FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Eagles place sixth at spring season opener
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf finished in sixth place out of 12 teams at the Alabama State University Spring Invite at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery, Alabama.
The tournament was reduced to 18 holes each on Sunday and Monday in the Screaming Eagles spring opener. The order of finish included University of Evansville, Alabama State, University of Illinois-Chicago, Southern University, Texas Southern University, USI, Bethune-Cookman University, Chicago State University, Tennessee State University, Delaware State University, Savannah State University, and Edward Waters University.
The tournament format allowed five players to compete for each team, counting the best four players scores per rounds. USI was consistent shooting a 667 (334, 333) in the two-round tournament at 91 over par. Freshman Fernanda Vera led the Eagles, tied for 18th place with a 163 (82, 81).
Round 1
USI opened play with a 334 in the first round, ending the first day after the weather reduced the tournament to a 36-hole battle. Senior Baileigh Schneider and Vera led the Eagles with rounds of ten over par, 82.
Vera tallied a birdie, nine pars, five bogeys, and three doubles. Schneider totaled a birdie, ten pars, four bogeys, two doubles, and a triple. Freshman Zhana Navato trailed right behind at 12 over par, 84. Freshman Brianna Kirsch rounded out the scoring with an 86 after a slow start to the front nine.
Round 2
The Eagles made a one stroke improvement as a team on Monday at 333. Kirsch made a massive improvement on Monday, shooting seven over par, 79. Kirsch finished the round with one birdie, ten pars, five bogeys, and one double. The seven stroke improvement marked the best round for the Eagles. Vera also made an improvement, shooting an 81.
What’s Next
USI returns to training before heading to Tampa, Florida. The Eagles compete in the Butler Spring Invite on March 10-11.
Aces win ASU Spring Classic
Aces win ASU Spring Classic
Kate Petrova takes the individual win
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Led by Kate Petrova’s top finish, the University of Evansville women’s golf team took top honors at the ASU Spring Classic on Monday at Arrowhead Country Club.
Evansville saw four players finish in the top seven in the final individual standings to take the team championship by 16 strokes. Originally set to be a 54-hole tournament, the event was shortened to 36 holes.
After recording a 1-under 71 to open the tournament, Petrova carded a 4-over 76 to finish with a 147. Her total gave her the individual victory by five strokes over a second-place tie. One of those who tied for the runner-up position was Mallory Russell. Rounds of 73 and 79 gave her a 152 for the weekend.
Louise Standtke was third on the team and fifth on the final leaderboard. After opening the event with a 79, Standtke lowered her score to a 74 in the final 18 holes to finish with a 153. With a 2-round score of 156, Elizabeth Mercer finished in 7th place. She also showed a nice improvement between rounds, lowering her total from an 80 to a 76 in the final round. Jane Grankina posted identical rounds of 84 to complete the tournament with a 168. She tied for 37th.
The dominant effort by the Purple Aces saw them pace the field by ten strokes following the opening round. Their 303 led Alabama State heading into the final 18. UE wrapped up the second round with a 305, pulling away for the victory over the Hornets.
-www.GoPurpleAces.com-
Luebbers Palmer earns first MVC Freshman of the Week nod
Luebbers Palmer earns first MVC Freshman of the Week nod
The guard is the third Purple Aces to earn the recognition
ST. LOUIS – After a career week in Meeks Family Fieldhouse freshman guard Logan Luebbers Palmer (Union, Ky. / Randall K. Cooper HS) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week.
For the first time in her collegiate career, Luebbers Palmer has earned weekly recognition from MVC office staff. Luebbers Palmer was named the Freshman of the Week after she put together back-to-back double-digit performances on offense. The guard also set three new career records while tying two others against Bradley and Illinois State.
In the Purple Aces’ 55-45 win over Bradley on Thursday night Luebbers Palmer was the team’s most efficient scorer on the floor. Going a career-high six of eight from field goal range, she shot 75% in 30 minutes of action. Along with a strong shooting night, Luebbers Palmer added two steals on the defensive end of the floor.
On Saturday afternoon against Illinois State she continued her big offensive output, leading UE with a career-high 17 points. Luebbers Palmer again made six shots from the floor while also adding four points at the free throw line. She was also active on defense for Evansville with four rebounds and recording her second block of the season. Luebbers Palmer helped on two baskets as well to match her career-high for the third time.
Luebbers Palmer is now the third Aces to be named MVC Freshman of the Week this season. The last time UE had three separate players earn a weekly honor during a single season was 20 years ago. In the 2004-05 season, Evansville had three different players earn the MVC Player of the Week award: junior guard Megan Liffick, senior forward Jennifer (Carpenter) Utterback, and sophomore forward/center Laura Gaybrick.
The Aces and Luebbers Palmer return to the court later this week for their final three road games. UE begins two weeks of away games at Valparaiso on Friday, February 21. Tip-off from the ARC is set for 6 p.m.
-www.gopurpleaces.com-
UE track and field top performers compete at the Indoor Music City Challenge
UE track and field top performers compete at the Indoor Music City Challenge
The Purple Aces sent a small group to one of the biggest indoor meets of the year
NASHVILLE – A small handful of the University of Evansville track and field team competed in the Music City this weekend at the Indoor Music City Challenge.
Hosted by the Vanderbilt Commodores, the Indoor Music City Challenge meet is one of the strongest indoor meets in the nation. The Purple Aces took 12 athletes to the meet in preparation for the MVC Championships in two weeks time. Sophomore sprinter Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) and sophomore distance runner Rafael Rodriguez (Sergovia, Spain) set two new program records among the nation’s best.
UE began its weekend in Nashville with its three field entries. The first field event was the men’s weight throw where sophomore Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio / Boardman HS) came just under his season best at 15.11 meters. Freshman Samuel Mubiamunda (Hurst, Texas / L.D. Bell HS) competed in the high jump at the same time and hit the 1.78-meter mark in the event to place just outside the Top 10 at 11th. Evansville’s final field entry was junior thrower Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio / Orange HS) who threw 12.64 meters in the weight throw.
The Aces first track event of Friday was the men’s mile where three runners competed. Rodriguez broke his program record from the previous indoor season by just under five seconds running the mile in 4:08.87. He was followed closely by sophomore Tomasso Losma (Lombardia, Italy) at 4:09.76. While senior Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) finished the mile in 4:18.14 for UE’s last time in the event.
Evansville’s second program record in Nashville came in the team’s next event the women’s 200-meter dash. Johnson broke her record from earlier in the season at Indiana by completing the race in 25.20 seconds, eight-hundredths of a second faster than her previous record. In the men’s 200-meter dash sophomore Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS) and freshman Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) finished in 22.07 and 22.65 seconds.
The Aces ended their Friday at the Music City Challenge with the women’s and men’s 5,000-meter race. Sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Castle HS) finished the 5,000 in 18:33.72, less than a second over her season best. While sophomore Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) ran a season-best 14:51.79 in the men’s 5,000-meter race.
UE’s Saturday in Nashville began with the men’s 800-meter race which included two Top 20 finishes. Losma finished in 1:53.94 for 12th place while Oulgout finished in 1:54.17 for 17th place. Sophomore Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland) also ran in the 800, setting a PR at 1:55.75 for Evansville on Saturday morning.
The Aces returned to the track in the afternoon with the women’s and men’s 400-meter races. Johnson finished 14th in the women’s race in 57.63 seconds. While Felton III set a PR in the men’s 400 at 49.17 seconds for 14th in the men’s race. Terry also ran a PR in the 400-meter race at 49.99 seconds.
UE’s final event of the weekend was the men’s 3,000-meter race before the relays. Rodriguez finished just outside the Top 20 for Evansville with a time of 8:38.12 to wrap up the Music City Challenge.
The full Aces track and field team will be in action on Saturday, February 22 at the John Gartland Invitational. UE will only have to go North up US 41 to get to the Invite hosted by fellow MVC team Indiana State. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. CT from Terre Haute.
Subject Wanted After Early Morning Battery Run
Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of E. Virginia St just after 7:00 am in reference to a person with a gun. The caller stated his daughter was at this location and a male had beaten up her friend and threatened them both with a gun. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a juvenile victim who stated the suspect, identified as Corey Golike, physically attacked her in the alley. Golike then told the adult victim to go inside the house while he and the juvenile victim remained outside, or he would kill both victims. Golike and the juvenile victim later came inside the residence where Golike attacked the juvenile victim again. While inside the house, Golike threatened to shoot both victims again. The juvenile victim was eventually able to run outside and flee Golike after he chased her on foot. Golike fled the scene on foot prior to officer’s arrival.
Through the course of the investigation, a location of interest was discovered. Golike was not located when officers served a search warrant on the home. Golike faces numerous charges from this incident and the investigation is ongoing. If located, please contact 911.
Winter Storm Watch issued until Wednesday
Winter Storm Watch issued February 16 at 1:33PM CST until February 19 at 9:00AM CST by NWS Paducah KY
Description
* WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 9 inches possible. * WHERE…Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN…From late Monday night through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS…Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Dangerous cold temperatures will follow after snow ends. Low temperatures in the teens Wednesday morning and single digits Thursday morning will cause wind chills to drop below zero. The greatest impacts from the extreme cold will occur Thursday morning.
Instruction
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.
Analysis of Senate Bill 01 – Property Tax Cuts
Analysis of Indiana Senate Bill 1 (Latest Version – February 11, 2025)
Indiana Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) is a comprehensive property tax reform bill aimed at curbing tax increases, providing targeted relief for homeowners, increasing tax transparency, and limiting local government spending. The bill introduces new restrictions on property tax growth, implements new tax credits for homeowners, and restructures referendum rules for school districts and local governments.
The bill has passed the Indiana Senate and will move to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration. Below is a detailed breakdown of the latest version of SB 1, including what has been removed or changed and the next steps in the legislative process.
Key Provisions of SB 1
Property Tax Deferral Program
SB 1 allows county fiscal bodies to establish a property tax deferral program for qualified homeowners.
Who Qualifies?
Homeowners who meet income and assessed value criteria set by the county.
How It Works:
Qualified homeowners can defer part of their property taxes owed on their homestead. The total amount deferred over multiple years cannot exceed $10,000.
Deferred taxes must be paid in full when a deferral termination event occurs, such as:
- The sale of the property
- The death of the homeowner
- The owner is moving out of the home
Property Tax Caps & Levy Growth Restrictions
SB 1 freezes and restructures the maximum levy growth quotient (MLGQ), limiting how much local governments can increase property taxes.
Tax Levy Growth Caps
- 2026: 0% growth cap – Local governments cannot increase tax levies from 2025 levels.
- 2027: 1% growth cap
- 2028: 2% growth cap
- 2029 & Beyond: New growth calculation based on economic indicators.
How the New Growth Rate Will Be Calculated (Starting 2029)
Instead of a fixed cap, tax levy growth will be tied to a formula based on:
- Personal consumption expenditures
- Statewide wage growth
- National labor productivity
- County-level income growth
This change limits excessive property tax hikes while allowing modest, data-driven adjustments based on real economic conditions.
New Tax Credits & Deductions for Homeowners
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit: This applies to first-time homeowners who purchase a primary residence in Indiana. Available for the first five years of homeownership. Annual credit of up to $2,500 (total lifetime limit of $12,500).
Eligibility:
- Household income must not exceed $75,000
- Home’s assessed value must be $250,000 or less
Expanded Property Tax Deduction for Seniors (65+) Income limits raised for eligibility:
- Single filers: $60,000
- Joint filers: $70,000
- Maximum assessed value eligibility raised from $240,000 to $300,000.
- The deduction amount increased from $14,000 to $20,000.
Expanded Property Tax Deduction for Disabled Veterans
- This applies to disabled veterans who are totally disabled or aged 62+ with a partial disability.
- Deduction increased from $14,000 to $20,000.
- Maximum assessed home value raised to $300,000.
Limits on Local Government & School Tax Referendums
SB 1 restricts when local governments and school districts can seek tax increases through referendums.
- School districts can only place tax referendums on general election ballots.
- A school must wait two years after a previous referendum expires before requesting a new one.
Local Government Levy Increases Require Public Approval
Local governments cannot increase tax levies beyond the prior year’s amount unless:
- A public hearing is held
- An ordinance is passed by the fiscal body
The ordinance must state:
- Why the increase is needed
- How much the tax levy will increase
- The expected percentage increase in the tax rate
- Property Tax Transparency Portal
SB 1 requires the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) to develop an online transparency portal where taxpayers can:
- Compare their current tax bill vs. potential future tax bills under new rates.
- Submit public feedback directly to the DLGF about proposed tax increases.
New Restrictions on General Obligation Bonds
Local governments cannot issue new general obligation bonds (funded by property taxes) within two years of a previous bond’s expiration, unless:
- There is a natural disaster, accident, or emergency.
- The Department of Local Government Finance grants an exemption.
This prevents local governments from continuously increasing debt without accountability.
What Was Removed from the Bill?
Several provisions were removed or significantly altered in the latest version of SB 1:
- Stronger Property Tax Levy Freezes Were Removed
- The original version proposed an indefinite freeze on tax levy growth. Instead, the final bill phases in growth caps (0%, 1%, 2%) before switching to an economic formula in 2029.
- More Severe School Referendum Restrictions Were Weakened
- The original bill banned schools from requesting a new referendum for three years after one expired. The final bill shortened this to two years.
- Stronger Spending Caps for Local Governments Were Dropped
- The first draft forced local spending to stay at prior-year levels regardless of revenue growth. The final bill allows tax increases if local officials publicly approve them.
Next Steps for SB 1
Now that SB 1 has passed the Indiana Senate, it moves to the Indiana House of Representatives. Here’s what happens next:
Committee Review in the House
The bill will be assigned to the House Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee for hearings.
Lawmakers can amend the bill by removing, modifying, or adding provisions.
House Floor Vote
If the bill passes the committee, it goes to the full House for a vote.
Reconciling Differences (If Needed)
If the House makes changes, the bill must return to the Senate.
If the Senate disagrees with House amendments, a conference committee will negotiate a final version.
Governor Braun’s Signature or Veto
If the House and Senate agree, SB 1 is sent to Governor Mike Braun.
Governor Braun can:
Sign it into law
Veto it (which the Legislature can override with a majority vote)
Let it become law without a signature
Implementation Timeline
Certain provisions take effect retroactively on January 1, 2025 (such as the first-time homebuyer credit).
Other provisions phase in through 2029, including the new tax levy growth calculation.
Follow this and other bills at IGA.IN.GOV