Ella Nelson

Phlebotomist June Newsome with the Vanderburgh County Health Department (right) finishes administering a lead test for 23-month old Phoenix Brookover held be her mother Brittany, on Wednesday Aug. 6. Tamara Teague, a lab director with the Health Department, (right) was assisting. The Health Department is offering free lead testing for children this month.

Vanderburgh County Health Department: ‘Being lead free helps children learn their ABC's’

Ella Nelson

Health Dept. hosting lead testing clinic in August; CDC estimates that approximately 500,000 children have blood lead levels at or above the blood lead reference value. The negative effects are irreversible.

EVSC Bus Driver Pam Hodges said she experiences stop arm violations regularly. Some drivers see it several times per day. Here, she waits for her Pre-K route to start in the EVSC bus lot in downtown Evansville.

ISP: 'zero tolerance' for speeding in a school zone or disregarding school bus stop arm

Ella Nelson

The Indiana State Police will have extra patrols during school hours looking for speeding, disregarding stop arms; some drivers see stop-arm violations regularly

Easterseals Early Learning Center students play with the big parachute, Tuesday July 29. They're indoors all day due to the heat.

Break in heatwave could spell relief for adults (and more outdoor recess for kids)

Ella Nelson

The midweek is expected to bring the peak of the tri-state heat wave; this has meant taking safety precautions for the most vulnerable, and those working outdoors in heat indexes over 100 degrees

The Evansville Parks Department hosted the Stevenson Park Dedication Wednesday. Many community members came out to celebrate in the heat with hot dogs, popsicles, games and the new playground equipment. This was another chance for the Evansville Police Department to meet the community.

'Transparent, open conversations extremely important in law enforcement right now'

Ella Nelson

Open talks between residents, police officers at the heart of the EPD summer events, provide an opportunity to connect with local law enforcement in a casual, laid back setting

The proposed sign would have been atop the Lincoln Garden restaurant (right), directly across from Lincoln Commons. The proposal was withdrawn Wednesday morning.

300 sq ft Electronic billboard proposal withdrawn

Ella Nelson

The University of Evansville and local neighborhood associations were against the proposed electronic billboard above the Lincoln Garden restaurant on the Southeast corner of Lincoln and Weinbach

A pedestrian walks past The Vault on Main site, downtown Evansville, Wednesday, July 2. The 4,700 square feet of first-floor retail space is constructed of steel beams.

What's going into Evansville’s The Vault on Main? We don’t know, but asked bystanders for ideas

Ella Nelson

Aside from 161 apartments, leasing for the commercial space in the building should be listed soon; no tenants have yet been announced for the former site of the 420 Main Street building

The audience of thousands watches the downtown Evansville Fireworks at the bank of the Ohio River July 4, 2022. Law enforcement is discouraging attendees from bringing their own fireworks to the event this year.

Dozens of firework displays planned in Evansville — including ‘Fireworks on the Ohio’ Downtown

Ella Nelson

Local law enforcement wants to remind people to take precautions to safely enjoy the holiday; residents are encouraged to keep firework safety in mind when watching and igniting their own

ARTSWIN Executive Director Anne McKim speaks at the 2024 ARTSWIN event. 2025 marks forty-four years since the first Mayor’s Art Award was given to William Gumberts in 1981.

Variety, diversity, reflected in 2025 ARTSWIN Art Awards

Ella Nelson

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is recognizing nine individuals and groups at their annual Art Award ceremony this year; recipients have made an impact on the art community of Evansville

At the June 6 2025 meeting, the Western Kentucky University Board of Regents approved the next WKU budget, extended the university president's contract, and approved the introduction of an AI-centered certificate.

WKU Regents add AI certificate, nix Computer Information Science Minor

Ella Nelson

Western Kentucky University has introduced certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Analytics; certificate will be offered through the Gordon Ford College of Business at WKU this fall

Toiletries donated at the Old National downtown Evansville branch.

ONB, VOA run successful high-impact donation drive for Veterans Appreciation Month

Ella Nelson

The Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana finished a donation drive in partnership with Old National Bank; the donated items will be given to veterans in need throughout the year