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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting

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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners 

December 5, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. 

Room 301, Civic Center Complex 

  1. Call to Order 
      1. Attendance Youth Resources’ Teen Advisory Council in Attendance Maddy R. 
      2. Maria H. 
      3. Pledge of Allegiance 
    1. Action Items Notice to Bidders: “Infrastructure Improvements – Veterans Memorial Coliseum” 
      1. Engineer Interlocal Agreement for Relocation of Water Lines Related to the Reconstruction of Boonville-New Harmony Road 
      2. Change Order: VC23-08-01 “Concrete Street Repairs” 
      3. Pipe Fee Acceptance for Windham Hill Section 2 
      4. Bridge Plans Cover Sheet for St. Joseph Road 
      5. Burdette Park Request to Purchase Commercial Mowers from Hopf Equipment, Inc. 
      6. Health Department Request to Purchase Trakstar Learning Module 
      7. Computer Services Service Agreement Extension with AT&T for Centrex Service 
      8. I.T. & Telecommunications Consulting Scope of Work: NetSavvy, LLC 
      9. Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Infrastructure Refresh 
        1. Alpha Laser and Imaging Individual Lease Agreement: Clerk’s Office Contract #1202y 
      10. Superior Court Subrecipient Grant Award Agreement: Parenting Time Center, Inc. 
      11. Agreement for Professional Services: Celina Sanchez 
      12. Agreement for Professional Services: Emma Bullock 
      13. Agreement for Professional Services: Madison Holmes 
      14. Auditor Application Hosting Agreement: Right Stuff Software Corporation 
      15. Software License Agreement: Right Stuff Software Corporation 
      16. Precinct Manger Installation Quote: Right Stuff Software Corporation 
      17. Central Dispatch AT&T E9-1-1 Command Posts Pricing Schedule 
      18. Lease Guaranty and Amendment to Old Courthouse Lease Agreement – Laura Symon / Into the Light Mental Health and Consulting Services, Inc. 
      19. Ordinance No. CO.09-23-023: An Ordinance Amending Title 16 of the Vanderburgh County Code – Addition of Section 16.12.080 Cluster Mailbox Units 

Drainage Board Immediately Following 

Ordinance No. CO.11-23-013: An Ordinance Prohibiting Firearms and Certain Dangerous Items Inside Public Buildings Containing a Court Room 

Ordinance No. CO.12-23-025: An Ordinance Amending Section 1.14.040, Enforcement of County Ordinances, of the Vanderburgh County Code 

Veterans Memorial Coliseum Open House 

Burdette Park Campground Playpark Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

  1. Department Head Reports 
  2. New Business 

Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

300 Court Street, Evansville, IN 47708 

Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. 

5301 Nurrenbern Road, Evansville, IN 47708 

  1. Old Business 
  2. Highland-Pigeon Watershed Development Commission Meeting 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. 

Washington Square Mall, EVPL McCollough Library Branch – Temporary Event/Meeting Room 

1108 Washington Square, Evansville, IN 47715 

    1. Consent Items Approval of November 14th Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes 
    2. Employment Changes 
        1. Auditor Claims Voucher Reports November 13, 2023 – November 17, 2023 
        2. November 20, 2023 – November 24, 2023 
        3. November 27, 2023 – December 1, 2023 
      1. Clerk October 2023 Monthly Report 
      2. Surplus Request 
      3. Engineer Report and Claims 
      4. Treasurer October 2023 Innkeepers Tax Report 
      5. Superintendent of County Buildings Transfer Request 
      6. Voters Registration Travel Request 
      7. The Arc of Evansville October 2023 Dashboard 
      8. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent for Access to Property 1212 N First Avenue 
      9. Memorandum Regarding Debris and Mud on St. Joseph Avenue 
      10. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. 2023 Annual Report 
      11. Board Appointments 

Drainage Board Immediately Following 

        1. Cheryl Musgrave Central Dispatch Board 
        2. Evansville-Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Advisory Council 
        3. Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau Commission 
        4. Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission 
        5. Justin Elpers Area Plan Commission of Evansville and Vanderburgh County 
        6. Commission on Homelessness in Vanderburgh County 
        7. Evansville-Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence 
        8. Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) 
        9. Old Courthouse Foundation Board of Directors 
        10. Ben Shoulders Commission on Homelessness in Vanderburgh County 
        11. Evansville Industrial Foundation 
        12. Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee 
        13. Information Technology Advisory Council 
        14. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare Board of Directors 
        15. The ARC of Evansville 
        16. Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission 
        17. Noah Robinson Evansville-Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Advisory Council 
        18. Deavron Farmer Evansville-Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Advisory Council 
        19. Jaime Emig Burdette Park Advisory Board 
        20. Denise Peyronnin Burdette Park Advisory Board 
        21. Jamie Lemp Greenway Advisory Board 
      1. Sheriff’s Office Surplus Request 
      2. Final Reading of Rezoning Ordinance VC-7-2023 
      3. Final Reading of Rezoning Ordinance VC-8-2023 As Amended 
  1. Rezoning 

Petitioner: Scobow Investments, LLC 

Address: 5900 N St. Joseph Avenue 

Request: Change from Ag to C-1 with UDC 

Petitioner: JK, LLC 

Address: 4301 Hogue Road 

Request: Change from C-4 to M-2 with UDC Drainage Board Immediately Following 

  1. Final Reading of Rezoning Ordinance VC-6-2023 As Amended 

Petitioner: Indiana University Foundation (for Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores) 

Address: Old Hwy. 57 & I-69/SR 57 

Request: Change from Ag to C-4 with UDC 

  1. Public Comment 
  2. Adjournment 

BRAUN, COLLEAGUES TO BIDEN: BAN TRAVEL FROM CHINA TO PREVENT MYSTERY ILLNESS SPREAD

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WASHINGTON – A mysterious respiratory illness is once again spreading in China. Until we know more about what could be a new pathogen, the United States must do everything possible to prevent the illness from reaching our shores.

U.S. Senator Mike Braun joined Senator Marco Rubio and colleagues sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to restrict travel between the U.S. and China until we know more about this disease.

“At this moment, the world faces another unknown pathogen emanating from the PRC that could spread to other countries, including the United States. The PRC has reported an increase in this mystery illness—which it claims to be pneumonia caused by known pathogens—since mid-October. This illness reportedly is a special hazard for children and has overrun hospitals in the north of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is unclear if the disease is due to an overall increase in respiratory infections or separate events. If history is any indication, we have cause to be concerned. 

“[W]e should not wait for the WHO to take action given its track record of slavish deference to the [Chinese Communist Party]. We must take the necessary steps to protect the health of Americans, and our economy. That means we should immediately restrict travel between the United States and the [People’s Republic of China] until we know more about the dangers posed by this new illness. A ban on travel now could save our country from death, lockdowns, mandates, and further outbreaks later.”

Signers of the letter are Senators Mike Braun, Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Mr. President:

In light of an unknown respiratory illness spreading throughout the People’s Republic of China (PRC), we call on you to immediately restrict travel between the United States and the PRC. As you know, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a long history of lying about public health crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCP’s obfuscation of the truth, and lack of transparency, robbed the United States of vital knowledge about the disease and its origin.

On January 31, 2020, President Trump issued an order to restrict travel from the PRC into the United States to protect the American people and counter the spread of COVID-19. Many officials and commentators—including you—criticized his decision as being influenced by “xenophobia.” But history and common sense show his decision was the right one.

At this moment, the world faces another unknown pathogen emanating from the PRC that could spread to other countries, including the United States. The PRC has reported an increase in this mystery illness—which it claims to be pneumonia caused by known pathogens—since mid-October. This illness reportedly is a special hazard for children and has overrun hospitals in the north of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is unclear if the disease is due to an overall increase in respiratory infections or separate events. If history is any indication, we have cause to be concerned.

The WHO has requested that the CCP share “detailed information” about the mystery illness. However, CCP has an incentive to lie, just as they did throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and any new pathogen could derail its efforts to stimulate its economy. Besides, we should not wait for the WHO to take action given its track record of slavish deference to the CCP. We must take the necessary steps to protect the health of Americans, and our economy. That means we should immediately restrict travel between the United States and the PRC until we know more about the dangers posed by this new illness. A ban on travel now could save our country from death, lockdowns, mandates, and further outbreaks later.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Attorney General Todd Rokita has NO patience for Indiana doctors violating patients’ rights

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The Office of the Attorney General immediately took action to crack down on yet another case of a doctor providing insufficient health care to Hoosiers. After the attorney general’s office received a consumer complaint from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, the doctor was accused of lacking proper certification and facilitating unsanitary conditions.

“My office prioritizes Hoosier health,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “This principle has been demonstrated numerous times in several cases since I was elected as attorney general. Patients deserve better from their doctors, and they should feel comforted knowing their health care facility is sterile and safe.”

Dr. Leonard Guyer is an Indiana licensed physician and practices in Marion County, Indiana.

Following an investigation and coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Attorney General filed an Administrative Complaint with the Indiana Board of Pharmacy charging Dr. Guyer with 24 counts regarding unsanitary conditions, adulterated drugs, misbranded drugs, lack of supervision of staff, failure to keep abreast of current professional theory and practice, lack of INSPECT registration, and lack of controlled substance inventories.

Dr. Guyer has been operating in contravention of state and federal law for at least two decades.

Upon hearing evidence presented by the Attorney General’s Office, the Indiana Board of Pharmacy voted to sanction the Controlled Substance Registration of Dr. Guyer. A registration is required by all Indiana professionals to be able to dispense, compound and store controlled substances in Indiana.

The Board voted 6-0-1 to put Dr. Guyer’s controlled substance registration on probation for no less than one year. Prior to coming off probation, Dr. Guyer must pay a $19,500 fine, and his facility must pass two inspections conducted by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

Testimony and evidence from federal witnesses of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was helpful to the Office of the Attorney General’s investigation and the presentation at the hearing.

“Our office stood up for Hoosier citizens today by acting to keep Dr. Guyer from distributing drugs that fall well below the expected standards,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Dr. Guyer has chosen to cut corners and put countless lives at risk based on his filthy, inappropriate and even illegal practices. We are not going to stand idly by and allow this.”

At this time, an Administrative Complaint remains pending before the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana regarding Dr. Guyer’s physician license.

The Administrative Complaint against Dr. Guyer is attached below.

Kentucky high school graduates are leaving college financial aid unclaimed. You can find out about the FAFSA changes.

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Kentucky high school graduates are leaving college financial aid unclaimed. You can find out about the FAFSA changes.

BY: – DECEMBER 4, 2023 3:53 PM

In 2022, Kentucky’s graduating seniors left nearly $54 million in available Pell grants unclaimed. Completion of the FAFSA is necessary to access most sources of federal, state and institutional financial aid. (Getty Images)

College financial aid applicants can expect the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on Dec. 31, according to an announcement last month by the U.S. Department of Education.

To view Kentucky’s FAFSA resource page, click here.

In Kentucky, two higher education organizations are partnering to get out information on the changes for the 2024-25 school year.

Changes include a shorter and simpler form, a new eligibility formula for Pell Grants and a student aid. govdashboard to help students understand next steps; all of which are intended to allow more students to access the financial aid they need to attend college, according to a release from the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

“Our first-generation students are often overwhelmed by the financial aid application process, and these changes, while all positive, will be adding to that confusion for a while,” said CPE President Aaron Thompson. “Our goal with this campaign is to get students the resources they need to improve FAFSA completion rates and college affordability overall.”

In 2022, Kentucky’s graduating seniors left nearly $54 million in available Pell grants unclaimed. Completion of the FAFSA is necessary to access most sources of federal, state and institutional financial aid, said CPE.

GEAR UP Kentucky, a unit of the CPE, and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) will be conducting a public service awareness campaign to prepare students and their families for the changes.

According to the nonprofit Education Northwest, which has studied strategies to boost FAFSA completion, students who might be eligible for aid have frequently not completed the form due to misconceptions that their parents made too much income or a lack of awareness and information about how financial aid works.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act to streamline the financial aid process for students and families.

“The redesigned FAFSA form is the most ambitious and significant redesign of the federal student aid application and delivery in decades, and will significantly simplify how students, parents, and other educational stakeholders use the FAFSA form starting this year,” the U.S. Department of Education said in a March 27 release.

“About half of Kentucky’s high school seniors are considered economically disadvantaged,” said KHEAA Executive Director Jo Carole Ellis. “FAFSA awareness and completion are powerful tools to make college dreams a reality for these students. FAFSA completion support has always been central to KHEAA’s outreach efforts, and we are pleased to work together with CPE in this important effort.”

The promotion will include TV and radio commercials running across the state via the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Public Education Partnership program, a social media campaign and an online resource hub for students.

“We felt it crucial to partner with KHEAA to maximize impact,” said Kim Welch, executive director of GEAR UP Kentucky. “Both of our agencies want students and their families to know they aren’t alone in navigating the often-difficult transition to college. There are people across the Commonwealth ready to help students and their families complete the FAFSA and get the money they’re due – and we’re committed to ensuring they know where to get that assistance.”

To view GEAR UP Kentucky’s FAFSA resource page, visit https://gearupky.org/money.

FOOTNOTE: Nathaniel Cline, a reporter for the Virginia Mercury, contributed to this story. The Virginia Mercy, a sister publication to Kentucky Lantern, is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and donors as a 501c(3) public charity. 

Gov. Holcomb Makes Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Darron Cummings/AP/Shutterstock (11717541e) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb delivers his State of the State address virtually, in Indianapolis State of the State, Indianapolis, United States - 19 Jan 2021

Gov. Holcomb Makes Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions.

Behavioral Health Commission

The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2025:

  • The Honorable Kellie Streeter (Freelandville), Knox County Commissioner

Board of Trustees of Ball State University

The governor made one reappointment to the board, who will serve until December 31, 2027:

  • Mark Hardwick (Carmel), CEO of First Merchants Corporation

The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve the same term:

  • Craig Dobbs (Carmel), managing director with Graystone Consulting

Brookville Lake Regional Waste District Board

The governor made one reappointment to the board, who will serve until December 31, 2026:

  • Jeff Tebbe (Brookville), executive recruiter with Management Recruiters of Cincinnati

Commission for Women

The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until October 31, 2027:

  • Courtney Arango (Brownsburg), director of government affairs at the AES Corporation

Governor’s Workforce Cabinet

The governor made three new appointments to the cabinet, who will serve until December 31, 2025:

  • Jacqueline Barton (South Bend), founder and president of Specialized Staffing Solutions
  • Paul Ketcham (Batesville), superintendent of Batesville Community School Corporation
  • Amish Shah (Bristol), CEO of Kem Krest

Judicial Nominating Commission for the Indiana Supreme Court & Court of Appeals

The governor made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until December 31, 2026:

  • Nancy Stewart (Fort Wayne), representing appellate district 3

Kids First Trust Fund Board

The governor made one reappointment to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2027:

  • Dr. Maria Finnell (Zionsville), chief medical officer for the Family & Social Services Administration

The governor made three new appointments to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2027:

  • Abigail Diener (Delphi), partner with Diener & Martin, LLC
  • Matt Wilson (Lebanon), executive director of the Boone County Mentoring Partnership
  • William Young (Fishers), attorney with Lewis & Wilkins LLP

Private Investigator & Security Guard Licensing Board

The governor made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until October 31, 2027:

  • Laura Brown (Greenwood), executive coordinator at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Rare Disease Advisory Council

The governor made one new appointment to the council, who will serve until September 30, 2027:

  • Brian O’Neill (Indianapolis), senior director of pediatric development with Eli Lilly & Company

Bailey named MVC Freshman of the Week as Aces head to BYU

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Aces and Cougars square off on Tuesday night 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the second time this season, Chuck Bailey III has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week as he and his University of Evansville teammates prepare to face BYU on Tuesday evening in Provo, Utah.  The game will be carried by Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network.  Tip is set for 8 p.m. CT.

Bailey opened MVC play with a spectacular week, averaging 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.  He opened the week with a career-high 27 points at Missouri State.  Bailey knocked down 10 of his 17 attempts and all 5 free throws.  In the win over UNI, Bailey added 6 points and 5 rebounds.  He was a perfect 9-of-9 from the line in UE’s two games.  Bailey’s 27-point game at MSU was the top scoring effort by a freshman in the MVC this season and just the second 20-point game by a league freshman in 2023-24.

Last Time Out

– In a game that featured a season-high 13 lead changes, the Aces overcame a 7-point deficit in the second half to take a 91-89 overtime win over Northern Iowa on Saturday inside the Ford Center

– Antonio Thomas put together his top Division I performance with 27 points while Ben Humrichous scored 18 and Joshua Hughes added 11

– Tanner Cuff hit a triple with seven seconds left in overtime to seal the victory

Clutch Shot

– With seven seconds remaining in overtime against UNI, Tanner Cuff knocked down a 3-pointer to give UE a 4-point lead and seal the win

– He finished the game with nine points and has averaged 8.25 points over the last four games

– Cuff has the top assist-to-turnover ratio in the MVC and second in the nation at 5.80 and has 29 assists and just 5 turnovers this season

– Cuff had an excellent all-around performance at Missouri State, recording 8 assists, 7 points and 7 boards

– He had UE’s first double-double of the season at Chattanooga, totaling 10 points and 11 caroms

Top Performance

– Scoring 27 points in the win over UNI, Antonio Thomas put together the top effort in his Division I career

– He recorded 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting and a 9-for-10 effort from long range

– Thomas is tied for 6th in the MVC with 1.75 steals per game

– He has posted 7+ points in six of the last seven outings and had his first double-digit game of the season in the win at Chattanooga

Scouting the Opponent

– BYU is a perfect 7-0 on the season with wins over #17 San Diego State, Arizona State and North Carolina State

– The Cougars were ranked 19th in last week’s top 25 polls and are sure to rise this week

– Five BYU players average double figures with Jaxson Robinson leading the way with 16.6 PPG

– He is a 47.2% shooter from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range

– Spencer Johnson and Trevin Knell average 12.4 and 12.0 PPG, respectively

– Noah Waterman checks in with 11.1 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds

Trailblazers get three Top-10 finishers at AHBA tournament

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Vincennes University bowling team closed out the 2023 portion of their schedule over the weekend by taking part in their second American Heartland Bowling Association (AHBA) tournament of the season at Thunderbowl Lanes in Fort Wayne Saturday.

The Trailblazers matched their best team finish of the season, finishing third out of 10 teams and having three VU bowlers finish in the Top-10 overall.

The one day tournament consisted of four conventional games, followed by 16 baker games.

VU was led by freshman Cayden Russell (Noblesville, Ind.) who finished third out of 59 bowlers, ending his four games with 899 total pins including a 245 and 247 in his final two games.

Freshman Nicholas Gregg (Salem, Ill.) was the next Vincennes finisher, ending his four games with 842 pins, including a final game of 245 to take seventh overall.

Freshman Dakota Waskom (Louisville, Ky.) rounded out the Trailblazers top-10 finishers placing 10th overall with 833 pins and an average of 208 per game.

Junior Brighton Lucas (Salem, Ill.) was the final VU bowler to compete in all four games, finishing with a total score of 753, including a 214 and 227 in his first two games of the day. Lucas placed 23rd overall.

Freshman Dylan Lewis (Louisville, Ky.) finished his day with 558 pins in three games, finishing with a tournament average of 186 per game and had two 190-plus games.

Freshman Kannon King (Salem, Ill.) rounds out the Vincennes conventional games with a 156 in the first game of the day.

Vincennes as a team finished the conventional games with a team total of 4,041 and went on to finish the 16 baker games with a total of 3,190 pins and an average game score of 199.

The Trailblazers overall placed third out of 10 teams, matching their highest team finish of the season so far.

VU closes out the 2023 portion of their schedule with this tournament and will look to continue to build towards a big 2024 beginning with the Kegel-ISBPIA Midwest Classic Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14 in Addison, Ill.

VINCENNES RESULTS

VU (3rd) – 967, 999, 1013, 1062 – 4,041

Baker – 237, 167, 180, 171, 228, 153, 234, 211, 199, 225, 191, 215, 189, 191, 164, 235 – 3,190. Tournament Total – 7,231.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Cayden Russell (3) – 185, 222, 245, 247 – 899

Nicholas Gregg (7) – 200, 178, 219, 245 – 842

Dakota Waskom (10) – 212, 182, 225, 214 – 833

Brighton Lucas (23) – 214, 227, 133, 179 – 753

Dylan Lewis (44) – x, 190, 191, 177 – 558

Kannon King (58) – 156, x, x, x – 156

Four USI Women’s Basketball games selected for broadcast on ESPN 97.7FM

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball will have four games from the remainder 2023-24 schedule carried by commercial radio, airing on ESPN 97.7FM (listentotheref.com).

USI fans can tune in to WREF 97.7FM for USI Women’s Basketball action on December 17 against the University of Cincinnati, January 6 against Tennessee Tech University, January 20 against Morehead State University, and February 10 against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The Cincinnati game on December 17 will be the first-ever USI Women’s Basketball game on the airwaves of WREF 97.7FM, and it will also be the first commercial radio broadcast of USI Women’s Basketball in 30 years.

Game coverage on December 17 against Cincinnati will begin with a 15-minute pregame show before the 2 p.m. tip-off time. Brad Klein, WREF voice of USI Basketball, will have broadcast coverage and play-by-play on 97.7FM and online at listentotheref.com.

ESPN WREF 97.7FM, a Henson Media station, is also the commercial radio home for the “Rick Stein on USI Women’s Basketball” radio show and other USI Athletic events throughout the year, including USI Men’s Basketball.