Good morning, Evansville.

Thursday, an Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation bus carrying students nearly collided head-on with a car in downtown Evansville at 2:47 p.m.—authorities confirmed no injuries and temporarily closed part of 2nd Street for cleanup.

ASM Global sent a letter stating 248 employees at Old National Events Plaza will be laid off effective Aug.

31—most of whom will move to the new operator, VenuWorks, which takes over management Sept. 1. Evansville officials approved the change to prevent higher costs for taxpayers.

An Evansville man set off a sparkler bomb near Lloyd Expressway construction on Tuesday—he was arrested for several felony charges after the explosion struck a road worker.

Joshua Messic was arrested in Evansville after he set off a homemade sparkler bomb at a construction site on North Elm Street and now faces charges for possessing a destructive device and criminal recklessness—INDOT workers reported a loud explosion that sent debris hitting one worker but no injuries were reported, and Messic admitted lighting the device to protest noise.

Evansville police will increase patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints from Aug.

16 through Aug. 30 to warn drivers ahead of Labor Day weekend—part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The move comes as rising numbers of impaired driving incidents prompt tighter enforcement in the area.

A mosquito sample from Evansville has tested positive for West Nile Virus, marking the first case in the county this year.

The Vanderburgh County Health Department urges residents to use EPA-registered repellent plus cover exposed skin and remove standing water from their property.

Ascension St. Vincent celebrated the completion of its $16.8M labor and delivery renovation project with a blessing ceremony this week—hospital staff, families, and community members gathered on the third floor after five years and six phases of construction that created six large private family suites for C-section patients. Hospital officials said the upgrades will improve patient comfort and caregiver workflow.

Steps For Sobriety

8-10 a.m. — Garvin Park — $30 entry — Participate in a community race to support addiction recovery efforts and help raise funds for the Substance Abuse Council.

8th Annual Furry Friends Summer Pet Hike

10-11:30 a.m. — John James Audubon State Park — Free entry — Explore the wooded Pet Trail with your furry friends during this annual hike.

PDEVV Hub Parkinson's Disease Symposium

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM — Deaconess Gateway Conference Center — Free entry — Engage with experts on living well with Parkinson's and enjoy a complimentary meal.

River City Rodeo

5:30-7 p.m. — Vanderburgh 4-H Center — $25, kids 6 and under free — Experience professional rodeo excitement with bull riding, barrel racing, and more.

Fall Fitness Fair

10 a.m. — Wesselman Woods — Free event — Discover local wellness options at this vibrant community gathering.

Victory International Film Festival

Various times — Showplace Cinemas Evansville East 20 — $2,500 cash prizes — Celebrate creativity and storytelling with workshops, screenings, and networking opportunities.