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BREAKING NEWS: Bally’s Remains Open After Car Drives Off Bally’s Parking Garage

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Updated November 25, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Operations are returning to normal at Bally’s after a strange incident this morning.
In the midst of the normal morning routine at Bally’s Casino, the sense of normal disappeared in one frightening moment when a car came crashing through the roof of the conference center. That car came from the top floor of the attached parking garage.
At the time of the crash, Koorsen Fire and Safety was hosting a conference for building inspectors and firefighters at the site. Koorsen is the fire protection company for Bally’s, and they aided in getting the building’s systems turned off. Firefighters and others attending the conference rendered aid at the scene.
The vehicle hit a concrete barrier, causing it to drop through the roof of the conference center, followed by the Ford SUV. The driver of the vehicle was the only injury.
A crane was brought in during the afternoon to lift the SUV and the concrete barrier out of the conference center.
The unanswered question is, “Why?” Police are putting together all of the information, looking at video footage, and planning to talk to the driver to determine what happened.

Bally’s was able to continue with normal casino operations through the day today and the parking garage will remain close until further notice.

Bally’s released the following statement: “We are currently investigating an incident involving a vehicle that drove off the seventh floor of our parking garage and will provide updates as necessary. Upon initial review, the incident appears to be the result of driver error. There are no signage or structural issues with the parking garage. The safety of our guests and staff remains our top priority.”

COACH CIGNETTI, THE PHILOSOPHER KING

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redline

GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 26 January 2026)

COACH CIGNETTI, THE PHILOSOPHER KING

Curt Cignetti was hired to be Indiana University’s football coach beginning with the 2024 college football season. In 2022 IU’s record was four wins and eight losses. For 2023 it was three wins and nine losses. In 2024 IU lost two games, one in the College Football Playoffs, and won eleven. IU just won the College Football National Championship for 2025-26 by being the only undefeated college team and posting sixteen wins and zero losses. IU started 2025 as history’s losingest college football program based on over 700 losses. A couple of basic questions are: How did IU go from the whale dung of college football to Marathon type victors (490 BC) and who wrought this miracle?

Those are important issues to ponder. However, America is currently dealing with other much more important matters than sports. Perhaps we can learn something as a country by examining how Indiana University went in two years from football fodder to pundits accusing my alma mater of cheating to win games. That has been the ultimate unintended compliment from the envious. We are now so good we must have called upon the gods or stolen signs or somehow bought a championship with NIL money. Surely no mere educational ivory tower could turn southern Indiana limestone into football lemonade in only two years.

Dunn Meadow and the Little Jordan River must have been co-opted by trolls or John Mellencamp and Mark Cuban. Only magic and money could explain the college that lost its first game in 1887, then followed it with over 700 losses, to winning the National Championship on January 19, 2026. But, what if instead of just assuming this Hoosier triumph is but a logical lacuna, we try to learn something from IU and its miraculous turnaround that can be applied to help America out of its miasma.

Is it possible that Curt Cignetti and his staff are the Philosopher Kings of football whose methods should be applied to our democracy? As Plato recommended in his Republic, instead of us choosing our leaders on the basis of popularity created by promising to give stuff away or to conquer other countries because we want their stuff, maybe we should elect our leaders based on their character, ability and hard work as proven by their past performance. Maybe we need portals which incorruptible leaders could pass through to be rewarded for their proven public-spirited expertise; Name, Image and Likeness indeed, but most importantly, proven character!

Instead of our political leaders being voted into office based on the drivel of cackling TV panelists who hate or love whomever they are promoting or opposing, what if we citizens evaluate our future leaders as Coach Curt Cignetti and his staff did for our Indiana University football champions? Quality of past performance, not feckless promises of future nirvanas are the lodestone we voters can learn to follow based on the example of these 2026 Hoosiers. Too often five-star potential from our politicians metamorphosizes into a sense of entitlement without the sweat required for production. Maybe what America needs from its leaders is evidence of proven positive results based on performance. What if we stop mouthing MAGA and adopt for our motto: “Hoo, Hoo, Hoo, Hoosiers!”?

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

On Facebook follow us at “Jim Peg Redwine” or Substack “@gavelgamut”

 

USI’s streak snapped in loss to Western Illinois on Friday night

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball fell 72-62 against Western Illinois University at Liberty Arena on Friday night, snapping the Screaming Eagles’ five-game winning streak and eight-game home winning streak.
 
Friday’s setback comes following a quick turnaround from Thursday’s win against Eastern Illinois University. Friday’s contest was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon but was moved up a day ahead of the inclement winter weather in the forecast throughout the weekend.
 
Friday’s game featured a battle of the top two teams in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. USI Women’s Basketball (14-5, 8-2 OVC) entered the day in sole possession of first place in the OVC standings and one game ahead of Western Illinois (16-3, 8-2). However, Friday’s result moved the Leathernecks into a first-place tie with USI.
 
USI was led in scoring by junior forward Chloe Gannon on Friday night following her 21-point outing on Thursday. Gannon scored 16 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Fellow junior forward Amiyah Buchanan tallied 12 points with a team-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and second career double-double. Senior guard Ali Saunders finished with 10 points.
 
As a team, the Screaming Eagles shot for over 36 percent (22-60) from the floor with five three-pointers and went 13-14 for nearly 93 percent at the free-throw line. USI outrebounded Western Illinois 39-30.
 
Western Illinois, which had four players finished in double figures, was over 50 percent shooting overall (29-57) with six triples and went 8-14 for 57 percent at the foul line.
 
After Western Illinois jumped out to an early 6-1 lead, USI responded quickly. Saunders drained a three-pointer to tie the game up at six nearly four minutes into the game. Saunders connected on another three a few minutes later to tie the game at 11. However, Western Illinois answered with five straight points to lead 16-11 at the end of the opening frame.
 
The Leathernecks built a 10-point advantage two minutes into the second quarter to lead 23-13. The Screaming Eagles battled back, as freshman guard Lily Graves swished in back-to-back triples before Buchanan converted down low to help bring USI within four, 27-23, with under five minutes to go in the first half. However, Western Illinois ended the first half outscoring USI 15-4 to take a 42-27 lead into halftime.
 
USI and Western Illinois exchanged baskets to start the second half, as the Leathernecks led 48-33 two minutes into the second half. The Eagles tried to trim the Leathernecks’ lead, but Western Illinois maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter. Late in the third, junior forward Maddy Fay provided a boost off the bench with back-to-back inside looks. Western Illinois went on to lead 61-43 through three quarters of play.
 
The Screaming Eagles made some noise right away in the fourth quarter with a three-point play by Gannon. A few minutes later, with USI trailing by 18, junior guard Shannon Blacher knocked down a corner three and Buchanan scored inside to force Western Illinois into a timeout and bring USI within 13, 65-52, with 6:21 remaining in the fourth. The Eagles pulled back to within single digits with just over two minutes left but could not draw any closer, as the Leathernecks closed out the game.

No. 3/9 Hoosiers Host Purdue for Senior Day

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 3/9 Indiana swimming and diving will host Purdue Saturday (Jan. 24) morning inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center as the Hoosiers celebrate Senior Day.

The dual meet will begin at 10 a.m. ET, and fans unable to attend can watch on the B1G+ digital platform. IU will celebrate its senior with a pre-meet ceremony, set to start at approximately 9:30 a.m.

The 2025-26 senior class includes 13 athletes: Mya DeWitt, Katie Forrester, Dash Glasberg, Lily Hann, MacKenna Lieske, Owen McDonald, Collin McKenzie, Kristina Paegle, Drew Reiter, Zalán Sárkány, Kai van Westering, Maxwell Weinrich and Chiok Sze Yeo. Combined, the class includes five Big Ten team championships, two Olympians, three NCAA medalists and seven All-Americans.

Saturday’s action features two of the top diving programs in the country, competing on the 1-meter springboard as well as platform.

MEET INFO

Saturday, Jan. 24 • 10 a.m. ET

Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center • Bloomington, Ind.

Opponent: Purdue

Live Results (Swimming): Meet Mobile (App)

Live Results (Diving): divemeets.com

Live Stream: B1G+

OF NOTE… 

FRESHMAN HOOSIERS SHINE

Following the graduation of a legendary senior class, Indiana’s freshmen have helped the program reload with success in the first year of their collegiate careers.

Liberty Clark has had the most striking debut, winning six Big Ten weekly awards and setting program records in the 50-yard freestyle (21.54) and 100-yard freestyle (46.83).

Top recruit Alex Shackell joined Clark and the women’s team in January and made a sparkling debut at Michigan. In that meet, she broke the 200-yard butterfly program record (1:52.98) and won the 100-yard butterfly (50.98).

Thirteen Hoosier freshmen have won individual events this season – Clark, Shackell, Kaylee Bishop, Amelia Bray, Luci Gutierrez, Grace Hoeper, Josh Bey, Luke Ellis, David Kovacs, Andrew Shackell, Noah Cakir, Brandon Fleck and Josh Hedberg. Clark, Shackell and Hoeper made up three of the four Hoosiers to break the 400-yard freestyle program record (3:09.80) at Michigan.

 

HOOSIERS SPLIT AT MICHIGAN

The Indiana men remain unbeaten after a 187-113 victory over Michigan at the start of the month, while the women kept it close in a 154-146 defeat. Six Hoosiers won multiple individual events, and Indiana swept the diving competitions as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Sárkány was named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week following the meet after setting a U-M pool record in the 1,000-yard freestyle (8:39.94) and pairing that win with a victory in the 500 free. Clark earned both Big Ten Co-Swimmer of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors, sweeping the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free.

Aces Put Up Highest Scoring Output of the Season at Drake

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DES MOINES, IOWA – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team scored a season-high 82 points on Friday night, but came up short at Drake by a score of 97-82. Five different Aces scored in double figures, a season best.

Freshmen Georgia Ferguson (Waterloo, Ontario/Cairine Wilson Secondary School) and BreAunna Ward (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) recorded career-highs with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Fellow freshman Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) stayed hot with 14 points, including 4 three-point field goals, while Georgia Cox (Ballarat, Australia/Eastern Illinois) added a season-high 12 points and Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) contributed 12 as well while dishing out seven assists.

Drake jumped on Evansville early, opening a 14-2 lead in the first quarter. The Purple Aces cut it back down to eight at the 2:07 mark, but another torrid shooting stretch by the Bulldogs helped them take a 25-12 advantage at the end of the opening period.

In the second quarter, Drake continued to have their way offensively, extending their lead to 22 before ending the half with a 51-32 lead. Ward led the Aces in the first half with 11 points.

Coming out of the half, the Aces fought back, with Ferguson knocking down a jumper and converting an and-one opportunity on back-to-back possessions. Evansville continued to chip away, cutting the Bulldog lead to 12 at the 4:02 mark. However, Drake responded with a strong finish to the quarter, reclaiming a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Evansville showed resiliency once again in the final period, as a pair of triples by Huber helped the Aces bring it within 10 points with 6:59 remaining. Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) added a three of her own to cut it to nine, but that is as close as the Aces would get, as Drake closed out a 97-82 win.

Evansville remains in Iowa to take on Northern Iowa on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.

 

THUNDERBOLTS EXTEND POINT STREAK TO 6 GAMES, FALL IN OVERTIME TO BULLS

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Evansville, In.:  The goaltenders stole the show in more ways than one on Friday night at Ford Center, highlighted by the Thunderbolts’ first-ever goalie fight, and the Bulls’ goaltenders allowing only one goal on 47 shots as Evansville fell 2-1 in overtime.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Saturday, January 24th against the Quad City Storm at 3:00pm CT.
                Evansville grabbed the first lead of the game only 5:42 in, as Scott Kirton deflected a shot on a power play to make it 1-0 Evansville, assisted by Tyson Gilmour and Keanan Stewart.  In the second period, Drake Glover tied the game 1-1 for the Bulls, scoring on a back-door pass from Danny Weight on the rush.  Shortly after the Bulls tied it, Kristian Stead was run by Birmingham’s CJ Walker, drawing a response from Evansville skaters as well as Stead himself, his involvement drawing the attention of Bulls goaltender Hayden Stewart at the other end of the ice, and both goaltenders decided to duke it out at center ice in the Thunderbolts’ first-ever goalie fight which saw Stead knock Stewart to the ice three times.  The game remained tied 1-1 despite the Thunderbolts outshooting Birmingham 26 to 9 since the goalie fight, before the Bulls won the game in overtime on a power play goal by Weight at 1:32, as the Bulls’ goaltending tandem of Stewart and Talor Joseph stole the game for Birmingham.
                Kirton scored the lone goal for Evansville, Stead stopped 9 of 10 shots on goal to start the game, and Cody Karpinski stopped 12 of 13 shots faced in relief.  The Thunderbolts and Bulls meet again on Friday, January 30th at the Pelham Civic Complex, with Birmingham leading the regular season series 3-2.

Johnson Breaks Women’s Indoor 400m Record at PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic

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LOUISVILLE – University of Evansville junior Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) reset her own indoor 400 meter dash program record on Friday to earn one of two second place finishes, highlighting the Aces’ day at the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic.

Sprints and Hurdles
Women
In addition to her two second place finishes, Johnson finished fifth in the 60 meter hurdles to record top three times in program history in three different events on the day. Johnson’s mark of 56.99 the 400 meters was a program record, while her time of 25.25 seconds in the 200 meter dash was second in program history and her mark of 9.67 in the 60 meter hurdles was good for third in program hsitory. Freshman Mya Baker (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) also had a strong day, placing sixth in the 60 meter dash a time of 8.04. Josie Seehafer (Inver Grove Heights, Minn/Eagan) made her collegiate track debut by competing in three events, including an eighth place finish in the 60 meter dash at 8.17 seconds. Lissa Willis (Vincennes, Ind./Vincennes Rivet) finished just behind Johnson in the 60 meter hurdles, placing sixth with a personal best of 9.75.

Men
In the 60-meter dash, Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North) paced three Aces to finish sixth at 7.12 seconds. Shin also placed sixth as the top Evansville finisher in the 200 meters, recording a time of 22.69. In the 400 meters, Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) led the way for UE in the 400 meters with a seventh place finish and a time of 50.91.

In the 60 meter hurdles, a trio of freshmen – Brody Riggs (Fort Branch, Ind./Gibson Southern), Josiah Hoehn (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), and Tristin DeTalente (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) – placed seventh, ninth and tenth, respectively.

Evansville 4×400 meter relay team of Shin, Hoehn, Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy Liceo Scientifico David Maria Turoldo, Zogno (Bg)) and Kadin McAllister (Lilburn, Ga. Parkview) placed third at 3:28.34.

Distance and Mid-Distance
Women
Five Aces competed in the mile, led by Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind./Western) in eighth place with a personal best time of 5:08.91 and Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) in 10th with a personal best of 5:13.98. In the 3000 meters, Avery Stephens highlighted three Aces competitors with a personal best time of 10:18.58 to finish fourth.

Men
Two Aces competed in the 800 meters, with Jake Antibus (Switz City, Ind./White River Valley) leading the way with a time of 2:00.17, good for 14th. Five Aces ran the mile, led by a 10th place finish at 4:19.39 by Losma. In the 3000 meters, Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind./South Knox) was the lone UE representative and finished 24th at 8:52.59. Nicholas Hirsch (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) claimed a podium finish in the 5000 meters, placing third with a time of 15:47.02, while Oliver Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) followed closely behind in fifth at 15:58.07.

Jumps
Women
Lilyana Gargano (Hudson, Fla./Fivay) and Willis both notched personal bests in the high jump with marks of 1.45 meters and 1.40 meters to place sixth and ninth, respectively. In the long jump, Baker recorded a personal best of 5.09 meters for a sixth place finish.

Men
Riggs snagged a personal best in high jump with a mark of 1.85 meters, placing seventh. In the long jump, Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga./Heritage) finished 13th with 5.61 meters, followed by Jude Nguyen (Farmington Hills, Mich. North Farmington) in 14th at 5.58 meters. Powell was the lone UE representative in triple jump, placing fifth with 11.01 meters.

Throws
Women
In the shotput, Jillian Miller (Boonville, Ind./Boonville) placed fifth at 9.52 meters, while Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio/Orange) placed fifth in weight throw at 15.14 meters.

Men
Freshman Drew Aaron (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mount Vernon) snagged a second place finish in shot put with a personal best mark of 11.93 meters. In the weight throw, Beau Baldwin (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mt. Vernon) led three Aces in eighth at 14.30 meters.

 

His Legacy

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It is with a heavy heart that we share this message with everyone who has followed the City-County Observer for more than two decades. As of February 1, 2026, there will be no further publications of the City-County Observer.

With Ron’s passing, continuing his legacy has been incredibly difficult. This paper was truly his passion, and it meant a great deal to him to keep the community informed.

We are deeply grateful to all who supported and read the paper over the years, especially those who enjoyed “Is It True?” and the many articles that sparked conversation and kept readers engaged.

As we close this chapter, we do so with a salute to Ron and the work he dedicated so much of his life to.

Good Job, Ron.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator issues conservation alert 

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CenterPoint Energy asks customers to conserve energy and reduce electricity use 
 

Evansville, Ind. – Jan. 24, 2026 – The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana electric grid operator, has declared a conservation alert. Due to colder than normal temperatures and potential shortfalls in electric generation, CenterPoint and other utilities’ residential and business customers within the MISO footprint are being asked to reduce their electricity use as much as possible. 

 

“CenterPoint has sufficient energy supply to serve our service territory and customer load,” said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint’s Vice President, Indiana Electric. “As the grid operator, MISO is experiencing shortages across its multi-state footprint, and we are following their guidance to encourage customers to conserve energy.”  

 

Customers can assist by utilizing these tips to conserve energy: 

 

·         Set thermostats a few degrees lower; set programmable thermostats to a lower temperature (health permitting).  

·         Avoid using large appliances, such as ovens and washing machines.  

·         Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.  

·         Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.   

·         Larger, commercial electric customers should consider reducing non-essential production processes.  

 
If conditions worsen, MISO may issue a directive to curtail power delivered to customers. This would require member utilities, including CenterPoint, to implement controlled outages. These outages are planned, temporary shutoffs of power to prevent longer or more widespread outages. They are an emergency measure only implemented as a last resort to maintain reliability of the electric system. If ordered, these outages will rotate in brief intervals across the service territory.  

 

Customers are encouraged to prepare in advance and have a back-up plan in place, especially those who rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment.  

  

CenterPoint will continue to keep customers informed of any developments. Customers are encouraged to follow the company’s communication channels, including the company’s state-specific X account (@CenterPoint_IN), Facebook, Power Alert Service® and the web. 

 

Indiana Red Cross Shares Tips to Stay Safe Ahead of Winter Storm

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INDIANA, January 23, 2026 — A winter storm could bring heavy snow and dangerously cold temperatures to communities across the United States this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, a winter storm watch and a cold weather advisory for parts of the Indiana Region. Ahead of the storm, the American Red Cross Indiana Region urges families to stay safe and take precautions.
WINTER WEATHER SAFETY During a winter storm, stay warm indoors. If you must go outside, take extra precautions.
  • Wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.
  • Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected. Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
    • Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color.
    • Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.
  • Check on your neighbors, especially elderly people living alone, people with diabetes and children.
  • Gather emergency supplies, including food, water, medicine, extra chargers and batteries, warm clothing and blankets.
  • If you experience a power outage, monitor local weather and utility alerts. Evacuate if your home is too cold and visit local warming centers and power charging stations.
  • Avoid frozen pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air from the room to get to pipes near sinks.
  • Be careful when completing strenuous tasks like shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks.
  • Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full and clean the lights and windows to help with visibility.
HOW TO SAFELY HEAT YOUR HOME Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, and home fire responses spike nearly 20% in the winter months, when fire risks increase due to cooking and heating.
  • If you must use a space heater, never leave it unattended. Place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes.
  • Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets — never into an extension cord. Turn the space heater off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
  • Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
  • Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. Make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace.
  • Test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home fire escape plan.
IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit redcross.org/inhomefire to request a free smoke alarm installation.
BLOOD DONORS NEEDED The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood. Intense winter weather and freezing temperatures will impact much of the country this weekend, potentially delaying or canceling blood drives and forcing vital units of blood to go uncollected. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O, A negative and B negative blood, are urged to give now to help people who rely on transfusions for medical care. 
As a special thank-you for helping tackle the blood shortage, all who come to give through Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Mayor Terry and Community Partners to Address Winter Storm Preparations

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Mayor Terry will host a media availability today at 2:30 p.m. at the Department of Street Maintenance, 3200 N. Harlan Ave., to provide updates and discuss preparations regarding the winter storm forecast for this weekend.

Mayor Terry will be joined by representatives from street maintenance, first responders, and community partners involved in storm response, including the American Red Cross of Indiana, Feed Evansville, and CenterPoint Energy.

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