FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
WHAT: EWSU Announces Recognition For Outstanding Safety And Engineering Excellence
EWSU Announces Recognition for Outstanding Safety and Engineering Excellence
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Sunrise Pump Station, 1200 Waterworks Road
Evansville Water and Sewer Utility officials will share information about three significant industry awards presented to the utility at two different awards banquets held last week in Indianapolis.
BASEBALL ACES RALLY IN NINTH FOR 7-6 WIN AT SEMO
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Down to its final out on Tuesday night, the University of Evansville baseball team got two-run home runs from current Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Mark Shallenberger and graduate first baseman Chase Hug in the top of the ninth inning, and then the Purple Aces were able to hold on for a 7-6 victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
“What a wild game!” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “It started out as a pitcher’s duel, and I thought that Kevin Reed was outstanding. Then things got crazy late, but our guys never panicked, and Mark Shallenberger and Chase Hug really stepped up and hit big home runs in the ninth to give us the lead.
“In the bottom of the ninth, I really have to credit Max Hansmann for battling. The play he made at third base defensively was also outstanding, and a huge play to help us hold on. We still have some things to iron out, but a win is always better than the alternative, and we’ll take it.”
Evansville jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a two-run double by graduate catcher Brendan Hord and an RBI double by junior outfielder Harrison Taubert. Reed would make the lead stand up through the first six innings, as he shut out the Redhawks on just four hits in a season-high 6.0 innings of work, striking out five.
Reliever Drew Fieger came on in the seventh, and worked a scoreless frame, before things would get crazy in the eighth inning. SEMO batted around in the eighth inning and scored four runs, without the baseball leaving the infield in the frame.
The Redhawks would take a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning and called on reliever Kyle Miller, who is SEMO’s all-time saves leader. With one out, junior designated hitter Cal McGinnis roped a single to right field. Then, with two outs, Shallenberger belted a 0-1 pitch just over the fence down the left-field line for his team-leading 12th home run of the year to give UE a 5-4 lead. Two batters later, Hug crushed a two-run home run to right field to give UE a 7-4 lead.
Both home runs would be needed in the bottom of the ninth, as SEMO quickly loaded the bases and got a one-out, two-run single to cut UE’s lead to 7-6. SEMO DH Keoni Coloma then sent a high fly ball down the left-field line where UE’s third baseman, shortstop and left fielder all converged, but the ball bounced in safely. Shallenberger, UE’s left fielder, quickly fielded and threw a strike to pitcher Max Hansmann, who was covering third base. The throw was off-line though, and Hansmann had to make a full-extension lunge to his right to catch the ball, just barely keeping his foot on the bag for the force out. Hansmann (1-1) then struck out the final batter to secure the 7-6 victory for UE.
Shallenberger and Hug both went 2-for-4 with home runs and two RBI to help lead UE. Taubert also had two hits, and senior shortstop Simon Scherry went 2-for-4 as well to close within just one hit of cracking UE’s career top 10 for hits.
With the victory, Evansville improved to 25-19 overall. SEMO, meanwhile, dropped to 22-23 with the loss. The Purple Aces will now travel north to Valparaiso, Indiana to battle the Valparaiso Beacons in a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series this weekend. The series will begin on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in a game that can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS.
USI comes up short at SIU, 7-5
CARBONDALE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball came up short, losing to Southern Illinois University, 7-5, Tuesday evening in Carbondale, Illinois. The Screaming Eagles are 19-26, while Salukis go to 26-19.
After the Eagles and Salukis were scoreless through three innings, USI grabbed the opening lead of the game, 2-0, with a pair of runs in the fourth. Sophomore second baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) reached on a single and an error before senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) doubled him in with a drive to center for the first tally of the game.
Ebest, who advanced to third on a sacrifice, would score when junior leftfielder Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri) reached on an error for the 2-0 advantage. The 2-0 lead would not last long as the Salukis responded with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth to grab the lead, 3-2.
After SIU increased its lead to 6-2 with tallies in the fifth and sixth, USI got back on the scoreboard in seventh and cut the deficit to 6-5 with three runs. Senior centerfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) pushed USI’s third run of the game across with a RBI-double before scoring the Eagles’ fourth run on a ground out by Niehaus.
The Eagles pulled to within one, 6-5, when Ebest struck with a RBI-single to score junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela). SIU would respond in the bottom of the seventh with a home run that re-extended the lead to two and eventual final score, 7-5.
On the mound, USI sophomore left-hander Will Kiesel (Wadesville, Indiana) took the loss in relief and a staff day for the Eagles. Kiesel (0-1) allowed one run on one hit and a walk and facing three batters.
Broce qualifies for Nationals, Blazers take 6th at Region 24 Tournament
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Vincennes University Golf team closed out the 2024 Region 24 tournament Tuesday at Weibring Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill.
The two-day, 54-hole tournament got off to a rocky start, with the opening round Monday being delayed by rain and moving the second round of the tournament to be played on Tuesday.
VU freshman Alex Nealis (Olney, Ill.) got off to a great start to the tournament Monday in the opening round, shooting a first round two-over 73 to leave him in a tie for ninth place after the first day.
Sophomore Preston Broce (Indianapolis, Ind.) was the second Trailblazer on the leaderboard, shooting a 77 on Monday, placing him in 21st place overall.
Freshman Andy Clark and sophomore Aaron Brink (Nashville, Ill.) rounded out the VU opening round scorers with Clark shooting an 83 and Brink coming in with a first round 86.
The Blazers returned to Weibring Tuesday morning for the final two rounds of this tournament and had an excellent start to the day, led by Broce who came through with a tournament low four-under 67 in his second round.
Alex Nealis and Andy Clark each shot a 75 in their second rounds of the tournament and Aaron Brink took seven shots off of his first round score to shoot a 79, giving the Blazers a team total for the round of 296.
Looking to further move up the leaderboard and claim one of two individual National qualifier spots, Broce continued his excellent Tuesday on the course by closing out the tournament with an even par 71.
Brink continued to take shots off of his previous rounds as well, closing out his tournament with a 76, while Nealis ended with a 77 and Clark posted an 84 in the final round.
The Trailblazers as a team finished the tournament with a team score of 923, placing them sixth as a team and missing out on the three team qualifying spots available.
Parkland College, Illinois Central College and Danville Area Community College came away with the team qualifiers for Region 24 for the National Tournament, with VU just three shots out of fifth place and 17 shots back of Danville for third.
The individual qualifier spots would be claimed by the top two finishers not on the qualifying teams, which would go to VU sophomore Preston Broce, with a tournament score of 215, just two over par in his three rounds.
The final qualifying spot would be claimed by Sam Rink of Heartland Community College.
Broce finished the tournament fourth on the individual leaderboard, earning him All-Region honors as well as qualifying for the 2024 NJCAA Division II National Championship tournament at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Mo.
“We had a good tournament,” VU Hall of Fame Golf Coach Dennis Chattin said. “The second round team score of 296 was our season low. Preston finishing fourth in the tournament was very impressive. His four-under par second round is really good and was the low round of the tournament.”
“Preston was also named to the All-Region team and qualified as an individual for the National tournament,” Chattin added. “I hate this time of the season, as my guys are just maturing as players and we lose our second year guys. It is just too fast.”
“Preston will be going on to play Division I golf next year at IU Indy,” Chattin said. “I think he is a strong player and will do well at the National tournament in Joplin.”
The four-day tournament will begin on Tuesday, May 21 and run through Friday, May 24.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: CANTERBURY OKAY WITH HIGHER UTILITY RATES
CANTERBURY OKAY WITH HIGHER UTILITY RATES
Written BY Cheryl Musgrave
MAY 1, 2024
It is hard to believe candidate Amy Canterbury’s casual attitude toward high utility bills and rate increase requests. Just last week she wrote “If the people are convinced it is needed, they will accept it.” (Courier & Press April 22, 2024)
Canterbury’s shocking statement evidences an indifference to the harsh reality…….Do the 7,000 plus families that had their utilities disconnected by CenterPoint “understand”?
Consider the statement made by Canterbury’s former boss (until her retirement last month), also the Senior Vice President at our local electric monopoly. He said that affordable electric rates can exist only in a “utopian world”. Is it becoming clear how disconnected Canterbury and her big business backers are from the daily reality of working-class families? (Courier & Press April 24, 2024)
Canterbury’s thoughts on educating the public overlook the harsh reality faced by many families whose budgets are already stretched.
Vanderburgh County’s median household income in 2023 was $58,839. The choice between putting food on the table, keeping a roof over their heads, and paying exploding electric and water rates is a stark one when the paycheck falls short.
These families don’t need an education about why utilities need even more of their hard-earned money, especially from someone who earns over twice that amount herself.
At the recent public rate increase hearing on the requested electric rate increase, where was big corporation, highly paid ($151,583} not-for-profit employee Amy Canterbury. Missing, nowhere to be seen, not fighting for you.
In contrast, I spoke against the proposed utility rate increases at the state hearings not just once, but twice. The first hearing was to oppose increased water rates and the second was to oppose an electric rate hike request. I work to solve the problem and stick with it — no matter how long it takes.
Cheryl Musgrave
FOOTNOTE:
THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER POSTED THIS LETTER WITHOUT OPINION, BIAS OR EDITING.
TODAYS VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
(PERSONNEL & FINANCE MEETING – APRIL 24, 2024 @3:30 PM
VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL – MAY 1, 2024 @3:30 PM
CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX, ROOM 301)
1. OPENING OF MEETING
2. ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. INVOCATION
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. County Council Meeting – April 3, 2024
6. PERSONNEL REQUESTS:
A. Superior Court
1. Request to allow advanced Step placement for Court Reporter 10001370-
137130
2. Request to fill the vacancy for a Small Claims Secretary 10001370-137180
3. Request to fill the vacancy for a PT Bailiff 10001370-137195
B. Drug and Alcohol Deferral Service
1. Request to fill the vacancy for a Director 10001380-138111
C. CCPI-Work Release/Superior Court – INDOC Grant Work Release
1. Request to retitle and reclassify Residential Officer jointly funded by 11222505-
930460 and 93140000-931460
D. Clerk
1. Request to fill the vacancy for a Senior Clerk-Circuit/Superior 10001010-101116
2. Request to fill the vacancy for a Circuit/Superior Counter Clerk 10001010-101134
3. Request to fill a vacancy for an M/T Subpoena Summons Clerk 10001010-101158
E. Assessor
1. Request to fill vacancy for a Real Estate Deputy Residential II 10001090-109156
7. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
A. Auditor
B. Community Corrections Project Income – Home Detention
C. Community Corrections Project Income – Treatment Court
D. Community Corrections Project Income – Work Release
E. Cumulative Bridge
F. Convention Center Operating Fund
Page 2 of 2
8. REPEALS – None
9. TRANSFERS:
A. Superior Court
B. Reassessment/County Assessor
10. SPECIAL APPROPRIATION:
A. Solid Waste Management District – Jean Carlson, Director
11. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Health First Indiana (HFI) – Joe Gries, Administrator Health Department
12. NEW BUSINESS:
A. P&F Meeting ONLY Veterans Memorial Coliseum Infrastructure Improvements –
Jeff Justice
B. Youth First – Parri Black, President & CEO
13. AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE
14. PUBLIC COMMENT
15. REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES:
A. County Council Meeting – May 1st @3:30 PM
B. Personnel & Finance Meeting – May 29th @3:30 PM
16. ADJOURNMENT
USI To Celebrate Over 1,500 Graduates, Honorees At 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremonies
The University of Southern Indiana will hold five Commencement Ceremonies over two days, Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, in the Screaming Eagles Arena to recognize students from the Class of 2024 and six honorary degree recipients.
One thousand five hundred and seventy-nine students are eligible to participate in 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremonies. Members of the Class of 2024 will join more than 52,000 current USI alumni across Indiana, the United States and the world.
Honorary degree recipients will be recognized for their exceptional service to USI and beyond and include Dr. Mohammed Khayum; Dr. M. Edward Jones and Cindy S. Brinker; Neal Franklin; Bridget Muldoon McDaniel; and Dr. James D. Anderson.
Shelby Clark, USI Class of 2024 President’s Medalist, will also be recognized during the Romain College of Business Commencement Ceremony.
Speakers at each Commencement Ceremony will be USI alumni who have excelled in their professional lives. A full schedule of speakers is below:
Friday, May 3
School of Graduate Studies – 5 p.m.
Dr. Kimberly McElroy-Jones, a 2013 Master of Health Administration graduate, will deliver the Commencement address at the School of Graduate Studies Ceremony. She is Director of Community Partnerships for Community Health at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Saturday, May 4
Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education – 9 a.m.
Dr. Robin Verble, a 2006 Bachelor of Science in Biophysics graduate, is the speaker for the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Ceremony. She serves as Director for the Ozark Research Field Station and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri.
College of Liberal Arts – Noon
Shane Dearing, 2007 Bachelor of Science in Political Science graduate, will deliver the Commencement address at the College of Liberal Arts Ceremony. Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of SAIVA AI based in Palo Alto, California.
Romain College of Business – 3 p.m.
Shan Sherwan Hussein, a 2014 Bachelor of Science in Economics and 2015 Master of Business Administration graduate, will speak at the Romain College of Business Ceremony. Presently, she serves as the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator–Emergency Roster for the International Rescue Committee.
College of Nursing and Health Professions – 6 p.m.
Dr. Sandra Hall, a 2005 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate, will deliver the Commencement address at the College of Nursing and Health Professions Ceremony. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Excellence at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
All Ceremonies will be held in-person. Tickets will not be required for guests. A livestream of each ceremony will be available at USI.edu/watch-commencement.
Those planning to attend in person are strongly advised to review the Screaming Eagles Arena Prohibited Items and Security Policy at USI.edu/arena-security.
Follow Commencement on social media with the hashtag #USIGrad on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
For more information about Commencement, visit USI.edu/commencement.