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Vincennes University Partners With Yancheng Polytechnic College Technology Bachelor’s Degree
Deer Hunting Continues Into January
Multiple deer hunting seasons are ongoing or will be starting soon. Firearms season ends on Nov. 28, and archery season lasts until Jan. 2, 2022. Muzzleloader season for deer hunting is open Dec. 4-19 and deer reduction zone season runs through Jan. 31, 2022. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and wear hunter orange if you plan to enter areas where hunters may be present.
Questions about deer seasons and regulations can be directed to the Deer Hotline by email at INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov or by phone at 812-334-3795, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Eagles Win “Battle For The Bridge†In Overtime
OWENSBORO, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball needed extra time in the Sports Center to bring home the “Battle of the Bridge” trophy by defeating Kentucky Wesleyan College, 85-80, Wednesday evening in Owensboro, Kentucky. USI, ranked 17th nationally in the D2SIDA Top 25 poll, goes to 2-1, while KWC falls to 3-2.
The Screaming Eagles traded leads with the Panthers through the first six minutes of the contest until they took their largest lead of the half, 18-10, at 11:04 after a 9-0 run. KWC returned the favor with a 13-5 surge to knot the contest at 23-23 with 7:27 left before the break.
The Panthers would continue the run until they built a 37-30 margin for their largest lead of the half. USI would close the gap in the final minutes before halftime, but still trailed, 42-36.
Junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) led the Eagles during the opening 20 minutes with 10 points.
In the second half, USI continued to trail and found itself down eight, 57-49, midway through the final 20 minutes. The Eagles’ offense launched a 13-4 run to regain the lead, 62-61, when junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) dropped in a lay-up with 2:49 left.
USI and KWC traded buckets for the final two minutes of regulation with neither gaining the advantage as the contest when to overtime.
In the extra period, USI outscored KWC, 16-11, as the Eagle outlasted the Panthers for the victory. Senior guard Mateo Rivera (Indianapolis, Indiana) gave the Eagles the lead for good with a three-point bomb to make the score 74-71 with 2:56 remaining in overtime and led the Eagles with five points in overitime.
Rivera led the Eagles overall with 16 points, hitting five-of-eight from the field, three-of-four from long range, and three-of-four from the stripe. Simmons followed with 15 points, adding five points in the second half.
Sophomore guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) and freshman guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) dropped in 12 points and 11 points, respectively, to round out the double-figure scorers.
COMING UP FOR USI:
USI returns to the friendly surroundings of Screaming Eagles Arena Monday to open the 2021-22 Great Lakes Valley Conference season versus the University of Indianapolis. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., following the USI Women’s Basketball game at 5:30 p.m.
The Eagles hold a 59-25 all-time series lead over the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis, dating back to the 1972-73 season. USI won last season’s match-up 80-75 at Screaming Eagles Arena and five of the last five match-ups.
UIndy is 3-2 to start the 2021-22 campaign after completing a sweep in the UIndy Thanksgiving Classic Tuesday and Wednesday. The Greyhounds posted a 90-41 win over Ohio Valley University Tuesday and a 91-85 win versus Northwood University Wednesday afternoon.
USI IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS:
Volleyball set to open MVC Championship on Thursday
UE opens as the #5 seed
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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the second time in three years, the University of Evansville has advanced to the Missouri Valley Conference Championship where they open against Valparaiso on Thursday in Normal, Ill. The 3:30 p.m. match will be available to watch on ESPN+.
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A Little History
– This year marks the sixth time the Purple Aces have advanced to the conference tournament
– In its five previous appearances (1998, 2000, 2006, 2008 and 2019), the Aces are 1-5 with the victory coming in 2000 against Creighton
– Evansville has been the sixth seed in four of its previous five appearances…the Aces were seeded #5 in 2000 when they defeated the Bluejays
Last Time Out
– Regular season action came to a close last weekend when the Purple Aces traveled to Southern Illinois and Missouri State
– After defeating SIU by a 3-0 final on Friday, UE dropped the regular season finale on Saturday at MSU by a 3-1 final
– Alondra Vazquez led UE in kills in both matches with 14 versus the Salukis and 18 on Saturday
– Blakeley Freeman set her career high with 19 digs against the Bears
– Giulia Cardona recorded 13 kills, 4 digs and 2 aces to begin the weekend before posting 16 kills and 9 digs to go along with a pair of aces in the regular season finale
Scholar-Athlete
– Senior Cecilia Thon has accumulated a 3.96 GPA as an International Studies major and was recognized on Tuesday as a member of the MVC Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention Team
– Thon was one of UE’s top servers this fall, averaging 0.24 pe set, which was tied for 21st in the conference
Top Five
– Alondra Vazquez continues to add to her kill total and currently stands with 1,367 in her Aces career
– She moved into the fifth spot in the final weekend of the regular season, surpassing Ashley Ring’s total of 1,338
– Her next jump will be into the #4 spot, which is currently held by Lisa Sampson with 1,437
– Vazquez also moved into the top ten in career digs with 1,224…9th place is Sarah McClellan with 1,279
Still Going Strong
– Over the last 40 sets of work, freshman Giulia Cardona has recorded a total of 25 service aces, an average of 0.625 per set
– Her season average has risen to 0.50 per set, which leads the MVC, ranks 16th in the nation and leads all freshmen nationally
– She is currently on an offensive streak that has seen her record at least 12 kills in each of the last 16 matches while raising her season average to 3.90 per set
– Aside from leading the Valley in aces, she is second in points per set (4.56) and third with her kill average
Finishing Strong
– Freshman Blakeley Freeman heeded the call when her team needed it at UNI
– With libero Rachel Basinski having to leave the match, Freeman came in and contributed 8 digs in the UE programs first-ever road win at UNI
– Back in the starting lineup at Drake, Freeman contributed 13 digs, 6 assists and a pair of service aces before totaling 9 digs and 3 helpers in the win over Indiana State
– The regular season finale at Missouri State saw her set a new career mark with 19 digs to lift her average to 2.59/set, which is second on the team
USI Women’s hoops ride hot start to upset Ashland, 63-58
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball used a dominating performance in the paint Wednesday afternoon to upset No. 6 Ashland University, 63-58, in a Midwest Region contest at Screaming Eagles Arena.
The Screaming Eagles’ post players combined to go a blistering 17-of-25 (.680) from the field and USI outscored Ashland, 42-24, inside the paint to earn the victory.
Senior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) scored nine points in the first period and 13 at the intermission as USI rolled out leads of 17-8 after 10 minutes of play and 35-23 at the intermission.
Ashland (3-1) was able to cut USI’s lead to a single point midway through the second quarter, but the Screaming Eagles held the Ashland Eagles to 0-of-4 from the field while forcing three turnovers in an 11-0 run that sent USI into the locker room with a lot of momentum.
USI (4-1), which shot 62.5 percent (15-24) in the first 20 minutes, came out of the break and continued to poor on the pressure as it extended its advantage to 17 points with less than two minutes to play in the third period. The Screaming Eagles went 9-of-13 (.692) from the field during an eight-minute stretch of the third quarter that saw USI extend its advantage to 53-36.
Ashland, however, fought back with five straight points to end the period with USI holding onto a 53-41 lead. USI’s lead continued to slip away in the fourth quarter as Ashland followed a basket by fifth-year senior guard Emma DeHart(Indianapolis, Indiana) with a 6-0 run to cut USI’s lead to just four points with 3:30 to play in the contest.
The Screaming Eagles were held to just two points from the final minute of the third quarter until a layup by junior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) put the Eagles up 57-51 with three minutes to play.
Neither team could get on the scoreboard throughout the next minute-and-a-half, but a layup by Ashland’s Hayley Smith, once again, cut USI’s advantage to just four points.
Following a missed USI three-pointer, Ashland had a chance to get even closer, but an offensive foul on Smith, who finished with 11 points, put possession back into USI’s favor in the finals 50 seconds of regulation.
USI milked the clock in its next possession and, following a pair of offensive rebounds, the Eagles were able to seal the victory at the free throw line as DeHart and junior guard Tori Handley combined to go 6-for-6 from the stripe in the final 23 seconds.
DeHart matched Brown with a team-high 13 points, while Haithcock added 10 points. Sophomore forward Meredith Raley(Haubstadt, Indiana) contributed 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds for USI, which shot 48.1 percent (26-54) from the field.
Ashland was led by Hallie Heidemann, who finished with 26 points and three steals.
The Screaming Eagles return to action Monday at 5:30 p.m. when they host the University of Indianapolis at Screaming Eagles Arena to open Great Lakes Valley Conference play. USI also visits the University of Illinois Springfield next Thursday before returning to non-conference play for the remainder of the calendar year.
COMMENTARY: BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND LOOK FORWARD WITH HOPE AND ANTICIPATION
BY STEPHEN RICHARD SEITZ-RETIRED MINISTER
FROM EVANSVILLE, IND.
 November and December each year is a time when we are supposed to be thankful for all we have and also to look forward with hope and anticipation. And I do. However, it is sad that not all of us experience what these two months are designed for. Here is where my feelings are today.Â
For me, November (specifically Thanksgiving Day) brings the reminder that I am blessed with many things: family, friends, and stuff. And I truly am thankful that the genesis of Thanksgiving Day was intended to do just that – make me thankful. At the same time, however, I am sad that thankfulness is not always on my mind directing my behavior. I sometimes get so caught up with the busyness of living that the farthest thing from my heart is gratitude. Instead, I foolishly think only of the harshness of the world, the disappointments either myself or a family member have experienced, or the injustices which befall many people.
Again, for me, December (specifically Christmas Day) brings to mind that real hope lies in whether or not I am truly being guided by the faith which I profess and practice. My faith is not, perhaps, the faith you choose. Be that as it may, whatever your belief system is, my best guess is that it was designed to offer you hope and peace in the here and now. That being said, I still too often develop a Santa Claus mindset in December which encourages me to concentrate more on buying and giving gifts to family and friends than in anticipating a closer relationship with God now and in the coming year.
By this time you have, no doubt, come to the conclusion that I am far from being a perfect man. I own up to it, I confess it! To my way of thinking, the genius of AA or NA or any of several other “Twelve Step†programs that necessary first step is to admit to yourself that you are not in control of your life! How can you be honest with others when you are unwilling to be honest with yourself?!?! “I’m guilty, I’ve wronged God and others and, in the process, I’ve duped myself. I’ve cheated myself out of the love, joy, peace, and hope which God intends for me to enjoy!â€Â  Â
After sharing my inadequacies, I hope that you will join me in striving to do better in the days and years ahead. This invitation, for me, is that I can live up to who I am and who I am supposed to be as a believer. The invitation for you is, I hope, to come to the realization of the truth made by Augustine over a thousand years ago:
“ . . . you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.â€Â
To my way of thinking Augustine was so very true! There is nothing more important than knowing God. It is what we are made for!Â
Grace and Peace!
Ritzy’s Fantasy Of Lights Opens Tonight Night At 5pm
Ritzy’s Fantasy Of Lights Opens Tonight At 5pm With Help Of Santa Claus & Easterseals Child Ambassador
- Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights will be open nightly from Thanksgiving through Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The show will again feature the popular and naturally socially distanced drive-through format.
- Vehicles will be excluded on one night only – Dec. 1 – when the event will be open ONLY for Bright Lights for Easterseals, a 5K timed run and 1-mile fun walk. Details on Bright Lights are at www.eastersealsrehabcenter.com and www.runsignup.com/brightlights5k.
- This will be the biggest Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights ever, featuring a record number of scenes, 70 in all. All will shine brighter than ever, transformed with energy-saving LED bulbs.
- Admission per vehicle remains the same affordable price: Up to 6 people $7; 7-14 people $10; 15 or more people $25. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at www.bidpal.net/ritzysfol21 or at any Evansville Ritzy’s, or at the event.
- Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available nightly through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 1), weather permitting, and are $30 for up to 6 people (cash only, paid upon arrival, offered on a first-come, first-served basis).
- More details on Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights are available at www.bidpal.net/ritzysfol21 or www.EastersealsRehabCenter.com and www.Facebook.com/EastersealsRehabCtr.
- Kids and families can ride the Polar Bear Express luxury limo with Santa each Tuesday before Christmas. Price is $5 per person. Sponsored by Jim Back, CFP-Financial Advisor Edward Jones.
- Wednesday nights are Krispy Kreme Wednesdays, when random visitors will receive free boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts.
- Thursdays are Evansville Thunderbolts Thursdays, when the first 100 visitors will receive free tickets to a Thunderbolts hockey game.
Evansville Police Department Maintains National Accreditation By CALEA
 The Evansville Police Department was awarded national accreditation on November 19, 2021, by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The agency was first accredited in 1994.Â
Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment, and facilities by CALEA assessors, Chief Billy Bolin and Accreditation Manager Captain Scott Doan attended the CALEA 2021 Fall Conference. Each agency being reviewed goes before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviews all findings and determines the agencies’ accreditation status.Â
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual CALEA Conference, where agencies are formally reviewed and awarded in person, was taken online to a virtual format. On Friday, November 19, 2021, the CALEA Commission voted to approve the reaccreditation of the Evansville Police Department. CALEA President Anthony Purcell and Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. will formally award the Evansville Police Department with accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to the community. This is the Evansville Police Department’s 9th award of national accreditation.Â
In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.Â
The purpose of the Commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety and to establish and administer the accreditation process. The accreditation process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.Â
“This award of accreditation does not come easy,†said CALEA President Anthony Purcell, Chief of Police, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Police Department. “Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adherence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under  the highest standards in public safety.â€Â
About CALEAÂ
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA®) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA); and theÂ
Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).Â
The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by: maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.Â
Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to: Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities; Formalize essential management procedures; Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices; Improve service delivery; Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination; and Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.Â
The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented, it presents the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.Â
This accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards based on industry best practices and approved by an all-volunteer board of commissionersÂ