UE track and field completes first day at the Outdoor Music City Challenge

05/03/2025

The Purple Aces competed in most of the action on Friday evening

NASHVILLE – The University of Evansville track and field team finished its first day at the Outdoor Music City Challenge, resetting two program records and earning a podium finish in one of the most competitive meets of the season.

Sophomores Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) and Samuel Lea (Worcester, England) reset their Purple Aces program records in the women’s 200-meter dash and the men’s 5K race on Friday. Sophomore thrower Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill. / Salem Community HS) also earned UE’s only podium finish of the day in the men’s discus throw to begin the Outdoor Music City Challenge. Evansville had multiple people earn PRs during Friday’s action in a tight day of competition.

SPRINTS

The Aces’ night on the track began with the 100-meter dash, where sophomore Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS) placed just outside the top 10 with a time of 10.60. UE didn’t return to the track until over an hour later with the men’s and women’s 200-meter dashes. Johnson improved on her program record in the event with a 24.96 finish on Friday night.

In the men’s race, Felton had the fastest finish, placing ninth with a time of 21.37 seconds, just a hundredth of a second behind his PR. Sophomore Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North HS) and junior José Ocampo (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) also finished the race just two places away from each other with times of 22.40 and 22.48 seconds.

MID-DISTANCE

Evansville’s only mid-distance race of the night was the men’s and women’s 1500-meter event. Sophomore Chase Hayes (Noblesville, Ind. / Western HS) ran the first 1500 race of her career in Nashville. She finished the race in 4:49.58 for the Aces’ fastest finish in the event during the outdoor season.

In the men’s race, senior Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) set a new PR at 3:54.58 for 24th. Oulgout’s time was also the fastest for UE in the event and was less than 10 seconds off the program record set by David Denny in 1983. The senior was only three seconds off the fastest MVC runner in the event on Friday night, Belmont senior Joel Wolf.

DISTANCE

Similar to mid-distance competition, Evansville only ran in one distance event on Friday night. Sophomores Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS) and Lea ran the final event of the evening, the 5K race. Stephens improved her PR in the event by over 15 seconds, finishing in 18:02.92. On the men’s side, Lea had the Aces’ best track finish of the day, placing fifth in the event with a time of 14:35.11 to improve on his own program record by more than six seconds.

THROWS

UE’s day in Nashville began in the field with the men’s and women’s javelin throw. Sophomore Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill. / Salem Community HS) threw just under his PR at 46.24 meters to place fourth in the event. While on the women’s side, Kaitlyn Sansone (Fairfield, Ohio / Mercy McAuley HS) threw 26.11 meters.

Evansville’s other throws event on Friday night was the men’s and women’s discus throw. The women’s event freshman Emma Bertel (Franklin, Ind. / Franklin Community HS) threw for 33.66 meters. On the men’s side, the Aces had two throwers participate in Johnson and sophomore Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio / Boardman HS).

Johnson was again just shy of his PR in the discus event with a throw of 42.32 meters. While he didn’t break his PR, Johnson earned the only podium finish of the day for UE, placing third in the event. Cherne wasn’t far behind Johnson with a throw of 40.34 meters for sixth place.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

05/03/2025

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

05/03/2025

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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.

Uncover the Shadow War of 1862 Western Kentucky | May 6

05/03/2025

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Tuesday, May 6, 2025

6 PM

Browning Gallery (lower level)

“We Shall Conquer or Die” — The Untold War Near Evansville

Join us for the Randall and Amy Shephard 2025 Lecture featuring Derrick Lindow, author of We Shall Conquer or Die: Partisan Warfare in 1862 Western Kentucky.

Lindow will explore a deadly but often overshadowed Civil War struggle waged behind the front lines—one that destroyed lives, drained Union resources, and reached dangerously close to Evansville.

Lindow is a nationally recognized history teacher, a James Madison Fellow, and a co-creator of the Western Theater in the Civil War website. Don’t miss this powerful evening of local and national history.

Willard Public Library encourages patrons and visitors to donate graciously to ensure the continuation of events like this for years to come. The WPL’s Foundation is a non-profit organization registered as a 501(c)(3). >> https://www.willardlib.org/donate

Indiana Grown members showcased Indiana products at exhibition

05/03/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS (April 29, 2025) – Indiana Grown, the state’s local agricultural marketing initiative, hosted their second annual Indiana Grown Showcase earlier today highlighting over 75 local vendors, Indiana businesses and artisans to encourage food distributors and procurement specialists to buy local.

“The Indiana Grown Showcase was a great opportunity for chefs and restaurants to learn more about the local food opportunities and to support these food entrepreneurs,” said Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana. “It was a pleasure to meet so many great Indiana Grown businesses and as an entrepreneur myself, I especially enjoyed hearing their stories of triumph and success.”

In addition to the Governor the event also boasted Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Agriculture, Micah Beckwith. Lt. Governor Beckwith was excited to see Indiana Grown in action.

“Our office had a wonderful time at the Indiana Grown Showcase,” said Beckwith. “Indiana Grown is all about celebrating what makes our state special – hardworking entrepreneurs, quality local products, and a strong community that supports each other. This event really brought that to life. It’s amazing to see the dedication and passion behind these businesses, and events like this remind us why buying local matters.”

This curated event was designed to connect local Indiana businesses with distributors, food industry professionals, K-12 food service directors, buyers, local retailers, grocers and chefs. During the event attendees networked with local businesses who want to expand and grow their wholesale and retail partnerships.

Tulip Tree Creamery, from Indianapolis, was in attendance and noted that making connections with current vendors is one of their favorite parts.

“This was our second year at this event and the number of attendees exceeded my expectations,” said Laura Davenport, Tulip Tree Creamery. “It was also great to see new faces and old friends in addition to chefs and local businesses that support us.”

Featured items included beef, bison, baked goods, seasonings and spice blends, honey, body care products, craft spirits and much more all created by Indiana Grown members.

“This was a phenomenal event for Indiana businesses to get in front of buyers,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “It’s always great to see the faces behind some of the best products in Indiana.”

Cindy Shidler, owner of Cindy’s Candy Corner in Hymera, Indiana was excited to use this event to meet with potential buyers and connect with other Indiana Grown members.

“This event is allows members to connect with buyers and each other. I am thankful for this opportunity and for Indiana Grown’s support of my business.”

“Because of events like the showcase, Indiana Grown members are able to put their hard work on display,” said Caroline Patrick, Director of the Indiana Grown program. “Today’s showcase was an incredible platform to celebrate and highlight the dedication of Indiana’s hardworking businesses while creating connections with potential buyers.”

Learn more about Indiana Grown at indianagrown.org.

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ANTI-WWIII

05/03/2025

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GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 05 May 2025)

ANTI-WWIII

To be anti-Nazi is to be neither anti-Teutonic nor anti-Germany any more than to be anti-Zionist is to be anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. The United States and our WWI allies, such as Great Britain, should have required Nazi Germany to abide by its 1919 Versailles Treaty obligations and perhaps there would not have been a WWII. While it is correct that the treaty ending WWI was needlessly vengeful towards Germany and woefully shortsighted by the victors, at least Hitler’s illegal re-occupation of the German Rhineland in 1936 should have alarmed us.

Instead, the world did nothing but dither while the Nazis invaded Poland (1939), Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France (1940), then Yugoslavia and Greece in 1941. The United States did finally react in 1941, but that was because Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and, as we declared war on Japan, Germany declared war on us.

But as the Nazis invaded its defenseless neighbors and even slaughtered its own citizens, the world’s democracies, mainly the U.S. and Britain, fiddled. Surely, we learned that the slippery slope from a self-described victim such as Germany to a genocidal invader such as the Nazis must not be appeased, or worse, enabled. Yet, the United States not only helped create Israel in 1948, we have since enabled the Zionists to bomb Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iran.

Just as students did in the 1960’s and 1970’s when the United States bombed Viet Nam and Cambodia, today’s students at many colleges and universities are exercising their First Amendment rights to address their grievances to our government. Our government has responded by bombing Yemen, deporting scholars and further enabling the Zionists. The American people have a right, even a duty, to call anti-Zionism what it is and not be intimidated from calling out what it is not, anti-Judaism or anti-Semitism.

The Zionists want to prevent Iran or any other Middle Eastern country from being able to defend themselves as Israel already can, with nuclear weapons. As Hitler began his hegemony gradually, the Zionists are steadily invading and occupying Gaza, Yemen, Syria, the West Bank and Lebanon.

WWII may be what the world thought WWI was, the War to End All Wars. Unfortunately, about 50 million people died during WWII. If Israel, with our full knowledge and support, starts WWIII by bombing Iran, we will have once again failed to learn from history.

I suggest we own up to our myopic view of the Zionists, not the Jewish citizens of Israel, and that we not allow the shouted tropes of anti-Semitism to still our voices for fairness, understanding and peace. Hitler, unlike the Zionists, did not have nuclear weapons. If we want to prevent a true eve of destruction, as we discourage Iran from procuring nuclear weapons, we should dismantle Israel’s.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Stoll selected as USI Class of 2025 President’s Medalist

05/03/2025

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Maxwell Stoll, who will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in psychology, has been named the recipient of the prestigious President’s Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an undergraduate in the University of Southern Indiana Class of 2025. He will be honored at the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 10 in Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles.

Stoll has exemplified integrity, professionalism, and maturity throughout his academic, research and extracurricular pursuits. A committed leader in the Student Ambassadors Organization (SAO), he has fostered a positive and inclusive environment, earning the trust and respect of peers, faculty and staff. Known for his humility and curiosity, Stoll regularly seeks feedback and demonstrates a desire for continuous self-improvement.

Over four years with SAO, Stoll accumulated more than 150 volunteer hours, playing a key role in sustaining USI’s vibrant campus community. As Activities Chair during his sophomore and junior years, he planned retreats and banquets for more than 60 members, strengthening the sense of community. In his final year, Stoll served as SAO President, inspiring his team through servant leadership and a commitment to student engagement. His leadership expanded SAO programming, increasing student participation and promoting inclusivity and service.

Stoll’s impact at USI extends beyond his involvement in student organizations. Early in his academic career, he impressed several professors with his enthusiasm for research and his ability to critically evaluate information and integrate concepts. His passion for biology grew quickly, leading him to work in the genetics lab as a student worker for Dr. Kim Delaney during his freshman year. There, he learned the delicate nature of science, where every small detail and measurement matters.

Eager to deepen his involvement, Stoll approached Dr. Alex Champagne, who took him on as a research assistant. He contributed to projects on lipid membranes in various organisms, learning that some problems require fresh perspectives to solve. The result of his research was a successful grant proposal he wrote on cellular lipids in tropical and temperate birds, earning an Endeavor! Student Research Award. His ability to communicate his research clearly and confidently impressed peers and mentors. Stoll continues his research while actively encouraging others to explore similar opportunities, presenting to organizations like the Biology Club and Pre-Professional Health Club. Inspiring others to pursue research is as rewarding to him as conducting his own.

At the 2024 Indiana Physiological Society meeting, Stoll earned second place in the Undergraduate Poster category. His calm, confident demeanor left a lasting impression on both students and senior scientists. His ability to explain complex concepts in an engaging manner points to a promising future in medicine, where these skills will serve him well. As Stoll continues his research journey, he remains committed to inspiring others and making meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

In addition to his academic and research achievements, Stoll was named the 2025 Distinguished Biology Graduate, received the Distinguished Sophomore Award in Fall 2022, the Koewler Scholarship and named a Top 10 Student Leader in 2021-22. He has been a member of the USI Honors Program, USI Foundation Student Advisory Board, President of the Pre-Professional Health Club and Co-president of the Pott College Student Advisory Board. His commitment to service includes volunteering at the Evansville Rescue Mission and St. James Catholic Church. On campus, he served as a Welcome Week Leader and Student Ambassador, earning Student Ambassador of the Month in 2022.

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