Afternoon News: Wednesday March 22nd 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News:

The son of a University of Evansville Hall of Famer will transfer to join the Purple Aces men's basketball program. Cameron Haffner, whose father is former UE great Scott Haffner, announced his commitment today on social media after entering the NCAA transfer portal last week. He recently completed his freshman season playing at Eastern Illinois for another UE Hall of Famer, coach Marty Simmons. The 6-foot-2 Haffner was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 40% shooting overall and 42% from the 3-point line. He earned his way into the Eastern Illinois starting five for the final 10 games, during which he averaged 11.1 points and scored double figures in seven of those contests.

The University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball will need to replace its leading scorer and the player it was hoping to build around for the coming years. Sophomore guard Isaiah Swope announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday. The Castle High School graduate averaged 15.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in the Screaming Eagles’ inaugural Division I season and was an All-Ohio Valley Conference first-team selection. Swope is USI’s second player to announce their intention of entering the portal after Tyler Henry. The Eagles, with Swope’s decision to leave, will need to replace four of their five starters and each of their top five scorers. USI is losing roughly 80% of its scoring with Swope and Henry entering the portal as well as Jacob Polakovich, Trevor Lakes and Jelani Simmons graduating.

A man is in jail after crashing his car and admitting to police that he had been drinking and driving. Around 9:30 PM Monday night, police were called to Hogue Road and University Parkway for a crash with injuries. Police say they arrived on scene and saw tire marks into the woods. Dispatch told police that a nearby neighbor said a man approached their house with blood on him and then ran off into the woods. The Perry Township Fire Department was able to locate 32 year old Zachary White using a heat signature tool. Police went to put White in handcuffs when he stated, “I’m so going to jail for DWI.” White remains in the Vanderburgh County Jail for OWI and leaving the scene of a crash.

A man has been sentenced to prison for charges stemming from a shooting that happened in Evansville back in 2022. Court records show Steven Kinslow was sentenced to 8 years with credit for time served on Tuesday. Kinslow was arrested back in September of 2022 after being accused of beating and shooting a woman at a home on East Illinois Street. Kinslow's 8-year sentence is the product of a plea agreement, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. In that plea agreement, four other charges against Kinslow were dismissed, including several battery charges and an intimidation charge.

Duke Energy is reminding its Indiana customers that more than $300,000 is available to them in energy bill assistance. Through the utility's Share the Light Fund, qualifying Duke Energy customers can receive up to a $300 credit annually on their account. Over the last five years, Duke Energy says it has supported more than 12,000 Indiana households with more than $3 million in energy bill assistance. The company works with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute assistance funds. Customers in need of bill assistance should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Duke Energy serves customers in local counties including Posey, Gibson, Warrick, Pike, Dubois, Knox, and Daviess.

The Evansville Regional Airport is partnering up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive this month. The blood drive is being held tomorrow from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The event's happening as part of Celebrating Red Cross Month. Over the past few weeks, they have held an employee CPR training and a Red Cross-themed story time. To schedule a timeslot at the blood drive, just visit redcrossblood.org, search zip code "47725," and select the Evansville Regional Airport location.

Sports:

- Mt. Vernon Softball is home tonight against South Spencer at 6:00 PM. 

- Evansville Baseball (12-7) goes for a 6th-straight win at SIUE at 5:00 PM.

- The Indiana Pacers (32-40) continue their road trip at the Toronto Raptors at 6:30 PM.