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Evansville commissioners praise Dust Bowl turnout, plan officiating training and youth outreach after shooting incidents
Summary
At its June 26 meeting, the Evansville City Commission reviewed this year’s Dust Bowl youth basketball event, discussed officiating and scorekeeping training and partnerships with the University of Evansville, noted two shooting incidents tied to recent community events, and set plans for the Million Father March on Aug. 8, 2025.
Evansville City commissioners on June 26, 2025, reviewed this year’s Dust Bowl youth basketball event, discussed proposals for officiating and scorekeeping training and expanded youth outreach, and noted recent shooting incidents connected to a Dust Bowl event and a nearby house party.
Commissioner Calvert, who led much of the discussion of the Dust Bowl, said the organizers improved marketing and media coverage this year and handled weather disruptions successfully. “I thought it was excellent,” Calvert said, pointing to game footage, week-by-week MVP and defensive-player recognition, and vendor participation as highlights.
The commission discussed proposals to add officiating and scorekeeping as formal elements of next year’s Dust Bowl to provide career and mentoring pathways for young people. Commissioners outlined a basic process for becoming a licensed official that includes an online application, rule literature and case-study materials, and a fee discussed in the meeting of about $70 to cover training materials. Commissioners proposed pairing local officials with young people in an on-court officiating camp and creating scoring/clock-training opportunities during the event.
Commissioners also discussed outreach partnerships with the University of Evansville. A commissioner said he had spoken with Coach Ragland of the University of Evansville, who indicated timing and roster constraints may limit how many university players can assist, but that some participation might still be possible depending on schedules.
The commission set the Million Father March for Aug. 8, 2025, and discussed which schools to visit; Glenwood and Lincoln were mentioned, and commissioners said they would explore adding Bosse High School and other high schools beyond their usual middle-school stops. The group also discussed event apparel (shirts, hats) and noted leftover hats from the prior year.
Commissioners discussed public-safety concerns tied to recent events. Calvert reported that at the end of the Dust Bowl a young man was struck over the head with a gun and that two individuals were apprehended using a drone; Calvert said Officer Culver was not present to offer additional details at the meeting. Separately, commissioners referenced a shooting at a house party at the annex a few weeks earlier and said they would follow up with public-safety staff for more information.
Other community-program updates included the Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative, where commissioners said they met with a contact named Virgil and plan to emphasize mental-health components in future outreach; SEMA staff reported a swim program in partnership with the local YWCA teaching about 25 children and said Camp Carson will host an overnight program in August. SEMA staff also said a new space on Eighth Street is being built out and is expected to be completed in roughly four months.
The commission formally adopted minutes from the May 22, 2025, meeting by voice vote during the session and later moved to adjourn. No additional formal votes on policy, budget, or contracts were recorded during the meeting.
