Morning News: Friday February 17th 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News:

A man pled guilty to a charge in connection to the death of a 1-year-old girl in Posey County. Richard Kennedy appeared in court and pled guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, which is a Level 1 felony. He will be sentenced on April 4 at 1:30 p.m. Kennedy faces up to 30 years in prison for the neglect charge, plus an additional 18 months for violating probation. He and Samantha Burris were arrested in October 2018 after 14-month-old Nyla Brantley died from head injuries. Police say Kennedy and Burris were babysitting the child. Burris, who’s also charged with neglect of a dependent, is scheduled for trial starting on April 11.

Drivers on Highway 62 in Posey County had their route impacted some yesterday. Emergency officials said that around 11:30 AM they were called to a crash where a semi had overturned. According to Black Township Fire and Rescue, this happened at the intersection of Highway 62 and Raben Road, west of Mt. Vernon. There were minor injuries and it’s unclear as of now what caused the crash.

The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership has announced that 7 new projects have been awarded READI grant funds. Some of the projects include a major new park in Warrick County, updating a key park in Posey County, cMoe, splash pad, mental health and more. One of the projects receiving READI funds includes Brittlebank Park in Mt. Vernon. They are receiving a one-million-dollar READI Award. The project plan includes two new trails and design work for an inclusive playground to support the improvement and expansion efforts at Brittlebank Park in Mount Vernon. There is planning for a loop trail around a pond, a connector trail, as well as improvements to access and parking. The connector trail will provide a safe and accessible route between the park and nearby West Elementary.

We have reported throughout the week about the passing of former Posey County Sheriff William McFadden Cox. Cox served as sheriff from 1971 to 1979 and was elected again in 1987. He served another two terms then. Sheriff Cox was a county Councilman in 1979. He also served four and a half years as chief deputy. His funeral service is this morning at 10:00 AM at Schneider Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

A restaurant in downtown Evansville is temporarily closed after a driver crashed into it yesterday. It happened at Peephole Bar and Grill on Main Street just after 2:00 PM. Police say that one person eating inside was hurt and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Officers say the driver of the car was not hurt. EPD officials say the driver was turning left onto Main Street when he got distracted and hit the building. They say drugs and alcohol were not a factor. No word yet on when the restaurant will reopen.

Brandon Gaudin, an Evansville native has been named the new TV Play-by-Play voice for the Atlanta Braves on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. The 39-year-old Gaudin is an Evansville Harrison High School grad and got his professional start broadcasting Evansville Purple Aces games. Gaudin then moved on to be the voice of Butler and Georgia Tech. Gaudin has also called MLB, NFL, college football and college basketball games for FOX Sports and the Big Ten Network for the last seven years. He is also currently the voice of Madden the video game. Gaudin replaces Chip Caray who became the TV Play-by-Play voice of the St. Louis Cardinals back on January 30^th.

Sports:

- USI Women's Basketball (11-15, 5-10) lost at Arkansas Little-Rock, 58-50. Hannah Haithcock had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Vanessa Shafford chipped in with 13 points. 

- USI Men's Basketball (15-13, 8-7) pulled out an 82-81 win at Arkansas Little-Rock. Jacob Polakovich led the way with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Swope and Jelani Simmions eached poured in 21 points. 

- From other Men's College Basketball last night...#3 Purdue (23-4) lost at Maryland, 68-54. WKU (14-12) fell in OT at Charlotte, 68-64.