Morning News: Thursday May 4th 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News:

The Town of Poseyville will have the large pick-up day on Friday, May 12^th for Poseyville residents. If you have items for the town to be picked up, please put the items at the curb and they will be picked up between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Keep in mind though that tires, refrigerators, freezers with refrigeration, fuel, paint, or TV’s will not be picked up.

Day 1 has concluded for the jury trial of a young suspect, Mateo Rodriguez, who faces some serious charges after a deadly incident in Evansville that left one woman dead. Rodriguez was arrested in April 2022 on charges including murder, robbery, auto theft, and leaving the scene of a deadly crash after police said he stole a car and then ran a woman over, while attempting to get away. Jury selections began at 8 a.m. and lasted until shortly before lunch.  Then opening arguments were given shortly after 1 p.m. The state argued that Rodriguez got into a running vehicle that wasn't his, and ran over 33-year-old Megan Schaefer during his attempt to get away, killing her in the process. Surveillance footage that was admitted into evidence, shows the man they say is Rodriguez, back into Schaefer's car during his getaway attempt. When Schaefer got out of her car to confront him, he floored the gas pedal, striking her head on with the stolen vehicle. The defense argued that Rodriguez did get in the car and attempt to drive off - but that he did not intend to hurt anyone. Mateo Rodriguez was just 16 years old at the time of the incident. He is being tried as an adult. He is charged with murder, robbery, auto theft, and leaving the scene of an accident. The trial is set to resume this morning.

The City of Evansville is partnering up with clothing brand "19nine" and nonprofit organization "Project Backboard" to transform the basketball court at Fulton Avenue Park. The city's parks department will be partnering with the two groups to renovate the park's basketball court into a work of art, featuring a mural of the city map. City officials say the project will happen sometime this summer, and that the public-private partnership addresses another "need" that was identified in the new 5-year parks master plan. Fulton Park is located at the corner of West Franklin Street and North Fulton Avenue. More details on the project, 19nine, and Project Backboard can be found on the city's website. 

The West Side Nut Club in Evansville held its Founder’s Day Event last night at the Discovery Lodge, donating half a million dollars to local organizations and schools. The Nut Cub donated $27,000 to both Reitz and Mater Dei high schools. In addition, Granted Evansville also received $25,000 for their House of Hope. Officials say this is the largest amount the Nut Club has ever raised. In all, the Nut Club awarded checks to 53 schools and 36 non-profit organizations.

Sports:

• Mt. Vernon Baseball (3-13) lost at Evansville Christian, 5-2.

• North Posey Baseball (13-6) won a slugfest at home against Central, 19-9.

• North Posey Softball (16-0) picked up another road win at Southridge, 7-3.

• Evansville Baseball (26-18) topped Butler at home, 4-1.

• The St. Louis Cardinals (10-21) blew another game at home against the Los Angeles Angles, 6-4. The Cardinals allowed 3 runs in the 9^th inning.  

• The Chicago Cubs (15-15) lost to the Nationals in Washington, 2-1.    

• The Cincinnati Reds (13-18) got tripped up in San Diego by the Padres, 7-1.

• The Chicago White Sox (10-21) won their 3^rd-straight game as they took care of the Minnesota Twins at home, 6-4.