FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
HOLIDAY FAVORITE A CAPPPELLA GROUP STRAIGHT NO CHASER RETURNS
HOLIDAY FAVORITE A CAPPPELLA GROUP STRAIGHT NO CHASER RETURNS FOR “HOLIDAY ROAD TOUR”
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025, AT 10 AM
MAY 14, 2025
Evansville, IN – May 14, 2025 – MOKB Presents and Old National Events Plaza announce RIAA-certified Gold and holiday favorites a cappella group Straight No Chaser are back for another festive fall with their “Holiday Road Tour.” Straight No Chaser will be sharing the joy, “dad jokes,” and songs of the season with families around the country starting in October. The “Holiday Road Tour” (a nod to the theme song of cult classic film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) kicks off in Findlay, Ohio on October 17, with dates running all the way through New Years Eve. Tickets go on sale on May 14, 2025, and full details can be found at SNCmusic.com.
The tour will coincide with the release of Holiday Road, Straight No Chaser’s first full-length collection of holiday songs since 2020’s Social Christmasing. The group will reveal more details, including the full track listing, in the upcoming months.
“For Straight No Chaser, it absolutely is the most wonderful time of the year,” said group member Walter Chase. “This year, we poured our hearts into our latest album, Holiday Road. I am so excited to see which songs will be our audience’s favorites! If you come to our show, you can expect to laugh, sing and be fully prepared to ring in the holidays. We can’t wait to see you on the Holiday Road Tour!”
Before getting in the holiday mood, Straight No Chaser follows up their totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, with “Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2.” Featuring their own twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb’s “Stay (I Missed You),” “Everybody” by Backstreet Boys, “Linger” from The Cranberries, and Santana’s “Maria Maria,” Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
The “90s Part 2” tour starts in July in Englewood, NJ and dances its way across the country through the first week of September, with O-Town as special guests on select dates. Straight No Chaser will then make a one-night-only appearance opening for the iconic Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on September 6 at The Greek Theatre. Tickets for summer dates are on sale now. For the full tour schedule and additional information, please visit SNCmusic.com. ***
Initially formed at Indiana University, a cappella group Straight No Chaser emerged at the forefront of the modern-day a cappella movement and has since sold more than three million albums worldwide, garnered more than a billion streams on Pandora alone, and sold more than 1.5 million concert tickets worldwide. In the fall of 2022, the group performed in more than 60 cities across the US with multiple sold-out shows, including their 26th consecutive sell-out in Indianapolis.
Ticket Information:
What: Straight No Chaser – Holiday Road Tour
When: Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 7:00PM
Where: Old National Events Plaza | 715 Locust Street | Evansville, IN 47708
Tickets: Tickets start at $45.50 plus applicable tax and fees
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or Old National Events Plaza Box Office.
For more information on Aiken Theatre, visit: www.oldnationaleventsplaza.com.–
About Old National Events Plaza
Old National Events Plaza, managed by ASM Global, is Evansville, Indiana’s premier convention center and largest live entertainment theatre. Housing a spacious 2,500-seat theatre, 38,000 square- feet of column free exhibit space, a beautiful 14,000 square-foot ballroom, and 12,00 square feet of meeting space, Old National Events Plaza hosts a variety of events. The venue offers easy scheduling, one-stop-shop services, and in-house catering and audio-visual services. For more information and a complete schedule of events, please visit www.oldnationaleventsplaza.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more information, please visitwww.asmglobal.com.
Eagles grounded by Aces USI finishes home season with an 11-5 mark
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball could not hold an early lead and lost to the University of Evansville, 18-8, Tuesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI, which saw its four-game winning streak snapped with the loss, is 25-27 overall, while UE go to 16-35.
The Screaming Eagles started the scoring early, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Both runs scored when junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens reached on an error that scored sophomore third baseman Parker Martin and senior centerfielder Khi Holiday.
USI increased the lead to 3-0 in the second when junior first baseman Kannon Coakley scored on a single by junior leftfielder Hunter Miller. The Eagles boosted the margin to 4-0 with another tally in the third on an RBI single by Kitchens, scoring Holiday for the second time.
The lead expanded to 7-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth and a single tally in the fifth. Junior shortstop Clayton Slack scored the first run of the fourth on a wild pitch, while Martin scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd for the 6-0 lead.
USI made it 7-0 in the fifth when senior leftfielder BJ Banyon, who pinch hit in the sixth, scored on a ground out by sophomore second baseman Anthony Umbach. UE took a stand and responded with seven runs off USI freshman right-handers Colin Wolfe and Marshall Loch in the top of the sixth to tie the game, 7-7.
The Eagles regained the lead, 8-7, in the bottom of the sixth when Kitchens scored on a UE error when Boyd stole second. The Aces got the run back in the top of the seventh to knot the game up at 8-8.
UE continued to roll offensively, plating five runs off four USI hurlers in the eighth inning to take command, 13-8. The Aces would continue the onslaught, adding five more in the ninth to round out the 18-8 final.
A highlight for USI at the plate was Boyd’s single in the sixth that extended his hitting streak to 17 games. Boyd’s 17-game streak tied Kitchens for the longest of the season.
Holiday also extended his streak of reaching base to 30-straight games, the longest of any Eagles this season. The last Eagle to reach base in 30 or more straight games was Manny Lopez, who reached in 36-straight in 2019.
On the mound, USI freshman right-hander Sage Stout took the loss for the Eagles in relief. Stout (1-3) allowed three runs on three hits, while striking out two in 1.1 innings of work.
USI senior left-hander Mason Sweeney started and got a no-decision in the contest. Sweeney threw two scoreless frames, striking out one. Sophomore right-hander Abdriel Figuerora followed Sweeney to the mound and added three more scoreless frames, allowing two hits and a walk and striking out two.
Otters battle back, fall short in extras
Evansville, Ind. – The Evansville Otters (1-3) fell in extra innings to the Trois-Rivieres Aigles (2-3) at Bosse Field on Tuesday night, 9-7.
The Otters sent CJ Backer to the bump in the first of a three game set, his professional debut. Despite struggling with command early, he settled in during the second and third innings, retiring six straight Aigles.
The Otters’ offense struggled to bring in runs early, leaving four runners on base in the first two innings.
In the home half of the third, Trois-Rivieres led 1-0. Back-to-back walks to begin the inning set up David Mendham, who singled into left field to load the bases. JT Benson and JJ Cruz then hit a pair of sacrifice fly balls to give Evansville a 2-1 lead.
Trois-Rivieres took control of the game in the fifth with a three-run home run to extend their lead to 6-2.
Evansville continued to claw their way back and responded in the home half of the inning with a Justin Felix RBI single into left field.
In the seventh, the Otters extended the inning with two outs after a Keenan Taylor hit-by-pitch. Mendham walked with the bases loaded to collect an RBI before LJ Jones had a huge two-RBI double into the left field corner to tie the game at 6-6.
Joan Gonzalez took to the mound in the top of the eighth and struck out two of the three batters he faced. Neither team was able to score in their side of the ninth.
For the second time in the past three games, extra innings were needed in Evansville. An-RBI single and a two-run home run in the 10th reinstated the Trois Rivieres lead to three.
Evansville managed a run in the 10th thanks to a Ray Gil RBI single, but were unable to cut into the lead any further, falling 9-7.
The Otters left 16 men on base Tuesday night and collected 13 free passes (10 walks, three hit-by-pitches) as a team. Evansville pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and just three walks.
The series continues Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. for Mothers Appreciation Night, as Braden Scott (EVV) and Jesen Therrien (TR) take to the mound. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at Bosse Field.
USDA INSPECTION REPORT
Mayor Stephanie Terry Shares Progress on Animal Care & Control Reforms
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today provided an update on progress and changes being made at Evansville Animal Care & Control, continuing a community conversation begun at her January 15 Town Hall on Animal Care.
“In January, we heard passionate concerns and thoughtful suggestions about the future of Evansville Animal Care & Control from residents across the city,” Mayor Terry said. “Shortly after, we welcomed an embedded representative from Best Friends Animal Society to observe and offer expert recommendations to help strengthen our operations; we felt it was important to let her get settled and to begin hearing her recommendations before making significant changes.
“Today, I’m proud to announce the first steps we are taking – steps driven by community input, a firm commitment to public safety, and an emphasis on responsible animal welfare.”
Among the most impactful developments is the creation of a foster-to-adopt program, which will allow adopted pets to go home the same day, rather than waiting up to a week for spay/neuter surgery. This approach, recommended by Best Friends, will open up much-needed kennel space and speeds up the adoption process – benefiting both pets and adopters.
City officials are currently finalizing the program’s guidelines, including the penalty structure for non-compliance.
Other Best Friends recommendations already being implemented include improvements to vaccine protocols and more effective cleaning and disinfection practices. In addition, behavior enrichment programs are being launched to enhance the well-being of both dogs and cats housed at the shelter.
At the same time, City Councilor Missy Mosby is working with the Evansville Animal Care & Control Board of Directors to update the EACC ordinance. Among the key focuses of the revision are a reduction in the hold time for animals at the facility, and studying the potential to alter the fine structure used by the facility.
Those changes are expected to go to the EACC Board at its June meeting.
Animal Care & Control is also working to launch a formal volunteer orientation and release process, which will increase opportunities for community involvement. A proposal to extend shelter hours by one hour, one day a week is being reviewed and considered as part of the team’s regular biannual schedule adjustments.
Dr. Becca, Best Friends’ designated veterinarian, also has received her license to practice in Indiana and will serve as the veterinarian of record for Covetrus, the city’s medical supply merchant. This change enables Evansville Animal Care & Control to directly order medications needed to treat common illnesses like kennel cough and upper respiratory infections – ultimately reducing costs and improving care.
“These aren’t just operational tweaks – they’re a response to the community,” said Mayor Stephanie Terry. “When our residents raised their voices about the conditions and practices at Animal Control, we listened. Change is underway, and I want to be clear: This is only the beginning. We are building a better system – one that reflects our community’s values and our commitment to animal welfare.”
Mayor Terry will hold a media availability today at 2:00 p.m. at the Evansville Animal Care & Control facility, 815 E. Uhlhorn St., to discuss and answer questions about progress at Evansville Animal Care & Control. Media planning to attend the availability, please contact Communications Director Joe Atkinson to RSVP.
Attorney General Rokita sounds alarm on fake TxTag emails that target Hoosiers’ wallets
Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers to a surge in spam emails falsely claiming to be from State of Indiana departments regarding TxTag, the Texas toll collection system. These fraudulent emails often demand payment for alleged unpaid tolls and include links or attachments designed to steal personal information or install malware.
“Scammers are relentless in exploiting hardworking Hoosiers, and these fake TxTag emails are no exception,” said Attorney General Rokita. “We’re fighting back against fraudsters, but Hoosiers must stay vigilant. Never click links or share personal information from unsolicited emails.”
The Office of the Attorney General has received reports of these emails targeting Indiana residents, who may have no connection to Texas toll roads. The emails often use urgent language to trick recipients into acting quickly.
To protect yourself, Attorney General Rokita recommends:
- Do not click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails claiming to be from TxTag
- Verify any toll-related claims directly through the official TxTag website www.txtag.org or by calling their customer service at 1-888-468-9824
- Report suspicious emails to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office at www.indianaconsumer.com
- Forward spam emails to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov to help track and stop scammers
“These scams are designed to prey on busy families and seniors who may not spot the red flags,” Rokita added. “Our office is committed to holding scammers accountable and protecting Hoosiers’ hard-earned money.”
If you believe you’ve been targeted or victimized by this scam, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at www.indianaconsumer.com or call 1-800-382-5516.
UE Names New Associate Deans for Business and Engineering Schools
EVANSVILLE, IND. (05/13/2025) Dr. Suresh Immanuel, incoming dean of the University of Evansville’s (UE) College of Business and Engineering, has announced two key leadership appointments, effective June 1.
Dr. Yolanda Obaze, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management, has been named Associate Dean of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration, and Dr. Jared Fulcher, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been named Associate Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“These appointments reflect a bold step forward as we continue to strengthen the synergy between our business and engineering disciplines,” said Dr. Immanuel. “Dr. Obaze and Dr. Fulcher are accomplished educators who will play an instrumental role in advancing the mission and vision of our College and the respective Schools they represent. I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Ben Johnson for his outstanding service as Associate Dean of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration and his continued contributions as a valued faculty member.”
Dr. Obaze holds the Guthrie May Endowed Chair in Business and serves as Director of the Center for Logistics and Supply Chain Management at UE. She joined the faculty as an expert in logistics and supply chain management and has played a foundational role in launching and developing the program. She teaches both core and elective courses, oversees the center’s operations, and fosters industry partnerships that benefit both students and the broader community.
Dr. Jared Fulcher is a dedicated educator in the Mechanical Engineering program, where he has taught for several years and helped shape the curriculum and experiential learning opportunities for students. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to student success, Dr. Fulcher has contributed to key initiatives that bridge the gap between engineering theory and real-world application.