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Ryan Hatfield Sworn In As Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge

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Ryan Hatfield taking oath from Judge David Kiely. – Photo by Johnny Kincaid

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.

Ryan Hatfield and family – Photo by Johnny Kincaid

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

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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

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CenterPoint Energy shares New Year’s resolution checklist to help customers save energy and money while staying safe
 CenterPoint 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 

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PRODUCT RECALL
PRODUCT RECALL

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:

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

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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

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

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.

THUNDERBOLTS HOST QUAD CITY ON FRIDAY, PEORIA ON SATURDAY

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THUNDERBOLTS HOST QUAD CITY ON FRIDAY, PEORIA ON SATURDAY
 
Evansville, In.:  After ringing in the New Year in front of over 5,000 fans at Ford Center on Tuesday night, the Thunderbolts begin the 2025 calendar year by hosting the Quad City Storm this Friday night for Free Kids Friday, and the Peoria Rivermen on Saturday night for Heavy Metal Night.
Week In Review:
 
                The Thunderbolts picked up two big road wins in Quad City last week, 3-1 on Thursday the 26th and 6-1 on Friday the 27th.  Matt Dorsey, Anthony Hora and Logan vande Meerakker scored a goal each on Thursday.  Dorsey and vande Meerakker scored again on Friday, supplemented by two goals from Brady Lynn and one goal each from Nolan McElhaney and Matthew Hobbs.  The Thunderbolts fell 4-2 on Saturday against the Storm with goals from Derek Contessa and Brendan Harrogate, and Harrogate provided the only goal in the 5-1 loss to Huntsville on New Year’s Eve.
The Week Ahead:
                This Friday, January 3rd will be Free Kids Friday presented by TaylorMade, as the Thunderbolts host the Quad City Storm.  Everyone who buys an adult ticket through the Ford Center Box Office will receive a free kid’s (12 and under) ticket.  An inflatable slide will be set up in the lobby, courtesy of Legendary Inflatables.  Other activities, including Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, will also be available throughout the concourse.  This Saturday, January 4th will be Heavy Metal Night as the Thunderbolts host Peoria, featuring specialty game-worn jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately after the game.  Replica jerseys will also be available for purchase at the merchandise stand.  Space Monkey Records will be at the game with their Mobile Boom Box in the lobby.  Both home games begin at 7:05pm CT.  For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or visit the Ford Center Ticket Office.
Coming Soon:
                The Thunderbolts will be on the road for two weeks, with two games at Birmingham on Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th, followed by games in Peoria on Friday, January 17th and Saturday, January 18th.  The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center on Friday, January 24th for Faith Night and Saturday, January 25th for Star Wars Night, against the Pensacola Ice Flyers on both nights.
Scouting the Opponent:
  • Quad City Storm:
    • Record: 10-13-2, 22 Points, 8th Place
    • Leading Goal Scorer: Leif Mattson (16 Goals)
    • Leading Point Scorer: Leif Mattson (37 Points)
    • Primary Goaltender: Brent Moran (8-8-1, .911 Save %)
    • Thunderbolts Record vs QCS: 4-2
                Jordan Henderson scored the Storm’s lone goal against Evansville on the 26th, while Nicola Levesque scored their lone goal on the 27th.  Lukas Lacny, Severi Savijoki, Tommy Tsicos and Aaron Ryback each picked up a goal in their 4-2 victory over Evansville on Saturday night.  The Storm were defeated 5-2 on New Year’s Eve in Peoria, initially leading 1-0 on a goal from Savva Smirnov before Peoria scored five unanswered goals.  Doug Blaisdell scored the second Storm goal of the night with 6 seconds remaining in the game.
  • Peoria Rivermen:
    • Record: 16-4-4, 36 Points, 2nd Place
    • Leading Goal Scorer: Jordan Ernst (16 Goals)
    • Leading Point Scorer: Alec Baer (33 Points)
    • Primary Goaltender: Colby Muise (14-2-3, .928 Save %)
    • Thunderbolts Record vs PEO: 1-3-1
                The Rivermen split their two games in Birmingham against the Bulls last Thursday and Friday, losing 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday and winning 6-3 on Friday.  Down 2-0 on Thursday late in the third period, goals from Carlos Fornaris and Jordan Gagnon forced overtime.  Down 3-2 going into the third period of Friday with goals from Zach Wilkie and Cale List, the Rivermen scored four unanswered goals from Gagnon, Chase Spencer, and two from Mike Gelatt to win 6-3.  The Rivermen went on to win 4-2 on Saturday in Pensacola with goals from Fornaris, Alec Baer, Wilkie and Jordan Ernst.  Finally, the Rivermen defeated Quad City 5-2 on New Year’s Eve with five unanswered goals, two each from Baer and Ernst, and one from Spencer.  Peoria will host the Fayetteville Marksmen this Friday before traveling to Evansville on Saturday.
Call-up Report
– Lincoln Hatten (Worcester Railers – ECHL)
                – 27 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 P, 13 PIM
– Scott Kirton (Cincinnati Cyclones – ECHL)
                – 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 2 PIM
– Benjamin Lindberg (Adirondack Thunder – ECHL)
                – 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 9 PIM
– Ty Taylor (Orlando Solar Bears – ECHL)
                – 0 GP, 0-0-0, .000 SV%
Transactions:   
Thur. 1/2: G Ty Taylor called up ECHL Orlando
Sat. 12/28: F Reid Perepeluk released from professional tryout
Thur. 12/26: F Brady Lynn signed to contract
Thur. 12/26: D Robin Eriksson activated from Injured Reserve
Thur. 12/26: D Benjamin Lindberg called up to ECHL Adirondack
Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2024-25 season.  Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.  Call 812-422-BOLT or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

Aces women’s basketball battles to the end in loss at Bradley

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Aces women’s basketball battles to the end in loss at Bradley
The Purple Aces led for 29 minutes on Thursday night
PEORIA, Ill. – To begin the new year the University of Evansville women’s basketball team was 30 seconds shy of its first road win against the Bradley Braves.
The Purple Aces dropped a heartbreaker to begin 2025 with a 45-42 loss at Bradley. UE took the lead five minutes into the game but couldn’t hang on in the final three minutes in the first game of the new year. Sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) continues to lead Evansville on the floor with a 16-point and eight rebound performance against the Braves.
It was a slow start on Thursday night for both teams as it took over two minutes for the first points. The Aces didn’t score until three and a half minutes into the game, but once the offense got rolling it overtook Bradley’s defense. Following the first basket the Braves hit a three, but UE quickly responded with a 9-0 run. Evansville held Bradley scoreless for the final six minutes of the first to lead by six.
It was another low-scoring quarter in the second as the Aces only had nine points through 10 minutes. UE scored seven of its nine points in the first five minutes of the quarter between two jumpers and a three for freshman forward Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn. / Greater Latrobe HS). In the final five minutes of the first half, Evansville made a layup with 2:03 on the clock for a six-point lead. But the Braves made two three-pointers to close out the half tied 20-20.
It was all Aces to begin the second half as UE had a 9-0 run to take the largest lead of the game. Hartwig scored seven of the nine points in the third quarter with two jumpers and a triple. Again, Evansville was able to hold Bradley scoreless for over six minutes in the quarter while Runner added four free throws in the final three minutes to lead by five.
The final quarter started with back-and-forth made shots. But a made three-pointer followed by a jump shot from the Braves had the game tied at 35 with just under six minutes to go. The Aces answered with a 5-0 run of their own, including a three from freshman guard Kaiden Kreinhagen (Indianapolis / North Central HS) to go back up by five. But UE’s offense grew cold after the run, and they did not score for almost three minutes.
Bradley took a one-point lead with 2:32 left on the clock at the free throw line. Evansville was able to make a layup with 54 seconds left to retake the lead. But the Braves responded less than 20 seconds later with a layup of their own. The Aces had two opportunities in the final 16 seconds to retake the lead. But both shots went wide as UE dropped a 45-42 heartbreaker in Peoria.
Hartwig led Evansville on both sides of the ball while Runner was the team’s only other double-digit scorer with 10 points. For the second game in a row senior guard Júlia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell) grabbed a career-high seven boards along with a steal to help on defense. The Aces continue their road trip on Saturday afternoon at Illinois State. Tip-off from CEFCU Arena is set for 4 p.m.
-www.gopurpleaces.com-

Comer’s career game leads Aces to road win at SIU

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Comer’s career game leads Aces to road win at SIU

UE improves to 2-1 in the Valley 

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Connecting on eight of his 13 field goal attempts, Tayshawn Comer registered a career-high 26 points to pace the University of Evansville men’s basketball team to a 68-53 road victory over Southern Illinois on Wednesday at the Banterra Center.

It marked Evansville’s first win in Carbondale since December of 202 and saw the Purple Aces improve to 2-1 in Missouri Valley Conference games.

“We talked about being gritty and doing whatever it takes to get better.  Since we got back from break, we have had better practices and been playing better as a team,” UE head coach David Ragland said following the victory.  “The last two games have shown what we can do as a team and we are excited to be back in front of our fans on Saturday against Indiana State.”

Comer’s effort surpassed his previous high of 23 points, which was set last season playing for Eastern Kentucky.  He was 8-of-9 from the line and finished with three steals and a pair of assists.  Cam Haffner wrapped up the day with 20 points while tying his career mark with nine boards.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the opening minutes with each squad turning the ball over four times in the opening four minutes of the game.  Cam Haffner scored UE’s first five points including three free throws to establish an early 5-2 advantage.

After the Salukis got back within two, Evansville countered with seven in a row to go up 12-4 at the 13:25 mark.  Tayshawn Comer’s first triple of the afternoon got things started before Tanner Cuff and Connor Turnbull added field goals.  SIU fought back with a 12-4 run to tie the game at 16-16 just past the midway point of the half.

Despite the rally, the Salukis were unable to take the lead as the Purple Aces held strong up 27-24 with 6:37 left in the half.  Over the final minutes, UE stretched its lead to double figures as a 15-7 run gave the Aces a 42-31 halftime lead.  Comer played a pivotal role in the period, scoring 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting while Haffner had 13 points in the opening period.

SIU opened up the second half with a triple to get back within single digits, but Comer recorded two more free throws on the other end to push the lead back to 10.  It would never get closer as UE pulled away to lead by as many as 21 points (61-43) before cruising to the 68-53 triumph.

Evansville’s defense was key to the victory, holding the Salukis to 1-of-17 shooting throughout the middle portion of the second half.  Overall, UE’s defense limited SIU to 31.1% shooting overall and 19.4% (6-of-31) from long range.  Conversely, the Aces shot 48% from the field.

Kennard Davis Jr. was the leading scorer for SIU, finishing with 19 points and a game-high 10 caroms.

On Saturday, the Aces look to make it three in a row when they welcome Indiana State to the Ford Center for a 1 p.m. game.

-www.GoPurpleAces.com-

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