THUNDERBOLTS FACE OFF WITH ICE BEARS IN KNOXVILLE THIS WEEKEND
Evansville, In.:  Following a weekend sweep on home ice against the Quad City Storm this past weekend that moved them up into 7th Place, the Thunderbolts will have a big opportunity to fortify their standings positioning this coming weekend as they travel to Knoxville to take on a likely-shorthanded Ice Bears team on Friday and Saturday, before returning home next weekend for Star Wars Night against Peoria on Saturday the 20th at Ford Center.
Week In Review:Â
  Cole Ceci returned to the Thunderbolts lineup in time for the first game against Quad City on Friday and stopped all 22 shots faced in a 3-0 shutout victory, with goals from Brendan Harrogate and Bair Gendunov, who scored twice on the night. Only one shot of 30 got by Ceci in Saturday’s rematch against Quad City as the Thunderbolts completed the sweep with a 3-1 victory behind goals from Hayden Ford, Vadim Vasjonkin and Harrogate.
The Week Ahead:Â
The Thunderbolts will be in Knoxville to take on the Ice Bears this Friday and Saturday night, both games set to begin at 6:35pm CT. Fans can watch both games on FloHockey with a paid subscription or can listen in for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel. Fans can also watch both games at the Official Thunderbolts away game watch party at Parkway Pizza on 3911 Broadway Avenue on Evansville’s West Side.
Coming Soon:Â
  The Thunderbolts will host the Peoria Rivermen on Saturday, January 20th for Star Wars Night, beginning at 7:00pm CT. In one of the most anticipated home game promotions of the season, the Thunderbolts will again be wearing specialty Star Wars-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Additional details for Star Wars Night will be coming soon.
Scouting the Opponent:Â
 Knoxville Ice Bears:Â
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- Record: 8-16-2, 18 Points, 9th Place
- Leading Goal Scorer: Brady Fleurent (13 Goals)
- Leading Point Scorer: Brady Fleurent (19 Points)
- Primary Goaltender: Kristian Stead (2-6-0, .899 Save %)
- Thunderbolts 23-24 Record vs KNX: 0-1
               A frustrating first half of the season for the Ice Bears continued through the last week, with three losses to add to their now-nine game losing streak going into this weekend. On Friday in Fayetteville, an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Brady Fleurent would later be tied in the first period, followed by three Fayetteville goals in a 1:50 span in the third period that blasted the score open, leading to a 4-1 Knoxville loss. Another early lead on Saturday in Roanoke on a goal from Davis Kirkendall would also be flipped in the third period, with Roanoke scoring four consecutive goals, three on the power play, en route a 4-2 Roanoke victory with Rex Moe getting one goal back late for Knoxville. Frustration reached a boiling point and exploded on Sunday on home ice against Roanoke in a 5-1 loss that de-evolved quickly into a massive display of brawling and discomposure that has become far-less commonly seen in the SPHL in recent times. Down 1-0, Derek Osik tied the game for Knoxville in the second period before penalty trouble again led to the game getting away from the Ice Bears, with Roanoke scoring four unanswered goals, the first three once again on power plays, to gain full control of the game. Several instances of attacks on unwilling Roanoke skaters and near-bench clearing brawls that saw multiple ejections, game misconducts, major penalties, and the very partition separating the benches being damaged later in the game will likely result in heavy disciplinary action, the extent of which is still not yet known.
RANDY NIEMEYER FILES CANDIDACY FOR U.S. CONGRESS IN INDIANA’S 1ST DISTRICT
Indianapolis – Today, Randy Niemeyer proudly files his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s 1st District. A dedicated public servant inspired by a family legacy of compassion and service, Niemeyer’s journey into politics is driven by a deep commitment to the well-being of his community and his country. Randy Niemeyer issued the following statement:
“I’ve spent my whole life in Northwest Indiana, and am inspired by my family’s legacy of compassion and service in our community. As I embark on this journey, I am inspired by the values first instilled in me by my grandmother, who served as a lunch lady in the local school system. Fueled by a genuine concern for every student, she went above and beyond by ensuring no child went hungry, even going so far as to dip into her own pocket to cover the cost when students couldn’t afford their meals. It’s that very same spirit of service that I will bring as your next Congressman, tirelessly fighting for our community which faces economic instability, rising crime, and deep uncertainty about the direction of our country. It is time for new leadership that isn’t afraid to tackle these issues head-on and will be a strong voice for every hard-working Hoosier in Washington.â€
USI hits the road to SIUE Thursday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball plays its only contest of the week Thursday when the Screaming Eagles visit Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a 5 p.m. tilt.
Thursday’s matchup can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).
Southern Indiana (9-5, 4-0) enters the game at SIUE with five consecutive wins, including four straight to begin the Ohio Valley Conference season to sit atop the league standings. USI is enjoying its longest winning streak since joining the Division I level. The Screaming Eagles have won six of their last seven games going back to the end of the non-conference schedule.
USI is coming off two home wins last week, claiming a 78-57 victory over Tennessee State University last Thursday and a thrilling 69-66 win over Tennessee Tech University last Saturday. Saturday’s win against Tennessee Tech was highlighted by USI’s second-half defense, outscoring the Golden Eagles 37-25 after halftime. Plus, USI set season-high marks with 23 makes and 31 attempts at the foul line.
On Saturday, junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) tallied 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in her third double-double of the season, while senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) posted her second double-double this season with 12 points and 10 boards. Additionally, senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) also had a dozen points, and sophomore guard Ali Saunders (Depauw, Indiana) had an all-around performance with a season-high 12 points, five rebounds, and a career-best seven assists in her first start this season. Saunders also hit a clutch three-pointer with 30 seconds left to give USI a two-possession lead.
Following last week’s two games, Shafford was named OVC co-Player of the Week on Tuesday. Shafford averaged a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds last week. The junior also shot efficiently over 46 percent overall and 50 percent from long range. Before her double-double against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Shafford netted a career-high 26 points with six made three-pointers last Thursday against Tennessee State. Shafford has pushed her streak of scoring 10 or more points to 12 games, averaging 16.5 points during the streak.
Raley also continued her recent run in both contests last week. Raley has scored 10-plus in the last five outings and six of the last seven. Raley is tallying 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in the last five games, shooting above 56 percent from the floor.
This season, Shafford paces USI at 15.2 points per game with Raley second at 11.6 points. Both are shooting above 45 percent overall, contributing to the Screaming Eagles’ second-best field goal percentage in the OVC of 43 percent. USI averages 69.4 points and 39 rebounds per game.
SIUE (3-13, 0-3) is in search of its first OVC win after dropping the first three contests. Last week, the Cougars fell at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, 79-59. SIUE will also face Morehead State University this week on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cougars average 72.1 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting and are led in scoring by graduate guard KK Rodriguez with 22 points per contest. Rodriguez also tops the squad in rebounding, assists, and steals per outing.
The former Great Lakes Valley Conference rivals are meeting for the 53rd time on Thursday. USI has a two-game advantage in the series history, 27-25. Last season, the two squads split home wins. Southern Indiana won 79-59 at home in early January last year before SIUE took a 78-69 decision two weeks later. The all-time series dates to the 1981-82 season.
Following this week’s road contest at SIUE, USI comes home to begin a three-game homestand. The Eagles will host Little Rock January 18 and Morehead State January 20 at Screaming Eagles Arena.
Tickets for the Little Rock and Morehead State games are on sale and can be purchased by visiting the USI Ticket Office online. For more information, call the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.
Eagles ink three golfers for 2024-25
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf has announced the signings of three players that will be added to the 2024-25 roster.
“I am super excited to have Camryn, Briana, and Jade join our program in the fall,” says USI Women’s Golf Head Coach, Ann Sullivan. “All three of them have had excellent junior golf careers and we are thrilled they decided to join our team and university.”
Jade Blakeley | Rabun Gap, Georgia
The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School product comes to USI after a four-year stint with the Eagles where she was named team MVP twice and team captain in her final season. During her run with Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, she scored All-Conference three times, qualified for the state championships three times, and landed on the All-State list twice. Blakeley also represented the country Barbados in both its junior and senior international golf teams in the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships. While on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Blakeley earned a runner-up spot twice and was ultimately crowned a champion one year.
Brianna Kirsch | Lancaster, Wisconsin
Kirsch is a four-time state qualifier for golf with three top-10 finishes in the last three seasons. She collected third place her sophomore season, sixth place her junior year, and capped off her senior campaign with a fifth-place finish. Kirsch was a two-time first-team All-Conference honoree and was named All-State in 2023. Off the course, Kirsch competed in track for the Flying Arrows, nabbing third place in state for the 4×800-meter relay her junior season and a state runner-up finish in 2023.
Camryn Luthy | Chester, Illinois
Luthy joins the Eagles’ roster after securing All-South honors in back-to-back seasons and All-Conference accolades in four-straight years with Chester High School. The four-time All-Conference member secured the conference title her sophomore season and scored back-to-back top-five conference finishes in her last two years with the Yellow Jackets.
The Screaming Eagles take flight this spring in Mill Springs, North Carolina for the Bright Creek Intercollegiate on February 24-25 for the first of four tournaments before the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in May. USI completed three tournaments and had one competitor crack the top 25 during the fall campaign.
Sullivan will enter her first season as the head coach of the Eagles after a two-year stint as the head coach for Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.
Info Session: INTAP and CDFI Lending Overviews – Vanderburgh County
Info Session: INTAP and CDFI Lending Overviews – Vanderburgh County
 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CST)
Open – 17 places remaining
 1/10/2024 4:00 PM (CST)
No Fee Catherine King (812) 425-7232
318 Main St, Ste 400, Evansville IN 47708-1498 Business Financing
This in-person info session will provide an overview of two funding opportunities for local small businesses:
- INTAP (Indiana Technical Assistance Program):Â Â INTAP is an annual program that helps small Indiana businesses complete growth and improvement projects by providing up to $15,000 in services from a qualified professional and technical vendor. The application window this year is January 16-February 25.
- CDFI Lending: CDFIs are non-profit, mission-based lenders that can often provide financing that is otherwise not available. CDFI Friendly Evansville is a local resource that can connect you to CDFIs who serve small businesses.
Please join us to learn more about these opportunities and have a chance to ask questions. Participants will be invited to meet 1:1 with a business advisor for further assistance.
This event is being held in person on the fourth floor at Innovation Pointe which is located at 318 Main St. Evansville, IN 47708. Street parking is free after 4:30pm. You can also park at the Locust Street Parking Garage located at 416 Locust St, Evansville, IN 47708
Registration Policies:
Registration and Fees: Payment of seminar fees may be made by check, money order or credit card. Payment must be received to guarantee your space in an event.
Refund Policy: If you wish to request a refund, please contact the conference organizer listed above to discuss. You may also elect to send a substitute in your place. If the event is canceled, all fees will be returned.
Special Accommodations: By the American Disabilities Act and state law, you may request accommodations due to a disability by contacting the event organizer listed above. Advance notice may be necessary for some accommodations. Registration must be paid prior
U.S. Rep. Bucshon announces he won’t seek reelection
U.S. Rep. Bucshon announces he won’t seek reelection
U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D., R-Indiana, who has represented the Eighth District since January 2011, announced Monday he will retire this year at the conclusion of the 118th Congress and not seek reelection.
U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D., R-Indiana
“I thank my constituents for affording me this opportunity and for placing their trust in me these past 14 years,†said Bucshon in a press release. “I’ve also benefited from outstanding staff over the years that have provided excellent service to Hoosiers and to the American people.â€
As a former cardiothoracic surgeon, Bucshon has focused on health care and the opioid epidemic during his time in Congress, according to his website. He also serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce as a member of subcommittees on health, energy, and consumer protection and commerce.
“For over 230 years, men and women have chosen to serve our nation in the Congress—in many cases through very trying times in our history—and I’m honored to be included among their ranks,†he said.
Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Anne Hathaway reacted to the news in a press release: “We are very proud of Congressman Bucshon’s many years of dedicated service to all Hoosiers, but especially to those in the 8th district. Congressman Bucshon brought a unique perspective to Congress, having served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and as a practicing physician and surgeon.
“Congressman Bucshon has worked hard over the last 13 years to improve the lives of Hoosiers and will leave Congress having made Indiana a better place. We wish Congressman Bucshon and his family the very best in the future.”
Bucshon and his family live in Vanderburgh County.
FOOTNOTE: Â Kyra Howard is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.