Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) will host the first annual Holiday Used Cooking Oil Drive on Saturday, November 27, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will be held at the parking lot behind the Civic Center next to C.K. Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut Street.

EWSU is partnering with American Grease and Septic to offer a place for Evansville residents to properly dispose of used cooking oil generated while preparing this year’s Thanksgiving meal. The service is being provided at no cost to residents.

The cooking oil drive is for residential grease only, such as frying oil, meat drippings, canola oil, corn oil, lard, olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, and vegetable oil. No petroleum oil waste will be accepted.

Residents should enter the parking lot from behind the Newsome center on Elsas Ave. Representatives from American Grease and Septic will set up barrels for residents to dispose of used cooking oil, and a dumpster will be available to discard empty containers. Residents will exit the parking lot onto Walnut Street. (see map below)

“It’s important for residents to dispose of fats, oils and grease properly and not pour it down the drain and into the city’s sewer system,” said EWSU Regulatory Compliance Coordinator Matt McBride. “This type of material, called FOG, can solidify and clog sewer pipes resulting in sewer backups and costly repairs for homeowners and the Utility.”

Stay Safe and Snug and Save Money

How about some hot tips to handle the winter cold? You can improve your heating system and warm up to safety and savings.

 Fuel to heat our homes can mean high bills. And heating increases the risks of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning. But a heating system that works efficiently can mean more warmth, more safety—and more money left for other things.

The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission, Evansville Fire Department, Vanderburgh County township fire departments, American Red Cross, CenterPoint Energy and your local heating and air conditioning contractors want to alert the citizens of Evansville and Southwestern Indiana to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and explosion from a malfunctioning furnace, a blocked flue or chimney, a broken gas line or inadequate air for combustion.

There may be hidden damage to your furnace, gas piping, flue or chimney. We are recommending that all citizens have their furnaces, space heaters, ranges, water heaters, gas lines, chimneys, flues and other heating equipment checked by a licensed heating contractor without delay. (You should do this every year.) You will protect yourself and your family this winter and save on heating bills.

Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the air we breathe when fuel-burning equipment is operating and the vent or chimney is obstructed or there is not enough air to let the equipment burn fuel efficiently. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless and catches its victims unaware, sometimes as they sleep. If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem, leave your home and call 911 or your local fire department.

Families in Evansville and across the country have been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, and many others have become seriously ill. Symptoms may be similar to the flu, including headache, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. There may be chest pain, fatigue and confusion. But you may go to sleep and never wake up.

Always use portable generators outdoors, far away from the home and any openings. Don’t use a range or oven for heat. Candle fires also have killed families. Be careful using candles during power outages and other times! And make a family fire escape plan.

The American Red Cross reminds you to use supplemental heating sources according to directions. (Don’t use extension cords or power strips with space heaters.)

Help alert your family with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Regularly test the alarms and change any batteries, and replace the alarms as directed. Your local fire department may be able to check your alarms and replace them free.

THEY CAN HELP

 Evansville Urban Enterprise Association offers free carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms, while supplies last, to residents of the Enterprise Zone and the service areas outside the zone who have not received them in the past. Phone (812) 426-2490.

 American Red Cross will provide in-home disaster and home fire safety education, test your smoke alarms and replace up to three if needed, and supply specialty alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing. Phone (888) 684-1441.

 Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) handles the Indiana Weatherization Assistance Program in Vanderburgh, Posey and Gibson counties. (Every county in Indiana has an agency for the weatherization program.)  CAPE may repair or replace faulty heating equipment and make other energy-efficient improvements. CAPE also helps with heating bills. CAPE has income limits. Phone (812) 425-4241.

 Memorial Community Development Corp. offers emergency home repairs. The program covers repairs urgently needed to protect the residents. Homes must be owner-occupied, and there are income limits. Phone (812) 424-8627 or email housing@memorialcdc.org.

 Community One assists homeowners with major home repairs, including furnace repair or replacement, roof repair or replacement and ramp construction. A homeowner must live in the home and is expected to help pay for the project as financially able. Phone (812) 213-4202 or email info@community1.org.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee may provide loans to qualified homeowners for needed housing improvements. The program may repair or replace heating units and make other winter-related improvements. The owner must occupy the home and meet income and other qualifications. Phone the Department of Metropolitan Development at (812) 436-7823.

CenterPoint Energy has details on energy-saving products, income-qualified weatherization and energy assessments, and rebates for purchases of qualifying furnaces, programmable thermostats and insulation. Phone (866) 240-8476 or visit centerpointenergy.com/saveenergy.

Handy Helpers Home Repair, a Catholic Charities program, will change furnace filters, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, caulk, weatherstrip, weatherproof, install storm doors and storm windows, replace entry doors, install handrails and make home repairs at a reasonable cost. Phone (812) 217-3537 or visit handyhelpersevv.com. Faith-based organizations, social agencies and township trustees may help with heating bills and needs. Phone 211 to find resources.

DEAR COMMUNITY LEADERS: Please share the following information at meetings of the groups you’re involved with, in your publications and on your websites. The text below can be copied in newsletters and handouts. You may save a life (or a whole family) and prevent some serious injuries and illnesses. Thank you!

Come join the Evansville Trails Coalition in celebrating the full launch of the Bike Share Fleet on November 3rd at 9:00am at the Four Freedoms Monument Station.

There are now 6 bike stations in Evansville and 1 in Henderson:

• Evansville Riverfront adjacent to the Four Freedoms Monument
• In Jacobsville, corner of North Main and Michigan Streets
• Ivy Tech Community College, corner of First Avenue and Colonial
• YMCA Downtown, corner of Court and NW Sixth Streets
• Haynie’s Corner, on Adams Avenue, adjacent to the Alhambra Theater
• West Franklin Street, corner of Franklin Street and Wabash Avenue of Flags
• Field and Main Bank, corner of N. Main and Second Streets (Henderson)

FEATURES THIS MONTH

• Phil Smith, Assistant Police Chief of EPD – Provides information on the state of the EPD and Crime in the city. Also speaks about Community Policing Officers (CPOs).
• COVID-19 Resources – Check out the updated COVID-19 Community Resources on the website, including a Self-Checker.
• Fall Leaf Pickup – Includes pickup dates and regulations.
• HELP NEEDED! – Looking for a volunteer to help with digital organization and filing.
• Invasive Species – Vanderburgh SWCD offering tool rental to combat invasive species.
• Electronics Recycling Day – November 6th at the Civic Center Parking lot.
• “A Win for the Neighborhood!” – Zoning Ordinance win for South Dexter Neighborhood.
• Clean up Events – Including Clean Evansville and Recycling Days.
• “Common Signs of a Scam” – Warning signs of potential scams.
• “How to Avoid a Scam” – Tips on how to prevent being scammed.
• RepresentUs – A organization working towards ending corruption in politics and voting.
• “A Call to Action – A Heavy Waste Review” – A breakdown of a Heavy Trash experience written by UNOE Senior Vice President Brent Jackson
• Lawn Alternatives – Meagan Diss Urban Agriculture Educator for the Purdue Extension informs us of possible lawn alternatives to grass.
• “The Polluting of the Ohio” – except of the article “Home on the River” written by Kitty Helm for The Ocean Foundation, talks about the pollution in the Ohio and where it comes from.
• “Storing Water for Emergency Situations”  – Discusses the quantity of water that needs to be stored by each household for emergencies and how to safely store the water.
• “What’s Happening” – A look at upcoming events in November at the C.K. Newsome Center.
• Vacant Buildings – EFD is seeking assistance in identifying vacant buildings in Evansville to assist with fire and emergency situations.
• Carver and AmeriCorps Seniors Clean up Events – Annual Veteran Recognition and Vendor Resource Fair on November 10th.
• Back the Vax
• CareSource – Rides for Food, resource available to help with transportation to food sites.
• Fall Walks in the Parks – Parks Department hosting walking events in November.

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