FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Rodriguez leads men’s golf as the Aces sit in 4th
Final round set for Sunday
RICHMOND, Ky. – Andres Rodriguez paced the University of Evansville men’s golf team as the Purple Aces are in fourth place with two rounds complete at the Colonel Shootout.
Rodriguez opened the tournament with a 1-under 70 before finishing his second round at The University Club at Arlington with an even 71. His 141 is tied for 17th place. Next up for the Purple Aces is the duo of Luke Schneider and Omar Khalid. They are tied for 26th with scores of 144.
After carding a 77 in the opening 18 holes, Schneider posted a 4-under 67. Khalid also had a nice improvement between rounds. He posted a 75 in the first round and lowered his scored to a 2-under 69. Bryce Conlee was fourth for the Aces. A consistent day saw him open with a 74 before totaling a 73. He is tied for 39th with a 147.
Daniil Romashkin recorded scores of 76 and 72 and is tied for 50th while Luke Price rounded out the squad with a 150. His rounds checked in at 79 and 71.
Ben Loomis, playing as an individual from Vanderbilt, paces the individual leaderboard with a 134. Ranking in a tie for second are Connor Gdovin and Zach Watterson of Eastern Kentucky. They are three behind with scores of 137.
Sitting at 20-under, EKU leads the team standings by 18 over Samford. Robert Morris is in third while the Aces are tied with Kentucky State for fourth place. Sunday will mark the final round of the event.
Eagles fall to nationally ranked Gators in three sets
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (2-3) fell in three-straight sets to the number ten nationally ranked University of Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon (21-25, 16-25, 19-25).
The Eagles gave the Gators fits in set one, but eventually fell 21-25. Sophomore sensations Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois) and Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) combined for six early kills to help build a 12-10 lead. Both teams traded blows as senior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) caught the defense off balance with a tipped kill to make it 18-18. However, the Gators finished sets exceptionally well today putting away the Eagles on a 7-3 run.
Florida capitalized on 12 USI errors in set two, winning 16-25. USI dug themselves a hole committing seven early attacking errors falling into a 11-2 deficit. Willis helped the Eagles claw back into the match with five kills to cut the deficit to 19-15. UF closed out the set strong again on a 6-1 run.
USI fired home a match-high 13 kills in set three but fell short 19-25 to end the game. Senior Jasmine Green (Rockwall, Texas) and Coleman tallied six total kills to keep within three points at 12-9. Willis sparked another run of four USI points with two kills, a service ace, along with forcing a Gator into an error drawing within one point at 16-15. USI faltered late again, conceding nine of the final 13 points to end the match.
Willis shinned on the big stage once again, recording a team leading 11 kills. Sobieralski earned her fifth double-double of the season with a team-leading 23 assists and ten digs. Junior Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) denied three Gators with a team-leading three blocks. Willis, freshman Kerigan Fehr (Fairbury, Illinois), and freshman Layla Gonzales (Muncie, Indiana) each contributed a service ace.
As a team, USI finished with 31 kills, 29 assists, 34 digs, five blocks, three aces, and a .083 hitting percentage. Florida tallied 44 kills, 43 assists, 35 digs, ten blocks, two aces, and a .323 hitting percentage.
Next Up
The Eagles conclude play at the Florida Invitational tomorrow against University of South Florida at 12 p.m. CT.
Volleyball drops tournament finale
Cardona posts 18 kills against the RedHawks
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Giulia Cardona finished with 18 kills while Melanie Feliciano and Chloe Cline added 11 and 8, respectively, as the University of Evansville volleyball team dropped a 3-1 match to Miami Ohio on Saturday at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
Cardona added a match-high 12 digs in the contest while Feliciano recorded eight. Cline, who hit an efficient .571, added two blocks. Cardona and Madisyn Steele led all players with five blocks. Lexi Owen tallied 38 assists for UE. Ana Vetter paced Miami with 16 kills.
Set 1 – Miami 25, UE 20
Chloe Cline and Giulia Cardona assisted on a block to help the Purple Aces take a 4-1 lead out of the gate. Melanie Feliciano added a kill to extend the lead to 11-6. Five in a row by the RedHawks saw them tie the score at 11-11 before two errors put UE back on top.
Trailing 14-12, MU changed the course of the set, scoring five in a row to take a 17-14 edge. Evansville got back within a point, but Miami fended off the challenge to win the set by five tallies.
Set 2 – Miami 25, UE 12
Continuing the run they had to complete the first set, Miami jumped out to a 5-2 advantage. Up 15-10, the RedHawks scored five of the next six to go up 20-11 and took a 2-0 match lead on the strength of a 25-12 decision.
Set 3 – UE 25, Miami 22
The first three points of the set belonged to Miami before another Cardona kill got UE on the board. Miami would lead by five points in the early moments, holding a 14-9 edge before Evansville made its move. UE recorded five of the next six points to get back within one at 15-14. Chloe Cline had two kills during the stretch.
Miami rebounded with three in a row to go back up by four points before establishing a 21-16 lead. Evansville never backed down and its work paid off. The Aces posted nine of the final ten points to extend the match to a fourth set. Jenna Heidbreder registered a kill during the rally while back-to-back errors finished it off.
Set 4 – Miami 25, UE 22
Another fast start had MU up 4-1 and later, up 10-5. Kills by Feliciano and Cardona saw Evansville cut the deficit to 10-8. The RedHawks overcame the spurt by UE, taking their largest lead of the set at 16-9. Trailing 20-13, the Aces made a final run, scoring three in a row to get back within four as Steele and Lexi Owen assisted on a block. Miami countered with three in a row to go back up by seven, but the Aces still did not give up.
A block from Steele and an ace from Owen cut the gap back to just two points. Unfortunately, the run came just a bit too late with the RedHawks picking up the clinching points.
Trailblazers close out 2024 Blazer Classic with big sweep
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University volleyball team closed out the 2024 Blazer Classic Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex.
VU split their two games on the day after dropping a hard-fought match against No. 20-ranked Eastern Florida State College 21-25, 19-25, 19-25 before closing out the weekend tournament with a sweep over Ellsworth Community College 25-9, 25-18, 25-20.
The Trailblazers began the morning of the final day of the Blazer Classic with a very tough test against No. 20-ranked Eastern Florida State College.
The Titans got the early advantage in set one before the Blazers rode the momentum of a 13-2 scoring run to take a 17-12 lead.
Eastern Florida State would chip away at this VU lead before grabbing the momentum back with a 7-0 run ultimately leading to the Titans closing out the first set 25-21.
VU looked to bounce back and even the match in set two and found themselves ahead early with an 11-7 lead.
Eastern Florida State again answered back to take a 15-13 lead before the Blazers tied the game at 18-18.
Eastern Florida State then closed out the second set strong by scoring seven of the final eight points to take the set 25-19 and gain a 2-0 match lead.
Set three was another tightly contested back-and-forth battle with VU holding a 15-14 lead midway through the set before the Titans came away on an 11-4 run to close out the set and the match over the Blazers 25-19.
The VU offense was led by sophomore Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil) who returned to the lineup in a big way with 14 kills and eight digs against the Titans.
Sophomore Laura Tavares (Merida, Venezuela) continued her big season with seven kills, one dig and one set assist.
Sophomore Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy) continues to be a force in the middle with four kills, two blocks and one dig.
Freshmen Martyna Sadowska (Pila, Poland) and Karen Kodi (West Carrollton, Ohio) round out the VU offense with Sadowska ending with two kills and two blocks and Kodi getting one kill and one dig.
Sophomore Dylan DeCoursey (Montgomery, Ind.) and freshman Rylee Edwards (Fairfield, Ill.) stepped in at the setter position for sophomore Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) who was out of the lineup Saturday.
DeCoursey led the way in the first match of the day with 13 set assists and two digs, while Edwards finished with 10 set assists, three digs and two aces.
Sophomore libero Grace Flexter (Oblong, Ill.) ran the VU back row defense with five digs, one set assist and two aces, while freshman Brooklyn Summers (Loogootee, Ind.) rounded out the VU box score with four digs in the match.
“Against a team like that you just have to be able to score,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “Not having Libby out there was a challenge for us. She ran a one-setter offense Friday and had some pretty good numbers and did a really nice job of running our offense. Anytime you have even one new setter out there, it’s going to be challenging.”
“I think that playing a team like Eastern Florida State and playing them tough is good for us,” Sien added. “Not only because of the level of competition we are going up against, but it validates the fact that we can play with a team like that.”
VU looked to bounce back and close out the weekend strong in their second match of the day when the Blazers took on Ellsworth Community College from Iowa.
Vincennes was able to jump on the Panthers early in set one, using a massive 20-3 scoring run to pull away and take the opening set 25-9 over Ellsworth.
Set two was more of a back-and-forth battle with the two teams even at 15-15 before the Blazers closed out the set with a 10-3 run to take set two 25-18 and gain a 2-0 match lead.
Vincennes built an early lead in set three, leading 17-11 before Ellsworth began to chip away at the VU advantage.
The Panthers would continue to battle and cut the deficit down to a single point at 21-20 before the Blazers closed out strong by scoring the final four points of the match to take set three 25-20 and end the weekend with a sweep.
VU was again led by the sophomore hitting duo of Laura Tavares and Isadora Dias. Tavares led the Blazers against Ellsworth with 12 kills and three blocks, while Dias posted a double-double with 10 kills, 11 digs, one ace and one block.
Elisa Dalla Pozza also had another big game at the net with seven kills, five blocks, two aces, one dig and one set assist to really fill out the box score.
Freshman Paulina Fister (Tuszyn, Poland) and Martyna Sadowska each finished the weekend with three kills, with Fister adding three digs and Sadowska getting two blocks.
Karen Kodi rounds out the VU offense with a pair of kills in the match.
Rylee Edwards and Dylan DeCoursey continued to run the VU offense well at the setter position, with Edwards leading the way with 15 set assists, four digs and two aces, while DeCoursey finished with a double-double of 12 set assists, 10 digs and two aces.
The VU defense was again run by libero Grace Flexter who finished with a team-high 15 digs to go along with five set assists, while freshman Ashley Earp (Mattoon, Ill.) added seven digs, one set assist and one ace.
“We blocked the best overall in the first set,” Sien said. “Other things were involved like we were able to get on some service runs and were serving tough. The thing that we weren’t able to overcome completely was stopping their middle attack. We got the outsides and the right sides off and were up on them. Either we were digging them or they would make some errors but we had a hard time in the second and third sets against the middles. That made it a more competitive match. Against a good middle attack you have to put up a good block and we were just slow to react.”
Back to school and back to recalls
Attorney General Todd Rokita raises awareness for consumers of
harmful household products recalled in
SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in August. The office encourages consumers to take advantage of opportunities available for those who purchase recalled items that could be harmful to their families.
“Even though fall is around the corner, house projects are a year round task,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That means making sure household products are working correctly. Hoosiers shouldn’t have to deal with faulty items. If you have one of the recalled products, stop using it immediately and pursue resolution from the manufacturer.”
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in August:
- Glow in Dark Party Supplies Toy Sets Recalled Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of Federal Regulations for Battery-Operated Toys; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com by OleOleToy
- Fisher-Price Recalls Dumbbell Toy in Baby Biceps Gift Sets Due to Choking Hazard
- HALO 1000 Portable Power Stations Recalled Due to Serious Fire and Burn Hazards; One Death Reported; Imported by ZAGG; Sold by ACG, QVC and ZAGG
- Shawshank LEDz Recalls Squeeze Plush Ball Monsters Toys and Easter Squeezable Toys Due to Injury Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Ace Hardware
- Head Rush Technologies Recalls TRUBLUE Speed Auto Belay Devices Due to Fall Hazard
- Siemens Industry Recalls SolarReady™ Meter Combos Due to Fire Hazard
- Trader Joe’s Company Recalls Mango Tangerine Scented Candles Due to Fire Hazard
- ALDI Recalls Ambiano Single Serve Coffee Makers Due to Burn Hazard
- IKEA Recalls VARMFRONT Power Banks Due to Fire Hazard
- Mamibaby and Cosy Nation Baby Loungers Recalled Due to Suffocation Risk and Fall and Entrapment Hazards; Violation of Federal Regulations for Infant Sleep Products; Sold on Amazon.com by MEIXIA Shop and Softbless
- Stanley Black & Decker Recalls DeWALT Battery Walk-Behind Mowers Due to Laceration Hazard
- BJ’s Wholesale Club Recalls Berkley Jensen Gazebos Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)
- Chem-Pak Recalls Finger-Ease Guitar String Lubricants Due to Skin Irritation Hazard
- SMEG USA Recalls Refrigerators Due to Injury Hazard
- Samsung Recalls Slide-In Electric Ranges Due to Fire Hazard
- Brompton Bicycle Recalls Brompton T-Line Foldable Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard
- RH Baby & Child Recalls Jeune French Contemporary Upholstered Panel Cribs Due to Choking Hazard
- Mattress Pads Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Violation of Federal Mattress Pad Flammability Regulation; Manufactured by Avocado Mattress
- ECHO Recalls Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard
- Attom Tech Recalls LED Light-up Jelly Ring Toys Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of Federal Regulations for Battery-Operated Toys; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com
- Origin 21 Wall Mirrors Sold Exclusively at Lowe’s Stores Recalled Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards; Manufactured by Huahong Art Home Shares
- Peace Industry Group Recalls Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death and Violation of Federal ATV Safety Regulations
- Papablic Infant Swings Recalled Due to Suffocation Hazard; Violations of Federal Regulations for Infant Sleep Products; Imported by Shenzhen Two Pony
- Beberoad Love New Moon Travel Bassinets Recalled Due to Fall Hazard; Violation of Federal Regulations for Infant Sleep Products; Sold by Beberoadlove
If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice (linked above for all products). Then follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product, how to get the product fixed, how to dispose of the product, how to receive a refund for the product, or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.
Gov. Holcomb Makes Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
Gov. Holcomb Makes Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions.
All Payer Claims Data Base Advisory Board
The governor made three new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- Kathryn Brown (McCordsville), state compliance director for Elevance Health
- Gary Shearer (Hudson), president & CEO of PHP
- Susan Brock Williams (Indianapolis), associate vice president for state government relations with Eli Lilly & Company
Artificial Intelligence Task Force
The governor made four appointments to the new task force, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- William Barrett (Greenwood), partner with Williams Barrett & Wilkowski, LLP
- Doug Hutchinson, captain with the Indiana State Police
- Cody Rivers (Zionsville), consulting director with Reveal Risk
- Cari Sheehan (Carmel), assistant general counsel with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Board of Mines & Mining
The governor made three reappointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Tim Emmons (Monroe City), owner/trainer with TGEmmons Consulting LLC
- Paul Lake (Winslow), former executive director of the Pike County Economic Growth & Development Council
- Chris Whitehead (Vincennes), mining engineer at Five Star Mining, Inc.
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until May 31, 2025:
- Terry Marsh (Newburgh), director of government affairs for Illinois Basin with Alliance Coal
Board of Trustees of Purdue University
The governor made one reappointment to the board, selected by the members of the Purdue Alumni Association, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Vanessa Castagna (Naples, Florida), representing alumni of Purdue University
CHOICE Board
The governor made two new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Stephanie Anderson (Avon), COO of Mental Health America of Indiana
- Jovanna Warr (Indianapolis), director of operations with Indy Superb Care Agency
Cybersecurity Council
The governor made one new appointment to the council, who will serve at the governor’s pleasure:
- Stephen Scofes (Lansing, MI), chairman & CEO of Scofes & Associates Consulting, Inc.
Early Learning Advisory Committee
The governor made two reappointments to the committee, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Maureen Weber (Indianapolis), president & CEO of Early Learning Indiana
- Lisa Johnson (Hammond), CEO of Lisa’s Safe Haven Child Care
The governor also made two new appointments to the committee, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Stacy Atkinson (Westfield), chancellor at Ivy Tech Indianapolis
- Sam Snideman (Indianapolis), vice president of government relations at United Way of Central Indiana
Economic Enhancement District Board
The governor made four appointments to the new board, who will serve until December 31, 2025:
- Bill Browne, Jr. (Indianapolis), president and founding principal of RATIO Architects
- James Dora, Jr. (Indianapolis), owner and CEO of General Hotels Corporation
- Thomas McGowan (Indianapolis), president and COO of Kite Realty Group Trust
- Michael Wells (Indianapolis), president of REI Investments, Inc.
Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until July 31, 2027:
- Craig Burgess (Indianapolis), former State Building Commissioner
Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
The governor made two new appointments to the cabinet:
- Jon Kulaga (Marion), president of Indiana Wesleyan University
- Ryan Willerton (South Bend), associate vice president for Career & Professional Development at the University of Notre Dame
Indiana Finance Authority Board of Directors
The governor made three reappointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Bill Hanna (Valparaiso), executive director of the Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation, Inc.
- Harry McNaught (Carmel), president/CEO of Denison Properties
- Kurt Zorn (Bloomington), former acting vice provost for undergraduate education and professor in the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Board
The governor made three new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- Matthew Butler (Indianapolis), senior policy advisor for education & workforce with the Office of the Governor
- Adam Rodenbeck (Indianapolis), senior engineer, accessibility with Salesforce
- Julie Thacker (Fishers), executive director of student services with Noblesville Schools
Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority Board of Directors
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until December 31, 2025:
- Christopher Russell (Zionsville), general counsel with the Indiana Department of Revenue
Indiana State Commission on Aging
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Stephen McCaffrey (Knightstown), president & CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana
Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council
The governor made three reappointments to the council, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Leslie Huckleberry (McCordsville), director of FSSA’s Division of Aging
- Gary Olsen (Indianapolis), longtime advocate and former executive director of the National Association of the Deaf
- Kacie Weldy (Brownsburg), deaf blind specialist with the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
The governor also made two new appointments to the council, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Amy Browning-Varble (Vevay), CEO of SIILC
- Amy Luellen (Brownsburg), program director with FSSA’s Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services
Midwestern Higher Education Commission
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until February 28, 2025:
- Chuck Johnson (Vincennes), president of Vincennes University
Motor Vehicle Sales Advisory Board
The governor made eight reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2027:
- Ken Eckstein (Greenfield), representing the recreational vehicle industry
- Mark Fuson (Terre Haute), representing franchised new motor vehicle dealers
- Mike Hamilton (Danville), representing used motor vehicle dealers
- Rachel Hazaray (Zionsville), representing automobile manufacturing
- Mike Hierholzer (Amboy), representing automobile salvage & recycling
- Robert Hockett (Carmel), representing used motor vehicle auctions
- Thomas Kelley (Fort Wayne), representing franchised new motor vehicle dealers
- Fritz Kreutzinger (Fishers), representing used motor vehicle dealers
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2027:
- Bill Salin, representing the general public
Patoka Lake Regional Water & Sewer District Board
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- John Noblitt (Orleans), publisher of the Progress Examiner
Retirement Home Guaranty Fund Board
The governor made four reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2026:
- John Datillo (Zionsville), president & CEO of BHI Senior Living
- Steven Johnson (Indianapolis), vice president, real estate with OneAmerica
- Doris Brauman-Moore (Avon), attorney with the Brauman Moore & Harvey Law Offices
- Robert Reynolds (Carmel), representing residents
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2026:
- Douglas Bosworth (Carmel), representing residents
State Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2028:
- Seth Harrold (Terre Haute), co-owner/vice president of J. Michael Harrold Beauty Academy Inc.
State Board of Dentistry
The governor made four reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2028:
- Robert Findley (Vevay), Switzerland County dentist
- Richard Nowakowski (Muncie), owner of Innovative Dental Care of Muncie
- Roger Sheline (Granger), owner of Complete Family Dentistry
- Annette Williamson (Crown Point), owner of Annette Williamson DDS & Associates
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until November 30, 2025:
- Kevin Ward (Noblesville), founder and president/owner of Fishers Dental Care
State Employee Appeals Commission
The governor made three reappointments to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Thomas Hanahan (Indianapolis), partner at Frost Brown Todd
- Veronica Hubartt (Indianapolis), associate with IceMiller
- Stefanie Krevda (Zionsville), former member of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Unemployment Insurance Review Board
The governor made two reappointments to the full-time board, who will serve until August 31, 2027:
- Lawrence Dailey (Zionsville)
- Gabe Paul (Carmel), who will continue his service as chair of the board
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions.
All Payer Claims Data Base Advisory Board
The governor made three new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- Kathryn Brown (McCordsville), state compliance director for Elevance Health
- Gary Shearer (Hudson), president & CEO of PHP
- Susan Brock Williams (Indianapolis), associate vice president for state government relations with Eli Lilly & Company
Artificial Intelligence Task Force
The governor made four appointments to the new task force, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- William Barrett (Greenwood), partner with Williams Barrett & Wilkowski, LLP
- Doug Hutchinson, captain with the Indiana State Police
- Cody Rivers (Zionsville), consulting director with Reveal Risk
- Cari Sheehan (Carmel), assistant general counsel with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Board of Mines & Mining
The governor made three reappointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Tim Emmons (Monroe City), owner/trainer with TGEmmons Consulting LLC
- Paul Lake (Winslow), former executive director of the Pike County Economic Growth & Development Council
- Chris Whitehead (Vincennes), mining engineer at Five Star Mining, Inc.
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until May 31, 2025:
- Terry Marsh (Newburgh), director of government affairs for Illinois Basin with Alliance Coal
Board of Trustees of Purdue University
The governor made one reappointment to the board, selected by the members of the Purdue Alumni Association, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Vanessa Castagna (Naples, Florida), representing alumni of Purdue University
CHOICE Board
The governor made two new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Stephanie Anderson (Avon), COO of Mental Health America of Indiana
- Jovanna Warr (Indianapolis), director of operations with Indy Superb Care Agency
Cybersecurity Council
The governor made one new appointment to the council, who will serve at the governor’s pleasure:
- Stephen Scofes (Lansing, MI), chairman & CEO of Scofes & Associates Consulting, Inc.
Early Learning Advisory Committee
The governor made two reappointments to the committee, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Maureen Weber (Indianapolis), president & CEO of Early Learning Indiana
- Lisa Johnson (Hammond), CEO of Lisa’s Safe Haven Child Care
The governor also made two new appointments to the committee, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Stacy Atkinson (Westfield), chancellor at Ivy Tech Indianapolis
- Sam Snideman (Indianapolis), vice president of government relations at United Way of Central Indiana
Economic Enhancement District Board
The governor made four appointments to the new board, who will serve until December 31, 2025:
- Bill Browne, Jr. (Indianapolis), president and founding principal of RATIO Architects
- James Dora, Jr. (Indianapolis), owner and CEO of General Hotels Corporation
- Thomas McGowan (Indianapolis), president and COO of Kite Realty Group Trust
- Michael Wells (Indianapolis), president of REI Investments, Inc.
Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until July 31, 2027:
- Craig Burgess (Indianapolis), former State Building Commissioner
Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
The governor made two new appointments to the cabinet:
- Jon Kulaga (Marion), president of Indiana Wesleyan University
- Ryan Willerton (South Bend), associate vice president for Career & Professional Development at the University of Notre Dame
Indiana Finance Authority Board of Directors
The governor made three reappointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Bill Hanna (Valparaiso), executive director of the Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation, Inc.
- Harry McNaught (Carmel), president/CEO of Denison Properties
- Kurt Zorn (Bloomington), former acting vice provost for undergraduate education and professor in the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Board
The governor made three new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2025:
- Matthew Butler (Indianapolis), senior policy advisor for education & workforce with the Office of the Governor
- Adam Rodenbeck (Indianapolis), senior engineer, accessibility with Salesforce
- Julie Thacker (Fishers), executive director of student services with Noblesville Schools
Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority Board of Directors
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until December 31, 2025:
- Christopher Russell (Zionsville), general counsel with the Indiana Department of Revenue
Indiana State Commission on Aging
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Stephen McCaffrey (Knightstown), president & CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana
Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council
The governor made three reappointments to the council, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Leslie Huckleberry (McCordsville), director of FSSA’s Division of Aging
- Gary Olsen (Indianapolis), longtime advocate and former executive director of the National Association of the Deaf
- Kacie Weldy (Brownsburg), deaf blind specialist with the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
The governor also made two new appointments to the council, who will serve until June 30, 2027:
- Amy Browning-Varble (Vevay), CEO of SIILC
- Amy Luellen (Brownsburg), program director with FSSA’s Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services
Midwestern Higher Education Commission
The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until February 28, 2025:
- Chuck Johnson (Vincennes), president of Vincennes University
Motor Vehicle Sales Advisory Board
The governor made eight reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2027:
- Ken Eckstein (Greenfield), representing the recreational vehicle industry
- Mark Fuson (Terre Haute), representing franchised new motor vehicle dealers
- Mike Hamilton (Danville), representing used motor vehicle dealers
- Rachel Hazaray (Zionsville), representing automobile manufacturing
- Mike Hierholzer (Amboy), representing automobile salvage & recycling
- Robert Hockett (Carmel), representing used motor vehicle auctions
- Thomas Kelley (Fort Wayne), representing franchised new motor vehicle dealers
- Fritz Kreutzinger (Fishers), representing used motor vehicle dealers
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2027:
- Bill Salin, representing the general public
Patoka Lake Regional Water & Sewer District Board
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- John Noblitt (Orleans), publisher of the Progress Examiner
Retirement Home Guaranty Fund BoardThe governor made four reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2026:
- John Datillo (Zionsville), president & CEO of BHI Senior Living
- Steven Johnson (Indianapolis), vice president, real estate with OneAmerica
- Doris Brauman-Moore (Avon), attorney with the Brauman Moore & Harvey Law Offices
- Robert Reynolds (Carmel), representing residents
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2026:
- Douglas Bosworth (Carmel), representing residents
State Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners
The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2028:
- Seth Harrold (Terre Haute), co-owner/vice president of J. Michael Harrold Beauty Academy Inc.
State Board of Dentistry
The governor made four reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2028:
- Robert Findley (Vevay), Switzerland County dentist
- Richard Nowakowski (Muncie), owner of Innovative Dental Care of Muncie
- Roger Sheline (Granger), owner of Complete Family Dentistry
- Annette Williamson (Crown Point), owner of Annette Williamson DDS & Associates
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until November 30, 2025:
- Kevin Ward (Noblesville), founder and president/owner of Fishers Dental Care
State Employee Appeals Commission
The governor made three reappointments to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2028:
- Thomas Hanahan (Indianapolis), partner at Frost Brown Todd
- Veronica Hubartt (Indianapolis), associate with IceMiller
- Stefanie Krevda (Zionsville), former member of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Unemployment Insurance Review Board
The governor made two reappointments to the full-time board, who will serve until August 31, 2027:
- Lawrence Dailey (Zionsville)
- Gabe Paul (Carmel), who will continue his service as chair of the board
Inflation, Taxes, and Tariffs: A Comparative Impact on the Middle Class
Inflation, Taxes, and Tariffs: A Comparative Impact on the Middle Class
The middle class, often considered the backbone of any economy, faces an ongoing battle with three financial forces: inflation, taxes, and tariffs. These factors shape the daily lives of millions, influencing their purchasing power, cost of living, and overall economic security. While each element has its unique mechanism and impact, together, they paint a comprehensive picture of the challenges the middle class confronts today.
Inflation: The Silent Erosion of Purchasing Power
Inflation, the gradual increase in prices over time, is one of the most pervasive economic forces affecting the middle class. As inflation rises, the value of money diminishes, meaning the same dollar buys less than it did before. This loss of purchasing power affects everyone, regardless of their income level, but it can be particularly devastating for the middle class, who often rely on fixed incomes or modest wage growth.
Currently, inflation has eroded purchasing power by approximately 11%, a hit that feels permanent unless wages rise correspondingly. Unlike other economic factors that may be reversible, the impact of inflation compounds over time, slowly chipping away at savings, eroding the value of pensions, and increasing the cost of everyday essentials like food, housing, and healthcare. For many in the middle class, this means tightening budgets, delaying major purchases, and cutting back on discretionary spending.
The only real defense against inflation is income growth, which often requires upgrading skills, taking on additional work, or seeking higher-paying jobs. However, not everyone has the means, time, or opportunity to do so, making inflation a relentless force that continues to widen the gap between the middle class and financial security.
Taxes: The Unavoidable Burden
Taxes are an inescapable part of life, impacting the middle class from every angle—income, sales, property, and even in death through inheritance taxes. While taxes fund essential public services like education, infrastructure, and healthcare, they also represent a significant financial burden, often hitting the middle class harder than the wealthy due to the proportional nature of tax rates.
For many middle-class households, income taxes are a constant concern. The tax code, with its myriad deductions, credits, and loopholes, often seems more favorable to the wealthy, who have access to sophisticated tax planning strategies. Meanwhile, payroll taxes such as Social Security and Medicare take a bigger chunk out of paychecks, often without corresponding increases in benefits.
Sales and property taxes also weigh heavily on the middle class. These regressive taxes disproportionately impact those who spend a larger share of their income on essentials, leaving less room for savings and investment. And while tax cuts are often touted as relief, they frequently provide more significant benefits to higher-income earners, leaving the middle class with only marginal gains.
Ultimately, taxes are an unavoidable cost that reduces disposable income and limits financial flexibility, perpetuating the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck for many middle-class families.
Tariffs: Targeted Pain with Collateral Damage
Tariffs, essentially taxes on imported goods, are a less direct but still impactful factor on the middle class. Designed as economic tools to protect domestic industries or penalize foreign competitors, tariffs often lead to higher prices on targeted goods. While the intent might be to shield local jobs or retaliate against unfair trade practices, the costs often trickle down to consumers.
For example, tariffs on steel or electronics might initially seem to affect only specific industries, but they result in higher prices on a wide range of products, from cars to household appliances. These increased costs ultimately land on the consumer, with the middle class bearing the brunt since they spend a larger proportion of their income on these goods.
Unlike inflation or taxes, the impact of tariffs is more selective, hitting those who buy the tariffed products. However, as supply chains are interconnected globally, the ripple effects can lead to broader price increases, further straining middle-class budgets.
Conclusion: A Confluence of Challenges
Inflation, taxes, and tariffs each uniquely erode the financial stability of the middle class. Inflation diminishes purchasing power, taxes siphon away income at every turn, and tariffs raise the costs of specific goods. Together, these forces create a challenging economic landscape where the middle class must constantly adapt, often with limited options.
To mitigate these impacts, individuals can seek higher wages, pursue additional education, or explore tax-efficient investment strategies. However, the broader solution lies in policy reform that considers the cumulative effect of these factors on the middle class, ensuring that economic growth benefits not just the few but the many.
Hoosier History Highlights
September 8 – September 14This Week in Indiana History
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Indiana Quick Quiz1. What year was Indiana’s first round barn built? 2. What Indiana city is known as the Limestone Capital of the World? 3. Where can you find the largest anatomically correct sculpture of the human brain? 4. How many men from Indiana have been elected as the vice president of the United States? Answers Below
For more activitiesin IN
Answers1. 1874 2. Bedford 3. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. 4. 6
“And I was like, ‘Oh, we’re going to have to run today. Like, there’s no messing around….’ And I told myself, ‘Don’t be soft. You got to go with it or you’re going to regret this for the rest of your life if you don’t go with it.’ ” – Indianapolis native Cole Hocker on his thrilling come from behind effort on the final laps to set an Olympic record of 3:27.65 and win the 1,500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A wonderful statement of Hoosier character and grit!
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