EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball suffered a tough loss to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 4-3, to open a three-game series at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 15-31 overall and 6-13 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Little Rock is 26-17 overall, 11-5 OVC.
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A pitcher’s duel through the first three-and-a-half frames before the Screaming Eagles put up the first run of the game in the fourth on a RBI-single freshman third baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana). USI upped the margin to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth when senior centerfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) scored from second when sophomore shortstop Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela) reached on an error up the middle.
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The Trojans battled back to tie the score 2-2 with a pair of runs in the sixth before the Eagles regained the lead, 3-2, in the seventh. USI junior pinch runner/leftfielder Steven Molinet (Elberfeld, Indiana) scored the Eagles’ third tally of the game when junior first baseman Tucker Ebest  (Austin, Texas) hit into a double play with the bases loaded.
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After USI got through a second-and-third jam the Little Rock eighth, the Trojans broke through to take the 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth. The Eagles tried to rally and tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, putting runners on the corners with one, only to see Little Rock shut the door on the 4-3 final.
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On the mound, junior right-hander Carter Stamm (Jasper, Indiana) took the loss in relief. Stamm (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out three batters.
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USI junior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) started and got a tough no-decision. Robinson, who threw a season-high six innings, allowed two runs on six hits and four walks. He also struck out two in the six frames and 105 pitches.
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Up Next for the Eagles:Â Â
The USI-Little Rock three-game series continues Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch. The series is set to conclude Sunday with USI’s Senior Day and a noon start. USI’s nine seniors will be honored at 11:30 a.m. with an on-field ceremony.
Eagles suffer a tough loss to open the series
Attorney General Todd Rokita: ‘Now is the time’ for U.S. Supreme Court to limit power of federal agencies
Attorney General Todd Rokita said today the U.S. Supreme Court should reverse a 39-year-old precedent that gives outsized power to federal agencies in interpreting laws.
“At the federal level, the framers of the Constitution intended Congress to have sole authority to enact laws,†Attorney General Rokita said. “And they intended the courts to interpret those laws to settle any disputes over meaning. Now is the time to curb the excessive power currently given to executive-level agencies to carry out these vital functions.â€
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could set the stage for overturning or limiting the 1984 decision that gave such unwarranted deference to federal agencies — Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council.
The case now before the court is Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo — which concerns whether the U.S. agency overseeing commercial fishing exceeded its congressionally granted authority when it commanded fisheries to cover costs of government observers aboard their watercraft.
“Hoosiers’ liberties are threatened when we turn over lawmaking functions to Washington bureaucrats,â€Â Attorney General Rokita said. “When we rely on the administrative state to govern us, we lose the checks and balances inherent in the system created by America’s founders.â€
Along with 17 other states, Attorney General Rokita in December asked the Supreme Court to review the case it now has accepted. That amicus brief is attached.
Consumer Alert: Products recalled in AprilÂ
Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in April.  This is the time to take advantage of opportunities available for those who purchased the recalled items.
“The weather is heating up, and that means more time for fun outdoor activities,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Make sure your kids’ toys are working correctly and safely. Hoosier parents shouldn’t have to deal with faulty items. If you have one of the recalled products, stop using it immediately and pursue resolution from the manufacturer.â€Â Â
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in April: Â
Basket with Balls Toys from Monti KidsÂ
Lelinta Multi-Purpose Kids Helmets from Lucky GlobalÂ
Youth In-Line Skates from Rollerblade USAÂ
BLAVINGAD Fishing Games from IKEAÂ
Children’s Fishing Rods from Lil AnglersÂ
Children’s Robes from Goumi  Â
Children’s Nightgowns from ArshinerÂ
Children’s Bathrobes from FunnyPajaÂ
Children’s Robes from Bagno MilanoÂ
NewCosplay Children’s Sleepwear from Taizhou Jiawang TradingÂ
NewCosplay Children’s Sleepwear from Changshu Lingshang TradingÂ
Alugator Ride 3.0 Hoe and Alugator Ride SE Avalanche Shovels from Mammut Sports Group  Â
Cordless Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuums from BISSELLÂ
Audiovisual Carts from Luxor WorkspacesÂ
Flo Battery Back-Ups for Flo Smart Water Monitors from Moen  Â
DynaDrive Fresh Water Well Pumps from Davey Water ProductsÂ
DeWALT, Stanley and Craftsman Fiberglass Sledgehammers from Stanley Black & DeckerÂ
If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice.
Then, follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product. Â
To view recalls issued prior to April, visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website. Â
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
                  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
City Council Meeting Agenda For MAY 8, 2023
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
05-08-2023 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
04-24-2023 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2023-07 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 5/22/2023 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller F-2023-07 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2023-14 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 808 SE Third St Owner: 808 Third Investments, LLC Requested Change: R4 to CO2 Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Chris Combs, CAC Development, LLC R-2023-14 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2023-15 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 618 N Burkhardt Rd Owner:HIRA, Inc Requested Change: CO2 w/ UDC to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 1 Trockman Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC R-2023-15 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2023-16 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as “South of Vogel Rd” (Approximately 5801 Vogel Rd) Owner: Corressell, Alan R Etal & Leon L & T / C Requested Change: C4 w/ UDC to C2 w/ UDC Ward: 1 Trockman Representative: Todd Jensen, KCG Companies R-2023-16 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-07 An Ordinance to Vacate a Public Right of Way in Evansville, IN that part of Hartig Avenue adjacent to Lot 30 in the Re-plat of Lots 60-87 inclusive in Shawnee Heights, an addition to the City of Evansville, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book “I”, page 97 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, IN Sponsor(s): Heronemus Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Don Gries, Easley Engineering G-2023-07 Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2023-06 A Resolution Approving an Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County Regarding the Distribution of Funds Received From the 2022 Local Byrne Justice Grant Program Award Sponsor(s): Beane, Mosby, Moore Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS C-2023-06 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2023-07 A Preliminary Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property at 1501 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN 47710 (Franklin St. Lofts LLC/Heritage Petroleum, LLC) Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Jenna Richardt, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership C-2023-07 Attachment:
C. RESOLUTION C-2023-08 A Confirming Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property at 1501 W. Franklin St, Evansville, IN 47710 (Franklin St. Lofts/Heritage Petroleum, LLC) Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Jenna Richardt, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership C-2023-08 Attachment:
D. RESOLUTION C-2023-09 A Preliminary Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property and Installation of New Equipment 5401 Highway 41 N, Evansville (Ultima Plastics, LLC) Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Jenna Richardt, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership C-2023-09 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, May 22, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
A. There will be an ASD Committee meeting on Thursday, May 18th at 9:30 a.m. in Room 301 to discuss Ordinance G-2023-06 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3.35 (Housing Funds) of the Evansville Municipal Code.
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
PROSECUTOR DIANA MOERS ANNOUNCES SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER
Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that, on May 3–4, 2023, the
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office successfully prosecuted Mateo Reymundo
Rodriguez for running over a victim—killing her—and fleeing the premises while stealing
a vehicle at a Conoco gas station.
On April 3, 2022, then 16-year-old Rodriguez entered a parked but still running
white Honda Civic with the intent to steal it. Upon reversing, Rodriguez struck another
parked car with the victim in the driver’s seat. The victim exited the car and ran to the
front of the Honda Civic. Rodriguez callously accelerated forward, resulting in the victim
falling underneath the Honda Civic and being run over while Rodriguez sped away. The
victim passed away due to her injuries.
Surveillance video showed the crime and a man that was wearing the same clothes
later found on Rodriguez and at his residence. While in jail, Rodriguez communicated
that if the victim wanted to play a superwoman, then she was gonna get hurt.
The jury found the now 17-year-old defendant guilty of felony murder; involuntary
manslaughter; robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony; leaving the
scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury, a Level 4 felony; failure to
remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death, a Level 4 felony; and auto theft of
an entire vehicle, a Level 6 felony.
“The Defendant’s thoughtless actions at the age of 16 have taken the life of a
completely innocent victim and have ruined his own life in turn. A convicted murderer at
the age of 17, he will now spend the majority of his life behind bars. We are prepared to
ask for an appropriate sentence that shows no mercy at sentencing since we believe his
statements since the crime show a complete lack of remorse for his actions. Vanderburgh
County will be safer without him on our streets†said Moers.
Prosecutor Moers thanked her deputy, Heath Tuley, and Evansville Police
Department Detective Michael Beitler for their hard work and dedication to this case.
Moers also sends condolences to the victims’ family and friends and thanks victim
advocate Robyn Mastison for her efforts in guiding the family through the legal process.
Sentencing is set for May 26, 2023 in front of Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of
the Vanderburgh Circuit Court.
For House Democrat, finishing The First Session Was Realization Of A “Quiet Dream”
For House Democrats, finishing the first session was the realization of a ‘quiet dream’
MAY 5, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS—Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers, said being a lawmaker was always a “quiet dream.â€Â
She had the dream for a long time, never telling anyone because the idea of running as a Democrat in Hamilton County seemed almost impossible. In fact, Garcia Wilburn said many people told her it wouldn’t happen, so why even try?Â
“Something I often heard from my opponent was that a Democrat couldn’t win in Hamilton County, and at the end of the day, I think that voters really wanted a choice,†Garcia Wilburn said, “a choice from somebody who thoughtfully addressed issues and had experience with timely topics over somebody who is playing into a partisan, hyper-partisan narrative.Â
“So I worked very hard, and sometimes that hard work pays off.â€
Garcia Wilburn’s Hamilton County, which includes Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel and Westfield, historically votes red—well, most of the time. In the last two presidential elections, Hamilton County voted in favor of Donald Trump.
In 2022, Garcia Wilburn fought against Republican Fred Glynn for her seat in the House of Representatives. Garcia Wilburn surpassed Glynn by a mere few hundred votes. Glynn was defeated once again in the mayoral election on May 2 against Republican Sue Finkam.
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Dayna Colbert knows the mountain Garcia Wilburn had to climb all too well. But Colbert noticed something different about Garcia Wilburn almost immediately—her desire to know her future constituents.Â
“She was out talking to them. She is a very accessible representative. Before she was elected, she was out talking to voters, really listening to them and understanding their concerns,†Colbert said.Â
Keeping this passion isn’t always easy in Hamilton County, Colbert said.Â
“We have heard in the past that, you know, Democrats don’t win in Hamilton County. But I think that’s just because Democrats don’t know that we’re out here. Since 2018, we have been continuing to build our bench,†Colbert said. “We have offered voters more options for Democrats, and I think that’s really just a testament to people wanting to more proudly proclaim that they’re Democrats, and giving voters a choice really helps them feel that they’re not alone.â€
For Garcia Wilburn, her story is something she wants to use to inspire others.Â
“It’s just important for people to not count themselves out before trying,†Garcia Wilburn said. “And if there’s one thing that people can take away from our win and this session is that hard work gets results. Being able to author a bill and to see it signed by the governor on Monday, it’s just incredible.â€
The bill was House Bill 1321, which increases the mental health education that first responders receive during their required training. As mentioned, HB 1321 was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on May 1.Â
Outside Garcia Wilburn’s first political position as a representative, she’s an educator, a researcher, a wife and a mom. When not sitting in the House Chamber, Garcia Wilburn conducts funded research at the IU School of Health and Human Sciences.
The stained glass and limestone of the state capitol weren’t new to her, though, due to her history of lobbying for mental health and serving as the past president of the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association. Â
Garcia Wilburn’s colleague in the House, Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, said it’s been amazing to watch her drive and motivation to listen and learn. Whenever she didn’t know the answer to something in the beginning, Porter said she was never afraid to ask.Â
“She’s been a breath of fresh air. She really represents her district, and she’s in touch with her district,†he said.Â
Porter said she has a large community to represent, but she does it well.Â
“She really does attempt to reflect her diverse community,†Porter said. “She has an ever-changing district. And I think that’s a great opportunity but yet still is challenging.â€
What keeps Garcia Wilburn going? Her family, she says.Â
“I have an amazing life partner. I think behind every strong, strong woman is a really humble man,†Garcia Wilburn said. “He’s been fantastic. He’s been filling up in areas where I can’t devote 110%. He always inspires me and encourages me to do my best and and to live out what I feel like is kind of like a calling.Â
“You know, my whole life’s work has really felt like it’s led up to this point, and I take it as a privilege.â€
She said her three children have also been gracious over the last few months, but they’re excited to have fun with their mom over the summer now that the 2023 legislative session has ended.Â
“I think my kids have been really patient to this new lifestyle,†she said. “So I’m looking forward to plenty of times in the pool and long walks and giving extra attention and TLC to our pet dog.â€
For those who have dreams on the horizon that they’re unsure about, Garcia Wilburn said it’s worth the try.Â
“I think we should just never count ourselves out because we each have a unique contribution that we can use for the good of our state,†Garcia said. “I just want people to be inspired by the act of not [counting] themselves out before they even give themselves a chance.â€