Three Hoosiers competed in the 100-meter butterfly preliminary at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis.
Results
Men’s 100-meter butterfly
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
FOUNDING DOCUMENTS
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 71 into law Wednesday, 17 June 2024. Governor Landry stated, “If you want to respect the rule of law you gotta start from the original law giver which was Moses, … he got his commandments from God.” Louisiana HB 71 decrees that every public school in Louisiana and every non-public school that receives state funds shall display the Ten Commandments in every building and every classroom it uses.
HB 71 sets forth its version of the Ten Commandments that must be displayed as follows:
“The Ten Commandments
I AM the Lord thy God.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven images.
Thou shall not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.”
Louisiana schools may expend public money to install the documents or may solicit or accept donations for those purposes. The Bill makes no attempt to discuss the contents of these provisions nor does the Louisiana Legislature explain why it posits the Ten Commandments played any role in forming the law of the United States.
However, the imminent philosopher of myth and law, Joseph Campbell, explained how our Founders looked to the Enlightenment for guidance, not to the Bible or any religion:
“Now let us ask: what about the symbolism of the Bible? Based on the Old Sumerian astronomical observations of five to six thousand years ago and an anthropology no longer credible, it is hardly fit today to turn anybody on.
In fact, the famous conflict of science and religion has actually nothing to do with religion, but is simply of two sciences: that of 4000 B.C. and that of A.D. 2000.
….
The Biblical image of the universe simply won’t do anymore; neither will the Biblical notion of a race of God, which all others are meant to serve (Isaiah 49:22-23; 61: 5-6, etc.) nor again, the idea of a code of laws delivered from on high and to be valid for all time
….
The problems of our world are not even touched by those stone-cut Ten Commandments that we carry about as luggage and which, in fact, were disregarded in the blessed text itself, one chapter after they were announced (Exodus 21:12-17, following 20:13).”
Campbell goes on to explain how our modern legal world is not and cannot be based on religion:
“The modern Western concept of a legal code is not of a list of unassailable divine edicts, but of a rationally contrived, evolving compilation of statutes, shaped by fallible beings in council, to realize rationally recognized social (and therefore temporal) aims.”
Joseph Campbell, Myths to Live By, 1972,
ISBN 0 14 019.461 4, at pp. 88-89.
Or as political commentator James Carville more succinctly and prosaically stated about the HB 71and similar legislation, “It is the dumbest waste of time I’ve ever seen in my life!”
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Evansville, IN – June 20, 2024 – Meetings of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission, Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., Evansville Events, Inc., Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission Building Corporation, and Evansville-Vanderburgh Convention & Visitors Commission Sports Complex Operations Corporation (collectively “Commission”) will meet on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held in Room 301 of the Evansville Civic Center Complex, 1 NW Martin King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN.
JUNE 21, 2924
Filing for candidates to run for school board positions is closed, and 5 candidates are running for the three seats that will be elected this year.
In District 1, incumbent Karen Ragland is unopposed again. She has been unopposed in 2008, 2026, and 2020.
There are two seats in District 3, and four candidates are vying for those positions. Terry Gamblin is the incumbent, having served on the school board for 36 years. Joshua James Taylor Barnett and Amy Devries are seeking a first term on the board. Jeff Worthington has served previously and is looking to return to the board.
School board positions are non-partisan and will appear at the end of the ballot for the November general election.
Lilly King captured Olympic qualification in a second event Thursday night at U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Results
Women’s 200-meter breaststroke final
Men’s 200-meter IM semifinal
After competing in preliminary and semifinal rounds on Thursday, four Hoosiers have qualified for finals at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials in Knoxville, Tennessee. The final in the men’s 10-meter and women’s 3-meter events will take place Saturday.
Results
Women’s 3-meter springboard semifinal
Men’s 10-meter platform semifinal
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters pulled through with a massive win on Thursday, taking down the Schaumburg Boomers 10-1 at Bosse Field.
After giving up late leads in the first two games of the set, the Otters (14-22) avoided the sweep at home and got after the Boomers (22-13) pitching staff early.
In the first inning, Logan Brown delivered with a two-RBI double to the left-center gap to open the scoring for Evansville. Giovanni DiGiacomo singled earlier in the frame and Jomar Reyes walked which allowed them both to score.
In the fifth, the Boomers plated their only run of the game but the Otters answered right back in the home half of the inning with another pair of runs.
Blake Mozley led off with a single, then DiGiacomo smacked an RBI double to the outfield. He later came in on a Jomar Reyes double play.
On the ground ball, the first basemen of the Boomers stepped on first, then threw to second base and had David Mendham in a run down. Before being tagged out to end the inning, DiGiacomo went from second to home and scored on the 3-6-1 twin killing. It marked a 4-1 Otters’ advantage.
The dagger came in the sixth inning, when Evansville tacked on another four runs. DiGiacomo notched his second and third RBI on a base hit. Jake Green singled in a run and Mike Peabody hit a sacrifice fly to get in on the fun.
Later in the seventh inning, Pavin Parks homered to right-center field. In Evansville’s final frame at the plate, Mason White smoked an RBI-double to the opposite gap, scoring the final Otters run of the game.
Leading the offense with three hits, DiGiacomo has begun his Otters career five-for-nine at the dish in two games. White, Parks, Brown and Mozely also registered multi-hit games, and as a team Evansville garnered a baker’s dozen worth of knocks.
Tristan Harvin (2-1) was dominant on the mound. Pitching in just his third start of the year, the righty tossed six innings of quality ball, striking out seven and allowing just the one run on three hits. Aaron Glickstein (1-3) was tabbed with the loss.
Evansville Aces product Shane Harris made his professional debut today in the seventh inning. The right-hander tossed a scoreless frame, giving up a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
In the last two innings, Jon Beymer slammed the door allowing just one walk while picking up one strikeout.
The Otters begin a new series tomorrow against the Windy City ThunderBolts at 6:35 p.m. CT. Coverage is available on the Otters Digital Network and FloBaseball.
JUNE 2!, 2024
Two narcotics arrests, between the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force and two patrol
officers, have taken pounds of illegal drugs, firearms, and currency out of the hands of offenders.
Late last month, Detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force opened an
investigation into Paje C. Diaz (26) and his involvement in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
After a lengthy investigation, a search warrant was issued for his residence. The search warrant resulted in the
recovery of 20.6 grams of fentanyl, 682.8 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms, two scales, a money
counter, and $8,668. Diaz is being charged with (case #24-09950):
• Controlled Substance – Manufacturing/Dealing Methamphetamine’
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drugs
• Weapon/Instrument of Violence – Possess a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
• Other Agencies Charges
On June 17th, two third-shift motor patrol officers believed that Marcus J. Fox (46) was transporting
large amounts of narcotics from Memphis (TN) to Evansville, through an investigation they’ve been conducting
for the past year. During a traffic stop of Fox’s vehicle, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from
inside the vehicle. After asking Fox to exit the vehicle, 1.2 grams of cocaine was found on his person. During a
search of his vehicle, 2.7 pounds of crystal meth were located. Also located, in a hidden console, was marijuana
and prescription pills. Additionally, when transported and searched at the Vanderburgh County Confinement
Center, 2.5 grams of cocaine were located hidden inside of Fox’s person. A total of $4,170 was also placed into
evidence. Fox is being charged with (case #24-11386):Evansville Police Department
15 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Evansville, Indiana 47708
TX: 812-436-7896 – TDD: 812-436-7975 – FAX: 812-435-6175 – EMAIL: info@evansvillepolice.com
• Controlled Substance – Manufacture/Dealing Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance – Possess Cocaine or Narcotic Drug
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drug
• Controlled Substance – Possess Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance – Possession Marijuana
The work of our Narcotics Unit, alongside the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, is to
be commended for the time and knowledge that they put into their investigations and the outcome those
investigations yield.
It should also be noted and recognized the voluntary effort the two motor patrol officers put into the Fox
investigation, while not on dispatched runs. Their investigation led to an arrest that successfully recovered a
large amount of narcotics being taken off our streets.
Special Projects Coordinator Taylor Merriss
tmerriss@evansvillepolice.com
(812
JUNE 21, 21
Two narcotics arrests, between the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force and two patrol officers, have taken pounds of illegal drugs, firearms, and currency out of the hands of offenders.
Late last month, Detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force opened an investigation into Paje C. Diaz (26) and his involvement in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
After a lengthy investigation, a search warrant was issued for his residence. The search warrant resulted in the recovery of 20.6 grams of fentanyl, 682.8 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms, two scales, a money counter, and $8,668. Diaz is being charged with (case #24-09950):
• Controlled Substance – Manufacturing/Dealing Methamphetamine’
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drugs
• Weapon/Instrument of Violence – Possess a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
• Other Agencies Charges
On June 17th, two third-shift motor patrol officers believed that Marcus J. Fox (46) was transporting
large amounts of narcotics from Memphis (TN) to Evansville, through an investigation they’ve been conducting
for the past year. During a traffic stop of Fox’s vehicle, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from
inside the vehicle. After asking Fox to exit the vehicle, 1.2 grams of cocaine was found on his person. During a
search of his vehicle, 2.7 pounds of crystal meth were located. Also located, in a hidden console, was marijuana
and prescription pills. Additionally, when transported and searched at the Vanderburgh County Confinement
Center, 2.5 grams of cocaine were located hidden inside Fox’s person. A total of $4,170 was also placed into evidence. Fox is being charged with (case #24-11386): Evansville Police Department
• Controlled Substance – Possess Cocaine or Narcotic Drug
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drug
• Controlled Substance – Possess Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance – Possession of Marijuana
The work of our Narcotics Unit, alongside the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, is to
be commended for the time and knowledge that they put into their investigations and the outcome those
It should also be noted and recognized the voluntary effort the two motor patrol officers put into the Fox
investigation, while not on dispatched runs. Their investigation led to an arrest that successfully recovered a large amount of narcotics being taken off our streets.
Two narcotics arrests, between the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force and two patrol officers have taken pounds of illegal drugs, firearms, and currency out of the hands of offenders.
Late last month, Detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force opened an investigation into Paje C. Diaz (26) and his involvement in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
After a lengthy investigation, a search warrant was issued for his residence. The search warrant resulted in the recovery of 20.6 grams of fentanyl, 682.8 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms, two scales, a money counter, and $8,668. Diaz is being charged with (case #24-09950):
• Controlled Substance – Manufacturing/Dealing Methamphetamine’
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drugs
• Weapon/Instrument of Violence – Possess a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
• Other Agencies Charges
On June 17th, two third-shift motor patrol officers believed that Marcus J. Fox (46) was transporting
large amounts of narcotics from Memphis (TN) to Evansville, through an investigation they’ve been conducting
for the past year. During a traffic stop of Fox’s vehicle, officers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from
inside the vehicle. After asking Fox to exit the vehicle, 1.2 grams of cocaine was found on his person. During a
search of his vehicle, 2.7 pounds of crystal meth were located. Also located, in a hidden console, was marijuana
and prescription pills. Additionally, when transported and searched at the Vanderburgh County Confinement
Center, 2.5 grams of cocaine were located hidden inside of Fox’s person. A total of $4,170 was also placed into
evidence. Fox is being charged with (case #24-11386): Evansville Police Department
• Controlled Substance – Manufacture/Dealing Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance – Possess Cocaine or Narcotic Drug
• Controlled Substance – Dealing Cocaine or Narcotic Drugs
• Controlled Substance – Possess Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance – Possession of Marijuana
The work of our Narcotics Unit, alongside the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, is to be commended for the time and knowledge that they put into their investigations and the outcome those investigations yield.
It should also be noted and recognized the voluntary effort the two motor patrol officers put into the Fox investigation, while not on dispatched runs. Their investigation led to an arrest that successfully recovered a large amount of narcotics being taken off our streets.
Special Projects Coordinator Taylor Merriss
tmerriss@evansvillepolice.com
