Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Browning Gallery and Zoom
Join the Tri-State Genealogical Society for a free virtual presentation, A Deed in the Hand is Worth Two in the Books, on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 PM (CT). Professional genealogist Sara Cochran will share information on how we can use land records in our research.
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Bloomington, Ind.—Junior Isaac Stanford raced to a third-place finish in the 1,500 meters to lead University of Southern Indiana Men’s Track & Field Friday night at the Billy Hayes Invitational.
Stanford finished the race in three minutes, 49.96 seconds and was just over a second away from his season-best time of 3:48.74, which he ran at the Bryan Clay Invitational last month.
In addition to Stanford, the Screaming Eagles had four top-10 finishes on the night. Freshman Ben Perulfi and junior Dylan Bland were sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while freshman Griffen Wheeler was ninth in the 800 meters.
Wheeler, who broke the USI freshman record in the 800 meters with his time of 1:53.04 at the Bryan Clay Invitational last month, posted another strong time of 1:54.05 Friday night.
USI concludes the 2025 season next week when it competes at the OVC Outdoor Championships May 15-17 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball scored five times in the third and three times in the fifth to win the series opener with Southeast Missouri State University, 9-6, Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 23-26 overall and 11-11 OVC, while SEMO is 27-22, 13-9 OVC.
After spotting the Redhawks a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, Screaming Eagles followed by getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1. Senior centerfielder Khi Holiday scored on a double to center field by junior first baseman Cole Kitchens to get the USI offense going.
The score would remain 3-1 until the bottom of the third when the Eagles scored five times to take a 6-3 lead. Holiday scored USI’s second run of the game on a second RBI double by Kitchens to kick off the offensive explosion.
USI sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd put the Eagles in front, 4-3, with a two-run blast to deep left center. The home run was Boyd’s sixth of the season.
The Eagles would finish the five-run explosion when junior catcher Macajah Wall sent his third home run of the season over the left field wall for a 6-3 advantage. Junior leftfielder Hunter Miller scored ahead of Wall on the home run after getting on base with an infield single.
USI extended the lead to 9-3 with a three-run frame in the fifth. Junior designated hitter Charlie Marisca doubled in Miller with the Eagles’ seventh run of the game, while junior shortstop Clayton Slack highlighted the frame with a two-out double for the eighth and ninth runs.
The 9-3 lead would last until the seventh inning when SEMO scored three times to close the gap to 9-6. Holiday robbed the Redhawks of their seventh run by taking away a home run from SEMO’s Shea McGahan by skying over the right center wall to lead off the eighth.
The Eagles held the Redhawks scoreless in the final two frames to preserve the 9-6 victory. Kitchens and Boyd finished the game with a team-high three hits each, while Kitchens, Boyd, Wall, and Slack tied for the team-high with two RBIs apiece.
USI junior left-hander Jake Porter posted his fourth win of the season, tying for the team lead in 2025. Porter (4-4) allowed three unearned runs in the first inning on three hits and two walks, while striking out four. The junior left-hander also set down 11-straight hitters between the end of the first inning and the fifth inning.
USI junior right-hander Blake Kimball followed Porter and went three innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while senior right-hander Ian Anderson closed out the game by throwing a scoreless ninth to get his team-best fourth save of the year.
Evansville, Ind. – After a rained out original Opening Day, the 2025 season opener saw a ninth inning lead lost as the Evansville Otters fell 5-4 to the Gateway Grizzlies on Friday night.
In the Otters’ season opener, Evansville sent out the lefty Braden Scott for the second year in a row. He began his season with a bit of control issues but was able to work through them in the first inning without giving up a run. In the second, two strikeouts quickly refueled his confidence.
In the third frame, Evansville finally broke through. Alain Camou and Graham Brown had two straight hits to start the inning. With the two runners on, David Mendham walked to the plate and lined a hit up the middle to score both.
Entering the top of the fifth, Evansville was still clinging to a two-run advantage. Braden Scott’s day ended with the top of the fifth with a final line of no runs on one hit, four walks and six strikeouts in five full innings.
In the bottom half of the fifth, the Otters added some insurance. With David Mendham on first, LJ Jones knocked his first hit in an Otters uniform up the middle to put two-on for Pavin Parks. Parks lasered a ball deep in the hole towards second base, forcing Gateway second baseman Paxton Wallace to make a quick, inaccurate throw to first. The hit scored Mendham and as the ball trickled away from first, Jones advanced to third. On the throw from first to third from Friedrick, an overthrow escaped into the left field corner which allowed Jones to also score and lift the lead to 4-0.
The score remained at 4-0 heading into the top of the eighth inning. A line drive RBI-single for the Grizzlies dropped into centerfield in the eighth, bringing Gateway to within three.
In the top of the ninth, Otters newcomer Joan Gonzalez was called on to close while Evansville held a 4-1 advantage. After a leadoff walk, a two-run homer to put the game within one for Gateway.
A quick single chased Gonzalez, bringing Ryan Wiltse in to try to once again close the game out. Two RBI hits gave Gateway the lead for the first time Friday night.
Evansville was unable to get through Gateway closer Sam Coonrod in the home half of the ninth, dropping the contest 5-4.
Evansville (0-1) concludes Opening Weekend with a double header against Gateway (1-0) tomorrow with the first game beginning at 5:05 P.M. Gates open for Superhero Night at 4:00 p.m. The second game will begin approximately 40 minutes after the end of the first.
Enhancing safety and reliability through pipeline modernization program
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – CenterPoint Energy is advancing its commitment to delivering safe, reliable natural gas service by entering the final phase of a multi-year pipeline modernization program throughout Indiana. With a planned $25 million investment in 2025, the company will replace more than 19 miles of aging bare steel and cast-iron pipelines with modern infrastructure designed to enhance system safety and reliability.
“Through strategic, long-term investments, we’ve strengthened our infrastructure with industry-grade materials that meet current federal and industry safety standards,” said Gregg Maurer, Vice President, Gas Operations, Indiana and Ohio. “As we move into the final phase of this work, our focus remains on completing these upgrades efficiently while minimizing disruptions for customers and communities.”
What’s ahead in 2025
CenterPoint’s natural gas pipeline modernization efforts will continue this year in Anderson, Daleville, Eaton, Elwood, Evansville, Harrodsburg, Hartford City, Huntington, Marion, Markle, Markleville, Muncie, Noblesville and Pendleton.
As part of these efforts, aging pipelines will be replaced with industry-grade materials that meet today’s safety and regulatory standards. These upgrades will improve system reliability, reduce the potential for leaks and support safe, consistent natural gas service for homes and businesses.
Advancing natural gas system modernization across Indiana
Over the past 16 years, CenterPoint has retired more than 1,030 miles of aging pipeline across its Indiana North & South service territories. These efforts have led to measurable reductions in leak-related service calls and operational emissions.
“As we continue modernizing our natural gas system and deploying advanced technologies, we’re making long-term investments that enhance safety, improve reliability and provide customers with a better overall experience,” Maurer added.
In addition to replacing bare steel and cast-iron pipelines, CenterPoint has implemented cutting-edge technologies to further strengthen its system, including:
· Picarro Advanced Mobile Leak Detection System: Which detects potential methane leaks 1,000 times more sensitively than traditional methods.
· Intelis natural gas smart meters: Which provide hourly usage tracking and built-in safety features.
By combining infrastructure upgrades with advanced technology investments, CenterPoint is continuing to enhance the safety and reliability of its natural gas system for customers and communities in Indiana.
What customers should expect
The replacement of natural gas mains under streets and sidewalks will be prioritized, followed by service lines that run directly to homes and businesses. Affected sidewalks, yards and streets will be restored as weather conditions allow. Timelines for each project will vary based on the scope of the project, weather and soil conditions. Crews will work safely and as quickly as possible to minimize impact on customers and surrounding areas.
Customers are urged to keep a safe distance away from any work sites. Additionally, if you smell the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas, avoid anything that could spark a flame and immediately leave on foot to a safe location. Once at a safe location, call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376.
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Bracket released for November tournament
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The bracket has been released for November’s 8-team Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. In its opening round game, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team is set to square off against Oregon State.
It marks the second meeting between the schools with the first match-up being one of the most important games in Purple Aces history. On March 17, 1989, the teams met up in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Tucson, Arizona. Evansville came out on the winning end of a 94-90 overtime decision and was the first Division I NCAA Tournament win in program history.
Following the opener, UE will face either Iona or Akron in the second round. Potential opponents in the third contest include Green Bay, Yale, UMass and Charleston. The tournament opens on November 21 with UE and OSU playing in the final game of the day at 9 p.m. AST.
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 12 May 2025)
LIFE FROM ABOVE
Israel has imposed a total blockade of humanitarian aid to the citizens of Gaza. No food, no water systems and no medical supplies are allowed to the more than 2 million people who live there. Israel enforces its prohibition militarily. Israel also bombs hospitals, schools, places of worship and residences. Since October 07, 2023 over 52,000 Gazans, including thousands of children, have been directly killed by Israel and many more are dying each day due to lack of food, water and medical care. The Zionist led government of Israel in March 2025 publicly announced these actions to be its official policy. Israel has received massive amounts of United States military aid to help enable it to implement these actions. The United States has the moral and legal responsibility to cease aiding this humanitarian catastrophe.
The moral issues are subject to debate, but the legal prohibition of United States military and civilian aid to Israel is specifically required by Section 6201 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Six United States Senators have just signed a letter addressed to the Comptroller General, Gene Dodaro, citing the Foreign Assistance Act, asking for an investigation of Israel’s, and other countries’, denial of human rights to others while receiving U.S. aid. The Act provides no presidential waiver for such actions. Aid to Gaza’s residents should be both massive and immediate. And history provides a guide. From 26 June 1948 to 30 September 1949, the United States and Great Britain operated the Berlin Air Lift that flew over 250,000 humanitarian flights over Stalin’s blockade of aid to Germany’s war-ravaged populace. Food, fuel, medical supplies and other non-military aid helped save countless lives. It would also be apropos for the West to help Palestine because there would have been no state of Israel in 1948 without America and England.
The United States has far greater capability in 2025 than it did in 1948. We can and should alleviate the suffering we helped create. It is both our moral responsibility and our legal duty under our own laws. Also, the only truly permanent road to peace and prosperity involving Israel and its neighbors must come from a Marshall Plan type of solution. America knows both the Berlin Air Lift and the Marshall Plan were humanitarian actions that helped bring much of the world peace, stability and prosperity since WWII.
Since history has proven how greatly we ourselves can profit by simply doing the harder right things, let’s do them. After all, our own laws require them, even if we do not do so because it is right and just.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Vincennes University baseball team was back in action Friday afternoon at the 2025 Mid-West Athletic Conference Pool B tournament hosted by Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Ill.
The Trailblazers, facing elimination for the second straight game, battled against a tough Parkland College team and rode a pair of excellent pitching performances by sophomore JD Bowser (Mt. Carmel, Ill.) and freshman Jakob Hoyer (Georgetown, Ind.) to pick up the 3-1 victory over the Cobras.
Vincennes opened the scoring in the first after a leadoff single by sophomore Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.).
Douglas would move up on a stolen base before scoring the first run of the game on an RBI single by sophomore Nate Montgomery to put the Blazers up early 1-0.
Parkland would respond and get on the board in the third, evening the score at 1-1.
Vincennes would get the lead back in the fifth after a leadoff walk by sophomore Bryce Gross (Bridgeport, Ill.) and freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) being hit by pitch.
Gross would put the Blazers back on top by scoring on a fielder’s choice put in play by Nate Montgomery, giving him two RBIs on the day.
Andrews would also come around to score later in the inning on a fielding error by the Cobras on a ball put in play by freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.), giving Vincennes a 3-1 lead over Parkland.
The Trailblazers pitching took over from there as the Blazers closed out the final six innings on the mound without allowing a run as VU closed out the 3-1 victory over the Cobras, sending them to the MWAC Pool B Championship game tomorrow morning.
Sophomore JD Bowser got the start on the mound for the Trailblazers and pitched an excellent game on the mound, throwing six and one-third innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out four.
Freshman Jakob Hoyer took over the game for Bowser, working his way out of a pair of bases loaded jams in his two and two-thirds innings of relief, allowing just a single hit in the outing.
“JD Bowser had an unbelievable six-plus innings and Hoyer coming in to get the last two and two-thirds innings,” VU Head Baseball Coach Chris Barney said. “You can’t credit the sophomore enough for stepping up in that situation. He had been in it last year and struggled and this year really did a great job for us. I’m extremely proud of him and extremely proud of all 31 guys that are here. They’ve done a great job all the way through.”
“We took advantage of a few mistakes that they had early, did some really good base running,” Barney added. “Now we’ve got to come back tomorrow and have that same energy and life.”
“We’ve got to do a better job of swinging it and putting balls in play,” Barney said. “They did a good job of adjusting to us. Their pitchers did a good job against us after the first kid struggled a bit in the first inning. We’ve got to swing the bat a little better. We’ve still got Douglas swinging it well and a few other guys that continue to move guys up and get us into scoring position. We’ve got to continue to do that and be successful.”
The Trailblazers will look to keep this momentum going as the Blazers now head into a rematch against their opening round opponent and host Lincoln Land Community College Saturday, May 10 in the MWAC/Region 24 Pool B Championship game.
