For the first time since 2006, Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has increased fees for hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Commercial license fees also increase, some for the first time since the 1980s.

The increases will be applied to personal licenses starting with the 2022-2023 license year (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) that will go on sale in January. The fee increase does not affect licenses for the remainder of the 2021-2022 license year (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022), even if those licenses are purchased after Jan. 1.

The new fees allow DFW to maintain core programs including habitat restoration, maintenance of public lands, scientific research and education, and expansion of other services to manage Indiana’s fish and wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

Funds will also go to the DNR Division of Law Enforcement to ensure it is equipped to provide public safety and enforce the laws governing natural resources.

The new license prices were determined by comparing license fees among other Midwestern states and balancing the rising costs of resource management.

More information on these changes, including a full list of the new fees, can be found here: dnr.IN.gov/fish-and-wildlife/licenses-and-permits/fee-changes

Linebacker teammates for the South Putnam Eagles were named All-State by the Indiana Football Coaches Association.

Matthew Goodpaster was named to the IFCA 1A Senior All-State Team.  The 6'0", 230 pound linebacker led the Eagles in total tackles with 130 (94 solo, 36 assists) and tackles for loss with 17.  Goodpaster also recorded four sacks on the season.

Aiden Beadles was named to the 1A Junior All-State Team.  The 6'2", 195 pound linebacker was second on the team in total tackles with 121 (74 solo, 47 assists) to go with 11 tackles for loss.  Beadles recorded four sacks and caused one fumble for the Eagles defense.

Matt Pickerill leads his South Putnam boys basketball team into Greencastle High School's McAnally Center for the first time as the Eagles head coach.  The boys matchup is game two of a broadcast doubleheader tonight on GIANT fm Sports.

South Putnam is trying to break a four-game losing streak in the series with the Tiger Cubs dating back to a December 17 home win, 56-46.

South Putnam is 2-1 (1-1 WIC) on the young season while Greencastle (0-3, 0-2 WIC) is still in search of its first win.

The Tiger Cubs have been struggling offensively.  Averaging just under 40 ppg, Greencastle is coming off its highest scoring output of the season in a Saturday loss to Indian Creek, 59-47.

The opening girls game pits South Putnam (5-5, 2-2 WIC) and Greencastle (0-9, 0-5 WIC).

Coverage of the girls / boys doublheader begins at 5:45 pm on the Buzzi Unicem GIANT fm Sports Radio Network.

Six players have been selected as this week’s IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week.

Homestead senior Fletcher Loyer, Danville senior Brady Ruggles, Jac-Cen-Del senior Wyatt Day, Mishawaka Marian junior Nevaeh Foster, Noblesville junior Ashlynn Shade, and Northview senior Macey Timberman have been selected as recipients for Nov. 29-Dec. 4 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Loyer and Foster are the boys’ and girls’ winners, respectively, in District-1. Ruggles takes home boys’ honors, while Shade takes home girls’ honors in District-2. Day is the boys’ recipient, and Timberman is the girls’ recipient in District-3.

The Danville Warriors got their season started last week with a pair of nice victories. Senior Brady Ruggles was a huge part of their success, as he began his week with a 42-point performance Friday night, in a 68-58 win against Cardinal Ritter. Ruggles was a strong 14-23 from the field, 3-9 from deep, and he made a near-perfect 11-12 from the free throw line. He also managed to find time to grab nine rebounds, hand out a pair of assists, and pick up a steal in the effort.

The next day, Danville moved to 2-0 with their 74-31 win against Eminence. The 6-6 wing was again a top performer, scoring 27 points on 10-19 shooting. More impressively, he was 6-9 from long range in the win and knocked down his only free throw attempt. Ruggles contributed another five rebounds and four steals in this victory.

After dropping their first game of the year, Macey Timberman and the Northview girls have bounced back with seven consecutive wins. Last Monday, the Lady Knights won at Terre Haute South Vigo, 59-35. Timberman scored 28 points on 10-16 shooting. She also contributed four rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the easy win.

On Friday, against a good backcourt at Sullivan, Timberman helped the Lady Knights to a tight, 50-48 Western Indiana Conference home win. In this triumph, the 5-6 point guard scored 23 points, pulled down five rebounds, handed out a pair of assists, and picked up five steals in the big victory.

To end the week, Northview hosted Lebanon on Saturday, and the Lady Knights took care of business, with a 49-35 outcome. Timberman once again shone through, scoring 17 points, knocking down 6-7 free throws, and collecting another four caroms. The Parkland College commit also found teammates for four more scores, while picking up three additional steals in the win.

This is the 14^th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program, but just the second season it is being presented by Franciscan Health, a corporate sponsor of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.