FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
USI forecast 9th in OVC
Thomas, Habib named OVC Players to Watch
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball team is predicted to place ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference, as voted by the league’s 11 head coaches and athletic communications directors in a poll released today. The Screaming Eagles, who had 67 points and two first-place votes in the OVC poll, also have been picked ninth by Blue Ribbon Magazine.
The Eagles are entering their fourth season as an NCAA Division I program and will be NCAA Tournament eligible this season. USI was 10-20 overall in 2024-25, 5-15 in the OVC. USI also advanced to the OVC post-season for the third-straight year.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock is predicted to win the conference, earning 188 points and 12 first-place votes. Southeast Missouri State University followed with 177 points and six first-place votes, while Southern Illinois University Edwardsville rounded out the top three with 163 points and one first-place vote.
New Screaming Eagles – senior guard Trey Thomas and senior guard Ismail Habib – were named OVC Players to watch for this season.
Thomas arrives at USI after playing 2024-25 at Bethune-Cookman University. The 2024-25 first-team All-SWAC performer appeared in 33 games, making 29 starts, for the Wildcats, averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
Thomas started his collegiate career at Hampton College in 2022-23, playing two seasons for the Pirates. He appeared in 28 games over two seasons, averaging 5.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Habib transferred to USI after spending the last two seasons at Portland State University. He appeared in 35 games for the Vikings over the last two seasons, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest.
Last year, Habib averaged 8.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in seven contests and one start during 2024-25. He posted a two-year best 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 28 games, making 25 starts in 2023-24.
USI starts the 2025-26 regular season November 5 when the Eagles visit Butler University and opens the home schedule November 7 when they host Virginia Military Institute.
2025-26 OVC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
(Selected by OVC Head Basketball Coaches and Communication Directors)
Order of Finish (1st Place Vote) Points
| 1. | Little Rock (12) | 188 |
| 2. | Southeast Missouri (6) | 177 |
| 3. | SIU Edwardsville (1) | 163 |
| 4. | Tennessee State (1) | 135 |
| 5. | Lindenwood | 100 |
| Morehead State | 100 | |
| 7. | Tennessee Tech | 80 |
| 8. | UT Martin | 79 |
| 9. | Southern Indiana (2) | 67 |
| 10. | Eastern Illinois | 63 |
| 11. | Western Illinois | 57 |
USI Women’s Basketball projected fourth in the OVC
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball is projected to place fourth in the 2025-26 Ohio Valley Conference season in a vote submitted by the league’s head coaches and communication directors.
USI heads into its fourth season in the Ohio Valley Conference and first as a full-fledged NCAA Division-I member in 2025-26. After completing the reclassification process, USI is now eligible to compete for an NCAA Championship postseason berth.
The Screaming Eagles are coming off a second consecutive berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) in 2024-25 and their first appearance in the Super Sixteen. USI went 23-13 overall and 12-8 in the OVC last season.
The 11-team OVC will feature a schedule with each team playing each other twice in a home-and-home split for a 20-game schedule. The conference schedule will run from December 18, 2025, through February 28, 2026. The conference’s season concludes with the OVC Basketball Championship Tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, March 4-7, 2026.
Lindenwood University, last season’s runner-up in the OVC, topped the OVC preseason poll with 179 points and six first-place votes. Reigning Ohio Valley Conference champion Tennessee Tech University was picked second with 175 points and 12 first-place votes. Western Illinois University received a third-place projection with 166 points and four first-place votes.
USI Women’s Basketball was picked fourth with 147 points, and Eastern Illinois University was selected with 121 points. The University of Tennessee at Martin was sixth with 117 points in front of Little Rock with 110 points. Tennessee State University (78) and Southeast Missouri State University (51) were projected eighth and ninth, respectively. Morehead State University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville rounded out the preseason poll in a tie for tenth with 33 points.
As part of the OVC’s preseason announcement, USI was represented by two players on the 2025-26 OVC Players to Watch List. Senior guard Ali Saunders and junior forward Chloe Gannon were named to the list.
Saunders is USI’s top returning scorer after finishing third on the team with 10.5 points per game last season, making 32 starts in 34 appearances. Saunders shot the ball for over 42 percent from the floor and nearly 33 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25. The guard averaged a team-high 32.9 minutes and pulled down 3.7 rebounds per game as a junior. Only two seasons removed from an All-OVC Newcomer Team selection in 2023-24, Saunders topped the team and OVC with 157 assists last year, her second consecutive season with 100-plus assists, and was second in the conference with 4.6 helpers per outing. Saunders finished third in the OVC with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, Saunders was just as impactful, leading USI and the OVC with 87 steals and second in the OVC with 2.6 steals per game. Saunders scored 10 or more points in 17 games in 2024-25.
Gannon is coming off a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign, posting 14 points in USI’s final game of the season against the University at Buffalo in the WNIT Super Sixteen. As a sophomore last season, Gannon made 33 appearances, averaging 14.6 minutes per game. The forward notched 5.2 points and 2.5 boards per outing while shooting over 42 percent overall. In the back end of the 2024-25 slate, Gannon dropped a season-high 16 points against Little Rock in early February and combined for 15 points with seven rebounds in USI’s final two games at last year’s OVC tournament. Gannon is only two seasons removed from an OVC All-Tournament Team selection in 2023-24, when the Screaming Eagles swept the OVC championship titles that season.
USI Women’s Basketball tips off its 2025-26 season on Monday, November 3 at 6 p.m. against Franklin College from inside Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles. The Eagles begin their OVC slate on December 18 when USI hosts Little Rock.
For more information on USI Women’s Basketball tickets, contact the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.
2025-26 OVC Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
(as voted on by the league’s head coaches and communication directors)
1. Lindenwood (6 first-place votes) – 179
2. Tennessee Tech (12) – 175
3. Western Illinois (4) – 166
4. Southern Indiana – 147
5. Eastern Illinois – 121
6. UT Martin – 117
7. Little Rock – 110
8. Tennessee State – 78
9. Southeast Missouri – 51
10. Morehead State – 33
SIUE – 33
2025-26 OVC Preseason Players to Watch List
Lalani Ellis, Meioshe Mason – Eastern Illinois
Mya Skoff, Gracy Wernli – Lindenwood
Mya Cotto, Destinee Salgado – Little Rock
Laura Toffali, Marie Sepp – Morehead State
Lexi McCully, Ainaya Williams – Southeast Missouri
Macy Silvey, Jaiden Bryant – SIUE
Ali Saunders, Chloe Gannon – Southern Indiana
Somah Kamara, Erin Martin – Tennessee State
Chloe Larry, Reagan Hurst – Tennessee Tech
Norah Clark – UT Martin
Addi Brownfield, Allie Meadows – Western Illinois
Diana Krall Returns to the Stage with New U.S. Tour Dates
Diana Krall Returns to the Stage with New U.S. Tour Dates
Evansville, IN -Victory Theatre – Feb 3
GRAMMY® Award winning and multi-platinum jazz singer Diana Krall has announced she will embark on a nationwide 29-city U.S. tour, commencing on January 18, 2026, in Jacksonville, FL, at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. The tour will make stops in Miami, Memphis, Durham, New Brunswick, Baltimore, Port Chester, and more before concluding in Buffalo, NY on April 7th.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 17th , at 10am local time through www.DianaKrall.com.
Everett’s career match leads Aces to road MVC win
UE defeats Indiana State by a 3-1 final
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Hinsley Everett registered a career-high 23 kills to lead the University of Evansville volleyball team to a 3-1 road win at Indiana State on Tuesday evening.
Everett accumulated 23 kills while hitting a solid .291. Chloe Cline finished with 10 kills to go along with three blocks, three digs, and two assists. Carlotta Pascual and Sabrina Ripple finished with eight kills apiece while Josdarilee Caraballo posted seven. Ainoah Cruz led the Purple Aces with 22 digs while picking up eight assists and a kill and Kora Ruff tallied 47 assists and 16 digs. Curry Kendall led the Sycamores with 14 kills.
Game 1 – Indiana State 25, UE 22
Ryan Scheu Hinsley Everett posted early kills to put the Aces in front at 3-1. After the Sycamores tied the game at 4-4, UE scored four in a row to retake the lead. Chloe Cline and Holland Morris had kills during the stretch. Another Everett kill solidified an 11-7 UE lead before ISU stormed back once again to tie the game at 12-12.
Scheu and Everett both added another kill to put UE on top by a 19-16 margin before another Sycamore run made the difference as they scored six in a row to go up 22-19 before taking the set by a 25-22 final.
Game 2 – UE 25, Indiana State 18
Evansville scored the opening two points and never gave ISU the lead on the way to a 25-18 win to knot the set at 1-1. After the Sycamores tied it up at 3-3, UE scored two in a row before extending the lead to 13-8 as Everett recorded three kills in a row. Ainoah Cruz picked up an ace to make it a 22-14 game while Cline and Kora Ruff assisted on a block for the clinching point.
Game 3 – UE 25, Indiana State 17
Following a few early lead swaps, the Aces opened a 9-7 lead on a solo block from Cline. Indiana State got back within one at 11-10 before UE changed the course of the set. Scoring eight in a row, the Aces took full control. Cline had a kill and ace during the stretch while Ripple added a pair of kills. In the late stages it was two more Everett kills finishing off the 25-17 victory.
Game 4 – UE 25, Indiana State 23
With a road conference win in its sights the Aces stormed out to a 7-1 lead to open the set. Everett racked up two more kills and a solo block in the huge start. She recorded an ace to solidify an 11-4 advantage before Indiana State clawed its way back scoring five in a row to get back within two.
UE regrouped following a time out with Josdarilee Caraballo coming up huge for her team. The sophomore posted four kills in the span of five points as UE opened a 16-10 edge. UE extended the lead back up to seven at 20-13 on a kill by Carlotta Pascual before the Sycamores staged another rally. ISU made it a 20-16 score and continued to rally as they cut the deficit to just two at 23-21. Fortunately, Evansville picked up the points it needed to take the road win.
In Memoriam: Sister Karlene Sensmeier
|
In Memoriam: Sister Karlene Sensmeier
October 12, 2025
Sister Karlene Sensmeier of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN, died at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Jasper, IN.
Sister Karlene Sensmeier was born Caren Agnes Sensmeier on March 13, 1944, in Princeton, IN, the oldest of four children of Edward G. Sensmeier and Mildred E. (Schaefer) Sensmeier. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1962 from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and made her monastic vows in 1964.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister Marina L. (Sensmeier) Will and brother-in-law Larry J. Will; her brother Bennet “Ben” O. Sensmeier and sister-in-law Dollie (Campbell) Sensmeier; her sister Lucy (Sensmeier) Unfried and brother-in-law Terry Unfried; her nieces and nephews; and her religious family.
Sister Karlene earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Saint Benedict College in Ferdinand, IN, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, and studied at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, IL. She taught at Saint Matthew School in Mount Vernon, IN; Saint Mary School, Apple Valley, CA; and Saint Benedict School in Evansville, IN, where she was also the Principal for 34 years altogether.
She was an Administrator at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, IL; a Co-Facilitator for Long-Range Planning at Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD; and on May 29, 2017, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross – the highest Papal award for a woman. At Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN, Sister Karlene served as a Council Member, as Associate Director of Development, Chairperson of the Long-Range Planning Committee, Director of the Kordes Enrichment Center, Director of Outreach and Engagement, in Supportive Services, and most recently as Companion for Major Gift Officers.
Sister Karlene was also a part of the group of musical sisters in Ferdinand who would perform for the general public as the Convent Combo, and as Stillpoint when performing sacred concerts.
Public visitation will be held in Marian Parlor at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, on Thursday, October 16 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. EST, and on Friday, October 17 from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. EST in the monastery church. A Vigil Service will be held in the monastery church on Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. EST with burial in the monastery cemetery, then a supper following in the dining room. If you are unable to be present for the Vigil Service or Funeral Mass, you can view online at funeral.thedome.org.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
|
BURTON WARNS AGAINST “MEAN-SPIRITED” IMMIGRATION POLICIES THREATENING INDIANA ECONOMY AND HEALTH CARE, CALLS FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) issued a statement criticizing current immigration enforcement efforts and called for comprehensive, humane policy solutions that address Indiana’s critical workforce shortages in health care and agriculture.
As federal officials, including “Border Czar” Tom Homan, promote immigration enforcement measures in Indiana, Burton argues that the state’s focus should shift from detention and enforcement toward practical solutions that strengthen Indiana’s economy, health care system and food security.
Burton released the following statement:
“Indiana is failing our people and its economy. Our state is drifting further away from the values that built our communities with hard work, compassion and common sense. Instead of focusing on solutions that actually help families, we’re spending time on political stunts that divide us and distract from the real issues Hoosiers face every day.
“The legislature must stop taking orders from Washington, D.C., and start focusing on everyday hardworking Hoosiers. As families face rising costs for energy, rent, groceries and child care heading into the holidays, our state’s priorities remain deeply misaligned.
“What began as a focus on violent offenders has now expanded into a sweeping overreach that tears families apart, jeopardizes our health care and food security, and drives up the prices Hoosiers pay at the grocery store. This is not immigration reform — it’s political theater that ignores real solutions.
“The answer is not detaining the very people responsible for Indiana’s population growth in rural, urban and suburban communities. We are wasting limited resources without improving outcomes for anyone.
“This mean-spirited approach will also strain law enforcement and local governments already stretched thin. With communities still dealing with consequences of SEA 1, placing even more burdens on local agencies and schools is unconscionable.
“Hoosiers deserve solutions that uplift our workforce, keep families together and move our economy forward, not policies that pit neighbors against one another.”
VANDERBURGH COUNTY GOP STATEMENT ON THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE’S 2026 ADOPTED BUDGET
Evansville, IN – The Vanderburgh County Republican Party today voices serious concern regarding the City of Evansville’s newly adopted 2026 budget, citing fiscal mismanagement and misplaced spending priorities.
Two City Council members were absent from one of the most consequential budget meetings of the year. A meeting that approved $175,000 for a new city website despite the absence of a vendor, quote,or proposal. This same expenditure was previously rejected for those very reasons.
Mayor Stephanie Terry has attributed budgetary challenges to Indiana Senate Bill 1, which provides approximately $300 in annual property tax relief for the average Evansville homeowner. While the Mayor has described the bill’s impact on municipal revenues as significant, the city’s spending tells adifferent story.
Despite acknowledging revenue pressures, the city has allocated funding for a new municipal ambulance service, a non-mandated initiative with considerable financial risk. The service will operate under a soft-billing model, meaning residents are not obligated to pay the balance of their ambulance costs. Based on projected transports, this approach could leave $10–15 million in uncollected revenue.
Additionally, the Evansville Fire Department has financed the service through a 0% interest loan from the city’s riverboat fund. There are no enforcement provisions for repayment, and when repaid, funds will be redirected to the general fund rather than restored to their original source. If the service’s revenue projections fall short, taxpayers will bear the burden, potentially leading to an increase in Evansville’s local income tax rate from the current 1.25% to levels seen in comparable to Democrat-run cities like Bloomington and Terre Haute, where residents currently pay 2%.
No city operates an ambulance service to generate profit. The claim that Evansville can do so, while expanding spending elsewhere, is unrealistic and fiscally unsound. The Vanderburgh County Republican Party urges the City of Evansville to prioritize transparency, spending discipline, and fiscal accountability to ensure the city’s long-term financial stability.
Board of School Trustees of the EVSC Meeting
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 4:00 PM. on Monday, October 20, 2025 at the offices of Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel, & Shoulders. The session will be conducted according to I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1. The purpose of the meeting is for the discussion of the assessment, design, and implementation of school safety and security measures, plans, and systems (b)(3) and to train school board members with an outside consultant about the performance of the role of the members as public officials