Home Blog Page 909

USI Women’s Soccer rewarded with season’s first win on Thursday

0

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer put together another strong performance at home on Thursday night, as the Screaming Eagles were rewarded with a 2-0 victory against Austin Peay State University.

In capturing their first win of the 2023 season, the Screaming Eagles improved to 1-5-1 this season. Austin Peay dropped to 2-4-1 on the campaign.

The match began with a nice pace and flow as both sides battled to control possession. Austin Peay had a few solid attacks into USI’s defensive box, but the Screaming Eagles’ defense halted the Governors.

Midway in the first half after a USI corner kick, Southern Indiana generated a pair of shooting opportunities that Austin Peay turned away. Right before the 28-minute mark, sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) and freshman forward Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) each had shot attempts stopped by the Governors. Torres had three shots in the first 45 minutes.

In the 39th minute, freshman midfielder Grace Bamber (Chesterton, Indiana) and freshman midfielder Kerigan Kivisto (Collierville, Tennessee) connected on a well-executed give-and-go play that Bamber put away into the net for her first career goal. USI took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

After some back-and-forth play to begin the second stanza, Austin Peay looked to tie the match. Just over 10 minutes into the second half, the Governors had back-to-back shot attempts. USI’s defense stepped up to block one while sophomore keeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) saved the other. In the 74th minute, Markland picked up another save, and the defense blocked another shot on a pair of attempts by Austin Peay.

Southern Indiana doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 81st minute when Torres took a defender one-on-one and finished inside the near post for her second goal of the season. USI maintained control the rest of the way for the win.

USI tallied 11 shots with five on goal, while the Governors totaled five shots with two on target. Besides the goal scored, Torres led Southern Indiana with four shots and two on goal. Senior midfielders Paige Vanek (St. Charles, Missouri) and Avery Schone (Galena, Ohio) also posted a shot on goal. Markland finished with the two saves.

Southern Indiana concludes its homestand with Youth Soccer Day at Strassweg Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Northern Illinois University. Sunday’s match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.

 Shooting Investigation-700 blk N Green River Rd 

0
epd police car
epd police car

 Shooting Investigation-700 blk N Green River Rd 

Case #23-17525 

SUMMARY 

On September 7th, at 6:25 p.m., Evansville Police Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of N Green River Rd. in reference to shots fired. Witnesses observed a suspect run up to a vehicle and fire several rounds at the driver. The victim vehicle was stopped on the service road leading out of Shoe Carnival Towne Centre shopping complex. The victim’s vehicle was attempting to turn onto Green River Rd. The victim was struck several times and a passenger was grazed. Both of the victims who were injured were adult males. 

The victim parked his vehicle at Longhorn Steakhouse and waited for officers. Officers arrived and began to render first aid. One officer applied a tourniquet to the victim. AMR arrived on scene and both victims were transported to a local hospital. The passenger’s injury was not serious. The driver sustained several gunshot wounds to his back/shoulder area, knee, and arm. The victim is expected to survive his injuries. 

Through the investigation, detectives learned that the victim and 4 other passengers were leaving the shopping complex. One of the passengers was a juvenile but was unharmed. The driver/victim pulled up to a stop sign and waited his turn. When it was his turn to go, he started making the turn but a dark-colored SUV ran the stop sign and cut him off. The victim honked and yelled at the other driver in the SUV. The driver of the SUV pulled over and parked in the parking lot of Boot Barn. The driver of the SUV got out and approached the victim’s vehicle, which was stopped at the light. The suspect and victim exchanged words at the driver’s side window. The suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several rounds at the vehicle. 

The suspect ran back to the SUV and fled the scene. It appeared that there was at least one other person inside the SUV. At this time, the suspect has not been identified and no arrests were made. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build, around 18-25 years old, wearing a white t-shirt, and had a cast on one arm. 

If anyone has any information regarding the suspect 

Following child’s brutal death, Attorney General Todd Rokita’s team ensures killer’s sentence is upheld

2

A violent criminal must continue serving 25 years for her role in the brutal death of a 10-year-old boy following the successful work of Attorney General Todd Rokita and his office before the Indiana Court of Appeals.

“Nothing we do can bring back to life the innocent victims of senseless violence,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But we can — and we do — work to make sure the vicious criminals who commit these unspeakable acts are held accountable.”

In 2020, Rachel Wright and her wife, April Wright, took responsibility for the care of April’s 10-year-old brother. Instead of providing nurture, however, the two women tortured the child through heinous patterns of abuse — ultimately killing the boy in October of 2020 by dislocating his mandible and two of his cervical vertebrae.

When emergency responders examined the child, they found numerous wounds over his whole body in various stages of healing — “cuts and puncture wounds to his face,” according to court documents, along with “lacerated and swollen lips caused by blunt force trauma, tears in his nostrils, bruised eyes, and lacerations and puncture wounds to the back of both of his ears.”

The perpetrators applied makeup to the deceased child in attempts to cover up his facial wounds. Further, the two women “staged (the boy’s) body in his bedroom next to a partially eaten plate of food to make it seem that he had died in his sleep,” according to the court documents. Then they “called 9-1-1 to report that (the child) was not breathing. Although (he) had already been deceased for some time, (the two women) feigned surprise that they had just found (the child) unresponsive in his bed, and they went through the motions of attempting to resuscitate (his) lifeless body.”

On January 20, 2023, April Wright was sentenced to 35 years for her role in her brother’s death, and her wife, Rachel Wright, was sentenced to 25 years.

In appealing her sentence, Rachel Wright argued that mental illness played a role in her actions and that she later demonstrated remorse.

The appellate court, however, concluded that Rachel Wright’s supposed remorse “did not include any acceptance of responsibility on her part for the harm she herself directly caused to (the child). In short, Wright has failed to present us with any compelling evidence of her positive character.”

USI Board of Trustees approves 2024-25 housing and meal plan rates

0

At its regular meeting on Thursday, September 7, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved housing and meal plan rates for the 2024-25 academic year.

Due to continued universal increases in food costs, meal plans will increase by $125 per semester. On-campus housing rates will increase by $75 per semester in standard two student per bedroom residence halls and apartments. To keep increased costs to a minimum for students utilizing University housing and standard meal plans, $50 in Munch Money will be added to the proposed housing rates for use in any dining venue on campus. Students who opted into the two-year housing rate lock in 2023-24 will not see an increase in costs in 2024-25.

“We intentionally work to meet the unique wants and needs of our students in dining operations and housing facilities on campus,” says Steve Bridges, Vice President for Finance and Administration. “We know affordability is important to our students and intend to keep fee increases to a minimum while continuously working to ensure students have the best on-campus experiences.”

The Board also heard an update on current campus construction projects.

Relay for Life of Evansville to Raise Funds to End Cancer as We Know It

0

The 34th annual America Cancer Society Relay for Life, held on September 30 at Eykamp Boy Scout Center, will unite the community to celebrate survivors and remember those lost to the disease.

  Evansville, IN – Sept. 8, 2023 – This year, roughly 1.9 million new cancer cases and 610,000 deaths from cancer are expected to occur in the United States, with more than 40,000 new cases and nearly 13,700 deaths in Indiana. To help end cancer as we know it for everyone, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life will be held September 30 at Eykamp Boy Scout Center. 

“Relay For Life is more than just a walk. It is a volunteer-led movement that unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families,” said Patty Avery, event media chair and member of the Global Relay for Life Volunteer Leadership Team.  “Through that shared passion, we help the American Cancer Society advance its mission through advocacy, research and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.”

Since 1990, Vanderburgh County volunteers have raised over $1.1 million through Relay For Life. Dollars raised each year by more than 250,000 Relay participants across the country help support the American Cancer Society’s mission to fund and conduct breakthrough research, provide education and advocate for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and provide essential services throughout their cancer journey.  

Evansville’s Relay For Life registration will begin at 3:00 pm. Opening ceremonies are slated for 4:00, including the Relay’s first lap that honors cancer survivors. 

Ascension St. Vincent Evansville will be onsite with their 3-D screening mammogram mobile coach from 3:00 – 6:00. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Ascension St. Vincent Breast Center.

A dinner for survivors and their caregivers is slated for 5:00 pm. Space for the dinner is limited to 50 participants. Survivors can RSVP by registering as a survivor at the event website www.RelayForLife.org/EvansvilleIN. 

At 8:00 pm, a luminaria service will honor friends and family who are cancer survivors and remember those whose lives were lost to cancer. Luminaria can be ordered at the event website for a donation or secured at the event. The event will conclude at 9:00 pm with a celebration lap.

There are many ways to get involved in Relay For Life, including:

  • Join: Join the Evansville Relay for Life to connect with area survivors, caregivers, and others impacted by cancer.
    • Visit RelayForLife.org to sign up for Relay and join our community in the fight against cancer.  
  • Donate: Donations fuel the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Visit the  Evansville Relay for Life page at RelayForLife.org to donate.

Further details are available at the Relay’s Facebook Event page at facebook.com/RFL.Evansville.IN

About the American Cancer Society 

The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support.  We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit RelayForLife.org. 

INDIANA WIC INFANT FORMULA CHANGE

0

Indiana Women, Infants, and Children Program Contract Formula Transitions from Gerber to Enfamil on Oct. 1

INDIANAPOLIS — Beginning Oct. 1, 2023, the Indiana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program contracted formula brand will transition from Gerber products to Enfamil products for infant formula issued to WIC participants.

Clients who are currently issued a Gerber formula will receive a similar Enfamil formula for benefits beginning on or after Oct. 1. More than 24,000 clients will be affected by the change.

Because WIC benefit periods are on different timeframes, some clients may still have Gerber benefits through the end of October. Any WIC client who has questions about their family’s benefits are advised to check the INWIC Mobile App or ask their local WIC clinic.

“Our WIC team is prepared to help all impacted families through this transition with support, guidance, and resources.  WIC Nutritionists in our clinics will ensure that all babies whose infant formula is transitioning will still receive the same level of benefits and nutrition,” said Laura Chavez, director of Indiana WIC, which is administered by the Indiana Department of Health.

State WIC staff will continue to partner directly with grocery and pharmacy vendors to ensure that stock levels support demand for benefits issued for both Gerber and Enfamil through the transition period from Oct. 1 through Oct. 30.

 

HABITUAL THIEF WHO TARGETED SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOUND GUILTY IN JURY TRIAL

0

Evansville, IN – On August 29, 2023, Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that Richard Zenon Bogacki, a habitual thief, was found guilty of three counts of Theft, all Level 6 Felonies, in a jury trial before Judge Robert J. Pigman of the Vanderburgh County
Superior Court.

In February of 2019, local business owners hired Richard Bogacki as their operations manager. Bogacki, who worked quickly to gain the trust of his employers, was fired from his role in August when the business owners noticed several financial discrepancies in the company. Just weeks prior to being terminated, Bogacki established an LLC with a similar name to the company he worked for and made his wife the registered agent. Richard Bogacki then opened a business banking account with the LLC’s name. After completing work on a customer’s home through his employer’s business, Richard Bogacki had the customer write the check to his new LLC. Bogacki then cashed the check into his own business banking account. Bogacki committed the same offense several times, having the customers write the check to his own LLC rather than his employer’s business. Bogacki would also pay personal expenses out of his employer’s business account.

At trial, Deputy Prosecutors Erik Bryant and John Bober presented bank records of the Defendant’s illegitimate business, bank records of the victims’ legitimate business, testimony from civilian homeowner witnesses who received services from the victim’s
business, and testimonies from the business owners and law enforcement. Previous
victims of Bogacki’s theft were observed in the audience. After the guilty verdict, Bogacki was
taken into custody.

Prosecutor Diana Moers thanked her Deputy Prosecutors, Victim Advocate Teresa Wilcox – who assisted these victims throughout the 4-year litigation, Morgan Richardville, Carla Moore, Tony Carden, Tiffany Lubbehusen, and Kennadi Hagan who all helped in the investigation and trial preparation. Moers also extended a thank you to Detective Aaron McCormick, Sergeant Bill Arbaugh, and Detective Nathan VanCleave for their roles in the investigation and trial process.

Prosecutor Diana Moers stated: “This is a reminder to the community that financial crimes will be investigated and prosecuted with every resource we have available. I have a background in prosecuting white-collar crimes and know first-hand the devastating impact financial loss can have on people’s lives- from small businesses to our banking institutions. Working hard to steal money from others thus robbing them of their own hard work, trust, and time is a deplorable act that will impact generations and should be treated as such. A community cannot thrive with these types of criminals among it.My office will not turn away from these intricate cases. We have the knowledge to investigate and prosecute financial theft cases to the fullest and we will leave no stone unturned. Deputy Prosecutor Erik Bryant stated: “Our hope now is that our victims find a sense of peace in knowing that this is behind them and their small business, which they love so dearly.”

Sentencing is scheduled for October 5, 2023, in front of Judge Robert J. Pigman of
the Vanderburgh County Superior Court. The Defendant could face upwards of 7 years.

Quiggle blasts walk-off homer for Otters in Divisional Series opener

0

Evansville, Ind. – Kona Quiggle hit a two-run walk-off home run in the ninth inning as the Evansville Otters beat the Gateway Grizzlies 4-3 in game one of the Frontier League West Division Series.

Evansville plays Gateway in game two of the best of three series on Saturday night in Sauget, Illinois.

Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Dakota Phillips worked a leadoff walk. After an out, Quiggle stepped to the plate.

On an 0-1 count, Quiggle hammered a moonshot walk off blast over the right field wall to give Evansville their first walk-off win of the season.

Thursday’s ballgame, the first playoff game at Bosse Field since 2019, was a seesaw battle all night.

Evansville scored the first run in the first inning. Ethan Skender hit a single, stole second and Jeffrey Baez drove him in with an RBI single.

Gary Mattis evened the game at 2-2 with a single to right in the fourth, scoring Kona Quiggle.

Gateway briefly tied the game at one with a single and RBI double in the top of the fourth. Baez helped Evansville respond by hitting a triple to center in the bottom of the frame. A Quiggle single scored Baez to make it 2-1 Otters.

Gateway retook the lead 3-2 scoring two in the eighth with three straight two out singles.

Braden Scott dealt from the mound in his start for Evansville. He threw seven innings allowing just four hits and one run with eight strikeouts.

Leoni De La Cruz earned the win for the Otters, pitching an inning and a third scoreless in relief.

Quiggle finished the night with two hits and three RBIs. Baez and Skender added two-hit nights.

Evansville is a win away from the Frontier League Championship Series. The Otters and Grizzlies play in game two of the division series from Sauget, Illinois on Saturday evening with a 7:05 PM CT first pitch. If needed a game three will be Sunday evening at Grizzlies Ballpark.

USI Theatre to present Dracula in October

0

University of Southern Indiana Theatre will begin its 2023-24 season with Dracula, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of the classic novel by Bram Stoker, directed by Eric Altheide, Professor of Theatre. Performances will run Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 15 in the USI Performance Center.

Dracula is this year’s USI Theatre annual Repertory Project production, which operates under a contract with the Actors’ Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers. The production will feature Jesse Luttrell, a professional actor, as Dracula and Margaret Kayes, a professional stage manager.

Kate Hamill’s inventive “feminist revenge fantasy” reimagines Dracula in a way that is both unsettling and uproarious, unlike any previous adaptation. It delves into the concept of predators, offering a clever, disconcerting and darkly comedic twist on the story. Hamill’s unique approach and contemporary humor completely transform the traditional narrative of Victorian vampires, effectively challenging toxic masculinity.

Altheide will be joined by a design team including Paul Weimer, Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre as Scenic Designer; Shan Jensen, Professor of Theatre as Costume Designer; Brandon Bagwell, Assistant Professor of Theatre as Lighting Designer; Joshua Stallings, Performing Arts Facilities Coordinator as Sound Designer; and Andy Hammond, Theatre Technical Coordinator, as Technical Director. Christia Ward, Adjunct instructor of Voice and Diction, will serve as the production’s Dialect Coach, and Amelia Morse, guest artist, will be the Intimacy Director. The cast of Dracula includes USI students Madalyn Cottrell, Jaden Crouch, Jade Griffy, Ethan Hoover, Rayn Miller, Morgan Ray, Via Ryan, Jacob Schonard, Morgan Stauter, Ashlyn Thornburgh, and Michael Woywood. Grey Miller and Mel Hanebutt will serve as the Assistant Stage Managers.

Tickets are $2 for USI students, $10 for USI employees, $4 for non-USI students (student ID required), $10 seniors (60+) and $12 for adults. Tickets are free to USI students with ID one hour before each performance begins based on availability. Shows start at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 12 to Saturday, October 14 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 for the matinee.

Dracula is rated T for Teen—content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. Productions rated teen may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

UE Volleyball travels to DePaul Invitational

0

Aces to face St. Thomas, NIU and DePaul

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Three matches are on tap this weekend when the University of Evansville volleyball team travels to Chicago for the DePaul Invitational.  Evansville squares off against St. Thomas and Northern Illinois on Friday before facing DePaul in Saturday’s finale.

Last Time Out    

– Winning their third in a row, the Purple Aces completed the Samford Invite with a 3-1 win over North Alabama last Saturday

– Giulia Cardona posted a new career high with 32 kills while hitting an unbelievable .459 in the effort

– Friday’s win over defending Southern Conference champion Samford saw Ainoah Cruz tally her career mark with 27 digs

Freshman of the Week

– Ainoah Cruz earned MVC Freshman of the Week honors on Tuesday in a week that saw her record a career-best 27 digs

– Her career effort came in Friday’s road win at Samford

– Cruz added 14 digs in the win over North Alabama and has registered at least 11 digs in all five matches of the season

– Prior to her 27 digs against the Bulldogs, Cruz finished the home opener against USI with 20

– Her season average of 4.35 digs per set is 6th in the MVC

Another Career Best

– Giulia Cardona put together one of the most efficient performances you will ever see in Saturday’s win over North Alabama

– The junior finished with a career-high 32 kills while hitting 459 in the victory…she added 12 digs and 6 block assists

– Her numbers are among the best in the nation as she ranks second in the NCAA in kills (5.55/set), points (6.58/set) and attacks (14.10/set)

– She paces the MVC in all three categories and is also the league leader with 0.65 service aces per set

Career High

– Emilee Scheumann recorded 12 kills in Friday’s win over Samford; it marked the top effort of her career, surpassing a pair of 11-kill contests from last season

– Scheumann hit .312 in the win over the Bulldogs and added four digs

– In the home opener against USI, Scheumann hit .421 with 10 kills as she helped the Aces finish with the 3-1 win

Scouting the Opposition

– Friday’s opening match will see UE take on St. Thomas, who is 1-5 in their third season at the Division I level

– Lauren Galvin leads the way with 2.83 kills per set while Ella Voegele is averaging 4.17 digs

– Northern Illinois will be the second opponent on Friday; the Huskies are 1-5 and face DePaul on Thursday evening

– They are led by Nikolette Nedic’s 3.56 kills per frame

– With wins over Binghamton and Montana last weekend, DePaul is opens the weekend with a 2-3 mark

– Averaging 4.29 kills per set, Jill Pressly leads the way for the Blue Demons

1...908909910...7,168Page 909 of 7,168