USDA invests $4.2 million to renovate Boonville water utility system

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Culture

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's $10 million investment in Indiana, the city of Boonville will receive more than $4.2 million to renovate the city's water utility system. .

The USDA announced a statewide initiative to improve Indiana's water and wastewater infrastructure Friday. The Warrick County seat will benefit from a $3,657,000 million loan and a $629,000 grant to improve the system for the Boonville Water Utility service area.

UE chili bowl sale supports nonprofit, brings art to community

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Culture, Education

As the barricades surrounding the hundreds of bowls were removed, local chili-goers were off to the races at the annual Clay Club Chili Bowl Sale.

Nearly 200 Evansville residents ripped through the rope and tape barriers in front of the University of Evansville's Hyde Hall lawn for the annual sale benefitting Bread of Life Ministry and the Clay Club.

EVSC students participate in refugee camp simulation

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Culture

Area students were given a chance to get a small dose of what it might feel like to be a refugee during a simulation experience Wednesday.

With funding from the Public Education Foundation (PEF), Harrison High School hosted "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" refugee camp simulation experience for Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corp. students early Wednesday.

Movie Review: 'Joker'

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film

“Joker” wasn’t the movie I expected.

Going into one of the year’s most anticipated films, I questioned if director Todd Phillips, known for quirky comedies like “Old School” and “The Hangover,” could helm a film of this magnitude. And he did.

Phillips, paired with strong performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro, seamlessly captured what’s made DC's most popular villain so appealing. Compared to other comic book films, the Phoenix-led “Joker” is almost unrecognizable -- in the best ways possible.

UE, students help reinstate local music program

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education, Music

Joshua Academy's music program was disbanded in 2017 due to a lack of funding but has been brought back to life with the help of students from the University of Evansville.

At the start of the academic year, a group of UE students started working with staff and students at the Evansville charter school to help reestablish their music program.

Remembering Bunny, Evansville's beloved elephant, two decades since she left the city

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Culture

It's been 20 years since Evansville's beloved attraction left the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden — Sept. 29, 1999. The Asian elephant, affectionately named Bunny, was a mainstay at the zoo.

After being captured in Burma, Bunny arrived in Evansville in 1954. Over the next 45 years, she grew from her 4 foot and 450-pound-frame to a hulking 7,800-pound creature and was one of Mesker Park Zoo's biggest attractions.

EVSC board members dispute over secrecy and meeting litigations

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

Ann Ennis, a member of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. School Board, couldn't get answers to her questions about workman's compensation for EVSC staff during a regularly-scheduled board meeting on Sept. 9.

So Ennis — an elected official — filed for a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) with EVSC. After several days, the school corporation approved her request giving her access to the information. But she's still concerned about communication and transparency.

Former 'Carver kid' returns to Evansville for annual celebration

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Culture

Ondra Berry never lost sight of the lessons he learned growing up in Evansville and being a part of the Carver Community Organization.

As a former "Carver kid, Berry's participation in the community-based organization helped mold him to become the man he is today. All that has come full circle as Berry, now an inspirational speaker, is coming back to speak about that impact at Carver's annual meeting and luncheon Friday.

EVSC ILEARN scores suggest link between poverty and student performance

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

Results from Indiana's new online assessment suggest a correlation between poverty levels and student performance in Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. schools.

The data from the Indiana Board of Education, released Sept. 4, showed a large disparity between low and high poverty schools and their online assessment scores.

RAMP program boasting early impact on Evansville high school students

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.'s latest initiative seems to have made an early impact on high school students.

Tuesday officials from EVSC and local food processing company AmeriQual along with students from RAMP — Real-World Application; Maximizing Potential — spoke about the new work-based learning program's success since its launch in August.

Record growth continues in graduate enrollment at USI

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

For the seventh consecutive semester, graduate enrollment at the University of Southern Indiana has increased to record-setting growth while overall enrollment decreased by 2.6 percent.

Since 2016, graduate student numbers have surpassed those established in USI's 54-year history. And now at 1,537 graduate students, graduate enrollment has increased 6.1 percent compared to last year.

EVSC school board address recent ILEARN scores

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. superintendent David Smith said although raw data from the ILEARN results may not have looked positive, schools in the district have improved remarkably.

During Monday’s school board meeting, Smith told the board and those attending the meeting that the district’s test results have steadily increased since 2010, as he cited the EVSC’s placement among other public and private schools in the region.

Evansville celebrates opening of new Ascension St. Vincent YMCA

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community

Larry Miller's eyes widened as he witnessed the ribbon cutting of the new Ascension St. Vincent YMCA Downtown on Thursday afternoon.

For Miller, who said he helped build the former Downtown YMCA, the ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house symbolized something beyond the building's updated features and freshly buffed floors.

ILEARN test scores impact Evansville students, teachers and families

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

Testing stress isn't limited to just the day of the exam. Parents, students and teachers report an impact from standardized tests like the ISTEP and ILEARN for months leading up to the exam and even afterward.

One Evansville parent even considered opting her son out of the ILEARN last year because it caused so much anxiety and turmoil for her son.

Dating Beyond Borders: How to maintain a relationship abroad

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Culture, Travel

It’s hard enough to maintain a long distance relationship. So, imagine the difficulties with one split by international waters.

Considering the lack of frequent visits, consistent communication and intimate moments, it’s almost impossible to picture a romance like that lasting beyond the short-lived stages of fascination.

So, how does a relationship like this work?

Dating Beyond Borders: Can open relationships work?

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Culture, Travel

Today’s generation is filled with some unique romantics.

Among the tens of millions of people in long distance relationships, nearly 33% are college students and young adults. And as they’ve begun to establish long-term unions, “traditional” relationship standards have since changed.