Nearly 25 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking and yet this vile $150 billion industry is still invisible to many. Victims of this form of modern-day slavery often struggle with lifelong trauma as a result of repeated abuse, manipulation, and violence. To raise awareness of this criminal enterprise and honor human trafficking survivors, I co-authored a resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Indiana and joined State Rep. John L. Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) to present the resolution at the Statehouse (pictured). Human trafficking is on the rise in Indiana, with 140 cases reported in 2020, compared to 95 in 2017, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. |
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I authored legislation to help protect young human trafficking victims by allowing them to record a video statement instead of being physically present in a courtroom with their attacker. The bill would also increase sentencing for perpetrators whose victims are under the age of 18, and rule out victim consent or belief that a victim was at least 18 years old as a legal defense. If passed, this legislation would deliver a clear message to all who traffic youth and adults in Indiana that they will be held accountable for their evil actions. If someone is suspected to be a victim of human trafficking, it should be reported immediately to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. |
Supporting Human Trafficking Awareness Month
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Lady Trailblazers fall in road Region 24 matchup at Rend Lake
The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers hit the road Saturday afternoon and faced off against another team near the top of the Region 24 standings in Rend Lake College.
Vincennes fell behind in the second quarter before battling back in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome the Lady Warrior lead as Rend Lake won 84-74 over VU.
The Lady Trailblazers got off to a fast start on the road, jumping out to a quick five point lead early in the first quarter.
VU would grow their lead to eight before the Warriors cut the deficit down to six with a late basket to end the first 10 minutes of play.
Vincennes continued to look strong early in the second quarter with their lead back to eight points before the Lady Warriors responded to close out the first half on an 11-2 scoring run to take a 32-29 lead into the locker room.
Rend Lake continued to ride this momentum in the second half as early turnovers by VU saw the Lady Blazers fall behind by 10 early in the third quarter.
The Warrior lead would remain in double-digits as VU trailed by 12 heading into the fourth quarter of play.
Rend Lake would continue to grow their lead midway through the fourth with the Blazers now trailing 72-55.
Vincennes then responded by finding some open shots near the basket and hitting a few shots from behind the arc to quickly cut the lead back to single digits.
Trailing by eight with just over a minute to play Vincennes played a full court press defense and managed to force Rend Lake into a few turnovers late.
The Lady Trailblazers were able to ca
THUNDERBOLTS BOMBARD HAVOC, FALL JUST SHORT IN 1-0 LOSSÂ
Huntsville, Ala.:  Despite pouring 38 shots on goal, the Thunderbolts suffered a tough 1-0 loss in Huntsville on Saturday night.  The Thunderbolts next home game will be on Friday, January 21st at 7:00pm CST as they host the Vermilion County Bobcats. For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), buy online at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or buy tickets in person at the Ford Center Box Office.Â
The Thunderbolts outshot the Havoc 12-8 and 13-9, respectively, in each of the first two periods, keeping Havoc goaltender Hunter Vorva more than busy. At the Evansville end, Brian Billett went almost shot-for-shot, stopping every shot and opportunity he faced through most of the contest. Huntsville gained some momentum halfway through the third period and managed to convert, as Sy Nutkevich scored the lone goal at 10:42, and the Thunderbolts were denied thereafter, losing 1-0.  Brian Billett finished with 27 saves on 28 shots. The Thunderbolts next meet the Havoc on Friday, January 28th at Ford Center, face-off at 7:00pm CST.   Â
The Thunderbolts are currently competing in their fifth season in the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League). Season tickets are less than $9 per game. To order your tickets for this season, call 812-422-BOLT(2658).Â
UPDATE on Shooting 4800 blk of Tecumseh Ln
 EPD Investigators are trying to locate 35-year-old Andrew Lloyd Doalson in reference to the shooting incident that occurred in the 4800 block of Tecumseh Ln. on January 14th.Â
Investigators believe that Doalson might have been injured during the shooting incident and might be in need of medical attention. The Evansville Police Department would like to check on his welfare.Â
Doalson is a white male, 6’4, and weighs around 200 lbs. He is bald and has facial hair. Doalson was last seen wearing a long-sleeve grey shirt and black pants.Â
If anyone has information on Andrew Doalson, please contact the EPD Adult Investigation Unit at (812) 436-7979 or call 911.Â
Balanced attack lifts Eagles to 10th win
INDIANAPOLIS—Six University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball players reached double-figures in the scoring column as the Screaming Eagles earned an 89-78 Great Lakes Valley Conference road win over host University of Indianapolis Saturday afternoon at Nicoson Hall.
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The Screaming Eagles (10-2, 4-0 GLVC) forced the Greyhounds into 29 turnovers, including six in a game-altering 19-9 run during the final seven minutes of the opening half that saw USI turn a three-point deficit into a 43-35 halftime advantage.
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USI extended that lead to double-digits three minutes into the third period and led by 12 with three minutes to play in the third frame before a UIndy run closed the gap.
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The Greyhounds (4-9, 1-4 GLVC) outscored the Eagles 9-2 throughout the final two minutes of the third period to cut their deficit to 62-58 heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.
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USI, however, got a free throw from junior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) followed three-pointers from freshman guard Vanessa Shafford(Linton, Indiana) and junior guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) as the Eagles scored seven points in a 40-second span to push their lead back to double-figures less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.
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UIndy stayed within reach of the Eagles throughout the next few minutes, but a pair of Shafford layups put USI up by 12 with five-and-a-half minutes to play, while fifth-year senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around two free throws to put USI up, 83-69, two minutes later.
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The Eagles, who turned UIndy’s offensive miscues into 39 points, finished with 16 steals while committing just 12 of their own turnovers.
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Haithcock, who came off the bench to help USI’s reserves outscore UIndy’s bench players 36-19, led the Eagles with 15 points and six rebounds. Shafford added 14 points, a team-high tying seven rebounds and three steals, while DeHart and Blackwell each had 14 points.
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Sophomore forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) added 12 points and seven rebounds, while senior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) chipped in 11 points to go along with a team-high tying three assists and three steals. DeHart also had three assists.
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The six players USI had score in double-figures marked the most players they have had reach double-digits since they had six reach double-digits in a 92-73 home win over the University of Missouri-St. Louis January 22, 2009.
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UIndy, meanwhile, was led by sophomore guard Marissa Knobloch and senior forward Liz Alsot. Knobloch led all scorers with 26 points, while Alsot had 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Ilani Williams-Harris made headlines by breaking a 37-year old school-record with 15 assists.
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USI returns to action Monday 5:30 p.m. when it hosts McKendree University in men’s and women’s doubleheader at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Bearcats (2-10, 1-3 GLVC) saw their game against Lewis University Saturday canceled due to health and safety protocols within the Flyer’s program.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSÂ REGULAR MEETING
  KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERS
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022
12:00 NOON
                                      AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2.     ELECTION OF OFFICERS
3. MEETING MEMORANDUM Â DECEMBER 15, 2021
4. CONSENT AGENDA Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
      a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Agreement with the West Side Nut
        Club for the Fall Festival. -Schaefer
      b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Agreement with Franklin Street Events
        Association for the Franklin Street Bazaar. -Schaefer
      c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Fee Schedule for Park Programs and Sports.- Schneider Â
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5. Â Â Â Â OLD BUSINESS Â
       N/A
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6.     NEW BUSINESS Â
       a. Request Re: Beaver Migration Plan- Wesselman Woods
       b. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments
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7.     REPORTS
       a. Steve Schaefer – Deputy Mayor, Interim Parks Director
           Â
8.     ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
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9.     ADJOURN
Braun, Ernst Introduce Bill To Streamline FDA Inspections
Senators Mike Braun and Senator Joni Ernst introduced the Creating Efficiency in Foreign Inspections Act, which would eliminate the lead time that foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities receive before FDA inspections to even the playing field between foreign and domestic manufacturers.
This legislation would create an incentive for drug manufacturers abroad to bring their facilities back to the U.S., leading to a stronger domestic supply chain.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our supply chain and has forced us to reevaluate our reliance on foreign countries for the production of critical drugs. The Creating Efficiency in Foreign Inspections Actwill help bring drug manufacturing back to the U.S. to create a more reliable and robust pharmaceutical supply chain for the benefit of American patients.â€â€” Senator Mike Braun
“Giving foreign drug manufacturers in countries like China a ‘heads up’ before facility inspections, while putting our own domestic producers at a disadvantage, makes about as much sense as relying on the CCP to make these critical goods in the first place. This bill will put American producers on a level playing field with foreign competitors, help bring manufacturing back to the U.S., and reduce our reliance on Communist China.â€â€” Senator Joni Ernst