FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Hoosiers Represent in Big Ten Watchlist
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Four members of the Indiana swimming and diving team featured in the Big Ten Swimmers and Divers to Watch list, announced by the conference office on Tuesday (Sept. 23).
Senior Owen McDonald, juniors Miranda Grana and Ella Roselli and freshman Josh Hedberg represented in the preseason watchlist ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The reigning Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, McDonald was the conference’s top-scoring swimmer at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships as the team finished third. McDonald earned podium finishes in all three events, including a third-place performance in the 200 IM. McDonald also swept his events at the Big Ten Championships.
Grana is the top-scoring returner for a women’s team that finished a program-record fourth at the 2025 NCAA Championships. She placed third in the 100-yard backstroke, fourth in the 100-yard butterfly – setting program records in both events – as well as ninth in the 200-yard backstroke. Grana also captured Big Ten titles in the 100 fly and 400 medley relay.
Roselli also contributed important points to the women’s historic national finish, scoring in both the 1-meter springboard and platform diving events. At Big Tens, Roselli medaled for the second consecutive season on 1-meter and scored on 3-meter and platform.
Hedberg joins the top diving program in the country after a decorated junior career. The freshman has already competed for the senior national team at three World Aquatics Championships in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Hedberg is a 10-time junior national champion, six-time senior national champion and two-time world junior champion.
The Hoosiers kick off the 2025-26 season Friday (Sept. 26) morning, hosting Florida inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.
Mayor Stephanie Terry, Rep. Alex Burton, and Councilor Ben Trockman to Speak at Disability Town Hall in Evansville
Evansville, IN — The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC) invites community members to join an upcoming Disability Town Hall on Tuesday, September 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM CT at the DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville.
This free event will feature a Policymaker Q&A with the following panelists:
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Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry
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State Representative Alex Burton
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Retired Toyota Executive Ted Brown
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Evansville City Council President Ben Trockman
The panelists will speak directly with the disability community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and engage on issues that matter most to Hoosiers with disabilities.
Discussion topics will include healthcare, transportation, and other key priorities that impact the independence and quality of life of people with disabilities.
“Events like this town hall are essential in ensuring that policymakers hear directly from the disability community about the barriers and solutions that affect their daily lives,” said Mike Foddrill, Executive Director of INSILC.
The event is sponsored by AARP Indiana.
ASL interpreters and CART services will be provided. Additional accommodation requests can be directed to Info@INSILC.org.
Registration: This event is free and open to the public. Register online at: https://form.jotform.com/252234731471149
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
ROOM 307, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
NOON
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. MEETING MEMORANDUM: September 3, 2025 (September 17, 2025, meeting was
Canceled. No Quorum.)
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Lindsey
Byrley. – Bedwell
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Jeremy
Wolfe. – Bedwell
4. OLD BUSINESS
N/A
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Vann Park Neighborhood Association request permission to add a Pavillion in
Vann Park. – Crook
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute CenterPoint Easement (WS65) for Mesker Park Drive and
Wimberg Drive. – Bouseman
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Fendrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
d. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Helfrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
e. Request Re: Award DeBra Kuempel the Rooftop Unit Replacement for Swonder
Ice Arena. – Lord
f. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swonder Concession Agreement with Legacy
Hospitality & Entertainment Group. – Lord
g. Request Re: Award and Execute agreement with Midwest Contracting and Maintenance
Inc. for Wesselman Park Playground Restroom. – Crook
h. Request Re: Permission to conduct annual deer hunt at Wesselman Nature Center.
– Walsh
i. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comment.
6. REPORTS
Danielle Crook- Executive Director
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
8. ADJOURN
Rep. O’Brien hosting College Readiness Webinar
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 22, 2025) – State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) is hosting a “College Readiness Webinar” scheduled for Oct. 1, in partnership with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), to assist high school seniors navigating college applications and financial aid.
O’Brien said this webinar will offer students and parents more insight into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College program, and state student assistance options like the 21st Century Scholars program and the Frank O’Bannon Grant.
“High school seniors who are thinking about their post-graduation plans and applying for colleges can take advantage of this free webinar,” O’Brien said. “The goal is to help make the financial aid process as seamless as possible for students and parents.”
College Readiness Webinar
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. CDT
Location: Virtual
O’Brien, who is chair of the House Ways and Means K-12 Subcommittee, noted that participants must register by 4 p.m. CDT, Oct. 1, which can be completed by clicking here or visiting O’Brien’s website.
FSSA relaunches Money Follows the Person
The Bureau of Disabilities Services is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Money Follows the Person effective September 1,2025. Indiana’s Money Follows the Person is an enhanced federally funded demonstration through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assist qualifying individuals in moving from institutions to return to their community of choice.
The MFP program was developed to help states move individuals from institutional settings to home-and community-based settings of their choice. Money Follows the Person has been funded to support 345 waiver slots across the PathWays for Aging waiver, the Health & Wellness waiver, and the Community Integration and Habilitation waiver between now and the end of calendar year 2025.
Individuals interested in Indiana’s Money Follows the Person Program should contact their local BDS office and/or local AAA for additional information and steps to apply.
Lt. Governor Beckwith, OCRA announce North Vernon as 2025 PreservINg Main Street community
NORTH VERNON, Ind. (Sept. 22, 2025) – The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced North Vernon as the 2025 PreservINg Main Street community. The PreservINg Main Street grant will provide the community with up to $2 million to revitalize historic buildings in the downtown district.
“Indiana’s historic Main Streets consist of more than just buildings,” Lieutenant Governor Beckwith said. “They are a symbol of community pride. Congratulations to North Vernon for creating opportunity, growth and prosperity.”
PreservINg Main Street is a joint effort between OCRA, Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. The multifaceted community development program is designed to build a sustainable historic preservation community ethic, increase local capacity for Main Street programs and serve as a comprehensive downtown revitalization model.
“Congratulations to North Vernon on this great achievement,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. “The community’s pride and enthusiasm for the PreservINg Main Street grant opportunity was evident during the site visit. Our team at OCRA looks forward to working with North Vernon and seeing how this program transforms the downtown corridor.”
A Historic Preservation Commission will be formed by the community as a result of the grant program. Additionally, through the program, North Vernon will create enhanced design guidelines in conjunction with Indiana Landmarks to tell North Vernon’s story with the help of Indiana Humanities.
“For the past four years, Indiana Humanities has been proud to partner with OCRA and Indiana Landmarks on the PreservINg Main Street Grant,” said George Hanlin, director of grants at Indiana Humanities. “Not only has the grant helped to save important structures in the recipients’ downtown districts, it has also brought communities together to learn history, tell stories, and celebrate shared bonds, which has had a hugely positive impact.”
Through this grant, North Vernon Main Street and the City of North Vernon will continue the momentum of downtown redevelopment already taking place and gain the energy needed to bring residents and visitors to the Main Street district.
“Indiana Landmarks is pleased to partner with OCRA and Indiana Humanities on the PreservINg Main Street initiative to revitalize and sustain our historic downtowns,” says Mark Dollase, vice president of Preservation Services. “North Vernon was the ideal selection for this program, showing a combination of need, planning and enthusiasm. We look forward to working with the community to preserve its historic character and strengthen their small businesses.”
All PreservINg Main Street projects must be completed by December 2027.
This Week at USI
UPCOMING EVENTS
This Week at USI
Now through Friday, September 26
USI to waive application fee September 21-26
As part of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s annual College GO! campaign, the University of Southern Indiana invites Indiana students to submit their undergraduate admission applications for free, Sunday through Friday, September 21-26.
2-3:30 p.m. Monday, September 22
USI Romain College of Business to host Silicon Valley entrepreneur to kickoff Romain Market Makers Speaker Series
The USI Romain College of Business is proud to welcome David Siminoff, noted Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor and innovator, as the inaugural speaker in the College’s new Romain Market Makers Speaker Series.
1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23
USI Center for Communal Studies Lecture Series presents Dr. Tristra Newyear September 23
The USI Center for Communal Studies is excited to offer a presentation by Dr. Tristra Newyear, Chief Strategy Officer at Rock Paper Scissors in Bloomington, Indiana, titled Radical Women in Early Indiana. The presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 in Kleymeyer Hall (LA 0101), located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. This event is open to the public at no charge and will also be offered online via Zoom.
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23
USI College of Liberal Arts to present poetry reading by Ruth Awad and Natalie Louise Tombasco
The USI College of Liberal Arts is proud to present A Celebration of Poetry: a reading and reception with Ruth Awad and Natalie Louise Tombasco from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 in the USI Performance Center. The poets will read from their recently released collections, followed by a brief Q&A and the opportunity to purchase books and have them signed by the authors. This event is open to the public at no charge.
3 p.m. Friday, September 26
USI Multicultural Center to host 15th annual Essence of Excellence Summit
The 15th annual USI Multicultural Center (MCC) Essence of Excellence Summit will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, September 26 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. This year’s theme, “Developing Your Blueprint,” aims to provide all college students knowledge, tools and skills to achieve better versions of themselves.
SAVE THE DATE
October 16
USI to celebrate Inauguration of fifth President, Steven J. Bridges, October 16
The public is cordially invited to attend the Inauguration of Steven J. Bridges as the fifth President of USI and first alumnus in the role. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 16 in Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles. Doors will be open at 9 a.m., and guests should be seated by 10:15 a.m. Attendance is free and seating will be open, but those who plan to attend the ceremony are asked to RSVP at https://www.usi.edu/inauguration/inauguration-rsvp. Following the ceremony, a luncheon for all guests will be held in the adjacent Screaming Eagles Complex.
October 24
USI to host Health Professions Day for high school students October 24
The USI Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a Health Professions Day for high school juniors and seniors exploring careers in healthcare on Friday, October 24. The day will incorporate hands-on experiences within various health professions programs, as well as interaction with USI faculty and current students.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Released Monday, September 15
USI sees third year of freshmen enrollment growth, increase in graduation rates
For the third year in a row, the University has reported an increase in first-time freshmen enrollment. The Fall 2025 entering class includes 1,367 first-time freshmen, a 3.5% increase over 2024, building on last year’s 3.0% rise and continuing a positive trend of growing and academically well-prepared incoming classes.
Released Tuesday, September 16
USI celebrated 60th anniversary at annual Founders’ Day reception September 15
The University celebrated 60 years at its annual Founders’ Day event on Monday, September 15. The reception, which took place in Carter Hall on campus, hosted nearly 150 attendees made up of USI employees, students and retirees.
HOT JOBS
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