DN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016
FOURTH OF JULY:
THE DAILY NEWS
BALLSTATEDAILY.COM
Former BSU professor arrested for child porn A former Ball State University professor of Information and Communication Sciences, Robert Yadon, has been arrested for possession of child pornography — making this the third arrest of a university employee in less than three months for similar charges. Yadon, also serving as the director of the Applied Research Institute, was barred from campus on June 21 and arrested on June 27 by the University Police Department, according to a press release. The arrest of the professor came upon conclusion of an investigation done by UPD along with the Indiana State Police Cyber Crime Unit, which was brought on after a routine security scan found unusual activity, said university spokesperson Joan Todd. “The university has in place strong security measures to protect the integrity of our technology system, which include routinely scanning the use of information systems,” UPD Chief Jim Duckham said in the press release. “When traffic patterns suggest that information security, integrity or performance has been compromised, we investigate. These enhanced measures enabled us to discover and further examine the conduct in all three of these matters.” Ball State does not currently use any technology to block certain content, like pornography, online, but instead has in place a policy governing the use of the internet that prohibits criminal activity, the press release said. However, if the university finds “additional measures are warranted,” then changes to prevent future cases like these might occur. While the two previous arrests, one May 13 and one April 13, are similar, authorities in the investigation currently have no information that suggests these three cases of possession of child pornography are related to each other.
lit
IT’LL BE
DN PHOTO SAMANTHA BRAMMER
FIREWORK LAWS
WHY FIREWORKS?
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Fourth of July tradition dates back to nation’s 1st anniversary REBECCA KIZER NEWS EDITOR | news@bsudailynews.com
Though Indiana has lenient rules, keep these in mind this weekend REBECCA KIZER NEWS EDITOR | news@bsudailynews.com
he Declaration of Independence, unanimously declared by the thirteen colonies, was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776 — something every American citizen should probably know. Because of this, every year on July 4, there are celebrations. Today, it’s with barbecues, family get-togethers and, most notably, fireworks. But what was it like in 1777, the first anniversary of the signing? It was pretty much the same.
ndiana is one of the most lenient states when it comes to fireworks. At every state border and off of major interstate exits, large firework stores sit year-round and pop up in the summer due to the state’s laws. However, if large fireworks are purchased at one of these stores, consumers must sign an agreement saying they won’t take them out-of-state. Other than keeping them in Indiana, there are also other laws that need to be followed for a safe, legal and fun Fourth of July celebration.
See HISTORY, page 5
See LAWS, page 5
RECIPES
Need ideas for your Fourth of July party? See page 5
What to Do Around
MUNCIE
– STAFF REPORTS
Paul W. Ferguson hired as dean at Biola University Five months after resignation, former president has new job REBECCA KIZER NEWS EDITOR | news@bsudailynews.com Former president Paul W. Ferguson, who resigned without explanation after only 18 months and three and a half years before his contract was up, has now landed a new job at Biola University — a private Christian school in California. He has been named the school’s founding dean of its School of Science, Technology and Health. According to an article in Biola University’s student newspaper, the search had four final candidates as of March, who were scheduled to meet with both professors and students before their search committee would ultimately choose the new dean.
See FERGUSON, page 4
See page 5
SUMMER OLYMPICS
ROAD TO RIO VISITS INDIANAPOLIS
Past Olympians show off medals in Monument Circle COLIN GRYLLS SPORTS EDITOR | sports@bsudailynews.com
Last weekend, the Road to Rio Tour swung through Indianapolis’ Monument Circle, complete with live music, Olympic memorabilia and a zip line dressed to resemble Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain. Fans in attendance also got a chance to meet several former Olympians. Former gymnast Shawn Johnson East, who won gold on the balance beam in the 2008 Beijing Olympics along with three silver medals, said she’s still not used to signing autographs and posing with admirers. “It’s still weird,” she said. “It will always be weird. I’ll never get used to it. It’s kind of
that ‘pinch me’ moment, surreal. Having girls come up to me and say, ‘You’re my idol,’ I never believe it, but it kind of shows that all of the hard work pays off.” Johnson East also introduced country singer Hunter Hayes to the main stage June 25, where he performed a free concert. The day before, country artist Thomas Finchum, a former Olympic diver who competed in the 2008 games, performed. Retired rower Mary Whipple was also on hand. Whipple will be NBC’s rowing commentator in Rio, but in Indianapolis she showed off her gold medal from the 2012 London Games as people lined up to take photos with her. She said she enjoys seeing people react to holding an Olympic medal for the first time. “It’s really great to see the expression in people’s eyes about how big they are and how
heavy they are,” she said. “And I don’t mind sharing it. It’s a part of my journey, it’s a part of my story and it’s a unique gift I can give.” Attendees could also take photos against green screens that would place them on top of an Olympic podium, arching over the bar in the high jump or standing on top of the diving board. A trailer carried memorabilia ranging from a pair of 1950s track shoes to the torch used by the late Muhammed Ali during the Opening Ceremonies at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
All of the displays might make some fans starry-eyed, but four-time silver medalist Kara Lynn Joyce, a swimmer who competed in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, said she thinks meeting the athletes at the Road to Rio Tour helps make Olympic dreams seem more realistic. THE PULSE OF BALL STATE
See OLYMPICS, page 4 THE PULSE OF BALL STATE
MUNCIE, INDIANA WALT DISNEY’S “STEAMBOAT WILLIE” WAS RELEASED TODAY IN 1928.
THE PULSE OF BALL STATE
VOL. 95, ISSUE 94 CONTACT US
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Editor: 285-8249 Classified: 285-8247 Fax: 285-8248 1. CLOUDY
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FORECAST
The week will be mostly sunny. Rain may return on Friday morning, but the remainder of the day on Friday looks to be comfortable. The holiday weekend will be hot and mainly dry.
Today Sunny
High: 80º Low: 56º 3. PARTLY CLOUDY
4. MOSTLY SUNNY
5. SUNNY
- Nathan DeYoung, WCRD weather forecaster
THE PULSE OF BALL STATE