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

11/26/2024

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.”

Pierce, Parks homer as Otters fall in series finale

06/13/2025

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Avon, OH. – The Evansville Otters (12-16) fell to the Lake Erie Crushers (15-13) by a score of 4-2 on Wednesday night in the series rubber match.

Braden Scott was sent to the mound for his sixth start of the year. He started off hot in the bottom of the first where he struck out the side to begin his outing.

Evansville responded by giving their ace a run. Dennis Pierce led off the top of the second with a solo home run that wrapped around the left field foul pole.

Going into the bottom of the second with a 1-0 deficit, the Crushers responded. They scored one of their own, but Scott worked around traffic to keep it a 1-1 game.

The Otters immediately gained that lead back in the next frame. Pavin Parks hit a solo home run himself into the wind blowing in from right field. This would give Evansville back the lead at 2-1.

In the fourth, Lake Erie was able to score two after loading the bases with nobody out. They scored another in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead.

Scott worked through until the end of the seventh. His outing finished with seven full innings, allowing four runs and striking out a season high eight batters.

Coming in to relieve him was Nick McAuliffe, who struck out two batters himself to send the game to the top of the ninth, still just 4-2.

Parks lined one over the leaping glove of the Crushers second basemen to lead off the ninth inning with a single. It wasn’t enough, though, as the Otters would fall 4-2.

The Otters are back home tomorrow for Otters Eras Night at 6:35 p.m. CT against the Windy City Thunderbolts to begin a three-game weekend set.

State library, Commission for Higher Ed and other agencies see layoffs this week

06/13/2025

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By Olivia O’Neal, TheStatehouseFile.com
A 2022 file photo of the Indiana State Library in downtown Indianapolis.

Photo by Tabby Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com.

On June 10, 39 state education employees learned they were being laid off. Three were from the Commission for Higher Education, six from the Department of Education, 14 from the School for the Deaf and 16 from the Indiana State Library.

Additionally, 12 positions—eight from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), three from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and one from the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet—were eliminated this week. This has contributed to the removal of a total of 49 positions within the Office of Commerce, mostly in the form of employee attrition beginning in January.

The reduction in force (RIF) was enacted to align with the state budget in response to a “$2 billion budget shortfall,” according to a statement from the Office of the Secretary of Education sent to TheStatehouseFile.com.

The recent layoffs were a final resort following other measures like refraining from filling vacant positions and utilizing alternative funding sources, it said.

“We have had to make difficult decisions regarding our agencies’ operations to adjust to the realities of a much tighter budget. This includes adjusting staffing levels,” the statement said. “This is not something that was taken lightly. We are grateful for the work of each of these colleagues to serve our agencies and Hoosiers.”

The state expects to save a combined $7.4 million, it said.

“These changes support Governor Braun’s key priorities: upskilling Indiana’s workforce, supporting existing businesses, launching the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship focused on Main Street Indiana, and advancing a regional economic development model,” The Governor’s Office said in a statement forwarded by the Office of Commerce.

Olivia O’Neal is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.

VHS Announces Rebranding of Pet Food Pantry

06/13/2025

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(Evansville, IN – June 11, 2025) – The Vanderburgh Humane Society is rebranding its pet food assistance program of more than 20 years to, “Margie’s Pet Food Pantry” in honor of a longtime volunteer who passed away in 2024.

Margie Cox was a critical volunteer at the VHS for more than 23 years, alongside her daughter Cheri. Vanderburgh Humane Society Director of Advancement Amanda Coburn says, “When we look back at our recent history, it’s very difficult to imagine without Margie. In fact, she and Cheri were there the day that we moved into our current facility in June of 2004, helping move the dogs & cats in.”

Margie volunteered in a variety of capacities over those years. She and Cheri fostered hundreds of litters of puppies & kittens (and their moms!) who wouldn’t have had a chance otherwise, in their personal home.

Margie helped at events, unloaded transports, and cleaned cages when times were tough. One staff member said after she passed, “Margie was the most giving, caring, and dedicated person – she spent so much of her time focusing on things to help others. I wish I knew the number of animals that Margie & Cheri have helped us save, because it would be astronomical.”

And lastly, she was an integral part of the VHS’ pet food bank. The food pantry keeps pets in the homes they already have and ensures they don’t go hungry. For more than 2 decades, on the third Monday of the month, Margie was there…. Passing out pet food to our most vulnerable community members.

When she passed away last February, the VHS leadership team had to evaluate the pet food bank program since it had lost its core volunteer. After reworking some protocols under the leadership of Events & Outreach Coordinator Mackenzee McKittrick, VHS says they’re proud that the expanded program has now serves families within 3 business days, rather than just once a month.

But the biggest change is the name and the official new logo:

VHS Marketing & Communications Specialist Megan Baggett designed the logo with a few very special features in mind:

2) The font used for her name was modeled after Margie’s handwriting on the label of her food bin that was still floating around the shelter months later.

3) The brown in the logo was chosen, obviously, because pet kibble is brown… but the blue is a denim-colored blue, in honor of the denim shirts Margie wore a lot.

Coburn says, “We look forward to remembering Margie in this way for years to come. And when people might look at that logo and say, ‘Hey, who’s Margie?’ We’ll say, ‘She was a wonderful volunteer who loved this program. She loved animals… particularly Dachshunds. And she loved helping people just like you, too.’”

The Vanderburgh Humane Society team also wishes to thank the many volunteers who are keeping Margie’s Pet Food Pantry running efficiently, and keeping pets’ bellies full in the community.

USI Women’s Golf adds Lopez de Haro Juste ahead of 2025-26

06/13/2025

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf has added graduate transfer Valeria Lopez de Haro Juste to its roster ahead of 2025-26.

Lopez de Haro Juste, from Madrid, Spain, spent the previous four years at Emmanuel University while working toward her undergraduate degree. Lopez de Haro Juste was an all-conference golfer and helped Emmanuel to multiple team podium finishes in four seasons at Emmanuel.

Lopez de Haro Juste is coming off a solid 2025 campaign on Emmanuel’s conference championship runner-up team. Lopez de Haro Juste placed inside the top 15 on the player leaderboard at the conference championship. Earlier in the season, Lopez de Haro Juste earned a top-10 finish at the 2025 Emmanuel Spring Invitational and helped the team win the 2025 Agnes McAmis Memorial after tying for second place on the player leaderboard.

“We are thrilled to add Valeria to our team this season,” USI Women’s Golf Head Coach Ann Sullivan said. “She is a great golfer who will bring a lot of experience to our team. She had a great college career at Emmanuel University, and we are excited to have her finish up her college golf career here at USI.”

Lopez de Haro Juste joins the squad alongside incoming freshman McKenna Lowe. The Screaming Eagles are coming off an improved finish at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship this season with a young, talented roster that featured the program’s first OVC postseason selection in Brianna Kirsch, who earned OVC All-Newcomer Team honors at the end of 2024-25.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

06/13/2025

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Six Flags theme parks join Red Cross to Help Build Summer Blood Supply

06/13/2025

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Give blood with the Red Cross and Six Flags Theme Parks

INDIANA, (June 12, 2025) — The American Red Cross and Six Flags theme parks are teaming up this summer to encourage community members to roll up a sleeve and donate blood. Those who come to donate blood or platelets at select blood drives will receive a free ticket to a Six Flags theme park of their choice, in thanks for helping save lives.

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood supply, all from generous volunteer donors. Changes to the blood supply can happen in an instant, and unexpected events can cause a sudden drop in the availability of lifesaving transfusions. Donors of all blood types, especially those giving type O blood, help ensure patients never have to wait for vital care.

Please visit RedCross.org/2025SixFlagsDrives to find participating blood drives near you and to schedule an appointment using the sponsor code or zip code listed. This page will continue to be updated throughout this summer as additional participating blood drives are announced.

How to donate blood

Donors can visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or learn more information about blood donation. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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06/13/2025

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