Winter Storm Watch for the Evansville Area
The next few days will be spent preparing for the major winter storm expected to hit on Sunday and Monday. Weather forecasters have been monitoring and trying to predict the storm’s track, and the consensus is that conditions will be hazardous starting on Sunday.
There is still uncertainty about whether we will receive several inches of snow or a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The latter is the worst-case scenario, as ice could accumulate on power lines, snapping them and leaving many people without power.
Residents should plan what to do in case of power outages. Before Sunday, buy all of the white bread and milk in the store, and be ready to settle in to watch football or Netflix while the snow falls.
Jonathan Weaver, 44News meteorologist, anticipates snow will start Sunday morning and then convert to freezing rain and sleet south of I64 during the day before switching back to snow that night and into Monday.
Roads will be slick and hazardous.
Ryan Hatfield Sworn In As Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge
The crowd filled the courtroom and spilled out into the hall for the swearing-in Of Ryan Hatfield to his new position as Circuit Court Judge. The oath was administered by outgoing Judge David D. Kiely, who called Hatfield “a good person with a good heart” during the ceremony.
After the oath, Judge Hatfield said that he would “work to maintain the integrity of our courts, fostering an atmosphere where justice prevails, and the rule of law is upheld.”
Hatfield has served as the District 77 Representative in the State Legislature since 2016, and when Judge Kiely announced plans to retire, Hatfield saw a judgeship as an opportunity to spend more time at home with his young family.
As State Representative Hatfield served as the Assistant Minority Leader in the Indiana General Assembly as the ranking minority member of the Indiana House Judiciary and Employment, Labor and Pensions committees.
He was an attorney at Hatfield Law, representing criminal, family, divorce, and business law matters in state and federal courts. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College and as an instructor at the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Prior to serving in the Indiana General Assembly and joining the law firm, Hatfield was a deputynprosecutor in Vanderburgh County, where he prosecuted homicides, sexual assaults and drug offenses. As a member of the Vanderburgh County Treatment Court, as well as the Veterans Court, he worked to transition drug-addicted offenders into rehabilitation and back into their community.
Hatfield’s wife, Kendra, is a nurse and supervisor at St. Vincent’s Evansville. They have three children and are active on local boards and committees.
Mayor Terry Announces Dates for 2025 Traveling City Hall Meetings
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry again will host quarterly Traveling City Hall meetings in 2025, with the first scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at the Dream Center (16 W. Morgan Ave.).
As with the 2024 Traveling City Hall events, the four 2025 events will take place in different locations around the city, offering residents the opportunity to hear directly from Mayor Terry, and to speak directly to department heads from across city government.
The 2025 Traveling City Hall schedule will be as follows:
- Wednesday, February 12, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Dream Center (16 W. Morgan Ave.)
- Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Sunrise Pump Station
- Wednesday, August 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Location TBD
- Monday, November 3, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Location TBD
Each event will begin with brief remarks from Mayor Terry, offering updates from the Mayor’s Office. Then, residents will have the opportunity to speak about their concerns directly with officials from all city departments, as well as special guests from other organizations. Among the special guests attending 2024 Traveling City Hall events were United Neighborhoods of Evansville, CenterPoint Energy, the University of Evansville, and representatives of the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Lloyd4U project.
Special guests for the 2025 events are still to be determined.
Alongside these events, Mayor Terry’s administration will hold numerous other events for public input, comment, and conversation about specific topics. January 2025 will feature three such events, including:
- Animal Control Town Hall – Wednesday, January 15, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the C.K. Newsome Center
- Evansville Water-Sewer Utility Community Conversation – Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m., Sunrise Pump Station
- Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation’s Parks Chat (Ward 4) – Wednesday, January 29, 6:00 p.m., Location TBD
“As a city government, we are here to serve the residents of Evansville,” said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. “It is our responsibility to ensure we’re accessible, transparent, and responsive to the needs of our community. Traveling City Hall is an important way for us to connect directly with Evansville residents—to answer their questions, address their concerns, and hear their ideas about how we can move our city forward.
“These events are about building trust and ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to engage with their local government on the issues that matter most to them.”
Information about future events – including the locations of the final two Traveling City Hall events of 2025 – will be announced at a later date.
CenterPoint Energy shares New Year’s resolution checklist to help customers save energy and money while staying safe
CenterPoint Energy shares New Year’s resolution checklist to help customers save energy and money while staying safeCenterPoint Energy encourages customers to keep safety and energy efficiency top of mind with this simple New Year’s resolution checklist that can help save energy, improve safety and simplify life at home. From small changes to big impacts, these tips can assist in starting the year off right.Here’s a checklist of resolutions to help inspire a brighter, more energy-efficient and safer 2025:Power Up Your Energy Efficiency
- Start your energy efficiency journey. CenterPoint offers energy efficiency programs to help customers save energy and money.
- Glow smarter. Switch to ENERGY STAR® certified LED light bulbs to reduce energy use.
- Out with the old. Replace older appliances with energy-efficient models that work smarter, not harder. Take advantage of available appliance rebates to save even more!
- Get tech-savvy. A smart thermostat can keep the home cozy and save energy.
- Seal the deal. Weatherize at home by sealing air leaks and adding insulation.
- Freshen up. Replace HVAC filters regularly for better air quality and system performance.
Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SmartSavings for energy-saving tips, tools and rebates. Make Managing Your Utility Bills Easier
- Contact CenterPoint for assistance. If a customer is facing financial hardship, contact the company to set up a payment plan and be referred to resources for assistance.
- Paperless is priceless. Sign up for paperless billing to simplify life.
- Balance the bumps. Enroll in Budget Billing to smooth out seasonal cost fluctuations.
- Set it and forget it. Set up automatic payments for worry-free billing.
- Get the full picture. Use our online tools to track energy usage and find new ways to save energy.
For more tips and tools to manage bills, visit the Billing Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub. Make Safety a Priority
- Use space heaters safely. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable items, and never use stoves or ovens to heat the home.
- Check your detectors. Test smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and replace their batteries regularly. Replace alarms according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
- Report suspected natural gas leaks immediately. If the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas is present, leave the area on foot, call 911, and notify CenterPoint. Avoid doing anything that could cause a spark.
- Call before you dig. Contact 811 before starting any digging projects to avoid underground utility lines.
To explore additional safety resources, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.
Season of Joy brings not so Joyful Recalls
Season of Joy brings not so Joyful Recalls
JANUARY 3, 2025
Attorney General Todd Rokita warns consumers about products recalled in December
Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers to important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in December. The office is encouraging consumers to take advantage of opportunities available to them to return, fix, dispose, or replace a purchased recalled item that could be harmful to their families.
“The holidays are over, now there is no better time to check your gifts for recalls,” Attorney General Rokita said. “If you purchased an item in December that has been recalled, then you should immediately stop using the product and see what forms of reimbursement the company that sold or manufactured the product is offering.”
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in December:
- BCI Burke Recalls Playground Merry-Go-Rounds Due to Crush Hazard
- GIKPAL Dressers Recalled Due to Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards; Violations of Federal Regulation for Clothing Storage Units; Sold Exclusively on Walmart.com by ONME Direct
- Precor Recalls Resolute™ Cable Multi-Station Exercise Equipment Due to Impact Injury Hazard
- Black Diamond Equipment Recalls PIEPS Pro IPS Avalanche Transceivers Due to Risk of Loss of Emergency Communications
- Charmast Power Banks Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Sold by Charmast Exclusively on Amazon.com
- Chervon North America Recalls SKIL 40V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries for SKIL Lawnmowers and Outdoor Tools Due to Fire and Burn Hazard
- Melii Baby Silicone Spoons for Babies Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Imported by Melii Baby
- Magnetic Building Sticks Sets Recalled Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of Federal Regulations for Toy Magnets; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com by Elongdi
- Mr. Christmas Recalls Wireless Decorative Tree Light Controllers Due to Fire Hazard
- HTRC C240 Battery Chargers Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Risk of Serious Injury and Death; Manufactured by Shenzhen Haitan Technology Co.
- Yoto Reannounces Recall of Yoto Mini Speakers for Children Due to Burn and Fire Hazards; New Full Battery Replacement Kit Now Available
- Touch of Class® Recalls Wall Teester Bed Crowns Due to Injury Hazard
- Stanley Recalls 2.6 Million Switchback and Trigger Action Travel Mugs Due to Burn Hazard
- Polaris Recalls RZR XP 1000 and XP 4 1000 Recreational Off-Road Vehicles (ROVs) Due to Fire Hazard (Recall Alert)
- Polaris Recalls Ranger Recreational Off-Road Vehicles and ProXD and Bobcat Utility Task Vehicles Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)
- Belkin Recalls Portable Wireless Battery Chargers for Smart Watches Due to Fire Hazard
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Recalls Redfield 12- and 18-Gun Fireproof Safes Due to Serious Injury Hazard and Risk of Death
- QVC Recalls More than One Million Temp-tations Oven Gloves Due to Burn Hazard
- NetZero USA Recalls High Bay LED Light Fixtures Due to Fire Hazard
- Vacation Recalls The Legendary VACATION by Vacation® Black Label Scented Candles Due to Fire and Laceration Hazards
- Anker Soundcore Lithium-Ion Battery Powered Bluetooth Speakers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com by Anker Innovations
If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice (linked above for all products). Then 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.
Jasper Community Arts Announces Rebranding to Jasper Arts in Celebration of its 50th Anniversary
Jasper Community Arts Announces Rebranding to Jasper Arts in Celebration of its 50th Anniversary
Kyle Rupert, Executive Director, Jasper Arts
January 3, 2025
Jasper Community Arts, a beloved cultural cornerstone of the City of Jasper, is thrilled to announce a new chapter in its storied history. As the organization prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2025, it will officially rebrand as Jasper Arts. This fresh identity reflects the evolution and growth of the department while honoring its enduring legacy of enriching lives through the arts.
The rebranding initiative, developed in collaboration with the creative firm Branded by Woods, encompasses a modernized visual identity and updated messaging that resonates with the vibrant spirit of the arts community in Jasper. The new name, Jasper Arts, underscores the department’s commitment to accessibility, creativity, and innovation while maintaining its proud roots as a department of the City of Jasper.
“This rebrand marks an exciting milestone for us,” said Kyle Rupert, Executive Director of Jasper Arts. “As we honor our 50-year history, we’re also looking forward to a bright future filled with new opportunities to inspire, engage, and connect through the arts.”
Since its founding in 1975, Jasper Arts has served as a hub for cultural expression and artistic exploration, offering a diverse array of performances, exhibits, workshops, and educational programming. The rebrand aims to build on this legacy by creating a refreshed and unified identity that aligns with the department’s vision for the future.
The new branding will officially launch in early 2025, coinciding with the organization’s year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. This milestone year will feature special events, performances, and initiatives designed to showcase the transformative power of the arts and highlight the contributions of Jasper Arts to the community.
Highlights of the rebranding include:
- A modernized logo that reflects Jasper Arts’ dynamic and inclusive approach to the arts.
- Updated marketing materials and digital platforms to enhance engagement with audiences locally and beyond.
- A renewed focus on accessibility and community connection, ensuring the arts remain a vital and accessible part of life in Jasper.
The announcement of this rebrand also reflects a broader vision for the future of arts and culture in Jasper, with ongoing discussions about enhancing facilities and programming to better serve the needs of the community.
Jasper Arts invites the public to join in the celebration and experience the unveiling of its new identity in 2025. Stay tuned for more details on anniversary events and the official launch of Jasper Arts’ refreshed brand.
For more information about Jasper Arts and its upcoming programs, visit www.jasperarts.org or follow them on Facebook and other social media platforms.
About Jasper Arts:
As a department of the City of Jasper, Jasper Arts has been a leading force in fostering creativity, cultural expression, and community connection for 50 years. Through diverse programming and initiatives, Jasper Arts continues to inspire and engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
About Branded by Woods:
Branded by Woods is a dynamic creative company with deep roots in the commercial print landscape. Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to include promotional products, innovative branding solutions, graphic design, event execution, and more. Our commitment to quality and creativity drives us to deliver tailored solutions that elevate our clients’ brands and connect with their audiences. With a focus on collaboration and excellence, Branded by Woods is dedicated to helping businesses thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. Discover the power of effective branding with us. Learn more at: https://www.brandedbywoods.com/
Discount of Cover Crop Premium available for farmers in 50 Indiana counties
Discount of Cover Crop Premium available for farmers in 50 Indiana countiesJANUARY 3, 2025 |
| INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 2, 2025) – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, The Nature Conservancy, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency have joined forces to implement the Cover Crop Premium Discount Program for the fifth year in a row.
This program will reward farmers who plant cover crops by providing a reduced premium on their crop insurance. The discount program was designed to promote planting additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. This program is eligible for 50 out of the 92 counties in Indiana. “Our agency is thrilled that we were able to roll out this program again thanks to the support from USDA and The Nature Conservancy,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Last year this program was available to 26 counties and we have nearly doubled that for 2025. Cover Crops provide numerous benefits for soil health, but they come at a cost, so this program is key to ensuring farmers have the support necessary to build up their soil health.” Over the last year, this program has had great success with 101 farmers participating, resulting in more than 30,000 acres of cover crops on Indiana farmland in the watershed. This program will provide farmers with a unique opportunity to receive financial incentives for implementing cover crops on their operation. Farmers who plant cover crops on owned or rented acres will receive a $5 per acre crop insurance premium discount. Farmers who planted cover crops in the fall of 2024 are eligible to apply. Qualifying counties in the project area include Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Perry, Pike, Posey, Randolph, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Switzerland, Tipton, Union, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Washington, Wayne. Cover cropping has many benefits including increased organic matter, improved soil biology as well as better water infiltration and water-holding capacity. This practice also prevents nutrients and sediment from running off the farm, keeping them out of nearby waterbodies and streams. Hoosier farmers planted a record 1.7 million acres of living covers in 2023 and, apart from corn and soybeans, are planted on more acres than any other commodity crop in Indiana. Seeding of cover crops must follow best agronomic practices in terms of appropriate seeding rates, seed mixes, and seeding dates to ensure the objectives of the cover crop are being met. To ensure the practice provides the best results, termination must be completed in the spring. Enrollment is first come-first served and there is a 750 acre cap. This program is also only available to fields not enrolled in other conservation programs. Larry Clemens, the Indiana State Director of The Nature Conservancy shared, “we are excited to again support the Cover Crop Premium program and offer an additional option to Indiana farmers that are nationally leading the way in the adoption of soil health practices.” Clemens continued, “The Cover Crop Premium program jumped from 26 Indiana counties last year to 50 this year, giving more farmers flexible solutions to continue and expand the use of cover crops outside of other programs. Cover crops improve soil health, water quality, water holding capacity of soils, and they can sequester carbon, decrease weed pressure and reduce the cost of inputs.” The program is funded by a Clean Water Indiana grant and support is provided to The Nature Conservancy by the Cummins Foundation and CenterPoint Foundation. Applications are due March 15, 2025, or when available funds are exhausted. Learn more and apply here or visit isda.in.gov. |
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.