FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Aces women’s basketball to host Bradley and Illinois State
Aces women’s basketball to host Bradley and Illinois State
The Purple Aces look to break a six-game losing skid this week
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Evansville women’s basketball team returns to the River City for its final home games of February this week.
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Evansville vs. Bradley | Thursday, February 13 | 6 PM CT
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Site | Locations
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Meeks Family Fieldhouse | Evansville, Ind.
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Game Coverage
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Follow the Aces
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Evansville vs. Illinois State | Saturday, February 15 | 2 PM CT
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Site | Locations
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Meeks Family Fieldhouse | Evansville, Ind.
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Game Coverage
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Follow the Aces
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It was another tough road weekend for the Purple Aces with losses at Southern Illinois and Missouri State. UE came a basket and a minute, and a half shy of a comeback win at Southern Illinois. While a depleted Evansville bench wasn’t able to keep up with the Lady Bears in the 86-57 loss on Sunday.
The Aces will try to turn their luck around back in Meeks Family Fieldhouse this week. UE will face the Bradley Braves first on Thursday, February 13 to end the Braves’ current series winning streak. Evansville came a basket shy of picking up a road win against Bradley to start 2025 with a 45-43 loss at Renaissance Coliseum. The Braves currently have three wins in conference play while still being led by senior guard Solei Barnes at 15.4 points a game clip.
The Illinois State Redbirds look to break a two-game losing skid during its Indiana trip this week. Illinois State will have its first chance at Indiana State before coming to Evansville for the team’s ninth win of conference play. The Redbirds had a tough week in Iowa with a close loss at Drake and a 20-point blowout at Northern Iowa. Illinois State has four players averaging double figures on the season while junior guard Addison Martin leads the Missouri Valley Conference in field goal percentage at 61.6% for 11.4 points a game. On defense, the Redbirds have one of the top five shot blockers in the MVC in freshman Doneelah Washington who averages over a block a game.
For the first time this season the Aces had the same number of turnovers as their opponent. UE was able to force 17 turnovers from the Salukis on Friday night. Evansville forced almost half of SIU’s turnovers in the final 10 minutes helping to get the game back within a possession. The Aces also drew 10 fouls in the 4th quarter from Southern to get to the free throw line.
UE’s offense found its most success in the second half during Missouri Valley Conference action. Evansville is averaging 33.3 points in the second half versus only 22.1 points in the first half. In 12 games of Valley action the Aces’ best scoring quarter is the 4th with an average of 17.5 points in the final 10 minutes of MVC games. UE’s defense has improved under the glass through the month of February. Evansville entered the month averaging 32.8 rebounds a game. In four games the Aces have improved by almost two boards at 34.2 rebounds a game after outrebounding Valpo by 11 under the glass. UE is in the middle of the pack in most rebounding categories with team offensive rebounds being their highest placement at 7th with 10.1 a game.
Freshman guard Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS) led Evansville on the road last week. The freshman was the only Aces to have double-figure outings in both games, averaging 19 points for the week. Runner also averaged seven rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes of play.
USI’s Stanford named co-Track Athlete of Week
USI’s Stanford named co-Track Athlete of Week
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana junior Isaac Stanford has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Male co-Track Athlete of the Week in an announcement by the league office Wednesday afternoon.Stanford finished third in the 800 meters at the Eastern Indoors in Louisville, Kentucky, last Friday and broke the program’s all-time indoor record in the event with his time of one minute, 53.05 seconds. Sophomore Cole Hess set the previous mark a year ago when he ran the 800 meters in 1:53.17 at the 2024 ISU Open.
A native of Flora, Illinois, and a graduate of Flora High School, Stanford currently ranks fifth in the OVC in the 800 meters. The Vincennes University transfer also ranks ninth in the OVC in the mile, 19th in the 3,000 meters and is on USI’s seventh-ranked 4×400-meter relay team.
This marks the first time since 2023 that USI Men’s Track & Field has had a student-athlete win OVC Track Athlete of the Week and the first-time in program history that they have won OVC Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
The Eagles’ men altered their schedule this weekend as they will only compete at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational Friday in Boston, Massachusetts.
USI’s Richard collects two OVC weekly honors
USI’s Richard collects two OVC weekly honors
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana freshman Abrielle Richard has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Female Track Athlete of the Week in addition to the OVC Female Freshman of the Week in an announcement by the league office Wednesday afternoon.
Richard finished first in the 800 meters at the Eastern Indoors in Louisville, Kentucky, last Friday and broke USI’s 20-year old indoor record in the event as she crossed the finish line in an OVC-best two minutes, 12.15 seconds. The effort surpassed USI Hall of Famer Heather Cooksey’s previous mark of 2:14.04, which was set at the 2005 McDonald’s Invitational.
A native of Newburgh, Indiana, and an Evansville Christian graduate, Richard also ranks third in the OVC in the mile after clocking a time of 5:01.45 at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invite two weeks ago.
This marks the second consecutive week that USI Women’s Track & Field has garnered OVC Freshman of the Week honors after Hadessah Austin took home that honor last week. It is the first time since 2023 that the Screaming Eagles have taken home the OVC Track Athlete of the Week award.
The Eagles’ women altered their schedule this weekend as they will only compete at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational Saturday in Boston, Massachusetts. USI also will send one competitor—senior Cameron Hough—to compete in the 5,000 meters at the Music City Challenge Friday night in Nashville, Tennessee.
THUNDERBOLTS HOST QUAD CITY THIS FRIDAY, RIVERMEN ON SUNDAY
THUNDERBOLTS HOST QUAD CITY THIS FRIDAY, RIVERMEN ON SUNDAY
Evansville, In.: Following a tough weekend of home-and-home action against the Rivermen, the Thunderbolts look to bounce back this Friday night as they host the Quad City Storm for Swipe Right Night, followed by a home matinee rematch against the Rivermen at Noon on Sunday.
Week In Review:
Evansville was shut out 3-0 by Peoria on Friday night at Ford Center in only the third shutout defeat of the season for the Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts offense had better luck on Saturday in Peoria with goals from Scott Kirton, Isaac Chapman, and Aidan Litke, however Evansville fell short 6-3.
The Week Ahead:
This Friday, February 14th will be Swipe Right Night against the Quad City Storm. Prior to the game, speed dating sessions will be held in the Suite Club for ages 21-29 and 30-45 starting at 6:30pm (Purchase of a game ticket required). ‘The Dating Game’ will be held on the ice during the first intermission, with the winner receiving a date to Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano and Hush on Main. There will also be a special designated “Singles Section” for the game in Section 112. Sunday, February 16th will be Sunday Funday against the Peoria Rivermen, starting at Noon CT, featuring $3 regular soda, popcorn, and hot dogs, and an inflatable slide in the lobby for the kids, courtesy of Legendary Inflatables. Sunday’s game also features a special bundle offer of 4 tickets in any section for only $60, valid at the Ford Center Box Office and Ticketmaster with the code “4PACK”.
Coming Soon:
The Thunderbolts will be on the road for games at Pensacola on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. On Friday, February 28th, the Thunderbolts will host the Quad City Storm for Superhero Night, featuring specialty Superman game-worn jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, with replica jerseys also available at the Thunderbolts merchandise stand. Saturday, March 1st will be Pucks and Paws Night, also against Quad City, where fans can bring their dogs to the game for only an additional $5 per dog. Dog races will be held on the ice during the first intermission. Crypto the Evansville Airport Dog will be handing out fire hydrant doggy bags for the first 100 dogs in attendance, and dogs will be available for adoption in the lobby.
Scouting the Opponent:
- Quad City Storm:
- Record: 16-19-4, 36 Points, 8th Place
- Leading Goal Scorer: Leif Mattson (24 Goals)
- Leading Point Scorer: Leif Mattson (54 Points)
- Primary Goaltender: Brent Moran (13-9-3, .916 Save %)
- Thunderbolts Record vs QCS: 5-2
The Storm built up a 2-0 lead on Thursday morning against Peoria with goals from Tyler Vanuden and Leif Mattson, before the Rivermen came back to win 3-2 in a shootout. Quad City picked up a 6-2 victory against Birmingham on Friday with two goals each from Vanuden and Weiland Parrish along with goals from Reid Perepeluk and Brandon Stojcevski. In Saturday’s rematch against the Bulls, Quad City was shut out 2-0.
- Peoria Rivermen:
- Record: 27-5-5, 59 Points, 1st Place
- Leading Goal Scorer: Jordan Ernst (29 Goals)
- Leading Point Scorer: Alec Baer (54 Points)
- Primary Goaltender: Jack Bostedt (5-0-1, .910 Save %)
- Thunderbolts Record vs PEO: 2-7-1
Jordan Ernst and JM Piotrowski provided the goals that tied the game on Thursday in Quad City, with Carlos Fornaris and Garrett Devine adding goals in the shootout. Renat Dadadzhanov, Carson Baptiste, and Michael McChesney scored Peoria’s three goals on Friday. In Saturday’s game, Fornaris, McChesney, Alec Baer, Griffen Fox, Devine, and Ernst each scored one goal.
Call-up Report
– Lincoln Hatten (Worcester Railers – ECHL)
– 40 GP, 4 G, 11 A, 15 P, 39 PIM
– Benjamin Lindberg (Worcester Railers, prev. Adirondack – ECHL)
– 11 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 11 PIM
– Anthony Hora (Worcester Railers – ECHL)
– 8 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, 2 PIM
– Tyson Gilmour (Maine Mariners – ECHL)
– 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 0 PIM
– Ty Taylor (Orlando Solar Bears – ECHL)
– 1 GP, 1-0-0, .923 SV%
Transactions:
Thur. 2/6: F Aidan Litke acquired from Birmingham in exchange for future considerations
Thur. 2/6: F Aiden Wagner placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve
BREAKING NEWS: Property Tax Bill Passes From Committee With Revisions
The Governor’s proposal for property tax relief is moving forward in the State Senate, but not without controversy and revisions. The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee added a 93-page amendment that stripped an expanded homestead deduction and tax caps. This amendment provided most of the tax relief but caused local officials to raise concerns about revenue losses.
The amendment would reduce taxes on senior citizens, veterans, and new first-time home buyers.
Governor Braun’s press secretary, Griffen Reed, released a statement saying, “The Governor will carefully review the changes to his plan and looks forward to working with the House and Senate to strengthen the amended bill to include broad-based and immediate property tax cuts for Hoosier homeowners who have been hit the hardest by skyrocketing home value inflation.”
The give and take will continue on the Senate floor.
The Battle for Control – The Field of Candidates to Run the Local GOP is Growing
The showdown in the Vanderburgh County GOP has been brewing for over a year, and in two weeks, the party will elect a new chair and Central Committee. The question is whether the next chair can mend fences and bring currently warring factions in the party together.
The local Democrats are not facing the friction that has plagued the local GOP. No Democrats have come forward to challenge Vanderburgh Chair Cheryl Schultz.
On the GOP side, however, three candidates have announced their intention to run for the chairmanship, and six others have announced that they wish to seek one of the three other committee positions that will be elected at a caucus on March 1.
Last Saturday, Frank Peterlin announced his candidacy in a crowded room of Republicans at a meeting arranged by Ken Colbert and Cheryl Battinger-Smith. Colbert and Battinger-Smith were removed from the local GOP after they ran a successful recruiting campaign to bring more conservatives into the rank of precinct committee members (PCs). After Vanderburgh County party chair Mike Duckworth removed them from their elected positions as PCs last year, Colbert vowed to get Duckworth removed as chair. Now, Colbert and Battinger-Smith are backing Peterlin and a full slate of committee hopefuls and they believe that their recruiting efforts last year will give them the votes need to take control of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party.
Peterlin is no stranger to the GOP. For several years, his business incubator provided office space for the party. He has campaigned for numerous candidates, including supporting presidential. campaigns. Peterlin is seen as a conservative who wants to build bridges and 
unite the party.
Steve Airy will be running for party chair for the second time. Airy is a pastor in Evansville and a former candidate for mayor. He is a current PC and was a delegate at the 2024 Indiana GOP Convention.
Also in the run for chair is Kyhl Moers, husband of Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers. He emphasizes the need for better communication and unity within the party. Moers’ campaign experience includes helping his wife win an upset primary victory over an incumbent prosecutor.
Peterlin and Moers have already recruited a slate of candidates to run for the other offices in the Central Committee. The candidates aligned with Peterlin include Lauren Bell for Vice Chair, Walter Valient for party treasurer, and Brian Pease for secretary.
The Moers team is made up of experienced, well known members of the party. Current Vanderburgh County Republican Vice Chair Dottie Thomas is running again for Vice Chair. Thomas is also Vanderburgh County Clerk. Former City Council Candidate Joe Kratochville is running for Secretary. The candidate for Treasurer is Russ Lloyd, Jr. who has served as mayor of Evansville, city controller, and currently serves as the elected Vanderburgh County Recorder.
Up to 264 PCs and Vice PCs will be eligible to vote at the reorganization meeting, although not all are expected to attend. Even though the candidates for chair may present a slate of candidates or express an alignment with candidates for other offices, votes will be cast for each individual office. A majority vote is required which means that there could be multiple rounds of voting for each position.
A forum has been scheduled by RAINS (Republican Assembly of Indiana South) on February 22 at 10 AM at City Gate, 320 Eagle Crest Drive on Evansville’s eastside. Republican PCs and Vice PCs will be able to meet and hear from candidates for the Central Committee positions.
Bill to Extend Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for PTSD is Moving Through the Statehouse
A recent study from the National Center for PTSD found that about 23% of veterans using Veterans Administration care had PTSD at some point in their lives. To help meet their needs, House Bill 1120 would extend the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs’ hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program to June 30, 2027.
Since 2019, Indiana has offered a hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program for PTSD in veterans. Patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment are given an increased delivery of oxygen in a high-pressured enclosed space to stimulate brain repair, emotional regulation and cognitive functions that can reduce symptoms of PTSD.
The author of the bill, Representative Cindy Ledbetter said, “For the past few years, we have been offering an innovative therapy for PTSD and with my legislation, we could continue this important program.”
Vincennes University to honor a Century of Journalism with special event
Vincennes University to honor a Century of Journalism with special event
VINCENNES, Ind., February 10, 2025 – The Vincennes University College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication is proud to celebrate the centennial anniversary of its Journalism and Photojournalism programs, which have produced media professionals for 100 years.
To commemorate this momentous milestone, the VU Communication Department will host a special event, Honoring a Century of Journalism, on Monday, Feb. 17, at 11:45 a.m. (ET) in the Shake Learning Resource Center café.
This commemorative event will highlight the extraordinary history of VU’s award-winning student newspaper, The Trailblazer. It will also include the unveiling of a newly designed logo created by VU students for The Trailblazer. The event offers students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, and community members the opportunity to celebrate an impressive legacy while welcoming its bold future.
“For a century, Vincennes University has been at the forefront of journalism education,” VU Assistant Professor of Journalism Jenny McNeece said. “Our students learn the foundational skills of reporting, writing, and photography while gaining hands-on experience by contributing to a publication that serves as a voice for the University and the University Community.”
VU students studying Journalism and Photojournalism can dive into real-world experiences as early as their first semester by creating content for The Trailblazer. In the newly redesigned Journalism Lab, students can access state-of-the-art technology, including Mac computers, Adobe Creative Suite software, and DSLR cameras. Like other news organizations, The Trailblazer has evolved with the times, transitioning from a traditional print publication distributed every three weeks to an online newspaper with regular updates. A special print edition is expected this spring, with more issues likely in the fall semester of 2025 and beyond.
The VU journalism and Photojournalism programs prepare students for various careers in digital media, newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. These programs teach interviewing, storytelling, editing, design, photography, and advertising skills. VU students graduate as industry-ready professionals with a strong foundation, continuing their studies by achieving a bachelor’s degree or beginning their careers.
As VU commemorates 100 years of journalism excellence, it celebrates its historic achievements and vibrant vision for the future as it shapes the next generation of media professionals. All are encouraged to attend the Honoring a Century of Journalism celebration.
Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report
Click here to see the latest food inspection reports. Provided by Vanderburgh County Health Department.