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Evansville Thunderbolts Bring Smiles and Support to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Evansville

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Evansville Thunderbolts Bring Smiles and Support to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Evansville
Visit highlights community opportunity to support pediatric patients

Evansville, IN – The Evansville Thunderbolts made a heartwarming visit to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Evansville this week, bringing smiles to young patients and raising awareness for their upcoming charitable event, “Give Back Night.” This meaningful initiative underscores the Thunderbolts commitment to making a positive impact on the community they call home.

During yesterday’s visit, team members Jordan Simoneau, Benjamin Lindberg, Ethan Price, and Nolan McElhaney spent time interacting with the patients by building an astronaut out of blocks, painting and spreading joy throughout the hospital.

“Having the Evansville Thunderbolts visit our hospital today was a truly special experience for our patients,” said Dr. Wendy Woodard, Pediatric Hospitalist and Medical Director at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Evansville. “Their visit today means so much to these kids and their families, reminding them that they have a community rallying behind them.”

The visit highlighted the upcoming fundraiser this Sunday, March 30, at the Ford Center, where $5 from every ticket sold will go directly to support Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Evansville.

“It was great to get out and see these kids and put a smile on their faces and they put a smile on our faces as well,” said Evansville Thunderbolts forward Jordan Simoneau. “It means the world that we can give back to everyone in the community in this way.”

Discounted tickets are available for $16 and can be purchased, on our website at
https://give.stvincent.org/events/Thunderbolts or by mentioning Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at the Ford Center Ticket Box Office. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. and the puck drops at 3:00 p.m.

Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report

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Healthy food. Healthy eating background. Fruit, vegetable, berry. Vegetarian eating. Superfood

Click here to see the latest food inspection reports. Provided by Vanderburgh County Health Department.

 

 

 

 

RECENT VANDERBURGH COUNTY DEATH REPORT

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RECENT VANDERBURGH COUNTY DEATH REPORT

Weekly Death Report

 

Screaming Eagles host Little Rock this weekend USI resumes rivalry with NKU Tuesday

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Screaming Eagles host Little Rock this weekend
USI resumes rivalry with NKU Tuesday

​​​​​​​EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball starts a seven-game homestand this weekend when it hosts the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for a three-game series at the USI Baseball Field. The USI-Little Rock series starts Friday, continues Saturday at 3 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.

Saturday’s game is Jersey Day at the USI Baseball Field. Fans wearing a jersey to the game will receive a free popcorn and will have a chance to win St. Louis Cardinals tickets in a sixth-inning drawing.

Following the USI-Little Rock series, the homestand continues next week with the Screaming Eagles hosting Northern Kentucky University April 1 and concludes with a three-game series against Morehead State University April 4-6.

With the ever-changing weather in March, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.comX, and Facebook.

Links to follow the Eagles all season can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule.

USI Baseball Notes:
USI falls late at Ball State. The USI Screaming Eagles lost a lead late and fell at Ball State University, 5-4, Tuesday afternoon in Muncie, Illinois. USI scored all four of its runs in the third inning, three coming on a three-run blast by junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens. The Cardinals rallied from the 4-1 deficit with one in the seventh and three in the eighth to get the win.

USI wins opening OVC series. The Eagles opened the 2025 OVC schedule with a 2-1 series win over Western Illinois University last weekend. USI lost the opening game, 15-5, but bounced back to win 8-6 and 6-4 in the final two games. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley led the Eagles at the plate with a .571 mark (4-7) in the first two games, while junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens hit .400 (6-15) with two RBIs and two doubles. Sophomore outfielder Cameron Boyd drove in a team-high four RBIs during the series.

Kitchens, Coakley have hot sticks. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens has had the big bat for USI the last 10 games, hitting .488 (21-43) with eight runs scored, four doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 10 RBIs. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley is batting .444 (12-27) with four runs scored, three doubles, and seven RBIs.

Overall Eagle leader at the plate. USI junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens is the top hitter at USI and the OVC with a .451 batting average (37-82). The OVC batting average leader also leads in home runs (4) and RBIs (20); and second in doubles (9).

On the mound: Junior right-hander Blake Kimball led the USI starters in the opening weeks with a 2-3 record and a team-best 4.36 ERA. Junior right-hander Andres Gonzalez has a team-best 22 strikeouts this season. Kimball is sixth in the OVC in ERA through March 23.

USI in the OVC. USI ranks second in the OVC with a .305 team batting average. On the bump, the Eagles are eighth in the league with a 7.54 ERA.

Eagles in the OVC. Junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens and junior first baseman Kannon Coakley are one-two in the OVC in batting average, boosting a .451 and .405 average, respectively.

USI starts homestand with the Little Rock series. USI opens a seven-game homestand Friday when the University of Arkansas at Little Rock visits the USI Baseball Field. Little Rock is 9-16 overall this season and started OVC play by going 0-3 versus Tennessee Tech University. The Trojans lead the all-time series with USI, 5-1, after taking three of four last spring. Little Rock swept the regular season series in 2024, while USI won the meeting in the 2024 OVC Tournament, 2-0, in Marion, Illinois.

USI hosts NKU. USI hosts Northern Kentucky University for the first time since 2011 next week. NKU, which will enter the weekend at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday, has a 14-9 record. USI leads the all-time series with NKU, 48-45, after losing all four of a GLVC series in Highland Heights, Kentucky, in 2012. The last time NKU was at the USI Baseball Field, the Eagles took three of four from the Norse.

Softball opens weekend with Friday doubleheader at Valpo

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Softball opens weekend with Friday doubleheader at Valpo

Aces back on the road for another 3-game set

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Looking to pick up its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, the University of Evansville softball team travels to Valparaiso for a 3-game weekend series.

An updated schedule will see the teams play a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Friday before squaring off in a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m. with all three games set to be televised on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

– A late rally saw Missouri State take a 4-3 win in Saturday’s series finale to secure a series sweep over the Purple Aces

– Taylor Howe went 4-for-5 in the contest as UE opened a 3-0 lead before the Bears tied the game with a 3-run fifth inning before scoring the winning run in the 8th

Finishing Strong

– In the series finale at Missouri State, Taylor Howe recorded a career-high four hits as she went 4-for-5 while adding a run

– The effort improved her season batting average to .301

– Howe is tied for 2nd in the MVC with 9 doubles, tied for 6th with 23 RBI and is tied for 10th with 18 runs scored

– On Feb. 25, Howe was named the MVC Player of the Week after batting .455 with four home runs and nine RBI

Hitting Streak 

– Sophomore Niki Bode paces the Evansville offense with a .408 batting average, which puts her third in the MVC and enters the weekend with a 5-game hitting streak, the longest current streak on the team

– She is tied for second in the league with three sacrifice flies, 9th with an on-base percentage of 0.455 and 10th with 17 runs scored

Top Six

– Jess Willsey ranks in the top six in the MVC in multiple statistics

– Her rankings include 2nd in runs (24), T-3rd with 98 at-bats, T-4th in home runs (7), T-4th with 8 doubles, and T-6th with 23 RBI,

-www.GoPurpleAces.com-

Eagles’ season ends against Bulls in WNIT Super 16 battle

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Eagles’ season ends against Bulls in WNIT Super 16 battle

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball had its 2024-25 season come to an end Thursday night in the Super Sixteen of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) at Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles, falling 76-64 against the University at Buffalo.

After reaching the second round of the WNIT in 2023-24, Southern Indiana (23-13, 12-8 OVC) was making its first-ever appearance in the Super Sixteen. Following a first-round bye and a 60-51 win in the second round of this year’s tournament against Campbell University, the Screaming Eagles welcomed Buffalo (27-7, 13-5 MAC) to Liberty Arena Thursday night in front of 2,000-plus fans.

Buffalo jumped out to a 9-2 lead three minutes into the contest, forcing USI to take an early timeout. Out of the huddle, sophomore forward Chloe Gannon came off the bench and scored back-to-back baskets. Gannon scored again a couple of minutes later to keep USI within five, 13-8, at the 4:46 mark of the first quarter. After Buffalo went ahead by nine later in the first, a three-pointer by junior guard Ali Saunders and a transition bucket by graduate forward Madi Webb sparked the crowd and got USI within two, 17-15. The Bulls led 20-17 at the end of the opening period.

The Bulls started the second quarter taking control of the momentum, scoring 12 unanswered points in the first four minutes and grabbing a 32-17 lead. Gannon continued her strong start to the game, reaching double figures in the middle of the second. Late in the first half, senior guard Vanessa Shafford drained a pair of jumpers, but Buffalo increased its lead to 16, 41-25, going into halftime.

Early in the second half, Webb knocked down a pair of shots to bring USI within 12, 43-31. Following nearly a three-minute scoreless drought in the middle of the third quarter, Southern Indiana continued to chip away with a three-pointer by sophomore guard Triniti Ralston and a layup by Gannon to cut the deficit down to single digits, 45-36, by the 4:21 mark. Buffalo was able to add back onto its lead to carry a 56-42 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.

Graduate forward Meredith Raley sparked USI in the first minutes of the fourth quarter with a three-point play. As the Screaming Eagles kept trying to bring the deficit back down to single digits, Buffalo seemingly had an answer to keep the lead above 10. A layup by Webb with under five minutes to go brought USI within single digits, 61-52, but the Bulls answered with a three. Southern Indiana responded back with a triple from Ralston to make the score 64-55 Buffalo with under three minutes left. However, that would be as close as USI could get it down the stretch.

Southern Indiana could not get the ball to drop through the net, shooting nearly 35 percent overall (22-63) and 20 percent (6-30) from beyond the arc. USI was effective at the foul line once again converting at nearly 88 percent (14-16). The Screaming Eagles outrebounded the Bulls 41-34. Ralston led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points. Gannon finished with 14 points, while Raley tallied 10.

Buffalo shot the ball for over 46 percent (27-58) from the floor and 32 percent (8-25) from three-point range. The Bulls were 14-22 for just over 63 percent at the charity stripe. The Bulls had four players in double figures, led by graduate guard Challia Watson’s 16 points.

The 2024-25 campaign and USI Women’s Basketball’s third year in Division I came to a close after seeing the program accomplish more firsts, including its first-ever appearance in the Super Sixteen of the WNIT. USI also reached at least the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for the second year in a row in its second consecutive berth into the conference postseason tournament.

Thursday also spelled the end of the USI careers for Southern Indiana’s five seniors, who helped lead the program through its transition to Division I and reach new heights with OVC championship titles in 2023-24 and two WNIT berths. Within the USI record books, Raley and Shafford conclude their careers among the best in USI history. Raley, who set a USI record with 140 games played, registered 1,701 points for third on the all-time scoring list and 687 boards for seventh on the all-time rebounding list. Raley also finished top five in USI history in field goals made (608) and free throws made (380). Shafford, who set a USI record with 232 three-pointers made, totaled 1,429 points for sixth on the career scoring list and 779 rebounds for fifth all time. Shafford is also fourth in program history with 124 games played and sixth with 528 field goals made.

Now the program will turn its attention to getting set for the 2025-26 season and taking another step forward in its Division-I era.

PLAYOFF-BOUND THUNDERBOLTS HOST PEORIA FOR FINAL SUNDAY FUNDAY

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PLAYOFF-BOUND THUNDERBOLTS HOST PEORIA FOR FINAL SUNDAY FUNDAY
 
Evansville, In.:  With their ticket punched to the President’s Cup Playoffs for a fourth-straight year, the Thunderbolts will travel to Huntsville to face the Havoc on Friday and Saturday night in a potential playoff preview before hosting the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday at Ford Center for the final Sunday Funday game of the season.
Week In Review:
 
                On Thursday at Quad City, the Thunderbolts fell behind as the Storm scored four goals in the first period.  Evansville stopped the bleeding and held pace with the Storm the rest of the way but still fell 5-2 with goals from Matthew Hobbs and Isaac Chapman.  The Thunderbolts were dominant on Saturday at Ford Center against Quad City, outshooting the Storm 45-20, but fell victim to hot goaltending and were defeated 3-2 in a shootout, still clinching a playoff spot with the point gained.  Scott Kirton and Chapman provided goals in regulation, with Kirton scoring Evansville’s shootout goal.
The Week Ahead:
            The Thunderbolts will play their final regular season road games at Huntsville this Friday and Saturday, both games beginning at 7:00pm CT.  Fans can watch the action live on FloHockey or can listen for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel.  There will also be away game watch parties at Parkway Pizza on Evansville’s West Side.  This Sunday, the Thunderbolts return to Ford Center to host the Peoria Rivermen at 3:05pm CT for the final Sunday Funday game of the season.  Legendary Inflatables will have a slide set up in the lobby, and regular sodas, popcorn, and hot dogs will be on sale for $3 each throughout the game.  Fans can also purchase a special bundle of (1) ticket to Sunday Funday and (1) ticket to Monster Jam on April 26th or April 27th for only $40, and fans who already purchased tickets to one event can purchase a ticket for the other for only $20 when a ticket stub or season ticket holder pass is presented, offer available for select seats for both events, offer valid ONLY through the Ford Center Ticket Office.
Coming Soon:
                The Thunderbolts will finish the regular season on Ford Center ice against the Birmingham Bulls on Friday, April 4th for Country Night and Saturday, April 5th for Fan Appreciation Night.  Country Night will feature Evansville-area PBR Bull Riders Brandon Ferguson and Dakota Warnken, who will be available for autographs, photos, and demonstrations, with a live bull outside on the plaza.  16 oz. cans of Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra will be on sale for $3 each the entire night.  Country Artist and Member of 3 Doors Down Justin Biltonen will be in attendance, will be performing his new country songs during intermission, and will be available for a Meet and Greet/Autograph Session.  A special bundle of (1) ticket to PBR on May 24th and (1) ticket to Country Night is available for $30 at the Ford Center Box Office.  Fans who purchase the bundle will be entered to win a Thunderbolts/3 Doors Down jersey signed by Justin Biltonen.  Fan Appreciation Night will feature giveaways from local sponsors throughout the game, and a post-game jersey auction.  There will be a Party on the Plaza between 4:00-6:00pm featuring Food Trucks from La Plaza and Stuft Burger, and the Ford Center Corner Club will be open to purchase beverages before doors open at 6:00pm.  Fans will receive (3) free raffle tickets upon entry that can be placed in any combination of buckets in the lobby to win prizes from over 20 sponsors with the option to purchase additional tickets, 5 tickets for $5 and 25 tickets for $20.  A special Fan Appreciation Night bundle of (4) tickets and $40 of food vouchers for $80 is available at the following link: https://fordcentervictorytheater.formstack.com/forms/fan_appreciation_family_pack .  The Thunderbolts will play in the SPHL’s President’s Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year following the conclusion of the regular season on April 5th.  Information, including opponent matchup, game dates/times, and tickets will be coming soon.
Scouting the Opponent:
  • Huntsville Havoc:
    • Record: 32-14-5, 69 Points, 2nd Place
    • Leading Goal Scorer: Austin Alger (22 Goals)
    • Leading Point Scorer: Buster Larsson (49 Points)
    • Primary Goaltender: Mike Robinson (25-7-3, .927 Save %)
    • Thunderbolts 24-25 Record vs HSV: 3-4
                The Havoc were shut out 3-0 on Friday by Peoria to start their weekend doubleheader series against the Rivermen.  On Saturday, Huntsville rallied three times to answer one-goal deficits with goals from Benito Posa, Connor Fries, and Charlie Risk, but Peoria pulled away in the third period with three consecutive goals to defeat Huntsville 6-3.  The Havoc will host the Birmingham Bulls this Thursday night before facing the Thunderbolts on Friday and Saturday.
  • Peoria Rivermen:
    • Record: 36-10-5, 77 Points, 1st Place
    • Leading Goal Scorer: Jordan Ernst (34 Goals)
    • Leading Point Scorer: Alec Baer (67 Points)
    • Primary Goaltender: Colby Muise (21-3-3, .933 Save %)
    • Thunderbolts 24-25 Record vs PEO: 3-7-1
                Zach Wilkie, Jordan Ernst, and Alec Baer all scored a goal each on Friday, with Colby Muise pitching a 26-save shutout.  On Saturday, Michael McChesney, Mike Gelatt, and Garrett Devine scored goals in the first two periods, while newcomers Michael Ferrandino, Fletcher Anderson, and Marko Jakovljevic scored Peoria’s third period goals in their 6-3 victory.  The Rivermen capped the weekend off with a 1-0 shootout win at Pensacola on Sunday, with Baer and Ernst scoring the goals in the shootout, and Muise earning another 27-save shutout.  The Rivermen will be home this Friday and Saturday to host the Pensacola Ice Flyers before traveling to Evansville for Sunday’s game.
Call-up Report
– Lincoln Hatten (Worcester Railers – ECHL)
                – 58 GP, 7 G, 13 A, 20 P, 56 PIM
                – Ty Taylor (Orlando Solar Bears – ECHL)
                                – 0 GP, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%
Transactions:   
Thur. 3/27: Nolan Dawson activated from Injured Reserve
Thur. 3/27: Anthony Hora returned from call-up to Worcester (ECHL)
Thur. 3/27: Cameron MacPhee placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve
Thur. 3/27: Patrick Del Vecchio released from professional tryout (PTO)
Tue. 3/25: G Talor Joseph signed to contract
Mon. 3/24: G Ty Taylor called up to Orlando (ECHL)
Sat. 3/22: F Ethan Price signed to contract
Sat. 3/22: D Grayson Valente placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve
Thur. 3/20: F Derek Contessa placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve
Thur. 3/20: D Bronson Adams activated from Injured Reserve
Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2024-25 season.  Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.
About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Idaho Smokehouse Partners Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Stick Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

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 Idaho Smokehouse Partners, LLC, a Shelley, Idaho establishment, is recalling approximately 29,541 pounds of ready-to-eat beef stick products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat beef stick item was produced from January 13 to January 15, 2025. The following product is subject to recall [view labels]:

  • 1.15-oz vacuum-sealed packages of “CHOMPS ORIGINAL BEEF STICK MILD,” with an expiration date of 02-10-2026, and lot code 25016 printed on the label. The product subject to recall bears establishment number “6220A” ink-jetted on the package.
  • 13.8-oz plastic bags containing 12 1.15-oz vacuum-sealed packages of “CHOMPS ORIGINAL BEEF STICK MILD.” The plastic bags bear establishment number “V2059” and “LOT: 622025016,” with expiration date 02-10-2026 printed on the bags. The individual sticks have an expiration date of 02-10-2026, and lot code 25016, with establishment number “6220A” ink-jetted on the package.

The packages were shipped to distribution centers in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington for further distribution to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received two consumer complaints reporting that pieces of metal were found in the product.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.