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HOT JOBS
First inning provides sole run in series opening defeat
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Evansville Otters opened a six-game road trip on Tuesday in a 7-1 loss against the Washington Wild Things.
For the third time in four matchups at Wild Things Park this year, the Otters (20-32) scored first against the Wild Things (34-17) but lost the lead and could not find an answer.
Washington starter Malik Barington (3-2) dominated on the hill. He went six innings allowing the lone run on three hits. The Otters’ Tristan Harvin (2-4) took the loss as the starter gave up all runs in five innings.
The bullpen was excellent for Evansville, pitching in three innings and seeing the just nine batters. Jakob Meyer struck out two in as many innings, and rolled a double play in the seventh to negate a leadoff base hit. In the eighth, Chip Korbacher worked a one-two-three with one strikeout.
Beginning the ballgame, Giovanni DiGiacomo led off with a hit to right field. After stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch, David Menham brought him home on a fielder’s choice RBI.
In the home half of the first, the Wild Things answered the only Otters run of the night by scoring one on a miscommunication from the Evansville defense.
They took the lead in the third inning with two home runs, scoring four on as many hits to take a 5-1 lead and finalized the scoring in the fifth with another two runs.
Leading the offense with two of the five team hits, Devlin Zinn stayed hot with the bat in a two-for-three night.
Tomorrow the Otters try to win their first game against Washington this year. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. CT. Coverage is available on the Otters Digital Network and FloBaseball.
VUVB adds offensive power with signing of Tiara Sands
VUVB adds offensive power with signing of Tiara Sands
VINCENNES, Ind. – The three time defending Region 24 Champion Vincennes University Volleyball program picked up another big addition last week with the signing of outside hitter Tiara Sands.
Sands comes to Vincennes University from Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Fla., northeast of Tampa.
Sands is coming off a stellar high school career where she earned All-Sunshine Athletic Conference honors three times and earned All-Region honors as a senior.
Tiara is the daughter of Loretta Forrest and plans to study Culinary Arts at Vincennes University.
“I am extremely excited to see Tiara continue her volleyball career at the next level,” Tiara’s Former Assistant High School Coach Antrine Wicks said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her skills grow and compete against the best.”
Tiara is stepping into a tough competition for playing time as the Trailblazers are looking to replace nearly 50-percent of their kills output from last year.
“Tiara is a very explosive, dynamic type player,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “She’s a former middle, so she comes in with quite a bit of blocking skills. We need hitters out there, especially in the left front that are familiar with that position and ready to swing at anything. I feel like Tiara has a really good opportunity to come in here and do well. She has a chance to show what she can do.”
“As soon as we contacted her, she was very interested and enthusiastic about VU,” Sien added. “Tiara was also looking for a school that would offer Culinary Arts, which is something that not a lot of other schools offer. For any collegiate program to advance and grow, the recruiting options have to expand as well. If it’s not, you are going to be stuck at a certain level.”
“We want to compete at the National level,” Sien said. “There are some pretty good programs down in Florida, not just at the NJCAA level but the Division II schools as well and of course the Division I teams. For us to be able to expand out and recruit in Florida is going to be huge. To have someone who is a high caliber player decide to leave the state of Florida and choose to come to school at Vincennes, Indiana is great to see.”
“Bringing in Tiara, along with the other hitters that we have already brought in this year, they will have an opportunity to compete for our two open spots in the front row and there is going to be a great competition for those two spots,” Sien added. “We’ve got three or four players that we are considering for those two spots and those positions could remain in flux, which would be good because it gives us different options and lots of competition for playing time.”
“As for how this year’s team is beginning to take shape, it always goes back to passing,” Sien said. “We typically have a nice offense here but the difference is can you pass. The 2023 team had that, which allowed us for most of the year to hit over .260 as a team. We will have new passers this year. We had our three main passers from last year graduate, so this year we are going to have three new passers. So that is going to be a determining factor for our success this year.”
The Vincennes University Athletic Department is excited to welcome Tiara Sands to the 2024 Trailblazer recruiting class.
UE Volleyball unveils 2024 season schedule
UE Volleyball unveils 2024 season schedule
Aces open season in Puerto Rico
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the return of 12 players including reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Giulia Cardona, the 2024 season is shaping up to be a memorable one for the University of Evansville volleyball team.
Led by Cardona and former MVC All-Conference honoree Melanie Feliciano, the Purple Aces look to rise up the league standings and replicate the success of the past handful of seasons including the 2021 campaign that saw the team win 21 matches on their way to a berth in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
In what will be a special trip to multiple reasons, the Aces open the season in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico where they will take part in a tournament inside Mario Morales Coliseum. With the number of ties to Puerto Rico within the UE program, it will be a homecoming for many while presenting others with the opportunity to experience the heritage of their teammates. The event runs from August 30 through September 1 with UE facing Akron, University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras, and Providence.
Making its return in 2024 is the Dunn Hospitality Tournament. Taking place on Sept. 6-7, the tournament will see Evansville play host to Chicago State, Samford and Miami Ohio inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Samford highlights the field as they went 16-15 last season and 13-9 in the Southern Conference.
The third non-conference tournament of the season will see the Aces head to Morehead, Ky. for the Comfort Inn-Vitational. Set for Sept. 13-14, UE will take on Eastern Michigan, Duquesne, and Morehead State. The Eagles are coming off an 18-13 campaign last year while winning 11 Ohio Valley Conference matches.
On Sept. 17, the Aces welcome crosstown squad USI to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. The Screaming Eagles won 15 matches in 2023, a 14-win improvement over 2022. Later that week, UE will face USI in a rematch across town at Screaming Eagles Arena. That match will take place on Friday, Sept. 20. On the 22nd, Evansville faces IU Indianapolis across town on the USI campus.
Missouri Valley Conference play opens with home matches on the 27th and 28th with Valparaiso and UIC coming to town. The Beacons won 18 matches last season on their way to a spot in the NIVC while the Flames had an even more impressive season, going 21-12 and 11-7 in the Valley. October begins with four league road matches. After opening the month with the Belmont/Murray State (Oct. 4-5) trip, UE heads to Bradley and Illinois State on the 11th and 12th.
UE is back home on the 18th and 19th to face Southern Illinois and Missouri State. SIU won 20 contests in 2023 and played in the NIVC. The Bears were an even 16-16 overall and 9-9 in the league. Following a road match at Indiana State on Oct. 21, UE makes the weekend swing through Iowa on the 25th and 26th. The Aces open the weekend at Northern Iowa, who went 26-7 last year and a perfect 18-0 in the MVC on their way to the league championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Drake is coming off a second-place finish in the league as they won 24 matches on the season while going 14-4 in the MVC.
Four home matches follow, beginning on Nov. 1-2 with Illinois State and Bradley coming to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. One week later, Evansville welcomes Murray State and Belmont. The final road trip will see the Aces head to UIC and Valparaiso before returning home to close out the regular season against Indiana State on Nov. 20.
UNI is slated to hose the 2024 MVC Volleyball Championship from Nov. 23-26.
The Problems Associated with Older Lead Water Pipes
The Problems Associated with Older Lead Water Pipes
Public Health Concerns
submitted by Joe Wallace
June 10, 2024
Lead water pipes, commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, have become a significant public health concern. Lead, a toxic metal, can leach into drinking water from aging pipes, posing severe health risks. The most vulnerable populations are children and pregnant women. Children exposed to lead may suffer from developmental delays, learning difficulties, and lower IQ levels. Pregnant women exposed to lead have a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and developmental issues in their babies.
The crisis in Flint, Michigan, where residents were exposed to dangerously high levels of lead in their water, highlighted the severity of the issue. It demonstrated that lead contamination is not just an isolated problem but a potential nationwide public health emergency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of lead exposure, making the presence of lead pipes a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
Depreciation of Housing Stock
The presence of lead pipes significantly affects the value and desirability of residential properties. Potential buyers are increasingly aware of the health risks associated with lead and are hesitant to purchase homes with lead piping. This hesitancy depreciates the value of affected homes, making it harder for homeowners to sell their properties at fair market value.
Moreover, properties with lead pipes often require costly remediation and replacement of the pipes, adding a financial burden on homeowners. These expenses can deter buyers and decrease the overall attractiveness of the housing market in areas with widespread lead piping. The depreciation of housing stock not only impacts individual homeowners but also affects the broader real estate market, leading to reduced property values in affected communities.
Loss of Tax Revenues
The depreciation of housing stock due to the presence of lead pipes has broader economic implications, particularly in terms of municipal tax revenues. Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for local governments, funding essential public services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance. When property values decline, so do property tax revenues, leading to a budget shortfall for municipalities.
This loss of revenue can create a vicious cycle: decreased funding for public services can lead to a decline in the quality of those services, making affected areas less attractive to potential residents and businesses. This further depresses property values and reduces tax revenues, perpetuating the economic decline of communities burdened with aging lead water pipes.
The Need for Comprehensive Solutions
Addressing the problems associated with older lead water pipes requires comprehensive and coordinated efforts at local, state, and federal levels. Some municipalities have begun to replace lead pipes, but the process is costly and time-consuming. Federal funding and legislative support are crucial to accelerate the replacement of lead pipes and mitigate the public health risks they pose.
Investment in infrastructure to replace lead pipes can have long-term economic benefits. Not only does it improve public health and safety, but it also helps stabilize and potentially increase property values. Moreover, ensuring safe drinking water is essential for attracting and retaining residents and businesses, thereby bolstering local economies and tax revenues.
Public awareness campaigns are also essential to educate residents about the risks of lead exposure and the importance of testing and replacing lead pipes. Providing financial assistance and incentives for homeowners to replace lead pipes can help mitigate the individual financial burden and promote community-wide health and safety.
Conclusion
The problems associated with older lead water pipes are multifaceted, impacting public health, property values, and municipal revenues. The severe health risks, especially to vulnerable populations, underscore the urgent need for action. The depreciation of housing stock and the resultant loss of tax revenues further emphasize the economic impact on communities. Addressing these issues requires a collaborative approach, substantial investment, and public awareness to ensure safe drinking water and protect the health and economic well-being of affected communities.
Mifepristone, used in medical abortions, remains accessible after court decision
Mifepristone, used in medical abortions, remains accessible after court decision
Earlier this month the United States Supreme Court unanimously struck down an effort to block access to mifepristone, a medication used for medical abortions.
Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a group of doctors against abortion, challenged the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of the drug, but the court said the group’s challenge lacked legal standing.
Mifepristone is one of two medications women take for medical abortions and miscarriage management.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated the number of medical abortions to be well over a million in the last 10 years, many using mifepristone.
Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend, said in a statement that the Supreme Court ruling is “a step in the right direction.”
“Abortion is health care. Any future challenge to restrict access to mifepristone should be rejected, and the decision should remain between the patient and doctor,” Bauer said.
Reproductive rights advocates say banning the drug would negatively impact women who experience miscarriages. Using mifepristone with misoprostol helps manage the process more effectively than using misoprostol alone, which can prolong the physical and emotional pain for months, they say.
The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and other anti-abortion groups say the FDA’s approval of the drug was improper and should be reversed.
FOOTNOTE: Mia Frankenfield is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The Economic Challenges of Regions Highly Dependent on Tourism
The Economic Challenges of Regions Highly Dependent on Tourism
Wages Associated with Tourism Employment
by JOE WALLACE
July 10, 2024
Regions heavily dependent on tourism often experience a unique economic structure characterized by a high proportion of jobs in the hospitality, entertainment, and service sectors. These jobs, while abundant, are typically associated with lower wages compared to other industries. Positions in hotels, restaurants, and tour services often pay minimum wage and may lack benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Furthermore, many tourism-related jobs are seasonal, leading to periods of unemployment or underemployment during off-peak seasons. This employment instability can make it difficult for workers to achieve long-term financial security and upward mobility.
Despite these challenges, tourism employment can also offer opportunities for entry-level workers and those with limited formal education to participate in the workforce. Additionally, in some regions, the presence of high-end tourism can create a subset of well-paying jobs in management, marketing, and specialized services. However, these opportunities are often limited compared to the larger pool of lower-wage positions.
Sensitivity to Economic Volatility
Regions that rely heavily on tourism are particularly vulnerable to economic volatility. External factors such as global economic downturns, natural disasters, political instability, and health crises can significantly impact tourism flows. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented declines in travel and tourism, causing severe economic disruption in tourist-dependent regions worldwide. The sudden drop in tourist numbers resulted in massive job losses, business closures, and significant declines in local revenues.
Economic sensitivity is not only linked to global crises but also to seasonal variations and changing consumer preferences. Tourist destinations must continuously adapt to shifting trends and market demands to remain competitive. Failure to do so can lead to a decline in visitor numbers and economic instability. The dependency on tourism also means that local economies can suffer from a lack of diversification, making them less resilient to shocks in the tourism sector.
Temptation to Avoid Economic Diversification
Local officials in tourism-dependent regions often face the temptation to avoid supporting efforts dedicated to economic diversification. The immediate and visible benefits of tourism, such as job creation, increased tax revenues, and infrastructural developments, can create a strong incentive to focus resources on maintaining and expanding the tourism sector. Additionally, tourism can be a politically attractive industry, as it tends to generate quick wins and visible economic activity that officials can leverage for electoral support.
However, this short-term focus can be detrimental in the long run. Overreliance on tourism can lead to economic fragility, with little to fall back on during downturns. Diversifying the economy by developing other sectors, such as technology, manufacturing, or agriculture, can provide a more stable and sustainable economic foundation. Yet, achieving diversification often requires significant investment, long-term planning, and a shift in policy focus, which can be challenging to prioritize over the immediate benefits of tourism.
Balancing Tourism and Diversification
For regions dependent on tourism, finding a balance between leveraging tourism’s benefits and pursuing economic diversification is crucial. Policymakers should aim to create a robust tourism sector that can coexist with and support the development of other industries. This can involve investing in infrastructure and education to attract and develop other forms of economic activity.
Additionally, promoting sustainable tourism practices can help mitigate some of the volatility associated with the sector. By focusing on quality over quantity, regions can attract higher-spending tourists, reduce environmental impacts, and create more stable and well-paying jobs. Public-private partnerships and community involvement are essential in creating a diversified economic landscape that benefits from tourism while also building resilience against economic shocks.
Conclusion
Regions that are highly dependent on tourism face unique economic challenges, including low wages in tourism-related jobs, sensitivity to economic volatility, and the temptation for local officials to avoid diversification efforts. While tourism can provide immediate economic benefits and job opportunities, overreliance on a single industry can lead to long-term economic fragility. Balancing tourism with efforts to diversify the economy is essential for creating a stable, sustainable, and resilient economic future. By investing in other sectors and promoting sustainable tourism practices, regions can ensure they remain vibrant and economically healthy, even in the face of global challenges.
“HONOR FLIGHT” NEWSLETTER
Good afternoon,
I’ve attached our most recent newsletter. We will soon be gearing up for our fall EVV17 Honor Flight on October 5, 2024. We hope you will be able to share information about this upcoming flight and support Operation Mail Call. If you have any questions please let us know.
Thank you for the support!
Diane Shaw
Vice President of HFSI
Honor Flight Southern IN
THE LINK OF THE 3RD QUARTER “HONOR FLIGHT” NEWSLETTER IS POSTED BELOW