Event to recognize high school students who are graduating from college before their high school graduation
Tonight (5/17/24) – 5:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech’s Tell City Career & Technology Center
1034 31st Street, Tell City
Otters capitalize to grab series finale
EVANSVILLE, IN – The Evansville Otters closed out their series against the Gateway Grizzlies tonight with a 6-2 win at Bosse Field. Situational hitting was a virtue for the Otters (2-5), capitalizing on the Grizzlies (3-3) mistakes to earn their first home win of the 2024 regular season.
Evansville saw dominant pitching throughout the game. Right-hander Parker Brahms (1-1) saw six frames of control on the hill, allowing just a pair of runs on seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
Tyler Driver, Leoni De La Cruz and Michael McAvene then threw one scoreless inning each out of the bullpen, allowing just one baserunner the rest of the way with another three strikeouts.
Offensively, the Otters swung the bats into action early, plating one run in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly from David Mendham.
Gateway answered in the third inning and briefly took a 2-1 lead in the fourth off a solo home run.
Punching back quickly, the Otters answered with a run in the bottom of the frame. After reaching on an error and being moved to third on a separate error, Jomar Reyes scored on a wild pitch that was blocked by the Gateway catcher. The ball hit the bottom of the mask, lodging itself inside his chest protector, bringing in a run on the dead ball to tie the game.
The Otters put the game out of reach with a four-run fifth inning. After a one-out double from Patrick Lee and a fielder’s choice, Lee came in to score on a double-steal throwing error into center field by the catcher, giving Evansville a 3-2 advantage.
They added on with a Mendham run-scoring double. Two batters later, Randy Bednar hit his second bomb in two days to left field, making it 6-2 to finalize the scoring.
Jake Green had another multi-hit game for Evansville. Bednar led the way with two RBIs and Lee scored twice.
Evansville’s six-game home stand will continue tomorrow against Joliet. The Slammers roll in for the weekend series set to begin at 6:35 PM CT.
FLAMES RALLY FOR 5-4 WIN OVER BASEBALL ACES
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After being held in check nearly all game long on Thursday night, the visiting UIC Flames rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning and one in the tenth to grab a 5-4 victory over the host University of Evansville baseball team at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.
UE freshman starter Kenton Deverman and sophomore reliever Max Hansmann combined to limit the Flames to just two runs on three hits, all in the fourth inning, before UIC rallied to tie the game in the ninth inning.
With UE leading 4-2 going to the ninth inning, back-to-back singles by catcher Jackson Bessette and Kendall Ewell opened the frame for UIC. Then, after a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly brought UIC back within a run at 4-3. A walk put runners on the corners with two out, before outfielder Rayth Petersen tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single to center field.
After UE was retired in order by reliever Zack Millsap (3-0) in the bottom of the ninth inning, UIC got an RBI double by Bessette off the wall in right field in the tenth inning to take a 5-4 lead. UIC closer Reece Lawler then worked around a one-out walk to post a scoreless tenth inning to record his 12th save of the season.
The loss spoiled a stellar outing by UE freshman pitcher Kenton Deverman. Deverman allowed only four base runners in 7.0 innings of work, with three of them coming in the fourth inning when the Flames strung together three two-out hits to score a pair of runs. Outside of that, Deverman retired 21 of the other 22 men he faced in order, with the lone other runner reaching base on a UE error. Deverman recorded nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter in the outing.
UE scored first in the third inning on a lead-off double by graduate catcher Brendan Hord, a single by junior designated hitter Evan Waggoner, and an RBI double by senior shortstop Simon Scherry.
After UIC took a brief 2-1 lead against Deverman in the fourth inning, Evansville answered back with two runs in the fifth inning on an RBI fielder’s choice by senior first baseman Kip Fougerousse and an RBI single by junior second baseman Cal McGinnis. UE would add a run on an RBI single by graduate third baseman Brent Widder in the seventh inning to take a 4-2 lead. The game would remain 4-2 until the ninth, when UIC rallied.
McGinnis and Scherry both had three-hit nights for UE, while Waggoner added a pair of hits as well. Evansville out-hit UIC, 12-8, but the Purple Aces also stranded 12 runners on base.
With the victory, UIC moves into sole possession of second place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings with a 33-16 overall record and 16-9 Valley mark. Evansville, meanwhile, falls into a tie with Murray State for third place with a 29-23 overall record and 15-10 MVC mark. The series will continue on Friday night at 6 p.m. with graduate LHP Donovan Schultz (3-2, 6.31 ERA) scheduled to get the start for UE. Friday’s game can be seen live on ESPN+ and heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS.
USI opens series with 8-1 win
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball opened Alumni Weekend with an 8-1 victory over Western Illinois University Thursday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles are 23-30 overall and 12-13 OVC, while Leathernecks go to 13-35, 8-17 OVC.
With the win, USI rises into a tie for fifth in the OVC standings at press time. The Eagles, 12-13 in the league, are tied in the standings with the University of Tennessee at Martin and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Cougars could rise or fall out of the tie pending the conclusion of the doubleheader nightcap versus Morehead State University that started at 5 p.m.
The OVC Championship, presented by SERVPRO, is scheduled for May 22-25 at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.
The Eagles used a two-run second inning to take command of the game, 2-0, early. USI junior catcher Logan Mock (Livermore, California) started the scoring by driving in junior leftfielder Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri), who had doubled to start the frame.
Mock would come around to score one batter later when junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) tripled down the right field line for the 2-0.
USI expanded the lead to 6-0 with a 4-run fourth inning. Mock struck again for the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, while Crowden made the score 4-0 with a RBI-single to left. Junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela), after a single by senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan), capped off the four-run frame with a two-run double to right field for the 6-0 lead.
Following an Emerich single to start the seventh, junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa) smacked a RBI-triple to left center and scored on a wild pitch to give USI an 8-0 advantage. The Leathernecks closed the gap in the ninth with a tally before the Eagles closed out the 8-1 victory.
USI junior right-hander Peyton Brown (Clemmons, North Carolina) was dominating through six innings and picked up the victory. Brown (2-2), who posted his longest outing of the season, blanked the Leathernecks on two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
USI senior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) picked up the save after throwing the final three innings. Robins allowed one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out two.
EPD K9 Orkan apprehends auto theft suspect
On May 16th around 8 a.m. officers were dispatched to a business on North Greenriver Road for an auto theft in progress. Officers arrived within minutes and found the suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Shawn M. Grigsby, trying to flee in a stolen truck. Grigsby had wrecked the vehicle, striking several poles, so the vehicle was inoperable. Grigbsy then refused to exit the truck.
Officers attempted to negotiate with Grigbsy for nearly an hour before utilizing less lethal options to end the standoff. When pepperball munitions were projected into the vehicle Grigsby exited the truck and fled on foot from officers. K9 Orkan, along with his partner Officer Blair, immediately apprehended Grigsby.
Officers responded quickly and worked together to help end this situation as safely possible. The collaborative effort by patrol, drone operators, negotiators, K9 units and detectives is to be commended.
Grigsby was treated at a local hospital and then booked into the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center with multiple charges including Auto Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Former Cleaners Site Eyed For Housing Project
Former CLeaners Site Eyed For A Housing Project
By Jay Young
STAFF WRITER
MAY 17, 2024
A local non-profit organization is working with the owner of the former Pearl Cleaners site on a possible affordable housing project, HOPE of Evansville’s executive director said Thursday.
HOPE’s Joshua Calhoun said he’s corresponded with the property owner about a development at 428 NW Third St. The property is owned by an entity controlled by Eric N. Morgan of Evansville.
The Evansville Building Commission recently cited the property because a recent demolition of the burned-out structure didn’t include debris removals. The city could be stuck with a bill to remove the mountain of bricks and debriis that have covered the site since January. Morgan has not responded to interview requests made since that demolition.
The property is located on the edge of the Downtown Improvement District.
“I think it’s a great area for affordable housing,” Calhoun said. “I think it’s an up-and-coming area.”
Beyond the immediate cleanup, the site faces multiple challenges that include years of unpaid taxes and fees that total $46,590 and potentially a $103,000 lien from the company that demolished the walls.
Calhoun said Morgan originally reached out to HOPE about a possible project and shared renderings. He said his organization has applied for funding from the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP} , which administers money from the state and partners with the Downtown Evansville Improvement District.
This is a developing story.
Vincennes University Agribusiness majors place second at national livestock judging contest
VINCENNES, Ind., May 16, 2024 – A team of Vincennes University Agribusiness – Animal Husbandry majors showcased their outstanding expertise by placing second in the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Livestock Judging Contest last month. In addition to the team’s success, VU student Sidnee Mason emerged as a standout performer, placing second as an individual participant.
The VU Livestock Team that rose to the occasion includes; Joe Records (Elnora, Indiana), Mason Guthrie (Salem, Indiana), Sidnee Mason (Hazelton, Indiana), Rayne Held (Freelandville, Indiana), Delani Bateman (Loogootee, Indiana), and Katie Stenftenagel (Jasper, Indiana).
The contest was held at the College of Southern Idaho and was part of the NACTA Judging Conference, which annually hosts a variety of agricultural contests for 2-year and 4-year member institutions. The conference is a vital part of preparing college students for careers in agriculture by improving their decision-making, communication, and technical skills within their chosen field.
“NACTA helped me gain confidence when speaking to individuals I have never met,” Sidnee Mason said. “I learned how operations are ran in Idaho. NACTA will help enhance my VU journey by creating opportunities and connections that would have never been available if I didn’t go.”
The VU Livestock Team’s performance at the NACTA Judging Conference reinforces VU’s dedication to agricultural education and solidifies its position as a leader in preparing students for success in the agriculture industry.
VU Agribusiness and Horticulture Program Chair Jennifer Steffy said, “VU’s students invested significant effort and time to prepare for the Livestock Judging Contest. Placing second is proof of the knowledge, skills, and high-quality education students receive here at VU. We take great pride in their amazing achievement, and we are 100 percent certain that these students will make significant contributions to the agricultural industry as they step into the real world.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita co-leads half of U.S. states against new EPA rule that threatens to increase Hoosier utility bills
Attorney General Todd Rokita and 24 other attorneys general this week took the next step in preventing the Biden administration’s “Clean Power Plan 2.0” from imposing a stranglehold on the states and everyday Hoosiers as they cool, heat and light their homes. Attorney General Rokita’s office is leading a motion to stay this intrusive new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that places absurd anti-coal & gas mandates on power plants.
This new rule exceeds the EPA’s statutory authority — effectively requiring a shift away from coal by setting unrealistic standards for coal plants. The U.S. Supreme Court held in West Virginia v. EPA that Congress never gave the EPA such statutory power.
“By trying to foist this economy-crushing debacle on Indiana, the Washington elites are proving once again they have nothing but contempt for hardworking Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Rest assured that we’re working nonstop to protect our people from these ruthless schemes and hold these federal bureaucrats accountable to the rule of law.”
The unlawful new rule, which fits the agenda of left-wing climate extremists, threatens the reliability of the nation’s power grid and invites higher utility costs.
In their court motion, the attorneys general note that the new rule effectively forces some power plants out of business — ignoring the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 West Virginia v. EPA decision clarifying that Congress did not give the EPA power to “direct existing sources to effectively cease to exist.” Rather, Congress sought to respect the role of individual states in balancing regional economic interests with environmental priorities such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The rule abandons cooperative federalism. Although the federal government is legally required to give states discretion in implementing standards, the EPA’s new standards are so stringent that they erase state discretion.
Attorney General Rokita is co-leading the 25-state effort with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. After filing the initial lawsuit last week, the attorneys general are now seeking a stay of the new rule pending the outcome of the litigation.