Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 25, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on memorials to honor law enforcement officers; economic development growth; grants to clean up brownfields; public safety; the decline in overdose deaths; the General Assembly’s inaction that will cause a gas tax increase; cancer awareness efforts; and recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky He also named Erica Kegley, the Kentucky winner of the Doodle for Google contest, as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Honoring Law Enforcement Officers
This week, Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman attended events to honor and remember Kentucky peace officers lost in the line of duty. On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Coleman joined the Kentucky State Police at their academy in Frankfort to recognize 37 law enforcement officers for the agency’s annual memorial ceremony. Today, Gov. Beshear joined law enforcement officers and their families in Richmond to honor seven fallen heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022.
The Governor also honored Caleb Conley, a decorated deputy of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, who was killed during a traffic stop on Monday.
“We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices these officers made and the sacrifices their families continue to make each and every day,†said Gov. Beshear. “We promise to never forget them and to continue to provide for them and honor them in any way we can.â€
Economic Development Growth
Gov. Beshear shared economic development news and discussed companies investing in the Commonwealth.
Gov. Beshear highlighted Kentucky’s continued economic success as Site Selection magazine placed the commonwealth at No. 1 in the South Central region of its newly released 2023 Prosperity Cup rankings, moving up two spots from last year’s third-place position. Kentucky also placed in the top five nationally after ranking sixth in 2022.
On Wednesday at the Kentucky Truck Plant, Gov. Beshear joined Ford Motor Co. Executive Chair Bill Ford, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley and United Auto Workers leaders and employees to celebrate the arrival of the 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty®.
The Governor highlighted continued growth in the state’s manufacturing sector as Halton, a leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation and air distribution systems, announced a $7.4 million expansion of the company’s facility in Allen County, creating 60 full-time Kentucky jobs.
The Governor highlighted the continued growth of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI), as projects in Barren, Fayette, Green, Hickman, Jackson, Jessamine, LaRue, McCreary, Todd, Wayne and Woodford counties moved through the program’s initial round. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved 11 projects today for over $6.8 million in state funding in addition to local support.
Grants to Clean Up Brownfields
Today, the Governor and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman announced that 10 Kentucky communities and agencies have been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to receive over $7.9 million in grant funding to assess and clean up “brownfields†– industrial and commercial properties that are known or suspected to contain contaminants. To read more, see the full release.
Public Safety
Gov. Beshear said that Kentucky State Police Troopers of Post 11 made a large drug bust in Laurel County during a traffic stop Sunday, and large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin were seized, along with drug paraphernalia. Trooper Trey Lovins obtained a search warrant and was assisted on the scene by several other troopers and members of the London Police Department and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
“Thank you to the troopers of Kentucky State Police Post 11 for your impressive work on this case. Because of you, even more dangerous drugs are off the streets, and the commonwealth has been made safer,†said Gov. Beshear.
Kentucky Sees Decline in Overdose Deaths
The Governor announced that Kentucky is one of the few states seeing a decline in overdose deaths nationwide. A recent article from the Associated Press noted that Kentucky is one of eight states that saw a sizeable overdose death decrease last year, while the nation saw an uptick in deaths. The article notes that the decrease in overdose deaths is due to intentional work to address addiction and offer more treatment services.
“Our efforts are making a difference – in fact, they are saving lives. And that is what is most important,†said Gov. Beshear. “This work is never-ending, and we will continue to fight this drug crisis with everything that we can because, as I’ve said time and time again, one Kentuckian lost to drug overdose is one too many.â€
General Assembly Inaction on Gas Tax
In June 2022, Gov. Beshear signed an emergency regulation to prevent the Kentucky state gas tax from increasing. Under Kentucky law, when the average wholesale price of gas goes up a certain amount, the gas tax will increase as well. Without the Governor’s action, the law would have increased what Kentuckians were paying at the pump by 2 cents per gallon starting July 1, 2022. The emergency regulation was estimated to help Kentuckians save up to $35.4 million through January 2023.
House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Derrick Graham filed House Bill 89, which included language to maintain the tax rate freeze through fiscal year 2024. Although the Governor urged the General Assembly to keep the gas tax freeze in place, the bill failed to pass. As a result, beginning July 1, the gas tax rate will increase another 2.1 cents per gallon in the commonwealth.
The Governor stated that, given Kentucky had the best General Fund collections in state history, it wouldn’t have been an issue for those dollars to be used to make up for any loss to the Road Fund. In fact, Kentucky is on track to meet the updated General Fund revenue estimate for fiscal year 2023, which would result in a budget surplus of about $1.5 billion.
“I want Kentuckians to understand this process because it impacts us all at the pump,†said Gov. Beshear. “We are doing everything we can to try to help keep more money in the pockets of our hard-working Kentucky families and to provide some relief in these challenging times.â€
Brain Cancer Proclamation
Gov. Beshear signed and presented three proclamations that recognize advocates working to find a cure for childhood brain cancer. The Governor first recognized May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, Awareness Day in the Commonwealth. To honor David Turner Jr., who died from DIPG, Gov. Beshear also declared May 21 as David Turner Jr. Ice Cream Day in Kentucky. The Governor then signed a proclamation recognizing May as Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
“Today, I want to celebrate some of the advocates who are working to find a cure for childhood brain cancer – something no kid should have to go through,†said Gov. Beshear. “We’re determined to make Kentucky a national leader in the fight against childhood cancer by raising awareness and funds for research. These advocates are heroes in this fight, and I am inspired by them.â€
Eastern Kentucky Flood, February/March Severe Weather Update
The Governor provided an update on recovery and rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky. Currently, 106 families are housed in travel trailers, and Kentucky State Parks are now housing 14 people, down from the 360 people sheltered on Sept. 1, 2022. Over 270 households have transitioned out of the Commonwealth Sheltering Program in Eastern Kentucky.
FEMA has approved more than $106.5 million in Individual Assistance grants. Since May 18, three more applicants have received the max grant of $37,900, bringing the total Housing Assistance max grants to $27.3 million for 721 survivors.
If you need help, please call FEMA directly or visit a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). MARC locations can be found at governor.ky.gov/Flood-Resources.
Gov. Beshear also updated Kentuckians on the severe weather that occurred in Feb. and March. Houses of worship impacted during the severe weather event from Feb. 15-20, 2023, located in one of the 22 declared counties can apply for FEMA public assistance by the June 8 deadline. Houses of worship impacted during the March 3-4 storms that are in one of the 12 counties added to the disaster declaration can apply by the June 18 deadline. Visit fema.gov for more information.
Team Kentucky All-Star
The Governor recognized Augusta Independent High School student Erica Kegley, whose art was recently chosen as the Kentucky winner of the Doodle for Google contest, and named her this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Kegley’s art, titled “Mother and Daughter Relationships,†was inspired by her relationship with her own mother and depicts mother-daughter relationships throughout cultures and through animals and humans. Click here to see Kegley’s art. Gov. Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to support Kegley by voting for her art at doodles.google.com/d4g/vote.
“Erica, Team Kentucky is so proud of you. Thank you for representing our state well,†said Gov. Beshear. “I hope everyone will join me in supporting Erica and Augusta Independent by casting their votes today for the national competition.â€
IBLC TO HOST TOWN HALL SERIES ACROSS STATE
IBLC TO HOST TOWN HALL SERIES ACROSS STATE
MAY 27, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will kick off a statewide town hall series on June 3rd at the Julia Carson Center. These events, which are free and open to the public, are an opportunity to learn more about the 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly and for the public to share their questions, concerns and suggestions for focus areas for the 2024 session.
Each town hall will begin at noon ET and run through 2 p.m. This means that the Gary and Evansville town halls will begin at 11 a.m. CT and conclude at 1 p.m.
The Town Hall Series Includes s\Stops in:
- Indianapolis, June 3rd at the Julia Carson Center, 300 E. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205
- Evansville, June 8th at the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Library, 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Evansville, IN 47713
- South Bend, June 24th at the UAW Local 5, 1426 Main St., South Bend, IN 46613
- Fort Wayne, July 29th at Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Walb Student Union Classic Ballroom, Union Cir Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
- Gary, Aug. 5th at the Indiana University Northwest’s Bergland Auditorium, 3400 Broadway St., Gary, IN 46404.
A virtual town hall will be held on Zoom on August 9th from 6-8 p.m. ET.
WHO: Reps. John Bartlett, Earl Harris Jr., Ragen Hatcher, Carolyn Jackson, Renee Pack, Gregory W. Porter, Cherrish Pryor, Robin Shackleford, Vernon G. Smith, Vanessa Summers and Sens. Jean Breaux, Andrea Hunley, Eddie Melton, Lonnie Randolph and Greg Taylor
WHAT: IBLC Town Hall series
WHERE: Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Gary and virtual (addresses above)
WHEN: Saturday, June 3 – Wednesday, August 9th
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD RECEIVES 55 YEARS AFTER KILLING A WOMAN WITH A STOLEN VEHICLE
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD RECEIVES 55 YEARS AFTER KILLING A WOMAN WITH A STOLEN VEHICLE AND MOCKING HER
APRIL 27, 2023
Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that, on May 26, 2023, Mateo Reymundo Rodriguez was sentenced to 55 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for running over a victim—killing her—and fleeing the premises while stealing a vehicle at a gas station.
On May 26, 2023, Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court agreed with the State’s recommendation to sentence 17-year-old Rodriguez to 55 years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction. At the sentencing hearing,
Deputy Prosecutor Heath Tuley argued that the Defendant’s actions were particularly heinous and caused an innocent woman to die, he had a history of delinquent activity, and he displayed a lack of remorse for his actions. Despite the Defendant testifying at trial that he did not see the victim and did not know he ran her over, Deputy Prosecutor Tuley argued the Defendant’s subsequent statements about the victim “playing superwoman†on the day she was run over by him plainly contradicting his sworn testimony and advocate for no leniency to be shown.
On April 3, 2022, then 16-year-old Rodriguez entered a parked, but still running, vehicle with the intent to steal it. Upon reversing, Rodriguez struck another parked car with the victim in the driver’s seat. The victim exited the car and ran to the front of the vehicle Rodriguez was driving. Rodriguez then callously accelerated forward, resulting in the victim falling underneath and being run over while Rodriguez sped away. The victim passed away due to her injuries. While in jail, Rodriguez communicated that if the victim wanted to play a superwoman, then she would get hurt.
Prosecutor Moers stated: “This young man took the life of a completely innocent woman and then mocked her. This sentence acknowledges the fact that Rodriguez has a complete disregard for human life and will now spend his own locked away.â€
Partnership is key for conservation success in Indiana; new record for conservation practices set
INDIANAPOLIS (May 25, 2023) —The Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) announced its 2022 conservation accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects. In 2022, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 47,000 new conservation practices, up over 15,000 from 2021.
“It was so encouraging to see that this year was another record-setting season for Hoosier farmers and landowners,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These businesses are passionate about protecting and enhancing their lands for generations to come and this year was no different. This record is thanks to the Indiana Conservation Partnership and many others who help our Hoosier farmers and landowners succeed.â€
The Indiana Conservation Partnership report showed that over the last year landowners helped prevent over 1.8 million tons of sediment, over 3.9 million pounds of nitrogen and over 1.9 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways. Cover crops and no-till practices implemented with ICP’s assistance sequestered an estimated 48,000 tons of soil organic carbon, which is the equivalent to the carbon emissions of more than 34,843 cars.
While the term conservation practices can mean many things, in Indiana, some of the most common conservation best management practices are cover crops, nutrient management, residue and tillage management, conservation cover, early successional habitat development/management and grassed waterways.Â
“Indiana’s exceptional agricultural production is rooted in the soil. In a time when extreme weather events seem to be on the rise, keeping soil on the farm, healthy and productive is of paramount importance,†said Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist David Doctorian. “Indiana farmers are making great strides in adopting soil health principles and systems on their land. More and more Indiana producers are increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity thus reducing the need for expensive inputs — all while harvesting better profits and often better yields. Indiana NRCS is pleased to be part of the ICP as they play a pivotal role in supporting producers as they embrace production systems that armor their operations against extreme weather and ensure food security for the United States.â€
Indiana State Department of Agriculture director Don Lamb recognizes the difficulties that come with installing new conservation initiatives but sees the good.
“I know first-hand how timely, expensive and operationally challenging it can be to implement soil conservation practices on farmland. But Hoosier farmers are willing to accept the challenge and strive to make their soil more nutrient rich and healthy for years to come,†said Lamb. “These practices are all voluntary and that is something I think farmers should be recognized for, they don’t have to do them, and they are extra work, but they are willing to do them for the betterment of the soil and our world.â€
The ICP is made up of public and non-profit groups, along with landowners, that work together for the betterment of soil health and water quality. ICP organizations include, Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ISDA, Indiana State Soil Conservation Board, Purdue Extension, USDA-Farm Service Agency and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The Indiana Conservation Partnership is a crucial part of Indiana’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, this illustrates the continued success and challenges of conservation and serves as a tool to help set watershed priorities and reduction targets, manage conservation resources and to further stakeholder involvement across Indiana.Â
To find more information on soil and water conservation in Indiana, soil and carbon sequestration, soil conservation trends, Indiana’s work in our three water basins or partnerships between other states in the full report, click here or visit isda.in.gov.Â
EPA Encourages Sun Safety on ‘Don’t Fry Day
EPA Encourages Sun Safety on ‘Don’t Fry Day’ as America Heads Into Holiday Weekend
Learn more about a few simple steps to protect your skin and eye health while outdoors this summer
WASHINGTON (May 26, 2023) — Today, before the Memorial Day long weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, is recognizing the 15th “Don’t Fry Day†to encourage Americans to take a few simple steps to protect their skin and eye health while outdoors. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, so it is important to be aware of the strength of the sun’s UV rays when enjoying your time outside.
“This long weekend, and all summer long, remember to take care of your skin and eyes when you are enjoying the outdoors,†said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Sun damage builds up over your lifetime, so take care of your skin every day you’re outdoors.â€
Since most skin cancer cases and deaths are caused by exposure to UV radiation, many cases may be preventable. The American Skin Cancer Society estimates that in 2023 more than 97,600 new cases of invasive melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States. This is roughly 1,400 fewer cases than were estimated in 2022.
All people are equally at risk of eye damage and developing cataracts, but some people may be at greater risk of contracting skin cancer depending on the color of their skin, a history of blistering sunburns in early childhood, the presence of many moles, or a family history of skin cancer. Also, be aware that UV may be high even in winter depending on factors such as location, elevation, and reflective surfaces.
Reduce your risk of skin cancer and eye damage by remembering to:
- SLIP! – Slip on a long-sleeved shirt or other clothing that covers your skin.
- SLOP! – Slop on a handful of sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and re-apply every two hours, or sooner if in the water.
- SLAP! – Slap on a broad-brimmed hat to cover the back of your neck and the tips of your ears.
- WRAP! – Wrap on a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your face provide more sun protection.
- Avoid tanning beds and minimize sunbathing.
- Check the UV Index before spending time outdoors.
EPA, the National Weather Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention work together to make the UV Index forecast available in the United States. EPA’s UV index app (search for EPA’s UV Index in the App Store and on Google Play) is a convenient tool to let you know the strength of the sun’s skin cancer-causing UV rays. The app gives daily and hourly UV intensity forecasts for your location, provides recommendations on sun safety, and is also available in Spanish.