Less than a week after the University of Evansville women’s golf team earned its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship, the Purple Aces men take their turn on Monday and Tuesday in Flossmoor, Illinois.
Flossmoor Country Club, which is located just outside of Chicago, will play host to the tournament. On Monday, play opens at 9 a.m. with the opening two rounds before Tuesday’s final round gets started at 8:30 a.m. Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.com.
In their last action, the Aces tied for 7th place at the Big Blue Intercollegiate, which was hosted by Tennessee State University. Played in Old Hickory, Tenn., the Aces were led by Isaac Rohleder. In the final round, Rohleder carded a career-low 69 (two under par) to clinch a tie for 10th place with a score of 214.
Carson Parker was second on the team while tying for 15th place overall. He opened the tournament with a pair of even 71’s before registering a 75 in round three. Just one behind him was Spencer Wagner. The senior opened strong with a 1-under 70 before adding tallies of 75 and 73 to score a 218.
Henry Kiel and Jessie Brumley rounded out the UE squad. Kiel finished up with a 232 while Brumley’s tally came in at 236. Individual Michael Ikejiani came home as one of the top five individuals, posting a 229.
UE wrapped up the tournament with an 881, tying John A. Logan College for 7th place.
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today announced Michelle Allen will serve as director of the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings.
Allen joined the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings when it launched in July 2020 as the deputy director and general counsel. She has served as interim director since December 2020 and is responsible for administering the office, hiring Administrative Law Judges and assigning the judges to proceedings.
Prior to joining the office, Allen worked at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security as deputy general counsel and project manager. From 2011 to 2017, she served in the Marion County Public Defender Agency. Allen earned an undergraduate degree from Purdue University and a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Created by legislation in 2019, the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings is housed within the State Personnel Department. Administrative Law Judges resolve disputes between government agencies and the people affected by the decision of the agency, and the office ensures they retain independence and deliver efficient service to Hoosiers.
INDIANAPOLIS—Almost all sides offered praise Wednesday for the final state budget proposal announced by Gov. Eric Holcomb and state legislative leaders, focusing mostly on its massive investment in education.
Last week after the General Assembly learned of the revenue forecast that brought in $2 billion more than expected, the budget proposal was adjusted to make use of that extra money.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and legislative leaders discuss details of Indiana’s new budget at a press conference Tuesday. The plan has won praise from many sides for its focus on education. Photo by The Statehouse File.
“More than a decade’s worth of conservative fiscal discipline by the Indiana General Assembly is paying off in a big way for Hoosiers,†Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Bremen, said in a statement. “I am proud to invest in the future of Indiana, and I believe this budget proposal truly reflects the needs of the Hoosier state over the next two years and beyond.â€
About half of the $37.4 billion state budget for the next two years will go toward K-12 schools, and Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said she is happy about the commitment.
“In Indiana’s budget, all Hoosier kids win,†Jenner said in a statement. “With a historic $1.9 billion in new K-12 education dollars over the biennium, Indiana’s school funding increases are enabling Indiana’s schools to strategically invest in our students as well as our educators.â€
The budget plans to support teacher pay and recommends local school districts give starting teachers a salary of $40,000 a year. The plan also puts about $1 billion toward tuition support scholarships and learning loss grants.
“This is a good day for Indiana’s students, educators and communities,†Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill said in a statement. “This level of funding is the direct result of our members’ advocacy.â€
One of the ongoing debates throughout this session has been how much to give the state’s voucher program and charter schools compared to public schools. A voucher in Indiana provides scholarships for students who need help paying for tuition at certain non-public schools, and they are awarded based on a list of criteria including income eligibility.
Indiana currently has one of the biggest voucher programs in the country, and the next state budget will see the voucher program grow 38%—from $172 million this year to $227 million in 2022.
Rep. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, said this past year has been difficult and the pandemic has brought to light what Hoosiers need support with. One of the issues the General Assembly took on was addressing the funding formula, which is how funds are distributed into the school districts.
“I’m glad that the supermajority has committed more money to the school funding formula. I remain critical of the increases that were made to school choice programs, however,†Melton said in a statement. “These programs educate less than 10% of our students and simply should not be receiving such a large chunk of the money allocated to educational funding.â€
Rep. Dave Heine, R-Fort Wayne, said education continues to be a top priority.
“Combined with federal stimulus dollars, the state’s 293 school corporations should be on solid financial ground to invest in student learning and increased teacher salaries,†Heine said in a statement.
However, some say the budget is not enough, including parents of virtual education students.
“My daughters are not worth less than other students. Yet according to our state legislature, they are only worth 85% of other students because we choose to send them to online schools,†Letrisha Weber, board president of the National Coalition for Public School Options and an Indiana parent said in a statement. “If we sent them to a traditional school, they’d be worth 100% funding.â€
The budget will face a final debate and vote at 10 a.m. Thursday, ending the session until lawmakers return to discuss redistricting in the fall.
FOOTNOTE: Alexa Shrake is a reporter the TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
INDIANA (April 22, 2021) – In recognition of Earth Day, the Indiana Conservation Partnership(ICP) announced its 2020 soil health and water quality accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects. In 2020, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 32,000 new conservation practices – a new state record.
“Soil is one of our world’s most crucial natural resources. We must do everything we can to keep our waterways clean and our soils healthy,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Indiana. “It is amazing to see all the work these organizations do and the amount of sediment reduced by these programs. Hoosier landowners are truly going above and beyond to set new state records and enhance our environment.â€
The Indiana Conservation Partnership report showed that landowners helped prevent more than one million tons of sediment, 2.2 million pounds of nitrogen and 1.1 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways. That equates to enough phosphorus to fill over five fifty-foot train cars, enough nitrogen to fill over 11 fifty-foot train cars and almost 11,000 fifty-foot train cars worth of sediment.
Cover crops were planted on 232,000 acres with ICP assistance, which sequestered almost 148,000 tons of carbon from the atmosphere, equal to the emissions of more than 28,900 cars.
“Even with all of the challenges we have faced this year, our conservation family pulled together and fulfilled our mission of exemplary conservation service to Indiana’s farmers and forest stewards,†said Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Jerry Raynor. “The work we accomplished this year is a direct result of our dedicated staff, their commitment to our natural resources and the support they provide our landowners. The Indiana Conservation Partnership has worked together to meet new challenges, making sure that Indiana continues to be one of the top states for conservation.â€
Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler says partnerships are key to Indiana’s success.
“Indiana is leading the charge in soil conservation thanks to the critical participation of farmers and landowners alongside these groups who share the common goal of promoting conservation,” Kettler said. “The Indiana Conservation Partnership’s work is helping reduce runoff and enrich our soils with nutrients to safeguard our state’s most essential natural resource and ensure our state’s agricultural land remains productive for many generations to come.â€
The Indiana Conservation Partnership is a crucial part of Indiana’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, this illustrates the continued success and challenges of conservation and serves as a tool to help set watershed priorities and reduction targets, manage conservation resources and to further stakeholder involvement across Indiana.
On The Roof, Music Series Returns To Downtown Evansville
Free concerts will return to Downtown Evansville’s most unique venue beginning in May.
The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana announced the schedule for its outdoor concert series “On The Roof†Tuesday. The free summer performances take place on the Arts Council’s Rooftop Art Deck in Downtown.
Dozens of Arts Council events and concerts were canceled in 2020, but as vaccinations rise and health restrictions lift, the concert series is poised for a strong comeback this year.
“People want live music now more than ever,†said Arts Council Community Director Zach Evans. “’On The Roof’ is the perfect way to bring our community together and to get Evansville musicians back to performing live and making money again.â€
The Arts Council’s Rooftop Art Deck is an open-air venue that features views overlooking Main Street in Downtown and artist-designed furniture. In addition to hosting concerts, the roof is also used for meetings, party rentals and other special events.
Here is the 2021 lineup, with more concerts to be announced. Performances are 7-10 p.m. All shows are free and open to all ages.
May 22: Kings Highway
June 12: Cage Willis / Kesley Barr
June 18: Nero Angelo Hip-Hop Series
June 26: Ley Line presented by The Song Show
July 3: Corduroy Orbison / Hannah Eveyln Trio
July 30: Nero Angelo Hip-Hop Series
Aug. 13: Nero Angelo Hip-Hop Series
Aug. 21: Angel Rhodes w/ Cher’Rita Horne / Emily Bernhardt
Aug. 22: Sunny War presented by Under The Radar & The Song Show Aug. 27: Nero Angelo Hip-Hop Series
Sept. 11: Brick Briscoe & The Skinny / Matt Sullivan
Sept. 25: Big Ninja Delight and Freddie Bourne
The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located at 212 Main St. in Downtown Evansville.
Contact the Arts Council at (812) 303-3178 or zach.evans@artswin.org with any questions.
EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA On  Monday, April 26, 2021 At 4:00 p.m. Room 307, Civic Center Complex
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
An executive session will be held prior to the open session.
The executive session is closed as provided by:
I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5): To receive information about and interview prospective employees.
I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A): With respect to any individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction to receive information concerning the individual’s alleged misconduct.
I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9): To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.
OPEN SESSION:
CALL TO ORDER
ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
April 12, 2021Â (Cook, Scott, and Hamilton)
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
PROBATIONARY OFFICER UPDATE:
Officers in the Field Training Program. Â
Officers in SWILEA.
PENDING DISCIPLINE:
21-PO-07 – Officer Jamarius Ward, Badge Number 1378. Administrative suspension without pay pending determination of the criminal case.
DISCIPLINARY HEARING:
21-PO-08 – Officer Amanda Epmeier, Badge Number 1407, 3-day suspension. Appeal filed on February 15th. The matter is set for hearing on April 26th.
APPLICANTS:
21-128
MERIT AWARD RECOMMENDATION:
Officers Steven Brown, Seth Gorman, Ben Hallmark, and Caleb Wiseman for actions taken on April 17th at a shooting scene.
RETIREMENTS:
Officer Stacy Spalding, Badge Number 1085, retiring effective April 30, 2021 after serving 32 years, 4 months, and 29 days.
Officer Mike Bow, Badge Number 1093, retiring effective May 1, 2021 after serving 32 years.
Deputy Chief Brad Hill, Badge Number 0209, retiring effective May 16, 2021, after serving 39 years, 11 months, and 11 days.
REMINDERS:Â The next meeting will be Monday, May 10th at 4:00 pm.
NORMAL, Ill. –Â Setting out for a Conference road trip, the University of Evansville baseball team heads to Normal, Ill. for a four-game set at Illinois State on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Evansville at Illinois State | April 23, 24, 25
Date | Time
Fri., April 23 | 2 PM
Sat., April 24Â (DH) | 1 PM and 4 PM
Sun. April 25Â | 1 PM
Tanner Craig turned-in another strong performance at the plate, but it was not enough in Evansville 9-5 loss to Missouri State in the series finale on Sunday.
“Tough loss to lose the overall series. Just didn’t play well enough,” said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. “You have to credit Missouri State for applying pressure in all aspects of the game. I’m anxious to see how this group handles this adversity deep into the season.”
The Aces offense got started early in the game with a pair of runs in the first, but it was big second and fourth innings from the Bears that was difficult for Evansville to overcome. Missouri State struck for four runs in the second frame, all coming with one out and in successive at bats. In the fourth, the Bears added two runs
Single runs for Evansville in the fifth and eighth helped aid the Aces effort, but Dakota Katowski lifted a two-run home run to center that pushed Missouri State further in front en route to the 9-5 win.
At the plate, the Aces were led by a trio who recorded two hits on the day. Simon Scherry, Danny Borgstrom, and Tanner Craig, the three, four, and five hitters, each tallied two hits with Borgstrom recording a pair of RBI.
On the mound, Evansville cycled through seven pitchers as starter Donovan Schultz was credited with the loss after pitching the first two innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits. Drew Dominik pitched most effectively of Evansville relievers, entering in the seventh and throwing a scoreless inning and a third, allowing just one hit and striking-out one.
Previewing the Matchup: Illinois State
The Aces and Redbirds meet for the 120th time on Friday night in the series opener.
Illinois State owns a 66-53 advantage in the all-time series, but Evansville has captured five of the last seven matchups in the series.
The Redbirds enter the weekend with a 13-21 overall record and a 4-4 mark in MVC play.
Entering the weekend, Illinois State is coming off a series loss in non-conference action to Milwaukee last weekend, capping-off the series with a 10-2 win to avoid the series sweep.
Despite dropping a series to Missouri State last weekend, the Aces still have a winning record in their last 10 games, going 6-4 during that stretch.
The battle for sports 4 through 7 in the MVC is hotly contested and both Illinois State and UE both sit inside that group.
On-Base Any Way
The Aces have found ways to get on base this season and have been comfortable earning it any way, including via hit-by-pitch.
Evansville ranks 26th in the nation in hit-by-pitch, drawing 50 on the season through 34 games.
Troy Beilsmith and Ben Komonosky have been the two primary batters who have been hit by pitches this season with Beilsmith sitting second in the nation, being hit 17 times.
Meyer Leads as Closer
Freshman Jakob Meyer has been a force out of the pen for the Aces this season.
In 13 appearances, Meyer has a 1.10 ERA, earning three victories and has recorded a team-high five saves.
Meyer’s save total is the 33rd-best in the nation and sits second in the MVC.
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