Darrah Breaks Women’s Weight Throw Record at Bellarmine Open

01/17/2026

LOUISVILLE – University of Evansville senior Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio/Orange) broke her own UE women’s indoor weight throw record at the Bellarmine Open on Friday, highlighting the first meet for the Aces track & field program in 2026.

Sprints and Hurdles
Women
Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) posted the second-best indoor 60-meter dash time in program history, falling just short of her personal and program record with a time of 7.93 seconds. Freshman Mya Baker (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) made a strong collegiate debut, finishing just behind Johnson at 8.00. Johnson and Baker placed seventh and ninth, respectively, while Clara Kelty placed 17th with a time of 8.84.
Johnson matched her second-best time in program history in the 200-meter dash at 25.00, placing second. Kelty also completed in the event, finishing with a time of 30.10. Johnson secured another podium finish in the 400-meter dash, placing third with a time of 57.88, the third best mark in indoor program history. Kelty and Mallory Hagan (Henderson, Ky./Henderson County) finished the event 14th and 16th, with times of 1:08.13 and 1:12.05.

Freshmen Lissa Willis (Vincennes, Ind./Vincennes Rivet) and Hagan competed in the 60-meter hurdles, with Willis finishing eighth at 10.06 seconds and Hagan placing 12th at 11.26 seconds.

Men
In the 60-meter dash, Jose Ocampo (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico) posted a personal best time of 7.09 seconds to place 11th. Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North) finished at 7.19 seconds to place 20th, while Myles Terry (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) finished 22nd at 7.22 seconds and Jude Nguyen (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) set a personal best of 7.33 seconds to place 27th.

Terry was Evansville’s top finisher in the 200 meters, placing 13th with a time of 22.57 seconds. Ocampo notched another personal best at 22.70 seconds to finish in 16th, followed by freshman Josiah Hoehn in 17th with 22.92 seconds (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and Shin in 18th with 22.94 seconds.
Terry again paced the Aces in the 400 meters with a time of 51.77 seconds to place 18th Shin set a person record of 52.08 to place 22nd.

Freshman Brody Riggs (Fort Branch, Ind./Gibson Southern) made a strong collegiate debut in the 60-meter hurdles, placing seventh with a time of 8.77 seconds. Fellow freshman Hoehn followed in eighth at 8.83 seconds, while another freshman, Tristin DeTalente (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North), placed 11th at 9.14 seconds. In the 4×400 relay, Evansville’s team of Hoehn, Riggs, Nowicki and Losma finished fourth with a time of 3:29.67.

Distance and Mid-Distance
Women
Veronica Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton HS) was the lone Evansville woman to compete in the mile, finishing 21st at 5:56.54. Avery Stephens notched a personal best in the 3000 meters, securing a podium finish at third overall with a time of 10:18.92. Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) enjoyed a strong collegiate track debut, placing seventh at 10:34.02. Fellow freshmen Amick McClelland (Quincy, Ill./Quincy) and Josie Lynch (Brazil, Ind./Northview) placed 12th and 21st with times of 10:57.87 and 11:21.46, while Kyndall Anthis (Patoka, Ind./Princeton Community) secured a personal best time of 11:28.52 to finish 22nd.

Men
Three Aces competed in the mile, with Jake Antibus (Switz City, Ind./White River Valley) leading the pack with a time of 4:36.27, good for 15th. Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland) placed 25th at 4:58.65, followed by Alejandro Navarrete (Mogaroe, Ohio/Mogadore) in 26th with a personal best time of 5:01.38.
Tomasso Losma (Lombardia, Italy) placed 10th in the 3000 meters with a time of 8:41.88, leading a pack of six Aces. Freshman Nathan Campbell (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington North) finished 13th at 8:50.56, followed by Tanner Spence (Carmi, Ill./Carmi) in 14th at 8:54.82 and Woody Burrell (Cedarburg, Wis./Cedarbug) in 16th with a personal best time of 8:56.53. Oliver Wilgocki (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) and Thomas Wamser (Greenville, S.C./J.L Mann) rounded out the Evansville finishers at 29th and 35th with times of 9:15.08 and 9:32.79.
Evansville took two of three podium spots in the 5000 meters, as Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind./South Knox) finished second with a time of 15:43.8, followed by freshman Nicholas Hirsch (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) in third at 15:59.78.

Jumps
Women
Lilyana Gargano (Hudson, Fla./Fivay) placed sixth in the high jump with a mark of 1.40 meters.

Men
Riggs also competed in the high jump for the men’s squad, placing seventh with a mark of 1.80 meters. In the long jump, Nguyen finished 22nd with a mark of 5.52 meters and Antwaun Powell (Ringgold, Ga./Heritage) finished 25th with 5.12 meters.

Throws
Women
Darrah crushed her previous weight throw record of 14.62 with a mark of 15.50 meters, placing third in the field. Emma Bertel (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) finished 16th in the event at 12.01 meters. In the shotput, Jillian Miller (Boonville, Ind./Boonville) nabbed a personal best of 10.29 meters to place tenth, while Bertel placed 12th at 10.18 meters and Holland Morris (Florence, Ky./Randall K. Cooper) placed 26th with 7.25 meters.

Men
Freshman Drew Aaron (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mount Vernon) was the lone Ace to compete in shot put, finishing 17th with a mark of 11.87 meters. In the weight throw, Tyler Cherne (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) secured an eighth-place finish with 15.60 meters, followed by Beau Baldwin (Mount Vernon, Ind./Mt. Vernon) in 17th at 11.89 meters.

KARPINSKI LEADS THUNDERBOLTS TO 3-2 COMEBACK WIN OVER ICE FLYERS

01/17/2026

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Pensacola, Fl.: Behind stellar goaltending from Cody Karpinski against his former team, the Thunderbolts rallied from a 2-0 deficit to come back and defeat the Ice Flyers 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night at the Pensacola Bay Center. The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Friday, January 23rd against the Birmingham Bulls at 7:00pm CT.

Pensacola grabbed the game’s first lead late in the first period, with Tyler Burnie scoring on a back-door pass at 15:50. 48 seconds later, the Ice Flyers doubled their lead to 2-0 as Zack Jones scored on a 2-on-1 rush at 16:38. Evansville’s trend of strong second periods continued, starting with Connor Tait batting in a puck at the side of the net from Eelis Laaksonen and Will van der Veen at 7:41 to trim the deficit to 2-1 Pensacola. On the power play late in the period, the Thunderbolts nearly fell behind 3-1 with a shorthanded 2-on-0 rush by Pensacola as Tyler Burnie passed across to Tyler German, but a sure goal was robbed by Karpinski, who dove across to make the pad save. The save proved to be a massive momentum swinger, as Evansville scored one second after the power play expired to tie the game 2-2, with Berkopec scoring the goal from Myles Abbate at 17:11. After a scoreless third period and overtime, where Karpinski again denied a 2-on-0 scoring chance, the game went to a shootout. Behind goals in the first round by Scott Kirton and fourth round from Abbate and another 4 saves on 5 shootout attempts by Karpinski, Evansville ended their losing streak of five consecutive shootouts and completed the comeback, 3-2 the final score to open the weekend doubleheader at Pensacola.

Abbate scored the shootout-winning goal plus an assist, with Tait and Berkopec also scoring one goal each. In goal, Cody Karpinski stopped 30 of 32 shots on goal in regulation and overtime and 4 of 5 in the shootout for his 2nd win of the season. The Thunderbolts and Ice Flyers meet again on Saturday, January 17th at Pensacola Bay Center, with Evansville leading the regular season series 1-0.

Opportunity to Acquire a Legacy Online News Publication: City-County Observer

01/17/2026

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For over two decades, the City-County Observer has been a recognizable and trusted name in local digital journalism. Built during a time when community-focused reporting mattered most, the Observer established itself as a platform for government transparency, civic dialogue, and independent reporting. Today, it presents a rare opportunity: the chance to acquire a legacy online newspaper with an established brand, existing readership, and significant growth potential.

A Recognized Name with Community Credibility

The City-County Observer is not a startup—it is a known entity. The name carries weight in the community, particularly among readers who value local government coverage, public accountability, and independent commentary. In an era when local journalism is disappearing, this publication represents something increasingly rare: brand recognition tied to civic trust.

For the right buyer, the City-County Observer is more than a website—it is a foundation. One that can be revitalized, expanded, and positioned for long-term success in the future of local media.

If interested, please contact citycountyobserver@live.com, or 8127748012

HALLOWED HALLS OF LAUREL

01/17/2026

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GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 19 January 2026)

HALLOWED HALLS OF LAUREL

It is kinda’ like how I felt when the sister and two brothers I grew up with became a college professor, a world-class musician and a leading legal scholar. Where did that come from? Gentle Reader, you probably have had the same puzzlement about the neighbor kid you played house or marbles with who is recognized later in life by others as brilliant. You most likely ask yourself, “Who snatched their body away and replaced them with this heroic icon?”

This Gavel Gamut could not be written until after Indiana University’s football team won the CFP semi-final game against Oregon on 09 January 2026; IU did! So, now the ultimate issue to be decided is, will IU beat Miami for the National Championship on Monday, January 19, 2026? In spite of the “rat poison curse”, I say they can and will have done so before you read this column. Miami is extremely well coached and talented, but IU is even better. Discipline and turnovers will decide the outcome. I submit no college football team is better disciplined nor as adept at causing and capitalizing upon their opponent’s mistakes as IU. Yeah, I cannot believe I am writing that either!

Now back to the theme of this column; where the devil did this come from to a program that was the first in college football history to lose over 700 games? What ironic quirk of athletic history brought the college I first saw lose in 1963 to, hopefully, the National Championship a lifetime later? I still remember countless games we lost in the fourth quarter, even in the last seconds of the fourth quarter, or because of some idiosyncratic football faux pas? Where is that team of hard striving ultimate losers who kept falling just short of glory only to be patted on the helmets as if they were incapable of being even average, much less victorious?

Fall 2024 to January 2026 seems as dreamlike as my surprising siblings or friends who found marvelous success and brought me joy in the process. So, has IU won the National Championship? I do not yet know. But I already know my Alma Mater is no longer the doormat of college football history. While I expect IU to beat Miami, I know they have already covered those hallowed southern Indiana limestone walls with laurel amidst all that ivy!

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

On Facebook follow us at “Jim Peg Redwine” or Substack “@gavelgamut”

DEATH LIST REPORT

01/17/2026

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WEEKLY DEATH REPORT DEC 15 TO DEC 21, 2025

USI DMS Program offers free pregnancy ultrasounds

01/17/2026

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The University of Southern Indiana Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is offering non-diagnostic ultrasounds to expectant mothers in their second or third trimester (20-34 weeks pregnant) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through April 28, 2026. Students will be practicing assigned images under the direction of experienced faculty members.

“This unique collaboration provides the opportunity for students to enhance their practical skills before starting their clinical rotations,” said Jordan Thomason, DMS Instructor and Clinical Coordinator. “With our state-of-the-art lab and 3D probes, students can practice various scanning techniques and protocols with direct patient interaction under the guidance of an instructor.”

Thomason said that ultrasound sessions are beneficial for both the students and moms-to-be. “Most women enjoy knowing they are helping with our students’ education and are always excited to get another peek at their babies,” she says. “Also, getting to see a live baby on the screen is a wonderful opportunity for our students.”

Rep. O’Brien authors legislation to protect victims of violent crime

01/17/2026

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STATEHOUSE (Jan. 15, 2026) – State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) recently proposed legislation aimed at supporting victims of violent crime bystrengthening notification requirements prior to the release of a violent felon.

House Bill 1250 would require the Indiana Department of Correction to notify law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney of the county or community where they’re releasing a serious violent felon as well as the same authorities of where their crime was committed at least seven days before the release. A court and prosecuting attorney would then notify any victims through Indiana’s Statewide Automated Victim Information & Notification(SAVIN) program of the felon’s release.

O’Brien said the legislation was prompted by a tragic situation that occurred in Evansville last fall when local real estate agent Susan Haynie was allegedly killed by a convicted violent offender who had been released from prison just six months earlier.

“No family should ever be left in the dark about the release of a violent offender,” O’Brien said. “In this case, both local law enforcement and some victims report they were unaware of the release of a violent felon, exposing a serious gap in our system. House Bill 1250 ensures victims, prosecutors and law enforcement receive timely notification so communities can be better prepared when violent offenders return.”

O’Brien said that he worked closely with Haynie’s family while crafting this legislation. They joined forces with a group of the perpetrator’s other victims to form the Susan Haynie Committee, advocating for stronger public safety measures and improved victim notification across Indiana.

The bill has been referred to the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee for consideration. To learn more about HB 1250 or follow session live, visit iga.in.gov.

First Responder Agencies to Host Battle of the Badges in Jasper

01/17/2026

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Resolve to give blood and help save lives during National Blood Donor Month

JASPER, Ind. (January 14, 2026) – Join the Jasper Fire and Police Departments as they come together for the first-ever Battle of the Badges to support patients in need of blood transfusions.

Winter can be an especially challenging time to collect enough blood, as inclement weather often leads to canceled drives. Seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, can also prevent donors from making or keeping their appointments. Your participation can make a meaningful difference for patients.

The Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition to see who can recruit the most eligible blood donors to join them in this lifesaving effort. The community is encouraged to give blood on Thursday, January 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Jasper Public Library located at 100 3^rdAvenue, Suite B, Jasper, Indiana.

All presenting donors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite first responder agency. Donors will also receive an exclusive American Red Cross Battle of the Badges t-shirt, while supplies last.

Following a busy holiday season, the American Red Cross blood supply is under pressure. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.

Joining first responders to donate at this special event can help ensure blood is on the shelves before it is needed.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD at the Jasper Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code jasperlibrary to donate blood at either of the participating locations. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS
(1-800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at

redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Access blood donation here: B-roll

A special thank you to German American Bank and Spring Valley Bank & Trust Company for their partnership and support of our lifesaving mission.

USI’s Simmons earns CSC Lifetime Achievement Award

01/17/2026

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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Director of Athletic Communications Ray Simmons has earned the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Lifetime Achievement Award in an announcement by CSC Thursday afternoon.

Simmons, who recently announced plans to retire in June, is in his 37th year serving as the Director of Athletic Communications at USI after being hired as its sports information director in August of 1989.

The primary media contact for the USI men’s basketball and baseball programs during those times, Simmons helped promote and publicize four NCAA Division II national players of the year, more than 44 All-Americans, and 14 Academic All-Americans. He also helped publicize USI’s team successes, such as the USI baseball national championships in 2010 and 2014; the 1995 men’s basketball national championship; the 1994, 2004 and 2019 men’s basketball Elite Eight teams; the 1997 women’s basketball national finalist team; and the 2007, 2016 and 2018 baseball runs to the national championship series.

Simmons, who has helped guide USI’s transition to Division I, was the host site media coordinator when USI and the City of Evansville hosted the 2002, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division II Elite Eight and the 2024 and 2009 NCAA Division II Men’s and women’s Cross Country National Championships. He also was the media liaison for CBS Sports for the national championship events.

Outside of his University duties, Simmons has assisted with media relations as a press officer at the 1994 and 1995 United State Olympic Festivals and as a sports information coordinator at the 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Elite Eights.

Simmons also was instrumental in the creation of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Academic All-Conference program and served as a GLVC sports information coordinator for men’s and women’s soccer and baseball during his time at USI. He also handled staffing for several GLVC Basketball Tournaments during his tenure at USI.

The Litchfield, Illinois, native came to USI after a year as the assistant sports information director at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, where he worked with Division I men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, volleyball and baseball. He worked as an undergraduate in the sports information office at SIU Edwardsville, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1988, and as an undergraduate intern at ESPN.

A member of the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA), Simmons was the chair of the CSC NCAA Legislation Liaison Committee for five years (2001-05); was an at-large representative on the College Division Management Advisory Committee (2016-18); a member of the Charity Committee (2006-07) and served two terms as a member of the inaugural D2SIDA Board of Directors (2006-12), authoring the board’s constitution. Simmons also was elected to two terms on the USI Administrative Senate (2011-14; 2021-22).

Simmons, along with the rest of the 2026 CSC special award winners, will be honored at CSC’s 69th annual convention from June 7-10 at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

THUNDERBOLTS TAKE ON ICE FLYERS TWICE IN PENSACOLA

01/17/2026

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Evansville, In.: The Thunderbolts, now having earned at least a point in three consecutive games, head South to the Sunshine State to take on the Pensacola Ice Flyers for a pair of games this Friday and Saturday night.

Week In Review:

Last Friday night, the Thunderbolts led 4-1 with goals from Derek Contessa, Jordan Simoneau, Tyson Gilmour and Matthew Hobbs, before suffering an unfortunate comeback from the Havoc in the third period and falling 5-4 in a shootout. Evansville rebounded on Saturday with a 3-2 comeback victory in Huntsville, behind goals from Scott Kirton, Hobbs, and Will van der Veen as the Thunderbolts secured 3 out of 4 points on the weekend in Huntsville. On Wednesday night, the Thunderbolts secured another point but lost in a shootout to Birmingham, 4-3 the final score with two goals from Evan Miller and one from Contessa.

The Week Ahead:

The Thunderbolts will be on the road this Friday and Saturday night at Pensacola, opening face-off for both nights set for 7:05pm CT. Fans can watch on FloHockey or can listen for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel.