FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Vincennes University students showcase advanced manufacturing skills at Project MFG Regional
VINCENNES, Ind., May 20, 2024 – Vincennes University students showcased their advanced manufacturing skills and talent at a Project MFG Regional competition, marking VU’s second consecutive appearance after competing in a 2023 regional.
Some of the brightest college students in the nation came together at Texas A&M University during the 2024 Spring Semester to demonstrate their higher-level problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and collaborative spirit. Students studying Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology represented VU, including Conner Bean ’24 (Columbus, Indiana), Kellen Bruns ’24 (Greensburg, Indiana), Aaron John ’24 (La Porte, Indiana), and Riley Yochum ’25 (Vincennes, Indiana).
“I liked the team dynamic of the competition,” Bean said. “We all worked well together for the most part, and we were able to figure almost all the parts out together. Competing will help get my name out there, and it will show employers that I am able to work in a team even in stressful situations.”
As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve due to technological advancements and automation, competitions like the Project MFG regional play a crucial role in preparing modern advanced manufacturing professionals.
“It was a great experience,” Yochum said. “This contest has benefited me by me being able to keep my composure and cool during the stress of a job and a weld test.”
The VU team stood out among the regional competition, showcasing an exceptional blend of ingenuity and teamwork that exemplifies the next generation of advanced manufacturing talent.
Precision Machining and Advanced CNC Technology Program Coordinator Jonathan Vennard said, “We are very proud of our students for their outstanding performance in this rigorous competition, and we are thrilled to see VU students excel in such a competitive environment. This competition provided an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and collaborate effectively as a team.”
Participation in competitions related to their degree programs provides VU students with extraordinary opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in practical scenarios. Additionally, collaborating with peers in these events promotes teamwork, networking, and a sense of camaraderie, enhancing their overall learning experience and preparing them for real-world challenges.
“I enjoyed programming the 5-Axis UMC500 as well as being able to work as a team to accomplish tasks,” John said. “It was great to get to travel as a team and experience a new area. Also, it was great that we got exposed to such a cool competition.”
Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County will hold an executive session
The Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County will hold an executive session on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. in Room 305 of the Civic Center at One NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Evansville, Indiana 47708. The Board will meet pursuant to I.C. § 5-14-
1.5-6.1(b)(5) to receive information about and interview prospective employees.
Early offense not enough in series opener
WASHINGTON, PA – The Evansville Otters dropped the series opener today to the Washington Wild Things 10-3 at Wild Things Park.
It was back and forth early in the game, but the Wild Things (6-3) ran away with it in the third as the Otters’ (4-7) bats fell quiet.
Patrick Lee led off the game with a triple to left-center field. He was later brought in on an RBI fielder’s choice by Austin Bost to get Evansville on the board first.
Washington answered in the bottom of the inning before the Otters added another in the second. Blake Mozley, in his first professional at-bat, smoked a double down the left field line scoring Randy Bednar, making it a 2-1.
The fun ended there as the Wild Things strung together three runs in the second and third innings, taking a 7-2 lead, while the bats for the Otters had no response until late in the game.
Washington added on, scoring another run in the sixth and two in the seventh to take a 10-2 lead.
In the ninth inning, Bost led off with a double and later scored on a wild pitch, but it wasn’t enough as the scoring was finalized.
Braden Scott (0-3) started the game today for Evansville and took the loss. The southpaw went 2.2 innings, giving up seven runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Mozley led the way with two hits in his professional debut.
The Otters continue their three-game series against Washington tomorrow with a 5:05 PM CT first pitch.
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UE’S DEVERMAN EARNS MVC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR; FOUR ACES NAMED ALL-VALLEY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville freshman pitcher Kenton Deverman headlined a quartet of Purple Aces who earned all-Missouri Valley Conference honors on Monday night at the MVC Tournament banquet, as Deverman captured the league’s Freshman of the Year Award. He is the second Purple Ace to earn the honor, joining former UE standout Eric Stamets.
Deverman captured the MVC Freshman of the Year award and earned first-team all-Valley honors. He was joined on the MVC’s all-conference first team by graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger. Senior outfielder Kip Fougerousse and senior pitcher Shane Harris both captured honorable mention all-MVC honors as well.
Deverman was named the Valley’s Freshman of the Year after going ranking fourth in the nation in victories among freshmen with seven, while leading the league in both ERA (3.53) and innings pitched (89.1). He went a perfect 5-0 in Valley play, and he left the mound with the lead in all nine MVC starts this year.
Shallenberger, meanwhile, earned first team all-Valley honors and was tied for second in the voting for MVC Player of the Year after ranking among the Valley’s top 10 in ten different offensive categories. Shallenberger will bring a team-best .382 batting average, 15 home runs and 55 RBI into this week’s MVC Tournament, which will be hosted at UE’s German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
Fougerousse captured honorable mention all-MVC honors for a year in which he hit .336 with 18 doubles, 14 home runs and 49 RBI. It marks the second-straight year in which he was named all-MVC, as he earned first-team all-Valley honors last year at second base. Harris garnered honorable mention all-Valley honors after tying for third in the league with six victories, and ranking fourth overall with a 3.84 ERA. Harris held opposing batters to just a .236 batting average against, while striking out a career-high 60 men.
Evansville will bring a 31-23 overall record into this week’s MVC Tournament. The tournament will officially begin on Tuesday afternoon at German American Bank Field, as No. 5 UIC will battle No. 8 Missouri State at 2:30 p.m. and No. 6 Southern Illinois will square off with No. 7 Belmont at 6 p.m. UE’s MVC Tournament trek will begin on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. against No. 4 Illinois State. Tickets for the MVC Tournament are available on-line at GoPurpleAces.com under the ticket link, or by phone by calling Logan Belz in the UE Athletic Ticket Office by phone at 812-488-2623.
Freeland Family Donates $3 million to UE Baseball Program
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville (UE) is elated to announce that Kyle ’15 and Ashley ’15 Freeland have generously contributed approximately $3 million to facilitate the establishment of a baseball clubhouse for the University which will be known as The Freeland Clubhouse. This is believed to be the largest gift in UE Athletics history. The Freeland’s philanthropic gesture will serve as the cornerstone for the initiation of the clubhouse project, a pivotal component of UE’s comprehensive athletics strategic plan, Pathway to Excellence.
Head Baseball Coach Wes Carroll has diligently cultivated a culture of excellence within UE’s baseball program. In a resounding testament to their unwavering support for Coach Carroll’s strategic vision for the future of UE Men’s Baseball, the Freeland’s have earmarked this gift for the construction of the new facility which will be situated close to the German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium. The facility will include a locker room, offices for coaching staff, and space for a lounge. It is slated to be completed sometime in Summer 2025.
Kyle Freeland, a distinguished pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, honed his skills as a member of the UE Baseball team before being drafted in 2014. Meanwhile, his wife, Ashley Freeland, herself a former student-athlete at UE, attained her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management in 2015.
“It’s truly an honor for myself and my wife Ashley to be able to give back to the University of Evansville and support this baseball program into the future. I owe so much of my development as a baseball player and a person to my time at UE and Coach Wes Carroll, and this felt like the most fitting way for me to say thank you,” said Kyle Freeland ’15. “This program has built and sustained success for many years, and our goal with this gift to the baseball program is to help build on that momentum, create a team-oriented environment that helps Evansville baseball players realize their true potential as students and athletes, and continue to boost recruiting. We’re already excited to cut that ribbon and see the future of Purple Aces baseball.”
At a Monday morning press conference, Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried said it was very clear that Coach Carroll made a difference in the life of Kyle Freeland and the family has decided to extend that influence by supporting future Aces.
“Aces Baseball is on the rise, and this transformational gift by Kyle and Ashley Freeland further accelerates our success in the Missouri Valley Conference and nationwide. I have always stated that we are a sleeping giant at the University of Evansville. A big part of that is the fact that we have Purple Aces like Kyle and Ashley Freeland who are willing to invest in our future,” said Dr. Siegfried. “I am so happy for Coach Wes Carroll and our UE Baseball program. Coach Carroll embodies what it means to be a Purple Ace. He has set the vision for the future of the UE Baseball program, and at the center of that vision has been a focus on our student-athletes.”
Watch For Signs Of Human Trafficking At Indy 500
Attorney General Todd Rokita Warns Race Fans About Human Trafficking
May 21, 2024
As the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500 is unparalleled as an international sporting event. Unfortunately, large events are known to create increased demand for trafficked individuals providing manual labor, sex for hire and other services. Attorney General Todd Rokita asks Hoosiers to know the signs, stay alert and report any suspicion to law enforcement.
“Spectator events of such grand scale are ripe for human traffickers looking for opportunities to carry out their heinous crimes,” Attorney General Rokita said. “As we excitedly participate in the greatest spectacle in racing, we need to keep our eyes and ears open for human trafficking as well. By reporting suspicions to local law enforcement, we can help authorities nab these predators and save victims.”
Following are signs that someone might be a victim of trafficking:
- They appear submissive or fearful.
- They are prohibited from speaking alone to strangers.
- They give answers that appear to be scripted or rehearsed.
- They show signs of physical abuse.
“Human traffickers can prey on anyone, regardless of their age, race or background,” Attorney General Rokita said. “It’s up to all of us to play a role in shutting down this devastating criminal enterprise.”
People in certain job roles — such as medical professionals, restaurant workers, and hotel employees — are particularly likely to come into contact with trafficking victims.
If you have suspicions that someone is being trafficked, call local law enforcement immediately. You may also report suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
In addition to raising awareness, Attorney General Rokita and his team are engaged in other efforts to combat human trafficking.
The Office of the Attorney General operates the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps protect victims of certain crimes — including those who have been trafficked — by concealing their residential address from the public and thereby their victimizers. Learn more about the program at the Attorney General’s website.
In February, Attorney General Rokita announced all K-5 students in Indiana would receive a child ID kit in 2024 — free of charge to Indiana families. Child ID kits give parents a tool to provide detailed information, a photograph, fingerprint, and DNA to law enforcement quickly. Completed kits are kept in a safe place at home, out of a database, so parents are prepared if the unthinkable happens. Kits will be distributed by superintendents and school resource officers to students this fall.
As it happens, this year the Indianapolis 500 race weekend coincides with National Missing Children’s Day, which is May 25. The day is intended to encourage parents, guardians, and communities to make child safety a priority — and as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families.
FOOTNOTE; THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER POSTED THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT OPINION. BIAS, OR EDITING.