USI receives $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts at Historic New Harmony

12/17/2025

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

12/17/2025

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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:

Upgrade and modernize electrical system
Remodel the south-side restrooms for improved accessibility and comfort
Replace doors, doorframes, and hardware to enhance security and functionality
Install new gutter downspouts and improve the drainage system to protect the facility

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.

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Notice of Meeting of Vanderburgh County Community Corrections Advisory Board/Local JRAC Board

12/17/2025

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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

12/17/2025

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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.”

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

12/17/2025

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

12/17/2025

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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

12/16/2025

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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

UE men open MVC slate on Tuesday against Belmont

12/16/2025

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Tip set for 6 p.m. at the Ford Center

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Tuesday will mark the Missouri Valley Conference opener for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team who plays host to Belmont at 6 p.m. inside the Ford Center. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.

Looking Back

– Last season, the UE excelled against the Bruins, splitting the season series

– Following a close 85-82 home loss, UE earned an 80-75 road win at Curb Event Center on Feb. 2

– Josh Hughes and Connor Turnbull scored 14 points apiece in the road triumph

Last Time Out

– Saturday’s game at Notre Dame saw Connor Turnbull lead the Purple Aces with 17 points and 9 boards in an 82-58 loss

– Josh Hughes added 14 points

– Evansville trimmed a 12-point halftime deficit to just three points (52-49) before UND went on a 26-4 run to pull away

Record-Breaking Performance

– Connor Turnbull set the UE program record with nine blocked shots at WKU and is averaging 6.0 blocks over the last three games

– His total broke the previous Aces mark of eight, which happened on three occasions, and was the most by an MVC player since Ehimen Orukpe of Wichita State had nine against Southern Illinois on Jan. 9, 2013

– On Dec. 8, he was named the MVC Player of the Week after averaging 20 points, 9 boards, and 7 blocks against WKU and BSU

– In the win over Ball State, he posted season highs in points (21) and boards (5) on the way to his second collegiate double-double

– Turnbull is averaging 18.75 PPG over the last four games and has a total of 21 blocks over that span

Still Going Strong

– While AJ Casey has not reached double figures over the last four games, he has registered a solid 6.25 points and 5.75 rebounds per game

– Included in that rebound tally is a career-high 11 caroms in the win over Ball State that saw him add nine points

– Casey is tied for 10th in the MVC with 5.73 boards/game and is tied for 4th in offensive caroms (2.36/gm)

Back to Form

– In the four games leading to the contest at Notre Dame, Josh Hughes averaged 4.0 points per game after posting 13.2 PPG in the first six games

– He knocked down four of his eight attempts from outside to finish with 14 points against the Fighting Irish

– Two of his three career double-doubles have come in the first six games of the season; after opening the season with 15 points and 11 boards at #1 Purdue, Hughes recorded 16 points and a career-best 12 boards in the win over Oregon State

Scouting the Opponent

– Belmont comes into Tuesday’s game with a 10-1 record following an 87-84 win over UIC in their MVC opener on Saturday

– The only loss for the Bruins came against Richmond on Dec. 3

– They have multiple impressive wins this season including Air Force, Oral Roberts, Toledo, Charleston, and Middle Tennessee State

– Four Bruins averaged double figures with Tyler Lundblade leading the way with 15.9 points per game

– Just behind him is Sam Orme, who sits at 14.0 PPG and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game

– Following them are Nic McClain (12.1 PPG) and Drew Scharnowski (10.3 PPG)

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

12/16/2025

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants