CenterPoint Energy Foundation To Award $100,000 To Youth First, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy Foundation to Award $100,000 to Youth First, Inc.Â
CenterPoint Energy Foundation is investing in Indiana youth. The organization will award $100,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen students’ mental health and well-being at Delaware Elementary School and Glenwood Leadership Academy in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).
The check presentation will be held on Thursday, October 6, at 8:30 am CT, at Glenwood Leadership Academy, 901 Sweetser Avenue, Evansville, IN. The media is invited to attend. Please come to Entrance 1 for the outdoor presentation.
The presentation will include remarks from EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith, Glenwood Principal Angie Oliver, EVSC Youth First Social Worker Tiffany Austin, LSW, CenterPoint Vice President Ashley Babcock, CenterPoint Foundation President Amanda Schmitt, and Youth First President & CEO Parri Black.
This significant gift from CenterPoint Energy Foundation, along with funding from other sources, will enable Youth First to provide school-based social work services and prevention programs at Delaware and Glenwood. According to their website, CenterPoint Foundation “strives to be a catalyst in our communities by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to achieve extraordinary outcomes. That’s why we invest in initiatives that improve our stakeholders’ lives today and build a strong foundation for tomorrow. Our corporate giving focuses on fostering a high quality of life in the communities we serve.â€
Youth First is addressing the growing need for mental health support in school buildings, partnering with 110 schools across 12 Indiana counties to embed skilled social workers, where they become specialized mentors for students and prevention coaches for parents and teachers. Youth First Social Workers build caring relationships, promote healthy choices, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.
Mayor Winnecke, City Council Leadership Propose Additional Parks Maintenance Staff
Mayor Winnecke, City Council Leadership Propose Additional Parks Maintenance Staff
Last week, Mayor Winnecke and City Council leadership agreed to add another Parks Department maintenance team to the 2023 budget proposal.
The Master Plan process identified the immediate need for more Parks Department maintenance staff.
The team will include three mowing crew positions and a truck driver position.
Focusing on Low-Income Populations and Communities of Color
During initial meetings, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Master Plan Steering Committee identified the need to prioritize feedback and recommendations from low-income populations and communities of color that utilize neighborhood parks and recreation services.
The City hired James Mosley, owner of Envirokinetics Inc., to organize and execute a more robust effort to seek input from those communities.
“I am delighted and excited to be a part of this important project,†said Mosley. “My role will focus on taking a deep dive in soliciting input and feedback from low-income and minority community residents for inclusion into the plan.â€
Outreach efforts will include engaging social clubs, African-American sororities and fraternities, faith-based communities, local minority-owned businesses, neighborhood associations and other community champions.
Department Leadership Park Tours
The Parks Department leadership team and Mayor Winnecke’s senior staff are in the process of visiting all City parks.
The team has been assessing and taking inventory of existing land, equipment, and other amenities.
“We’re expecting our Master Plan consultant to provide a broad assessment of our department,†said Deputy Mayor/interim Parks Director Steve Schaefer. “It’s essential that we have a ground-level understanding of what we’re doing right and what needs to be improved.â€
FOOTNOTE: Â Please check out our video (https://youtu.be/PeVONopfPJs)
Child Safety Fall Festival Safety Tips
- Before you arrive at the Festival, talk with your child about the large crowd that will be there. Tell them that there will be numerous Police Officers and Officials that your child can safely approach if they become separated from you.
- After you arrive at the Fall Festival, point out first responders who are in uniform and where they are set up. Tell them they can go to anyone wearing a uniform for help. Also, point out Nut Club members to your child and the distinctive straw hats with the various bands (bolos) around their hats. Tell them they can also seek out these Nut Club Members for help.
- Upon arriving at the Fall Festival, take a picture on your cell phone of your child/children so that you know for sure what they are wearing. It can also be shown to officers if your child becomes lost. The clothing color and style will be helpful for officials actively looking for your child.
- If you do become separated from your child, do not panic. Seek out the closest first responders or Nut Club members for assistance.
- Make sure you as a parent are constantly aware of your children’s whereabouts. Children are easily distracted at the Fall Festival, with all its sights, sounds, and smells, and is a prime spot to be easily distracted…even for adults.
- It is always best for parents of younger children to hold that child’s hand when walking in or around the Fall Festival. (For numerous safety reasons)
- For your children who are older and/or adults in your group, have a pre-determined meeting spot if you or anyone else in your group becomes separated.
- If you feel your child is old enough to wander around without you, it is best if they pair up with a sibling or friend of similar age. Have them check in with you by calling or texting, every 15-30 minutes to update their location to you. Have a pre-determined time and location of departure in order to meet at that location when you are leaving the festival.
- Parents, it is recommended that you not allow any child younger than high school age to walk around in the games/rides area on Friday or Saturday nights without adult supervision. This becomes a VERY congested area.
- Write down parent or guardian information, including a working phone number and place it in child’s pocket, shoe, or sock. You can also write your number on a rubber bracelet with a sharpie. Tell your child to give that information to a police officer, Nut Club member, or a food booth volunteer if he/she gets lost.
General Safety
- Remember where you parked. Find a land marker, building, or something familiar near the parking spot so that you are not wandering around after dark looking for the vehicle. Taking a picture of your parking spot is also very helpful.
- Lock your vehicle! If you absolutely must leave valuables inside the vehicle, keep them out of sight. Store items in the trunk, glove box, or stashed away out of plain view.
- If you see something suspicious, find a police officer nearby or call 911 and report the activity.
- When walking to or from the Fall Festival after sunset, wear reflective or bright-colored clothing. Traffic on the side streets can become very congested, walk on the sidewalks and check your surroundings before crossing the street.
- Stay hydrated! It is easy to get dehydrated on hot days especially if you plan to walk around for several hours. Items prohibited at Fall Festival boundaries1. Animals/Pets of any type – service animals are allowed2. Glass Bottles/Jars/Containers
3. Squirt Guns of any type/Water Balloons
4. Bicycles/Scooters/Skateboards/Roller-Blades 5. Drones
6. Fireworks
7. Halloween masks
Consumer Alert: Products Recalled in SeptemberÂ
Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in September. Consumers should take full advantage of the solutions available for those who purchased the recalled items.   Â
“Hoosiers need to know if purchased items are flawed or have the potential to hurt them or their children,†Attorney General Rokita said. “This month, several recalled products are child-related,and it is important that parents pay careful attention to make sure their kids are safe. Consumer protection is one of my office’s top priorities. If you have difficulty finding a solution for your recalled product, call my office for help.â€Â Â
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in September:Â Â
RIDGE Jogging Strollers from UPPAbabyÂ
Cityscape Travel Jogger Strollers from Baby TrendÂ
Infant Bath Seats from YubolooÂ
Children’s Sandals from KolanÂ
Children’s HearMuffs from Hearing Lab Technology/Lucid AudioÂ
Miffy First Lights from Mr MariaÂ
Spalding® Momentous EZ Portable Basketball Goals from Russell BrandsÂ
Ladders Sold with Bunk Bed and Hutch Sets from Canyon Furniture CompanyÂ
Roots & Harvest Wide Mouth Pint Canning Jars from LEM Products DistributionÂ
One Stick GEN 2 Climbing Sticks from TethrdÂ
Murphy Beds from Cyme TechÂ
Cordless Lawn Mowers from Snow JoeÂ
Metal Hanging Chairs from TJXÂ
R5 and Caledonia-5 Bicycles and Replacement Stems from CervéloÂ
Ceramic Mugs with Cork Bottoms from Accompany USAÂ
Pool and Spa Drain Covers from Chyir MydÂ
If you believe you purchased a recalled product, stop using it and check its recall notice (linkedabove for all products). Follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product, how to get the product fixed, how to dispose of the product, how to receive a refund for the product, or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.  Â
To view recalls issued prior to September, visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov/Recalls.
USI Equity, Diversity And Inclusion Committee Partnering With Local High School
The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC), in partnership with Sophie Kloppenburg, a senior at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, Indiana; Posey County community members; and James M. Redwine, Posey County Circuit Court Judge, will dedicate a memorial commemorating seven African American victims of 1878 lynchings/murders in Posey County. A discussion will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 23 at the Historic Hovey House, located at 330 Walnut Street in Mount Vernon. The memorial unveiling will follow the discussion at the southeast corner of the Posey County Courthouse Lawn.  Â
The Posey County site where the memorial will be placed is located where Posey County residents Jim Good, William Chambers, Edward Warner and Jeff Hopkins were lynched. Daniel Harrison, Sr., Daniel Harrison, Jr., and John Harrison were also murdered at other sites in the Posey County community. A grand jury was called to investigate the tragic events—however, no one was ever indicted. Â
According to historian Leonard J. Moore, Southwest Indiana has a long history of racial violence and the threat of racial violence in the period following the American Civil War. The Indiana charter of the Ku Klux Klan began in Evansville in March 1922, and 22% of Evansville’s white male residents once belonged to the organization. Surrounding towns such as Rockport, Poseyville, Chandler and Grand View are suspected or confirmed “sundown†towns, according to the Indiana Archives, which kept or ran African Americans out through legislation of violent acts. Â
USI has been at the forefront of creating a sense of regional identity since the founding of its Historic Southern Indiana outreach program in 1986. As a community who believes in equal justice for all, the USI College of Liberal Arts EDIC and partners of the initiative seek to finally condemn these racist actions, honor those who were killed and move forward.Â
“This has been an example of a true community partnership, and we have utilized our research skills to support and bolster a dynamic individual (Sophie Kloppenburg) who has brought forth a transformative event for the Mount Vernon community,†says Dr. Kristalyn Shefveland, Associate Professor of History. “History nurtures personal and collective identity, but its discussion in textbooks, alone, alienates many. Public-facing projects such as this one, however, help to engage more people in their own history.â€Â
The memorial will consist of a dual-sided historical marker with a QR code leading to the David L. Rice Library Guides webpage. The webpage offers additional insight into the lynchings and secondary sources of information. A continued partnership will occur with the USI History Department and USI’s David L. Rice Library to maintain the website with extensive information to assist in the continual education of these historical events. Â
IUSD Opens Season with Wins Over Wildcats
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sisters Anna and Noelle Peplowski combined for four NCAA B cuts on Wednesday (Oct. 5) inside Lancaster Aquatic Center, leading the Indiana men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs to a victorious opening day against Kentucky.
For the second straight year, Indiana opened its season with wins over the Wildcats. The men posted an emphatic 201-96 victory, while the women collected a 161-139 triumph after placing a half-point better than UK at the women’s NCAA Championships last season.
In all, IU totaled six NCAA B cuts and eight NCAA zone qualifying scores on Wednesday. Senior Noelle Peplowski’s 2:10.87 in the 200-yard breaststroke is the fastest time in the country this season.
TEAM SCORES
Men
Indiana 201, Kentucky 96
Women
Indiana 161, Kentucky 139
HOOSIER WINNERS
Men
Finn Brooks – 200 medley relay (1:27.39), 400 freestyle relay (2:56.34)
Brendan Burns – 200 medley relay (1:27.39), 200 fly (1:45.07), 200 back (1:45.91)
Tomer Frankel – 100 fly (47.53)
Quinn Henninger – 3-meter (400.13)
Van Mathias – 200 medley relay (1:27.39), 50 free (20.09), 400 freestyle relay (2:56.34)
Rafael Miroslaw – 200 free (1:37.24), 100 free (44.49), 400 freestyle relay (2:56.34)
Carson Tyler – 1-meter (368.48)
Gavin Wight – 100 back (48.06), 400 freestyle relay (2:56.34)
Jassen Yep – 200 medley relay (1:27.39), 100 breast (55.01), 200 breast (1:59.21)
Women
Mariah Denigan – 1,000 free (9:53.26), 500 free (4:50.47)
Lily Hann – 200 medley relay (1:40.41)
Kacey McKenna – 200 medley relay (1:40.41)
Kristina Paegle – 200 medley relay (1:40.41), 100 free (49.74), 400 freestyle relay (3:21.20)
Anna Peplowski – 100 back (53.48), 50 free (23.12), 200 back (1:56.80), 400 freestyle relay (3:21.20)
Noelle Peplowski – 200 medley relay (1:40.41), 100 breast (1:01.03), 200 breast (2:10.87)
Ella Ristic – 400 freestyle relay (3:21.20)
Ashley Turak – 400 freestyle relay (3:21.20)
NOTABLES
- Indiana’s men’s team has won 16 straight dual meets, a streak that goes back to 2019.
- Senior Noelle Peplowski posted the nation’s best time in the 200-yard breaststroke this season, clocking in at 2:10.87 and over 1.5 seconds better than the second-place finisher. The senior also posted a B cut in the 100-yard event, going 1:01.03.
- Sophomore Anna Peplowski earned both of her B cuts in the backstroke events. Peplowski won the 200-yard (1:56.80) and 100-yard (53.48) backstroke races with times that rank top 10 in the country.
- A trio of Hoosier men’s diver locked up NCAA zone qualifying scores on the springboards as sophomores Carson Tyler and Quinn Henninger earned wins on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard, respectively, and freshman Maxwell Weinrich placed second on the 3M and third on the 1M.
- Senior Brendan Burns began his NCAA title defense of the 200-yard butterfly with an NCAA B cut 1:45.07, one of four times under 1:47 so far this season. Burns also posted a top-five national time in the 200-yard backstroke (1:45.91).
- Sophomore Mariah Denigan had top-five national times in all three races swam and had a B cut in the 400 IM (4:16.44) despite placing second.
- Freshman Kristina Paegle earned her first collegiate win, swimming the 100-yard freestyle in 49.79. Paegle also anchored Indiana’s 200 medley relay (22.04 split) and 400 freestyle relay (49.99) victories, posting the fastest splits in each race.
- Anne Fowler finished second on both the 1-meter (283.13) and 3-meter (302.78) boards, both good enough for zone qualifiers.
NCAA CUTS
A: None.
B: Brendan Burns – 200 Fly (1:45.07); Mariah Denigan – 400 IM (4:16.44); Anna Peplowski – 100 back (53.48), 200 back (1:56.80); Noelle Peplowski – 100 breast (1:01.03), 200 breast (2:10.87)
NCAA ZONE QUALIFYING SCORES
1-meter: Anne Fowler (283.13), Quinn Henninger (353.93), Carson Tyler (368.48), Maxwell Weinrich (328.05)
3-meter: A