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.
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)
The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) announced that it will extend operations of its septic waste and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) receiving station at the East Wastewater Treatment Plant until July 1, 2026.
Operations had been set to end January 1.
EWSU has been in active discussion with local septic and FOG haulers since August regarding the planned closure of the receiving station. In recent weeks, many haulers have indicated they need more time to secure and finalize alternative disposal arrangements. The six-month extension provides additional flexibility for haulers while EWSU continues supporting the transition.
“We value the haulers as important partners in protecting public health and the environment,” said Vic Kelson, Executive Director of EWSU.“Our team has been working with them since August, and we’ll continue to do so. This extension gives everyone more time to prepare, while we stay committed to long-term solutions that keep our wastewater system reliable, efficient, and sustainable.”
Support for Septic-Waste Haulers
EWSU’s Board has approved specifications allowing privately owned septic disposal sites to be developed within the EWSU collection system. These privately developed sites will provide long-term capacity once the receiving station closes. EWSU’s Private Development team is available to answer design and permitting questions. Haulers can contact Deputy Director of Compliance Ashley Pike at apike@ewsu.com for assistance.
Support for FOG Haulers
Several private waste-management companies are exploring or advancing plans for new FOG processing facilities. Because these facilities can often be built and operated more cost-effectively by private entities, they may offer the most sustainable long-term solution for the region. EWSU will continue coordinating with haulers and private companies as needed to ensure environmental and operational compatibility.
Commitment to a Steady Transition
EWSU will continue meeting directly with haulers to provide guidance and help ensure readiness ahead of the new July 1, 2026 closure date. The extension will not affect day-to-day sewer service for residents or businesses.
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced the recipients of the City of Evansville’s 2025 Opioid Settlement Fund allocation, an investment aimed squarely at prevention, treatment, recovery, and support services for residents affected by the opioid epidemic.
A total of 26 organizations submitted applications, requesting more than $4.7 million, for the $1 million available in funding. To review those applications, Mayor Terry convened a committee comprised of:
Cedalia Ellis, LCSW, MSW
Lisa Seif, LCSW
City Councilman Paul Green
Suzanne Draper, retired CASA Director
Bonnie Rinks, LCSW
The committee’s work was facilitated by Communications Director Joe Atkinson, who did not vote on recommendations. Committee members recused themselves from reviewing or discussing any proposal from an organization with which they had a direct affiliation.
Using the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health best-practice framework as evaluation criteria, the committee provided funding recommendations to Mayor Terry, who reviewed and finalized the list below.
Earlier tonight, the Evansville City Council approved the appropriation of these funds.
Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare: $150,000
YWCA: $150,000
Problem Solving Courts: $130,000
Counseling for Change: $123,750
Youth First/Forefront Therapy: $60,000
Boys & Girls Club: $58,000
Parenting Time Center: $55,000
Evansville Recovery Alliance: $50,000
Foster Care in the US: $50,000
Ark Crisis Center: $40,305
Vanderburgh County Veterans Court: $38,174
Caleb’s Bridge of Hope: $34,000
Matthew 25: $27,671
Southwest Indiana Recovery & Empowerment: $23,100
Disciples of Christ: $10,000
Taken together, these investments contribute to a full, end-to-end opioid response system for Evansville – one that prevents addiction before it starts, stabilizes people in crisis, supports recovery over the long term, and reduces the downstream costs of incarceration, emergency response, foster care, and homelessness. They do so by hitting seven different criteria from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recommendations for Opioid Settlement Fund use:
Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Support for People in Treatment and Recovery
Connecting People to Care
Harm Reduction
Primary Prevention (especially youth)
Leadership, Planning, and Coordination
Training and Workforce Development
They also reflect Mayor Terry’s continued emphasis on addressing addiction as a public health challenge, and of supporting community-based programs that offer pathways to recovery, all while supporting .
“Addiction has touched every corner of our community, and these dollars must be used in ways that make the greatest impact,” Mayor Terry said. “The organizations recommended for funding are doing vital, front-line work, from treatment, to prevention, to supporting families and children, and this investment will help them expand that work at a time when our community needs it most.”
Following City Council action tonight, the City will finalize award agreements, defining eligible uses and reporting requirements consistent with national opioid settlement guidelines.
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Braun today signed an executive order temporarily waiving hours-of-service regulations for motor carriers and drivers transporting propane gas in Indiana, ensuring Hoosiers have access to critical heating fuel during a period of severe winter weather.
Extraordinarily cold temperatures and heavy snowfall across Indiana and the Midwest have significantly increased demand for propane gas, while supply challenges such as terminal shutdowns, limited product availability, and long wait times have strained delivery systems. The executive order allows propane haulers to exceed standard driving hour limits, enabling faster and more efficient distribution of propane to homes, businesses, schools, and public buildings across the state.
“Thousands of Hoosiers rely on propane to heat their homes and keep essential services running,” said Governor Braun. “This waiver helps remove unnecessary barriers so propane can reach the people who need it most.”
The executive order waives only the hours-of-service requirements under federal and state motor carrier regulations. All other motor carrier safety rules remain fully enforceable. The waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect through December 20, 2025, unless it is extended or terminated earlier by the Governor.
The question of just how much the monthslong debate bruised those relationships will be a question when lawmakers return to the Statehouse in three weeks for resumption of their legislative session.
Several legislators interviewed following Thursday’s Senate vote rejecting the House-approved redistricting plan said they anticipated cooperation come January. Some put most of the blame for any animosity on national groups that tried to pressure legislators into supporting the new maps.
“I don’t think anybody wants to have a lasting impact,” said Sen. Sue Glick of LaGrange, who voted against redistricting. “There will be some hard feelings. But I thought that we kept it under control. There didn’t seem to be the acrimony on the floor that you might have anticipated. Most of that was coming from outside.”
Republican ties frayed by debate
But some were clearly offended by Braun’s threats to support election challengers against Republican senators who didn’t support the redrawn maps — including the chamber’s GOP leader, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray.
Sen. Jean Leising of Oldenburg, who has been a senator for 25 years and voted against redistricting, said she believed Braun owed Bray an apology.
Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, speaks during a March 2024 Senate debate. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
“I don’t know if he will,” Leising said. “If he were asking me, ‘What should I do next?’ I’d say, ‘You need to apologize to Senator Bray, our pro tem.’ Because he actually said that he wanted to work against him.”
The governor’s office did not reply to a request for comment about Leising’s remarks.
In a statement following the Senate vote, Braun said he “will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers.”
Bray acknowledged the redistricting debate as a “hard one” but downplayed the possibility of an ongoing split between the Senate, the House and the governor.
“There’s been a difference here, but we’ve got lots of important things to do over this next legislative session and over the next few years,” Bray told reporters after Thursday’s vote. “I have zero doubt that we’ll get that done together.”
Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said he was “disappointed” with the Senate vote while expressing optimism for the legislative session that’s set to resume Jan. 5.
“I’m confident we will have a productive session that will address the issues that most impact Hoosiers,” Huston said in a statement.
Will grudges remain?
Bray repeatedly said mid-decade redistricting had insufficient Senate support for it to pass, even with a pressure campaign that included two trips by Vice President JD Vance to Indianapolis and phone calls by Trump to individual senators.
Some senators, however, denounced what they regarded as bullying to win support for the proposed maps crafted to produce a 9-0 Republican delegation. It aimed to do so by carving up the two districts currently held by Democratic Reps. André Carson in Indianapolis and Frank Mrvan in the area along Lake Michigan near Chicago.
Several senators opposing the redistricting plan cited their support for Trump and hopes to see Republicans retain their U.S. House majority after the 2026 midterm elections.
But some redistricting advocates framed the debate in stark terms, such as when Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten called on senators to be “active agents of American greatness” by supporting the 9-0 map plan.
Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2008, said he was frustrated with the time he believed was “wasted” on the redistricting debate but that Braun was “duty bound” to patch up his relationship with lawmakers.
“I get along with him, I see him more than any governor I’ve ever seen,” DeLaney said. “I think he’s got the right personality to say, ‘Let’s just do the job, move forward under the facts as they are.’ I think he does. Now, whether he gets pushed from Washington to be a cheerleader in a raid on Indiana.”
Republican Sen. Eric Bassler of Washington said he believed Bray and Huston were “rationalists about running things” and would not hold grudges over the redistricting dispute.
“There’s going to be some wounds between the governor and our chamber,” Bassler said. “But my hope is that the governor and his staff and team will be adult about this and work well with us, just like I hope that the Senate will be adults about it and work well with the governor.”
Senate leadership shakeup?
The split among Republican senators — 21 voting joining 10 Democrats against redistricting and 19 in favor — prompted speculation over whether Bray was secure in the president pro tem position he’s held 2018.
Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, speaks during the Senate redistricting debate on Dec. 11, 2025.(Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
That possibility was dismissed by senators following Thursday’s 31-19 outcome.
“Absolutely not,” Leising said. “No, and his vote was even a little stronger than I predicted. I was, in my mind, saying 27 to 30 (against redistricting), and it was 31 so that made me really happy for him.”
Glick said she doesn’t expect any threats to Bray’s leadership, noting that “I can’t reveal what we discussed in caucus, but I can tell you that while all of this, the yeas and the nays have both complimented him on its fairness, on his willingness to address their issues.”
One fallout from the debate was the decision by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, to step down from her position as Senate assistant majority floor leader in charge of communications while remaining a senator.
Brown said in a statement that she and other redistricting supporters “recognize the consequences of what it will mean to have socialists control Congress” and that the Senate had “failed our conservative voters.”
“Our caucus will have rebuilding to do to repair communication and trust with voters, and I will focus on that effort outside of Senate leadership,” Brown said.
Republican Sen. Linda Rogers of Granger was among the 10 senators who had kept quiet about their redistricting stance until Thursday’s vote, when she pushed the red “no” button on her desk.
When asked whether there would be lingering hard feelings over the maps decision, Rogers said: “I hope not, I don’t think so.”
“Some of my very closest friends here and I voted differently,” she said, “and we are still very close friends.”
Vanderburgh County Council Meeting
DECEMBER 17, 2025
3:00 P.M.
AGENDA
1.
OPENING OF MEETING
2.
ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
INVOCATION
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A.
County Council Meeting – November 5, 2025
6.
PERSONNEL REQUESTS:
A.
Sheriff
1.
Request to amend the 2026 hourly pay rate for the following part-time positions:
a.
PT Property Management Clerk – 10001050-105157
b.
(2) PT Clerks-10001050-105170 and 105174
c.
(8) PT Paper Servers-10001050-199000 (Extra Help)
d.
PT Special Deputy-10001050-199100
B.
LIT Sheriff
1.
Request to amend the 2026 hourly pay rate for a PT Special Deputy 11701050-199100
C.
Misdemeanor Offender
1.
Request to amend the 2026 hourly pay rate for (3) PT Jail Clerks 11750000-199000 (Extra Help)
D.
VCSO-School Safety Agreement Grant
1.
Request to amend the 2026 hourly pay rate for PT Special Deputy 49970000-199100
E.
Sheriff-FEMA PSGU Grant
1.
Request to amend the 2026 hourly pay rate for PT Special Deputy 81090000-199100
F.
Prosecutor
1.
Request to fill vacancies for (2) Deputy Prosecutors 10001080-108103 and 108115
G.
Area Plan Commission
1.
Request to create Office Manager Stipend 10001240-124125 to be paid to Bookkeeper/Office Manager 10001240-124117
H.
Burdette Park
1.
Request to create Business/Finance Administrator Stipend 10001450-145131 to be paid to Business/Finance Administrator 10001450-125128
I.
CCPI – Treatment Court
1.
Request to add a fifth PT Home Verification Officer 11222503-199000 (Extra Help) and fill vacancy
J.
Health Department
1.
Request to fill vacancy for Public Health Nurse II 11590000-115927
2.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rate for PT Child Fatality Reviewer & Action Team Coordinator 11590000-199000 (Extra Help)
K.
Local Public Health Services
1.
Request to fill vacancy for Public Health Nurse I 11610000-116105
2.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rates for the following part-time positions 11610000-199000 (Extra Help):
a.
(2) PT Public Health Nurses
b.
PT Coordinator
L.
Health Department – WIC
1.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rates for the following part-time positions 84030000-199000:
a.
PT Breastfeeding Coordinator/DBE
b.
(2) PT Health Educators
c.
PT PRN Clerk
M.
Health Department – Lactation Grant
1.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rates for (3) PT Breastfeeding Peer Counselors 84060000-199000 (Extra Help)
N.
Health Department – TANF Grant
1.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rates for (2) PT Community Health Workers 84420000-199000 (Extra Help)
O.
Health Department – Fetal Infant Mortality Review Grant
1.
Request to amend 2026 hourly pay rate for PT Child Fatality Reviewer & Action Team Coordinator 94050000-199000 (Extra Help)
P.
Recorder – Perpetuation Fund
1.
Request to create PT Intern position 11891040-199000 (Extra Help), establish pay rate and fill vacancy
Q.
Prosecutor – Infraction
1.
Request to create the following lines in Prosecutor-Infractions to pay a one-time step bonus to selected positions in Prosecutor 10001080, Prosecutor IV-D Child Support 10001400 and Prosecutor-Victim Witness Assistance Federal Grant 82050000
a.
49290000-492901 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108114
b.
49290000-492902 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108140
c.
49290000-492903 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108102
d.
49290000-492904 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108106
e.
49290000-492905 Chief Trial Deputy Bonus for 108109
f.
49290000-492906 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108101
g.
49290000-492907 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108105
h.
49290000-492908 Deputy Prosecutor Bonus for 108110
i.
49290000-492909 Director Bonus for 820511
j.
49290000-492910 Secretary Bonus for 820514
k.
49290000-492911 Secretary Bonus for 820515
l.
49290000-492912 Secretary Bonus for 820516
m.
49290000-492913 Victim Advocate Bonus for 820517
n.
49290000-492914 Victim Advocate Bonus for 820519
o.
49290000-492915 Victim Advocate Bonus for 820520
p.
49290000-492916 Director of Pre-Trial Diversion Bonus for 108129
q.
49290000-492917 Electronic Media Specialist Bonus for 108147
r.
49290000-492918 Felony Filing Investigator Bonus for 108127
s.
49290000-492919 Chief Charging Investigator Bonus for 108124
t.
49290000-492920 Receptionist Bonus for 140034
u.
49290000-492921 Investigator Bonus for 108153
v.
49290000-492922 Investigator Bonus for 108152
7.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
A.
County Council
B.
CCPI-Electronic Home Detention
C.
Health Department
D.
Highway-Engineer
E.
Elected Officials Training/Clerk
8.
REPEALS – None
9.
TRANSFERS:
A.
Sheriff
B.
Coroner
C.
Cooperative Extension
D.
Area Plan
E.
Weights & Measures
F.
Commissioners
G.
Superior Court
H.
Drug & Alcohol Deferral Services
I.
Burdette Park
J.
Legal Aid
K.
Convention & Visitors Bureau
L.
Cumulative Bridge
M.
LIT Public Safety-Jail
N.
Recorder Perpetuation Fund
O.
Reassessment-Assessor
P.
Reassessment-PTABOA
10.
OLD BUSINESS – None
11.
NEW BUSINESS:
A.
Confirming Resolution CO.R-12-25-011 Property Tax Phase-In 8301 North Kentucky Avenue (Prokuma Properties)-Pat Hickey, Economic Development Director
12.
AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE
13.
PUBLIC COMMENT
14.
REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES:
A.
No P&F Meeting in December 2025
B.
County Council Meeting – January 7, 2026 @3:00 PM
15.
ADJOURNMENT
MEMBERS OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL:
Tom Shetler, Jr., President – 2nd District / Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
John Montrastelle, Vice-President – 4th District / Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
James Raben, Finance Chair – 1st District / Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
Jill A. Hahn, Personnel Chair – At Large / Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Nick Iaccarino, Member – 3rd District / Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
Joe M. Kiefer II, Member – At Large / Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Ed Bassemier, Member – At Large / Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
