Indiana
Indiana Pacers rookie-scale team options for Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, and Bennedict Mathurin are easy calls
One of the few remaining items on the Indiana Pacers 2024 offseason checklist is their rookie scale team options, but it’s an easy item for the team to navigate.
Outside of considering an extension for center Isaiah Jackson, the Pacers don’t have much in terms of roster decisions to consider this summer. For players on rookie scale deals, their contracts have two team options — they cover the third and fourth seasons of the deal. But they have to be decided on a full season in advance. For example, as a player on a rookie-scale deal enters their second season, their third-year team option must have a decision made.
The deadline for these decisions is October 31. Rookie scale deals are given, by default, to players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Indiana has three players who have a rookie-scale team option decision coming within the next two months. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker, who were drafted in 2023, as well as Bennedict Mathurin, who was drafted in 2022, have team options on their contract coming their way.
Walker and Sheppard’s deal have a third-year team option decision while Mathurin’s deal has a fourth year option. There are some specifics involved, but all three choices are no-brainers.
Sheppard was in the Pacers playoff rotation as a rookie and started a few games. His team option, which covers the 2025-26 season, is for just under $2.8 million. Walker’s is for $6.6 million — he was selected in the NBA Draft lottery.
Mathurin’s is a fourth-year team option, and he’s a high-ceiling youngster. His option is for just over $9.1 million, and he is a talented scorer and play finisher for a 22-year old. His growth is a massive storyline for Indiana this season.
Sheppard and Mathurin are young rotation players, which makes their team options a no-brainer. Walker doesn’t play as much yet, but his potential at an important position is high, and Indiana has no reason to decline his option. There isn’t any debate with these decisions.
The blue and gold have an expensive and full roster for the 2025-26 campaign already. Keeping young, cheap talent is a must. The Pacers almost certainly will pick up all three of these team options and keep developing the youngsters.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — It’s fair season and a new law uncorks adult beverage sales!
The new Indiana law will go into effect July 1st, making it legal to sell alcohol at county fairs.
The Kosciusko County Fair is set to kick off in just a few weeks and Indiana is officially allowing alcohol to be sold.
The law is bringing back something that’s not necessarily new to this fair.
Here’s what you need to know
The new law will go into effect on July 1st. It officially allows county fairs to apply for fee-free permits to sell alcohol.
Officials with the Kosciusko County Fair say they are participating this year. They are implementing the same guidelines they used when they sold alcohol just at grandstand events.
The difference now is, you can walk around the grounds with your drink. But strict guidelines will be in place for purchasing a drink.
“Actually, we’ve never had any issues. Because we card everybody, so we take that seriously. We also got the ID guides so we can identify the different types of IDs,” said Sheal Dirck, Treasurer of Kosciusko County Fair.
The Kosciusko County Fair already have guidelines in place, so this was an easy transition for the fair.
They will be the only vendors selling alcohol, which will make it easier to control distribution.
The sales will also bring in more revenue.
“Hopefully it allows to keep our ticket prices where they are because right now, insurance, utilities and everything else is going sky high and it’s hard to make ends meet,” said Dirck.
However, some fairs cannot participate because of the July 1st start date, like the Pulaski County Fair, which is going on right now. Pulaski County officials said it is on the agenda for next year. Whereas other fairs are choosing to sit this year out.
“We wanted not spend some time to, to see what that really means for us. It was not a decision we wanted to rush into. But we are happy for the option of it,” said Shelly Steury, GM of Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds.
Leaders at the St. Joseph County and Elkhart County Fairs said neither of them are selling alcohol.
The Kosciusko County Fair is the only fair that will sell alcohol in our area this year.
Indiana
‘Foul play’ suspected in death investigation on Indiana-Ohio state line, Wayne County officials say
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating the death of a person who died in the emergency department of Reid Health in Richmond.
Wayne County Coroner Brent Meadows was notified of the death Wednesday evening, according to a media release. Evidence has reportedly indicated that foul play is involved.
Officials believe the incident may have occurred in the area of the Petro Travel Center in New Paris, Ohio, just across the Indiana-Ohio state line.
The coroner’s office said the deceased person has been transported to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, for a forensic autopsy and identification.
The office is still working the locate and identify the victim’s family.
This remains an active investigation.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
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