publish materials online for review. It also requires those materials to be approved by the school board and that written consent forms be delivered to the parent or guardian of the children enrolled.

"We need to get the politicians out of dictating curriculum and let the teachers and educators decide how to do curriculum for education," Bartlett said.

Bartlett also commented on the cuts to Medicaid that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025. According to an Associated Press article from May 2025, the OBBBA reduced nearly $700 billion in funding to Medicaid, creating new requirements for beneficiaries of the program.

Bartlett said that these cuts to healthcare are harmful in rural areas, such as many areas in District 33. He referenced the closure of emergency and inpatient services at the Blackford County Hospital in 2023.

Bartlett said he believes that hospitals in counties closest to the Ohio border, such as Winchester, Portland and Decatur counties, will follow the same fate when the cuts to Medicaid go into effect.

"Rural healthcare in Indiana is at such a dangerous point right now," Bartlett said.

District 35 - East Delaware and Madison County

Like Bartlett, Phil G. Gift, the Democratic candidate for the 35th district, represents a largely rural voting base in Delaware County. Gift also recognized the need for a change in the education system, as well as economic development.

Gift's focus centered on the Choice Scholarship Program, which, according to the Indiana Department of Education's website, provides Indiana families "access to quality educational opportunities" by awarding scholarships to offset tuition costs. The voucher program offers funds to students enrolled in both public and private schools.

"I'm very serious about making Indiana another beacon on the hill when it comes to education," Gift said. "We need a strong public education system that everyone can have access to."

Citizens in Delaware County can vote in the primary elections May 5.

RELATED: Here are important dates, deadlines to watch out for during the 2026 election year

Nov. 3, citizens will elect three officials to the Indiana House of Representatives who represent the three districts in Delaware County.

Contact Ryan Fleek via email at ryan.fleek@bsu.edu.

For Ball State Women's Basketball, chemistry and togetherness is a key part of the team, but that expands outside of the 13 players on the roster, and into the 10 practice squad players that help the team behind the scenes.

"It's just a cool bond for sure [with the practice players]. We're around each other all day, every day, so it's a lot of being around each other," senior guard Bree Salenbien said. "They're such great guys, to do that voluntarily is special. They're definitely our biggest supporters."

For some of the practice players, this season was the first time they have been able to do something like this, but sophomore LJ Shrieve is currently in his second year as a practice player for the program.

"I'd say this team, throughout the season, has just become closer and closer. You can see it each week and every practice, and the team just continues to build on the relationships that they've established on the court and off the court," Shrieve said.

"They became such a close-knit group, and I wasn't sure if it would be that way with a bunch of new faces and people from new places and all that stuff, and so that's been the biggest difference," Shrieve said.

That is the culture Coach Sallee, and the coaching staff has created. Even with an almost brand-new team, they meshed with not only the other players on the team, but the practice squad as well.

"It went from a team that had been together for years and a core group that had been there and done that to, a team that hardly knew each other and only had a couple weeks [to get comfortable before] preseason started and, they've just become so close and together and you can see that on the court too," Shrieve said.

As they have a bond, both the team and practice players are competitors at the end of the day. So although their matchups are practice scrimmages, that does not hold them back from talking a little trash.

"There are definitely sometimes when it gets [heated]. Towards the beginning of the season, we did some scrimmages and stuff and [there was] definitely a little bit of trash talking, mostly from them. There's not too much now because we haven't done many scrimmages, but yeah, like the beginning of the season, there was for sure," sophomore practice player Seth Montgomery said.

As all of the players appreciate the practice squad's commitment, no one is as thankful for them than Head Coach Brady Sallee.

"It's one of the things that leads to our success through the years, just the dedication of those guys. Their loyalty to those girls and the way they go about it. This year, it's been no different. We've got a great group of core guys that have shown up religiously. We had a guy showing up over spring break, over Christmas break we had some guys stick back and help in any way they could," Sallee said.

This is what culture creates buy-ins from everyone. Most practice players wouldn't think to stay over break instead of going home, but the 10 practice players Ball State have feel that culture and will do anything to help the team.

"In the past, we've had guys that would come in and we'd use them for a little bit of time, and they'd leave and we'd continue on with practice. This year, these guys get here at the beginning of practice, they're passing, they're rebounding, they're doing whatever we need in drills, and clearly going through the other team's stuff. When our players see their loyalty and see that part of it, it's a natural appreciation, and they've become part of the team, they've become a teammate," Sallee said.

As these guys aren't officially on the team, they still show up to more games than anyone else, almost being the teams own hype squad.

"They are at every game, they're the loudest in the stands cheering for those girls. It's really one of the things that I think has been able to help us have the year we have. Those guys really, really do a great job with getting us prepared for who we're getting ready to play. They do it the right way, and just a great group of guys."

Although the trip from Ball State to Rocket arena is about 280 miles, the practice team won't let distance stop them from supporting their squad, as five members are making the trip to Cleveland in freshman Owen Souligne, sophomore Clay Butler, sophomore Cohen Meyers, sophomore Lj Shrieve and sophomore Seth Montgomery.

Shrieve said that all season, the team has been excited to see them up in the stands supporting them. So, when it came time for Cleveland, Shrieve texted their group chat, and nobody had a reason for why they would not go.

"I think it's just that togetherness, that relationship and culture that the coaches have established, that's trickled down all the way to the practice squad," Shrieve said.

Many teams struggle to create chemistry and a culture with each other, but the Cardinals squad is as close knit as can be, even with a roster of entirely new faces compared to last season, and that is something all the practice players appreciate.

"We've built a relationship with the girls on the team and stuff, and it's just really cool to see them on a bigger stage, like playing for something that's important, you know. I mean, it's Bree's last few games and stuff, so that's really cool too. But, I mean, we want to be there to support them," Montgomery said.

The Cardinals fell to Toledo 69-65 in the MAC semifinal game, but the practice squad was still there in support, rooting on the Cardinals.

Contact Rylan Crum with any questions at Rylan.crum@bsu.edu or on X @RylanCrum.

FRANKTON, Ind. - Cami Riedel used to be a teacher, but she wanted to spend more time with her own kids. Looking for a different way of learning, Riedel began assembling sensory kits and baking her own Play-Doh. Before long, other moms in the community began to seek Riedel's methods, turning her ideas into a small business.

"I wanted to connect with other moms. I wanted to have a place where we could get our kids together, and they could play safely and learn together," Riedel said.

Although Riedel wasn't expecting it, she's very happy that she gets to create kits for other children. To assemble her kits, Riedel dyes chickpeas, beans, and rice. She then adds them all to boxes and includes tiny toys for play. Each month, Riedel picks a theme for the boxes. This month, the theme was ice cream. As a stay-at-home mom, Riedel is always busy, but she uses that as inspiration instead of an obstacle.

"I wouldn't say that starting a small business is easy. It's a lot of late nights, working while they're napping, you know, just here and there, but it's definitely worth it. It's been a lot of fun so far," Riedel said.

Riedel says that one of her favorite parts of running her business is that her daughter gets to see her success as well. She also hopes to pave the way for others who may be considering starting their own business. She encourages people to take the leap of faith and do it scared, because the outcome is often very rewarding. If you're interested in one of Riedel's sensory kits, you can learn more about her through her Facebook group, Out of the Box Thinking with Ms. Cami.

Contact Addison Hampshire with comments at addison.hampshire@bsu.edu

When I asked people close to me how they would describe me, I got answers such as faithful, compassionate, independent, determined, adventurous and loving.

This is interesting because when you think of characteristics of those who struggle with mental health, the words that may come to mind are likely different. Many may think of words such as sad, removed, unmotivated and irritable.

There is an unspoken assumption that most people have about mental illness without realizing it. We walk through life assuming that if someone is social, smiling, laughing and showing up, that they must be fine and that mental illness only presents itself outwardly.

In reality, this is purely a myth.

I have been diagnosed with both depression and anxiety, but when people look at me, these are not the things they see. At times, that is a good thing, but other times, it can make me feel even more alone than I already am feeling.

My anxiety started in middle school, and my depression came around my second year of college. I am a perfectionist - someone who wants to be perfect for both myself and for others. That meant I had to learn how to function while hurting, and very few people actually get to see the behind-the-scenes.

I first started having panic attacks in high school. My legs buckle, I cannot talk, my fingernails dig into my palms and my face starts to get tingly and numb. It is terrifying.

Now imagine experiencing that while being yelled at by someone who does not understand what is happening or what you are going through. Imagine that you are curled up on a dorm bathroom floor at 2 a.m., crying out for it to stop, or alone in your bedroom, trying to breathe through it in silence.

In the morning, I wake up and everything hurts. Panic attacks drain your body. For days afterward, my muscles ache, and I can not hold in any of my emotions due to how drained I am.

Still, I let no one see. We are told mental illness is weakness, but surviving it requires so much strength.

My faith has a big role when it comes to my life and my mental health. I have a relationship with the Lord and with others who love Him.

According to a 2012 article published on Wiley Online Library, Christians statistically suffer less from mental health due to an increase of emotions such as happiness, hope, purpose and self-esteem. I have found so much peace through Christ to help me get through my life.

That said, the Church is not perfect. I have had moments in my faith where I felt like I was not good enough because of my mental health challenges. When others turn to faith and give it to God, their mental health struggles seem to go away, which was just not the case for me.

I went years feeling like all I needed to do was pray harder, when, in reality, I was not being truthful to myself or my doctors about how bad it had all gotten.

Once I got to that point, we started exploring medication. Unfortunately, medication is a long road to figuring out exactly what works for your body. I have been on at least four medications in the last six months, trying to find what works for me.

Some of the medications caused me to fall further into depression, whereas others had zero effects, to the point that it felt like I was taking Tic Tacs instead of a prescribed medication.

I so desperately want to find something that works, so I can feel like myself again. I would also love not to have to take pills for the rest of my life just to get through the day.

Mental health is often treated as a choice. Some people still insist it is not real at all. Yet a 2022 article by the National Institute of Mental Health found that roughly 59.3 million adults in the United States experienced some form of mental illness - but only about half received treatment.

That is millions of people quietly fighting daily battles most of the world never sees.

You can not always see what a person is going through. In 2025, toward the end of the year, I fell into a really vulnerable episode. I had to become very open with the people in my life to make sure that I was safe.

I lost 15 pounds in the span of two weeks due to a loss of appetite; it was hard to get out of bed in the morning, I was falling behind in school and was struggling with suicidal ideation. But on the outside, I was going to class, hanging out with friends, looking put together and doing my normal routine.

On the inside, I was breaking.

Mental health is not something you can just snap out of. Believe me, I have tried. Anxiety and depression take over. Every thought that comes into my head spirals and sticks around for hours and sometimes even days. There have been times when I literally can not get out of bed because of how big a task it feels, and when I do, it takes hours just to find the willpower to get dressed and brush my hair.

For a while, I thought these feelings were normal. I thought, "Doesn't everyone overthink things like this?" "I must just be tired because I am not sleeping enough." "I must not be crying because my emotions have matured."

I have learned over this past year that you do not always know you are mentally ill or the cause of why you may be. It took me two years of not feeling my emotions the way I normally did and of being constantly tired. This took around three different therapists to figure out that I had been in a state of high-functioning depression.

That is, unfortunately, the life of someone who is independent and strong in the presence of mental illness.

Losing yourself during a battle with mental illnesses is one of the scariest parts of it all. It happens without you really noticing.

I have lost my laughter, joy, energy, passion and so much more throughout the years with anxiety and depression. For a while, I would listen to music just so I could feel something, but now that hardly even works anymore.

I started to doubt my reality, my worth and truly lost who I was. The person that people know now is not the full version of myself, and I hate it. I am now in a state of fighting to unbury myself from what mental illness has taken from me.

Mental illness is something that anyone could be dealing with. Those close to you could be struggling without you even noticing.

If there is one thing you take away from my story and experience, go and check on your friends, family, or even just the person always smiling in class, even if they seem okay.

It could be the one thing that makes them feel seen and gets them through the week.

Contact Isabella Kemper via email at isabella.kemper@bsu.edu.

Presented by the vice chair of the Service for Veterans Prisoners of War (POW) Committee, Patti Moy, the event told the stories of war prisoners throughout U.S. history, from the American Revolution, the American Civil War, to the World Wars. She focused on how both German and Italian prisoners of war (POWs) worked in Indiana's agricultural and canning industries during World War II.

Moy believes that with the state's deep connections to the manufacturing and agricultural industries, each Hoosier is part of this pinpoint of history and has a story to tell.

"It's part of our Hoosier history," Moy said. "We have a lot of individuals who came from the smaller communities who had family stories and local history of these individuals."

Moy highlights how these POWs, despite being from the enemy side, were treated well inside the state. She notes these international treatment laws came from conventions like the Geneva Convention.

"You had all those rules, the Geneva Convention and everything," Moy said, "and we were hoping that our members overseas were treated the same here."

But one problem this time in history faces is that those in the present forget these stories exist. This stems from what Moy describes as adults being unable to make connections.

"Individuals in the community, they don't make that connection of where your food and everything is supposed to be coming from," Moy said. "And so it's a surprise when they found out that, 'Oh, our men went off to war, so somebody had to do the work there to keep everybody fed.'"

Through these stories, Moy hopes people never forget the impact these prisoners had on Indiana's history, even if it takes cans of beans and fields of corn.

Contact Evan Shotts with comments at evan.shotts@bsu.edu.

Sam Jasionowski sits down to chat about the 2026 film and music awards season

Hosted by: Ian Case, Sam Jasionowski

Edited by: Ian Case

Graphic by: Ian Case

The department monitors crime statistics from previous years to identify patterns and adjust safety strategies. Reviewing past reports helps the department determine where to increase patrols, improve lighting, or offer additional surveillance to prevent incidents before they occur.

"When we track those crimes, we see trends, problem areas, certain times of day, it allows us to be able to allocate our resources to those areas," said Matt Gaither, Ball State University police captain.

Offering multiple ways for students to reach out, including confidential reporting through the Silent Witness System. They also work with the Office of Victim Services, making sure victims are comfortable and their voices are being heard. These options allow students to come forward with concerns while feeling supported.

In addition to reporting options, police work with other campus offices to provide services designed to help students in everyday situations. The Motorist Assistance Program offers free help for vehicle issues on campus. While the Office of Student Conduct works with university police to better inform students about safety and responsibility.

The department also builds trust with the campus community. With events like lunch with a cop, the Citizen Police Academy, bike registration and free self-defense classes. This gives students and the community a chance to meet officers and learn more about why the university police handles situations the way they do. The University Police Department holds up to many standards that other departments do not meet.

"We have our officers in hundreds of hours of training a year, that isn't required. Our officers are currently on the best training and practices. We are a fully accredited police department," Captain Gatiher said.

These programs and the level of education help students feel comfortable reaching out about sensitive topics. Whether students need assistance, to report a concern or simply have questions about safety on campus.

"We want to make sure that they have that comfort level of reporting what they need to report, asking the questions they need to ask, and getting the answers and resolutions that they need to make them feel like they are comfortable knowing we are taking care of the problem," Captain Gaither stated.

Staying informed about available resources and understanding how the department works can help students and the community feel more confident as they go about their daily routines. Anyone who needs help or wants to report a concern is encouraged to contact university police or use the support services. Reach the Ball State Police Department directly at 765-285-1111.

Contact Rayanna Goble with comments at rayanna.goble@bsu.edu.

The Muncie-based acrylic pour artist spends his days filling blank white canvases with layers of primary colors and metallic accents, splattering enough paint that even his once-neutral dining room curtains are considered works of art.

But his days were not always saturated with sunshine and the colors of the rainbow. One day, in particular, changed his life forever. After the fact, Brammer was narrowly consumed by the muted undertones of depression.

April 4, 2020

Brammer was driving on Interstate 69, halfway between Muncie and Fort Wayne, Indiana, when his car flipped five times in an automobile accident along the interstate. He sustained a "multitude" of injuries: a collapsed lung, a broken sternum, a broken scapula, three broken ribs, a "completely bruised up face," and, "most notably," a T6 incomplete spinal burst fracture.

The spinal cord injury at the T6 vertebrae, about halfway down his abdomen, rendered Branner paralyzed. As a result of the incomplete fracture, he still maintains "preserved motor function" in his lower body but is unable to bear weight on it.

Today, almost six years to the day since the accident, Brammer reflected.

"This accident was extremely life-altering for me in a multitude of ways. I barely survived. I have my hands; I have my head. That's stuff that I am very grateful for, and that I should not even probably have in the first place," he said.

However, he did not always feel so lucky. Alongside his art skills, gratitude took time to develop - and was far less tangible.

The first 365 days

"The first year [post-accident], I was nowhere near as optimistic as I am now," Brammer said. "I was not doing much of anything, really. I was just grieving…and grievance in itself doesn't have a set time period…Everyone heals and makes their milestones of grievance at their own pace."

His mother, Candace Brammer, said that as the middle child of the family, Austin fit the stereotype.

"When he was young, he was a strong-willed child, and I remember saying multiple times, 'This obstin[acy] is going to come in handy someday. I don't know how. I don't know what [for] - it's probably going to be for a job - but it's going to serve you well at some point.'"

After the accident, she said she could not bear to witness the depressive personality shift in her youngest, once highly independent, son.

"It was so hard as a mom," she said. "There's so much more to being paralyzed than just being in a wheelchair, and I had never really thought about that too much."

What made it especially hard, Candace said, was the timing of it all. The date of Austin's car accident, April 4, 2020, was less than one month after the United States government declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency and enforced lockdown restrictions in March 2020, according to The National Conference of State Legislatures.

Per quarantine protocol, loved ones and visitors were not permitted into hospitals. This meant that Austin went through the earliest stages of his recovery process alone.

Austin's older brother, Chase Brammer, said he does not remember a lot from the accident itself, having "blacked out the immense stress and pain of the whole thing," but the bits and pieces he does remember "ranks in the top two worst days of my life."

Growing up just two years apart from one another, the brothers had a close bond. They shared similar engineering hobbies, music tastes and even slept in bunk beds as children, which made the space between them post-accident all the more devastating for Chase.

"I was frustrated, personally, because I thought that the quality of care and the ability to communicate [within hospital networks] was as good as it was going to get, but it was not as high as I think it would have been if it wasn't during COVID," he said.

Switching between Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne and Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI) in Indianapolis, Chase, Candace and the rest of Austin's immediate family FaceTimed as often as they could, cheering him on through various therapy appointments.

But even through the computer screens, Candace's motherly intuition told her that although Austin's physical pain had been heavily numbed through medication on account of his "plenty" injuries, his anger - over circumstances far beyond his control - remained inconsolable.

By the time Austin was discharged from the hospital and returned to his childhood home in Muncie to live with his parents, they shared his sense of helplessness.

"We were just kind of thrown into 'What do we do now?' and 'How do we help you?'" Candace remembered.

These were questions none of the Brammers had answers to - but Candace looked inward to find them. The Ball State early childhood education alumna had worked as a preschool teacher in the years prior to that. After Austin's accident, Candace quit her job, but her nurturing character held strong as she became his primary caregiver, a role she held for three years before returning to the workforce.

During this time, the mother and son formed an ironclad bond.

"We cried together…We both had a lot of anxiety about all the newness, trying to find a new way through the world and [how] to function, but honestly, it's been really great," Candace said. "We definitely got a lot closer than we ever had been, because I don't think we were as close as I was with my other kids."

Art as therapy

Austin was 24 at the time of his accident. At that age, "He was big into independence, social life and experiencing the world the way young, 20-year-olds do," Candace said.

That all changed in the blink of an eye, at about 60 mph.

Upon moving back into his childhood home, Austin became nearly comatose under a mixed cocktail of grief, anger and depression. Watching in real time as those emotions took over her son, Candace knew the pair could not spend their days sitting idly by.

"We have to find something to do," she said, beginning her activity search.

As a child herself, Candace enjoyed crafting and making pencil sketches with her best friend in the early 80s, but "was never good at it," she said. "That was me as a kid; the end results were never good, but the process was fun."

Then came Austin's 25th birthday. He still fondly remembers the day his parents gifted him his first, premixed, acrylic fluid art set.

"My mom said, 'Austin, you're gonna do this with me, because I want to do it, and I want you to do it with me too,'" he said, reciting his mother's matter-of-fact tone in the moment.

Austin described feeling "liberated" after creating his first painting. For him, the artistic craft was far more than just "something to do," as Candace had initially set out to find.

Instead, acrylic pour art was "something I could do again," Austin said. "It was something that was not a spinal cord injury. It was something that wasn't the loss that I was dealt."

Over the last half-decade, Austin has regained his independence. While Candace said Austin "doesn't need much help anymore," she was happy to step in when he needed it and cultivate his craft.

"I feel very happy that I was able to help him. That's extremely gratifying, because of how hard [recovery] was and how much [a parent] wants [their] child - even though [Austin] was grown - to enjoy life, so it's great to watch his [creative] process and how it's affected him," she said.

'Going all in'

For about two years after receiving the art set, Austin said he did acrylic fluid art for fun. It was his close friends and family who helped turn his creations into cash flow.

His grandmother's sister was the first person to ask for a commissioned piece in late 2023. Austin said he was hesitant to take up the request at first because "the art itself is very, very abstract, and it's very hard to necessarily replicate certain pieces or certain images, and it's very, very difficult to have a lot of control over. There's always an aspect of randomness to this," he said.

Nevertheless, Austin completed the commission and remembers the customer testimonial he received afterward.

"Austin, if you don't do something with this, I feel like you're wasting a really, really, really good talent and a really good story," he recalled his grandmother's sister telling him.

The positive, motivating feedback, coupled with the end of the 2023 calendar year - a time for new year's resolutions - posed Austin with a decision to make.

"I was determining whether or not I was going to decide to actually go all in and try to become a vendor at certain markets and events for my artwork and have my own little side gig - or if I was going to get an administrator certification in Salesforce… You can kind of tell which direction I ended up going," he laughed.

In March 2024, Austin applied to be a vendor at Minnetrista Museums & Gardens weekly farmers markets and was later accepted.

"I love the Minnetrista. It's a super accessible market, and I love that about it," he said.

Through the years, as he has returned to the Minnetrista farmers markets and similar events like First Thursday boardwalks in downtown Muncie, "I just realized, 'There's something to be made here,' whether it be money, a defining experience for people, [or] a powerful story," Austin said.

His wheelchair, now an ingrained part of his story, has afforded him opportunities to connect with other disabled individuals - opportunities he recognizes he may not have if not for his car accident.

"There was a wonderful time," Austin recalled, "where I met a family with a little girl who had spina bifida, so she was in an Ultralight wheelchair, akin to what I use."

The family, as Austin's anecdote went, was visiting from the Wisconsin area en route to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The family's daughter had done well in school and was heavily invested in art, so they made a pit stop to see the Bob Ross exhibit in Muncie, where they met up with Austin at a First Thursday event.

"I'll do a lot of special stuff for kids if they're interested in art, because I think it's really important for kids to get into artwork…to encourage them to explore different mediums of expression," he said.

Austin let the family's daughter pick out a 3" by 3" easel painting to take home with her. In moments like those rooted in connection, "It's not really so much about making a quick 10 bucks, or however much I sell [paintings] for. It's about giving [customers] a memory," he said.

'Beauty in the absurd'

As the years have passed, Chase said his brother's sense of creativity is nothing new. "[Austin's] always been a creative person. I don't think he's had a medium to express it until this," he said.

Austin said what draws him specifically to the acrylic pour medium is its abstract nature that reminds him of "the beauty of the absurd," a strong parallel to the fact that he likely would never have discovered his artistic talent without his 2020 wreckage.

Although the car accident inevitably forced him to rethink and adjust, Candace said her son is still the same boy she has known and loved since his birth.

"He's so kind and empathetic, and he was that way all his life. He was that way before his accident; the accident didn't make him that way," she said.

Austin shared similar thoughts about his evolution post-accident. To him, it was not so much a change in character as having to "overcome and adapt," a standard of human existence.

"The long story short of it all is I suffered a very traumatic and tragic thing. It could always be worse, and I acknowledge that. But just like anybody else when they suffer a traumatic thing, we find ways to cope with it, and we find ways to overcome and adapt," he said. "[Acrylic pour painting] was my first step in the direction of finding something that I can do again. It made me feel alive, and it put a smile back on my face that I hadn't really had in a long time. I really do owe a lot of it to my mom, because she was pretty stubborn about it."

Today, Austin's creativity has earned him recent titles, including RoHo's Martini Bar in Muncie's February Artist of the Month and Savage's Ale House's current March Artist of the Month. Those interested in seeing his art or hearing his story firsthand can visit Austin at Minnetrista's Saturday farmers markets or First Thursday events in downtown Muncie, both of which he is a frequent vendor at.

Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.

The Indiana Attorney General's Office, representing Secretary of State Diego Morales and other state defendants, asked Indiana's Southern District Court on Friday to deny a preliminary injunction sought by student and voting rights groups challenging the policy.

The plaintiffs - Count Us IN, Women4Change Indiana and Indiana University student Josh Montagne -are trying to halt enforcementof a 2025 law that explicitly bars student college IDs from being used as voter identification at the polls.

AFebruary requestby the plaintiffs for a preliminary injunction is still pending. A status conference in the case is scheduled for June 9, but a ruling is likely to come before the upcoming May primary.

The state has argued that concerns about voter fraud, as well as the variety of student IDs, justify the ban. Their most recent filing maintains that the challengers have not shown the law violates the U.S. Constitution or that they will suffer irreparable harm before the case is resolved.

Full ICC story with document imbedded

"SB 10 does not burden the right to vote," state attorneys wrote in a new 43-page memorandum opposing the injunction. They argued that any burden created by the change is "minimal," adding that only a small number of voters who previously relied on student IDs would be affected.

The underlying lawsuit was filed in May 2025 after Indiana lawmakers amended the state's voter ID statute to explicitly exclude identification issued by educational institutions.

For years before that change, student IDs issued by several public universities could be used at polling places if they met state requirements. Those earlier rules allowed student IDs to be used if they included the prospective voter's name, photo and a valid expiration date.

Voting rights advocates argue that eliminating student IDs disproportionately affects younger voters, who are less likely to possess driver's licenses or other forms of identification.

In October,a federal judge rejectedthe state's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the constitutional claims to move forward.

Dispute over burden on voters

The plaintiffs argue the law - enacted last year asSenate Enrolled Act 10 - targets students and young voters by eliminating one of the "most accessible" forms of identification they commonly use.

They contend the change violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which prohibits voting discrimination based on age.

Their February motion asked the court to temporarily block enforcement of the ban before the May 2026 primary election.

State lawyers, however, countered that the requirement to present other forms of identification is not a "meaningful" barrier.

"Obtaining valid voter ID is not a severe burden on the right to vote," the state argued in the filing, noting that Indiana voters can use multiple forms of identification that satisfy the law's requirements, including an Indiana driver's license, a state identification card issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a U.S. passport or passport card, or certain other government-issued photo IDs that meet state criteria.

State attorneys added that voters who lack ID can receive one "at no cost," and that the state also provides a provisional ballot process for voters who appear at the polls without identification. Those voters would have to latervisit the county election office to verify their identity.

"It is voter motivation, not the need to obtain a photo ID, that is the decisive factor in voter participation," lawyers for the Indiana Attorney General's Office said.

The state also disputes the claim that the law targets students or younger voters.

"SB 10 does not increase the burden on the right to vote, nor does it target students or young people," attorneys wrote.

The attorney general's office argued that voter participation is driven more by "motivation," rather than administrative barriers like identification requirements.

"It is voter motivation, not the need to obtain a photo ID, that is the decisive factor in voter participation," the state wrote, citing decades of academic research on voting reforms that found "negligible effects on turnout."

Attorneys pointed to testimonies from the student plaintiffs, arguing that neither of the two Indiana University students deposed in the case had taken steps to obtain a driver's license or state ID.

"For both students, the obstacle is not time, money, or lack of access to documents," the filing said. "They simply don't want to be responsible for keeping their identifying documents secure."

State cites election administration interests

Indiana officials also defended the change as a policy decision intended to address concerns about the consistency and reliability of student identification cards.

They argued that state lawmakers had legitimate reasons for excluding student IDs from the list of acceptable voter identification.

"Student identification cards are not issued under any statewide election or motor vehicle legal standard, do not require proof of citizenship, lawful presence, or Indiana residency, and vary significantly by institution in format, security features, and issuance procedures," the filing said.

Indiana's voter ID law, though, is meant only to verify identification.

According to the state, the law advances several interests, including improving "uniformity" in acceptable voter IDs and simplifying election administration.

Attorneys also said the plaintiffs' claims that the law was designed to "suppress" student voting are unsupported.

The state further argued that courts should be cautious about altering election rules close to an election - invoking the so-called "Purcell principle," a2006 U.S. Supreme Court doctrinewhich warns against late judicial changes to voting procedures that could confuse voters and election officials.

State lawyers also questioned whether the organizations bringing the lawsuit have the legal standing required to pursue the claims. They argued the groups have not demonstrated that anyone they serve will be unable to vote because of the law.

The attorney general's office contends, too, the sweeping relief requested by the plaintiffs - a statewide order preventing enforcement of the law - would be improper.

Their filing argues that the groups "have not identified a single person who lacks another form of ID or will be unable to obtain another form of ID" because of the law.

Pending further action from the court, a full trial in the case is scheduled for January 2027.

The outages are due to high wind speeds, with wind gusts up to 50 to 60 miles an hour, said Indiana Michigan Power Communications Specialist Senior, Michael Bianski. He said the biggest issue the county has been facing is tree limbs falling due to the high wind speeds, causing them to fall onto power lines.

"The ground is pretty wet still, so it's a little softer, and when that wind picks up, it's easier to uproot those larger trees," Bianski said.

Currently, he said that it is "not safe" for Indiana Michigan Power to have its crew try to fix any outages, since wind speeds are above 30 miles per hour.

"When wind gets up this high, if we put those bucket [trucks] up, it can actually tip the trucks over," he said.

Bianski said their crew is assessing damage and are "making note" of what materials are needed for each job site. He said in the next few hours the wind speed should decrease, allowing for the crew to "hit the ground running at full speed."

For all down wrires, Bianski said all should be reported to Indiana Michigan Power by calling 800-311-4634, or by calling the local police department.

"If you see any, please repeort them, and don't try to move them yourself," he said.

This story will be updated with more information as it comes available.

Contact the Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

The Cardinals controlled everything early. After a start to the game where neither team could find the bottom of the net, Ball State saw themselves take a ten-point lead. But in the last few minutes of the first half, everything changed.

The Cardinals saw themselves have a deficit going into halftime.

What once was a 29-19 lead evaporated in the span of five minutes as the Cardinals could only watch as Toledo went on an 11-0 run to end the half. The only lead that Ball State had in the rest of the game was 35-34. After that, the Cardinals never led.

The Cardinals fell to Toledo 69-65, eliminating them from the MAC tournament.

"We had the year that we knew we were good enough, and we are good enough to be the last team standing up here," Head Coach Brady Sallee said. "We just weren't today."

Junior guard Karsyn Norman said it is a "good question" as to why the Cardinals were not able to get over the hump after Toledo went on their big run. But every time the Rockets looked like they were pulling away, the Cardinals fought back to stay in the game.

"I think we came back every time," Norman said. "It's not like they were ever blowing us out, we were right there, we were still fighting."

The last time the Cardinals saw the game tied was at 53 points. After that, it was a game of catch up, and when the Cardinals had two chances down 65-63 late, they failed to convert on the offensive end.

Ball State's 65 points was only the seventh time this season that the team has failed to score more than 65.

"Some of the shots we normally make weren't really going in today," senior forward Bree Salenbien said. "[I] wish we could have that one back."

Toledo only allowed sophomore guard Grace Kingery to hit one three on the game. Sallee said the Rockets' efforts to drive Kingery off the three-point line opened up the post play, but the head coach said the team just could not seem to convert.

"We just missed shots," Sallee said. "And I hate it for them because we've been a shot-making team all year."

Sallee said that he did not know if the first two matchups between the team were "rock fights" as he described this matchup to be. The head coach said it seemed like there was a lot that did not go the Cardinals' way, which allowed Toledo to ultimately win the semifinal game.

"You scratch your head and you're like 'why us'," Sallee said. "But it's sport, it's the beauty about what this time of year is."

Despite the Cardinals' offensive woes, Salenbien had no issues scoring the basketball. The forward had a career high 34 points on 13-20 shooting from the field and four threes.

"[Salenbien] was unbelievable today, we rode her," Sallee said.

But on Toledo's sideline, the Rockets had a player that the Cardinals could not stop. Senior guard Patricia Anumgba scored 29 points and continuously threw a gut punch every time the Cardinals tried to gain momentum.

"[Anumgba] was really good today and made some big-time buckets for them," Sallee said.

The Cardinals went into this tournament with high hopes of coming away as champions after sharing the MAC regular season title with Miami (OH). But things just did not go the Cardinals way against Toledo, and the team's hopes came up just short.

"As gutted as we are, man I love this basketball team," Sallee said.

Coming into the season, not many people expected Ball State to be in the same position as last year's championship team. There were so many new faces on the team, and there were huge shoes to fill.

But the Cardinals still found a way to finish the year with a 26-7 overall record and go 16-2 in the MAC.

"To do what we did, not a lot of people do that," Salenbien said.

Sallee said that entering this season, everyone wanted to call this year's team a "rebuild." But the head coach said that was never the plan.

"I wouldn't hear it," Sallee said. "I knew who we had in our locker room, I knew the talent, I knew the job ahead of us and I knew we were capable."

The head coach said that when the team expects to win and expects to be in the position to win a championship, it comes with a "really brokenhearted locker room."

Even in the midst of the broken heartedness the team may have, Norman and the rest of the team has still managed to keep their spirits high.

"We have a great group of girls, and we just bonded and did what nobody else thought we would," Norman said. "It might not have ended the way we wanted it to, but I can say we'll be back next year."

The Cardinals will have the opportunity to return a lot of talent next season. But there is one player that has to leave, as her collegiate eligibility is up after this season: Bree Salenbien.

Salenbien said that the Lord has blessed her by putting her in the position that she is today. But Sallee said that the forward has "blessed us 20 times over."

Although Salenbien cannot be on the team next season, she still has high hopes for the program moving forward.

"I'm just excited for their future, they got some big things coming for them," Salenbien said. "It sucks right now, but they've got a lot ahead of them."

The Cardinals season might not completely be over, as the opportunity to play in the WNIT (Women's National Invitation Tournament) is still there, as hopes of making the NCAA tournament are slim to none.

Norman said if the team still has basketball left to play, they will have to "flip the script and keep going."

"It's been a heck of a year, I think we got some more basketball in front of us, I hope we do," Sallee said.

Before exiting the press conference, Salenbien's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Sallee.

"I'm just so grateful for Coach [Sallee] right here," Salenbien said. "It's amazing what he's done for this program and what he'll continue to do."

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Today: For today, a high wind warning remains in effect until 8:00 tonight. Continue to watch for possible downed trees or power outages. Use caution when driving especially on open roads. Pleasant temperatures and clear skies will be present throughout the afternoon into evening however.

Tonight: Expect a few passing clouds earlier this evening to become more widespread into morning hours. The vicious winds will slacken off towards midnight. Temps will decline below the freezing mark.

Tomorrow: Saturday will hold rather cloudy skies and chilly temperatures albeit climbing later into the late afternoon. A random stray sprinkle is possible. Winds will remain calmer. Make sure to stay weather aware as this lull will be followed by severe weather into Sunday.

Seven-Day Forecast: This coming weekend and following week will contain rather mischievous weather. Sunday will be warm but dangerous severe thunderstorms are expected late going into Monday. Damaging winds are the main threat and ever changing conditions could enhance the risk. Watch for snow to follow this and very cold temperatures. St. Patrick's Day will be rather cold this year with morning wind chills nearing zero degrees. Only late in the week will more balanced weather return.

- Weather Forecaster Edward Hill

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

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As Ball State has beaten Toledo twice this season, they couldn't get it done a third time as they're eliminated from the MAC Tournament after a 69-65 loss.

Here are three takeaways from today's game.

Defense

The Cardinals started out having a solid day on the opposite side of the ball but ended up wearing down in the second half. Ball State finished with a lackluster defensive performance as they only had five steals, but a decent number of blocks with four. Along with getting beat in the steals category, the Cardinals also finished with 15 total turnovers to Toledo's 13.

Freshman Aniss Tagayi continued her solid defensive play with six rebounds and a steal, Ball State's best all-around defensive performance in this game.

Improvements from Karsyn Norman

Last game out against Bowling Green, junior Karsyn Norman ran into shooting struggles as she shot 9% from the field, with her only basket being a three pointer in the third quarter. Besides the lackluster shooting from the field, Norman was able to go 75% from the free throw line.

Her shooting was not on brand for her as she has averaged 9.3 points per game and 35% from the field.

Norman found her footing in the Semi Final matchup as she shot 45% from the field and a good 50% three.

Struggles from Tessa Towers

Last game out against Bowling Green certainly wasn't senior Tessa Towers' best performance, but it was serviceable as she had seven points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Fast forward to two days later against Toledo and things were a little different. Towers got into foul trouble early, recording three fouls near the halfway point of the third quarter. Because of this, she missed seven minutes of the third quarter. Towers ended up finishing the game with four total fouls.

Shooting wise, Towers shot 15% from the field, making it her worst field goal percentage on the season since she went 30% from the field in an early season matchup against Memphis.

Towers also recorded four turnovers, but one bright spot was her rebounding, as she brought in a total of 11 rebounds.

Contact Rylan Crum with any questions at Rylan.crum@bsu.edu on X @RylanCrum

In April of 2025, Amos' father had died, and to Amos, it became the hardest and best year of her life. After his death, her perception of life and her business had changed, and it has deepened her passion. To Amos, this was something that she didn't know could happen after the death of a parent.

"I just think I see things a little bit differently than what I did before. And I just think to myself, he would want me to continue to do what I'm doing and get better and be the best and just work hard, and that's what I'm doing," Amos said.

While Amos has grown as a person, so has her business. Family members have been able to see the growth, but so has the community. The keepsake boxes have helped others who have gone through the same thing that Amos has. Creating these boxes has created and brought a community together full of Amos' new and returning customers.

"You know, she can give boxes to people that you know may be having a hard time, and she can just bring a little slice of joy in their life, because that really goes a long way." said Alec Upchurch, Amos' son.

The keepsake boxes are able to capture the memories of loved ones. Amos is able to put preserved flowers in the boxes to make them more personable. Since the start of her journey, Amos has been able to find new perspectives on her business and wants to remind others that there are other people out there who have gone through the same thing.

"There is beauty in the world right here in Muncie, Indiana, and maybe it'll inspire them to follow what they're meant to, follow their path or discover their passion, or whatever that is," Amos said.

Contact Ava Lens with questions at ava.lens@bsu.edu.

Growing up in Muncie with six siblings, Gindhart Dragoo attended St. Mary's Catholic School where the nuns recognized her artistic talent almost immediately. She would be "cranking out" greeting cards after she was done with her schoolwork which they would then sell out at bingo night.

Her great-grandfather was the cofounder of the Indiana School of Art which is now the Herron School of Art and Design. Her siblings are now all artists, musicians and photographers, adding to the proof that she was born to be in the arts.

"My mother made things out of things," Gindhart Dragoo said.

Living in multiple places, such as California, Arizona and Bloomington, Indiana, the saying, "the White River calls you back," worked out to be true for Gindhart Dragoo. The arts center needed her to work on grants and help raise money in 2000.

Her "Green Glam" is what she calls her upcycled jewelry, taking metal and art glass to create wearable items again.

"My spirit animal is a crow because all shiny things come to these eyes," Gindhart Dragoo said.

While she faces almost no challenges with repurposing any thrifted jewelry, her motto seems to be true: "Debra has never met a piece of crap she couldn't turn into something beautiful."

On top of creating, Gindhart Dragoo is celebrating 25 years of her First Thursday event at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. This aims to support and celebrate local artists, especially younger creators, while giving the chance for local venues and galleries to showcase what they have to offer.

"It's just helping other artists, you know, put their work and creative talents out to our community," Gindhart Dragoo said.

She also frequents the Morrison Woods Health Campus to bring materials and new ideas to the residents who live there. Recently bringing more spring themed materials, it gives them a chance to create with their peers.

Gindhart Dragoo is grateful to be back in Muncie and with the local art community. To learn more about what she has to offer at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts, visit cornerstoneart.org.

Contact Arlene Thompson with comments at arlene.thompson@bsu.edu.