Message from the Indiana Department of Transportation

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Boos will sign a one-year extension

Women's volleyball coach Dave Boos pleased to be back at Ball State for the 2010 season.

Animal homes sought by closing Muncie shelter

Homes are being sought for dozens of pets as Muncie officials prepare to close the city's animal shelter at year's end.Mayor Sharon McShurley decided to close the shelter after City Council budget cuts for next year that she says would leave it understaffed. McShurley says she hopes that none of the shelter's 75 animals will need to be euthanized.

SCENE SELECTION: Classic Christmas movies a must for holiday season

This reviewer is only human just like the rest of campus, meaning I had to undertake final projects and other productions over the weekend. Thus, I was unable to get out to theaters this weekend. Fear not, though, I still am offering bits of criticism on what to check out and see this Winter Break, once finals begin winding down.

OUR VIEW: Snowy days

In eight days, this semester will be finished, terminado, fini, beendet. For most, it'll be done earlier. The problem is, for the majority of our classes, events in these next eight days are going to determine 25 percent or more of our grades. What may have been a good grade for 16 weeks can be ruined by one bad test or project.

BASEBALL: Notre Dame left fielder headed to the NFL

University officials will determine tuition increase after commision meeting

Ball State university officials are leery to comment on how the funding cuts for Indiana state universities will potentially affect next year's tuition.Director of Communications Kevin Burke said the university should have a better understanding of how the funding cuts could affect tuition after the Higher Education Commission's meeting Friday at IUPUI.

Creative meals fill community needs

For a while the Harvest Soup Kitchen primarily served soup, and people weren't using the available community resources well enough to adequately feed people walking through the lines, said Lois Altman, Ball State University professor and director of the Hospitality Food Management Program.So since 2006 she saw the potential to do more: she's come to lead a group of volunteers she calls the "Friday crew" to make the best of what's donated and available in the kitchen. On one recent Friday the crew prepared baked squash, corn bread and chicken with wild rice.

ECLECTIC INQUIRIES: BSU should cover McKinley sidewalks

With the new snow came the proof of a great concern of mine: it is cold. It has been cold recently, but the snow signifies that this will not likely change for some time. For someone who walks two miles round trip to campus, the weather is very important.

BSU Polizeihund ... It's German for Police Dog

Dogs have become a vital part of America's law enforcement. Police dogs now do what officer's can't: sneaking into tiny, hidden spaces to sniff out scents that officers can't easily detect.The University Police Department has two such dogs. One of them is Tara, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She spent two years of her life training to be a police dog.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State leads host Indiana State 31-23 at halftime

Leading the way for the Cardinals (2-3) is sophomore center Jarrod Jones with 10 points.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State trails/leads host Indiana State XX-XX at halftime

 Leading the way for the Cardinals (2-3) is ... . Xxx.

Shuttle service to Indy airport available

Shuttle services are available for students to and from the Indianapolis International Airport at the beginning and end of Winter Break.These services are available Dec. 17, 18 and 19 and again Jan. 10.

'Bold' is ahead of schedule in fundraising goal

Ball State University's "Ball State Bold: Investing in the Future" campaign to raise $200 million by 2011 has raised 92 percent of its goal.Ben Hancock, vice president for university advancement, said Ball State Bold has received $183,876,189 as of Monday.

Facilitites staff work through winter break

Students will be able to go home and relax for three weeks, but for the Ball State University facilities staff, Winter Break does not change their duties.Jim Lowe, director of engineering and operations said this year staff will have Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1 off. Other than that, they will be working normal schedules, he said.

University officials will determine tuition increase after commission meeting

Ball State university officials are leery to comment on how the funding cuts for Indiana state universities will potentially affect next year's tuition.Director of Communications Kevin Burke said the university should have a better understanding of how the funding cuts could affect tuition after the Higher Education Commission's meeting Friday at IUPUI.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State travels to Indiana State hoping to limit fouls

Ball State will travel to Indiana State on Wednesday. The Sycamores shoot 76.7 percent from the line, 17th best in the nation.

OUR VIEW: Curbing crime

We've had the third reported (second real) robbery of the semester on Ball State University's campus Monday night. The second one equals the number of reported robberies on campus for the four semesters of 2007 and 2008, according to Ball State's 2008 Campus Crime Statistics.

FROM THE HOOD: Tips for pulling a successful all-nighter

In eight days, this semester will be finished, terminado, fini, beendet. For most, it'll be done earlier. The problem is, for the majority of our classes, events in these next eight days are going to determine 25 percent or more of our grades. What may have been a good grade for 16 weeks can be ruined by one bad test or project.

DNTV: Episode 8