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A firefighter privacy protection bill will head to the Senate

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On June 12, 2021, Jonathan Wright, a private in the Evansville Fire Department, was attacked while on a medic run.

Wright said the individual that the fire department was responding to had overdosed on heroin and was given two doses of Narcan prior to their arrival. The computer on the rescue vehicle was down at the time, so they weren’t provided that information.

“On an unassuming day and what we believe to be an unassuming call, my family’s life was flipped upside down,” Wright said in the Senate Local Government Committee Thursday. The committee discussed House Bill 1578, which “protects the privacy of Hoosier firefighters,” said author of the bill, Rep. Timothy O’Brien, R-Evansville. 

The individual Wright and his crew were responding to stabbed Wright in the face with a large kitchen knife. 

He also attempted to stab Wright in the chest but failed after being subdued by Wright and a member of his crew. Wright said the individual tried again to stab another firefighter while refusing to give up the knife. 

Wright said he became a firefighter to serve his community and to “prevent the loss of life within it.” He chose this career over law enforcement because of his time “behind the trigger” while serving in the military.

He said he wanted to leave the “violence of humanity” behind him but he was thrust back into the “sad reality”—and that firefighters are not immune to situations that cause immense stress and trauma. 

“My wounds have all been healed from that day, and even though I’m reminded every time I look in the mirror, I myself have moved on from it. However, I will not forget the sheer panic and worry that I could see in both my daughters as well as my wife’s eyes,” Wright said.  

O’Brien said the bill would add firefighters, both paid and volunteer, to the list of people who can conceal their personal information on public data websites.  

Wright was fearful of a follow-up attack and tried to have his address withheld from public record, but his request was denied due to current statute.

Wright said in his testimony that firemen can be away from their homes for at least 24 hours, and under current law, his residence and other properties could easily be found on a county assessor’s website as public records. 

“I’d like to believe that these new rules, were they put in place, would help to protect and give peace of mind to future victims and their families,” Wright said. 

The bill passed the Senate Local Government Committee unanimously, with Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, and Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Portage, asking to be added as sponsors of the bill.  

It heads to the full Senate next.

USI to host “World Religions: Exploring Diversity” event

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USI to host “World Religions: Exploring Diversity” event

MARCH 25, 2023

The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts, religious studies minor, College of Liberal Arts Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Religious Life are proud to present “World Religions: Exploring Diversity,” a one-day event featuring music, art, yoga and more, on Tuesday, April 4. Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to the public at no charge.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, art, henna painting, yoga and meditation on the Labyrinth in front of the Liberal Arts Center. At 5 p.m., Tom Drury, Instructor of Music, and Dr. Norma Rosas-Mayen, Associate Professor of Spanish, will give a musical performance in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the Liberal Arts Center.

Following the performance from 5:15-6:30 p.m., there will be a roundtable audience Q&A focusing on the similarities and differences in belief between various major world religions. Panelists include Dr. Greg Brown, Center for Communal Studies; Dr. Rocco Gennaro, Professor of Philosophy; Dr. Sukanya Gupta, Associate Professor of English; Jo Olson, Liberal Arts Adjunct Professor, Dr. Mary Lyn Stoll, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Manuel Apodaca-Valdez, Associate Professor of Spanish, and Amira Alashi, sociology and world languages and cultures student.

Cultures around the world have long been fascinated by questions central to the study of religion. Knowledge of world religions is crucial to being a fully informed citizen and educated person. A religious studies minor can act as a springboard to a graduate degree. The minor can also enhance career opportunities in today’s increasingly multi-national and global world. Religion has an enormous impact on individuals, our nation and the international community. Learn more about this and other programs in the College of Liberal Arts at USI.edu/libarts.

For more information, contact Dr. Oana Armeanu, Associate Professor of Political Science, at oiarmeanu@usi.edu.

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Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The University offers study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries and hosts international students from around the globe. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at USI.edu. 

 

Davis bids goodbye to Evansville

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters announced Friday the trade of infielder J.R. Davis to the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Davis said. “Without him, none of this would have been possible. Jesus deserves all the glory, not me. Also, I want to thank the coaching staff for taking a chance on me and helping me not only develop as a player but as a man. Thank you to the Bullocks for opening up their home to me and treating me like a son. [Team Chaplain] Pastor Tyrone Edwards helped me a lot along the way as well, I appreciate you for that.”

Davis returned for his second season with the franchise in 2022, originally signing with the Otters in May 2021. With the Otters, Davis batted .296 with 98 runs, 34 doubles, six triples, 14 home runs, 112 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 180 games played. Davis was named a 2021 Frontier League Postseason All-Star. Davis earned his 500th professional hit milestone against his former team, the Washington Wild Things on August 31, 2022.

“J.R. has been a tremendous member of this team both on and off the field,” Evansville Otters Field Manager Andy McCauley said. “We are excited to see what the next chapter of baseball has in store for him.”

Davis, from Vallejo, Calif., played for the Washington Wild Things in 2019, where he hit .273/.310/.373 through 150 at bats. Davis spent four years in affiliated ball, after the St. Louis Cardinals drafted the Oklahoma State University product in the 15th Round of the 2016 first-year player draft. In 2019, while in the Seattle Mariners organization, Davis had the opportunity to play a game at the AAA level with the Tacoma Rainiers and collected a base hit. In his Junior Year at Oklahoma State University, Davis hit .347/.422/.438 with 13 doubles and 32 RBI through 256 plate appearances.

“It truly was a blessing to play in Evansville for the last two years,” Davis said. “The fan base was amazing and I will miss my best buddy, Nick Drake. Keep screaming and cheering on the Otters, Nick!”

The 2023 season is right around the corner. For information on season tickets, call 812-435-8686. Group and single-game tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.

The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up-to-date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OPINION: Being in nature can make you feel connected to your roots

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OPINION: Being in nature can make you feel connected to your roots

Illustration by Juliette Albert

 

The music of the forest often sounds like rustling leaves, chirping birds and gurgling waters. To sit and observe the stillness can make you feel connected to yourself. You acknowledge your thoughts, recognize them, and are unaffected by them.

Every year until my early adulthood, I spent my summers at my grandpa’s place, which is in a hill station in India. We would go hiking to the natural waterfall with a pool that was near his house. On the way he’d take me to the guava trees he had planted, and we’d enjoy a fruit or two from it. Upon reaching the pool, we’d go swimming and spend hours soaking up in the sun. It was healing to be in nature.

Spending time in nature can have a range of physical and psychological benefits including reduced stress, improved mood, and boosted cognitive function.

A 2015 study out of Stanford University found that participants who walked for 90 minutes in a natural, vegetative environment showed decreased neural activity in the areas of the brain that fixate on negative emotions.

[Related: OPINION: Stop stressing and start reading]

When our workspaces are not surrounded by nature, all our attention is directed toward the task at hand. This is called directed attention. According to American Psychological Association, “Directed attention fatigues people through overuse.” In nature, you find that attention is automatic because it springs from fascination. For high-density cities where the access to nature is cut off, the above research suggests that the cities should be designed in a long and thin fashion giving people easy access to the countryside.

Being connected to nature can make us feel calm. As Paper Kites sing, “Watch the trees turn to shadows now/ See the light changing her color/ When it fades away/ I still hear the sweet sound of you.” Observing the nature around me makes me feel close to my roots. It often reminds me of my grandpa and how he was one with nature.

Every day during sunset my grandpa would sit out on the porch and speak to the mockingjays sitting on the transmission lines. Not wanting to disturb this routine of his, I would watch him from a corner. He would whistle to the birds and the birds would reply and try to imitate his tune. This connection he had with the nature surrounding him was calming and I loved being around him.

I can almost see spring blooming in Bloomington. Some beautiful places you can visit on campus that I can personally attest to are Biology Greenhouse, Dunn Woods, Beck Chapel and Rosewell House. Furthermore, you can explore nature hotspots around Bloomington including Griffy Lake and Hickory Ridge Fire Tower.

[Related: OPINION: These three nature spots make Indiana a little less dull]

I leave you with this quote from Sylvia Plath: “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery— air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’”

What better time than now to wander out into nature and feel the sun on your skin?

FOOTNOTE: Sanjana Jairam (she/her) is a first-year graduate student studying data science. 

No. 6 Indiana Set for Final Night of NCAA Meet

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MINNEAPOLIS – Indiana men’s swimming and diving is headed to the final session of the 2023 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships with five final swims and two diving A finalists on Saturday (March 25) inside the Jane K. Freeman Aquatic Center.

Through three days, Indiana sits fourth with 259 points. A finish within the top four would beat IU’s No. 6 national ranking according to CSCAA as well as the psych sheet projections (No. 5). The Hoosiers have finished top six nationally at each of the last four championships, with two third-place finishes in that span (2018 and 2019).

Senior Brendan Burns will look to defend his NCAA title in the 200-yard butterfly Saturday night, swimming a 1:40.51 in prelims to capture the No. 4 seed in the championship final. Burns was the No. 4 seed with a 1:40 seed time a year ago when he won the title in a program record 1:38.71. Junior Tomer Frankel will join Burns in the A final as the No. 7 seed after he swam a 1:40.94 in the morning.

Senior Van Mathias’ career-high individual national finish was 26th coming into the 2023 meet, but this week he has captured All-America finishes in all three individual competitions swam. On Saturday, he earned his second championship final appearance in the 100 free, swimming a career-best 41.33 to earn the No. 7 seed.

Sophomore Josh Matheny earned the No. 6 spot in the 200-yard breaststroke A final with a 1:51.24. In his career, he has gone as fast as 1:50.56. Junior Jassen Yep nearly qualified for the B final, touching in 1:52.39 as the first alternate.

The sophomore diving duo of Carson Tyler and Quinn Henninger advanced to the championship final of the platform diving event after earning top-four finishes on the 3-meter springboard on Friday. Tyler is the top qualifier in the event, scoring a 425.05 in the prelim. Henninger was fifth in the prelim with a 388.05 score.

Saturday night will end with the 400-yard freestyle relay with IU coming in as the No. 7 seed. Mathias, junior Gavin Wight, Frankel and sophomore Rafael Miroslaw posted a 2:48.11 at the Big Ten Championships to win by over a second. IU’s relay will look to sink the program record, currently sitting at 2:47.11 from the 2018 NCAA meet.

RESULTS

100 FREESTYLE

  1. Van Mathias – 41.33 (Championship Final, Career Best)

t32. Rafael Miroslaw – 42.51

  1. Finn Brooks – 43.34

200 BREASTSTROKE

  1. Josh Matheny – 1:51.24 (Championship Final)
  2. Jassen Yep – 1:52.39 (First Alternate)
  3. Maxwell Reich – 1:53.18
  4. Luke Barr – 1:54.28

200 BUTTERFLY

  1. Brendan Burns – 1:40.51 (Championship Final)
  2. Tomer Frankel – 1:40.94 (Championship Final)

PLATFORM

  1. Carson Tyler – 425.05 (Championship Final)
  2. Quinn Henninger – 388.05 (Championship Final)
  3. Andrew Capobianco – 338.40
  4. Maxwell Weinrich – 309.75

HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS

Finn Brooks (200 Freestyle Relay*)
Brendan Burns (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 100 Butterfly*, 100 Backstroke, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Butterfly)

Andrew Capobianco (1-meter, 3-meter)

Tomer Frankel (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 100 Butterfly, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Butterfly)

Quinn Henninger (3-meter)

Josh Matheny (100 Breaststroke*, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Breaststroke)

Van Mathias (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay*, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Freestyle)

Rafael Miroslaw (800 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay*, 200 Freestyle*, 400 Medley Relay)

Carson Tyler (3-meter)

Gavin Wight (200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay*)

* - Denotes Honorable Mention

UP NEXT
High-scoring points are up for grabs for Indiana in six championship final positions as well as the relay. The final session of the 2023 NCAA Championships will kick off at 7 p.m. ET.

Over 55 Farming Families Were Honored With The Hoosier Homestead Award

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Over 55 Farming Families Were Honored With The Hoosier Homestead Award

March 23, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS (March 24, 2023) — At the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

“It is a true honor to be in the historic Statehouse today celebrating your incredible family farming history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Your commitment to Indiana and our agriculture history and future is renowned. It was awe-inspiring to celebrate this family achievement with you all today.”

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: the Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership, and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.

“Being a farmer myself I know how challenging it is to farm today in general, and to keep the same property in the family for decades on end, no less,” said Lamb. “This award being presented today to your farming families is proof of your dedication to agriculture, to our State and to feeding our world, so I thank you.”

Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2023 ceremony:

County Award Name Award Year Award Type
Adams Maller 1889 Centennial
Adams Peter D. & Barbara Moser 1838 Sesquicentennial
Allen Koenenman 1899 Centennial
Allen Ronald J. & Linda K. Schlatter 1835 Sesquicentennial
Allen Ronald J. & Neil C. Schlatter 1835 Sesquicentennial
Allen Schuhler/Connor/Loesch 1866 Sesquicentennial
Bartholomew Tooley-Calvin 1907 Centennial
Benton Atkinson 1852 Sesquicentennial
Benton Brandt 1886 Centennial
Benton Ferguson/Creek 1871 Sesquicentennial
Cass Berlet 1918 Centennial
Clay Dierdorf 1889 Centennial
Clay Keith & Paula Jones 1870 Sesquicentennial
Clay Wayne R. & Mary A. Jones 1905 Centennial
Clay Zurcher 1868 Sesquicentennial
Dearborn Decker 1919 Centennial
Dearborn Hoog 1919 Centennial
Delaware Smith 1892 Centennial
Fountain Gray 1869 Sesquicentennial
Franklin Meyer 1920 Centennial
Grant Harner 1850 Sesquicentennial
Grant Philip W. Corey 1866 Sesquicentennial
Greene Hays 1855 Sesquicentennial
Hamilton Sowers-Pickett 1918 Centennial
Harrison Crosier 1917 Centennial
Harrison Pate/Gettelfinger 1906 Centennial
Howard McQuiston-Howell 1880 Centennial
Huntington Thorne 1910 Centennial
Johnson Becker 1919 Centennial
Kosciusko McSherry Farms, Inc. 1838 Sesquicentennial
Lagrange Strayer 1916 Centennial
Madison Williams 1920 Centennial
Martin Brown 1922 Centennial
Newton Constable 1869 Sesquicentennial
Newton Frank Douglas Best & John Berry Best 1860 Sesquicentennial
Noble Hooley 1920 Centennial
Orange Dennis F. & Patricia F. Cleveland 1842 Sesquicentennial
Owen Watson 1907 Centennial
Pike Charles Wayne & Barbara J. Satkamp 1922 Centennial
Putnam Carter 1862 Sesquicentennial
Putnam Risk 1870 Sesquicentennial
Randolph Bowen, Taylor, Cowen 1882 Centennial
Ripley Boggess/Bauman 1922 Centennial
Rush Harcourt 1873 Sesquicentennial
Shelby Marvin Covalt 1922 Centennial
Tippecanoe Meisenhelder-Jones 1859 Sesquicentennial
Tipton Phineas A. Salsberry 1896 Centennial
Wabash Albright 1847 Sesquicentennial
Warren Adams 1896 Centennial
Warren Akers 1868 Sesquicentennial
Warren Fleming 1918 Centennial
Warrick Titzer 1913 Centennial
Wayne Druley-Pierce 1866 Sesquicentennial
Wells DeVoe 1841 Sesquicentennial
Wells Fred & Emma (Meyer) Nuerge 1913 Centennial
Whitley Milton Rupley 1923 Centennial

To view photos from the Spring 2023 Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse, click here. All family photos will be available online by March 31, 2023.

The 2023 Summer Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony will take place on Aug. 16, 2023, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Mallory Russell named MVC Women’s Golfer of the Week

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UE junior took second at Nevel Meade Collegiate

ST. Louis –University of Evansville junior Mallory Russell was named the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week on Thursday afternoon.

Russell was the top performer for the Purple Aces in this week’s Nevel Meade Collegiate in Prospect, Ky. The Evansville native earned a second-place finish in the individual standings while leading UE to a runner-up finish on the team side.

Monday’s opening round saw Russell finish with an even score of 72.  She came back with another nice round on Tuesday, carding a 2-over 74.  Her final tally of 146 came in just two strokes behind medalist Casilda Allendesalazar of Central Michigan.

Up next, the ladies travel to Pawley’s Island, S.C. for the Golfweek/AGT Intercollegiate which opens on Monday.

USI to host “World Religions: Exploring Diversity” event

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The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts, religious studies minor, College of Liberal Arts Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Religious Life are proud to present “World Religions: Exploring Diversity,” a one-day event featuring music, art, yoga and more, on Tuesday, April 4. Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to the public at no charge. 

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, art, henna painting, yoga and meditation on the Labyrinth in front of the Liberal Arts Center. At 5 p.m., Tom Drury, Instructor of Music, and Dr. Norma Rosas-Mayen, Associate Professor of Spanish, will give a musical performance in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the Liberal Arts Center. 

Following the performance from 5:15-6:30 p.m., there will be a roundtable audience Q&A focusing on the similarities and differences in belief between various major world religions. Panelists include Dr. Greg Brown, Center for Communal Studies; Dr. Rocco Gennaro, Professor of Philosophy; Dr. Sukanya Gupta, Associate Professor of English; Jo Olson, Liberal Arts Adjunct Professor, Dr. Mary Lyn Stoll, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Manuel Apodaca-Valdez, Associate Professor of Spanish, and Amira Alashi, sociology and world languages and cultures student. 

Cultures around the world have long been fascinated by questions central to the study of religion. Knowledge of world religions is crucial to being a fully informed citizen and educated person. A religious studies minor can act as a springboard to a graduate degree. The minor can also enhance career opportunities in today’s increasingly multi-national and global world. Religion has an enormous impact on individuals, our nation and the international community. Learn more about this and other programs in the College of Liberal Arts at USI.edu/libarts. 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

media

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT  information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Mt. Vernon Man Arrested for Child Molesting

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Orange County – Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on March 16 after receiving an allegation that a female under the age of 14 had been sexually molested by Jorge Cesar Gonzalez, 53, of Mt. Vernon. The alleged incident occurred during the month of July 2022 at an undisclosed location in Orange County. After reviewing the criminal investigation, the Orange County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez. He was charged with Child Molesting, a Level 4 Felony.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. this afternoon, Gonzalez was arrested without incident at his place of employment in Mt. Vernon. He was taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held until he is transferred to the Orange County Jail.

Arrested and Charge:

  • Jorge Cesar Gonzalez, 53, Mt. Vernon, IN
  1. Child Molesting, Level 4 Felony

Investigating Officer: Detective Brandon Deig, Indiana State Police

Media Note: As of 7:40 p.m., a mug photo was not available.

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RINGLE

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

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