Latest news with #Sakbun
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2025 Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The 2025 Special Olympics Summer Games in Terre Haute begin in one week and to kick off the events, local law enforcement and officials put their running shoes on. Officers from all branches come together, each year, to run alongside Special Olympics Indiana Athletes, signifying the beginning of the 2025 Special Olympics Summer Games. Quentin Seger is an officer at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. He said community is the most important aspect of this event. 'Coming together as a community is always important', Seger said. 'I'm a big believer in strength in numbers, so if a community can come together and show support for an organization, I think it's a huge help for a community to build a stronger bond and a relationship as a whole.' Participants ran three miles through downtown Terre Haute and Indiana State's campus, alongside Special Olympics athlete Shelby Baker, who was carrying the torch to start the race and cross the finish line. Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun said this run is just the start of local law enforcement's participation in the Special Olympics Summer Games. 'A lot of the local law enforcement agencies are actively involved, and I say actively because they don't just sponsor', Sakbun said. 'They do the high five line, they help compete in some of the events, they do the memorial run which means just so much to the athletes and the organization.' The Special Olympics Summer Games will begin in Terre Haute on June 6th, bringing together thousands of athletes, partners, and volunteers. Sakbun said the numbers do more than just help Terre Haute. 'Anytime you bring over 2,500 athletes, as well as their families, to the community that's obviously a huge boost', Sakbun said. 'I think what it also does, a unique event like this, is it inspires folks. The challenges that they go through to come through all of that and then champion at the end of it, honestly means a lot.' The Special Olympics Summer Games will take place from June 6th through the 8th, on the campuses of Indiana State and Rose-Hulman. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Terre Haute is unveiling a new logo
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Mayor Brandon Sakbun has announced Terre Haute is unveiling a new logo. This new logo will showcase more city history. Including, local main street monuments and characters. Sakbun said the logo will be implemented in increments, starting digitally and heading toward Terre Haute signage and vehicles. Terre Haute hoists new city flag ' We are lacking in some of those areas. You know, what is a Huatian? Right? What do we have to offer families if they're looking to move here or families if we're trying to get them to stay here? And part of that is a strong public presence, a professional look, and a professional brand and marketing materials, ' said Sakbun. Sakbun said it was time for the city to get a new face. 'We found it kind of internally as a team, the need to get a new logo. The need to get a new kind of face of the city. What does it look like when you see a city vehicle? When you see a city employee? ' said Sakbun. The city is hosting a brand launch on Thursday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. The event will have food trucks and music before unveiling the logo at 11 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wabash Valley honors the fallen on Memorial Day
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Wabash Valley honored the fallen Monday as hundreds of residents came out for local Memorial Day events. The ceremonies Monday included the annual service at Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute. Vigo County veteran organizations were in attendance along with members of the community to honor fallen veterans. 'It is a very difficult day. Taking the time to honor the fallen, celebrate with the families, the service organizations who are here,' said Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun. The mayor urged local families to experience the history of Memorial Day. 'I encourage, especially our younger families, take your kids out here. Bring them out so that way they see and understand what it means on Memorial Day, what the flags mean,' said Mayor Sakbun. People in attendance reflected on the bravery of the fallen. 'Willing to sacrifice your own life and to those that have, that you've fought alongside and they're no longer here, but yet we're able to continue our lives due to their sacrifice,' said Matthew Harvey, a retired member of the U.S. Army. The community remembered those lost, but never forgotten. 'Don't be afraid to carry the torch for the next generation,' said Harvey. Monday's event was a service of admiration, encouragement and strength this Memorial Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Update on Entek project after federal funding paused
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Entek's single largest investment is set to transform Terre Haute, Vigo County and the surrounding are, but the project hasn't gone entirely to plan. The Entek factory, which will employ more than 600 people, is starting to get back on track after its $1.2 billion loan from the federal government was paused. Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun said the company has been in constant contact with the government to get the project completed. 'Any time there is a federal shutdown or pause in large funding like that, there is a ripple effect. Usually construction timeline, employment concerns for that company,' said Sakbun. Entek is the only maker of wet process lithium-ion battery separators that is owned and operated in the United States. Steve Witt, President of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, said even though the funding has been paused, the project is still making good progress. 'They are working very closely with the Department of Energy to free up those funds, but they're working with their other funders, in regard to what they're doing today. So, they are very excited about their project. It continues to move along. They're still shooting for late Q3, early Q4 to go into production,' said Witt. Once the project is complete, the plant will not only make battery separators for electric cars and other electronics, but it will also bring new job opportunities for the community. 'Just since they have been under construction since early last year, there has been a lot of economic activity that has accrued in our community and the surrounding area as a result of Entek's project. So, it's a pretty good thing to see,' said Witt. Mayor Sakbun said the project will also help students in the higher education institutions around the valley. 'Any time we bring in business or industry, we want to connect it to our four institutes of higher education, and frankly, that includes K-12 education. I think you've seen the city announce a partnership with the airport, with the Vigo County School Corporation, that is a great example, that and this, of how we connect employment opportunities to young Hoosiers. We've got to do more as a state, frankly, to retain the best and the brightest, whether they choose to get an associate's degree, a graduate degree or no college degree, your future can be made right here in the city of Terre Haute,' said Sakbun. WTWO/WAWV has reached out to the Department of Energy for comment regarding the loan pause. A spokesperson for the DOE had this to say: 'The Department is conducting a department-wide review to ensure all activities follow the law, comply with applicable court orders and align with the Trump administration's priorities. The American people provided President Trump with a mandate to govern and to unleash 'American Energy Dominance.' The Department of Energy is hard at work to deliver on President Trump's promise to restore affordable, reliable, and secure energy to the American people.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How much money has the Terre Haute casino raised for the city and county?
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After one year of spinning slots, shuffling cards and going all in on big bets, the Terre Haute Casino Resort is starting to pay off in big ways. Since the casino's opening, it's not only been a place for a fun night of gambling, but local officials are also saying the revenue generated from the casino is helping fun projects around Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute. 'I always like to point out that some of our very clear physical projects and improvements people are seeing is coming from gaming tax revenue,' said Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun. According to the Indiana Gaming Commission's Annual Report for 2024, the Terre Haute casino generated over $1 million in supplemental wagering tax from April to June of 2024. Mayor Sakbun said this money goes directly to the city and is helping support projects across the city. 'Definitely from a tax standpoint, the gaming revenue has been helpful. The gaming revenue is going to projects like more street paving, more sidewalks, definitely some demolition projects. As well as its helping fund our YMCA renovation and the Deming Park pool project. So, definitely some good projects,' said Mayor Sakbun. The tax revenue also helps fund projects the city wouldn't be able to do with money from property taxes. Mayor Sakbun said he is always reminding residents that property taxes don't fund street improvements or major park improvements. Projects like that are in part funded by casino's tax revenue. 'So it's very important to say hey look, a lot of these smaller projects and bigger projects you see across the community, they're not coming from you. They are coming from economic development tax revenue and casino gaming tax revenue,' said Mayor Sakbun. The money isn't only benefiting the city, Vigo County Commissioner Mike Morris said the revenue is also helping fund projects around the county, like improvements to the Vigo County Government's I.T. department. 'It's been very helpful. You know, we are kind of, commissioners, are kind of a bricks and mortar kind of people. And when we can see improvements in our departments and use that money to make some sound forward steps,' said Morris. Even if you haven't hit the jackpot at the Terre Haute Casino Resort, officials say local projects show the odds are stacked in the community's favor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
