Evansville Rescue Mission addressing hunger needs in Evansville
Evansville, IN – [11/3/25] – In light of the federal government shutdown and the resulting pause in SNAP benefits—compounded by rising food insecurity across the region—Evansville Rescue Mission (ERM) is stepping up its response and invites the media to a joint press conference with Tracy Gorman, President/CEO and Mayor Stephanie Terry on Monday at 2 p.m. at ERM’s Men’s Residence Center campus [500 E. Walnut Street].
With thousands of our neighbors expected to face reduced resources in the weeks ahead, ERM has already made preparations to serve significantly more meals during this time of need. In October 2025, the Mission served more than double the number of individuals compared to October 2024, and demand continues to rise.
“Always here for you”
helps us strengthen that commitment. — that’s our promise to the community, and every dollar donated directly This year’s Gobbler Gathering—ERM’s annual Thanksgiving food distribution—has seen a record-breaking response. Registration for food boxes filled all 2,300 available spots in record time, and calls for assistance are still pouring in daily. In response, ERM is expanding again to serve 2,500 families, marking a 300-family increase from last year’s 2,200-box distribution. Each box provides a full Thanksgiving meal to a local household, ensuring that no one goes without during the holiday season.
How You Can Help:
Make a financial gift via check, cash, or securely online at evansvillerescuemission.org.
Your donations stretch even further thanks to ERM’s strong supplier partnerships and bulk-purchasing power.
Share our mission with others and help ensure that every family in our community has a place at the table this Thanksgiving.
Mayor Terry and ERM leadership will discuss ongoing efforts to address hunger and how local agencies, donors, and volunteers are working together to meet the growing need.
About Evansville Rescue Mission
Founded in 1917, Evansville Rescue Mission exists to glorify God by meeting the basic needs of those in our community while offering hope through life-transforming programs and services. From shelter and meals to recovery and family support, ERM serves men, women, and children across the Tri-State region.
Colts legend Jeff Saturday teams up with IndianaUnclaimed.gov to snap missing money back to rightful owners
Attorney General Todd Rokita welcomes football icon to new role
Longtime Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, an all-time fan favorite, is helping Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office promote IndianaUnclaimed.gov to Hoosiers statewide.
“Retiring from football means more time for my hobbies, like baking and gardening, and it means watching my spending,” Saturday said. “That’s why I checked for unclaimed property at Indiana Unclaimed. It’s your money, and they want to give it back.”
Ads featuring Saturday will air on local radio and TV stations as well as across online digital platforms with a statewide reach.
To view and download a message from Attorney General Rokita and one of the new Jeff Saturday advertisements, click here.
“We want all Hoosiers to check IndianaUnclaimed.gov to see whether they have any cash waiting to be claimed,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We want Hoosiers to get their money back, so turning to a respected hometown hero like Jeff Saturday allows us to kick off our new efforts to promote IndianaUnclaimed.gov. It’s time for everybody to get in the game.”
Unclaimed property is any financial asset with no activity by its owner for an extended period of time. Examples of potential unclaimed property are:
- Unclaimed wages or commissions
- Money orders
- Safety deposit box contents
- Savings and checking accounts
- Refunds
- Overpayments such as:
- Credit card balances
- Cell phone bills
Attorney General Rokita’s Unclaimed Property Division is currently on a record-setting pace in 2025 for the amount of money reunited with rightful owners in a given year — with more than $77 million already returned so far.
State Rep. O’Brien: Hoosier families shouldn’t bear the weight of Washington’s gridlock
STATEHOUSE – As Congress remains stalled on passing a federal funding resolution, Hoosiers who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are facing uncertainty about their ability to put food on the table.
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) said Washington’s failure to act is creating uncertainty for nearly 600,000 Hoosiers who use SNAP benefits, an estimated 228,000 of whom are children. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) have warned Hoosiers that no SNAP benefits will be issued starting Nov. 1 until the federal shutdown ends.
“Hoosiers, including children, seniors and individuals with disabilities, are wondering if they will receive the benefits they depend on,” O’Brien said. “Washington has a job to do, and it is frustrating to see political gamesmanship taking precedence over the well-being of children and families.”
According to a report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Indiana could see slower economic growth and increased unemployment because of the shutdown. CEA estimates Indiana’s Gross State Product will decline by approximately $270 million each week as the shutdown extends, which could lead to an increase in unemployment of about 900 workers in a month-long shutdown.
O’Brien said that the challenges facing Indiana families during the federal shutdown are concerning and highlight how unnecessary gridlock in Washington, D.C. can create real hardship at home.
“Indiana has consistently passed balanced budgets and operated within our means for nearly two decades,” O’Brien said. “This is an avoidable situation, and it is past time for certain members of Congress to end the games and get back to work for the people they represent.”
O’Brien said he remains in contact with officials at FSSA to ensure local families are kept informed and supported as the situation evolves.
Vanderburgh County Council Meeting NOVEMBER 5, 2025
NOVEMBER 5, 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 – October 8, 2025
B. County Budget Adoption Meeting – October 8, 2025
| 6. | PERSONNEL REQUESTS: |
A. Auditor
1. Request to fill vacancy for Real Estate Clerk 10001020-102125
B. Sheriff
1. Request to fill vacancy for Deputy Sheriff 10001050-105142
C. Sheriff – USI
1. Request to fill vacancies for (3) Deputy Sheriffs 49850000-498501, 498502 and 498504
D. Prosecutor
1. Request to fill vacancy for Deputy Prosecutor 10001080-108117
2. Request to fill vacancy for Administrative & Outreach Coordinator 10001080-108120
E. Prosecutor IV-D – Child Support Division
1. Request to fill vacancies for (2) Enforcement Officers 10001400-140024 and 140028
F. Drug and Alcohol Deferral Service
1. Request to fill vacancy for Administrative Assistant/Office Manager 10001380-138114
G. Public Defender
1. Request to fill vacancy for (2) Public Defenders 10001420-142163 and 142188
H. Burdette Park
1. Request to eliminate one Campground Office Assistant position 10001450-145188, retitle and amend the hourly rate
I. Cumulative Bridge
1. Request to fill vacancy for Assistant Co Engineer 11350000-113510
2. Request to fill vacancy for Laborer 11350000-113520
J. Highway
1. Request to fill vacancy for Laborer 11760000-117646
K. Health Department – TANF
1. Request to fill vacancy for Community Health Worker II 84420000-844203
| 7. | APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: |
A. Recorder
B. Sheriff
C. Superintendent of County Buildings
D. Jail
E. CCPI – Work Release
F. Superior Court – County Offender Transportation
G. Convention Center Operations
H. Litter Clean Up – Work Release
| 8. | REPEALS – None |
| 9. | TRANSFERS: |
A. Sheriff
B. Prosecutor
C. Area Plan
D. Jail
E. Superior Court
F. Legal Aid
G. CCPI – Electronic Home Detention
H. CCPI – Treatment Court
I. Convention & Visitors Bureau
J. Cumulative Bridge
K. Local Roads & Streets
L. Highway
M. Riverboat – Commissioners
N. Assessor Reassessment – PTABOA
| 10. | OLD BUSINESS: |
A. Tax Phase-In Annual Compliance Report – SJIP, CrossPoint Polymer Technologies
| 11. | NEW BUSINESS: |
A. Preliminary Resolution CO.R-11-25-006 Property Tax Phase-In 8301 North Kentucky Avenue (Prokuma Properties) – Pat Hickey, Economic Development Director
B. Ordinance No. CO.11-25-021 Request to fund the Recorder’s office expenses out of the Records Perpetuation Fund
C. Burdette Park Batting cage grading project – Zach Wathen, Park Director
| 12. | AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE |
| 13. | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 14. | REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES: |
A. P&F Meeting – November 26th @3:00 PM
B. County Council Meeting – December 17th @3:00 PM
| 15. | ADJOURNMENT |
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
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners
DRAFT AGENDA
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners
November 4, 2025 – 9:30 a.m.
Room 301, Civic Center Complex
1. Call to Order
2. Attendance
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Action Items
A. Engineer
1. 1. Acceptance of Street Improvements: Willow Crossing Section 1
B. Superintendent of County Buildings
Amendment to Old Courthouse Lease Agreement: Laura Symon d/b/a Into the
Light Mental Health and Consulting Services, Inc.
2. Agreement with Wathen Environmental Services, LLC for Pigeon Abatement
Services at the Old Courthouse
C. D. United Neighborhoods of Evansville 2026 Agreement for Services
First Reading of Vacation Ordinance CO.V-11-25-002: A Petition to Vacate a Partial
Public Utility Easement at 424 Beringer Drive
5. Department Head Reports
6. New Business
A. Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) 3rd Quarter Report
7. Old Business
8. Consent Items
A. Approval of October 21, 2025, Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
B. Employment Changes
C. Auditor
1. Claims Voucher Reports
i. ii. October 20, 2025 – October 24, 2025
October 27, 2025 – October 31, 2025
D. Engineer
E. Sheriff
1. 1. Report and Claims
Request to Surplus 2015 Ford Taurus Interceptor and Transfer Title to
Muensterman’s Auto Services
F. Treasurer
G. H. I. J. 1. September 2025 Innkeeper’s Tax Report
Resolution of the Vanderburgh County Auditor Authorizing the Execution of the
Amended Wind Down Agreement by and between the Vanderburgh County Board of
Commissioners and ASM Global
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent for Access to County-
Owned Property: 1011 N Garvin
3rd Quarter 2025 County EMS Response Time Compliance
Community Corrections Advisory Board Appointments
i. Cherie Epley
Drainage Board Immediately Followingii. Chris Kiefer
iii. Claire Will
iv. Dan Haviza
v. Dee Lewis
vi. Donovan Phipps
vii. Heather Woods
viii. Jay Dickerson
ix. Jodi Uebelhack
x. Lauren Jones
xi. Nick Iaccarino
xii. Stephanie Powell
9. Public Comment
10. Adjournment
\
12. Members of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners
i. Justin Elpers, President – District 2
a. Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
ii. Amy Canterbury, Vice President – District 3
a. Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
iii. Mike Goebel, Member – District 1
a. Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Drainage Board Immediately Following
Collegebound Students in Southwest Indiana Can Receive Free FAFSA Filing Help at College Goal Sunday, Nov. 9 at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville
EVANSVILLE, IN – Financial aid professionals from area colleges will be at Ivy Tech Evansville’s Carter Library on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. to help individuals who are planning to go to college and their families, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This event is for individuals planning to go to ANY college in Indiana, not just Ivy Tech. Similar help sessions are being planned at 33 other sites in Indiana.
The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, many scholarships, and even federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. Filing must occur by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. Many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time consuming to complete, and often leads to students missing out on financial aid they would receive.
“This is one of many reasons College Goal Sunday is so important,” said Ivy Tech Financial Aid Director Caleb Fendrich. “In less than one afternoon during the event, students and their families get free help from the expert volunteers and file the form.”
Those attending will have the chance to win one of five $1,000 scholarships. Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The winners will be notified and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.
Now in its 37th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).
What students should bring
Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2024 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2024 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their completed 2024 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2024 income and benefits information.
Students and parent(s) are encouraged to set up their U.S. Department of Education StudentAid.govaccount at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.
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.
USI Women’s XC finishes 3rd at OVC Championships
Sophomore Hadessah Austin and junior Ellie Hall finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while junior Zoe Seward was 14th. Austin and Hall each earned first-team All-OVC honors for their performances, while Seward earned second-team All-Conference accolades.
Austin and Hall ran inside the top five to six places for the entirety of the race, while Seward moved up from 51st at the 750-meter checkpoint to 18th at the 2,100-meter mark. She ran inside the top 14 competitors for the final 3,000 meters.
Austin finished the six-kilometer course in 21 minutes, 15.31 seconds, while Hall posted a time of 21:16.97. Seward finished in 22:03.62.
Completing USI’s top five was freshman Lilyanna Blais and sophomore Cordelia Hoover, who were 27th and 30th, respectively, while sophomore Addison Applegate and freshman Mackenzi Thomas were 32nd and 38th to round out USI’s top seven.
As a team, the Screaming Eagles finished with 80 points, one behind second-place Southeast Missouri State University. Tennessee Tech University finished first with 60 points.
USI returns to action November 14 when it co-hosts the NCAA Division I Great Lakes Region Championships at Angel Mounds in Evansville, Indiana.