Balentine and Mockevicius Recognized Nationally
UE Seniors Earn Prestigious National Recognition
 University of Evansville seniors Egidijus Mockevicius and D.J. Balentine have been recognized for their efforts this season as Mockevicius has been named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award while Balentine was named a player to watch by Sports Illustrated.
Sixty NCAA® men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were selected as candidates for the 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Egidijus Mockevicius was one of 30 men’s players selected to be on the list. The senior remains atop the national rebounding list with 14.6 per game. He has hauled in 20 boards in each of the last two games and four times overall this season. Each of the 30 candidate classes will be narrowed to 10 finalists in February, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplify excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
D.J. Balentine, who was named the #2 scorer in the NCAA by Sports Illustrated before the season, was named a Player to Watch on Tuesday.  SI.com gave him credit for his great all-around talent as he began the week averaging 21.2 points per game to go along with 4.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
He has finished all 20 games this season with at least 14 points with his season high of 32 coming in a road win at Murray State. Balentine remains the top scorer in the Missouri Valley Conference and looks for his third berth on the All-Conference First Team.
Bucshon: Senate Democrats Block Bill to Keep Americans Safe
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked consideration of H.R. 4038, American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act, after the same bill passed the House with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority:
“Top administration officials have repeatedly said our refugee programs have significant gaps that could threaten the security of Americans,â€Â said Bucshon. “I’m disappointed Senate Democrats – including Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly – ignored these warnings by blocking a bipartisan bill to strengthen and reform the process and keep Americans safe which passed the House with a veto-proof majority.â€
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During a recent press conference Speaker Ryan reiterated that this is a, “security test—not a religious testâ€Â that “reflects our values and responsibilities.â€Â
After voting for H.R. 4038, Bucshon highlighted the bill’s national security significance by saying, “When it comes to national security, there’s no room for error. As a representative of the people, I will take every step available to protect the citizens of this country.â€Â
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State Cites Security Threat In Bid To Block Syrian Refugees
State Cites Security Threat In Bid To Block Syrian Refugees
Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com
The administration of Gov. Mike Pence defended its bid to halt the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indiana by asserting the federal government has not satisfactorily addressed security concerns.
The state through the office of Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a65-page response brief late Friday to a nonprofit agency’s federal lawsuit. Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. seeks an injunction barring the Pence administration from withholding federal grant funds for Syrian refugee resettlement. A hearing on the injunction request is scheduled for Feb. 15.
Pence announced suspension of federal grants to Exodus in November,prompting the nonprofit’s lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. The suit contends the state is preempted from actions that attempt to block resettlement because immigration and refugee resettlement are matters reserved for the federal government, which has thoroughly vetted those granted refugee status.
“The State of Indiana, to this point, is not satisfied that the United States has adequately discharged its obligation to consult with the State concerning refugee resettlement, particularly as it relates to refugees fleeing Syria,†the state’s response brief says. “Given the serious public security risks posed by such refugees, State officials should be afforded more access to information concerning refugees resettling here, the process by which they were designated to come here, and the extent to which it is even possible to conduct a worthwhile review of their backgrounds. Accordingly, the Governor’s directive is part of a larger effort not only to defer resettlement of Syrian refugees without better background checks, but also to persuade the United States to consult more seriously with States.
“Based on the available information to date, the Governor’s judgment is that such resettlements are not safe at this time, and his action carrying out that judgment is a restrained, targeted response to a very real security threat, well within the traditional authority of States to protect public safety,†the brief says.
Despite Pence’s announcement and personal appeals, Exodus proceeded with a planned resettlement of a family of four. Exodus plans to resettle additional Syrian families in Indiana this year.
The state’s brief warns terrorists have infiltrated the United States and other nations posing as refugees and argues Obama administration officials expressed concerns about potential gaps in the vetting process.
But the state in its response also argues Exodus has no standing to assert the equal protection rights of refugees. “(W)hile the Governor’s directive may harm Exodus’s economic interests, it does not harm the refugees,†the brief says. “Exodus has said it will resettle future Syrian refugees regardless of the Governor’s directive … and the state will continue to pay benefits directly to refugees who are resettled here (though it will not pay Exodus’s social services resettlement claims.)â€
Meanwhile, a top ACLU immigration attorney, Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, has entered an appearance in the litigation. ACLU officials did not reply to messages seeking comment.
The case before Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in the District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. v. Pence, et al., 1:15-CV-01858.
USI’s Guy nabs GLVC weekly honor
University of Southern Indiana senior Johnnie Guy (Palmyra, Indiana) was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week Wednesday in a vote by the league’s coaches.
Guy posted an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time in the mile to lead the No. 14 Screaming Eagles in their indoor season opener Saturday at the Little Giant Open. He finished first in the event with a time of four minutes, 15.22 seconds, winning the event over fellow All-American Tyler Pence (Springfield, Illinois) by less than one second. His time is currently the top mark in the GLVC and is fifth in the nation.
This is the fourth indoor weekly award for Guy, who was last honored on February 5, 2015. He has earned a combined seven GLVC Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week awards during his career and five GLVC Cross Country Runner of the Week honors.
USI returns to action Friday and Saturday when it competes at the Gladstein Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana, and the University of Indianapolis Collegiate Invitational in Indianapolis.
PEF and EVSC Announce Summer Musical 2016
PEF and EVSCÂ Announce Summer Musical 2016
The Public Education Foundation and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation announced today (01-20-2016) their 28th Annual Summer Musical: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, to be presented July 14-17, 2016 in the Aiken Theatre at Old National Events Plaza in downtown Evansville. Show times are July 14, 15 and 16 (Thursday – Saturday) at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m.
“In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.â€
Music Theatre International website: http://www.mtishows.com/disneys-the-little-mermaid
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for all ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, this fishy fable will capture the hearts of both young and old with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” Â – See more at:
http://www.mtishows.com/disneys-the-little-mermaid .
All Tri-State students currently in Grades 7-12 are invited to participate in auditions, which will be held April 5 and 6 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in the performing arts center at the Academy for Innovative Studies – Diamond Avenue. Callbacks will be on Thursday, April 7, 3:30-8:00 p.m., also at AIS Diamond.
Rehearsals will begin immediately after the end of the school year and will be held at the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center. Students interested in participating must be able to commit to the program, including all rehearsals and show times (May 23 through July 18.)
For more information, or to make a donation in support of the Summer Musical, visit the PEF website at www.pefevansville.org or contact Amy Walker, Executive Director of the Public Education Foundation, at 422-1699 or 480-7406.
The mission of the Public Education of Evansville, Inc. (PEF) is inspiring and rewarding student-centered innovation in public education. PEF board, supporters and staff believe that high quality public education is fundamental to the economic, cultural and civic health of our society; and that all students deserve the best possible public education in order to realize their full potential.
Follow PEF on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Education-Foundation-of-Evansville-Inc/), Twitter (PEFEVV), and at www.pefevansville.org .
For More Information Contact: Amy Walker, Executive Director, 812 422-1699 (office) or 812-480-7406 (cell).
USI remains on the road, goes north
The 25th-ranked University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball (13-4, 5-2 GLVC) continues its longest road trip of the year when it travels north to play Lewis University Thursday and 14th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Parkside Saturday. Game time Thursday night versus the Flyers (12-5, 4-3 GLVC) in Romeoville, Illinois, is 7:30 p.m., while the start time Saturday against the Rangers (13-2, 6-1 GLVC) in Somers, Wisconsin, is 3 p.m.
Game coverage for USI Men’s Basketball games, including live stats and audio, is available at GoUSIEagles.com. The Eagle games also can be heard over the air on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and WPSR 90.7FM.
This Week’s USI Men’s Basketball Quick Notes:
USI started its longest road trip of 2015-16 with a loss. University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball began its longest road trip of the season with an 80-65 loss at ninth-ranked Bellarmine University. The three-game road swing concludes this weekend at Lewis University (Thursday) and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (Saturday).
USI ranked 25th; play ranked UW-Parkside. Despite Monday’s loss, the Eagles remain ranked in the D2SIDA Division II Media Top 25 poll, but falls from 15th to 25th nationally. USI also will play its second ranked opponent in three games on Saturday when it visits UW-Parkside. The Rangers are ranked 24th in the NABC Division II Top 25 and 14th in the D2SIDA Division II Media poll.
Taylor starts road trip with 27-point effort. Junior forward Jeril Taylor started this week with a 27-point game at Bellarmine. He scored 24 of his 27 points in the second half on seven-of-13 from the field, three-of-seven from beyond the arc, and seven-of-seven from the line.
On the road in 2015-16. USI has played only three road games this year, going 2-1. Junior guard Jeril Taylor leads USI with 25.0 points per contest, while senior forward George Edwards is second with 11.7 points per outing and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Alex Stein rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.3 points per game.
USI vs. Lewis. USI leads the all-time series with Lewis, 44-23, and has a 6-5 advantage in the games in Romeoville, Illinois, since 2000. The Eagles won last year’s meeting at the PAC, 64-60, behind the 21-point effort of Bobo Drummond.
Lewis in 2015-16. The Flyers of Lewis are 12-5 overall, 4-3 in the GLVC. Lewis lost at UW-Parkside on Monday, 82-70, but has won three of its last four games. More on Lewis can be found at LewisFlyers.com.
USI vs. UW-Parkside. USI leads the all-time series with UW-Parkside, 28-10, and has a 7-4 advantage in the games in Somers, Wisconsin, since 2000. The Eagles lost last year’s match-up with the Rangers, 73-50, and has lost the last four regular season contests with UW-Parkside. Gavin Schumann led the Eagles in last year’s loss to the Rangers with 15 points at the PAC. USI’s only win over UW-Parkside since 2011-12 came in the 2013 GLVC Tournament.
UW-Parkside in 2015-16. The Rangers of UW-Parkside, who host Bellarmine on Thursday before welcoming the Eagles, are 13-2 overall, 6-1 in the GLVC. UW-Parkside, which is ranked 24th in the NABC Division II Top 25 and 14th in the D2SIDA Division II Media Top 25, has won nine in a row after its victory over Lewis on Monday. More on UW-Parkside can be found at ParksideRangers.com.
Last time on the road to Lewis, UW-Parkside road swing. The Eagles were swept the last time they made the road swing to Lewis and UW-Parkside in 2013-14. USI is 6-5 since 2000 in trips to Lewis in Romeoville, Illinois, and 7-4 on trips to UW-Parkside and Somers, Wisconsin.
NABC Division II Top 25 Poll
Team (1st place votes)
1. West Liberty (W.Va.) (16)
2. Augustana (S.D.)
3. Fairmont State (W.Va.)
4. Midwestern State (Texas)
5. Eckerd (Fla.)
6. Bellarmine (Ky.)
7. MSU Moorhead
8. Western Oregon
9. Queens (N.C.)
10. Tarleton State (Texas)
11. Angelo State (Texas)
12. Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.)
13. Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.)
14. Saint Anselm (N.H.)
15. California Baptist
16. Cal Poly Pomona
17. UC San Diego
18. Kentucky Wesleyan
19. Chico State (Calif.)
20. West Chester (Pa.)
21. Fort Lewis (Colo.)
22. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
23. Ashland (Ohio)
24. Wisconsin-Parkside
25. Columbus State (Ga.)
D2SIDA Division II Media Top 25 Poll
1. West Liberty (13)
2. Midwestern State (2)
3. Augustana (S.D.) (1)
4. Western Oregon
5. Bellarmine
6. Eckerd
7. Lincoln Memorial
8. MSU-Moorhead
9. Fairmont State
10. Tarleton State
11. Queens
12. Wheeling Jesuit
13. Angelo State
14. Wisconsin-Parkside
15. Southern Conn. State
16. Azusa Pacific
17. Delta State
18. Saint Anselm (N.H.)
19. Chico State
20. Columbus State
21. Barry (Fla.)
22. California Baptist
Saginaw Valley State
24. UC San Diego
25. Southern Indiana
IceMen Trade Dieude-Fauvel to Rapid City
(Rutkowski and Harpur loaned to Evansville, Wideman recalled in separate transactions.)
   The Evansville IceMen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and AHL’s Binghamton Senators, and Head Coach Al Sims announced Wednesday that the team has traded defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel to the Rapid City Rush for future considerations.
Additionally, forward Alex Wideman has been recalled by Binghamton and defensemen Troy Rutkowski and Ben Harpur have been loaned to Evansville from the BSens, in separate transactions. Earlier this week, forward Alex Guptill was recalled by Ottawa and reassigned to the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs.
Dieude-Fauvel, 29, has one assist in four games this season after signing with the IceMen in September. He spent two stints on injured reserve (Nov. 1-27) and (Nov. 28-Jan. 16) with a lower body injury but played in Evansville’s 2-1 loss Saturday to the Quad City Mallards. The Bordeaux, France native participated in Binghamton’s AHL training camp in October, and has played in the CHL, ECHL and AHL during his seven years of pro hockey in North America.
Wideman, 24, recorded five goals and 16 assists in 32 games with the IceMen after he was assigned to the team from Binghamton Nov. 2. The rookie forward out of St. Louis, MO is second in the ECHL in power play assists and signed an AHL contract with the BSens after completing his senior season at Miami University (Ohio) in April 2015.
Rutkowski, 23, played in three games for Binghamton since his call-up Dec. 26 and returns to Evansville, where he notched three goals and 14 assists in 26 games for the IceMen this season. The Edmonton, Alberta native signed a rookie contract with Ottawa in 2013 and has spent the past three seasons between Binghamton and both Elmira and Evansville in the ECHL.
Harpur, 21, has appeared in 21 games for the BSens during his rookie season. The 6’6, 214 lbs. defenseman was a 2013 4th Round Draft Pick of the Ottawa Senators and played the majority of his junior career (2011-15) with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.
Guptill, 23, had nine goals and four assists in 24 games for Evansville after being assigned toe Evansville Nov. 13. He is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Senators and will report to Manchester, where he has been reassigned.
THIS WEEK
Fri. 1/22 – at Greenville, 7:00pm EST – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Sat 1/23 – at Atlanta, 7:05pm EST – Infinite Energy Arena
NEXT HOME GAME
Sat. 2/6 – vs Rapid City, 7:15pm – Ford Center
Capes and Crowns Night
Adopt A Pet
This laid-back girl is Mabel, a 2-year-old female brown tabby! Her adoption fee is $30. She goes home spayed, microchipped, & vaccinated for that price! Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Last Chance to Register for Indiana Master Naturalist Program
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