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Six Aces named WGCA All-American Scholars

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 Purple Aces well-represented on the list

 CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Six University of Evansville women’s golfers were recognized on Monday as the 2023-24 WGCA All-American Scholar Team was announced.

Evansville’s honorees included seniors Allison Enchelmayer and Carly Frazier, junior Magdalenca Borisova, sophomore Destynie Sheridan and freshmen Trinity Dubbs and Jane Grankina.

The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics and continue to demonstrate the high-level academic achievements of our players. To be selected, a student-athlete must:

  • Have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
  • Be an amateur and on the team’s roster through the conclusion of the team’s season.
  • Have played in 50% of the college’s regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year nominated through the team’s conference championship.

A total of 1,497 women’s collegiate golfers from 412 programs were recognized on Monday with the prestigious honor.

The Purple Aces round out their bench staff for the 2024-25 season

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team and Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells have announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Tyler McCormick.
Following two years at Pittsburg State, Illinois native Tyler McCormick has joined the Purple Aces on the bench.  “I am thrilled Tyler has chosen to join our staff!” exclaimed Scherr-Wells. “His energy, his passion for developing players, and his desire to be a part of building a championship program at Evansville has set him apart. I know he will be a tremendous asset to Evansville Women’s Basketball!”
McCormick has spent the past two years on the men’s basketball staff at Division II Pittsburg State in Kansas. While with the Gorillas, McCormick handled a variety of duties with a focus in scouting and player development. McCormick was a part of multiple facets of player development including individual workouts, managing academics, and coordinating community service projects. Along with scouting and player development duties, McCormick handled team graphics for Pitt State contributing to the Gorilla’s social media strategy.
“I am super excited to be joining the staff at the University of Evansville!” says McCormick. “Coach Robyn’s program is special, and she is a special leader as well. I look forward to getting to know everyone at UE and this opportunity!”
Before his time at Pittsburg State, McCormick was a student assistant for the Missouri Southern State men’s basketball team for three years. With the Lions, McCormick organized practices with film coordination and charting possessions. McCormick also helped with equipment management as a student assistant. He also served as a practice player for the Lions women’s basketball team.
McCormick holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Missouri Southern State. He then obtained his master’s degree in health, human performance, recreation, sport, and leisure management from Pittsburg State. McCormick is a native of Colfax, Ill.

Three Injured in Weekend Shooting, One Arrested

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Evansville Police Officers were dispatched to a gas station at Covert and S. Green River

Road on June 30th just before 4 a.m. On scene officers found two people had been shot. A short

time later a third victim from the same incident arrived at a local hospital for treatment for a

gunshot wound.

A juvenile sustained a serious injury from this shooting and was later transported to a

hospital outside of Evansville. The other two victims were treated for non-life-threatening

gunshot wounds at a local hospital.

Officers and detectives were able to quickly establish suspects through interviewing

witnesses and gathering video from the area.

EPD officers and detectives executed several search warrants Sunday afternoon in reference

to this crime. 32-year-old Luther K. Lawton Jr. was arrested and charged with possession of a

firearm by a serious violent felon, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and battery

committed with a deadly weapon. Lawton is currently being held in the Vanderburgh County

Confinement Center. More arrests are anticipated as this investigation continues.

Evansville swept in Windy City

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CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Evansville Otters were swept by the Windy City ThunderBolts on Sunday in a 3-1 finish at Ozinga Field.

The Otters (17-28) have now dropped five of their last six contests and fall to a season-low 11 games below .500.

The ThunderBolts (20-26) plated two runs in the fifth innings on a double to left which ignited the scoring. In the sixth inning, they scored their final run of the game.

In the seventh frame, the Otters scored their lone run. Mason White led off with a single up the middle. Two batters later, Delvin Zinn singled him in.

Terance Marin (0-1) made his season debut for Evansville today. Pitching in the Mexican League earlier this year, the right-hander took a hard-luck loss in a quality start. He surrendered all three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk across six innings.

Will Armbruester (2-4) took the win, with a quality start of his own.

Grif Hughes had another terrific outing out of the bullpen, tossing in two shutout innings with as many strikeouts. The only baserunner he allowed was thanks to a walk.

Evansville out-hit the ThunderBolts 5-4, but left seven on base the Windy City’s two. Zinn and Alec Olund reached base multiple times today.

The Otters have the day off tomorrow to reset before a new series against Joliet. The three game set against the Slammers will conclude the Otters six-game road series. Tuesday’s game will begin at 6:35 p.m. CT. Coverage is available on the Otters Digital Network and FloBaseball.

Night of Chaos Ends With Three People Shot

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Night of Chaos Ends With Three People Shot

July 1, 2024

Written By Johnny Kincaid

Several Evansville parking lots were taken over by a large group of young people late Saturday night, keeping EPD police busy dispersing the crowds. In the early morning, a local gas station became a crime scene where three people were allegedly shot.

Reports started appearing on the Evansville Watch Facebook page around 1 AM when a call for police cars to be dispatched to Fulton and Columbia where a crowd had gathered at a gas station, blasting loud music and revving their car engines. Several police officers responded to disperse the crowd without incident.

Later on that evening additional police units were called to S Kentucky and E Riverside. At one point, the crowd grew so large (about 300 plus young people) that every available EPD unit was requested to respond to that area immediately. The police ordered the crowd to disperse and immediately leave the property, and the crowd finally moved on without incident.

Later on, Police were called to the Washington Square Mall parking lot on Greenriver Road after a business owner requested that they clear the lot. Sources report that the crowd grew to about around 400 people, including many under-age youth. Witnesses say that there had been a large fight, and police fired pepper balls to break up the melee. The crowd moved on, only to pop up at a gas station located a short distance away.

A short time later police were called to disperse a group of about 30 cars that were reportedly racing in the parking lot at Thorntons on Greenriver Road.

When police arrived the group drove south on Greenriver to the On The Fly gas station on Covert. According to the Evansville Watch posts, police radio traffic reported that someone had been shot. The number of victims turned out to be three with a minor receiving the most serious injuries.  No arrests have been made in association with the shootings. An investigation is currently being conducted by the EPD.

FOOTNOTE:  Every day members of our local law enforcement work many scenes of shootings several times every week.  They also chase and apprehend suspects fleeing the scene of the shootings.  

We are proud of our men and women who are in law enforcement or first responders for helping keep our community safe from bad people.

Members of law enforcement and first responders have an extremely stressful and dangerous job.  

The next time you see members of law enforcement or first responders please give them a “thumbs up” for doing a great job in protecting us!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The Efficacy And Value Of Developing Local Skill Programs

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Group Of Businesspeople Standing In Row Outside The Job Center

The Efficacy And Value Of Developing Local Skill Programs

BY GUEST COLUMNIST JOE WALLACE 

July 1,, 2004

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the global economy, the development of local skill enhancement programs emerges as a pivotal strategy for fostering sustainable community growth and economic resilience. The focus on empowering local populations to improve their skills and secure better jobs offers numerous advantages over the alternative of importing outside labor. This article explores the efficacy and value of such programs, highlighting the long-term benefits they bring to communities and the potential drawbacks of relying on external labor sources.

Building a Skilled Workforce

Investing in local skill development programs creates a skilled workforce that is not only capable but also deeply rooted in the community. These programs offer tailored training that meets the specific needs of the local job market, ensuring that residents are equipped with relevant skills. This alignment between training and market demands enhances the employability of local individuals, leading to higher employment rates and economic stability.

Moreover, local skill development fosters a sense of ownership and pride among residents. When people see tangible improvements in their lives and communities as a result of their efforts, they are more likely to remain engaged and committed to ongoing personal and professional development. This creates a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.

Economic and Social Benefits

Developing local talent has profound economic and social implications. Economically, a skilled local workforce attracts businesses and investors, driving economic growth and creating additional job opportunities. Companies benefit from reduced recruitment and relocation costs, as they can draw from a pool of qualified local candidates. This also minimizes the risks associated with high employee turnover, which is often a challenge when relying on outside labor.

Socially, empowering local populations through skill development programs enhances community cohesion and reduces socioeconomic disparities. Access to better job opportunities leads to improved living standards, which in turn contribute to better health outcomes, reduced crime rates, and increased civic engagement. These positive social outcomes create a more vibrant and stable community, further attracting investment and development.

The Drawbacks of Importing Labor

While importing outside labor can provide a quick fix for skill shortages, it often comes with significant drawbacks. One of the primary issues is the lack of long-term commitment from external workers. Without strong ties to the community, outside laborers may not have the same level of loyalty or investment in the local area’s success. This transient nature can lead to higher turnover rates, resulting in increased costs for businesses and disruptions in service continuity.

Furthermore, reliance on imported labor can exacerbate social tensions. Local residents may feel marginalized or overlooked when they see job opportunities being given to outsiders. This can lead to resentment and a sense of disenfranchisement, undermining community cohesion and stability. In contrast, investing in local skill development ensures that the benefits of economic growth are more equitably distributed among residents, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community.

Long-Term Sustainability

Sustainable economic development hinges on the ability of a community to adapt and thrive in a changing environment. Local skill development programs are inherently more sustainable than relying on outside labor, as they build a resilient workforce capable of meeting future challenges. These programs can be continuously updated to reflect emerging industry trends and technological advancements, ensuring that the local workforce remains competitive in the global market.

Moreover, by investing in the local population, communities can retain and attract talent. People are more likely to stay in or return to areas where they have strong social connections and a sense of belonging. This retention of talent is crucial for maintaining a stable and dynamic local economy.

Conclusion

The efficacy and value of developing programs to encourage local people to improve their skills and secure better jobs cannot be overstated. Such programs offer numerous benefits, including economic growth, social cohesion, and long-term sustainability. While importing outside labor may address immediate skill shortages, it fails to provide the same level of commitment and community investment as locally developed talent. By focusing on local skill enhancement, communities can build a robust, resilient workforce capable of driving sustained economic and social progress.

FOOTNOTE:  The CITY-City OBSERVER posted this letter without opinion, bias or editing.

Ex-Merrillville landlords & NY real estate financiers sued by Attorney General Todd Rokita

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Ex-Merrillville landlords & NY real estate financiers sued by Attorney General Todd Rokita over alleged displacement, forced evacuation of elderly tenants

Attorney General Todd Rokita and his team have filed a lawsuit against New York real estate financier ROCO Chetrit Entities LLC for allegedly allowing Hickory Ridge Apartments in Merrillville, Indiana, to fall into such disrepair that elderly and vulnerable tenants were unlawfully forced out of their homes.

“Tenant abuse is unacceptable, and my office fights hard to hold landlords accountable —particularly greedy, out-of-state actors who clearly don’t respect the rent being paid by hardworking Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “No one who is spending their money for a place to live should be disregarded or disrespected like these elderly and vulnerable tenants in Merrillville.”

This case is just the latest instance in which Attorney General Rokita has fought for tenants’ rights and well-being. Recently, the office filed a civil complaint against the owners of two alleged abandoned apartment complexes in Anderson. Additionally, Attorney General Rokita’s Homeowner Protection team achieved a settlement on behalf of tenants at the Willow Brook Gardens Apartments in Indianapolis for their poor treatment of renters.

The ROCO lawsuit alleges that companies related to the real estate financiers of the Chetrit Group defaulted on a nearly half-billion dollar loan backed by Freddie Mac that financed a multitude of multifamily properties across the country, including several properties in Indiana containing nearly 1,500 units.

The New York real estate financier allegedly failed to properly fund necessary maintenance and repairs from 2019 to 2023 at Hickory Ridge Apartments, resulting in multiple incidents of flooding, sewage backups into occupied units, and unsafe and illegal fire code violations. At various times, the properties also allegedly lacked the required rental, business and fire alarm permits mandated by the City of Merrillville.

Due to these alleged violations, multiple renters faced chaotic events that displaced them, including a forced evacuation in June 2023.

“It has long been a bedrock of Indiana law that landlords at the very least owe their tenants the most basic standards of habitability, including maintaining major systems and ensuring that the properties that they lease are fit for human habitation,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Our state welcomes investments from anyone who cares enough to meet these basic obligations, but we will not tolerate those who grind their heels on the poor and play a game of Monopoly with the lives of hard-working Hoosiers.”

The lawsuit demands a jury trial, costs of prosecution and other damages against the defendants for multiple violations of the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and Home Loan Practices Act.

Attorney General Rokita thanked his office’s Homeowner Protection Unit for its work on this case, including Section Chief Chase Haller, Assistant Section Chief Timothy Weber, Deputy Attorney General Rebekah Hammond and Investigator Molly Jefford.

The mission of the Homeowner Protection Unit is to protect the rights of all individuals involved in the housing market, including tenants, homeowners, and aspiring homeowners, by investigating and redressing deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending and violations of relevant state and federal laws.