Bitcoin ATM ordinance
Over the past year, the EPD Financial Crimes Unit has worked closely with Evansville City Councilor Mary Allen and the AARP to draft a city ordinance to address the growing problem of Evansville citizens falling victim to scams that utilize “Bitcoin ATMs” (a.k.a. Virtual Currency Kiosks) as a way of sending funds to scammers. The occurrences of these incidents in Evansville have almost doubled every year. In the past 12 months, victims have lost more than $400,000, with the average victim losing about $13,000
There are about 70 Bitcoin ATMs in Evansville, mostly in gas stations and stores. Scammers use these machines because money sent through them is quick, anonymous, and impossible to get back. These machines often charge the user a 10-50% fee or markup of the total transaction. Many consumers are scam victims who are not aware of the cost and don’t realize they are sending money to a scammer.
This week, the Evansville City Council voted to approve the new rule (Evansville Municipal Code – Chapter 8.45). It will take effect once the mayor signs it. Penalties for breaking the rule range from $100 to $500. The rule requires kiosk operators to:
• Display signage on the machines that warns users about being a victim of a scam
• Operate machines that provide the user with a physical receipt
• Maintain a customer service line with a visible number on the machine
• Maintain a dedicated line of communication for law enforcement
are a victim of a scam, please contact EPD by dialing 812-436-7956 or 911.
Aces set for weekend home tournament
Six matches to take place over the next two days
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A busy home weekend is on tap when the University of Evansville volleyball welcomes UAB, Western Illinois, and Morehead State in its home tournament. UE faces the Blazers and Leathernecks on Friday before completing the weekend versus the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
Recapping the Weekend
– In its trip to the GSU Invitational, the Purple Aces picked up victories over Florida A&M and Queens before dropping the weekend finale against Georgia State
– Chloe Cline and Josdarilee Caraballo registered 11 kills apiece in the triumph over the Rattlers while McKenzie Laubach’s 24 kills paced UE to the 3-1 win over the Royals
Approaching 1,000
– Ainioah Cruz opens the weekend just three digs shy of 1,000 in her career
– Cruz is the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 4.59 digs per set in UE’s four matches last week
– At the GSU Invitational, Cruz finished the weekend with an average of 5.38 digs
– Her season average of 5.16 is second in the MVC
Career Mark
– McKenzie Laubach put forth the top effort of her collegiate career against Queens as she tallied 24 kills
– The effort lifted her season average fo 2.27 per set, which ranks 21st in the MVC
– She opened the weekend with seven kills against Florida A&M
Block Party
– Sabrina Ripple has enjoyed a strong start to her sophomore campaign
– With an average of 1.13 blocks per set, Ripple ranks sixth in the MVC
– She has multiple blocks in each match and put forth the top performance of her career versus Purdue Fort Wyane as she had three solo and four block assists
– Offensively, she has six or more kills in five of her six contests
Scouting the Opposition
– Evansville opens the weekend against UAB who opens the weekend with a 4-2 mark
– The Blazers were 3-0 in their home tournament last weekend defeating USC Upstate, Tennessee Tech, and UNA
– Friday evening’s match will see the Aces take on Western Illinois
– The Leathernecks open play at 1-5 with their victory coming over Austin Peay last weekend
– Morehead State will mark the final opponent of the weekend
– The Eagles are 3-3 on the year with wins over St. John’s, UIC, and Radford
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.
Shepherd’s Brace Helps Aces Earn Draw Against Xavier
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Evansville freshman Ben Shepherd (Denver, Colo./Arapahoe) netted his first career brace on Wednesday night, scoring in the 10th and 75th minutes to help the Aces earn a 3-3 draw against Xavier at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
Xavier jumped out to an early lead, as an Evansville foul in the box in the fourth minute led to a penalty kick that was buried by Cooper Forcellini. However, the Aces were quick to respond in the 10th minute, when a cross from Will Bencic (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) deflected off a Musketeers defender and found Shepherd, who put a shot in the back of the net to equalize.
The score remained knotted at one heading into the halftime break, but the Musketeers attack was quick to strike in the opening minutes of the second half. Despite a save by Aces keeper Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) in the 46th minute, the Musketeers pulled ahead two minutes later when Porcellini scored his second goal of the night.
The scoring subdued for the next 20-plus minutes of action, with both sides putting up two shots to no avail. However, the Aces struck in the 70th minute, when Shepherd found fellow freshman Andres Escudero (San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain/IES Joan Miro) on a through ball. Escudero put his first shot off the post, but was there for a second chance opportunity on an open net to score his first career goal and even things at two.
Once again, Xavier found a way to regain the lead, as George Waites scored just over a minute later to put the Musketeers ahead 3-2.
With his team again looking for the equalizer, Shepherd rose to the occasion in the 75th minute. Álvaro Timón (Toldeo, Spain/Valencia International University) found Shepherd at the top right side of the box, who unleashed a strike over the outstretched arms of the Xavier keeper and into the back the of net for his second goal of the net, tying the score at three. The brace was the first by an Evansville freshman since MVC Freshman of the Year Nacho Diaz Barragan in 2022.
Mroz helped UE hold on for the draw, coming up with a clutch save in the 89th minute on a Xavier scoring chance.
“I think any time you go down three times in a match and respond, you kind of have to take the result” said Head Coach Robbe Tarver. “I think we put a lot into the game, I think Xaiver put us in some tough spots, especially on the ball with their movement and connected a lot of passes. There were some good moments and bad moments, but ultimately, we can’t hang our heads about a 3-3 result.”
“I’m just proud of how much we put into the game. We can live with the results if we put in the effort, and I think we did tonight.”
Xavier out-shot Evansville 18-7 overall, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Mroz made a season-high four saves in goal for UE.
With the tie, Evansville moves to 0-2-4 on the season. The Aces will be back in action on Saturday, traveling across town to take on USI in the Mayor’s Cup. Kick-off is set for 7 PM.
September 11: A Day of Remembrance
The nation changed forever on September 11, 2001. Many Americans remember a country before and a country after, and for many young Americans, only a country after. Terrorist attacks causing tragic loss of life at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in sight of the nation’s capital, and a quiet field in southern Pennsylvania led to conversations and reflection on American identity, patriotism, security, and service that resonate today.
Gov. Mike Braun Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Remembrance of Victims of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun has directed that flags be flown at half-staff across the state of Indiana on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in observance of Patriot Day. Flags will be lowered at all state facilities from sunrise to sunset in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and in honor of the first responders who acted with courage to save countless lives.
Gov. Braun encourages all Hoosier businesses and residents to join in lowering their flags to honor the memory of the victims and show respect to the heroes of 9/11. |
Mayor Stephanie Terry Presents FY 2026 Budget to City Council
Mayor Stephanie Terry today delivered her proposed 2026 City of Evansville budget to the Evansville City Council, outlining a $140.2 million General Fund plan that prioritizes core city services while responding to new fiscal challenges created by changes to state tax policy.
The Council is scheduled to hold two public readings of the budget: the first at its September 22 meeting, and the second – including a final vote, with any Council-led changes – at its October 6 meeting.
“Budgets are about values,” Mayor Terry said in presenting her proposal. “This budget reflects what we hear consistently from our residents: Take care of the basics. Roads. Safety. Housing. Parks. And make government work better for the people we serve.”
The proposed general fund budget includes modest growth of only 1.6% over FY 2025, while continuing to support core priorities like: strong public safety, infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization, accessible housing, and efficient government services. That increase reflects a commitment to honoring union contracts, meeting cost-of-living adjustments, and covering rising costs in supplies, materials, equipment, and utilities.
It also builds on historic investments made in 2025, including increases to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expanded street paving, and new investments in public safety and parks.
The 2026 budget, however, is being delivered under new financial pressures. A recent change in state law, Senate Enrolled Act 1, reduces property taxes for homeowners but will cost the City of Evansville approximately $4.1 million in annual General Fund revenue next year.
“While tax relief is welcome news for many families, this particular law creates a serious budget gap for cities like ours,” said Mayor Terry. “And unfortunately, the options provided by the state involve raising income taxes, which would shift the burden to renters and working families who might not even benefit from the property tax cut.”
To address the shortfall without raising taxes, Mayor Terry proposed a three-part strategy:
- Strategic use of reserves, particularly casino revenues, to temporarily offset the impact;
- Operational efficiencies, including reduced capital spending, delayed vehicle replacements, and better use of internal resources;
- Ongoing innovation, including investments in technology, EMS services, and data-driven decision-making to modernize government operations.
Importantly, the proposal does not include any income tax increases or service reductions.
“We are tightening our belts where we can, protecting the services our community depends on, and continuing to fight for state-level fixes to SEA 1,” Mayor Terry said. “This is about responsible stewardship of our dollars, our infrastructure, and our future.”