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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.”

MVC Opener Up Next for Purple Aces

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team opens up MVC play on Wednesday, traveling to Nashville for a road test at Belmont. Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM from the Music City.

Series History   
– Wednesday marks the 9th meeting between Evansville and Belmont
– Belmont leads the series 6-2
– Evansville is looking for their first win in the series since 1998, as Belmont has won all six meetings since joining the MVC ahead of the 2022-23 season

Free Throw Aficionado 
– After finishing last season fifth in the country in free throws made and free throw attempts, Camryn Runner has once again been one of the top free throw shooters in the country in 2025-26
– Runner ranks 26th in the country in free throws made per game (5.0) and 18th in the country in free throws attempted per game (6.7)
– Entering Wednesday’s game, Runner has made 19 consecutive free throws

Active on the Glass
– Through 10 games, Evansville has posted their highest per game rebounding average since 2013-14 at 35.8 per game
– Elle Snyder leads the team in rebounding at 6.9 boards per game, ranking seventh in the MVC
– Snyder’s mark of 6.9 rebounds per game ranks in the 94th percentile nationally, while her 5.2 defensive rebounds per game ranks in the 96th percentile

Hundley posts top game at UE in Valley opener

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Aces drop hard-fought 83-78 contest

 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Trent Hundley put together his top performance as a member of the University of Evansville men’s basketball squad as he knocked down six 3-pointers on his way to 20 points in an 83-78 loss to Belmont on Tuesday at the Ford Center.

Hundley’s effort surpassed his previous Purple Aces high of nine points, which came on four occasions this season. He completed the game 6-of-10 from outside. Leif Moeller scored 17 points while hitting three triples. AJ Casey scored 12 points while Bryce Quinet added 10. James Dyson-Merwe recorded the top performance of his freshman season setting career marks with five points and nine boards.

“It was a huge positive for us tonight especially without Connor Turnbull,” UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland said after the game. “I’m proud of the response our guys had. There are some things we can do to get us over the hump while being more disciplined.”

Belmont scored the first six points of the night before the Aces got on the board thanks to a Keishon Porter bucket. The Bruins continued their hot start, opening a 9-2 advantage before UE made its way back. Helped by a Josh Hughes 3-pointer, UE made it a 9-7 game.

At the 14:32 mark, a tip-in by James Dyson-Merwe tied the score at 12-12. Belmont posted the next four points while Trent Hundley connected from downtown to get UE within a point at 16-15. The Bruins regained control with a 10-0 run to take a 26-15 lead at 8:36 remaining in the half. Sam Orme hit a pair of triples during the rally.

AJ Casey scored on a second-chance basket just over a minute later to cut the Belmont lead to 26-19. Another triple – this one by Eoin Dillon – opened a 10-2 run that gave the Bruins their largest lead of the half at 36-21 inside of the 5-minute mark. The Aces cut into the deficit over the next two minutes as Hundley’s second triple was followed by a 3-point play by Bryce Quinet that got UE within eight at 36-28.

Five free throws in the final minutes saw Belmont regain its double figure lead at the break – taking a 41-30 lead into the locker room. Their defense held Evansville to 29.0% shooting in the opening 20 minutes. Hughes led the team with seven tallies at the break.

After scoring two points in the opening stanza, Leif Moeller knocked down a triple to begin the second half. Casey followed with his second 3-pointer of the season to cut the Belmont lead to 41-36. The Bruins countered with a 10-2 stretch to go back up by 13 with 16:05 on the clock before Trent Hundley put the Aces squad on his back. Consecutive treys got Evansville within seven – 51-44 – inside of 13 minutes remaining.

One minute later, he drained another triple before Kaia Berridge converted a pair of free throws that got the Aces back within four tallies – 53-49. Once again, the Bruins answered, regaining a 10-point lead as the game entered the final 10 minutes when a Drew Scharnowski dunk gave them a 61-51 edge.

The lead for Belmont stayed within 2-3 possessions until the Aces staged a furious rally in the final minutes. Two Bruin free throws established a 75-67 lead with 2:36 remaining. Moeller hit a layup before a Casey steal led to a triple by Moeller that cut the gap to 75-72. After Belmont went back up by give, a 3-pointer banked in by Casey got Evansville all the way back within a single point at 77-76. Unfortunately, the Bruins held strong over the final second, hanging on for the 83-78 win.

Tyler Lundblade paced the Bruins with 21 points while Scharnowski had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. The Bruins show 48.3% while holding UE to 37.7%. They also had a slight rebounding edge at 38-37.

UE looks to pick up a conference win on Sunday when Drake comes to town for a 3 p.m. game.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Vincennes University celebrates 50 years of Project EXCEL, Indiana’s First Dual Credit Program

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VINCENNES, Ind., December 16, 2025 – Vincennes University is celebrating a landmark achievement: the 50th anniversary of Project EXCEL, Indiana’s first dual credit program and a transformative force in education since 1975.

What began with a single partnership and a bold idea has evolved into one of the most influential dual credit initiatives in the state.

The program’s origin traces back to VU Jasper Dean Dr. Gerald Altstadt, who partnered with Marian Heights Academy, an all-girls boarding school, to offer college courses to 13 high school seniors. Those students made history by completing VU English Composition I and VU Plant and Animal Biology for both high school and college credit.

The program quickly expanded to Loogootee High School. Its students enrolled in a VU Introduction to Chemistry course for dual credit the following year, showcasing the growing impact of Project EXCEL.

From 1,157 students in 2002 to 9,362 students for the 2024-25 academic year, Project EXCEL’s trajectory demonstrates the vital role it plays in preparing Indiana’s future leaders and workforce.

VU Associate Provost of K-12 Programs and Partnerships Dr. Lori Pence said, “Since its inception, Vincennes University’s dual credit program has been a trailblazer of innovation and opportunity. Its profound impact over the past five decades is truly remarkable. Such sustained growth is no accident; it reflects VU’s unwavering commitment to empowering all students with high-quality and affordable college experiences.”

VU adopted the official name of “Project EXCEL” in 1985. The program earned full accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) in 2005 and continues to maintain this status due to an uninterrupted commitment to academic excellence.

Project EXCEL Director D’Lee Thomas said, “When high school students find out they can succeed in their college coursework early, it changes their entire educational journey. Project EXCEL gives them confidence, direction, and a powerful head start.”

As VU commemorates 50 years of Project EXCEL, it celebrates a legacy built on innovation and looks forward to continuing its mission of providing accessible, high-quality educational programs.

Strong schools build strong communities: Indiana’s funding system should reflect that

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blue school hallway lockers and checkered tile in high school students in the background (down-sampled to increase sharpness)

JON TRONC, INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE

As a teacher, I can explain how to balance a chemical equation or calculate the speed of a satellite in orbit, but school finance is far less straightforward. What I do know is that Indiana schools rely on two main funds, the education fund and the operations fund. How those funds work, and how state policy shapes them, has a direct impact on our classrooms, our communities and the future of our state.

The education fund pays teachers. It comes from the state on a per-student basis. More students equals more money. If your district is growing, then you can hire more teachers, add courses, and create more programs. You can afford to retain your best educators and recruit new ones. You can keep class sizes small. Families notice, they send their kids to your school, the district grows, more money comes in, and you spiral up. Everyone wins.

Unless your district loses students. Then you lose money. You have to cut teachers, offer fewer courses, and scale back programs. You can’t pay a competitive salary, so your best teachers leave and you struggle to recruit good ones. Families notice, they send their kids somewhere else, the district shrinks, less money comes in, and you spiral down. Everyone loses.

Once the school district begins to fade, the rest of the community feels it too. Strong public schools are often the backbone of small towns across Indiana.

The operations fund pays primarily for buildings, transportation, maintenance, technology and athletic facilities. It comes from local property taxes, revenue that was significantly reduced under Senate Enrolled Act 1, Indiana’s 2025 property tax reform. Those changes mean less money for schools, fire departments, police, libraries, road maintenance and other local governments. Schools now have far fewer dollars to maintain and update their facilities. They must also begin sharing a portion of this property tax revenue with charter schools as the law phases in.

Indiana’s system forces schools to compete for students. In that competitive environment, visible facility upgrades — especially athletic projects — are often what families notice first. A brand new multipurpose turf field, a renovated weight room or an updated fieldhouse can draw attention and help a district attract families. Schools cannot use capital funds to pay teachers, so they use the limited flexibility they have to make improvements that help them stay competitive. When you see new athletic facilities, it does not mean a district has extra money. It often means they are doing whatever they can within the constraints of Indiana’s funding system to bring in more students.

As Indiana invests a growing share of state dollars into private voucher schools and as local revenue declines, the consequences are starting to show. Fewer Indiana students are going to college, and those who do are increasingly leaving the state. Many do not return. High-wage employers look for states with a highly educated workforce, and Indiana’s average salary continues to fall behind the national average.

Public education is an investment that has paid off for generations. It brings communities together at a time when unity is needed. Indiana should recognize the importance of strong public schools and treat them like the priority they need to be.

As both an educator and a parent with daughters in our public schools, I see every day how much strong and well-supported schools matter. I want every student in Indiana to have the same opportunities to grow and succeed.

EVANSVILLE LAND BANK CORPORATION NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

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Evansville Land Bank will hold an Executive Session on Friday, December 19, 2025, at

9:00 a.m. in Room 301 of the Civic Center Complex at 1 N. W. Martin Luther King Jr.

Blvd.

This Executive Session will be held for discussion of strategy with respect to the

purchase, sale or lease of real property by the Evansville Land Bank Corporation

pursuant to the Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(D).

Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Meeting – December 18, 2025

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Evansville, Indiana – December 16, 2025 – The Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission will be meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Complex, located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 318.

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2025

 NOON

   AGENDA

1.      CALL TO ORDER

2.      MEETING MEMORANDUM:   

        December 3, 2025 Meeting Memorandum

                     

3.      CONSENT AGENDA 

4.       OLD BUSINESS   

          N/A

                   

5.       NEW BUSINESS  

          a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with VPS Architecture for Goebel Soccer 

              Complex restroom/concession renovations architect services. – Crook

          b. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Facilities Relocation Agreement to upgrade

              to LED Street lights in Garvin Park. – Crook 

          c. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Reimbursement Agreement for encroachment

              changes, improvements and or adjustments to gas line located at or near Vann Avenue &

              Division Street. – Crook

          d. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comment.

 6.       REPORT

           Danielle Crook- Executive Director

           

 7.       ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS 

 8.       ADJOURN

USI receives $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts at Historic New Harmony

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The University of Southern Indiana has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help the Historic New Harmony program establish the Historic New Harmony Religious Liberty Initiative, a comprehensive project aimed at exploring and celebrating the role of freedom of belief,  both religious and secular, in shaping visionary communities and inspiring new ways of living.

Through this grant, Historic New Harmony will explore how American ideals of freedom shaped the 19th-century communal experiments in New Harmony, Indiana, the religious Harmonist Society, and Robert Owen’s secular “Community of Equality,” as well as the 20th-century revitalization efforts led by the late philanthropist Jane Blaffer Owen.

The New Harmony Religious Liberty Initiative will enhance the visitor experience at Historic New Harmony through new educational programs, updated interpretive materials and expanded digital and on-site resources. Planned efforts include programming aligned with the Owen-Maclure 200th, a project that is commemorating the bicentennial of Robert Owen’s New Harmony community from 2025–27, and activities associated with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The initiative will also improve the Atheneum, Historic New Harmony’s iconic visitor center, and advance strategic communication efforts, including refreshed brand identity, a new website and updated building signage featuring a self-guided multimedia tour. Through these efforts, Historic New Harmony expects to broaden its audience and strengthen engagement among students, scholars, local residents and visitors from across the nation.

“Historic New Harmony preserves an essential American story,” said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony. “With this grant, we can better share how New Harmony’s values of open thought and cooperation continue to inspire how we build communities today.”

This is the third grant Lilly Endowment has made to support Historic New Harmony’s efforts to strengthen the ways in which the program helps visitors understand the religious and spiritual history of New Harmony. These grants have funded the preservation of historic buildings, expansion of educational programs and the enhancement of visitor experiences, ensuring that New Harmony’s story of innovation, community and freedom of thought continues to inspire audiences nationwide.

“We are grateful for Lilly Endowment’s investment in this work,” said Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony. “With this new initiative we will continue to honor New Harmony’s heritage and inspire progressive thought for generations to come.”

About Historic New Harmony
Historic New Harmony is an Outreach and Engagement program of the University of Southern Indiana. By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony inspires innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United States and around the globe.

Indiana FFA Foundation to receive Lilly Endowment grant

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