Several rule changes that affect DNR properties took effect Wednesday, with the Natural Resources Commission, Attorney General’s Office, and Governor’s Office having recently approved them.

Changes include the following:

• Stands or blinds (including portable ground blinds) are allowed to be left overnight on DNR properties if the blind or stand is legibly marked with the name, address and phone number of the owner or the owner's customer identification number issued by the DNR.
   
• Trail/game cameras can be placed on properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, as well as on state forests, and state recreation areas as long as the camera is legibly marked with the owner's name, address, phone number or customer identification number issued by DNR. Placement of the camera must not damage a tree.
   
• The placing of bait for wildlife is prohibited on any DNR property. Exceptions are granted for bait or food placed for wildlife management as authorized by DNR, the result of authorized agricultural operations on the property (like tenant farming) or a bird feeder placed by a DNR employee. The definition of bait includes (1) a food that is transported to and placed for consumption, including but not limited to piles of corn and apples placed on the property; (2) prepared solids or liquids manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock, wild deer or birds, including, but not limited to, commercial baits and food supplements; (3) salt; and (4) mineral supplements. 
   
• The collection of shed antlers without a permit is allowed, except on dedicated Nature Preserves.
   
• Via a permit, magnet fishing is allowed on public waters on DNR properties as long as the magnet is able to be carried and retrieved by hand. Individuals will need to contact the respective property office to get a permit for magnet fishing on a DNR property.

The Vincennes University Cross Country and Track and Field coaches have had a very busy summer hitting the road, looking to sign VU runners for next season.

Assistant Cross Country/Distance Running Coach Tyler Steigenga has helped sign nine middle and distance runners for the 2022-23 season.

“We are bringing in a lot of talent with this year’s recruiting class, especially on the middle distance side,” VU Assistant Track and Field/Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga said. “It will give us a lot more flexibility with different events on the track. This fall in Cross Country we are looking forward to finishing a lot higher at the National meet than we did last year. Our depth is tremendously better and our frontrunners will allow us to be a lot more competitive this fall. I am very excited to see what we can do.”

The incoming VU running recruits include a North Montgomery graduate.  Elijah McCartney, of Crawfordsville, was an individual qualifier at semi-state in his junior and senior seasons.  He was first team all-conference all four years.

McCartney has also completed ultra-marathons and many half marathons.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois filed a federal civil lawsuit against the Chicago Cubs, alleging the team failed to ensure that recent additions and alterations at Wrigley Field were appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The lawsuit alleges that the team’s renovation, rehabilitation, expansion, and reconstruction of Wrigley Field – a multi-year undertaking known as “the 1060 Project” – discriminated against individuals with disabilities.  To facilitate the changes made by the 1060 Project, the Cubs rebuilt a sizable portion of the preexisting Wrigley Field facility, including demolishing and reconstructing the bleachers and tearing down most of the lower grandstand and rebuilding it.  These extensive changes were subject to the ADA’s requirements for design, construction, and alterations, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit alleges that throughout the 1060 Project, the Cubs failed to provide wheelchair users with adequate sightlines as compared to standing patrons or incorporate wheelchair seating into new premium clubs and group seating areas.  In the general admission areas, the Cubs designed and constructed the wheelchair seating so that it is largely clustered in the last row of seating sections – in violation of the requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design – and failed to remove architectural barriers to access in unaltered portions of Wrigley Field where it was readily achievable to do so, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, names as defendants the Cubs and other corporate owners and operators of the Wrigley Field facility – CHICAGO BASEBALL HOLDINGS LLC, WRIGLEY FIELD HOLDINGS LLC, and WF MASTER TENANT LLC.  The suit seeks declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief to remedy the alleged ADA violations.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham J. Souza and Patrick W. Johnson represent the government.

“The Cubs rebuilt much of Wrigley Field and had ample opportunity – and a significant ADA obligation – to incorporate wheelchair seating and other accessible elements into the updated facility,” said John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to ensuring equal accessibility for individuals with disabilities.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that the State of Indiana, Indiana Sports Corp, and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA) collaborated to relocate the men’s Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team to Indiana to serve as its training location this summer.

“We are so happy to play our small part in providing these world-class athletes with refuge to continue their training in such a fantastic facility,” said Gov. Holcomb. “This confirms what we have known all along – that our strongest state export has, and always will be, our Hoosier Hospitality.”

The team will travel to Hammond, Ind. on Thursday, July 7, where they will train at Hammond Central High School until Aug. 3. The wrestlers will use the state-of-the-art high school facility which opened in 2021, which includes a weight room, track, football field, gymnasium, and pool.

The collaborative support stemmed from Gov. Holcomb’s and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers’ meeting in March with the Ambassador of Ukraine at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington just two weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. At that time, Gov. Holcomb committed to do anything Hoosiers can to assist during their time of need. 

“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to partner with the State of Indiana and the SSCVA to provide a training location for the Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team,” said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp President. “Indiana offers premier sports facilities across the state, and we are grateful our Team Indiana partner SSCVA raised their hand to take on this opportunity.”

As part of their three-week stay, the Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team will have joint training sessions and meetings with local wrestlers. These gatherings will allow local wrestlers to learn from the Ukrainian team and allow both parties to share experiences on and off the mat. The SSCVA is handling local logistics for the team and plans to provide several offsite experiences, including a welcome reception, throughout the duration of their time in Indiana.

“Northwest Indiana and the SSCVA are honored to be hosting the Ukrainian Olympic athletes," said David Uran, President and CEO of the SSCVA. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the region to extend our Hoosier hospitality while we assist these athletes to reach their Olympic dreams."

"The School City of Hammond is excited to welcome the Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team to train and utilize the state-of-the-art athletic facilities at Hammond Central High School," stated Scott Miller, Hammond Schools Superintendent. "The opportunity to host world-class athletes and have them work alongside our student athletes is incredible and we look forward to their arrival."

The Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team has a strong history of success at the Olympic Summer Games. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Ukrainian Greco-Roman Wrestling Team ranked third, wrestlers garnered one gold medal in the 87 kg weight category, a silver medal in the 67 kg weight category and took 5th place in the 60 kg weight category.

All travel and arrangements for the athletes and their coaches was made possible by a grant provided to the Indiana Sports Corp from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.