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University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball could not hold on in the second half and fell to Southwest Baptist University, 65-61, Saturday afternoon at Screaming Eagles Arena. USI goes to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in the GLVC, while SBU is 10-2 overall, 4-1 in the league.
The Eagles started slow, falling behind 7-2 early, but outscored the Bearcats over the final 14 minutes of the opening half to post a 29-19 lead at the intermission. USI junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) hit five-of-seven from the field to lead the Eagles with 10 points during the first 20 minutes. The defense starred in the opening half as USI held SBU to 29.6 percent from the field (8-27) and 20 percent (2-10) from long range. The Eagles also scored 12 of their 29 first half points off of 15 Bearcat turnovers. In the second half, the Bearcats turned the tables on the Eagles and used a 16-4 run to retake the lead, 35-33, with 13:17 to play. USI responded with its own 16-7 surge to get the lead back with 3:43 left, but SBU rebounded and outscored the Eagles, 13-6, in the final minutes to get the 65-61 victory. Individually for the game, freshman guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) led four Eagles in double-digits with a season-high 16 points. He was six-of-11 from the field, three-of-six from three-point range, and one-of-two from the stripe. Sophomore guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) followed with 11 points, while Polakovich and junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points each. COMING UP FOR USI: UIndy, which is slated to play McKendree University on January 13 before hosting the Eagles, has won six-straight on the way to a 10-3 record and a 4-1 league mark. The Greyhounds game with Lindenwood, which was scheduled for January 8, was canceled due to COVID. action. The Eagles hold a 59-26 all-time series lead over the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis, dating back to the 1972-73 season. USI lost to UIndy at home, 68-62, in November and was led by junior forward Jelani Simmons, who had 14 points and seven rebounds. The next USI game at Screaming Eagles Arena is January 17 when they host McKendree University for a 7:30 p.m. contest. |
Eagles stumble in second half, fall 65-61
Short-handed Eagles rally past Bearcats
Despite missing four players and two starters, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball rallied from a six-point third-quarter deficit to earn a 79-74 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over visiting Southwest Baptist University Saturday afternoon at Screaming Eagles Arena.
The Screaming Eagles (9-2, 3-0 GLVC) trailed 59-53 with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter before using an 8-2 run to tie the contest at 61-61 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
USI carried that momentum into the final period as it scored nine straight points to build a commanding 70-61 advantage. Senior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) had a pair of buckets to open the period, while fifth-year senior guard Ashley Hunter (Flossmoor, Illinois) drained one of her four three pointers to give USI a seven-point advantage.
Junior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) capped the run off with a second-chance bucket as USI took control of the game.
Southwest Baptist (8-6, 3-3 GLVC), which overcame a double-digit first-quarter deficit to take a 43-41 lead at the intermission, slowly chipped away at USI’s advantage, eventually closing to within 77-74 with less than 30 seconds to play.
The Bearcats had a golden opportunity at to earn a potential game-tying possession after a pair of missed free throws, but Hunter picked up the offensive rebounds with less than 10 seconds to play, was fouled and hit the subsequent free throws to seal the five-point victory for the Eagles.
Hunter finished the game with a career-high 23 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists, while Brown added 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Eagles, who out-rebounded Southwest Baptist, 41-32, while freshman guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) added 12 points, six rebounds three assists and two blocks.
Senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) added eight points and a pair of assists as she paired with Shafford to run the point guard position for a majority of the game. Robbe came off the bench to finish with four points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Bearcats were led by senior guard Kyleigh Vaught, who finished with a game-high 25 points on the strength of six three-pointers.
USI returns to action next Saturday at noon (CST) when it travels to Indianapolis to take on the University of Indianapolis in a GLVC East Division contest.
VUVB signs Effingham’s Kennedy Sowell to 2022 recruiting class
The 2021 Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball team kicked off their 2022 recruiting class in a big way with the signing of Kennedy Sowell Friday afternoon.
Sowell is a six-foot tall middle blocker/opposite hitter who helped guide Effingham High School to a 14-22 record and the 2021 Charleston Tournament Championship last season.
Sowell finished her senior season with the Flaming Hearts with 157 kills, 34 digs, 33 blocks, 12 set assists and seven aces, earning her the 2021 Varsity Blocking Award as well as Edward Co. Invitational-All Tournament team and Third Team Effingham Daily News All-Area honors.
“Kennedy is a great player who is very versatile,†Effingham head coach Theresa Vogt said. “This past year, she learned to play a new position that she had never played before. She was a valuable asset because she could move to where the opponent’s best hitter was and shut them down. That also meant that she could hit from anywhere on the court and keep the other team on their toes.â€
Sowell is the daughter of Wes and Michelle Sowell and is a four-year honor student at Effingham High School, who plans to major in nursing while at Vincennes University.
“We see Kennedy as someone who will be competing for playing time in the middle blocker position, as it will be wide open in the Fall,†VUVB head coach Gary Sien said. “She is consistent and fluid in hitting behind the setter off of one leg and she could see time on the right side as well.â€
“We feel Kennedy possesses the physical components to be a consistent blocker and hitter for us,†Sien added. “We are always looking to sign athletic players like Kennedy and she comes from a strong area for volleyball that we have had quite a bit of success in recruiting there. We look forward to getting her in the gym to work on her hitting and blocking techniques and for her to learn our blocking and offensive systems.â€
The Vincennes University Athletic Department welcome Kennedy Sowell to the 2022 recruiting class and wishes her well as she finishes her senior year this spring.
Board of School Trustees of the EVSC MEETING
 The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet for the regularly scheduled Board meeting Monday, January 10, 2022 at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the EVSC Administration Building located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Seating will be limited to allow for appropriate social distancing. As always, Board meetings can also be observed by tuning to EVSC’s radio station, 90.7 WPSR or live streamed online at https://www.wpsrhd.com/.Â
Prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, three members of the Board, along with district administrators, will hold a Town Hall beginning at 5:00 PM. This Town Hall is for Vanderburgh County residents to speak directly with Board members in attendance about issues involving EVSC schools. The Town Hall will be the process utilized to receive Public Comment. The Town Hall will be held in the Technology and Innovation Center located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Members of the public who would like to attend the Town Hall should register by completing the Town Hall Registration Form located on our website at district.evscschools.com.Â
Todd Rokita: Hoosiers’ Liberty Hangs In The Balance As U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Biden’s Vaccine Mandates
Hoosiers’ Liberty Hangs In The Balance As U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Biden’s Vaccine Mandates
Attorney General Todd Rokita pledged to continue defending personal freedoms as the U.S. Supreme Court today prepares to hear oral arguments on two of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“In a free republic, the protection of individual liberty must be a priority,†Attorney General Rokita said. “The federal government’s overreach through vaccine mandates threatens our country’s foundation. Truly, Hoosiers’ liberty hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court deliberates over these important constitutional issues.â€
The Supreme Court today is scheduled to hear oral arguments over two separate vaccine mandates. One of those is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule requiring vaccination or weekly testing of workers at large employers. Attorney General Rokita’s lawsuit challenging this OSHA vaccine mandate was consolidated with other similar suits and is part of what is being heard today. The other vaccine mandate that will be heard is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule requiring vaccination of all staff at all Medicare and Medicaid providers. Attorney General Rokita filed suit to stop this government overreach.
Attorney General Rokita has filed four separate lawsuits against the Biden administration over its draconian vaccine mandates. In addition to lawsuits over the OSHA and CMS mandates, he also has filed lawsuits over 1) a vaccine mandate for federal contractors and 2) a mandate requiring masks for children as young as 2 years old and vaccines for staff and volunteers at childcare programs receiving Head Start funds.
All these lawsuits have borne positive results.
A federal appeals court initially prevented the OSHA mandate from going into effect. Although another federal appeals court subsequently lifted that ruling, the Supreme Court now has the opportunity to chart the correct course.
In Indiana, the federal vaccine mandates for Medicare/Medicaid providers and Head Start facilities are not in effect thanks to the lawsuits filed by Attorney General Rokita and like-minded attorneys general in other states. Indiana has also secured an injunction against the federal contractor mandate, but the court limited that injunction to the State of Indiana’s contracts.
“Hoosiers can rest assured we will keep working to protect their constitutional freedoms,†Attorney General Rokita said. “This fight against gross federal overreach is one we absolutely must win, and we will not rest until we prevail on behalf of liberty.â€
Hostettler Votes To Advance Bill Supporting Lawful Gun Owners
 STATEHOUSE  – State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) voted to advance legislation to ensure law-abiding Hoosier adults can carry a firearm without being required to first obtain a government-issued license. This legislation now moves to the full Indiana House for further consideration.
Hostettler, a member of the House Public Policy Committee, said this proposed legislation would not change the process to legally purchase a handgun, and Hoosiers would still need to complete the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form, and be approved by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. He said this process ensures only eligible buyers legally purchase handguns.
“This legislation does nothing to change who can or can’t legally own a handgun, it simply would remove unnecessary and burdensome red tape,” Hostettler said. “This much-needed change supports law-abiding gun owners who are being forced to ask permission to exercise their Constitutional right.”
Hostettler said Indiana is already behind 21 other states that implement lawful carry on behalf of its citizens.
According to Hostettler, reciprocity permits, including five year and lifetime permits, would still be available, and current holders of those permits would still receive that benefit. These permits provide firearm reciprocity, or the ability for Hoosiers to carry in 31 other states. Hostettler said there is no fee for the five year or lifetime personal protection licenses.
The bill would also enhance the penalty for theft of a firearm from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony, which carries a sentence of between 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
USI Cheer Team Sendoff Scheduled For Today
The University of Southern Indiana Cheer Team is hosting a sendoff Sunday evening at Screaming Eagles Arena as it gets set to compete at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships next weekend at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the Screaming Eagles scheduled to perform their national’s routine at 7 p.m. The Eagles also will be performing routines at halftime of the USI Men’s and Women’s Basketball Games Saturday afternoon.
Admission to Sunday’s sendoff is one item of donation to Archie’s Food Closet (items in need listed below).
Under the direction of third-year Head Coach Megan Murphy, the Screaming Eagles will be sending 22 student-athletes to compete in the prelims of the Open Small Coed Division, which will take place January 15 at approximately 10:13 a.m. (CST).
The Eagles must finish in the top 50 percent of the prelims to advance to the finals, which will be held Saturday evening. Live coverage will be available on Varsity TV.
USI finished fourth in the Small Coed Division I Virtual Finals last Spring after finishing fifth in the Small Coed Division II competition at the 2020 national championships in Orlando, Florida. USI, which finished second at the event in 2014, sixth in the All-Girl Division I competition in 2019.
Archie’s Food Closet Items of Need
Most Needed Items:
• Men’s and Women’s Shampoo/Conditioner
• Deodorant (Men and Women)
• Full Size Toothpaste
• Soap
• Four Packs of Toilet Paper
• Tissues
• Disposable Razors
• Marinara / Alfredo Sauces
• Pasta/Spaghetti
• Canned Chicken
Also in need of:
• Instant Potatoes
• Canned Beans
• Oatmeal
• Fruit Cups
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Tuna
• Instant Pasta Packets
• Instant Rice Packets
• Hamburger Helper
• Popcorn
HOOSIER HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS: The General Assembly Meets in the New Capital
January 9 – January 15The Week in Indiana History |
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“Music is universal; it’s a healing.” – – - Crystal Gayle Did You Know?   Each state is permitted to place two statues in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol. The two figures representing Indiana are Civil War General and author Lew Wallace and Civil War Governor Oliver P. Morton. Take an “Armchair Tour” of the Indiana Statehouse
ANSWERS: 1. Taylor University  2. Dan Quayle  3. Miss America
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1951   Brenda Gail Webb was born in Kentucky. At the age of four, her family moved to Wabash, Indiana. The younger sister of singing star Loretta Lynn, she began a career of her own and, as Crystal Gayle, has had at least 20 number-one records.
2017   The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on the Circle in Indianapolis was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of Interior. Dedicated in 1902, it is the largest of the more than 200 Civil War Memorials in the nation.
Ice Fishing Basics: Safety
Even with the proper equipment, as last month’s Wild Bulletin detailed, ice fishing can be dangerous. Here are a few tips to keep you safe on the ice so your winter excursion ends in delight rather than disaster.
Plan to check out the February edition of Wild Bulletin for ice fishing techniques. |
Local Soil And Water Districts Awarded Nearly $800,000 For Water Quality Initiatives
INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 9, 2022) — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board awarded $789,825 in matching grant funds to 13 soil and water conservation districts and soil health organizations through the Clean Water Indiana program. Including the district’s matching contributions, a total of $1.6 million will be implemented to improve soil conservation and water quality initiatives.
“Water quality enhancements and soil conservation practices are so incredibly important for our world,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture. “Without the local county soil and water conservation districts and our farmers we couldn’t produce the amount of agriculture products that we do and care the for environment at the same time. These grants are sure to increase soil organic matter and improve waterways for a lasting impact for years to come.â€
The Clean Water Indiana program is administered by the state’s soil conservation board. The program, led by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, provides financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups that are working to reduce runoff from non-point sources of water pollution, whether it’s on agricultural land, urban areas or eroding streambanks.
Once received, districts can use the funds to partner with other counties or address specific needs within their jurisdiction. Some examples include participating in a cost share program, hiring staff, providing technical assistance, implementing cover crop incentive programs or increasing watershed capacity.
“These grants are an excellent way for soil and water conservation districts to get more soil conservation practices on the ground. But this work couldn’t be done without Hoosier farmers being so willing to implement new soil and water quality protection initiatives on their farms,†said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “These funding opportunities are a great way for districts to fund the help or resources they need, while still keeping farmers and soil conservation top of mind.â€
Amy Burris is chair of the State Soil Conservation Board and is looking forward to seeing the work done on the grassroots level by the soil and water districts.
“Soil conservation and water quality improvements are not made by a single individual, they are executed by many different individuals and partnerships, including our local Soil and Water Districts and farmers,” Burris said. “These partners rely on Clean Water Indiana funds to make improvements at the local level which, in turn, helps our state achieve its conservation goals. I look forward to seeing each awarded project come to life and I encourage districts with a conservation need to apply, next grant cycle.”
Clean Water Indiana is managed by ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation and funded by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax.
Below is the list of awardees.
Adams County SWCD – $35,100.00
The grant will provide financial assistance for the implementation of conservation practices to benefit wildlife habitat and soil and water quality with pollinator habitats. The funds will also expand upon the current pollinator plot, located at a local school, to include soil health practices and more educational opportunities.
Brown County SWCD – $30,975.00
The funds will be used for creation or restoration of a pollinator habitats and prairie plantings in and around Brown County.
Jackson County SWCD – $80,000.00
The project funds will be used for cost share to producers for cover crops and pasture/hay planting projects in and around Jackson County.
Knox County SWCD – $75,000.00
The funds will be used to hire a full-time Soil Health Specialist who will build relationships with Knox County farmers and landowners and assist them in their efforts to adopt conservation practices that promote soil health.
Lawrence County SWCD – $72,500.00
The project will allow the Soil and Water Conservation District to provide cost-share for the following practices: invasive species control, pasture/hay planting, cover crops, watering facilities, heavy use area protections (HUAPs), pipeline, access road and erosion site.
Marion County SWCD – $22,500.00
The grant funds will be utilized for district staff to develop a Rainscaping Education Program.
Monroe County SWCD – $125,000.00
The funds will be used for a full-time Conservation Resource Technician (CRT) for Monroe County for a three-year time frame, January 2022 through December 2024.
Tippecanoe County SWCD – $98,500.00
The program will fund a technical staff person, cost share for invasive species and education materials for the cost share program and invasive species.
Vigo County SWCD – $50,000.00
The program will offer conservation practices geared toward improving water quality, sediment and nutrient reduction, increasing carbon sequestration, controlling soil erosion, improving pasture productivity, improving soil quality and providing wildlife habitat. The cost share funds requested will be to implement conservation practices on pastureland for livestock producers. These practices will include a number of livestock best management practices such as: forage/pasture planting, fence exclusion, livestock access control, heavy use area protection, livestock stream crossing and waterline/watering facility. The remaining of funds will be used to assist producers in adopting vegetative practices which will address water, soil, air, plant and animal resource concern categories while improving farm productivity. These conservation practices include: Field Borders, Filter Strip, Riparian Forest/Herbaceous Buffer, Conservation Cover, Cover Crops, Tree/Shrub Establishment and Wildlife Habitat Planting.
Washington County SWCD – $71,250.00
The funds will assist producers in Washington, Harrison, Crawford and Perry counties by providing cost-share funds to implement livestock practices: pasture & hay planting, watering facilities, livestock pipeline, heavy use area protection (HUAPs), access roads and trails & walkways. When alternative livestock water is installed, exclusionary fencing of current water source(s) such as ponds, streams, etc. shall also be installed. Cost share funds will also be available for cover crops, conservation cover and wildlife habitat.
Wayne County SWCD – $29,000.00
The funds will be used to establish a demo garden on a one acre lot at the Wayne County Fairgrounds with garden beds, pervious pavement, and pollinator habitat. Cost-share will be provided to support urban ag practices to promote cover crop for garden areas, pollinator seed, soil testing and native plantings. Also, the funds will be used for grant writing technical assistance.
Wells County SWCD – $40,000.00
A cost share to producers in all of the Upper Wabash and all of the Salamonie River watersheds in Wells and Huntington counties for cover crops and equipment modifications.
Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasive Species Management – $60,000.00
The CWI grant funds will hire four full-time and one part-time staff who will work with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other natural resource organizations to develop Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs). Assistance will be available to help these new CISMAs develop their organizational infrastructure and find the human and financial resources needed to begin effectively combating invasive plants in their communities.