Evansville, Indiana – December 16, 2025 – The Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission will be meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Complex, located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 318.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2025
NOON
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. MEETING MEMORANDUM:
December 3, 2025 Meeting Memorandum
3. CONSENT AGENDA
4. OLD BUSINESS
N/A
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with VPS Architecture for Goebel Soccer
Complex restroom/concession renovations architect services. – Crook
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Facilities Relocation Agreement to upgrade
to LED Street lights in Garvin Park. – Crook
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Reimbursement Agreement for encroachment
changes, improvements and or adjustments to gas line located at or near Vann Avenue &
Division Street. – Crook
d. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comment.
6. REPORT
Danielle Crook- Executive Director
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
8. ADJOURN
USI receives $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts at Historic New Harmony
The University of Southern Indiana has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help the Historic New Harmony program establish the Historic New Harmony Religious Liberty Initiative, a comprehensive project aimed at exploring and celebrating the role of freedom of belief, both religious and secular, in shaping visionary communities and inspiring new ways of living.
Through this grant, Historic New Harmony will explore how American ideals of freedom shaped the 19th-century communal experiments in New Harmony, Indiana, the religious Harmonist Society, and Robert Owen’s secular “Community of Equality,” as well as the 20th-century revitalization efforts led by the late philanthropist Jane Blaffer Owen.
The New Harmony Religious Liberty Initiative will enhance the visitor experience at Historic New Harmony through new educational programs, updated interpretive materials and expanded digital and on-site resources. Planned efforts include programming aligned with the Owen-Maclure 200th, a project that is commemorating the bicentennial of Robert Owen’s New Harmony community from 2025–27, and activities associated with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The initiative will also improve the Atheneum, Historic New Harmony’s iconic visitor center, and advance strategic communication efforts, including refreshed brand identity, a new website and updated building signage featuring a self-guided multimedia tour. Through these efforts, Historic New Harmony expects to broaden its audience and strengthen engagement among students, scholars, local residents and visitors from across the nation.
“Historic New Harmony preserves an essential American story,” said Leslie Townsend, Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony. “With this grant, we can better share how New Harmony’s values of open thought and cooperation continue to inspire how we build communities today.”
This is the third grant Lilly Endowment has made to support Historic New Harmony’s efforts to strengthen the ways in which the program helps visitors understand the religious and spiritual history of New Harmony. These grants have funded the preservation of historic buildings, expansion of educational programs and the enhancement of visitor experiences, ensuring that New Harmony’s story of innovation, community and freedom of thought continues to inspire audiences nationwide.
“We are grateful for Lilly Endowment’s investment in this work,” said Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony. “With this new initiative we will continue to honor New Harmony’s heritage and inspire progressive thought for generations to come.”
About Historic New Harmony
Historic New Harmony is an Outreach and Engagement program of the University of Southern Indiana. By preserving its utopian legacy, Historic New Harmony inspires innovation and progressive thought through its programs and collections.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United States and around the globe.
Indiana FFA Foundation to receive Lilly Endowment grant
| TRAFALAGAR, IN – The Indiana FFA Foundation has been selected to receive a $750,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps. This is one of 69 implementation grants being awarded through phase 2 of the initiative, which aims to help Indiana residential youth camps improve the overall camp experience and outcomes for youth through new, enhanced and expanded facilities integral to quality youth camp programming.
Thanks to this generous grant, Indiana FFA will make significant improvements to the Indiana FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar, Indiana. Since 1968, the Leadership Center has been a cornerstone for developing youth and adults through leadership workshops, retreats, camps, and career development events. With these funds, Indiana FFA plans to:
These enhancements will ensure the Leadership Center continues to provide a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for generations to come. “Receiving this $750,000 Phase 2 grant is a transformational moment for the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. The Main Lodge has been the heart of our campus for more than 50 years, and this investment allows us to make it safer, more accessible, and better equipped for the thousands of young people we serve each year,” said Lisa Chaudion, Executive Director, Indiana FFA Foundation. “These improvements ensure that every camper, advisor, and community member who walks through our doors experiences a facility that reflects the quality, energy, and inclusiveness of Indiana FFA. We are deeply grateful for this support—and excited to move forward with a project that strengthens the future of our programs and the young leaders we develop.” Phase 1 of the initiative focused on creating a comprehensive campus master plan to guide future improvements at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. This planning phase included evaluating existing facilities for code compliance, accessibility, and opportunities for expansion; assessing utility and infrastructure capacity to support long-term growth; and addressing structural concerns such as erosion and flooding through detailed site analysis. These efforts lay the foundation for sustainable development and ensure the Center can continue serving Indiana’s youth for generations to come. “We at the Indiana FFA Foundation are truly appreciative for the funding from Phases one and two of the Lilly Endowment grant. These funds will help Indiana FFA to continue to provide the opportunities and experiences through the Indiana FFA Leadership Center for Indiana’s FFA members to grow and develop in the future leaders,” said John Nagle, Board Chair, Indiana FFA Foundation. Annually, 13 leadership conferences are offered to Indiana FFA members at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. These conferences, which are facilitated largely by State Officers that reside at the Leadership Center, allow for a creative and fun way to help youth develop positive character traits and habits. Altogether there are more than 200 activities to engage FFA members statewide. “We are thrilled for the opportunity created through Lilly Endowment’s investment in the Leadership Center. This funding empowers us to tackle critical projects, enhance safety and accessibility, and position the facility for long-term success,” said Adam Sweet, Indiana FFA Leadership Center Director. “It marks a major step forward in ensuring the Center remains a premier space for leadership development in Indiana.” The Indiana FFA Leadership Center spans a 170-acre facility with a roughly 5.5-acre lake. The campus includes trails, woods, a creek, a large parade field, and a 33-element low ropes challenge course. The Indiana FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government and individuals to secure financial resources that support the efforts of the Indiana FFA Association and the Indiana FFA Leadership Center, recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education for over 14,125 student members who belong to one of 233 local FFA chapters across Indiana. F |
Notice of Meeting of Vanderburgh County Community Corrections Advisory Board/Local JRAC Board
Notice is hereby given that the Community Corrections Advisory Board/Local JRAC Board of Vanderburgh County will hold a meeting on December 18th , 2025, commencing at 11:30 a.m. and continuing until completed, in Room 307 of the Civic Center, located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Evansville, IN 47708, for the purpose of discussing the following:
• Community Correction Business
|
Name |
Community Position |
Appointing Authority |
Term Begin Date |
Term Expiration |
|
James Dickerson |
Advisory Board President/Educational Administrator |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Noah Robinson |
Sheriff or Sheriff Designee |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Diana Moers |
Prosecutor or Prosecutor Designee |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Stephanie Terry |
Executive of the Municipality or Designee |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ryan Hatfield |
Criminal Judge or Designee |
Circuit Judge’s Appointee |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Wayne Trockman |
Criminal Judge or Designee |
Superior Judge’s Appointee |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Gary Schutte |
Juvenile Court Judge |
Circuit Judge’s Appointee |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Jodi Uebelhack |
Public Defender or Designee |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Dee Lewis |
Victim or Victim Advocate |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Nick Iaccarino |
County Council Member |
Commissioners |
1/3/2024 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Cherie Epley |
Probation Officer |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Chris Kiefer |
Lay Person |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Claire Will |
Lay Person |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Lauren Jones |
Lay Person |
Commissioners |
3/7/2023 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Heather Woods |
Juvenile Probation Representative |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Joshua Nichols |
Juvenile Detention Representative |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sarah Reis |
CASA Representative |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Tyler Bittner |
DCS Representative |
Virtue of Position |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Donovan Phipps |
Minority Lay Person |
Commissioners |
7/25/2023 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Stephanie Powell |
Ex-Offender |
Commissioners |
2/8/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
|
Dan Haviza |
Mental Health Administrator |
Commissioners |
pending |
|
|
Robert Pigman |
Lay Person |
Board Appointee |
N/A |
N/A |
Leslie Jackson (JRAC only) Lay Person Board Appoin
USI Baseball announces 2027 early signing class
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball announced early signees for the 2027 class. The Screaming Eagles welcome seven players to the program for 2027.
“I am excited about the early signing class we have signed to join the program next fall,” said USI Head Coach Chris Ramirez. “Recruiting is a process that never stops and I have to commend one of the hardest working recruiters in the country, Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich and my entire coaching staff, Derek Beasley, Beau Wills, Nick Mayerhofer and strength coach Josh Wildeman, on the work they do.
“We wanted to get younger on the mound and we were able to add three talented arms that should thrive in the system we develop our players in,” said Ramirez. “Once again, we also landed some of the top junior college pitching and hitting prospects from around the United States. It is a great time to be Screaming Eagles!”
The class of 2027 newcomers, who are seventh in the @TheJBB Early Window Recruiting Class Ranking, are:
Mike Schaefer | Infielder | 6-2 | 200 | L-R | Lancaster, New York
Schaefer is in his second season at SUNY Niagara where he was third-team All-Region and second-team All-WNYAC. He batted .437 as a freshman with 59 runs scored, 48 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and two home runs in 49 games in 2025.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Schaefer: “Mike is a natural left-handed hitter and he hits every time I’ve seen him. An integral part of a winning program that had an undefeated 2025 regular season, he is an above-average athlete that allows him to create some havoc on the bases and be a good defender across the infield.”
Jeremiah Torres | Infielder | 6-0 | 210 | R-R | Spring, Texas
Torres played in 35 games as a freshman at Ranger College, hitting .361 with 24 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Also lettered in baseball at Klein High School (Klein, Texas).
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Torres: “Jeremiah is a physical hitter, who can really control his at-bats and use the entire field. He had a really good freshman year in a really tough Texas JUCO conference and has a chance to be a middle of the order impact bat in an Eagles uniform.”
Carter McKinney | Pitcher | 6-7 | 205 | R-R | Benton, Kentucky
McKinney posted a 5-2 record during his first full season with John A. Logan College in 2025. He struck out 35 batters and had a 5.09 ERA in 40.2 innings of work as a redshirt freshman. McKinney also lettered in baseball at Marshal County High School (Benton, Kentucky) where he was All-Region in 2023 and a member of three district championships.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on McKinney: “Carter is a big body and a presence of knowing how to pitch. A versatile pitcher that can be used in any situation, Carter threw a lot of big innings for one of the top JUCOs in the country last year. His potential is through the ceiling and is going to keep getting better.”
Traelyn James | Pitcher | 6-5 | 235 | R-R | Mesquite, Texas
James will be starting his season at Dallas College Eastfield after posting a 2-2 record and a 4.35 ERA in 31.0 innings of work as a freshman. He also struck out 29 batters and had three saves. James lettered in baseball and football at Poteet High School (Mesquite, Texas).
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on James: “Traelyn is a big body with a strong arm and has shown the ability to start a game or close them. He had a team-leading three saves and two wins on a team that won 45 games. Traelyn has total control when he steps on the mound and his versatility is going to make him a big weapon for us.”
Porter Hay | Pitcher | 6-1 | 180 | R-R | Lewisport, Kentucky
Hay is a senior at Hancock County High School (Lewisport, Kentucky) and has produced a 1-0 record on the mound and a 1.73 ERA in two varsity seasons. He also has struck out 27 batters in 28.1 innings of work.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Hay: “Porter is from right across the boarder and it is always good when the talented player from our backyard wants to become an Eagle. He has all the makings to be a big piece of what we do and make an impact early. It’s going to be fun to watch him develop the next four years in an Eagle uniform.”
Garrett Cyphers | Pitchers | 6-2 | 185 | R-R | Brentwood, Tennessee
Cyphers, a baseball and football letterwinner at Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tennessee), had a 1-2 record and a 3.85 ERA during his junior season in 2025. He is 2-2 during three varsity seasons, producing a 4.40 ERA in 28.2 innings of work and striking out 22 batters.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Cyphers: “Garrett is an athletic high school arm who is starting to scratch the surface on his potential. He has shown the ability to pitch and has three pitches he can command. We are looking forward to watching him grow and develop for the next four years at USI.”
Mason Hamlett | Pitchers | 6-3 | 210 | R-R | Auroa, Indiana
Hamlett is a three-sport letterwinner (baseball, basketball, football) at South Dearborn High School (Aurora, Indiana). He was named Cincinnati.com Baseball Player of the Year and EIAC All-Conference in 2025 after posting a 1.58 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 44 innings of work. A 2024 All-County performer also led South Dearborn in RBIs and home runs in 2025.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Hamlett: “Mason is a big physical, power arm who dominated his 2025 high school season by striking out 63 and posting a 1.58 ERA in 44 innings. He came onto the scene late for us and we are excited that he is an Eagle.”
“I am excited about the early signing class we have signed to join the program next fall,” said USI Head Coach Chris Ramirez. “Recruiting is a process that never stops and I have to commend one of the hardest working recruiters in the country, Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich and my entire coaching staff, Derek Beasley, Beau Wills, Nick Mayerhofer and strength coach Josh Wildeman, on the work they do.
“We wanted to get younger on the mound and we were able to add three talented arms that should thrive in the system we develop our players in,” said Ramirez. “Once again, we also landed some of the top junior college pitching and hitting prospects from around the United States. It is a great time to be Screaming Eagles!”
The class of 2027 newcomers, who are seventh in the @TheJBB Early Window Recruiting Class Ranking, are:
Mike Schaefer | Infielder | 6-2 | 200 | L-R | Lancaster, New York
Schaefer is in his second season at SUNY Niagara where he was third-team All-Region and second-team All-WNYAC. He batted .437 as a freshman with 59 runs scored, 48 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and two home runs in 49 games in 2025.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Schaefer: “Mike is a natural left-handed hitter and he hits every time I’ve seen him. An integral part of a winning program that had an undefeated 2025 regular season, he is an above-average athlete that allows him to create some havoc on the bases and be a good defender across the infield.”
Jeremiah Torres | Infielder | 6-0 | 210 | R-R | Spring, Texas
Torres played in 35 games as a freshman at Ranger College, hitting .361 with 24 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Also lettered in baseball at Klein High School (Klein, Texas).
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Torres: “Jeremiah is a physical hitter, who can really control his at-bats and use the entire field. He had a really good freshman year in a really tough Texas JUCO conference and has a chance to be a middle of the order impact bat in an Eagles uniform.”
Carter McKinney | Pitcher | 6-7 | 205 | R-R | Benton, Kentucky
McKinney posted a 5-2 record during his first full season with John A. Logan College in 2025. He struck out 35 batters and had a 5.09 ERA in 40.2 innings of work as a redshirt freshman. McKinney also lettered in baseball at Marshal County High School (Benton, Kentucky) where he was All-Region in 2023 and a member of three district championships.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on McKinney: “Carter is a big body and a presence of knowing how to pitch. A versatile pitcher that can be used in any situation, Carter threw a lot of big innings for one of the top JUCOs in the country last year. His potential is through the ceiling and is going to keep getting better.”
Traelyn James | Pitcher | 6-5 | 235 | R-R | Mesquite, Texas
James will be starting his season at Dallas College Eastfield after posting a 2-2 record and a 4.35 ERA in 31.0 innings of work as a freshman. He also struck out 29 batters and had three saves. James lettered in baseball and football at Poteet High School (Mesquite, Texas).
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on James: “Traelyn is a big body with a strong arm and has shown the ability to start a game or close them. He had a team-leading three saves and two wins on a team that won 45 games. Traelyn has total control when he steps on the mound and his versatility is going to make him a big weapon for us.”
Porter Hay | Pitcher | 6-1 | 180 | R-R | Lewisport, Kentucky
Hay is a senior at Hancock County High School (Lewisport, Kentucky) and has produced a 1-0 record on the mound and a 1.73 ERA in two varsity seasons. He also has struck out 27 batters in 28.1 innings of work.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Hay: “Porter is from right across the boarder and it is always good when the talented player from our backyard wants to become an Eagle. He has all the makings to be a big piece of what we do and make an impact early. It’s going to be fun to watch him develop the next four years in an Eagle uniform.”
Garrett Cyphers | Pitchers | 6-2 | 185 | R-R | Brentwood, Tennessee
Cyphers, a baseball and football letterwinner at Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tennessee), had a 1-2 record and a 3.85 ERA during his junior season in 2025. He is 2-2 during three varsity seasons, producing a 4.40 ERA in 28.2 innings of work and striking out 22 batters.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Cyphers: “Garrett is an athletic high school arm who is starting to scratch the surface on his potential. He has shown the ability to pitch and has three pitches he can command. We are looking forward to watching him grow and develop for the next four years at USI.”
Mason Hamlett | Pitchers | 6-3 | 210 | R-R | Auroa, Indiana
Hamlett is a three-sport letterwinner (baseball, basketball, football) at South Dearborn High School (Aurora, Indiana). He was named Cincinnati.com Baseball Player of the Year and EIAC All-Conference in 2025 after posting a 1.58 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 44 innings of work. A 2024 All-County performer also led South Dearborn in RBIs and home runs in 2025.
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Hamlett: “Mason is a big physical, power arm who dominated his 2025 high school season by striking out 63 and posting a 1.58 ERA in 44 innings. He came onto the scene late for us and we are excited that he is an Eagle.”
HOT JOBS
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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.
University of Evansville Partners with Ascension St. Vincent to Host Third Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic
Clinic will take place on Saturday, January 31
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the third consecutive year, the University of Evansville will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day by hosting a free event for Tri-State area children kindergarten through eighth grade on Saturday, January 31, in association with Ascension St. Vincent.
The event is a free multi-sport clinic led by current UE student-athletes, coaches and staff. UE teams represented include golf, volleyball, softball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, track & field, and spirit. At the clinic, participants will work on sport specific drills taught and ran by student-athletes. Doors will open at 8:30 AM, with the camp beginning at 9 AM. Pick up starts at 11:45 AM.
The event is open for children ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. Campers will receive a free t-shirt and a voucher to attend any home women’s regular season sporting event (must be redeemed by December 31, 2026). Registration is now open and will close on January 27th, 2026. No walk-ups will be allowed. Camps are open to any and all, limited only by number, age or grade.
To register, visit – gopurpleaces.com/ngwsd