MOREHEAD, Ky. – In only the second season since making the jump to NCAA Division I and joining the Ohio Valley Conference, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball claimed the outright 2023-24 Ohio Valley Conference regular season title Tuesday night following a 72-64 road win at Morehead State University.
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After missing out on the OVC Tournament in their inaugural season in 2022-23, the Screaming Eagles accomplished in 2023-24 what only one other women’s basketball program has achieved in recent years – win a conference title during a reclassification period. The last women’s basketball program to win a conference title during a reclassification period was California Baptist University in 2020-21. The Lancers won the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.
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Tuesday was Southern Indiana’s (19-6, 14-1) fifth win in a row, as USI has won 15 of its last 16 contests. The Screaming Eagles entered Tuesday with a share of the OVC regular season title and the No. 1 seed in next month’s OVC Tournament already clinched. However, USI went to Morehead State looking to claim the outright OVC crown.
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Southern Indiana got off to another good start to open Tuesday’s game at Morehead State. Within the first two minutes, sophomore guard Ali Saunders (Depauw, Indiana) capitalized on a three-point play. Saunders was named OVC Player and Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday morning. With USI leading 7-5 three minutes into the contest, the Screaming Eagles took off on a big run. USI scored 11 straight points over five minutes to jump ahead 18-5, as senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) scored six of those 11 points. Raley tallied eight first-quarter points, helping USI shoot over 50 percent in the opening period and grab a 22-9 lead through one.
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Midway into the second quarter, Southern Indiana pushed its advantage to 14, 31-17, after a three-pointer from Saunders. Then the Screaming Eagles’ offense ran into a cold spell from the field. Southern Indiana went three minutes scoreless before a couple of made free throws by freshman forward Chloe Gannon (Manchester, Tennessee). Meanwhile, Morehead State closed into USI’s lead, cutting the deficit down to five, 33-28, at halftime. The Screaming Eagles went without a field goal for the last 4:48 of the first half.
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Out of the intermission, Southern Indiana made an emphasis on going inside. Back-to-back baskets from senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) and then consecutive buckets by Gannon helped USI build its lead back to double digits, 45-34, by the halfway point of the third quarter. Webb and Gannon continued to feast in the paint, while USI’s defense held Morehead State scoreless for nearly three minutes. Webb poured in 10 third-quarter points. Southern Indiana took a 51-42 lead to the fourth period.
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The Screaming Eagles opened the fourth frame with back-to-back triples by junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) and Raley. Later in the fourth, Southern Indiana and Morehead State picked up the pace, exchanging baskets. With 2:36 left, freshman guard Triniti Ralston (Louisville, Kentucky) swished a three-pointer to put USI up 12, 68-56. Morehead State continued to fight, pulling within six points, but USI connected on late free throws to seal the win and the 2023-24 OVC regular season title.
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Southern Indiana was 27-60 for 45 percent from the floor Tuesday evening, hitting five threes. USI was 13-21 for 62 percent at the charity stripe. Southern Indiana had a season-low nine turnovers and 42 points in the paint. The Screaming Eagles had five players in double figures for the first time since December 2022. Webb and Gannon each had 14 points, Saunders and Raley each chipped in 13, and Ralston tallied a career-high 10 points.
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Morehead State, who was looking to keep pace for the potential No. 2 seed, dropped to 8-7 in conference play and 13-13 overall. Morehead State went 25-62 for 40 percent in overall shooting, cashing in seven triples. The host Eagles were 7-12 for 58 percent at the foul line. Morehead State won the rebounding battle, 44-34. Junior guard Matilda Soderlund led Morehead State in scoring with 23 points.
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USI is set to travel to Macomb, Illinois on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tilt against Western Illinois University to conclude the four-game road swing. A win on Saturday would give USI its 14th 20-win season and first since 2021-22. Saturday’s game can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).Â
USI Women’s Basketball brings home OVC regular season crown
BASEBALL ACES CRUISE PAST BELLARMINE, 16-6, IN HOME OPENER
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning on Tuesday to cruise to a 16-6 victory over visiting Bellarmine at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in the 2024 home opener for the Purple Aces.
“Overall, I thought it was a really good team effort today,†said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “I was really happy with our offense today. It kept plugging along early, and we left some guys on base, but then finally it broke through with that big nine-run inning to take control of the game.
“I was also glad to see some different guys be able to get up on the mound for us today. Guys who weren’t able to see time over the weekend at Oral Roberts, but who are going to be key guys for us this season. I thought Ethan Bell did a tremendous job of coming in and throwing strikes and keeping us in the contest until we got the offense fully going. Overall, really pleased with today’s effort, and now it is on to New Orleans.â€
Bellarmine jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a pair of unearned runs, but UE would answer right back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first. Graduate third baseman Brent Widder roped an RBI double down the left-field line, before UE was able to load the bases and get a run-scoring walk and fielder’s choice.
The Knights would tie the game at 3-3 in the second inning on a sacrifice fly, before UE senior shortstop Simon Scherry delivered an RBI single to help UE retake a 4-3 lead.
Another sacrifice fly by Bellarmine in the fourth inning would tie the game at 4-4, and it would stay that way until the fifth inning, when Evansville exploded for nine runs to put the game out of reach. Junior outfielder Harrison Taubert opened the scoring with an RBI double to break 4-4 tie, and then pushed across two more runs to cap the nine-run frame thanks to the help of a Bellarmine error. In between those plays, freshman catcher Kaleb Wilkey drove in his first collegiate run, junior second baseman Cal McGinnis and senior first baseman Kip Fougerousse both knocked RBI doubles, and Scherry and graduate designated hitter Brendan Hord had RBI base hits as well.
The Knights would scratch across two runs in the seventh inning to get within 13-6, before UE would cap the scoring with a three-run eighth inning. Graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger crushed a two-run home run to right-center field, and McGinnis added an RBI triple in the frame.
In all, all nine members of the UE starting lineup produced RBI on Tuesday and eight of the nine collected hits. Taubert drove in a team-high three RBI. Both Shallenberger and McGinnis finished just one hit shy of the cycle, as Shallenberger needed just a triple, and McGinnis fell just a home run shy of the cycle. Fougerousse also had a three-hit game for UE.
The victory on the mound went to redshirt sophomore right-hander Ethan Bell, who allowed just a run on a single hit while striking out four men in 3.0 innings of relief work.
With the victory, Evansville improves to 3-1 on the season after winning the last three games in a row. Bellarmine, meanwhile, falls to 1-3. Evansville will now travel south to New Orleans to battle the Privateers (2-1 entering a Wednesday game against Southern Miss) in a three-game series beginning on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. All three games of the weekend series can be seen live on ESPN+.
Trump fought the law and the law….
Maybe former President Donald Trump didn’t listen to much top-40 radio in the 1960s.
If he had, the Bobby Fuller Four’s biggest hit would have offered him sound advice.
In 1966, the group stormed into the top 10 on the Billboard charts with an infectious number, “I Fought the Law.â€
The song had a driving, emphatic refrain: “I fought the law and the law won.â€
That catchy hook pretty much summarizes the last year of Trump’s life.
In just the past few weeks, the former president has been hit with $88 million worth of judgments in a defamation suit filed by the writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll said Trump sexually assaulted her years ago. Trump replied that she was lying, so she took him to court.
The court agreed with her, finding not only that Trump had maligned her but that he had sexually assaulted her. Carroll was set to walk away with a $5 million judgment.
Trump, though, demonstrated the maturity and emotional self-discipline that have become his trademarks. He continued to defame Carroll, so she took him back to court.
His culpability already had been established, so the only matter of substance before the court was determining how much more money Trump would have to cough up. It turned out that the answer to that question was another $83.3 million.
Less than a month after that judgment rocked the former president, Trump found himself on the wrong end of another court-ordered spanking.
A New York court already had determined Trump and his business associates, including his sons, had committed fraud by grossly inflating the value of their holdings to secure financing from banks. (They also then turned around and deflated many of those same holdings to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.)
Once again, the court’s responsibility was to determine how large a penalty would be imposed on Trump.
This time, the number was $354 million. With interest on top of that, the former president will have to cough up more than $450 million—which is considerably more than the cash Trump has on hand.
Worse for Trump, neither he nor his sons will be allowed to do business in New York in the coming years. Control over their enterprises will be in the hands of a court-appointed supervisor.
All told, Trump already is on the hook for more than a half-billion in judgments and hundreds of millions more in legal fees.
And he’s nowhere near the end of his legal troubles.
How did he get to this point?
Well, he decided to fight the law.
And the law won.
Trump fulminated during both the defamation and the fraud case that he was being treated unfairly. He said that he was being persecuted for being rich, famous and a former president.
He also accused both judges of being corrupt and horrible human beings.
I’ve worked with many truly fine attorneys over the years. Not one of them ever has advised that insulting the judge—the person who holds your fate in his or her hands—is likely to be a winning strategy.
The one thing Trump didn’t do was attempt to prove that he hadn’t done the things he’d been accused of doing.
Perhaps that is because he couldn’t. In both cases, the evidence against him was at worst compelling and at most overwhelming.
So, he decided to argue that the law shouldn’t matter.
That, because he is rich, famous and a former president, the law shouldn’t apply to him.
And that any court that attempted to hold him accountable for his record of malfeasance was illegitimate.
At times, he even argued that the very idea of the law was illegitimate.
The courts responded not just by demonstrating, in irrefutable detail, Trump’s culpability in each case but by refuting his argument that the law does not matter.
In other words, the law fought back.
And won.
Trump has many more dates in court ahead of him.
In each case, he’s advanced the same sort of argument that he did with these two civil cases. He doesn’t attempt to argue that he didn’t do the things for which he’s charged, but that the law doesn’t have any right to make him follow it.
He still wants to fight the law.
Bet the law wins.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The views expressed are those of the author only and should not be attributed to Franklin C
Health Department presented our Pre to 3 program to the Board of County Commissioners
The Health Department presented our Pre to 3 program to the Board of County Commissioners. The attached slide show was referenced during the presentation.
Sen. Becker welcomes local students to Statehouse
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2024) – State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) welcomed the following local students to the Statehouse who served as Senate pages in January.
- Olivia Branch, from Evansville, attends Evansville Day School
- Ella Farnsworth, from Newburgh, attends Castle High School
- Colt Chapman-Hout, from Evansville, attends Evansville North High School
- Connor Thorpe, from Newburgh, attends Castle High School
Pages spend a day at the Statehouse touring the historic building, observing debates from the Senate floor and interacting with their state senator.
“Seeing the curiosity and amazement on the faces of our Senate pages at the Statehouse is truly one of the highlights of session,” Becker said. “It was great to welcome these bright young students from my district and watch them experience our state government firsthand.”
Students in grades six through 12 participate in the page program on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. Groups serve on Wednesdays.
To learn more about the Senate Page Program, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Page-Program.
DEFENDANT WHO ATTEMTPED TO DISARM OFFICER AND FLIPS TABLE IN COURT FOUND GUILTY BY JURY
 Evansville, IN –Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on February 8, 2024, David Michael Hodges was found guilty by a jury of several felonies including: Battery on a Public Safety Officer resulting in bodily injury, a Level 5 Felony; Battery on a Public Safety Officer, a Level 6 Felony; Resisting Arrest Resulting in Bodily Injury, a Level 6 Felony; Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct, class B Misdemeanors. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court presided.Â
On June 23, 2023, officers were dispatched to Ricks Sports Bar in response to a 911 call that a male was making threats to shoot someone. Officers found a subject, David Michael Hodges, who matched the description from the 911 call near the Liquor Locker on 4620 Covert Avenue. Officers then found a glass pipe during a pat down search of Hodges and noticed him exhibiting symptoms of illegal narcotics usage: Hodges was sweating profusely, his pupils were dilated, and he began having muscle spasms. AMR arrived on the scene to treat Hodges, but Hodges became combative and violently kicked one of the officers then grabbed a duty weapon to in attempt to disarm the officer.Â
The Defendant, who was pro se, flipped a table at the beginning of the trial when his motion to continue the set trial date was denied. During the trial, Deputy Prosecutor Keaton Maurer presented body camera footage from the officers at the incident, officer testimony, and a 911 phone call to secure the guilty verdict.Â
Prosecutor Moers stated, “We are glad this incident did not end up with more serious harm to our officers involved. The officers remained professional despite a chaotic and violent scene created by this Defendant. We take these actions seriously and will zealously prosecute those who choose to fight law enforcement.â€Â
In addition to her Deputy Prosecutor, Keaton Maurer, Prosecutor Moers thanks Evansville Police Department Officers C. Street, D.C. Christian, Sgt. J. Jackson, and her support staff Morgan Richardville, Tiffany Lubbehusen, and Investigators Tony Carden and Jessica Pollack for their efforts to successfully prepare this matter for trial.Â
Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2024, in front of Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court.Â
Indiana officials celebrate National FFA Week
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 20, 2024) – In honor of National FFA Week, the seven Indiana FFA State Officers, and dozens of FFA members, met in the Statehouse to receive a proclamation and resolution declaring Feb. 17-24 Indiana FFA Week.
“It was a pleasure to have these outstanding young professionals representing the State of Indiana and agriculture so well in the Statehouse today,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “FFA is a dynamic youth led organization and I am excited to celebrate National FFA Week this week and agriculture year-round.â€
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a proclamation to name this week National FFA Week in recognition of all the work the Indiana FFA Organization, agriculture educators and FFA advisors do to cultivate the next generation of agriculturists for the state.
During the week, chapters across the state and nation will host a variety of events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agricultural industry. From a school animal experience to a farmer’s breakfast, these activities pay homage to the dedication and commitment of today’s agriculturalists. Throughout the week, the Indiana FFA State Officers will travel the state to participate in activities alongside local FFA chapters and their communities.
The Indiana FFA Association also received a Senate Concurrent Resolution highlighting the impact of the FFA Organization, which is preparing more than 14,000 members in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties for the over 250 unique careers in the food, fiber and natural resource sectors. The resolution was led by Sen. Jean Leising, Senate District 42 and Rep. Michael Aylesworth, House District 11.
Indiana FFA State Reporter Carson Rudd was excited to meet with legislators to promote Indiana agricultural education.Â
“National FFA Week is a week full of celebration and a time to reflect on the significance the organization has across the country and here in over 220 communities across the state,†said Rudd. “We are honored to have the support of our state’s legislature not only during National FFA Week, but throughout the year as well.â€
Tamara Ketchen, Director of the Indiana FFA Association, is looking forward to seeing all the work done this week at FFA chapters across the state.
“National FFA Week is a time for local chapters to highlight their programs showcasing their success and passion for agriculture,†Ketchen said. “We also use this as an opportunity to recognize community supporters and broadcast the mission of the organization.â€
FFA members are agriculture’s future leaders, future food suppliers, future innovators and more! Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about agricultural education and the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders.
The first National FFA Week was held in 1948, when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration to recognize George Washington’s example and legacy as a leader and farmer. For the past 75 years, FFA members across the country have taken part in agricultural, leadership and service-based activities during National FFA Week.
Visit www.inffa.org to learn more about Indiana FFA. To see or download photos of today’s event click here.Â
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 20, 2024) – In honor of National FFA Week, the seven Indiana FFA State Officers, and dozens of FFA members, met in the Statehouse to receive a proclamation and resolution declaring Feb. 17-24 Indiana FFA Week.
“It was a pleasure to have these outstanding young professionals representing the State of Indiana and agriculture so well in the Statehouse today,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “FFA is a dynamic youth led organization and I am excited to celebrate National FFA Week this week and agriculture year-round.â€
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a proclamation to name this week National FFA Week in recognition of all the work the Indiana FFA Organization, agriculture educators and FFA advisors do to cultivate the next generation of agriculturists for the state.
During the week, chapters across the state and nation will host a variety of events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agricultural industry. From a school animal experience to a farmer’s breakfast, these activities pay homage to the dedication and commitment of today’s agriculturalists. Throughout the week, the Indiana FFA State Officers will travel the state to participate in activities alongside local FFA chapters and their communities.
The Indiana FFA Association also received a Senate Concurrent Resolution highlighting the impact of the FFA Organization, which is preparing more than 14,000 members in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties for the over 250 unique careers in the food, fiber and natural resource sectors. The resolution was led by Sen. Jean Leising, Senate District 42 and Rep. Michael Aylesworth, House District 11.
Indiana FFA State Reporter Carson Rudd was excited to meet with legislators to promote Indiana agricultural education.Â
“National FFA Week is a week full of celebration and a time to reflect on the significance the organization has across the country and here in over 220 communities across the state,†said Rudd. “We are honored to have the support of our state’s legislature not only during National FFA Week, but throughout the year as well.â€
Tamara Ketchen, Director of the Indiana FFA Association, is looking forward to seeing all the work done this week at FFA chapters across the state.
“National FFA Week is a time for local chapters to highlight their programs showcasing their success and passion for agriculture,†Ketchen said. “We also use this as an opportunity to recognize community supporters and broadcast the mission of the organization.â€
FFA members are agriculture’s future leaders, future food suppliers, future innovators and more! Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about agricultural education and the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders.
The first National FFA Week was held in 1948, when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration to recognize George Washington’s example and legacy as a leader and farmer. For the past 75 years, FFA members across the country have taken part in agricultural, leadership and service-based activities during National FFA Week.
Visit www.inffa.org to learn more about Indiana FFA. To see or download photos of today’s event click here.Â
Congresswoman Erin Houchin Endorses Randy Niemeyer for Congress in IN-01
Cedar Lake– Today, Randy Niemeyer, Lake County Councilman and Republican Congressional candidate for Indiana’s First District received the endorsement of Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09):
“Randy Niemeyer is a dedicated public servant and the only choice in IN-01. He is principled in the conservative values that have made us the greatest nation on Earth, and he goes to work every day for hardworking Hoosiers in Northwest Indiana. We need leaders in Washington like Randy who will help get our economy back on track, secure our border, and support law enforcement to ensure our communities are safe,†stated Houchin.
Upon receiving the endorsement of Rep. Houchin, Randy Niemeyer stated, “I am thankful to receive the support of Congresswoman Houchin and proud of the winning coalition we continue to build among the conservative champions who are delivering for Hoosiers in Washington.”
Hartwig earns third MVC Freshman of the Week honor
Garrison, Ahmed and Hollinger promoted to USI director-level positions
Three individuals have been promoted to director-level positions at the University of Southern Indiana. All three positions are effective immediately.
Director of the Center for Campus Life
Jennifer Garrison has been promoted to Director of the Center for Campus Life at USI. She reports to Dr. Khalilah Doss, Vice President for Student Affairs.
In her role as Director, Garrison provides oversight on the overall planning, development, coordination and implementation of all aspects of the Center for Campus Life. This includes policy interpretation and risk assessment for student activities, organizations and the promotion of student involvement. The Director supervises the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Assistant Director of Student Activities and Traditions, a graduate assistant for LGBTQIA+ programming and 10-12 student assistants.
The Center for Campus Life oversees the development of USI’s 130 student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, gender and sexuality resources, leadership programs and student traditions and events.
Director of Academic and Endpoint TechnologyÂ
Juzar Ahmed has been promoted to Director of Academic and Endpoint Technology in the Information Technology Department at USI, effective immediately. He reports to Austin Siders, Chief Information Officer.
In this role, Ahmed provides strategic leadership and operational management for academic and end-user technology. He oversees operations for educational technology, lab management, endpoint computing security and inventory and related academic services activities. This includes managing system planning functions, integrating existing and new systems across IT, recovery and system stability planning and design issues.
Ahmed’s team is also responsible for managing campus-wide pay-to-print, campus learning management system (LMS), developing and updating desktop and laptop imaging for all campus computers and overseeing the computer group policy for all campus computers.
Director of Educator ServicesÂ
Erin Hollinger has been promoted to Director of Educator Services, effective immediately. She reports to Dr. Tori Colson, Assistant Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education and Associate Professor of Education.
In her role as Director, Hollinger coordinates assistance to teacher candidates and advisors as candidates progress through educator preparation programs, beginning with formal admission to teacher education. She also coordinates licensure for pending graduates and former graduates renewing licenses.