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Brown Bag Series Returns!
Otters Record-Holder Schultz Coming Back To Evansville
The Evansville Otters announced that franchise record-holder and three-time All-Star John Schultz has signed to come out of retirement and play for Evansville in 2020.
Schultz, an outfielder and West Lawn, Pa. native, is one of the Otters’ most productive players in franchise history, originally coming to Evansville in 2013.
Schultz holds career franchise records in games played (420), RBIs (207), at-bats (1,560), hits (458), runs (280), doubles (90), total bases (710), and walks (219). “We’re excited to have John come back to Evansville and help us get back to that championship level like when he was here in 2016,†Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “He loves the game and wanted to get back out there. John plays the right way, he’s a very good hitter, and brings a lot of leadership and experience with him.â€
“I’m really excited to come back, and to get that phone call and have the opportunity not just to play but to come back to Evansville, where it all really began for me, was really special,†Schultz said.
In five seasons with the Otters, Schultz had batted .294Â with 458 hits and 207 RBIs. He also had 90 doubles, 18Â triples, and 42 home runs through the 2017 season.
Schultz was a Frontier League All-Star in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and has also been instrumental in leading the Otters to the playoffs in three of his last four seasons with Evansville—including a Frontier League title in 2016.
“Winning the championship in 2016 was an amazing feeling, a feeling I had never experienced before in professional baseball,†Schultz said.
“In 2017, we had a good team that we thought could make a run but had an early exit to the eventual champion Schaumburg Boomers, but having that feeling of winning a championship is something I’m really looking to get again.â€
At the end of the 2017 season, the Otters retired Schultz’ number four jersey, the second number to be retired in franchise history next to the late Otters manager Greg Jelks’ number 44 jersey.
Schultz could not return to the Otters in 2018, as the Frontier League eliminated the veteran status for its roster eligibility rules that year. After league expansion and some rule changes this past fall, the Frontier League brought back a tweaked version of the veteran status, allowing Schultz to sign another player contract with the Otters for 2020.
“When the rule changes became official, I got together with our coaching staff and we talked about how that would affect us and looked at our options,†McCauley said. “Of course, we all thought of John Schultz as a possibility.â€
During a phone call with Schultz, McCauley said there was a mutual interest between him and Schultz in making this reunion happen in 2020.
“After 2018, I kind of thought I would be done, but I always missed playing deep down and never really got rid of that itch to play,†Schultz said. “The phone call confirmed it for me that I still have time left in this game and really some unfinished business.â€
Schultz will also return as a high-level leader in the clubhouse next to pitcher Tyler Vail, serving as a voice among the position players just like Vail among the pitchers.
“John has a good feel of what’s going on in the clubhouse, and because he’s been around our staff for so long, he knows what we’re thinking ahead of time,†McCauley said. “He’s bought in to what we’re trying to build and do in Evansville.â€
It’s been a year removed since Schultz last played, as he appeared in 13 games with the Sussex County Miners at the beginning of the 2018 season.
Even though the amount of time since he last played presents its challenges, Schultz has still been around the game of baseball by working in training academies, coaching, giving lessons, and doing some hitting.
“I’ve committed myself full-time to training, and I’m working harder than I’ve ever worked,†Schultz said. “I’ll be ready to do whatever the team needs me to come May.â€
McCauley said he envisions Schultz being in the Otters’ lineup one way or another, splitting time between left field, first base and as the designated hitter.
After playing collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, Schultz was drafted in the 34th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft by the Florida Marlins. He spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Marlins.
Schultz attributes his loyalty with the Otters to the fact McCauley gave him the only phone call and offer to play in 2013 following his release by the Marlins after 2012.
“The game had soured on me at that time in affiliated baseball, but Evansville helped me find that love for the game again,†Schultz said.
“I owe everything to Evansville, as Andy and owner Mr. Bill Bussing took me in and gave me a chance when no one else would. They’ve been so loyal to me through it all.â€
Schultz also said the decision to come back to Evansville was easy for him and no way he could pass up the opportunity.
“This opportunity is especially exciting with the league’s expansion,†Schultz said. “There are some really cool places we’ll travel to, there are really good teams and coaches, and the future is very bright for the Frontier League with the continued growth.â€
Overall in his professional career, Schultz has recorded a .292 batting average, while posting 365 runs, 594 hits, 110 doubles, 23 triples, 48 home runs, and 263 RBIs.
“John loves Evansville, Bosse Field, and the Bussing Family,†McCauley said. “He’s an Otter all the way through, having proved that on the field. He’s all in to help us get back to winning the Frontier League championship.â€
“Last year, the Otters had a really good team, coming up just short of their goals,†Schultz said. “With the possibility of a good number of those guys coming back, it’s a good opportunity for me to come back and join a team with all the pieces that are there and help the team get another championship ring for Evansville.â€
Spring Training and the exhibition season will begin in early May for the Otters. Evansville will open the regular season May 14 at the Gateway Grizzlies before their home-opening weekend series at Bosse Field against the Grizzlies May 15-17.
Indiana FSSA Launches Informative Video To Help Guide Families Through Child Care And Early Education ChoicesÂ
Indiana FSSA launches informative video to help guide families through child care and early education choicesÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana offers useful and informative resources to help parents find quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children. Good examples are ChildCareFinder.IN.Gov, which the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration launched in 2016 to help find and compare licensed and registered child cares in their areas, and BrighterFuturesIndiana.org, which supports families in enhancing their children’s learning. To help Hoosiers make better-informed decisions about child care and early education options, FSSA has created a short, easy-to-understand, instructional video to direct them to these useful parenting resources.
“We have heard from many families and others throughout Indiana that they don’t know how to look for and find safe and reliable child care and early education resources,†said Nicole Norvell, director of FSSA’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. “We encourage parents to view this tutorial on using Child Care Finder and Brighter Futures Indiana and share it with friends, family, neighbors and others who may benefit from having these great parenting resources at their fingertips.â€
This new video is a step-by-step guide on how to use Child Care Finder, an application that allows families to search licensed providers, registered ministries and exempt providers by numerous, important parameters, including location, type of provider, hours, licensing status and whether or not the provider participates in Paths to Quality, Indiana’s voluntary quality rating and improvement system. In addition, families can find inspection reports and any validated complaints or enforcement actions for each provider they search. The video also guides families through Brighter Futures Indiana, a web-based early learning resource for families, which also shares useful, timely information with parenting tips, family activities and child development on social media. Families can also call 800-299-1627 for assistance in locating child care.
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning oversees early child care, education and out-of-school-time programs. It is one of the six divisions of FSSA. Individuals with complaints against a child care provider may call 877-511-1144.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Danyelle Nicole Fenwick: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Deangelo Lee Carter: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony)
Sean Christopher Whitlock:Â Attempt Obstruction of justice (Level 5 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)
Lacey Lynn Waters: Residential entry (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Invasion of privacy (Class A misdemeanor), Criminal mischief (Class B misdemeanor)
Logan Brandewie: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Failure to appear (Level 6 Felony)
Deborah Lynn Petrangelo: Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Battery by bodily waste (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Battery resulting in bodily injury (Class A misdemeanor)
Kimberlee Ann Cheatham: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Criminal trespass (Class A misdemeanor)
Katie Jo Smith: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Sammy Lann Katz: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Burglary (Level 3 Felony)
Lacey Jean Dillingham: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Criminal trespass (Class A misdemeanor)
Robin Redden: Assisting a criminal (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Attempt Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), False informing (Class B misdemeanor), Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor), Failure to use high and low beams (C infraction)
Clifton Edward Teeters: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), False informing (Class B misdemeanor)
Donn L. Johnson: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Jacob David Maier: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Nathaniel Wayne Leach: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Timothy Scott Cornwell: Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)
Jeffrey Allen Mcqueen: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Nicoya Andre Poole: Battery by means of a deadly weapon (Level 5 Felony), Battery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony)
Arthur Smith III: Causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Level 4 Felony), Causing catastrophic injury when operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Level 4 Felony)
Christopher Lee Williams: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Antonio Dominick Carey: Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Carrying a handgun without a license (Level 5 Felony), Pointing a firearm (Level 6 Felony), Pointing a firearm (Level 6 Felony), Pointing a firearm (Level 6 Felony), Pointing a firearm (Level 6 Felony), Criminal recklessness (Level 6 Felony), Criminal recklessness (Level 6 Felony), Criminal recklessness (Level 6 Felony), Criminal recklessness (Level 6 Felony), Criminal mischief (Class B misdemeanor)
Brandon James Ellis: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
David Weston Ervin: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Eric Mark Sadler Jr.: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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Ted & Clare Ziemer Society Night at the Aces
Join Ascension St. Vincent Ziemer Society for a night at the University of Evansville Basketball Game! Pre-game party begins in the Ford Center’s Corner Club at 5:00pm CT.  Tip-off will be at 6:00pm.
Complimentary drinks and light snacks will be available.
There will be a $50 donation per person or $100 per family for non Ziemer Society Members (donation includes exclusive entrance and security check, reception with light snacks, 2 beer/wine tickets per guest 21+ , soft drinks/water, group seating, and more!)
Ziemer Society Members (individuals who have contributed $250.00 to the Society in 2020) may enter this event and other exciting events through the year for free.
Still needing to renew or want to become an annual member? Visit give.stvincentevansville.org rejoin/join today.  There will be an opportunity do join in the Corner Club.
**Children are welcome in the Corner Club**
Eagles set for busy stretch of games
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball begins its busiest stretch of the year Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when it travels to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on Rockhurst University in a Great Lakes Valley Conference tilt. The Screaming Eagles also visit league-member William Jewell College Saturday at 1 p.m. in Liberty, Missouri.
Both games this weekend will be aired on 95.7 The Spin as well as the GLVC Sports Network, while live stats, audio and video can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI (7-4, 3-2 GLVC), which is coming off a tough 66-45 home loss to arch-rival Bellarmine University this past Saturday, is slated to play five games in a 10-day stretch. The Screaming Eagles also host McKendree University Monday at 5:30 p.m. before hosting Truman State University January 23 and Quincy University January 25.
The Eagles’ contest with Quincy is Military Appreciation Day at Screaming Eagles Arena and free tickets and give-a-ways will be provided for military veterans and current service members.
Leading the Eagles into the weekend is senior guard Ashley Johnson, who is averaging a team-high 13.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Emma DeHart is chipping in 11.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown is contributing 8.5 points and a team-high 5.2 rebounds per contest.
USI also is getting 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per appearance from freshman forward Hannah Haithcock.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes
• Eagles go 1-1 for second straight week. USI Women’s Basketball settled on a split to GLVC play last week. USI rallied from double-digit deficits on a pair of occasions to defeat host Indianapolis, 75-64, Thursday before cold shooting and turnovers led to a 66-45 home loss to arch-rival Bellarmine Saturday.
• Last week’s leaders. Senior guard Ashley Johnson averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game to lead the Eagles last week. Junior guard Emma DeHart added 11.5 points per game, while freshman forward Hannah Haithcock chipped in 10.5 points and a team-high tying 5.5 rebounds per game. USI also got 5.5 rebounds per outing from sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown.
• Cold shooting. USI was held to 31.0 percent (18-58) from the field and a season-low 14.3 percent (3-21) from downtown in its loss to Bellarmine Saturday. The 45 points the Eagles were held to marked their lowest point total since losing, 60-42, to Truman State January 16, 2016.
• Anomaly? How much of an anomaly was it to see the Eagles commit 23 fouls and 23 turnovers in a game? Consider that USI entered Saturday’s game against Bellarmine ranked No. 2 in the GLVC in fewest fouls and fewest turnovers. The Eagles ranked 11th, nationally, in fewest fouls and 15th in fewest turnovers.
• Eagles score 49 in second half against UIndy. The Eagles scored 49 second-half points in their win over Indianapolis. USI, which had 16 first-half turnovers, did a much better job of taking care of the ball in the final 20 minutes as it had just five offensive miscues in the second half.
• Busy slate. USI’s game against Rockhurst begins a busy stretch for the Eagles, who are slated to play five games in a 10-day span. The Eagles already have some experience with such a stretch after playing five games in 11 days earlier this season.
• Double-figures. USI has had eight different players reach double figures in the scoring column this year, with seven different players scoring at least 10 points in multiple games.
• Johnson, Haithcock lead USI against Bellarmine. Senior guard Ashley Johnson had a team-high 13 points to lead the Eagles in their loss to Bellarmine, while freshman forward Hannah Haithcock added 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown contributed eight rebounds.
• Johnson posts career highs. Less than a week after recording USI’s first double-double of the year with 17 points and 10 rebounds against Southwest Baptist, Johnson was at it again in USI’s win over Indianapolis. Johnson, who had 15 points and six assists in the second half alone, finished the game with a career-high eight assists as well as a career-high tying five steals. She had 18 of her game-high 20 points in the final 20:05 of the game after hitting a three-pointer to end the first half.
• DeHart matches career high. Junior guard Emma DeHart had a career-high tying 19 points in USI’s win over Indianapolis. She had eight points in the second quarter and nine in the third period, helping USI overcome both of its double-digit deficits in the process.
• Sherwood big in second half. Senior guard/forward Morgan Sherwood scored 11 of her 13 points in the second half of USI’s come-from-behind win over Indianapolis. She had a huge four-point play in the third period and another big three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
• Brown throws block party. Sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown had six points and a career-high four blocks in USI’s win over Indianapolis.
• Haithcock puts in big minutes. Freshman forward Hannah Haithcock logged some serious minutes in USI’s win over Indianapolis. She finished with nine points and five rebounds in a season-high 36 minutes of work. She previously played 35 minutes in USI’s win over Southwest Baptist.
• Moses matches Johnson for team-high rebound number. Senior guard Kiara Moses matched fellow classmate Ashley Johnson for the team lead with six rebounds in USI’s win over Indianapolis. She also had four points and a pair of steals in the win.
• About Rockhurst. Senior guard Madeline Ronshausen averages 15.2 points per game to lead Rockhurst, which enters the week with an 8-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in GLVC play. Sophomore guard Meghan Urbanski and freshman guard Paige Pendley are chipping in 10.8 and 10.2 points per game, respectively, for the Hawks, who have won two straight games.
• About William Jewell. Junior forward Kiara Bradley averages 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds to lead the Cardinals, who are 5-8 overall and 1-4 in GLVC play. William Jewell, which hosts McKendree Thursday, has lost five straight games entering this week’s action.
• About McKendree. Senior guard Jordan Heberg averages 14.5 points per game to lead the Bearcats, who have lost four straight games to fall to 7-6 overall and 0-5 in GLVC play.
• About Truman State. Truman State, an NCAA II Tournament team a year ago, is 9-3 overall and 5-0 in GLVC play. Led by senior guard Sloane Totta (12.1 ppg, 5.2 apg), the Bulldogs have four players averaging in double-figures and five averaging at least 9.5 points per contest. Sophomore forward Maddie Re is chipping in 9.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per outing.
• About Quincy. Junior guard Aleksandra Petrovic averages 12.7 points per game to lead the Hawks, who are 5-8 overall and 1-4 in GLVC play.
• Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles’ game against Central Missouri marked the first-ever regular-season basketball game in Screaming Eagles Arena. USI Women’s Basketball played in the Physical Activities Center from 1980-81 to 2018-19, posting a 363-194 record all-time at the PAC, including a 217-81 record under Head Coach Rick Stein.
• Magic Mark: 75 points. The Eagles are 415-77 (.844) all-time when scoring at least 75 points. USI is 288-28 (.911) since 1996-97 when reaching the 75-point plateau.
ADOPT A PET
Liam is a big beautiful black cat! He’s 5 years old and gets along great with other cats. He has a really cute tiny white spot on his chest. Liam’s currently adoptable at River Kitty Cat Café in downtown Evansville, now a nonprofit enterprise benefiting VHS. Come visit him Tuesday-Sunday with a paid Lounge reservation! His adoption fee is $40 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane for adoptio
VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY TO SELL “CUDDLEGRAMS†AS VALENTINE’S DAY FUNDRAISER
Who needs the same ol’ bouquet of flowers on Valentine’s Day when you can send your sweetheart puppy breath? For the third year, Vanderburgh Humane Society will sell Cuddlegrams for Valentine’s Day. Each Cuddlegram will be delivered to the recipient’s workplace or home on Friday, February 14th and includes:
- small sweet treat & 3 red roses
- personalized card
- a 30-minute cuddle session w/ a puppy, kitten, or bunny
Pricing starts at $50 for a Bunnygram, followed by $75 for a Kittengram and $100 for a Puppygram. Proceeds after expenses benefit the Vanderburgh Humane Society’s mission.
Grams must be purchased directly through the VHS Development Office by:
- Phone: (812) 426-2563 ext. 218
- Email: events@vhslifesaver.org
- In person Tuesday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm
This is to ensure that there are available animals to fulfill the Grams. Only a limited number will be available based on the number of animals, so don’t wait! Payment is due at the time of purchase using cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Cuddlegram sales will end on Wednesday, February 12th to allow for preparation time.
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VHS staff and volunteers will be hand-delivering the Cuddlegrams. “Our lips are sealed;†all Cuddlegrams will be kept confidential to preserve the element of surprise. Secret marriage or prom-proposals can be arranged for an additional $25 fee.
Those sending Cuddlegrams are strongly encouraged to verify with the recipient’s place of employment that animals are allowed on the premises. There will be no refunds issued. VHS team members are insured and will take responsibility for messes.
Cuddlegrams will only be delivered to locations in Vanderburgh County Newburgh, Princeton, or Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
 This information can be found on the VHS website at www.vhslifesaver.org!
Men’s Basketball Travels To Indiana State On Wednesday
Aces To battle Sycamores At The Hulman Center
 On Wednesday, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels north to Terre Haute to take on Indiana State for a 6 p.m. CT game inside the Hulman Center. Wednesday’s game will be carried on ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network.
 Setting the Scene
– Evansville looks to break two streaks on Wednesday; UE has dropped its last four contests overall while falling in its last eight trips to the Hulman Center
– In last year’s road game, the Sycamores defeated the Purple Aces by a final of 85-62
– The Sycamore defense held the Aces to shooting percentages of 35.0% and 36.2% in last year’s regular-season meetings
– Following the trip to Terre Haute, the Aces are at the Ford Center for their next two games with Missouri State and Drake coming to town
Last Time OutÂ
– Saturday’s game at Loyola saw the Aces hang tough, taking a 15-14 lead in the first half, but the Ramblers finished the first half on a 13-2 run before taking a 78-44 victory
– The Ramblers shot 70.5% in the game, including 75% (18/24) in the first half
– Sam Cunliffe was the leader for UE, scoring 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting
– K.J. Riley finished with seven tallies
– It marked the fourth consecutive defeat for the Aces inside Gentile Arena
Leader of the Pack
– With the absence of DeAndre Williams, Sam Cunliffe has stepped up and recorded a team-high 11 points at Loyola
– Over the last four games, Cunliffe has started to shoot better, hitting 19 of his 41 attempts to improve his season shooting to 39.5%
– In the final 10 non-conference games, Cunliffe shot over 40% from the field just twice but has reached that mark in all four MVC games
– He has ten double-figure efforts in 17 contests
Looking at the numbers
– When comparing the stats for UE in non-conference play versus MVC contests, there are a few disparities
– In non-conference contests, UE averaged 78.1 points per game while shooting 45.5%
– Through four league games, the Aces have averaged 56.8 points while shooting 39.2%
– The numbers in 3-point shooting drop from 35.7% to 24.4% in the Valley
– Evansville has scored under 60 points in three out of four conference games; the team was held under 60 on two occasions in 13 non-conference games
Scouting the Opponent
– Indiana State enters its first match-up against the Purple Aces with a 9-6 record while splitting their first two MVC games
– The Sycamores are coming off of a 65-52 home win over Illinois State on Saturday and have held three of their first four league opponents to 68 points or less.
– ISU is 9-2 in its last 11 games
– Tyreke Key paces the Sycamores with 17.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game
– Key has excelled in his chances at the line, shooting 87.9%
– Jordan Barnes averages 12.2 points and has a team-best 56 assists
– Sycamore assistant coach Kareem Richardson played at Evansville from 1995 through 1997