LaMar earns top award at USI Hagemann Awards for Musical Performance

07/19/2025

The University of Southern Indiana is proud to announce Shawnee LaMar as the winner of the 2025 Hagemann Awards for Musical Performance. The awards finalist concert, held Tuesday, July 16 at Murphy Auditorium in Historic New Harmony, featured four talented high school musicians from Posey County, Indiana, with LaMar earning the top award for her clarinet and vocal performances.

As this year’s winner, LaMar received a $1,000 cash prize and the prestigious Alexander Scholarship valued at $2,000. The other three finalists were awarded $500 in recognition of their outstanding musicianship.

LaMar, a recent high school graduate, has been a dedicated student of music for seven years. “I began playing the clarinet when I joined band seven years ago, which later led to my two-year involvement in choir,” she said. “In that time, I’ve participated in instrumental solo and ensemble for six years, advancing to state for a clarinet ensemble and two clarinet solos. For the two years I participated in vocal solo and ensemble, I advanced to state both times for solos.”

Her musical achievements also include performances with the All-District Honor Band, the Murray State University Quad State Festivals in both instrumental and vocal music and the Evansville Symphonic Band as a recipient of the Wesley Shepherd Award. In addition to her musical pursuits, LaMar has been active in theater, playing lead roles such as Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

Other 2025 finalists included Addaleigh McFadin (piano), Collin Swartz (bass clarinet) and Faith Juncker (voice).

Now in its latest installment, the Hagemann Awards for Musical Performance was founded by Posey County native and internationally recognized composer and conductor Philip Hagemann to honor and encourage the artistic talent of young musicians in his home community. The competition is produced by the USI Music Program and supported through a generous gift from Hagemann.

Judges for the 2025 competition included John Spradley, former band director at Gibson Southern High School; Joe Uthup, USI Part Time Vocal Instructor; and Thomas Drury, USI Instructor in Music and collaborative pianist.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Visits Indiana

07/19/2025

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Visit to Purdue University with Governor Mike Braun highlights innovation in education and workforce.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner and Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski visited Purdue University today to highlight Indiana’s comprehensive approach to reimagining education through the lens of career alignment and student success.

“It is an honor to host Secretary McMahon in the state of Indiana and allow her to see first-hand why Indiana has emerged as a national leader in education and innovation,” said Governor Braun. “Indiana is boldly investing in emerging sectors that will shape the future of our economy and national competitiveness. Central to this commitment is a strategic focus on good-paying jobs in market-driven industries that hold transformative potential for Indiana’s education system, economy, and long-term prosperity.”

As part of the visit, Secretary McMahon, Governor Braun, Secretary Jenner and Secretary Jaworowski toured Purdue University’s nationally-recognized research facilities in nuclear engineering and artificial intelligence (AI).

Leaders also engaged in a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from K-12 education, higher education, and local industry to discuss how Indiana is:

Leveraging cross-sector partnerships to develop future-ready talent pipelines,
Embedding workforce-aligned competencies in both secondary and postsecondary education, and
Positioning Hoosier students to lead in the innovation economy

“Indiana is truly on the leading edge when it comes to rethinking the four years of high school,” said Dr. Jenner. “The collaboration that exists across K-12, higher education, and industry is instrumental in preparing students for their unique future, whether that includes college, a career, or military service. I am grateful for the work that was on display today from team Indiana and look forward to continuing to find bold, collaborative ways to improve outcomes for the next generation of Indiana leaders.”

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

07/19/2025

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

New leadership team members announced for ISDA

07/19/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS (July 16, 2025) – Two new leadership changes have been announced by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). David Bausman has been selected as the General Counsel and Andrew Sherman has been promoted to Director of the Economic Development Division. “We are proud of the impact that these two individuals have made for Indiana agriculture here in the U.S. and abroad,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Ag. “I am excited to see them step into these new roles and look forward to continued growth and success for our future.”

David Bausman will serve as the chief legal advisor for the agency. He also manages ISDA’s Public Affairs team which is responsible for the agency’s policy development at the federal, state and local level. Additionally, he is currently overseeing the agency’s efforts in creating the Agricultural Portal, which was a Governor Braun legislative priority from this past session. In addition, he serves as the Lt. Governor’s proxy for the Environmental Rules Board.

Bausman was previously at ISDA from July 2013 to January 2017 when he led the policy and regulatory affairs team at the ISDA working on leading the agency’s legislative and policy efforts.

Prior to rejoining ISDA, Bausman held the role of General Counsel with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) where he worked on various conservation issues such as forest management, carbon sequestration, and drainage issues.

Bausman has over 12 years of experience working in state government in various legal and legislative capacities. His time at ISDA and DNR has given him a wide range of experience dealing with agricultural and conservation issues facing Indiana’s farmers.

Bausman has a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University and a law degree from Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. He lives in Johnson County with his wife and two daughters and enjoys fishing, golfing, and the great outdoors.

Andrew (Drew) Sherman has been promoted from International Trade Director to Economic Development Director. In this role, Sherman will lead and implement ISDA’s business retention, expansion, and attraction strategy, including partnerships with State, regional, and local economic development organizations.

In his previous role as ISDA’s International Trade Director, Sherman advocated for Indiana agriculture in global markets and supported Hoosier exporters across the agricultural value chain. Sherman continues to represent ISDA on several export advisory councils, including the Indiana District Export Council, Indiana Small Business Development Center, Indiana Economic Development Corporation Trade Council and US Global Leadership Council’s Indiana Advisory Committee. 

Sherman joined ISDA in 2022 and has 10+ years of experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. An Iowa native, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & International Studies from Iowa State University and a Master’s of Public Affairs from Indiana University in Economic Development, Policy Analysis, & Public Finance.

Sherman is a member of AgriInstitute’s Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program Class 21 and participated in the Emerging Professional Leadership Program Class of 2023. Sherman resides in Indianapolis with his wife and daughter. 

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Pictured about is David Bausman. ISDA’s general counsel. For a high resolution photo, please email Regan Herr at rherr@isda.in.gov.

Pictured above is Andrew (Drew) Sherman, ISDA’s Economic Development Director. For a high resolution photo, please email Regan Herr at rherr@isda.in.gov.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

07/19/2025

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Governor Braun Forms Task Force to Strengthen Emergency Alert System to Protect Hoosiers

07/18/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS – In the wake of flooding devastation in Texas, Governor Mike Braun is launching an Emergency Alert Task Force to evaluate the current alert and warning systems in Indiana and identify opportunities to enhance those systems or provide additional warning systems to keep Hoosiers safe.

“Following the tragic loss of life from flooding in Texas, we’re taking proactive action to make sure our emergency alert systems are up-to-date, fully functional, and that we’re making any enhancements possible to better protect Hoosiers from extreme weather.” – Governor Mike Braun

The task force will be led by Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Integrated Public Safety Commission, with input from municipal and county officials from fire and law enforcement, as well as advisors from the Indiana Geographic Information Office, National Weather Service, and cell-phone network carriers.

This task force will work on an aggressive timeline this autumn with its evaluation and recommendations to improve emergency alerting protocols, systems, and technology prepared for the Governor by November 1.

Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region Welcomes New Board Members

07/18/2025

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Evansville, Ind., (July 17, 2025) – The Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region is proud to announce the addition of two new board members: Kymberly Thomas and Tonda Welch.

Kymberly Thomas is the Chief Financial Officer at Koch Air, LLC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Indiana and has held various accounting roles in both industry and public sectors.

Kymberly is a charter member of Partnership of Women and previously served as chair. She has also served as a member of the University of Southern Indiana Accounting Circle and actively volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul.

Originally from Henderson, Kentucky, Kymberly relocated to Evansville in 2021. Outside of work, Kymberly and her husband enjoy traveling, experiencing the arts and engaging in service work.

Tonda Welch is Indiana Region Lab Director of Deaconess Health System. She lives in Pike County and works in labs located at Deaconess Gibson and Deaconess Memorial Medical Center.

Tonda earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1996 and has 29 years of laboratory experience, with 25 years at Deaconess Gibson Laboratory. She joined the leadership team in 2006 as a Laboratory Manager and was promoted to Director in 2008.

Tonda is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, which raises money for local charities, scholarships and families in need. She is also a board member of the Prides Creek Golf Course.

The Southwest Chapter volunteer board includes more than 20 civic and corporate leaders from a range of professional backgrounds and serves 26 counties in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. The board is led by Chairperson Steve Walker. A full list of members can be found here.

Board of Park Commissioners Approves Request for Proposals to Activate Mesker Amphitheatre

07/18/2025

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At its meeting earlier today, the Evansville Board of Park Commissioners granted permission for city officials to issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease Mesker Amphitheatre for use as an entertainment venue.

Once issued, the RFP will remain open for a 60-day period, giving individuals and organizations the opportunity to submit detailed proposals for future use of the historic facility. After the submission window closes, the Parks Board will evaluate the proposals to determine whether a viable path exists to re-activate Mesker Amphitheatre as an entertainment destination.

“Mesker Amphitheatre holds a special place in the hearts of many Evansville residents; it’s where generations of families have come together to enjoy live music, performances, and community events,” said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. “We believe it’s time to explore new opportunities to breathe life back into this beloved venue. Today’s action is a meaningful step toward that goal.”

Originally opened in 1951, Mesker Amphitheatre was once one of the largest open-air venues in the region. Its potential reactivation aligns with Mayor Terry’s broader commitment to Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development, aiming to transform underutilized public spaces into assets that contribute to a more dynamic, inclusive Evansville.

The RFP will seek proposals that are financially viable, operationally sound, and sensitive to the amphitheatre’s historic character and location near the Mesker Park Zoo.

“Reactivating Mesker will require the right partner – someone who shares our vision for a community-centered venue that also brings economic and cultural vitality,” Mayor Terry said. “We’re hopeful that this process will bring forth exciting opportunities for the future of Mesker Amphitheatre.”

The official RFP will be posted in the coming days.

Adult Basic Education/English Language Learner Students Graduate July 25 at Ivy Tech Community College

07/18/2025

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Evansville, IN – Approximately 230 students have completed their work within the Adult Basic Education Program and/or English Language Learner (ELL) classes at Ivy Tech Community College this year and will celebrate their accomplishment on Friday, July 25, at 4 p.m. in Vectren Auditorium on the Evansville main campus.

Ivy Tech saw a 78.6% increase in program growth from the 2023-24 school year, to current, with a total of 359 students being served. In the program, students received classroom-based, self-paced learning with direct teacher support in literacy, math, science and social studies. ELL students received help developing proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through traditional instruction and group and partner-based activities.

Of the total finishing, 41 have received their High School Equivalency.

Nick Bragin, executive director of Ivy+ Career Link, said students who enroll in Adult Basic Education and English Language Learner programs represent many different backgrounds and lived experiences. Often, individuals have experienced barriers to access to education and/or academic success. “Students in our program averaged approximately 44.5 hours in the classroom — a major time commitment for individuals balancing work, family, caregiving, and other responsibilities. Each student is taking a step toward personal growth, expanding employment opportunities, higher earning potential, and pathways toward further education,” he said.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

07/18/2025

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public