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Otters to host preseason tryouts Saturday

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The Evansville Otters will host a Frontier League preseason tryout this coming Saturday, March 16 at Bosse Field.
This workout serves as an open tryout for players who are seeking an opportunity to sign a professional contract for the 2019 season. Spots are available, but only the first 100 players to sign up will be accepted.
The event gives each player a chance to showcase their talent in front of Frontier League managers and coaches as well as Major League organizational scouts. The Joliet Slammers, Evansville Otters and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations will be represented at the Evansville tryout.
“Joliet and Evansville both put great emphasis on these tryout camps,” said Otters manager Andy McCauley.
Registration fee for each player is $75 and players can register online at ondeckbaseballlafayette.com.
Tryouts start at 9 a.m. and last through 6 p.m. Position players can check in from 8:30 a.m. through 9 a.m. and pitchers can check in from 11:30 a.m. to noon (all times CT).
Players from outside the area can find discounted lodging at Comfort Inn and Suites on the corner of Lynch Road and Highway 41 by using the code “otterstryout.” For more details about the hotel discount, call 812-423-5818.
The rain date will be March 17 and if there is inclement weather both days, the tryout will be moved to an indoor facility.
The Otters will also have a tryout in Allentown, Pa. Saturday March 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at ECTB Stadium at Bicentennial Park. Position players can check in from 8:30 a.m. through 9 a.m. and pitchers can check in from 11:30 a.m. to noon (all times ET).
“These tryout camps have been successful in previous years as evidenced by the signing of over 20 players from our three camps last year,” said McCauley.
The Joliet Slammers, Evansville Otters and Oakland Athletics organizations will be represented at the Allentown tryout.
That tryout is $100 per player and you can also register for that event at ondeckbaseballlafayette.com.
The rain date for that tryout will be March 31 and if there is inclement weather both days, the tryout will be moved to an indoor facility.
The Frontier League is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States. The league formed in 1993 and is the oldest active independent league.

Obituary for Donald E Waddell

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Obituary for Donald E Waddell

KOEHLER FUNERAL HOMES-BOONVILLE AND CHANDLER

Chandler, IN. – Donald E. Waddell, 81, of Chandler, Indiana passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.

Donald was born in Grangetown, Kentucky on November 9, 1937, to the late John Richard and Ina Edward (Powell) Waddell.

Donald was a member of Mt. Olive General Baptist Church in Newburgh, Indiana. He worked as a concrete finisher and was a member of Union Local 692. He also worked for many years as a delivery man for Guthrie’s Pharmacy in Chandler. He enjoyed camping, boating, hunting and traveling.

He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Betty Waddell; son, Troy Waddell; brother, John Richard Waddell; sister, Glenna Graham.

Donald is survived by his wife, Virginia “Jenny” Waddell; children, Rocky Waddell (Tracy), Tony Waddell, Chris Whitehouse, Steve Waddell (Cierra), Michael Waddell, Trena Sams (Danny), Ginger Stoll (Reuben); brother, Ronny Waddell (Esther); sister, Patricia Nesbitt (Terry); 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Service will be 10 A.M. on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Koehler Funeral Home, Perigo Chapel in Chandler, Indiana with Pastor Ken Slater officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Chandler, Indiana.

Visitation will be from 4 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the funeral home in Chandler.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Olive General Baptist Church in Newburgh, Indiana.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Donald E Waddell, please visit our Tribute Store.

Obituary For Luella E Warthan

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Obituary For Luella E Warthan
Koehler Funeral Homes-Boonville and Chandler

 

Luella Elizabeth Warthan, born February 5th, 1922, passed away on March 11th, 2019 in Tennyson, Indiana. She was 97 years old.

Mrs. Warthan was born in Boonville to Edgar and Elsie (Reinhart) Hachmeister. She grew up on a multi-generational farm in Degonia Springs in rural Warrick County with her brother Paul (married to Joyce) and sister Virginia (married to Gerald Harris). She had two other brothers who died at a young age: Eugene and Charles-Ray.

Luella graduated in 1940 from Tennyson High School and worked in Embassy Men’s Factory. She later married Elvin E. Warthan in 1943 and moved to New York City during Elvin’s time in service during WWII. During this time she worked at London Terrace Food Market.

Elvin and Luella returned to Boonville after the war to raise a family and work at the farm. She later worked for the Warrick County School Corporation in the cafeteria and as a School bus driver. She retired in 1987 to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Luella was a strong person of faith and was an active member of Bakers Chapel United Methodist Church in Degonia Springs where she played piano for services for years. She had also attended Centenary General Baptist Church, where she also played piano for service. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, and listening to music and was a member of the Sunshine Home Ec Club.

Elvin passed away in 1970. He and Luella were blessed to have two children to their union: Linda Arlene and Mark Allen. Linda died in 1973. Luella had three grandchildren from Linda who is also all with the Lord: Terry, Chad, and Jeffrey.

Luella left a strong and lasting legacy of love and faith in the Lord. She is survived by son Mark Allen and daughter in law Cindy Warthan and Grandsons Bradley Lloyd (fiancee Whitney R. Souders) and Ryan Mark Warthan and wife Angie Warthan and Great Grandson Bradyn Elvin Warthan. She is also survived by her sister Virginia M. Harris and brother in Law Gerald Harris, and nieces and nephews–Cheryl, David, Gary, Julie, Karen, and Kathy.
Luella experienced great tragedy in her life with the loss of many of her family at middle age but she clung to her faith the Lord and was later blessed with a very loving daughter in law that she considered a daughter, two grandchildren and was able to live to see her great-grandchild through to the 4th grade.

For the past six years, Luella had been staying at Transcendent North Convalescent Center and later Woodmont Health Campus. Her family would like to thank the staff at both facilities for the love and care they provided her.

Services will be 10 A.M. on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Koehler Funeral Home in Boonville, Indiana with Pastor Karen Sureck and Pastor Randy Moore officiating. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, Indiana.

Visitation will be from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the funeral home and from 9 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Baker Chapel United Methodist Church in Boonville, Indiana.

2nd Timothy: 1-5

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Luella E Warthan, please visit our Tribute Store.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Elizabeth Joanne Fox: Obstruction of justice (Level 6 Felony), False informing (Class B misdemeanor)

Sandra Dawn Bacon: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

John Matthew Smith: Auto theft (Level 5 Felony)

Tyler Adam Hamilton: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)

Joshua Dewayne Mayes: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony)

Jessica Renee Brown: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)

Miranda Hazel Lindsey: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

James Andrew Waltrip: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

James Daniel Krawetz Jr.: Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)

Lexxie Brooke Spencer: Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Michael D. Bradford: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

EPD EPORT

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EPD REPORT

Men’s Golf heads to Florida for Benbow Invitational

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Following a top three finish to open the spring season, the University of Evansville men’s golf team heads to Jacksonville, Fla. for the Benbow Invitation on Monday and Tuesday at Blue Sky Golf Club.

Hosted by Butler, the Benbow Invitational will feature 18 holes on each day with both days beginning with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Evansville will face Chicago State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Albany State, and Northwood as competition at the invitational.

Beginning the spring, the Aces earned a third-place finish in their spring opener two weeks ago at the Alabama State Spring Kickoff in Montgomery, Ala.. In the three-round tournament, Evansville shot a 918 (306 – 299 – 313) as a team at the three-round event, recording a 313 in the final round on Tuesday. Host Alabama State captured the tournament victory with three rounds under 300, finishing with a team score of 888 (298 – 297 – 293).

Leading the way for Evansville, freshman Dallas Koth finished in a tie for eighth after tallying a three-round total of 223 (74 – 74 – 75). Koth was joined in the top 15 by fellow freshman Tyler Roat, who carded a final-round 73 for a two-day score of 227 (74 – 80 – 73).

Finishing inside the top 20, senior Noah Reese concluded the tournament in a tie for 19th with a 232 (78 – 75 – 79). Separated by one stroke, sophomores Spencer Wagner and Jessie Brumley each earned top 25 finishes as Wagner tallied a three-day total of 236 (77 – 78 – 81) to finish in 24th and Brumley recorded a tournament total of 237 (77 – 73 – 87). Gabe Rohleder finished the event with a 239, recording scores of 84, 77 and 78.

Competing as an individual for the Aces, junior Robert Waggoner made an improvement on the final day, carding a 75 for a total of 242 (81 – 86 – 75).

Women’s Golf looks to continue strong spring at Benbow Invitational

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 After capturing the team victory at the Alabama State Spring Kickoff, the University of Evansville women’s golf team sets its eyes on the Benbow Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at Blue Sky Golf Club in Jacksonville, Fla.

Along with host Butler, Evansville’s competition includes Youngstown State, Radford, Western Illinois, Northwood, Illinois-Sprinfield, and Eckerd. The invitational features 18 holes on both Monday and Tuesday with shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. on both days.

Opening the spring season, the Aces captured the team win at the ASU Spring Kickoff in Montgomery, Ala.. In the tournament, Evansville opened with rounds of 312 and 314 before recording a 317 in the final round to capture the win.

Evansville tallied a pair of podium finishes at the tournament. Sophomore Sophia Rohleder remained consistent throughout the tournament, finishing with a 76 in Tuesday’s third round for a second-place finish with a three-round total of 226 (74 – 76 – 76). Just one spot behind Rohleder, senior Sydney Anderson finished in third with a three-day total of 232 (77 – 77 – 78).

Finishing in a tie for seventh, senior Madison Chaney opened the tournament with a 77, followed by a pair of 82s to record a total of 241. Barely missing a top-10 finish, junior Lexie Sollman tallied a two-day total of 245 (84 – 79 – 82), rebounding from an 84 in the first round.

A pair of freshman finished one-after-another in the final standings as Alyssa McMinn (90 – 84 – 81) and Caitlin O’Donnel (89 – 85 – 84) finished in 15th and 16th, respectively.
 

Aces earn doubleheader split against ETSU

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UE looks for series win on Monday

Jaime Nurrenbern and Izzy Vetter gave up one run in game two to lead the University of Evansville softball team to a 2-1 victory over East Tennessee State on Sunday afternoon.  The Purple Aces dropped the opening game by a final of 5-1 against the Buccaneers.

“We really battled in both games today,” Aces head coach Mat Mundell said.  “This team is so close to putting it all together. We are excited to go out tomorrow with a chance to win the series.”

Game two saw the Buccaneers grab the early lead with a run in the second, but Lindsay Renneisen got UE on the board with a solo home run in the top of the fourth.  Another homer gave the Aces the lead in the fifth.  With two outs, Katie McLean hit a long shot down the left field line to put the Aces in front.

From there, the pitching staff and defense held strong, finishing with the 2-1 win.  Jaime Nurrenbern made the start, going three innings and allowing an unearned run on two hits.  Izzy Vetter threw four innings of relief and earned her fourth win of the season.  She gave up one hit and struck out four batters.  UE notched four hits on the day with Mackenzie McFeron, Toni Galas, McLean and Renneisen recording one apiece.

A 5-run fourth inning helped East Tennessee State take game one by a 5-1 final.  The Aces struck first with a run in the top of the first.  Mackenzie McFeron reached on a fielder’s choice with one out before stealing second.  With two outs, Bailee Bostic singled up the middle to bring McFeron home for the first run of the game.

Unfortunately for UE, Bostic’s hit was the only one of the game for the squad as ETSU pitcher Taylor Boling threw a complete game 1-hitter.  The Buccaneers struck with five runs in the bottom of the fourth on their way to the 4-1 win.  Emily Lockhart made the start for the Aces, throwing all six innings.

Another schedule change is up for UE heading into the week.  UE will play its originally-scheduled game against ETSU tomorrow at noon ET.  Evansville will now face Tennessee Tech in a Tuesday doubleheader in Cookeville, Tenn.  Game times are set for 3 and 5 p.m. CT.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

Who Is Paying For The Financial Losses Of The Evansville Thunderbolts?

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Who Is Paying For the Financial Losses of the Evansville Thunderbolts?

The VenuWorks owned and City of Evansville subsidized team that plays hockey inside the Ford Center and known as the Evansville Thunderbolts is having a very bad year when it comes to performance. The win-loss record of the Thunderbolts is now 10 wins and 37 losses and the prospects for making the playoffs is out the window. Quite frankly the Thunderbolts are dead last in the semi-professional league that they play in and are suffering badly at the box office too?

Scott Schoenike is employed by VenuWorks to run the Ford Center and the Evansville Thunderbolts. Mr. Schoenike recently told John Martin of the Courier and Press; “having a hockey team is important to the arena financially, even on nights when few people are there.”  When Mr. Martin asked Mr. Schoenike to provide the Courier and Press with the data related to the Evansville Thunderbolts hockey team expenses and revenues he declined several requests to do so. Mr. Schoenike also said; “those figures are blended with those of major concerts and other events at the arena.”  

We wondered why the financial records of the Evansville Thunderbolts hockey team are blended with concerts, basketball games, and the circus?  Is there no one at the Civic center who is interested in understanding which events are worth doing and which ones are not?  By blending the financial performance of various unrelated events make no sense financially.  By hiding true financial data from any analysis is downright irresponsible. We guarantee this type of activity would never pass muster in the private sector. The decision to obscure the Thunderbolts financial results by agglomeration defies financial logic and makes a good business decision impossible. This bad public policy decision is seemly has been promulgated by the Evansville Redevelopment Commission, Vanderburgh County Building Authority, DMD and Mayor Winnecke.

During a past budget hearing, Mr. Schoenike stood before Evansville City Council and made a couple of statements that raised many eyebrows. Mr. Schoenike clearly stated before the City Council that “VenueWorks aims to break even” and went on to say that their primary interest is “to bring economic development to downtown Evansville”. First off, no for-profit company of any value “aims to break even” or exists to further the civic interest of a city. Perhaps Mr. Schoenike was saying what he thought the City Council wanted to hear or just made a non-thinking remark.

ADDENDUM #6 OF CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND VENUWORKS

To understand what risk if any that VenueWorks of Evansville LLC may have with respect to the Thunderbolts, one must first examine addendum # 6 of the legal agreement between VenueWorks and the City of Evansville that was quietly funneled through the Evansville Redevelopment Commission. This agreement deals with the operation of Thunderbolts. In addendum #6 where it is clearly stated that: “VenuWorks shall be entitled to utilize facility (Ford Center) staff and resources reasonably necessary in connection with its operation of the SPHL Franchise”. During any such periods in which VenuWorks operates the SPHL Franchise, ALL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE SPHL FRANCHISE SHALL BE DEEMED AN EXPENSE OF THE FACILITY (Ford Center) AND ALL OPERATING REVENUES OF THE SPHL FRANCHISE SHALL BE DEEMED A REVENUE OF THE FACILITY(Ford Center)”.

AN ANALYSIS OF THIS CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT 

The above contractual agreement seemly states that the City Of Evansville will be responsible for all of the operating costs when the Thunderbolts uses the Ford Center. This agreement also states that when it comes to the Thunderbolts, VenuWorks of Evansville LLC is not at risk for the financial performance of the Thunderbolts. Under the terms of the addendum #6 to the original agreement, the taxpayers of Evansville could also be saddled with all the losses associated with this SPHL franchise costs. This entire business deal looks like heads VenuWorks win, and tails the taxpayers lose scenario.

AN OVERVIEW ON  WHAT THE EVANSVILLE ICEMEN OWNER PAID TO THE FORD CENTER 

Evansville IceMen owner Ron Geary paid the Ford Center $10,000 for each home game.  They Icemen played 38 home games which generated $380,000 gross income for the Ford Center.  It’s been estimated that the Evansville Iceman generated around $500,000 net profit in concession sales for the City Of Evansville and Venuworks each season. The Icemen also paid the City of Evansville $2.50 for each ticket they sold which added up to several hundred of thousands of dollars for the City Of Evansville coffers.

OTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS  THAT THE ICEMEN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR

The Evansville Icemen paid their 24 players a weekly stipend of $650. This stipend was paid to the players for 7 months.  The Icemen also provided their out-of-town players with subsidized housing.

The Evansville Icemen was responsible for all their marketing costs. They were responsible for the salaries of the management, coaching, sales, and marketing staff.

The Icemen paid all costs related to travel to away games. Bus rental costs were around $50,000 a season, hotel costs were around $35,000 a season, the player’s stipend for food was around $38.00 a day when they went out of town.

Players workman comp and medical treatment expenses were also the responsibility of the owner of the Icemen.

 

THUNDERBOLTS ONLY KNOWN PAYMENT TO THE FORD CENTER

Because of the “SHOURD OF SECRECY” the only Thunderbolts payment made to the Ford Center payment that we could track on is the $1,000 they pay for a home game.

 

POINTS OF CONCERNS

One thing for sure is that someone is responsible for at least $1,365,506 loss at the Ford Center during the last three calendar years. It is also projected that the Ford Center will lose a similar amount of money this year.

The other item that is conveniently ignored by our elected officials is the $127 Million debt taken on by the City of Evansville to build the Ford Center. Who is paying for this bond debt and what is the source of funds?

It is widely known that the Riverboat Fund was supposed to support the capital equipment purchases for the Public Works, City Police, and Fire Departments.  We are now told that Riverboat Funds will now be absorbing most of the $8 Million per year payments on the debt through 2036.

It is disappointing that the Evansville City Council is either lacking the fortitude to do the financial diligence required to understand whether the Evansville Thunderbolts are a worthy investment of public money.

The people of Evansville deserve to know how the Thunderbolts are performing economically and who is covering any losses, and whether or not there is any hope of Evansville Indiana ever having a financially successful hockey team.

Bottom line, it’s time for members of the Evansville City Council to get the necessary information about the Thunderbolts financial performance from either the VenuWork’s, Vanderburgh County Building Authority, Mayor’s office, ERC or the City Controllers office.

If the current City Council members fail to get to the bottom of this issue so a competent informed decision about spending our future tax dollars on hockey in River City then the voters need to make this a major re-election campaign issue.

Finally, we want to thank the well-respected journalist of the Evansville Courier and Press John Martin for beginning to seek answers concerning the financial arrangement between the City Of Evansville and VenuWorks when it comes to the subsidizing the Evansville Thunderbolts.

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