Eagles to face Central Missouri, Ashland in regional-heavy slate
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball announced that it will face defending NCAA Division II champion University of Central Missouri as well as 2017 NCAA II champion and 2018 national runner-up Ashland University.
The announcement came as Head Coach Rick Stein and the Screaming Eagles released their 2018-19 schedule, which features 26 games that will count toward their regional record.
USI begins the season with road games at Midwest Region foes Northwood University and Saginaw Valley State University November 9 and 11, respectively. Its non-conference slate includes six games against Midwest Region foes and an additional two games against reciprocal opponents.
Following its two-game swing into Michigan, the Eagles open their home schedule November 14 with a rematch against Lincoln Memorial University, the only non-conference team to hand USI a loss a year ago.
USI hosts another Midwest Region opponent in Ferris State University, November 16, before hosting Indiana University Kokomo November 20.
The USI Thanksgiving Classic is November 24-25 and features USI, Bellarmine, Lake Erie College and Michigan Tech University. Bellarmine and Michigan Tech, an NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament qualifier a year ago, begin the two-day classic, while USI takes on Lake Erie in the second game November 24 before ending the weekend against Michigan Tech.
USI’s only Great Lakes Valley Conference game prior to the holiday break is when the Eagles host Bellarmine December 1, while a return to non-conference play December 4 against NAIA foe Lindenwood University-Belleville begins USI’s final three-game stretch against non-GLVC opponents.
The Eagles visit Central Missouri December 18 in Warrensburg, Missouri, while a home game against Ashland December 30 rounds out the calendar year.
GLVC play picks up again January 3 when the Eagles visit Maryville University. The Eagles also visit the University of Missouri-St. Louis January 5 before returning home to face Truman State University January 10 and Quincy University January 12.
Continuing its 18-game conference slate, the Eagles visit Rockhurst University January 17 before traveling to Liberty, Missouri, for a bout with William Jewell College January 19.
The Eagles host Missouri S&T January 24 and defending GLVC champion Drury University January 26; then hit the road for three straight with stops at Bellarmine (February 2), the University of Indianapolis February 7) and NCAA II Tournament participant Lewis University (February 9).
USI begins a four-game homestand February 14 against McKendree University. The Eagles also host the University of Illinois Springfield February 16 before closing out their regular-season home slate with contests against Lewis (February 21) and Indianapolis (February 23).
The Eagles end the regular season with trips to Illinois Springfield (February 28) and McKendree (March 2), while the GLVC Tournament is March 8-10 in Edwardsville, Illinois. The NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament is March 15-18, while the NCAA II Elite Eight is March 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio.
All told, USI’s 2018-19 opponents compiled an overall record of 382-276 (.581) in 2017-18, with five of those opponents qualifying for the NCAA II Tournament. USI will face seven teams that won at least 20 games a year ago, including three teams that reached the 30-win threshold.
USI is looking for its second straight trip to the NCAA II Tournament after going 26-5 overall and 16-2 in the GLVC. Under Stein, who has been named the GLVC Coach of the Year in the last two seasons and three times in his career, the Eagles are 50-10 overall and 32-4 in GLVC play throughout the last two seasons and have won two straight GLVC East Division titles.
Otters top Crushers thanks to four-run second inning
A four-run second inning pushed the Evansville Otters past the Lake Erie Crushers 7-2 on Wednesday evening at Bosse Field in front of 2,483 fans.
The Otters sent nine men to the plate and scored four runs to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Hunter Cullen drew a bases loaded walk to open the scoring, then David Cronin singled home two runs with a single to left to make it 3-0. Ryan Long capped off the frame with an RBI single of his own to make it 4-0 Evansville.
Long then picked up his second RBI of the game with a triple scoring Cronin from first to make it 5-0 Otters.
Joe DeLuca added a sixth run for Evansville with an RBI single in the fifth.
The Otters made it 7-0 on a sacrifice fly from Travis Harrison in the sixth.
Lake Erie got two runs in the top of the seventh on a run-scoring wild pitch and an RBI single from Dalton Wheat. But that was all the offense Lake Erie could muster in the 7-2 defeat.
Spencer Medick earns his first win as an Otter after throwing 6.2 innings and striking out seven hitters. Medick allowed two runs on just three hits and walked four.
Sean Renzi takes the loss for Lake Erie. Renzi went 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on six hits while walking five.
The two ball clubs wrap up their four-game set tomorrow evening at 6:35 p.m. at Bosse Field. It is German Heritage Night as well as a Thirsty Thursday, with special price drafts and cans, at the ballpark.
Coverage of the series can be found on WUEV 91.5 FM and the Otters Digital Network presented by Kruckemeyer & Cohn with Sam Jellinek (play-by-play) and Bill McKeon (analyst) on the call.
The rest of the Otters week-long homestand will feature nights such as Kyndle Night, Princess Night and Fellowship Day and Family Fun Day.
Two arrests made in murder investigation
Evansville Police have made two arrests in connection with the shooting death of Kevin Colon.
Investigators believe Colon was shot and killed during a robbery attempt on the lot of Sam’s Food Mart, 1000 Washington Ave, around 4:00am on Wednesday.
Both suspects are juveniles, with one being 15 and the other being 16.
The 16 year old has been waived to adult court and has been booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. Due to his waiver to adult court, his information is public record. He has been identified as JAHKEI MITCHELL. He is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and Murder During the Commission of a Felony.
The 15 year old has been secured in the Youth Care Center. He is being charged with Attempted Robbery and Murder During the Commission of a Felony. His information is not available for public release at this time.
The investigation is ongoing.
Hundreds of Inmates Receive Hepatitis A Vaccine
Thanks to the efforts of the Vanderburgh County Health Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, several hundred inmates are now protected against the hepatitis A virus.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department in partnership with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office vaccinated a total of 300 jail inmates this past Friday, July 13. The vaccine was provided by the Indiana State Department of Health and was administered to inmates as the first wave of a 90 day plan to vaccinate high risk individuals. Prior to the vaccination date, Sheriff’s Office medical staff dedicated time educating the inmates on the benefits of the hepatitis A vaccine. Confinement officers coordinated the movement of inmates to ensure everyone who could be vaccinated was afforded the opportunity. Inmates were vaccinated on a voluntary basis.
According to the Health Department, Indiana is one of ten states nationwide experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak. The hepatitis A virus is spread by consuming food or drinking water contaminated with infected feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department will continue to vaccinate high-risk individuals at the Vanderburgh County Jail and is currently working with other community partners to vaccinate individuals in other high-risk groups. To reduce the risk of hepatitis A transmission, members of high-risk groups should contact the Vanderburgh County Health Department or their primary care provider to determine their immunization status and be vaccinated.
Pictured above: Major Chad Ferguson (rear) with visting staff from the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
“IS IT TRUE” JULY 19, 2018
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
IS IT TRUE that it has been announced that the Kentucky State Racing Commission has approved an ownership change for Ellis Park?… longtime City County Observer friend and supporter Ron Geary is selling the remainder of his ownership to a company called Saratoga Casino and Hospitality for an undisclosed sum of money?…back in 2012 Saratoga Casino and Hospitality became minority partners in Ellis Park when they bought 30% of the operation from Mr. Geary?… that Mr. Geary has owned Ellis Park since 2006 when he purchased it not long after the killer tornado did extensive damage to the facility and caused loss of many lives in a trailer park between the track and Newburgh?…it is quite possible that without Mr. Geary stepping in at that time that the Tri-State would have lost its only thoroughbred racing facility?
IS IT TRUE Mr. Geary also took a tremendous economic risk in becoming the owner of the Evansville Icemen that was the first ever professional hockey team in Evansville when the Ford Center opened?…after satisfying the economic terms of his 5-year lease with the City of Evansville Geary moved the Icemen to Jacksonville, Florida where they now play in front of large crowds?
IS IT TRUE that Mr. Geary became a controversial figure when he schooled the City of Evansville on just how challenging can a business running a hockey team in an overpriced arena in a baseball town could be?… the City did not learn their lesson though because today it is widely known that the lesser talent Evansville Thunderbolts may be losing or consuming over a million dollars a year and the taxpayers of Evansville are footing the bill?…the CCO wishes our friend Ron Geary a long and prosperous life upon his retirement and know that this area is a better place because of Mr. Geary’s entrepreneurship? Oh, we also wish him a happy belated 71 birthday (July 02, 2018)?
IS IT TRUE that a friend of the CCO who is a fan of the Murray State University Racers basketball team brought up a question with respect to the cost of building stadiums?…the Racers play in an arena that seats 8,500 people that were built at a cost of only $23 million in 1998?…that amounts to only $2,705 per seat?…his question is just how did the City of Evansville manage to pay 5 times that much per seat since the $127.5 Million Ford Center only seats 10,000 which works out to $12,750 per seat?…the facilities are only 10 years apart so inflation should have only amounted to about 30% of the cost difference?
IS IT TRUE that it is time to analyze whether or not hockey is something that should be on the public dole?…it is bad enough to pay the bonds off on the Ford Center with boat money that should have been spent on infrastructures like water and sewers projects, police and fire equipment? …that perhaps an NBA G League basketball team like the ones in Fort Wayne, Canton, Maine, Grand Rapids, Erie, and Sioux Falls would do better in SW Indiana than ice hockey?…one thing is for sure and that is there will be no need to maintain an ice sheet at much expense?
IS IT TRUEÂ that our publisher will be 75 years young at the end of this month? Â …he has a serious medical problem concerning his heart? Â …he has been undergoing extensive tests? Â …we hope that the doctors will be able to correct his problem so he will have a better quality of life in his golden years? Â …we would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support?
IS IT TRUE one of our staff members recently attended a political fundraiser at Pistons Bar on West Franklin Street? Â …he was extremely impressed with the service, friendly staff, the food and the interior decor of Pistons Bar? Â …he highly recommends that you visit this fun place to go if you’re ever on the Westside of town?
IS IT TRUEÂ our staff recently had a discussion concerning who is the hardest working member of the Evansville City Council and who is the most conservative? …it was decided that Councilwomen Missy Mosby is the hardest working and Jason Elpers is the most conservative?
IS IT TRUE our staff recently we had a discussion concerning who is the hardest working member of the Vanderburgh County Commission and who is the most conservative? Â …it was decided that Cheryl Musgrave is the hardest working and Ben Shoulders is the most conservative?
IS IT TRUE our staff recently we had a discussion concerning who is the hardest working member of the Vanderburgh County Council and who is the most conservative? Â …it was decided that every member of the County Council are hard working and James Raben and Tom Shelter are the most conservative members of County Council?
Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: If the election was held today for the Vanderburgh County Commission District 1 seat who would you vote for?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
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OHA To Join St. Vincent Medical Group
Partnership Will Create A Premier, Fully Integrated Cancer Program For Tri-state Area
St. Vincent announced today that the physicians and staff of Oncology Hematology Associates (OHA)Â will join St. Vincent Medical Group, effective January 1, 2019.
The clinical teams at St. Vincent Evansville and OHA have been working in partnership together in the care of oncology and hematology patients for several years, and believe this new partnership will only build on both outstanding oncology programs.
For the past 25 years, OHA has committed to providing patient-centered, high quality, a coordinated treatment that promotes the dignity of the individual and their support system. OHA’s nine board-certified physicians specialize in the practice of medical oncology, hematology, and radiation oncology, and the practice’s state-of-the-art laboratory technology and provision of clinical research studies provide our community with access to breakthrough research and innovative treatment options.
“The shared commitment of St. Vincent and OHA to excellence in cancer care and healing the body, mind, and spirit is a foundation for continuing to grow access to oncology services in the Tri-State,†said Dan Parod, President, St. Vincent Southwest Region.
The cancer care program at St. Vincent Evansville has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for nearly 50 years. On average, only one in four hospitals earn this prestigious accreditation, and since 1993 OHA has partnered with St. Vincent Evansville maintaining the high standard of care reflected in the accreditation.
“Everyone at OHA partners with our patients as they go through one of the most difficult times in their life. Our goal is to always treat people as we would want to be treated,†said Dr. Edward Fox, President of OHA. “Both organizations share these same values and St. Vincent is committed to providing patients with the same high standard of practice. We are excited to continue our work together for the benefit of all those we serve,†added Dr. Fox.
Patients of OHA will not experience any interference with their healthcare service because of this transition. Signage on the OHA property will officially change early next year. A blessing ceremony will also be held at that time.
Lawyers Attack Memo, Say Hill Considering Defamation Lawsuit
Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com
Repeatedly claiming “false and malicious†statements were included in a confidential memo containing allegations of sexual misconduct by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, Indianapolis attorney Kevin Betz announced he is preparing a defamation lawsuit on the AG’s behalf.
Betz and his law partner Sandra Blevins held a press conference Wednesday in the lobby of their Indianapolis law firm, Betz & Blevins, to announce the possible suit. Speaking at a podium cluttered with microphones, Betz said his law firm is evaluating possibly filing a lawsuit on behalf of Hill against the unknown individual or individuals who included what he called false and flawed information in the memo, then released it to the public.
Hill has been accused by Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, and three legislative staffers of groping them during a party to celebrate the end of the 2018 session of the General Assembly. The allegations came to light when a memo about an internal investigation into the women’s claims was leaked to the Indianapolis Star.
Immediately after the memo was released, legislative leaders focused on finding the person responsible for giving the document to the media. A few days later amid public uproar, the leaders, as well as Gov. Eric Holcomb, called for Hill to resign.
Hill has pushed back, denying he inappropriately touched the women and calling the allegations “vicious and false.†He is being represented by Voyles Vaiana Lukemeyer Baldwin &Webb in his push against the appointment of a special prosecutor to assist the Indiana Inspector General’s investigation into the groping accusations.
Betz & Belvins are apparently representing Hill in a potential defamation lawsuit. However, Betz said no complaint has been filed and, at this point, they are still analyzing the situation. In addition, Betz said he is not being paid for his work, although he shied away from characterizing it as pro bono, and said he has not calculated the number of hours he has spent on this case so far.
Speaking to reporters, Betz and Blevins were careful to say they respected the women accusers and their right to come forward. They also maintained they were not calling the women liars.
“As practitioners in this area for almost 50 years, we are also familiar with situations in which there is no liar, there is no false allegations by individuals, they’re both correct,†Betz said “As Ms. Blevins said, in situations that occur in the time period between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. with alcohol flowing, perceptions are a very difficult thing to come to a firm conclusion about. And sometimes no one’s wrong, no one’s right, they’re both right and these are simply different perspectives and conclusions.â€
Betz and Blevins also said they do not fault the author of the memo, Blake Burgan, partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Burgan was hired by the Legislative Services Agency to answer a series of questions about the investigation into the claims that General Assembly leaders were conducting.
“It is unusual, in our opinion, for someone to provide legal advice in this way without having personally interviewed the witnesses,†Blevins said. “But we do know Mr. Burgan to be a confident and careful practitioner.â€
Betz and Belvins repeatedly cited Burgan’s memo as concluding that Hill is honest, trustworthy and fit as a lawyer.
However, the description is part of Burgan’s answer to the legislators’ question about whether they had to report the Attorney General’s alleged behavior to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. The memo stated, “Moreover, even if an attorney knew that AG Hill engaged in such conduct, we do not believe that such conduct on an isolated basis raises a substantial question as to his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.â€
Betz claimed the information in the memo was fabricated because it did not align with the statements Reardon and two other accusers have made to the media. Specifically, Betz pointed out the memo indicates Reardon said Hill reached under her clothes and grabbed his buttocks twice, but in her personal statement she said she was grabbed just once.
“To go from one touching over the clothing to two underneath the clothing is – and when there’s at least a month with which to get that information correct – that’s hard to believe it is anything other than a fabrication,†Betz said.
He conceded bringing a defamation lawsuit on behalf of a public figure, like Hill, requires the showing of an actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
“We believe the false and malicious information can even meet that higher bar,†Betz said. “…With malice and negligence, the statement was published and it caused enormous damages and has continued to cause enormous damages to Mr. Hill.â€
In a joint statement released Wednesday afternoon House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President pro tem David Long said “Curtis Hill is the individual who should be answering questions about allegations of inappropriate conduct, and we stand by our prior statements regarding this matter.”
“We are fulling cooperating with the Inspector General’s Office as they conduct their current investigation and await the results,” the legislative leaders said.