UE Swimming & Diving Earns Scholar All-America Team Honors Once Again
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the fourth-straight year, the University of Evansville men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have earned Scholar All-America Team honors from the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for their work in the classroom during the fall 2022 semester.
The UE women were one of 188 Division I women’s programs to earn CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honors while compiling a 3.61 team GPA during the fall. Meanwhile, the UE men were one of 121 Division I men’s programs to garner the award after posting a 3.33 team GPA in the fall. Both UE programs have now earned Scholar All-America Team honors each semester over the last four years under the direction of fourth-year head coach Stuart Wilson.
“We take a lot of pride here at the University of Evansville in terms of succeeding both in the pool and in the classroom,” said Wilson. “I am really proud of the effort that the student-athletes put in both in the pool and in the classroom this past fall. They really excelled in both areas this fall.”
Evansville is a part of two different conferences which had 100 percent of their membership earn Scholar All-America team honors, as both the Missouri Valley Conference on the women’s side and Mid-American Conference on the men’s side achieved that mark.
The Purple Aces will return to action next at their conference championship meets, as the MVC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships will take place February 15-18 in Iowa City, Iowa, while the men’s MAC Swimming & Diving Championships will take place March 1-4 in Oxford, Ohio.
Hoosiers Should Know How To Respond In An Earthquake
Hoosiers Should Know How To Respond In An Earthquake
INDIANAPOLIS—Hoosiers, did you know that you should worry about earthquakes? Yeah, that’s right. According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the state is near two seismic zones, where earthquakes are more likely and hazardous.
Because of this relatively unknown risk, IDHS is beginning a Get ShakIN’ campaign to make Indiana residents more knowledgeable and prepared this February, which is Earthquake Awareness Month—an awareness heightened by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, killing thousands.
Indiana University’s Indiana Geological & Water Survey organization reported that the state’s last moderate earthquake was in 2021. The most intense portion occurred in Bloomingdale, though residents in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio reported vibrations.Â
As for the future, IDHS reported in its Earthquake Fact Sheet that “seismologists believe that there is a major earthquake in Indiana’s near future†and that the Lower Wabash Valley of Indiana and Illinois is capable of producing dangerous earthquakes at any moment.Â
What to do
IDHS also released the best steps to take if an earthquake happens.Â
In the case of an earthquake, you should:
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Drop wherever you are onto your hands and knees.
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Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand while searching for sturdy shelter.
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Hold onto the sturdy shelter until the shaking stops.Â
You are also encouraged to avoid power lines, other electrical outlets and taller structures that could collapse.Â
Kid connection
Increasing youth awareness, IDHS is hosting a competition for classes or groups of students k-12. To enter, students must create an earthquake awareness video and post it on YouTube. The top 10 videos will be picked by a panel from IDHS and receive a seismograph to monitor earthquakes in the classroom.
—Ashlyn Myer
FOOTNOTE: Â Ashlyn Myers is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.Â
FNS Strengthens Commitment to Nutrition Security and Equity, Takes Action to Address Supply Chain and Inflation
Food and Nutrition Service highlights from year two of the Biden-Harris administration
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2023 – USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service today recognized significant progress made across the nation’s nutrition assistance programs and broader nutrition security efforts during the Biden-Harris administration’s second year in office. As President Biden prepares for the 2023 State of the Union address, he will reflect on last year’s progress and forge ahead in the fight against hunger and increase access to nutritious foods for all Americans by supporting vital FNS programs that assist families in navigating the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, such as high food costs and supply shortages.
“The Food and Nutrition Service, alongside our devoted partners at the state, local, tribal, and territorial level, worked hard last year to lift up families through strengthened food programs,†said Stacy Dean, deputy under secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. “In 2022, FNS provided additional resources to WIC and school meal programs, as well as food banks, in an effort to meet the needs of the millions of Americans who use our programs. Additionally, we expanded online shopping for SNAP participants, equipped schools with upgraded tools, and boosted local agriculture.â€
Highlights include:
Prioritizing nutrition security for all
In March 2022, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA Actions on Nutrition Security, which summarized how USDA and, in particular, FNS is working to advance nutrition security. These efforts align with the goals in the Biden-Harris administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health released for the September 2022 historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. FNS also issued a report highlighting the agency’s role in contributing to those goals by emphasizing the connection between food insecurity and diet-related diseases and prioritizing equitable access to healthy, affordable food.
In October, the agency hosted Come to the Table: USDA’s National Nutrition Security and Healthcare Summit, bringing together healthcare, federal and community leaders with a shared goal of ensuring all Americans have access to nutritious foods that support good health. In January, FNS participated in the first of seven regional summits to further those efforts.
Improving access through program modernization
FNS is committed to modernizing its nutrition assistance programs to best meet the needs of today’s participants and provide them with an improved customer experience. In 2022, FNS continued to expand SNAP online shopping, giving millions of families the opportunity to shop from home like many non-SNAP customers have been doing for years. As of December 2022, 181 retailers – representing thousands of actual stores – were participating. However, recognizing some retailers, especially smaller ones, still face technical challenges implementing online shopping, FNS awarded a $5 million grant to help these businesses get up and running.
Similarly, FNS made major investments in modernizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, including awarding more than $50 million in grants designed to better reach more eligible families, reduce disparities in program delivery, and provide a convenient and equitable experience for all.
Ensuring babies and kids have access to the nutrition they need
FNS is committed to promoting nutrition security for children, starting them on the path to a healthy, thriving future. For summer 2022, FNS worked closely with 52 states and territories to continue providing Pandemic-EBT benefits to kids in low-income households to help cover the costs of meals they would otherwise receive at school or in child care.
FNS also announced the Healthy Meals Incentives initiative, a $100 million investment to recognize schools providing exceptionally nutritious meals, support small and rural schools in meeting nutrition standards, and partner with industry to develop healthy and tasty products for school meals. The agency also provided $80 million dollars for schools to invest in upgraded food service equipment that facilitates serving nutritious meals, as well as more than $70 million in Farm to School Grants for projects that connect kids with local agriculture. By helping schools address barriers such as staffing shortages, increased food costs, outdated kitchen equipment, and lack of physical space, this initiative will ensure that children continue to be served nutritious, fresh meals while they learn.
When the infant formula recall and related shortages strained families nationwide, FNS took immediate action. FNS worked with formula manufacturers and states to provide flexibilities that helped WIC participants get the formula they needed – and helped cover cost differences for states to make this possible. FNS also supported Operation Fly Formulato boost the infant formula supply.
Combatting food inflation and strengthening food systems
FNS took many actions to help program partners and participants cope with inflation and the rising cost of food, while strengthening the nation’s food systems. FNS provided extensive financial support for the emergency food system, including nearly $1 billion for additional food purchases to help families in need. The agency also introduced a new $100 million Reach and Resiliency grant program to strengthen and expand The Emergency Food Assistance Program to ensure it reaches remote, rural, tribal and other low-income areas that face persistent poverty and inequality.
By providing a more than 25 percent increase to child nutrition program funding, FNS took action to ensure child nutrition programs could continue serving nutritious meals amid high food costs. This increase included nearly $2.5 billion to schools to purchase American-grown food and an increase to the per-meal reimbursement rate that is expected to pump an estimated $4.3 billion more into child nutrition programs nationwide.
FNS also supported two new USDA programs designed to provide additional food to food banks and schools in a way that strengthens regional food systems by purchasing locally grown food products from underserved producers and distributing it to communities in need of nutritional support.
FNS advanced several other priorities throughout 2022, including supporting workforce development in SNAP and WICto improve employment opportunities and culturally relevant care for all families; strengthening program integrity through a system designed to prevent duplicate enrollment in SNAP; supporting tribal sovereignty through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Self-Determination Demonstration Projects; and more. FNS looks forward to continuing this momentum in collaboration with our partners, throughout the third year of the administration.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of more than 15 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more about FNS, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.
COVID-19 Impact Grants provide lasting effect across the state
Indianapolis  - In late 2021, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) awarded COVID-19 Impact Grants totaling just under $600,000 to six nonprofit organizations to assist Indiana’s low-income communities in their service areas to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic. The work supported by these awards continued through June 2022.
“Targeting individuals and families affected most by the pandemic, these organizations were able to successfully deliver on the goal of the COVID-19 Impact Grants,†said Lt. Gov. Crouch. “Focusing on a single project or program that aligned with their missions, each organization was able to make a positive change in the communities they serve.â€
Below is a brief overview of each COVID-19 Impact Grant:
- Fathers and Families Center – Facilitated a “Strong Fathers†class designed to show fathers or expectant fathers how to be outstanding role models for their children, provide for their families, and learn critical job readiness skills. Service area: Marion County
- Foster Success – Assisted young adults (25 years of age and younger) in becoming homeowners by improving credit scores through their “Credit Build†program, saving for a down payment with their “Opportunity Passport†program, and increasing financial literacy and education through their online financial modules. Service area: Statewide
- Hoosier Uplands – Supported Hoosiers with vehicle repairs, vouchers, car payments, and other transportation-related expenses through their “Transportation Assistanceâ€. Service area: Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington counties.
- NeighborLink Indianapolis – Provided free home repairs, ensuring homeowners could continue to safely live in their homes. Service area: Marion County
- Prosperity Indiana – Helped to expand Community Loan Centers (CLCs) to all 92 Indiana counties. CLCs, which provide low-interest small dollar loans and financial education, are an alternative to payday or predatory lenders. Service area: Statewide
- YWCA Northeast Indiana – Funded “Hope & Harrietâ€, an intensive, residential treatment program tailored to treat adult women living with a substance abuse disorder. Service area: Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells, and Whitley counties
“We truly appreciate the hard work, dedication, and mission focus each of these non-profit organizations demonstrated throughout this process,†said Jacob Sipe, executive director of IHCDA. “This investment allowed us to support the great work these organizations did to support Hoosiers most impacted by the pandemic.â€
The COVID-19 Impact Grants were funded through the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) through the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT Â information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
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Breaking News: Two Arrested in the 1975 Cold Case Death Investigation of Laurel Jean MitchellÂ
Two Arrested in the 1975 Cold Case Death Investigation of Laurel Jean MitchellÂ
(Noble County, IN)-Â On Monday, February 6, 2023, the Indiana State Police arrested two men alleged to be responsible for the death of Laurel Jean Mitchell in 1975, an investigation which has spanned the course of nearly a half century.
(Synopsis of the overall case) On Wednesday, August 6, 1975, at approximately 10:00 pm Laurel Jean Mitchell age 17, of North Webster Indiana left work at the Epworth Forrest Church camp on the North side of North Webster Lake in Kosciusko County. She did not arrive home. Her parents contacted Police to report her missing. The next day August 7th, at around 10:30 am, her body was found in the water, approximately 17 miles to the northeast of North Webster at the Mallard Roost public access site in western Noble County. Her cause of death was listed as drowning, and the autopsy report showed signs that she had fought for her life.
Investigators with the Indiana State Police- Ligonier Post initiated a Murder investigation along with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Noble County Sheriff’s Department and Noble County Coroner’s office. The initial investigators spent thousands of hours trying to solve her murder. Over the next five decades, numerous Detectives would continue to work on her case, all the while her family would suffer with no answers.
On Monday February 6, 2023, forty-seven years and six months after her death, the Indiana State Police and the Noble County Sheriff’s Department arrested two individuals in Laurel Mitchell’s death.
- Fred Bandy Jr. (67), of Goshen, Indiana
- John Wayne Lehman (67), of Auburn, Indiana
Both men were taken into custody at their respective homes yesterday morning without incident. Both were charged with one (1) count of Murder, and both were incarcerated in the Noble County Jail, where they remain held without bond.
The much-needed break in the investigation came only within the last couple months, after Indiana State Police laboratory personnel were able to make an evidentiary correlation which lead investigators to the two suspects.
In a press conference held earlier today, Indiana State Police Captain Kevin Smith stated, “This case is a culmination of a decades long investigation… and science finally gave us the answers we needed. Playing a significant role in charges being filed was the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. We simply could not have solved this case without them.â€Â Smith also thanked… “the news media who gave this case coverage, which kept the public informed over the years and led to many citizens coming forward with valuable information. The publics willingness to bring forward important information was key to solving this case and I thank them.â€
The Indiana State Police has been assisted in this investigation by numerous detectives from both the Fort Wayne Post and Bremen Post, the Indiana State Police Laboratories in both Fort Wayne and Lowell, the Noble County Sheriff Department, the Kosciusko County Sheriff Department, Noble County Prosecutor’s Office,  Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office,  and the Noble County Coroner’s Office.
*As required by law, all suspects named in this release are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Feit reaches 1,500-point mark in Evansville’s loss to UT Martin
EVANSVILLE – Senior guard/forward Abby Feit became the fourth player in program history to reach 1,500 points, as the University of Evansville women’s basketball team dropped an 80-60 non-conference matchup with UT Martin on Monday evening inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse in Evansville.
Feit finished tied for the game-high with freshman guard Kynidi Mason Striverson as both recorded 12 points. Also finishing in double-figures was redshirt junior center Barbora Tomancova with a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards and fifth-year guard Myia Clark with 10 points. For the Skyhawks, Sharnecce Currie-Jelks and Shae Littleford powered the visitors, combining for 49 points in UT Martin’s win.
The Aces were able to keep pace with the Skyhawks in the early going, trading baskets for much of the opening quarter. UT Martin’s advantage reached its peak in the first quarter on a made free-throw with under a minute left in the quarter, but got to the foul line before the buzzer, hitting two free-throws to get UE within three at 14-11.
In the second period, Evansville continued to keep it a one or two possession game for the first part of the quarter before the Skyhawks consistent offense helped UT Martin pull slightly away in the waning moments of the half. Inside the final minute, Currie-Jelks hit a layup that boosted UTM’s lead to double-digits, but was immediately answered with a bucket from sophomore guard Elly Morgan. As the half dropped within the final 10 seconds, Littleford knocked-down a jumper to give the Skyhawks back an 11-point lead at the break.
Evansville’s turnovers and poor shooting began to catch up with it midway through the third as UT Martin saw its lead boosted to 20 at 57-37 with 3:14 remaining in the frame. The Aces showed grit, battling back with a 10-2 run over the final three minutes to chip within 12 going into the fourth.
Down the stretch, Evansville’s turnovers were too much to overcome in the fourth quarter as the Aces recorded seven turnovers in the fourth as UT Martin grabbed the 80-60 win.
Evansville goes back on the road this weekend with a southern road swing to Belmont on Friday, February 11th and Murray State on Sunday, February 12th.
Petrova tied for the lead entering final round
 UE in fourth place in Orlando
 ORLANDO, Fla. – Freshman Kate Petrova is tied for the lead entering the final round of the Motor City Classic at Rio Pinar Country Club.
Petrova recorded a 2-over 74 on Monday, matching her score from Sunday’s opening round. Her 148 is tied for the individual lead with Oakland’s Paige Scott with 18 holes remaining.
Allison Enchelmayer is tied for the fifth position. After shooting a 73 on Sunday, Enchelmayer scored a 77 in round two and has a 150. Mallory Russell is the third Purple Aces player in the top 20. Russell lowered her opening round score by two, carding a 78 in the second round. Her 158 is tied for 17th.
Next up for UE is Magadelna Borisova. Her tally of 85 has her in 30th with a 165 while Alyssa McMinn is in the 33rd spot with a 169. Caitlin O’Donnell ranks 36th with a 177.
As a team, the Aces are in the fourth position with a 621. They trail 3rd-place St. Thomas by three strokes. Oakland extended their lead in the team standings as their 602 leads Creighton by 11.