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VOICE REVEAL TONIGHT
METS Welcomes Five New Dual-Propulsion Buses to Fle
(September 13, 2023) — Today, the Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) announced the addition of five new state-of-the-art buses that are powered by both diesel and electric propulsion systems. These buses demonstrate METS’ commitment to sustainable and innovative transportation solutions for Evansville riders.
A unique feature of these buses is their ability to be geofenced, allowing for specific propulsion system use based on the route or zone, enhancing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
“This is a testament to our city’s dedication to embrace future-ready transportation solutions,†said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “Through strategic funding partnerships, we’re ensuring that Evansville residents have access to clean, efficient, and reliable public transportation. These new buses symbolize our commitment to progress and the well-being of our community.â€
“The addition of these dual-propulsion buses exemplifies how METS continues to innovate for the benefit of our riders and the environment,†said Department of Transportation and Services Executive Director Todd Robertson. “We’re thrilled to roll out these buses and look forward to the enhanced service they’ll provide.â€
Two of the buses were fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act funds through the Federal Transit Administration. The remaining three buses were supported with 80 percent federal funding and a 20 percent contribution from local funding sources. Each bus cost $869,536.
The buses were produced by Gillig. The engines were built by Cummins, a company based in Indiana. The hybrid transmissions were crafted by another Indiana company, Allison Transmission.
We need your help!
We need your help!SEPTEMBER 14. 2023 |
Are you free on Saturdays? Do you have a passion for volunteering? Do you want to help elect Natalie Rascher as Evansville’s next mayor? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, we’ve got the opportunity for you! Join Natalie and friends and volunteer to help us win this election by going door to door on Saturday mornings. |
Meet us on September 16th, 2023 at Oaklyn Library (3001 Oaklyn Dr, Evansville, IN 47711) at 8:45 am!
For more dates and locations reach us at info@rascherformayor.com. See you there! -Team Rascher |
FOOTNOTE: Â This article was posted without bias or editing. Â Other political candidates running for Evansville Mayor or City Council offices the CCO shall post their articles at no charge.Â
 Dog Day Downtown Presented by German American Bank is Saturday, September 16Â
 Dog Day Downtown Presented by German American Bank is Saturday, September 16Â
ANNOUNCEMENT – September 13, 2023: The Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District (EID) invites the community to bring their dogs and visit Downtown Evansville on Saturday, September 16 from 11 AM – 2 PM for the fourth annual Dog Day Downtown Presented by German American Bank. Event activities will take place on Main Street (from 2nd to 5th Street). The 200 and 400 blocks of Main Street will be closed to vehicles for the event. The 300 Block is closed for the Main Street reconstruction project, but sidewalks will remain open for guests to visit businesses and to enjoy event activities. Activities will include a dog agility course, a “Bone Bar†with free bone-shaped treats, free pup cups, free bandanas for your pup, a cuddle station, a photo portrait station, photo points for guests and their dogs, free microchipping by the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and spa services including free nail trimmings, brushing, ear cleaning, and massages. Please note, quantities are first come, first serve on free items. Local animal nonprofits are participating, as are local vendors selling dog-related products. “Businesses will display window clings identifying their status as dog friendly. We have 20+ dog friendly businesses Downtown,†said Adam Trinkel, marketing, communications, & events director, EID. “We’re rolling out the red carpet for our furry companions as we welcome hundreds of dogs and their humans to our Downtown neighborhood,†continued Adam Trinkel. “We encourage our four-legged friends and their humans to join us for fun outdoor activities, shopping in our pet friendly stores, and dining at one of our pet friendly restaurant patios,†he added.Â
Activities are free thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including presenting sponsor German American Bank, Astound Broadband, Biscuit Belly, Earthborn Holistic Pet Foods, F.C. Tucker Emge Realtors, Gerling Law, Pet Food Center, Romain Subaru, and the Office of the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor.Â
Visit DowntownEvansville.com/DogDay or Downtown Evansville Indiana on social media for more information.Â
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About Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement DistrictÂ
Following a 2017 petition process of member property owners, the EID was formed in 2018 to provide benefits and services to member properties paid for by a special annual assessment on these properties. The EID builds a move active and inclusive Downtown Evansville. It enhances resident, consumer, investor, worker, and visitor experiences in Downtown Evansville. In 2023, the EID will produce 12 large-scale events in Downtown Evansville, welcoming over 50,000 people to the District. To learn more about the EID and its progress in enhancing the Downtown experience, visit www.downtownevansville.comÂ
Evansville falls in heartbreaker in FLCS game two
Quebec City, Quebec – The Quebec Capitales hit a two-run walk-off home run to defeat the Evansville Otters 7-6 on Wednesday night in game two of the Frontier League Championship Series at the Stade Canac.
Quebec scored five unanswered runs over the last two innings. The Capitales notched two singles to spearhead a key eighth inning. With two outs, a double and single scored three runs to trim Evansville’s lead to 6-5 after eight.
The Capitales led off the ninth with a walk. Juremi Profar followed with a two-run walk-off blast.
The Otters big lead was keyed by a four-run fourth inning courtesy of six hits in the frame. Gary Mattis drove in the first two runs on a triple that bounced over the head of Quebec’s right-fielder. Jake Green followed with an RBI single.
Josh Allen capped the scoring with a two-out RBI knock for a 5-2 Evansville lead.
The Otters added a run in the seventh. Kona Quiggle doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch for a four run Otters’ lead entering the eighth.
Zach Smith was strong in a four inning start for the Otters. He allowed just one earned run with four strikeouts.
Parker Brahms worked 3.2 innings in relief, working a perfect first three innings from the mound.
Quebec scratched across an unearned run in the first. Justin Felix hit a solo home run in the second for Evansville before the Capitales answered with another run in the bottom half of the frame.
Evansville closer Jake Polancic suffered the loss in pitching the ninth. Evan Rutckyj pitched the top of the ninth for Quebec and earned the win.
Josh Allen led Evansville with two hits. Eight of nine Otters recorded hits.
The best of five Frontier League Championship Series now finishes in Evansville. The Otters and Capitales play in game three on Friday night with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch from Bosse Field.
Tickets are still available for purchase here, by visiting the Bosse Field box office or calling (812) 435-8686.
All home and road Otters games this season are televised on FloSports with audio-only coverage available for free on the Evansville Otters YouTube page.
Arts Commission expands Creative Aging programming, funding to arts organizations Â
Arts Commission expands Creative Aging programming, funding to arts organizations Â
(INDIANAPOLIS)Â The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today an expansion of Lifelong Arts, a program that promotes arts and creativity services for older adults across the state, through a partnership with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. Â
Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations is an expansion of the IAC’s portfolio of opportunities for the state’s older adults. Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations joins existing programs for artists and aging services providers in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Aging to offer creative experiences for older adults. Four arts organizations will be selected to participate in Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations, forming a cohort that together will learn and grow in creative aging practice — ultimately becoming leaders and mentors sharing with others what they’ve learned. Â
  “After seeing such impressive creative aging work across the state from artists and aging services providers through Lifelong Arts Indiana, we are excited to open this opportunity to arts organizations,†said Miah Michaelsen, IAC Executive Director. ‘We are grateful for the partnership of NASAA and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to bring training and funding to support creative aging work to arts organizations.â€Â
Organizations selected for this program will receive up to $20,000 to participate in training and develop and implement a robust pilot creative aging program.Â
Arts organizations best suited for this opportunity regularly provide arts education activities, including hosting classes on or off-site, and provide access and services to underserved communities. Successful applicants will have the ability, infrastructure, experience, and expertise to establish a creative aging program as part of their ongoing efforts. Read the full guidelines. Â
Applications for Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations are due on October 13, 2023. Access the application.
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Biden-Harris Administration Invests More than $100 Million in Recycling Infrastructure Projects Through Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON (Sept. 13, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $100 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across the country, representing EPA’s largest recycling investment in 30 years.
EPA has selected 25 communities to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. In addition, the agency is making available approximately $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans.Â
The grants support the implementation of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy to build an economy devoted to keeping materials, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible – what’s known as a “circular economy.â€
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda tackles our most pressing environmental challenges including climate change and lead in drinking water, and today we add another historic investment to better manage waste in communities across America,†said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By investing in better recycling, EPA is deploying resources to provide recycling services across the country, including in disadvantaged communities, while preventing waste that contributes to the climate crisis, supporting local economies and creating good-paying jobs.â€
“Recycling helps us protect our environment while creating jobs and promoting economic growth,†said Senator Tom Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this unprecedented investment will provide communities across our country with the opportunity to improve their recycling programs and implement more sustainable waste-management practices. I applaud EPA for the hard work in getting this funding out the door, and I look forward to working together to advance policies that strengthen our nation’s recycling infrastructure.â€
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, is growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $500 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that is lowering energy costs for hardworking families, combatting climate change and making our communities more resilient.
EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program is also advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Approximately $56 million out of the $73 million – or 76% – of the total funding for communities will go toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities
The recycling grants for communities will support improvements to waste management systems across the country and will range from $500,000 to $4 million per grant. Selected projects include purchasing new fleets of recycling collection vehicles and bins to provide curbside recycling services for communities currently lacking access; upgrades to material recovery facilities to reduce contamination; enhancements to composting and organics programs and infrastructure; and construction of various types of facilities that improve recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure for materials such as plastics and food waste.Â
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for States and Territories
The recycling grants for states and territories will provide funding to all 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia via grants ranging from $360,000 to $750,000; with the highest grant amounts supporting those states and territories that need it the most. These grants represent important steps toward achieving the EPA’s National Recycling Goal and Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal. Funded activities include improving post-consumer materials management programs through developing or updating solid waste management plans and strengthening data collection efforts.
Arts Commission expands Creative Aging programming, funding to arts organizations 
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today an expansion of Lifelong Arts, a program that promotes arts and creativity services for older adults across the state, through a partnership with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.
Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations is an expansion of the IAC’s portfolio of opportunities for the state’s older adults. Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations joins existing programs for artists and aging services providers in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Aging to offer creative experiences for older adults. Four arts organizations will be selected to participate in Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations, forming a cohort that together will learn and grow in creative aging practice — ultimately becoming leaders and mentors sharing with others what they’ve learned.
“After seeing such impressive creative aging work across the state from artists and aging services providers through Lifelong Arts Indiana, we are excited to open this opportunity to arts organizations,†said Miah Michaelsen, IAC Executive Director. ‘We are grateful for the partnership of NASAA and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to bring training and funding to support creative aging work to arts organizations.â€
Organizations selected for this program will receive up to $20,000 to participate in training and develop and implement a robust pilot creative aging program.
Arts organizations best suited for this opportunity regularly provide arts education activities, including hosting classes on or off-site, and provide access and services to underserved communities. Successful applicants will have the ability, infrastructure, experience, and expertise to establish a creative aging program as part of their ongoing efforts. Read the full guidelines.Â
USI Men’s Basketball reveals 2023-24 non-conference schedule​​​​​​​
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball revealed its 2023-24 non-conference schedule, beginning with a visit to Saint Louis University November 6. The 2023-24 home opener is slated for November 12 when USI hosts Chicago State University for the first of 14 contests at Screaming Eagles Arena this year.
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“We are fired up to announce our very challenging schedule,” said USI Head Coach Stan Gouard. “We must be ready to compete at a high level out of the gate as we travel to play against great teams and programs on the road.Â
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“After a long 2022-23 season, we are thrilled to welcome our fans back to Screaming Eagles Arena for the upcoming season to celebrate year two as a Division I program,” continued Gouard. “We look forward to protecting our home court and treating our fans to this great schedule, terrific promotions, and great basketball.”
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In addition to the Chicago State home opener, the 2023-24 home non-conference schedule includes Tiffin University (November 14), East/West University (November 28), Bowling Green State University (December 2), Purdue University Ft. Wayne (December 6), and the University of St. Francis (Illinois). The home portion of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule features Tennessee State University (January 4), Tennessee Tech University (January 6), the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (January 18), Morehead State University (January 19), Western Illinois University (January 25), Eastern Illinois University (February 8), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (February 10), Lindenwood University (February 29), and Southeast Missouri State University (March 2).
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The Screaming Eagles have a very challenging road slate following the season-opener at St. Louis. USI follows up the trip to Michigan State University (November 9) before starting play in the three-game Blue Devil Challenge with a visit to La Salle University (November 18). The finals two games of the Blue Devil Challenge contain a visit to Bucknell University (November 20) and Duke University (November 24).
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Following the first of two three-game homestands, the Eagles make trips to Indiana State University (December 9). The final non-conference game of 2023-24 has USI travelling to Southern Illinois University (December 22) before the holiday break.
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In OVC play, this year’s conference road slate includes stopovers at SEMO (December 29), Lindenwood (December 31), SIUE (January 11), Tennessee Tech (February 1), Tennessee State University (February 3); University of Tennessee at Martin (February 15); Little Rock (February 17), Morehead State (February 20), and Western Illinois (February 24).
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In the history of the USI Men’s Basketball program, the Eagles are 101-61 all-time versus the 2023-24 opponents. USI also has a 95-61 regular season mark against its upcoming Division I opponents – (0-1 vs. Chicago State; 1-3 vs. Southern Illinois University; 1-3 versus Western Illinois; 25-14 vs. Ft. Wayne; 1-0 vs. Bowling Green; 3-4 vs. SEMO; 3-2 vs. Eastern Illinois; 45-22 vs. SIUE; 4-5 vs. UT Martin; 6-0 vs. Lindenwood; 4-2 vs. Tennessee State; 0-2 Tennessee Tech; 1-1 vs. Little Rock; 0-2 vs. Morehead State). The Eagles will be playing seven teams on the schedule for the first time in history of the program.