FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
NCAA Champions Repeat as IU Athletes of the Year
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its winners of the IU Athlete of the Year award for the 2024-25 school year on Thursday (July 17), recognizing swimming and diving seniors Carson Tyler and Anna Peplowski for the second consecutive season.
Combining for three national title and 10 All-America honors between them, Tyler and Peplowski led the IU men’s and women’s programs to historic performances at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Repeating as CSCAA National Diver of the Year and Big Ten Diver of the Year, Tyler also won consecutive national championships in the 3-meter springboard and platform events while becoming the first athlete to win the platform title three seasons in a row. Tyler and classmate Quinn Henninger, NCAA Champion on 1-meter, completed the second-ever team sweep of the NCAA diving events – the first since 1997). The Big Ten’s top scorer at the national meet with 49 points, Tyler helped IU finish third in the team standings.
Peplowski led the Indiana women to three program record NCAA team finishes during her career, placing seventh both in 2023 and 2024 before its fourth-place pinnacle performance in 2025. The Big Ten Swimmer of the Year was the conference’s co-leading point scorer at the NCAA Championships with 45 points. Peplowski became IU’s first female freestyle champion, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:40.50 – the No. 7 fastest time in NCAA history. She also earned bronze in the 500-yard freestyle for the second consecutive season. The senior finished her career with six short course program records.
The IU Athlete of the Year winners met championship standards in the classroom, each earning CSC Academic All-America, CSCAA Scholar All-America, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Peplowski also earned Indiana University’s G. Frederick Glass Director’s Award, honoring two student-athletes who best represent The Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, 1 Team.
Both Olympians in 2024, Tyler and Peplowski will again represent Team USA this summer at the World Aquatics Championships. The pair have continued training at Indiana University’s facilities following the conclusion of their collegiate careers.
Letter to Mayor Terry Regarding EMS Transition
Dear Members of the Media,
Attached is a letter from the Vanderburgh County Commissioners to Mayor Stephanie Terry regarding the proposed transition of emergency medical services from AMR to the Evansville Fire Department. Also attached is a Cost Analysis Estimate from AMR.
The Commissioners felt it was important to share this communication with the media to keep the residents of Vanderburgh County informed on this matter.
Dear Mayor Terry,
On behalf of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners, we are writing to respectfully request that the City of Evansville engage in a collaborative effort with Vanderburgh County and AMR Evansville to determine the best course of action for our community’s emergency medical service needs. As part of this collaborative effort, AMR has offered to commission and pay for an independent study performed by Fitch & Associates, a national leading EMS and public safety consulting firm. We would propose that Evansville Fire Chief Tony Knight take a lead role in the study.
There are a number of unknowns that could adversely impact the success of a City-run ambulance service, including local government funding cuts with Senate Bill 1 (“SB1”) and the prospect of cuts to Medicaid that could negatively impact revenue projections anticipated by the City. We also have concerns regarding the financial and operational implications to County,residents of transitioning emergency medical services from AMR to the Evansville FireDepartment. While AMR’s services could be improved, AMR currently operates without anysubsidy from either the City or the County. Based on certain financial projections made available to the Commissioners, which was derived from prior years data of emergency medical runs, it would appear the City could likely experience a $2 million loss beginning in the first year of the transition, with losses increasing year over year. We would also be remiss if we did not note that the City of Evansville was once responsible for the emergency medical services and it was ultimately concluded that the private model was more efficient for the taxpayers.
We would propose commissioning the study as soon as possible as we understand the study could be completed by the Fall of 2025. As such, if the study concludes it is in our commuity’s best interest to move forward with the City’s plan, it will result in only a short delay in the implementation of services. Perhaps more valuable, it would also allow for us to gain further clarity on the SB1 changes and impacts of the federal government’s cuts to Medicaid.
In light of this information, we hope the City will engage with Vanderburgh County and AMR Evansville in this collaborative effort to determine the best possible outcome for our community
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
The Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County
Justin Elpers, President
Amy Canterbury, Vice President
Mike Goebel, Member
Mayor Terry to Host July Block-by-Block This Friday (7/18)
The next event in Evansville’s Block-by-Block Neighborhood Cleanup series will take place this Friday, July 18, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Lamasco Neighborhood.
Please note that this is one week earlier than originally announced.
This hands-on beautification effort invites the public to join city staff and community partners in picking up litter, trimming weeds, mowing grass, and assisting with other neighborhood revitalization efforts. Volunteers are encouraged to gather at Eleventh Avenue Park; more details (and the volunteer sign-up form) are available at www.evansvillegov.org/block.
Mayor Stephanie Terry launched Block-by-Block in August 2024 as part of her administration’s commitment to Neighborhood Revitalization, which is a cornerstone of her strategic vision for Evansville.
“Block-by-Block is about more than just cleaning up our neighborhoods,” Mayor Terry said. “It’s about building pride, creating connection, and showing that every neighborhood in our city matters. When we show up together to take care of our shared spaces, we create stronger, safer, more beautiful communities.”
The July 18 Block-by-Block is being done in partnership with Keep Evansville Beautiful and CenterPoint Energy.
Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome.
University of Evansville Statement on Proposed Billboard Near Lincoln Commons
Noah Alatza, Chief Communications Officer and spokesperson for the University of Evansville, issued the following statement regarding a petition submitted by HIRA Inc. to install a large electronic billboard on top of the Lincoln Garden restaurant at 2001 Lincoln Avenue, at the southeast corner of Lincoln and Weinbach.
“The University of Evansville strongly opposes the proposed installation of a large electronic billboard at the intersection of Lincoln and Weinbach Avenues, directly facing our Lincoln Commons student housing. This intersection has a history of traffic accidents and pedestrian injuries, and adding a bright, elevated digital sign only increases the risk to our students and the broader community.
Beyond safety, we are also concerned about the overall impact on the student living experience. Flashing lights during evening and overnight hours could disrupt sleep and well-being, and the visual intrusion would detract from the aesthetic and residential character of the area.
UE asks the Board of Zoning Appeals to deny this request during their Thursday meeting in light of its implications for student safety and overall community impact.”
Back to School Lead Testing Clinic
The Vanderburgh County Health Department is hosting a Back-to-School Lead Testing Clinic. The clinic will be held on July 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
No Pre-registration is required, all children ages 0-6 that attend that have met state mandated lead testing
guidelines will receive a backpack with school supplies. Any child 0-6 that has not met the requirement that has lead testing performed at the event will also receive the backpack and supplies. The Health Department will have staff available to check the status of the child’s lead testing history as well as staff to collect blood for and perform lead testing on site.
Hot dogs, chips and a drink will be available for all who attend.
Indiana Department of Health Guidance and Standards for Health Care Providers states:
- Children should receive a blood lead test between the ages of nine (9) and fifteen (15) months, or as close as reasonably possible to the patient’s appointment.
- Children should have another blood lead test between the ages of twenty-one (21) and twenty-seven (27) months, or as close as reasonably possible to the patient’s appointment.
- Any child between twenty-eight (28) and seventy-two (72) months that does not have a record of any prior blood lead test must have a blood lead test performed as soon as possible.
Lead testing is the best way to protect your child from the many serious permanent effects that lead poisoning causes. Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause adverse effects such as damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems- underperformance in school, lower IQ and decreased ability to pay attention as well as hearing and speech problems. The adverse effects of lead poisoning are irreversible Contact your child’s healthcare provider or attend this event to find out if your child is up to date.
For questions, you can contact the Vanderburgh County Health Department at 812-435-5662.
First Annual Reitz Rumble Brings Regional High School Football Action to Evansville
EVANSVILLE, IN – July 16, 2025 – The first annual Reitz Rumble kicks off Saturday, July 19, at Goebel Soccer Complex, bringing together 37 high school football teams from Indiana, Illinois,and Kentucky for a full day of summer competition. The 7-on-7 tournament begins at 9:00 AM, and admission is $5.
Several Evansville programs are set to compete, including Reitz, Mater Dei, Harrison, Central, andMemorial. With the official Indiana high school football season starting August 22, Reitz Rumble offers a unique opportunity to see local teams take the field in summer competition.
“We are excited about our 7-on-7 this Saturday,” said Reitz Head Coach Cory Brunson. “It’s a great opportunity for the city schools to play against schools from Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.We want to thank all of the sponsors — Tri-State Orthopedics, Explore Evansville and Buggy Bath
Car Wash. This is a great opportunity for people to come out and watch some football before the season gets going.”
The public is invited to come out, enjoy a full day of football, and support youth sports in our region
USI receives $150,000 NEEF Community Impact grant for outdoor educational enhancements
The University of Southern Indiana has received $150,000 through the Community Impact Project Grant Program of The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
The three-year project, “Nature’s Classroom: Bridging Education and Recreation at The University of Southern Indiana,” will create educational enhancements to USI’s trails and 730-acre nature preserve, supporting K through 12 students, USI students and other trail users.
The enhancements will include a large ADA-compliant outdoor learning pavilion with seating for up to 30 participants; a nature trail extension with footbridge connecting the area to USI’s trail network; interpretive signs, developed collaboratively with USI faculty, K-12 teachers, and community subject-matter experts, to educate trail users about local geology, ecosystems, and biodiversity; and grab-and-go outdoor learning kits for environmental education. The foot bridge will be designed and built by a team of USI engineering students with decommissioned telephone poles donated by CenterPoint Energy.
A Citizen Science initiative will engage local community members in real-world environmental research. Special outreach will target Title I schools by providing transportation, supplies and lunch for students. Volunteers, including USI alumni, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) employees, and community members will assist with trail expansion, native plant beds installation and programming.
Among the goals of the project is to educate the broader community through free public events and targeted outreach. Events like Earth Day, World Environment Day, National Public Lands Day and/or USI Environmental Science Day will feature hands-on activities, guided hikes, Citizen Science demonstrations and family-friendly exhibits. Community members will be invited to connect with nature on the trails and learn about environmental stewardship.
The pavilion and trails will be integral to USI’s summer STEM camps held annually with the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana. The new outdoor learning pavilion and trail will also support K-12 field trips during the academic year. The University hosts hundreds of students annually from urban and rural schools, engaging them with numerous hands-on environmental education experiences.
A public kick-off event for the grant-funded improvements is being planned for fall 2025.
