🎤😥 Show Choir Denied - Scoring Error; ⚾ Barnhart To Play For Diamondbacks & B'burg Man Sentenced To 30 yrs

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😥🎤 B’burg H.S. Show Choir Robbed of Finals Bid Due To Scoring Error

⚾ Barnhart To Play For Diamondbacks In 2024

👮‍♂️🔐 B’burg Man Sentenced To 30 Yrs For Attempted Murder

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Brownsburg Show Choir Denied Show Choir Nationals Finals Due To Judges Scoring Error

At the recent Show Choir Nationals event, held on March 22, a scoring discrepancy led to the Brownsburg Spotlight Singers & Company being unexpectedly left out of the finals, scheduled for March 23. Despite their impressive performance, an oversight in the tallying process meant their scores were inaccurately calculated, leaving them just shy of advancing.

Investigations into the issue revealed that the scores for show design from one of the judges had been recorded on the individual score breakdown but were mistakenly not included in the total points. This oversight placed Brownsburg marginally behind the Noblesville NHS Singers, missing the final spot by a hair's breadth – they were 0.1 points short of the final score and 0.5 raw points behind for the coveted sixth place in the finals after the preliminary rounds.

With a detailed score breakdown, it became clear that Brownsburg had initially scored a total of 951.5 points against NHS Singers' 952 points. Correcting the scoring error would have significantly altered their standings, propelling Brownsburg to a total of 1,002.5 points over Noblesville’s 1,000.5. This correction would have secured Brownsburg a spot in the finals with a revised score of 200.5 against Noblesville’s 200.1.

The issue was not isolated to Brownsburg alone but affected the scoring across all participating groups, although it notably impacted the standings between the sixth and seventh places the most. The traditional pencil-and-paper method used by Show Choir Nationals judges for scoring came under scrutiny due to this mishap.

Brownsburg’s team brought the discrepancy to the attention of the Show Choir Nationals organizers on March 24, receiving acknowledgment of the mistake by March 25. The specific cause of the oversight remains unclear, though it was noted that while individual judge scores were correct on the recap sheets, they were not properly included in the overall tallies for show design and cumulative scores.

This incident highlighted the fierce competitiveness of Show Choir Nationals, where even fractional points can determine the advancement to finals. The significance of the error was magnified by the prestige of performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage, a dream platform for many choir performers, and the unique scheduling of the Nationals, which allows for a rapid succession from preliminary rounds to finals.

Despite the disappointment for Brownsburg, the achievement of Noblesville NHS Singers, who moved from sixth to fifth place in the finals, was recognized. Their success included winning Best Band, and Sarah Rolinson being awarded Best Female Soloist.

The incident at Show Choir Nationals was not an isolated case in high-profile show choir competitions, pointing to a broader issue within scoring and tabulation processes. In response to the incident, Show Choir Nationals issued a statement expressing regret over the error and its impact on Brownsburg Spotlight Singers & Company. They extended their apologies and outlined steps to ensure fairness and accuracy in future competitions, including a shift to consensus ranking for preliminary rounds in subsequent events. This method prioritizes a choir's overall impression among judges over raw scores, a practice gaining popularity for its equitable assessment of performances.

Tucker Barnhart To Play For The Diamondbacks In 2024

Tucker Barnhart, a resident of Zionsville and native of Brownsburg, has returned to Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed him following his participation in spring training on a minor league deal.

At 33 years old, Barnhart, who is a two-time Gold Glove winner, previously played 43 games for the Chicago Cubs last season before being released. Last year, he had a batting performance with the Cubs that included a .202 average, a home run, and three doubles in 109 at-bats, before moving to the Dodgers’ minor league system.

During spring training with the Diamondbacks, he managed a .217 average with some hits and walks. Barnhart shared his approach to this season's spring training was different, emphasizing competition and preparation from the start of spring training, a mindset he plans to maintain for his career.

With nearly 3,000 plate appearances in his career, achieving a .243 average with 53 home runs and 286 RBIs, and winning two Gold Gloves with the Cincinnati Reds, Barnhart is expected to be the primary backup to Gabriel Moreno on the Diamondbacks.

Brownsburg Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Attempted Murder

In a recent court ruling in Monroe County, a Brownsburg man received a 25-year prison term following a conviction for attempted murder. This sentencing comes after Kiandre Owens was found guilty in February, stemming from a violent incident in August 2020, where he attacked a woman, leading to severe injuries.

The court handed Owens a 30-year sentence, with a portion of it—five years—suspended. Upon his release, Owens will be subject to a five-year probation period. Court documents reveal that Owens has been credited for the time he has already served in jail, exceeding three years, as his case progressed through the legal system.

Owens, opting out of a jury trial, was convicted in a bench trial. His trial faced multiple delays over the years following the assault.

The case traces back to an evening in Bloomington on August 5, 2020, when police were dispatched following reports of a bloodied woman discovered on the sidewalk on 11th Street. The 18-year-old victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to her throat, abdomen, and head. She was quickly taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital for emergency surgery and was able to communicate with police, naming Owens as her attacker.

While the police were at the hospital, Owens sought medical attention for a knife injury to his hand. After receiving treatment, he was brought in for questioning at the Bloomington Police Department, leading to his arrest and charge of attempted murder.

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Upcoming Local Events

March 2024

• VITA Free Tax Prep

  • Date: (Ongoing through various dates)

  • Description: Free tax preparation for individuals and families with a combined household income of $66,000 or less in 2023, by IRS-certified volunteers.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Public Library website​​.

• Park Authority

  • Date: March 28, 2024

  • Description: Meeting discussing parks and recreational activities in Brownsburg, held at the Town Hall Council Room.

  • More Information: Town of Brownsburg

• Town Council Meeting

  • Date: March 28, 2024

  • Description: Town Council gathers to discuss various community-related topics in the Town Hall Council Room.

  • More Information: Town of Brownsburg

• SOLD OUT: Teen Certified Babysitter's Course

  • Date: March 28, 2024

  • Description: A course for teens interested in babysitting, covering safety and care, at Brownsburg Public Library. Includes American Red Cross certification.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Public Library

• Town Hall & Departments Closed in Observance of Good Friday

  • Date: March 29, 2024

  • Description: All day closure of the town hall and other departments for Good Friday.

  • More Information: Town of Brownsburg

• Experience FC

  • Date: March 29, 2024

  • Description: An opportunity for individuals to experience what Florida College has to offer through various presentations and activities.

  • More Information: Greater Indiana Florida College Booster Club

• Reading with Wisdom

  • Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024

  • Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am

  • Description: Join this enlightening event filled with books, music, and games at the Brownsburg Public Library. It's a great opportunity for families to connect and encourage children to develop a love for reading.

  • More Information: Event Details