FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Otters tie franchise win streak as Scott breaks K record
Otters tie franchise win streak as Scott breaks K record
EVANSVILLE, Ind- The Evansville Otters (36-52) took the opener in a pitcher’s duel against the Windy City ThunderBolts (35-53) on Friday night 2-1. They have now won nine games in a row, tying the franchise record set in 2008 and 2022.
Braden Scott made his 19th start of the season and got going quick with three strikeouts through the first two innings.
All of the Otters offense came in the second and third and were both propelled by Windy City defensive mistakes. Stephen Paolini started the second by reaching on an error. After a stolen base, Cohen Wilbanks singled him in to jump Evansville out in front 1-0. Keenan Taylor got to second after a dropped fly ball in the third and Paolini doubled him in to double Evansville’s lead.
Thankfully, that was all they needed as Scott delivered another masterpiece. He threw a scoreless third and fourth, striking out three more in the process. After a lead off single in the fifth, Braden Scott threw his 139th strikeout of the season, making him the Otters’ single season record holder for most strikeouts, passing Andre Simpson who threw 138 in 2005. Not satisfied, he struck out the final batter to end the fifth.
Scott kept dealing with a scoreless sixth and seventh, striking out the final two batters. He went back out for the eighth, marking the longest outing by any Otters pitcher this year. After a couple of quick outs, including his 11th strikeout, he allowed a pinch-hit solo home run which was the only damage against him the entire night. He ended his night by getting the final out of the eighth on a ground out. Scott now has four straight home starts with 10 or more strikeouts while giving up one or fewer runs. It is also his second straight start not allowing any walks.
After a scoreless frame from the Otters offense, Garrett Crowley was called on to earn his fifth save. He struck out the first two batters he saw and got a ground out to secure the 2-1 victory. He has now worked six straight ninth innings and has set down all 18 batters he’s seen. He has also struck out 10 of the last 12 batters he’s faced.
Evansville returns to Bosse Field tomorrow night with a chance to earn their 10th straight victory which would be a new franchise record. First pitch for Star Wars Night is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT with gates opening at 5:30. There will be an auction for the themed jerseys on DASH and postgame fireworks following the game.
O’Brien ranked among top lawmakers for supporting pro-economy, pro-jobs legislation
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 21, 2025) – State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) recently ranked among top Indiana lawmakers for his support of pro-economy, pro-jobs legislation during the 2025 legislative session.
O’Brien earned a score of 100 percent in the Indiana Chamber of Commerce‘s 41st annual Legislator Scorecard.
Lawmaker scores were based on how they voted for legislation affecting six focus areas: child care, economic development, education, energy, health care, public finance/taxation and road funding. These categories are part of the Indiana Chamber’s economic strategy for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035.
“At the Statehouse, I’ve worked to advance policies that grow our economy, support small businesses and keep taxes low for hardworking Hoosiers,” O’Brien said. “Indiana continues to strengthen its reputation as a great place to start and grow a business, build a career and enjoy a high quality of life. I will continue to support efforts that help our state and Southwest Indiana region thrive.”
The 2025 Legislator Scorecard included several House Republican priority bills including legislation to lower health care costs (House Enrolled Act 1003), reduce education regulations and increase flexibility (House Enrolled Act 1002), and help Indiana meet the energy demands of our growing economy (House Enrolled Act 1007). It also included a new law delivering property tax relief and reform (Senate Enrolled Act 1).
Indiana’s strong economic performance has been reflected in multiple national rankings. Indiana ranks first in the Midwest and sixth in the nation in Chief Executive Magazine’s annual ‘Best & Worst States for Business’ survey. Forbes magazine ranked Indiana second in the nation on its list of “Best states to start a business in.”
UE Women’s Soccer Falls Late at Lindenwood
St. Charles, Mo. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team grabbed an early lead on a 14th minute goal from MVC Player of the Week Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz), but two second half goals from Lindenwood proved to be the difference as the Lions took down the Aces by a score of 2-1 on Thursday night.
Lindenwood opened the night on the attack, putting up six shots in the first nine minutes of action. However, Aces goalkeeper Elke Travis (Henderson, Nev./Faith Lutheran) was up to the task, making two saves to keep the Lions at bay. The UE attack broke through shortly after, with Emmy Brenner (Arlington, Tenn./St. Benedict at Auburndale) and Taylor Wehrer (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) firing off a pair of shots in the span of 11 seconds. A little over a minute later, Johnson struck, finishing her second goal of the season off an assist from Wehrer to give Evansville the lead.
That score would hold into the break, and the Aces remained on top 15 minutes into the second half, but Lindenwood would manage to equalize in the 60th minute on a goal from Allison Schrumpf. The two sides remained deadlocked for the next 20 minutes, but Lindenwood grabbed the decisive goal in the 81st minute on a goal by Mattie Ohlsen.
Lindenwood out-shot Evansville 18-11 overall, but the two sides tied in shots on goal at six apiece. Wehrer led the Aces with three shots, while Amy Velazquez (Avon, Ind./Avon) led the way with two shots on goal. Elke made four saves in goal for Evansville.
With the loss, Evansville moves to 1-0-1 overall, while Lindenwood improves to 3-0-0. The Aces will be back in action next Thursday for their home opener, taking on Purdue at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
ANOTHER TRAIL OF TEARS
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of August 25 2025)
ANOTHER TRAIL OF TEARS
Israel’s actions in Palestine’s designated future capital, East Jerusalem, and in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, are a conundrum to many Americans. How can a country that arose from the ashes of the Jewish holocaust of World War II inflict similar atrocities on its neighbors? A related mystery is why the United States enables and abets Israel’s actions? In a country born out of occupation and oppression from our closely aligned cultural “First Cousins”, we yearned to breathe free. This is much as the Jews and their first cousins, the Arabs, are embroiled today.
Jews, Arabs and Muslims are intertwined by history, genetics, geography and religion. Hebrews look to the Torah, much of which is reflected in the Arab and Muslim culture and beliefs via the Quran. Religion is visceral to many Jews and Muslims who call themselves People of the Book. We Americans were similarly bound together with Great Britain. Christian religious beliefs were and are integral to each people’s psyche and Volksgeist. America’s Colonists and Revolutionaries as well as the people of Great Britain found inspiration and justification for their actions from The Book. The Book still provides much of the reason many Israelis want to expand their territory. And The Book provides much of the reason given by many Americans for supporting Israel’s actions.
Manifest Destiny divined from the Bible and Zionism with reference to the Torah have numerous similarities with one another and with the tenants of the Quran. There are countless distinctions in the Torah, the New Testament and the Quran. However, the adherents of all three see themselves as believing in the same god but with different rituals for each faith and with dizzying variations of beliefs within each faith.
Christians, Jews and Muslims all profess a belief in justice, equality and a version of the Golden Rule. It has been demonstrated countless times that members of each group turn to their faith to support their actions that are sometimes diametrically opposed to their professed faith. This phenomenon has occurred repeatedly over many years. In America, many people of European descent drew upon their god for divining guidance each time they saw Native Americans as obstacles to territorial expansion. Manifest Destiny was often a deeply ingrained belief that justified the desires of the powerful; the Trail of Tears was one of many such divine tragedies.
In her book When the Wolf Came, Mary Jane Warde cites the account from a survivor of the forced removal from the Native Americans’ homes and traditional lands in the eastern states to Indian Territory. Sallie Forney, who was a member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe, described her experience:
“The command for a removal came unexpectedly upon most of us. There was the time that we noticed that several overloaded wagons were passing our home, yet we did not grasp the meaning. However, it was not long until we found out the reason. Wagons stopped at our homes and the men in charge commanded us to gather what few belongings could be crowded into the wagon. We were to be taken away and leave our homes never to return This was just the beginning of much weeping and heartaches.
…
Many fell by the wayside, too faint with hunger or too weak to keep up with the rest. The aged, feeble, and sick were left to perish by the wayside.”
One of the four carvings of U.S. presidents on Mount Rushmore is of Theodore Roosevelt who is quoted by writer Alysa Landry as having said in a January 1886 speech in New York City:
“I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are the dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are. And I shouldn’t like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth.”
Such a cavalier attitude by an American President towards Native Americans sounds remarkedly similar to the Zionists’ view and actions toward Palestinians today. One might wonder if much of America’s support for Israel’s actions arises from a subconscious conflation of Native Americans and Palestinians with America’s faith in Manifest Destiny being morphed out of a Chosen People cultural myth.
It is difficult for us to do the right thing in Palestine when we built our empire using the same tactics the Zionists are using. However, we owe it to “ourselves and our posterity” to not aid and abet another Trail of Tears in Palestine. We certainly sinned ourselves, but we can partially atone by helping to alleviate the great Nakba being wrought by Israel’s Zionists today.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
Attorney General Todd Rokita and Governor Mike Braun update requirements for state contractors to make clear that discriminatory DEI practices are impermissible
Attorney General Rokita is charged with reviewing/approving all state contracts and enforcing False Claims Act
In keeping with his firm commitment to root out discriminatory “DEI” practices, Attorney General Todd Rokita is announcing that, for contracts signed on or after July 1, all state contractors must certify that they do not engage in DEI practices that treat people differently on the basis of race and sex when recruiting, hiring, promoting and conducting other employment activities.
The acronym DEI — although it stands for diversity, equity and inclusion — is often used as a cover for policies that violate state and/or federal civil rights laws.
“No one gets a free pass for unlawful discrimination just because they claim to have good intentions,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Treating people differently in the workplace or at school based on race and sex is a destructive practice and illegal. We will continue to enforce the law against higher education institutions and working to eliminate this terrible Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion known as DEI nonsense.”
All state contracts now must include revised language that makes clear that contractors must not pursue DEI initiatives that are inconsistent with Indiana’s nondiscrimination laws. Attorney General Rokita is taking this action, in coordination with Governor MIke Braun and the Indiana Department of Administration, pursuant to his authority to review and approve all state contracts to ensure their compliance with state law.
Prohibitions on racial discrimination have long been included in all state contracts, as required by state law. The new subparagraph in state contracts concerning DEI practices clarifies and makes explicit that Indiana’s prohibition on contactors engaging in discrimination fully extends to DEI practices.
The revised contract language also makes clear that, if a state contractor is found operating any DEI programs that violate Indiana or federal civil rights laws — contrary to the terms of their contract with the state — then that contractor could be subject to enforcement action by the Attorney General under Indiana’s False Claims Act.
Both Governor Braun and President Donald Trump have also taken aim at discriminatory DEI programs as they work to uphold the principle of equal opportunity for all.
Governor Braun issued an executive order on Jan. 14 this year forbidding executive branch state agencies from using state funds, property or resources to “support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs if they grant preferential treatment based upon one person’s particular race.”
“We must make every effort to ensure freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers and with my decisive action by executive order, we have done just that,” Governor Braun said. “Replacing divisive diversity, equity, and inclusion policies with those that reward merit, excellence, and innovation is foundational to our success and honors my commitment to a level playing field for all.”
A week following Governor Braun’s order, President Trump issued an executive order — titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” — in which he ordered federal agencies to require federal contractors to certify that they do not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate Federal anti-discrimination laws
Property Control Launches HOA Central, an All-in-One Operating System for Homeowners Associations
Parent company of Condo Control and HOA Sites introduces a
modern platform that cuts costs, automates busy work, and improves resident experience.
INDIANAPOLIS, August 21, 2025 (Newswire.com) – Property Control, the parent company of Condo Control and HOA Sites, today announced the launch of HOA Central, a mobile-first platform that unifies community operations, payments, compliance, and communications in one secure hub. The product is built to help boards and managers manage with confidence and residents live with ease.
“Running an HOA should not require multiple systems and a spreadsheet,” said Brian Bosscher, CEO of Property Control. “With HOA Central, teams move requests, payments, and records into one place so they spend less time chasing tasks and more time improving their communities.”
Built by the team behind Condo Control, trusted by more than 7,000 communities, HOA Central pairs consumer-grade mobile portals with AI-powered automation and deep integrations to tools HOAs already use, including QuickBooks, Yardi, and Stripe. Early customers can target up to 40% lower operating costs, 50% less manual work, and about 15 hours saved per week. Pricing is a transparent per-door rate with no storage or support add-ons.
Key capabilities
- Expert onboarding and support: white-glove setup, a named customer success manager, unlimited refresher training, and an on-demand video library with a 95% CSAT resident help line.
- Unified operations and compliance: maintenance, violations, documents, KPIs, meetings, elections, and payments in one place, with minutes and election records for audits.
- Resident experience: a mobile-first portal with a digital bulletin, e-voting, surveys, and QR guest passes that drive 85% plus adoption.
- No double-entry accounting and payments: syncs dues, late fees, and vendor invoices directly into QuickBooks, VMS, Yardi, or other accounting platforms.
- AI-powered automation: instant answers to FAQs and a 24/7 chatbot.
- Best-practice library: more than 50 state-specific templates covering announcements, ARC forms, violations, and election notices.
What makes it different
HOA Central is designed for high adoption and reliability. Communities benefit from a resident-centric user experience that is 96% rated “easy to use,” average resident uptake of 85%, and 99.9% uptime with zero-downtime maintenance. Managers, boards, and residents all receive phone, email, and video support, and the product ships weekly improvements and new features.
Built for self-managed boards and management firms
Whether consolidating point solutions or launching a first digital program, both self-managed HOAs and community management companies can standardize workflows, records, and reporting across communities, and scale at their own pace.
About Property Control
Property Control is the parent company of Condo Control and HOA Sites. The company builds modern software that digitizes, streamlines, and automates community operations for boards, managers, and residents.
About HOA Central
HOA Central delivers a future-proof, all-in-one operating system that slashes workload, controls costs, and elevates the livability of every HOA it touches. The mission is to give HOAs the digital tools, guidance, and insight they need to reduce costs, stay compliant, and foster thriving neighborhoods.
Screaming Eagles lose 2025 season debut in
LOUISVILLE, KY.- University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer dropped the season opener 6-0 Thursday afternoon to the University of Louisville in USI’s first regular-season matchup with a major conference opponent since transitioning to NCAA Division I.
The Screaming Eagles were unable to find success in the offensive half, not recording a shot on a staunch Cardinal’s defense. USI’s pair of goalkeepers made some miraculous plays, with Freshman Jacob English recording seven saves in his collegiate debut and Junior Kael McGowan recording six in relief.
Freshman defender Joaquin d’Escoto was given a red card 3:34 into the game, leaving the Eagles down a man for the remainder of the match. The teams traded attacks early, unable to find the back of the net for the first 20 minutes.
The Cardinals opened the floodgates with their first score coming in the 22nd minute, rolling into a second goal two minutes later, then the final goal of the half at 34:56. USI went into the half down 3-0. English recorded five of his saves in the first half, on eight Cardinals shots on goal.
Out of the halftime break, Louisville matched its first-half production, scoring its final three goals in the first 19 minutes of the half.
For Southern Indiana, the Eagles opened the game strong, forcing a few offensive opportunities before Louisville found its rhythm in the match. USI’s defense dazzled at times, including a diving save from English and a beautiful slide tackle from freshman Kadiri Bello.
The Eagles return to Strassweg Field for their 2025 regular-season home opener against Rose-Hulman August 2; kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday’s contest will be streamed on ESPN+, and admission to the game will be free courtesy of ProRehab.
USI comes up short in road trip opener at Robert Morris
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer created numerous shot chances for the second consecutive match on Thursday afternoon, but the Screaming Eagles came up short, 2-0, at Robert Morris University to begin a two-game road swing.
Following a 21-shot performance at home last Sunday, USI produced 14 shot attempts in Thursday’s road contest at Robert Morris. Senior forward Emerson Grafton and graduate student Maggie Duggan, who are one and two in leading the Eagles in shots this season, combined for half of USI’s shots on Thursday. Grafton tallied four shots against the Colonials, while Duggan recorded three attempts. Grafton also had a shot on goal. Senior forward Peyton Murphy had a pair of shots.
On the defensive end, Southern Indiana redshirt goalkeeper Anna Markland matched her season total with five saves off 15 shots faced on Thursday. Freshman defender Tierney Mullady played 79 minutes in her first career start and notched one shot.
Grafton got USI going early with a couple of shot attempts. However, Southern Indiana ran into early adversity just past the 13-minute mark of the contest when a red card reduced the Eagles to 10 players on the field for the rest of the match. The Screaming Eagles nearly overcame the early setback in the 25th minute when a long-range shot by Grafton went off the crossbar and could not initially be hauled in by the Robert Morris goalkeeper.
The game remained scoreless until the 34th minute when Robert Morris got on the board off a lunging header on the back end of a long cross. The goal energized the Colonials to a handful of shots down the stretch of the opening half, but Markland and the Eagles kept the game to a one-goal differential going into halftime.
Nearly 10 minutes into the second stanza, Robert Morris doubled its lead to 2-0. The Colonials scored on a low cross that was poked into the corner netting.
Southern Indiana tried to cut into the deficit with a couple of corner kicks and a string of shots with nearly 20 minutes to go, but to no avail. Markland kept USI within two in the final minutes after a pair of saves with under eight minutes left, including a charging save coming off the goal line. Robert Morris went on to carry its 2-0 lead into the final whistle.
Southern Indiana will continue to work toward its first score and result of the season on Sunday afternoon when the Screaming Eagles conclude their two-game road swing at the University of Akron. Kickoff Sunday is slated for Noon CT and can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.