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HOT JOBS
Man died of Stabbing in Esquire Hotel
On May 11th, 2024, at 7:03 p.m. the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office was notified of a death that occurred at 6:58 p.m. at Deaconess Midtown Hospital. The deceased was identified as Christopher Samples 51 of Evansville who died from a stab wound while at the Esquire Inn 1817 N. Fares Ave. Evansville Indiana, 47711. More information will be released by the Evansville Police Department after they complete their investigation.
UE track and field ends 2024 season with five PRs in Day 3 of MVC Outdoor Championships
The Purple Aces finished 9th and 10th in the final standings
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Evansville track and field team capped off the 2024 season with the final day of the MVC Outdoor Championships.
The Purple Aces competed in nine events on Championship Sunday where five athletes set new personal records to end the 2024 season. UE began its day in the field with performances in the women’s and men’s discus throw. Senior Brooke Springer (Henderson, Ky. / Henderson Community HS) set a PR on the women’s side with a throw of 39.72 meters for 13th.
On the men’s side, graduate thrower Jaden Hayes (Huntingburg, Ind. / Southridge HS) and freshman thrower Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill. / Salem Community HS) set PRs in the event. Johnson threw for 43.81 meters in the preliminary throws to place 14th. Hayes and fellow graduate thrower Zach Dove (Princeton, Ind. / Princeton Community HS) made the men’s discus finals, placing fifth and sixth with throws of 48.90 and 48.18 meters respectively.
Evansville began its day on the track with the men’s 4×100 relay race. The relay team of Jude Nguyen (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington HS), José Ocampo (Monterrey, Nueva Leon, Mexico ), Woody Burrell (Cedarburg, Wis. / Cedarburg HS), and Raymond Felton III (Houston / Clear Brook HS) set a personal best in the event with a time of 43.07 seconds for eighth place. The Aces wouldn’t return to relay events until the end of the afternoon with UE’s runner finals taking the middle of the day.
Freshman runner Nicole Prauchner (Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Austria) ran in two individual events for Evansville, the women’s 1500 and 800-meter races. In the 1500-meter, Prauchner set a PR of 4:27.63 to place sixth in the event. In the 800-meter, the freshman ran a 2:11.38 for fifth place.
The Aces competed in two individual men’s finals on Sunday from freshman Rafael Rodrigez (Segovia, Spain) and Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) in the 800-meter and 5,000-meter races. Rodrigez competed first, setting a PR in the 800-meters with a time of 1:51.13 for fourth place. Lea finished the men’s 5K in 15:28.62 to cap off his season.
UE’s final events of the Championships were the women’s and men’s 4×400 relay races. The all-freshman women’s team of Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS), Prauchner, Martin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada), and Eilén Brenne (Skein, Norway) won the first heat of the event with a time of 3:51.96 for ninth place. The men’s team of Felton III, Rodriguez, Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy), and Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, Minn. / Center HS) earned Evansville its final point of the day by placing eighth with a time of 3:24.56.
Overall, the Aces finished ninth out of 10 teams on the men’s side and 10th out of 11 teams on the women’s side. Hosts and projected favorites Indiana State lifted the MVC Outdoor titles for both the men’s and women’s teams. Final standings from the 2024 MVC Outdoor Championships are listed below.
MEN
- Indiana State – 221.5 points
- Illinois State – 152 points
- Southern Illinois – 107 points
- Northern Iowa – 88 points
- Drake – 67 points
- Belmont – 65.5 points
- Bradley – 61 points
- Valparaiso – 31 points
- Evansville – 14 points
- UIC – 7 points
WOMEN
- Indiana State – 158 points
- Murray State – 136.5 points
- Illinois State – 132.5 points
- Belmont – 130 points
- Southern Illinois – 58 points
- Drake – 54 points
- Bradley – 51 points
- Northern Iowa – 50.5 points
- Missouri State – 39.5 points
- Evansville – 7 points
- UIC – 2 points
Long ball leads Otters to first win of 2024
JOLIET, IL – The Evansville Otters’ offense came to life in the series finale against the Joliet Slammers for the Mother’s Day matinee at Duly Health and Care Field. The Otters (1-3) strung together a baker’s dozen worth of hits, outscoring the Slammers (2-1) 12-5 for their first win of the 2024 season.
Austin Bost scored the first run of the game in the opening frame off a Jomar Reyes base-hit to left field.
Evansville combined for eight more unanswered runs in the next two frames, blowing the game open 9-0.
The explosion was highlighted by a two-run blast by Donivan Williams in the second inning. David Menham brought home another pair later with a two-bagger down the left field line.
In the third, Patrick Lee hit a grand slam to right-center field for his first home run of the year.
Joliet got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the third. However, the deficit was too much to overcome as the bats fell silent for the Slammers until the ninth.
Evansville added offense in the fifth when Williams launched his second home run of the game. The solo bomb made it a 10-3 game.
In the sixth, Jake Green hit an RBI single to left field, scoring David Mendham who led off with a base-hit.
Finalizing the Otters’ scoring was Bryan Rosario in the ninth. After leading off on a four pitch walk, he was brought home by Nick Gonzalez’ sacrifice-fly.
In the final frame, the Slammers scored another pair of runs on a triple. The attempt at a comeback was short-lived, as Leoni De La Cruz shut the door on the next batter.
Tyler Ras (1-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs on five hits with one walk and a strikeout. The right-hander pitched five innings during this Otters debut. James Krick pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Tyler Driver tossed a shutout eighth.
Five batters had multi-hit performances — Lee led the way with three knocks and four RBIs. Williams scored three times and reached base in all but one at-bat. Three other Otters joined him in a multi-run performance. Lee, Medham and Williams also totaled multi-RBI days in the Otters’ big win.
Evansville will return home for their home-opener on Tuesday, May 14 against the Gateway Grizzlies in a rematch of last year’s West Division Championship Series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and tickets are available here.
BASEBALL ACES KNOCK OFF NATIONALLY-RANKED SYCAMORES, 7-6
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The visiting University of Evansville baseball team exploded for six runs on three home runs in the second inning on Sunday, and then the Purple Aces held off the nationally-ranked Indiana State Sycamores, 7-6, at Bob Warn Field in Terre Haute, Indiana.
“What a gritty effort in all three facets to salvage a game on the weekend today,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “I thought all three pitchers really battled today and gave us everything they had. I thought Nick Smith, Shane Harris and Jakob Meyer were outstanding.
“Offensively, I thought that we had a pretty good plan today at the plate. We are a pretty talented club, and I know that we dropped the last two games, but I thought that our guys really showed what they are made of today in a battle against a very good Indiana State team.”
After Indiana State rallied for two two-out runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab an early 2-0 lead, Evansville exploded for six runs off of Indiana State starter Luke Hayden (6-2) to take a lead it would never lose. Junior outfielder Ty Rumsey opened UE’s six-run frame with a no-doubt three-run home run to deep right field to give UE a 3-2 lead.
Fellow junior outfielder Harrison Taubert followed two batters later with a solo home run to left field to push the UE lead to 4-2. Then, senior designated hitter Kip Fougerousse crushed a two-run home run to left-center field to give Evansville a 6-2 cushion.
UE starter Nick Smith and senior reliever Shane Harris (6-6) kept Indiana State off the scoreboard until the sixth inning, when Indiana State got a solo home run from shortstop Randal Diaz to trim UE’s lead to 6-3. ISU would then add a two-run home run from third baseman Mike Sears in the seventh inning to get back within a run at 6-5. UE senior reliever Jakob Meyer would work a scoreless eighth inning, though, and Evansville would tack on an insurance run with a two-out rally in the ninth inning to extend the lead to 7-5.
In the ninth inning, graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger laid down a two-out bunt against an infield shift by Indiana State to begin the rally, and extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Fougerousse then worked an eight-pitch walk to put two runners on base, before graduate third baseman Brent Widder laced a double over the third base bag and into the left-field corner to score Shallenberger and give UE a 7-5 lead.
The insurance run would be needed, as Indiana State rallied for a run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Meyer. But, Meyer struck out Indiana State second baseman Josue Urdaneta with the tying run at second base to record a nine-out save for his fourth save of the season.
Fougerousse, Rumsey and Taubert all had two-hit days to pace the Evansville offense on Sunday. Harris earned the victory by holding Indiana State to a single run on four hits and a walk in 3.2 innings of work with three strikeouts.
With the victory, Evansville improved to 29-22 overall and 15-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference, as the Purple Aces moved into a tie with UIC for second-place in the MVC standings. Indiana State, meanwhile, dropped to 36-11 overall and 19-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference with the loss. Evansville will host UIC in a three-game series next weekend beginning on Thursday, with the winner of the series capturing the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MVC Tournament to be held in Evansville from May 21-25. But, first, Evansville will wrap up non-conference play on Tuesday night, as the Purple Aces will travel south to Clarksville, Tennessee to battle the Austin Peay State Governors. First-pitch on Tuesday night is set for 6 p.m. in a game that can be seen live on ESPN+.
Todays City Council Meeting Agenda
City Council Meeting
MAY 13, 2024
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
05-13-2024 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
04-22-2024 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2024-05 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Burton Discussion Date: 5/20/2024 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2024-05 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, May 20, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS SET UP POWER STRUGGLES FOR LOCAL AND STATE GOP
PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS SET UP POWER STRUGGLES FOR LOCAL AND STATE GOP
written by staff
MAY 13, 2024
Most of the 12,839 Vanderburgh County Republican party voters who showed up at the polls last week were focused on the big races like Governor, Congress, or County Commission. However, the races at the end of the ballot for Precinct Committeeman (PC) or Convention Delegate were where the real power struggle in the Republican party took place.
The tug of war for control of the Vanderburgh County GOP pits the establishment, long-term party members, and moderates against the most conservative wing of the local Republican party. Many in the conservative wing members, sometimes labeled as “MAGA Republicans,” rose over a decade ago as the “Tea Party.” They cling to Freedoms and Rights as laid out in the Constitution of the United States, and they are pro-life, pro-gun, and believe in less government. This constituency is so powerful that “conservative” was the most used word in political advertising in the 2024 primary races.
This year, a record number of people filed to run for PC in most counties across Indiana. Word circulated among county chairmen that people were coming for the chairmanship. In most counties, the chair challenged as many candidates as possible using the two primary rules for disqualification.
In Vanderburgh County, GOP Chair Mike Duckworth and the county election board disqualified a few candidates. The only candidate who successfully appealed the disqualification was Michael Daugherty, who ran an extremely impressive campaign as a Libertarian for Mayor of Evansville.
Mr. Daugherty has called for Duckworth to resign and may be planning a run for the County Chairmanship when the seat opens. Duckworth’s term ends in March next year, but many conservative Republicans want him to resign now. Others in the party have started counting to see if they have the two-thirds of the PC votes needed to unseat Duckworth early.
Daugherty won his PC race with an impressive 72% of the precinct vote and won a convention delegate seat. Duckworth barely won a three-way race by only three votes.
One of the biggest surprises in the PC races was the defeat of former Vanderburgh GOP Chairman Wayne Parke by conservative Kent Brasserie.
Two former members of the Winneke administration faced off in a PC race where former Deputy Mayor Steve Schaeffer got a political thrashing by former Evansville Mayor and City Controller Russell Lloyd Jr.
Michael Boatmen challenged Maytes Rivera’s candidacy, who was given a waiver from qualifying for the two-primary rule. Boatman lost the challenge, but he beat her in the election by a whopping 2 to 1 margin and won a delegate seat.
Former Secretary of State Holi Sullivan was voted out of office by conservative delegates at the 2022 convention; she won a four-way battle for her precinct with over 50% of the vote.
Wendy MacNamara pulled 83% of the vote. Jill Hahn won with 54% in a way battle.
Conservative Alan Leibundguth pulled a stunning upset by beating Vanderburgh County Council Attorney Jeffrey Ahlers by a mere two-vote margin.
Former Central Committee members E Lon Walters and Hobart Scales both lost.
Steve Hammer took back the seat Duckworth ousted him from when he supported Democrat Stephanie Terry for Mayor.
Vanderburgh County will send a mix of conservative and establishment delegates to the GOP State Convention. Of the 46 local representatives attending in mid-June, 17 are committed to supporting Micah Beckwith, the Noblesville pastor who has been campaigning for Lt. Governor for the past year.
Johnny Kincaid, former radio personality, current podcaster, and City-County Observer contributor, is among the delegates committed to Beckwith. Other Beckwith delegates include Pastor and former mayoral candidate Steve Ary, former mayoral candidate Michael Daugherty, and Seek and Find Consignment owner Ken Colbert.
Other notable delegates include former city controller Russel Lloyd Jr., State Representative Tim O’Brien, former State Representative Thomas Washburne, Vanderburgh GOP vice chair Dottie Thomas, Vanderburgh GOP chair Mike Duckworth, former Secretary of State Holi Sullivan, and former county clerk Marsha Abel Barnhart.
The election of new PC members could likely change the Vanderburgh County Republican Party for many years.
We are told that the conservative challenger’s mission is to bring the party back together to develop a sense of unity.
Judge David D. Kiely Presented Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer Memorial Award
Judge David D. Kiely Presented Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer Memorial Award
MAY 13, 2024
On May 9, Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge David D. Kiely was presented with the Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer Memorial Award at the 2024 Justice Services Conference ni Indianapolis, IN.
The award is given each year ni memory of Army Sgt. Mennemeyer, who died Aug. 8, 2006 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is presented to someone who has made the most significant impact, achievement, or contribution to veterans in Indiana through their work in the criminal justice system.
Judge Kiely brought the first Veterans Court to the state of Indiana. He has supervised the Vanderburgh County Veterans Court since 2011 and has seen 58 veterans graduate from the program. Judge Kiely has harnessed local organizations and support for veterans as part of the Veterans Court program.
As the founder and leader of Veterans Court, Judge Kiely heads the community effort – the Court, Probation, Prosecution, Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, local law enforcement, and community treatment professionals- to work together to benefit veterans in the justice system. Because of this and employment, receive assistance with veteran benefits and driver’s licenses and are put on a path to alliance, veterans receive mental health and substance abuse treatment, receive assistance with housing recovery and a positive lifestyle. Kiely’s court is more than consistent and just. It is also compassionate and caring. I’ve watched veterans David Lehrschall – Vet Court Mentor Coordinator and Point Man Ministries-“1 have learned that Judge in the program begin as hurting, tight-lipped, passive-aggressive participants looking to simply avoid participating into individualized programs that heal and help them move forward.
It is deeply moving to more jail time. The court patiently works through this phase and continuously works to get each me again.” I learned to know these veterans and I am grateful to Judge Kiely’s court.” hear these veterans say, “I would be dead now if it wasn’t for this program” or “My family is talking to Rocky Peppers – Veteran’s Justice Outreach Coordinator and former combat Marine – “His calm, respectful, yet no-nonsense presence and communication style has seemingly always been effective (even by those he was admonishing at times) and certainly something to admire.’ Judge Kiely’s level of compassion, candor, mutual respect, and commitment will always be etched in my mind as something to try and emulate and I feel privileged to have been able to learn from Judge Kiely. Myself and others will be eternally grateful for his pioneering work and dedication throughout the years.”
Judge Gary J. Schutte -Vanderburgh Superior Court- “Judge Kiely is the type of judicial officer that invokes confidence in the judiciary is fair, just, upholds the law, all while being compassionate, patient, and kind. He is not afraid of hard work.” “He can have difficult conversations with veterans while encouraging and inspiring them.” “Serving the veteran population in Vanderburgh County is kind and encouraging to participants yet firm and accountable when necessary. He is constantly passionate about Judge Kiely. He is at ease and comfortable when interacting with the veteran participants. He looking to grow, develop, and expand Veterans Court for the betterment of veterans.”