January 22 – January 28The Week in Indiana History |
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   Among this list of United States Presidents, which have had Hoosiers as their Vice Presidents? John Adams
Theodore Roosevelt
Grover Cleveland
James Buchanan
Ulysses S. Grant
Woodrow Wilson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
      Answer below
“It ain’t no use to grumble and complain,
It’s jest as cheap and easy to rejoice:
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
W’y, rain’s my choice.”
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849 – 1916)
Answer:Â Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, Ulysses S. Grant, and Woodrow Wilson |
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Hoosier History Highlights: Ten County Libraries Established
1911   Catherine Lucille Moore was born in Indianapolis. A student at Indiana University, she wrote for the school’s magazine, The Vagabond. She moved to California where she wrote scripts for television shows like Maverick. She won many awards and, in 2004, was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Critics said she brought a unique voice and high-quality prose to the magazine market.
1967   A flash fire aboard the Apollo 1 test capsule took the lives of Hoosier astronaut Gus Grissom and fellow astronauts Edward White and Roger Chaffee. Grissom grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, and served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
EPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying, Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity
the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the latest action to identify and address cumulative impacts from pollution and non-pollution sources. EPA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) released the Cumulative Impacts Addendum to EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), available here. The Addendum is a first-ever collection of examples of the Agency’s legal authorities to identify and address cumulative impacts through a range of actions, including permitting, regulations, and grants, in order to consider the lived experience of communities overburdened by pollution and advance environmental justice.
This Addendum builds on EJ Legal Tools, which OGC released in May 2022, by identifying for EPA decisionmakers and partners a wide range of authorities that can be deployed to address the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the environment and other factors affecting human health and well-being that have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Addendum is the latest step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and equity through federal actions.
“At EPA, we’re committed to protecting the health and environment of all communities, including those historically marginalized, overburdened, underserved, and living with the legacy of structural racism,†said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That commitment means identifying and making appropriate use of every authority and tool available to EPA under the law to incorporate environmental and climate justice considerations in our work. EJ Legal Tools, and now the Cumulative Impacts Addendum, will help support EPA’s mission to advance environmental justice and deliver equitable health and environmental protections for all.â€
“To further the promise of environmental justice, we must invest in tools that help identify and remedy the disproportionate burden of pollution that is too often borne by low-income communities and communities of color,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “EPA’s publication of EJ Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice, and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum released today, will further empower government entities and the communities we serve in the work to improve public health and the environment we share. New Jersey looks forward to collaborating with Administrator Regan and our EPA colleagues to develop additional cumulative impacts tools that will help enrich all communities, sow equity, and do justice.”
Through Executive Orders 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, and 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, President Biden directed federal agencies to make achieving environmental justice part of their missions and announced the Administration’s policy of pursuing a comprehensive approach to advancing equity. To help achieve those goals, in EPA’s FY 2022–26 EPA Strategic Plan and E.O. 13985 Equity Action Plan, EPA established goals and priorities to advance environmental justice and address cumulative impacts in its actions.
Together, EJ Legal Tools and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum describe the legal foundation and pathways for EPA to implement the Agency’s Strategic Plan for integrating environmental justice and equity in agency programs across EPA headquarters and regional offices. They also serve as a guide for state and Tribal partners and provide transparency to the general public.
EJ Legal Tools and its Cumulative Impacts Addendum are crucial tools in EPA’s toolkit for promoting environmental justice and equity. They will help accelerate the integration of environmental justice and cumulative impacts considerations into EPA’s policies, programs, and activities.
Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Meeting
 The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet for the regularly scheduled Board meeting Monday, January 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the EVSC Administration Building located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Board meetings can also be observed by tuning to EVSC’s radio station, 90.7 WPSR or live streamed online at https://www.wpsrhd.com/.Â
Prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, three members of the Board, along with district administrators, will hold a Town Hall beginning at 5:00 PM. This Town Hall is for Vanderburgh County residents to speak directly with Board members in attendance about issues involving EVSC schools. The Town Hall will be held in the Technology and Innovation Center located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Members of the public who would like to attend the Town Hall should register by completing the Town Hall Registration Form located on our website at district.evscschools
Happy Chinese New Year From Shen Yun!
February 1, 2023 · Evansville Old National Events Plaza
OVER THE YEARS, more than a few rabbits have hopped on stage at Shen Yun. Some have joined goddess Chang’ E on the moon, busily preparing magical elixir. Others were not so lucky, being tailed by a brethren of meat-eating monks. No matter which role they played, these furry friends have never failed to delight audiences the world over.
Now, in this year of the Rabbit, we can’t promise that you’ll see one in our show. But their characteristics of mercy, elegance, and beauty are celebrated in every one of our performances. So if you’re looking for a great way to leap into the new year, bring your friends and family to Shen Yun. Have a better idea? We’re all ears.
Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) program can provide assistance with the mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance and homeowner/condominium fees of eligible Hoosiers. Applications are being accepted through 877gethope.org. As of January 13th, 2023, the IHAF program cap has been raised from $35,000 to $50,000. This means that more Hoosiers, including those who were previously denied because the amount of assistance needed exceeded the program cap of $35,000 per household, may now be eligible for IHAF assistance. All denied IHAF applicants are eligible to reapply for assistance one time and can do so by logging in to the application portal here. To receive assistance, applicants must still meet all other eligibility and underwriting requirements and payment information must be validated by the mortgage servicer or lender. |
USI Holds On To Defeat SIUE, 82-72
USI Holds On To Defeat SIUE, 82-72
Eagles Continue To Climb OVC Standings
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball had to make a defense stand in the last minute before closing out a 81-72 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday afternoon in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Screaming Eagles go to 12-9 overall and 5-3 in the OVC, while the Cougars are 14-7, 5-3 OVC.
With the victory, USI is in a four-way tie for second in the OVC standings at 5-3 and a half-game out of first behind, pending the conclusion of the Tennessee Tech University-Southeast Missouri State University game, which was headed to a second overtime at press time. USI, currently, is tied at 5-3 with SIUE, University of Tennessee at Martin, and Morehead State University.
USI was dominating through the first 20 minutes of action, building a 38-22 lead by the intermission. Sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) led the charge with 14 points in the half, hitting five-of-eight with four three-pointers.
The Eagles, as a team, led by as many as 17 points during the first half (36-19) after shooting 45.2 percent for the half (14-31) and 53.3 percent from the beyond the arc (8-15).
SIUE made a brief run at USI to start the second half, cutting the margin to 11 points three times in the first eight minutes (42-31, 48-37, 50-39). USI methodically pushed the lead back to 18 points, 59-41, on a 9-2 spurt with 8:31 left on the clock. Senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) led the surge with six of the nine points.
USI appeared to be cruising until the last five minutes of the game when SIUE exploded on a 20-6 run to cut the Eagles’ lead to six points, 67-61, with 2:16 to play. The Eagles regained the momentum with a 7-0 spurt to get the lead back to double-digits, 73-61, with 1:30 remaining on the clock.
The Cougars, however, had one more run at the Eagles to cut the margin to eight points, 75-67, before USI closed out the game at the free throw line for the 82-72 victory.
Swope led four players in double-digits for the Eagles with 23 points, adding nine points in the final 20 minutes. The sophomore guard was six-of-12 overall, four-of-seven from long range, and seven-of-12 from the line.
Senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) followed Swope with 17 points, reaching double-digits for the second game in a row. Polakovich finished with 16 points, all in the second half, and grabbed 23 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the year. The 23 rebounds also marked Polakovich’s third 20-plus rebound game of the season.
USI graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12 points and was second on the team with eight rebounds.
Next Up For USI:
USI returns to the friendly surroundings Screaming Eagles Arena Thursday when it hosts Eastern Illinois University. The game, which is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip, will be streamed on ESPN+ in addition to being heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
EIU (7-14, 3-5 OVC) stumbled at the University of Tennessee at Martin this afternoon, 91-78, and reached the middle of its three-game road swing. The Panthers have lost four of their last five in January.
EIU junior guard Kinyon Hodges led the Panthers in the loss to UTM with 25 points.
The Panthers evened the series with the Eagles, 2-2, after taking the first meeting of the sea-son, 91-80, in Charleston back in December. USI was led by graduate forward Trevor Lakes and junior guard Gary Solomon (Detroit, Michigan) with 16 points each. EIU was led by sophomore guard Dan Luers with 20 points.
Eagles’ Fourth-Quarter Push Comes Up Short Against SIUE
Eagles’ fourth-quarter push comes up short against SIUE
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball made a big, fourth-quarter charge against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon, but the Screaming Eagles’ push came up a little short as the Cougars held on to win 78-69.
SIUE started off fast in the first 90 seconds of the game with an early 6-0 advantage. Southern Indiana then found its offensive spark to narrow the early deficit under the eight-minute mark of the first quarter. Sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) drilled back-to-back jumpers, including one from three, to bring USI back within one, 8-7.
Later in the first quarter, Southern Indiana began attacking downhill aggressively, earning trips to the foul line. The assertiveness from USI forced SIUE into early foul trouble. The Screaming Eagles made nine trips to the charity stripe in the first quarter, knocking down seven free throws. SIUE led 18-16 after the opening 10 minutes.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Cougars pushed their lead back up to six. After a pair of made free throws for USI, junior guard Lexie Green (Indianapolis, Indiana) canned a three from the top of the arc to trim the deficit down to one, 22-21. The offenses slowed down over the course of the next few minutes. A layup by senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) with 3:58 left in the first half put USI ahead, 25-24. Both offenses went back and forth for the remainder of the second period, as SIUE took a three-point lead, 35-32, into halftime.
Out of the break, SIUE came out with extensive pressure and hot shooting to begin the second half. The Cougars went on a 10-0 run over the first 1:38 of the third quarter. Trailing 45-42, the Screaming Eagles responded with consecutive baskets to cut the margin back down to nine, 45-36.
Midway into the third period, graduate forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) made two consecutive baskets inside to bring SIUE’s lead down to five, 47-42. In the last 3:30 of the third quarter, SIUE’s defense and offense clicked, as the Cougars outscored USI 11-3 for the remainder of the third to take a 58-45 lead into the fourth quarter.
SIUE increased its lead at the start of the fourth period, extending the margin up to 18, 63-45. Approaching the halfway point of the fourth, the Screaming Eagles started their pushback, as junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) connected on consecutive layups. Inside the five-minute mark, a layup by Brown was followed by a buried three-pointer from senior guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana) to make the score 65-54 SIUE.
A minute later, Raley cashed in at the foul line and then made a jumper in the next possession to bring USI back within seven, 65-58. Southern Indiana was able to cut the deficit down to five, 65-60, with three minutes left, but SIUE closed out the game from there with a pair of key jumpers and free throws down the stretch.
Southern Indiana was led on the afternoon by Raley with 19 points on 6-14 shooting and 7-8 at the foul line. The junior also pulled down eight rebounds and dished out four assists. Shafford tallied 14 points, going 5-12 from the field, and grabbed six boards. Brown also recorded double figures with 10 points in the game. USI went 22-62 for 35 percent from the floor, including four three-pointers, and 21-25 for 84 percent at the stripe. The Screaming Eagles outrebounded the Cougars 44-37 overall and 17-11 on the offensive glass.
SIUE was led in scoring by sophomore guard Molly Sheehan, who posted 18 points with four made triples. Sophomore guard Sofie Lowis and senior forward Ajulu Thatha each scored 13 points. The Cougars were 26-62 for 42 percent on the day, hitting eight three-pointers, and went 18-21 for 86 percent at the free-throw line.
Saturday’s result moved USI’s record to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play, while SIUE improved its record to 6-13 on the season and 5-3 in OVC games. Both teams sit in the middle of the Ohio Valley Conference standings. The coming week will mark the halfway point of the Ohio Valley Conference season.
Southern Indiana will return home to Screaming Eagles Arena next Thursday for the Screaming Eagles’ second go-around against Eastern Illinois University at 5 p.m. The game can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM Th Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets can be purchased online at usi.universitytickets.com.
VA Host Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair at Marion County Fairgrounds, January 31, 2023
WHAT: Resource event for Veterans affected by toxic exposure during military service
WHO: U.S. Military Veterans
WHERE: Marion County Fairgrounds, 7300 E. Troy Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46239
WHEN: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 – 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Indianapolis VA Medical Center of Veteran Health Indiana (VHI) will host a Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Marion County Fairgrounds located at 7300 E. Troy Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46239.
Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors are also invited to attend one of the three PACT Act briefings being held at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., on January 31, on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 – known as the PACT Act. The new law expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
“There are so many Veterans and survivors in Indiana and across the nation who are eligible for new and/or expanded VA health care and compensation benefits,†said VHI Director Michael Hershman. “We want to get the word out, so they can receive the care and benefits they deserve.â€
Representatives will be on-site to answer questions on the PACT Act, VA eligibility & enrollment (Veterans, bring a copy of your DD214, if available), federal and state VA benefits, filing claims, and more. Toxic Exposure Screening will be available. All are being offered between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., on January 31.
We appreciate the support of our colleagues in the media in sharing this information with Veterans and the community. Learn more about PACT Act by visiting www.va.gov/PACT.
Short-handed Lady Blazers come away with a tough win over Kaskaskia
Short-handed Lady Blazers come away with a tough win over Kaskaskia
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers are again battling injuries, leaving Hall of Fame Head Coach Harry Meeks with just eight active players Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Blazers battled a tough back-and-forth game against the Blue Angels of Kaskaskia College, using a late fourth quarter scoring burst to pick up the 75-69 Region 24 win.
VU got off to a slow start Saturday afternoon, quickly falling behind 8-2, before rallying back to tie the game at 10-10.
The Blazers would put together an 8-2 scoring run of their own to close out the first quarter of play, ending the first 10 minutes of action with a 21-19 advantage.
Vincennes grabbed a five-point lead early in the second quarter before the Blue Angels responded back to outscore VU 16-2 to take a 38-29 lead.
VU would cut the deficit before halftime however, heading into the midway break trailing 40-37 on the home floor.
The Lady Blazers looked determined coming out of the locker room and battled in a back-and-forth third quarter.
The score was tied four times and the lead changed hands three times in the third quarter alone before Kaskaskia hit a buzzer beater to take a 60-58 lead into the final quarter.
Vincennes looked to completely swing the momentum of the game in the fourth quarter, evening the score at 64-64 with just under 6:30 on the clock, before taking the lead with a free throw and never looking back.
The Lady Blazers outscored the Blue Angels 10-3 down the stretch of the game and held Kaskaskia to just nine fourth quarter points as VU came away with the 75-69 win over the Blue Angels.
“We were able to win this game by being tenacious and playing hard,†VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Harry Meeks said. “I looked out at the floor one time and we had all five girls playing out of position. All I can say is that that was a really gutsy effort. Our girls played hard. That’s what we are going to have to have late in the this season.â€
“All of our girls really stepped up today,†Meeks added. “They played and played extra minutes than normal and I can only say that it was a great win for us given the situation that we were in. That’s really difficult to coach your way out of and our girls played their way out of it. That was the most important thing to me. They didn’t give up. I had to get after them a couple of times for just doing things that are not conducive to winning but they hung in there and played. They did a really good job late in the game. We played a zone defense for most of the game, but with about six minutes left we switched to a man defense. Once we did that, they did a really good job finishing the game.â€
VU was led offensively by sophomore Daylynn Thornton (Lafayette, Ind.) who ended her day with 18 points a career-high eight assists and a team-high two steals.
Freshman Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) polished off her seventh double-double this season after battling foul trouble in the first half. Baseyila came away with 14 points and 17 rebounds, while also leading VU with three blocks.
Freshman Brie Miller (Greencastle, Ind.) had the best game of her collegiate career so far Saturday, picking up her first career double-double and setting new career-highs with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Miller also dished out three assists and came away with two steals.
Sophomore Nyre Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to add 11 points and six rebounds to the VU totals, while freshman Maycee Lange (Vincennes, Ind.) was the fifth VU scorer in double-figures with 10 points and four rebounds.
Sophomore Cherrelle Newsom (Indianapolis, Ind.) struggled to find open space to shoot all day long, but still nearly came away with a double-double, ending with nine points and matching Thornton’s team-high eight assists, setting a new career-high.
“Those young ladies were put into a position where they had to perform today,†Meeks said. “They had to perform at a high level for us to win this game. Daylynn did a super job of pushing the ball and handling the ball. Brie did a really good job with her defense and rebounding. Those two had a really good game and played hard. We’re not perfect and it isn’t always pretty, but we got the win.â€
The Lady Blazers will have a full week to rest and recover and hopefully get some more bodies back healthy before VU hosts Olney Central College at the Physical Education Complex Saturday, Jan. 28.
The Lady Blazers lost a tight game at Olney early in December, falling 72-69 in another game where VU only had eight active players. Tip-off time next Saturday is set for 5 p.m. eastern.
“Olney Central has given us a really hard time when we play over there the last few years,†Meeks said. “They couldn’t miss a shot when we played earlier and we couldn’t make a shot. We are going to have to play better. We’ve got the game tape to go back and watch. We can see what we did wrong and make corrections. If we play next week with the heart that we played with today, we’ll be successful. If not, it may be a difficult evening for us.â€
VINCENNES BOX SCORE
VINCENNES (75): Brie Miller 5-13 3-5 13, Maycee Lange 4-8 2-2 10, Elikya Baseyila 7-12 0-1 14, Cherrelle Newsom 3-9 0-0 9, Daylynn Thornton 6-19 5-6 18, Elena Tzelou 0-0 0-0 0, Nyre Williams 5-11 1-2 11, Ra’Mya Milton 0-1 0-0 0, Team 30-73 11-16 75.
Kaskaskia – 19   21  20  9 – 69
VU (14-8, 7-2) – 21   16  21  17 – 75
Three-point goals: VU 4 (Newsom 3, Thornton). Rebounds: VU 45 (Baseyila 17). Assists: VU 22 (Newsom 8, Thornton 8). Steals: VU 5 (Miller 2, Thornton 2). Blocked Shots: VU 6 (Baseyila 3). Turnovers: VU 12. Personal Fouls: VU 10. Fouled out: None.
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The VU Lady Blazers improve to 14-8 on the season, with a 7-2 record in Region 24 play.
Individual Income Tax Filing Opens Jan. 23
DOR Advises Hoosiers to Utilize Electronic Filing and Online Resources for Efficient Service
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) will start accepting filings for the 2023 individual income tax season on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in concert with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Customers will have until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to file both their state and federal 2022 tax returns and pay any taxes owed.
While Indiana tax forms for the upcoming individual income tax season are now available online, DOR is reminding Hoosiers to wait to file their tax returns until they receive their official tax documents and statements. Attempting to file without all documents can delay the process and ultimately postpone any refund a customer may receive. All employers are required to provide Form W-2s to employees by Jan. 31, 2023.
DOR also encourages customers to utilize electronic filing, online payment and direct deposit to significantly improve the quality and speed of return and refund processing.
While most Hoosiers received their Automatic Taxpayer Refund(s) via check or direct deposit in 2022, many elderly and disabled individuals who did not receive direct payment may be eligible to claim a $200 tax credit. Visit dor.in.gov for eligibility and filing information.
Eligible taxpayers may be able to file their federal and state taxes for free through the INfreefileprogram. Participating vendors and eligibility requirements are available at freefile.dor.in.gov. Additional information on individual income tax filing, including FAQs, tips and resources for free and low-cost tax preparation help are available at dor.in.gov/individual-income-taxes.
DOR says that the answer to most common tax questions can be found online through dor.in.gov.Customers who wish to contact DOR directly should use the secure messaging portal in INTIME for the most efficient service. INTIME registration takes just a few minutes for most users.
To download tax forms and find more information on what documents are required to file an Indiana individual income tax return, visit DOR’s website, dor.in.gov.