(photo courtesy of Evansville Regional Economic Partnership)

Happy Friday, Evansville, and welcome back to the Friday Focus!

I want to begin this week with a heartfelt thank you to the men and women in our public safety departments who go above and beyond every year to keep the Fall Festival safe and successful. From early mornings to late nights, your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed.

And to everyone who makes the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival what it is - the organizers, the hundreds of booth workers, and the thousands of visitors who come out each year: Thank you for helping create one of Evansville’s most cherished community celebrations. It’s a great time for a great cause (actually, for many great causes), and it represents the very best of who we are as a city.

Our office had the chance to visit the Fall Festival together on Monday, and after that, the week stayed busy across city government. From meeting with department heads and the economic development team at E-REP, to connecting with community organizations like the Wartime Museum and United Caring Shelter, it was a week full of collaboration and progress.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• 2026 City Budget Adopted. Monday night, the Evansville City Council passed our 2026 City Budget. This budget focuses on the essentials: public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization. It does that while also preparing our city for long-term growth. Next week, we’ll share more about what’s included: a deeper look at the key investments residents will notice most in the coming year. You’ll see that in our social media post and a special newsletter on Monday, and in a new budget section on our website.
• Leadership at Animal Care & Control. I announced the new Director of Evansville Animal Care & Control: longtime 2nd Ward City Councilor Missy Mosby. After 18 years serving her constituents, Missy will step down from the Council and begin her new role on October 27. She’ll become the first director of a standalone Animal Care & Control Department, which now reports directly to the Mayor’s Office instead of operating under the Department of Transportation & Services. This change builds on our recent improvements, including reduced hold times, a foster-to-adopt program, and updates to the city’s animal control ordinance. You can read more about Missy’s appointment here.
• Franklin Lofts Groundbreaking. On Tuesday, we broke ground on 56 new, market-rate apartments in the historic Hercules Plow building along the Pigeon Creek Greenway. This exciting project, which is made possible through collaboration among E-REP; developers John Clark and Aaron Gabe; and the Lilly Endowment Initiative, represents the largest housing investment in the Franklin Street area in decades. It’s another step forward in closing Evansville’s housing gap and strengthening one of our most vibrant corridors.
• Building Interfaith Connections. On Wednesday, I met with members of the Mayor’s Interfaith Council, who are planning the city’s second annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on November 19 at First Presbyterian Church. Look to hear more about our Thanksgiving Food Drive soon. I’m so grateful for this group’s work to bring people of all faiths together in gratitude and community.
• Investing in Our Youth. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with the 2025–2026 Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, an extraordinary group of young leaders from across our city. Already, the council includes two students who have been recognized as Fall Fest/West Side Nut Club Youth of the Day, and five students who will spend their Fall Break going on a college tour with the YWCA’s Booker T. Washington Club. Their energy, insight, and commitment to service give me great confidence in Evansville’s future.

Thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to read the Friday Focus. To keep up with city news daily, follow both the City of Evansville – Government page and my Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry page on Facebook, and join us on Instagram and YouTube.

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, The City Brief, to get city updates right in your inbox at the beginning of each month - or on special occasions, like this coming Monday, when we’ll send out a Budget 2026 special edition.

Have a wonderful weekend, Evansville!