FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
USI Women’s Soccer earns first OVC Tournament win, advances to face Eastern Illinois
CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer made program history on Thursday afternoon by earning its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference Tournament win with a 2-0 first-round triumph over Southeast Missouri State University.
The fifth-seeded Screaming Eagles (8-7-4, 4-2-3 OVC) are making their fourth consecutive OVC Tournament appearance but were still searching for the first postseason win of the D-I era entering Thursday’s contest. The first-round clash against the eighth-seeded Redhawks (2-15-2, 2-5-2 OVC) was a rematch from USI’s Senior Day game back on September 28, which USI won 2-1.
After a 0-0 match past the 75-minute mark, the Screaming Eagles struck twice inside the final 15 minutes. Senior defender Charli Grafton scored the first and, ultimately, the game-winning goal in the 79th minute. Sophomore defender Emma Schut netted the Eagles’ second goal with under six minutes left to play.
Despite a scoreless first half on Thursday, the game ultimately became a tale of two halves, statistically. After SEMO had the shooting advantage, 7-2, at halftime, USI controlled the shooting numbers in the second stanza, 11-4. Overall, USI outshot Southeast Missouri, 13-11, including a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. Schut led USI with three shots. Redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer, sophomore forward Josie Pochocki, and redshirt junior forward Emma Thurston each had two shots.
In net, redshirt junior goalkeeper Anna Markland, who missed USI’s regular-season finale at Western Illinois University due to injury, returned to action Thursday with a strong presence. Markland collected five saves, including a crucial penalty-kick save in the second half. Thursday was Markland’s seventh clean sheet and the team’s eighth shutout of the season.
Neither side could find a lot of quality opportunities in the first half, as both defenses were strong. Pochocki registered the only shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes for USI, charging forward in a one-on-one situation that was saved by SEMO’s goalkeeper. Markland made a pair of saves later in the first half, as the game went into halftime deadlocked.
In the second half, a few minutes passed before the momentum swayed heavily in USI’s favor. Around the 60-minute mark of the second half, Boer had a couple of shooting chances within a minute of action. However, just a few minutes later, Southeast Missouri was awarded a penalty kick, looking to claim the lead from the spot. That is when Markland delivered and denied the penalty shot with a diving save to swing the energy and momentum heavily toward the Screaming Eagles.
In the minutes that followed Markland’s penalty save, USI put the pressure on in the attacking half and fired away a handful of shots. With under 12 minutes to play in regulation, the Eagles earned a corner kick. Thurston served the corner into the box, where a header by senior forward Peyton Murphy was directed and put away into the net by Grafton to give USI the 1-0 lead. The goal was Grafton’s first of the season, becoming the 13th different Screaming Eagle to net a goal this season.
Nearly six minutes later, USI was awarded a free kick from 30-plus yards out in the 85th minute. Schut booted a strong kick toward the right side of the goal. The ball found its way into the netting after a short-hop and misplay by the Redhawks’ goalkeeper. The late insurance goal by Schut sealed the historic team win for the Screaming Eagles.
With Thursday’s victory, USI Women’s Soccer advanced to Sunday’s quarterfinals, where the Screaming Eagles will take on the site host and No. 4 seed Eastern Illinois University (8-7-3, 5-3-1 OVC). The Panthers earned a first-round bye and the right to host as the fourth seed. Kickoff on Sunday from Lakeside Field in Charleston, Illinois, is set for 11:30 a.m. The winner will advance to next Thursday’s semifinal round and face top-seeded Tennessee Tech University, which gets to host the semifinals and championship rounds next week as the OVC’s regular season champions.
Men’s Soccer keeps postseason hopes alive with 2-2 draw
SAN ANTONIO, Texas– University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer earns a 2-2 draw following a tough battle with the University of the Incarnate Word.
The Screaming Eagles keep their Ohio Valley Conference tournament hopes alive with tonight’s result. The team currently sits in seventh place. USI can jump into sixth with a win and a Western Illinois University loss on Sunday.
USI opened the match on its back foot. Incarnate Word scored in the 19th minute, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Eagles battled back late in the first half. Freshman Oliver Church scored the first goal of his collegiate career at 35:26. He was assisted by freshman Tony Murphy and junior Will Kirchhofer.
The Eagles entered that half even at one, despite USI getting outshot 4-2 and 2-1 on goal. Outside of Church’s goal, sophomore Pablo Juan recorded the second shot for USI.
USI came out of the break strong, taking a 2-1 lead at 58:44 as freshman Ian Graham put one past the goalkeeper off a pass from freshman Edin Cvorovic. The lead did not last long, as the Cardinals evened the match again in the 66th minute.
For the game, the Eagles were outshot 14-4 and 7-4 on goal. USI had five individual players record a shot, with three tallying shots on goal. The Cardinals forced three corner kicks compared to the Eagles’ two, but the Cardinals were called for offsides four times to the Eagles’ zero. Freshman Jacob English nabbed a game-high five saves on the day.
In the regular season finale, the Eagles travel to Houston, Texas, for a rematch against Houston Christian University on Sunday afternoon. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Eagles came out on top 4-1, earning their first OVC victory on the season.
The Screaming Eagles keep their Ohio Valley Conference tournament hopes alive with tonight’s result. The team currently sits in seventh place. USI can jump into sixth with a win and a Western Illinois University loss on Sunday.
USI opened the match on its back foot. Incarnate Word scored in the 19th minute, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Eagles battled back late in the first half. Freshman Oliver Church scored the first goal of his collegiate career at 35:26. He was assisted by freshman Tony Murphy and junior Will Kirchhofer.
The Eagles entered that half even at one, despite USI getting outshot 4-2 and 2-1 on goal. Outside of Church’s goal, sophomore Pablo Juan recorded the second shot for USI.
USI came out of the break strong, taking a 2-1 lead at 58:44 as freshman Ian Graham put one past the goalkeeper off a pass from freshman Edin Cvorovic. The lead did not last long, as the Cardinals evened the match again in the 66th minute.
For the game, the Eagles were outshot 14-4 and 7-4 on goal. USI had five individual players record a shot, with three tallying shots on goal. The Cardinals forced three corner kicks compared to the Eagles’ two, but the Cardinals were called for offsides four times to the Eagles’ zero. Freshman Jacob English nabbed a game-high five saves on the day.
In the regular season finale, the Eagles travel to Houston, Texas, for a rematch against Houston Christian University on Sunday afternoon. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Eagles came out on top 4-1, earning their first OVC victory on the season.
Happy Halloween Events
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trick-or-Treaters Welcome at the Governor’s Residence
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Braun will welcome trick-or-treaters to the Governor’s residence for sweet treats from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025. Governor Braun and staff will hand out delicious Indiana-based treats donated by Albanese Confectionery, Zachary’s Confections, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Schimpff’s Confectionery, Charlie’s Candy, and South Bend Chocolate Company.
The Governor’s residence is located at 4750 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.
Join us for a night celebrating our Hoosier communities!
Gov. Mike Braun Positions Indiana as Leader in American Drone Dominance
Governor Mike Braun signed an executive order to position Indiana to lead in the federal government’s mission of American drone dominance.
The Indiana Initiative for Drone Dominance Task Force will develop a strategic plan for how the state can utilize our unique attributes to lead the nation in this important sector: our robust advanced manufacturing industry, expertise from NSWC Crane, restricted airspace over assets like Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, strong policy framework, and universities with established programs to further drone research and development.
Governor Braun developed the executive order in collaboration with U.S. Senator Todd Young.
“Indiana has always stepped up to use our skills and labor to support America’s defense. Indiana’s advanced manufacturing capacity and our concentration of defense and research assets make us uniquely suited to lead in America’s pursuit of drone dominance, and this new Task Force will position Indiana as a national asset and drive innovation in this important sector.” – Governor Mike Braun.
“Drones are increasingly critical to our economy and national security, and as a leading manufacturing state, Indiana is positioned to help unleash American drone dominance,” said Senator Young. “Over the past several months, my team has worked hand in hand with Governor Braun’s team on developing this executive order. Governor Braun has been a great partner on this issue, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and Hoosier stakeholders to support the President’s executive order and empower the U.S. drone industry.”
The new task force will coordinate efforts across government, academia, and industry to support President Trump’s Unleashing American Drone Dominance and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty executive orders, which set a national goal for American leadership in drone technology and airspace security.
Drones represent the next aviation revolution, with the North American drone market estimated to reach $59 billion by 2030.
Key priorities of the task force include:
- Developing a cross-sector aerial test corridor connecting sites such as Camp Atterbury, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, and NSWC Crane.
- Expanding public safety applications of unmanned aircraft during major sporting and civic events.
- Strengthening Indiana’s drone manufacturing supply chain and encouraging growth among small and emerging firms.
- Exploring new infrastructure for detection, tracking, and neutralization of unauthorized drones.
- Supporting workforce training programs and partnerships with Indiana colleges and universities to prepare Hoosiers for high-tech drone careers.
- Preserving Indiana’s commitment to personal privacy and safety through all drone testing and policies
CenterPoint Energy Foundation Announces $5 Million Community Fund to Support Southwestern Indiana Customers and Local Economic Development
Community Energy Improvement Fund will invest $5 million in critical customer resources, including weatherization and energy efficiency programs, and economic development efforts over the next two years.
Working together with local elected leaders and nonprofit organizations, this fund is designed to help residential customers and small businesses.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – As part of its commitment to southwestern Indiana customers, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation today announced the creation of a $5 million fund that will support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs, as well as local economic and community development efforts across the Evansville region. The “Community Energy Improvement Fund” builds on a series of affordability actions announced last week. The Fund will directly invest in expanding energy efficiency and home weatherization programs that support lower- and middle-income customers, small businesses and renters by helping them save energy and money.
“All of us at CenterPoint, especially our local workforce that proudly calls southwestern Indiana home, are committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. The new Community Energy Improvement Fund will provide vital energy efficiency assistance and cost-saving resources for our customers, while also supporting greater economic development across the Evansville region. The new weatherization program will help residential and small commercial customers with improvements to the shells of their homes, insulation levels and HVAC system improvements and even lighting changes — all with the goal of lowering energy consumption,” said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.
Community Energy Improvement Fund
As part of its overall effort to prioritize affordability and help customers lower energy costs, CenterPoint’s Community Energy Improvement Fund represents a transformative investment into the Evansville region. Beginning early next year, the $5 million commitment from the Foundation will include:
- Helping Customers Save Energy: $4.5 million will go toward expanding home repair and weatherization programs to help customers improve energy efficiency and lower their monthly bills, including expanded access for lower- and middle-income households, small businesses and renters.
- Supporting Local Economic Growth: $500,000 will be dedicated toward economic development initiatives aimed at growing and improving the vitality of southwestern Indiana and the Evansville region.
- Raising Community Awareness: CenterPoint will work closely with the City of Evansville and local nonprofit organizations to help customers learn about and take advantage of important energy efficiency and cost-saving programs.
The new Fund is in addition to the suite of energy efficiency, financial assistance and other programs, tips and tools that already exist to help Indiana customers manage energy bills. To learn more about these programs and resources, customers are encouraged to visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.
Community Affordability Actions
The Community Energy Improvement Fund is the latest in a series of actions taken to support southwestern Indiana customers. Last week, CenterPoint announced an initial series of immediate and longer-term actions to prioritize affordability. The first phase of this effort included the following actions:
- Two-Year Rates Stability: Starting in the first quarter of 2026, stabilizing electricity bills by keeping any rate change below or near the rate of inflation for the next two years, an action that equates to future savings for residential customers of approximately $18/month of avoided costs through 2027. These avoided bill impacts were achieved by the cancellation of nearly $1 billion in non-economical generation projects.
- Offset October Rate Increase: Reducing bills for average residential customers by December 2025 through a combination of bill adjustments and credits, which will offset rate changes that took effect in October.
City of Evansville Commission on Food Security Official Statement
City of Evansville Commission on Food Security Official Statement
With federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding currently uncertain due to the federal government shutdown, the City of Evansville Commission on Food Security is activating our readiness plan. We’re working with local partners to strengthen and expand existing programs so that families who depend on SNAP can continue putting food on the table.
SNAP provides roughly $3.7 million every month in food assistance to about 9,500 households in Vanderburgh County. That’s nearly 15,600 people, or 13% of our community. Losing or delaying those benefits wouldn’t just strain family budgets; it would ripple through our entire local economy, affecting grocery stores, food pantries, and small businesses alike.
Food is a basic need; making sure our neighbors are fed is a shared responsibility. The Commission on Food Security brings together organizations, local leaders, and residents to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient local food system. By working together, we can close gaps, improve access to healthy food, and support the people and programs that make a difference every day.
In the coming days, the Commission will share more details about local food programs, volunteer opportunities, and ways community members can help.
USI’s Hall, Nolan, Young earn top OVC honors ahead of league meet
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Cross Country juniors Alex Nolan and Ellie Hall were respectively named the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Year in an announcement by the league office Thursday. Freshman Kraedyn Young also was named the OVC Men’s Freshman of the Year.
Nolan is collecting his first-career OVC Athlete of the Year award after an outstanding regular season that saw him earn OVC Runner of the Week honors three times.
The Evansville native has four top 20 finishes this season, including three top 15 placements and a pair of top 10 finishes. He earned his most recent OVC Runner of the Week honor following an 18th-place finish in the Gans Creek Classic Black Invite last month. His career-best eight-kilometer time of 24 minutes, 1.5 seconds, ranks sixth all-time at USI and is the fastest time in the OVC this season by nearly 30 seconds.
This marks the second straight season that the Screaming Eagles’ men have had a runner earn OVC Athlete of the Year honors and the second time in four years that USI’s women have had a student-athlete earn the award.
Brady Terry was the OVC Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2024, while Lauren Greiwe was the OVC Women’s Athlete of the Year in 2022. Additionally, USI’s men also saw Noah Hufnagel earn OVC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year honors in 2023.
Hall also is being awarded with her first-career OVC Runner of the Year award after leading the Screaming Eagles at the 6k distance this season. She has twice been named the OVC Runner of the Week, with the most recent award coming following her sixth-place finish at the Angel Mounds Invitational.
The Ferdinand, Indiana, native owns the fastest 6k time in the conference after posting a time of 20:58.5 at the Gans Creek Classic last month. Her mark ranks eighth all-time at USI.
Young is the second USI men’s runner to earn OVC Freshman of the Year honors as he joins Nolan, who earned the same distinction in 2023.
The North Vernon, Indiana, native has consistently been in the Screaming Eagles’ top five this season and has been USI’s No. 3 runner in the last two meets. His season-best time of 24:44.1 at the Gans Creek Classic last month ranks seventh in the OVC and leads all OVC freshmen this season.
USI looks to defend its men’s and women’s conference titles Friday when it competes at the OVC Championships in Charleston, Illinois. The men’s 8k begins at 9 a.m., while the women’s 6k is slated for a 10 a.m. start.
The Screaming Eagles’ men have been dominating amongst OVC competition this season as they have gone 9-0 against conference schools. They won the OVC title by one point over Eastern Illinois University a year ago and will be toeing the starting line against the Panthers for the first time this season on Friday.
Senior Dominick Beine boosts the Screaming Eagles’ lineup after a 15th-place finish at the Angel Mounds Invitational. Beine has been USI’s No. 2 runner in each of the races he has started in 2025.
USI’s women are looking for their second straight OVC title and are buoyed by the top two runners in the conference in Hall and sophomore Hadessah Austin. Neither runner has lost to another OVC competitor this season.
The Screaming Eagles have faced stiff competition from OVC schools this season, most notably being a Tennessee Tech University team that has gone 2-0 against USI this year.
Getting back junior Zoe Seward from an early season injury and sophomore Abrielle Richard from a health scare that sidelined her for the Angel Mounds Invitational gives USI the depth it will need to make a run at its second straight OVC crown.
Indiana State Police Offer Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is only two days away and Indiana State Police have a few safety tips to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Tips for Trick-or-Treaters:
- Children should always be accompanied by adults.
- Older children should trick-or-treat in groups. Have a cellphone too.
- Never enter a residence to retrieve candy.
- Wear reflective tape on your costume or carry a flashlight/glow stick. You want to be visible!
- Stay on the sidewalks and use extreme caution when crossing the street.
- Don’t eat candy until parents or an adult can inspect it.
- Only visit homes where the porch light is lit.
Tips for Homeowners Greeting Trick-or-Treaters:
- Ensure your porch is well lit and the sidewalk is free from tripping hazards.
- If you have pets, please ensure they are secure.
- Don’t invite children into your home.
- Use flameless candles for your pumpkins.
Tips for Motorists traveling on Halloween:
- Slow down, especially in subdivisions and urban areas.
- Use your bright lights when possible.
- Don’t drive distracted!
- Expect children crossing roadways.
Indiana State Police will be out patrolling areas to help ensure everyone’s safety on Halloween evening. Please drive responsibly.