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The KEEP Foundation Announces Inaugural Seattle Slew Grant Recipients

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Lexington, Ky. June 14, 2023 – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has awarded over $12,000 to Kentucky equine non-profit organizations though its new Seattle Slew Grant Program. The KEEP Foundation is committed to helping support educational programs, projects and other endeavors that help advance the future of the equine industry in Kentucky.

The KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew grants are available to Kentucky non-profits providing equine educational programs, events and initiatives. The Seattle Slew Grant Program is part of the Foundation’s efforts to support education and promote the importance of the equine industry to Kentucky’s economy and culture.

“The KEEP Foundation is honored to support these exceptional organizations that are tirelessly working towards showcasing our industry to future equine enthusiasts,” said Katie LaMonica, KEEP Foundation Board Chair. “The KEEP Foundation congratulates the grant recipients and commends their exceptional dedication and passion for Kentucky’s equine community.”

The Seattle Slew Grant Program is open to non-profit organizations, schools, and other groups that are involved in equine-related educational programs and projects. Recipients of the inaugural Seattle Slew Grant program are, The Ed Brown Society, Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade and the Paris Bourbon County YMCA.

“Growing up, my grandfather Francis C. Wilson Sr. was who I looked up to, to gain my horsemanship skills and knowledge. Today, I lead Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade (FCLTC) students in honor of my grandfather to prepare them for a bright future in the equine industry. We can not be what we do not see. So it is important to give the youth an opportunity to be the best version of themselves,” said Jermo Reese, President, Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available, and new submissions are reviewed quarterly. For more information or to apply for a grant, please visit HERE.

The KEEP Foundation has expanded its programming in recent years. In addition to its annual scholarship program, monthly Equine Educational Luncheon Series and it’s Workforce Initiatives, the Foundation also partners with Amplify Horse Racing, to host it’s monthly Career with Horses Tour Series.

All of these programs and initiatives would not be possible without the support of Kentucky’s equine industry and proceeds from the KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew license plate. Proceeds from sales and renewals of the 2022 license plate topped nearly $60,000.

The KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew specialty license plate would not have been possible without the gracious support of Karen and Mickey Taylor, the owners of Seattle Slew, and Bobby Shiflet, owner of the Tony Leonard Collection, who donated the photo of Seattle Slew that was used for the license plate. 

If you would like to support the KEEP Foundation’s education initiatives, donations can be made HERE.

ABOUT THE KEEP FOUNDATION

The mission of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), established in 2014, is to support the economic success of Kentucky’s signature industry by ensuring its continued economic viability, making the industry accessible for all who want to participate, introducing more young people to the industry and its opportunities, and educating the people of the Commonwealth about the importance of horses to the state, its economy, its heritage, and its people. www.thekeepfoundation.org

Vanderburgh County Crash Report

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Crash Report

USI women’s XC/T&F sign five for 2023-24

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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field announced that five incoming freshmen have signed national letters of intent to compete for the Screaming Eagles and Head Coach Mike Hillyard during the 2023-24 season.
 
The list includes Karli Kitten (Ferdinand, Indiana), Sydney Klinglesmith (Westfield, Indiana), Sara Livingston (Dubois, Indiana), Zoe Seward (Rochester, Indiana) and Ellen White (Columbus, Indiana).
 
“On paper, this recruiting class comes in with stronger credentials than last spring’s USI senior class came in with four years ago,” Hillyard said. “That class ended up being one of the best in program history and I feel very strongly that this recruiting class will develop into frontrunners in the OVC in 2-3 years.
 
“Karli, Sydney, Sara, Zoe and Ellen possess all of the intangibles that are essential to being successful in this sport,” Hillyard concluded.
 
Karli Kitten
Kitten is a graduate of Forest Park High School where she was an IHSAA Class 2A first-team All-State honoree in addition to a first-team All-Southwest Indiana and All-Pocket Athletic Conference award winner. She has personal bests of 5:28 in the 1,600 meters, 11:35 in the 3,200 meters and 19:11 in the 5k.
 
Sydney Klinglesmith
Klinglesmith is a graduate of Westfield High School, where she earned first-team Academic All-State in both cross country and track & field during her senior year. An honorable mention Academic All-State honoree in both cross country and track & field as a junior in 2021-22, Klinglesmith has personal bests of 5:33 in the 1,600 meters, 12:03 in the 3,200 meters and 18:49 in the 5k.
 
Sara Livingston
Livingston is a graduate of Northeast Dubois High School where she was a four-time All-State and All-Conference honoree. The 2022 Blue Chip Conference champion in cross country, Livingston is a multiple-time regional qualifier and has personal bests of 5:24 in the 1,600 meters and 19:32 in the 5k.
 
Zoe Seward
Seward is a graduate of Rochester Community High School where she was an IHSAA Class 3A honorable mention All-State honoree on the cross country course. Seward has posted personal best times of 5:31 in the 1,600 meters, 11:26 in the 3,200 meters and 19:04 in the 5k.
 
Ellen White
White is a graduate of Columbus North High School where she was a state qualifier on the grass after finishing fourth at the regional championships last fall. White finished 103rd at the 2022 IHSAA Cross Country Championships and has personal-best times of 12:00 in the 3,200 meters and 19:01 in the 5k.
 
The Eagles are scheduled to open the 2023 cross country campaign September 1 when they host the Stegemoller Classic at Angel Mounds.

 

Vincennes University reaffirms commitment to ensuring a VU education is affordable to all

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VINCENNES, Ind., June 15, 2023 – The Vincennes University Board of Trustees convened on June 14 to finalize the approval of a biennial budget totaling $375 million. VU officials discussed a myriad of opportunities in store for the erudite student body of VU.

Beginning in the Fall Semester of 2023 and continuing through the Spring Semester of 2024, eligible new and returning students residing on-campus in residence halls will be awarded the Residential Opportunity Scholarships valued at $2,000 for the academic year. 

Furthermore, VU has expanded its scholarship aid, with nearly 90 percent of first-time, full-time VU students receiving financial assistance through grants, scholarships, or both.

VU extends in-state tuition scholarships to Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan residents. This development offers residents of these states an approximate 50 percent reduction in tuition costs, exemplifying VU’s mission of making high-quality education accessible and affordable to all.

President Dr. Chuck Johnson encourages individuals to invest practically in their own future, underscoring the impact of a college education in today’s fast-evolving economic landscape. 

As the President aptly states, “The most prudent investment one can make is an investment in oneself. The acquisition of knowledge expands one’s financial horizons. In other words, the more you learn, the more you earn. Remember, you get what you work for, not what you wish for.”

VU encourages students to invest in themselves, and in return, the University invests in its students in a multitude of ways. For example, the VU Foundation awarded nearly $2.2 million in scholarship funds from both the University and Foundation sources to incoming and returning VU students for the 2021-22 academic year. VU has long been renowned for its unwavering investment in students through substantial financial, academic, and career support.

One benchmark VU strives to sustain is keeping its in-state tuition below the value of a full Pell Grant, and this budget does that.

Despite a slight tuition increase (3.5 percent) as voted by the Board of Trustees, VU remains Indiana’s most affordable residential college. The VU Board of Trustees approved a 3-percent increase for room and board. It’s important to note with the additional scholarship offerings, students will pay less this school year (tuition + housing) than compared to 2019-2020.

Students looking for the best value and lowest cost in higher education in Indiana should look no further than VU.

The wage gap between college graduates and high school graduates is at a record high, according to this report. The return on investment for a college degree is substantial – worth upwards of $800,000 or more in increased earnings over a lifetime. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York concludes that a college degree pays off with a 75 percent premium, or more than $30,000 per year in earnings, compared to those with a high school diploma.

In other Board business, the Trustees honored outgoing Trustee Tim Grove. Dr. Johnson presented Grove with a framed resolution of appreciation, thanking him for his service, dedication, and leadership. Grove has served on the Board since July 2012. Johnson expressed his gratitude and commended Grove on his integrity.

“Tim embodies the spirit of a true educator,” Johnson said.

The Trustees also approved a policy granting emeritus status to retired faculty who consistently exemplified VU’s mission, vision, and values through exemplary teaching or distinguished service to students, the University, and the local and or larger academic community.

The Trustees heard a report on enrollment projections from Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research Dr. Dale Pietrzak, and Johnson shared with the Board that VU’s enrollment numbers are trending upward at the Vincennes and VU Jasper campuses.

Director of University Events and Special Projects Laura Carie updated the Board about VU summer camps and enrichment programs. According to Carie, pre-college programs and camps are enjoying a 43 percent increase.

Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) Director Dr. Sarah Alderfer reported about the center’s recent activities, which include a ChatGPT workshop, a Thank-a-Prof initiative, and the addition of Faculty Fellows. She also discussed CAFE’s upcoming plans to build outreach and support across campus for faculty through CAFE To-Go, an active teaching center, enhanced online instructional support, and a department chair boot camp.

Weekly Death Report

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Weekly Death Report May 15 to May 21, 2023

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

MEDIA

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

“IS IT TRUE” JUNE 15, 2023

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.”
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, or insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

IS IT TRUE that The Right To Assemble And To Seek Redress Of Grievances Is Enshrined In Our Constitution?   …over the last several years we have witnessed peaceful and violent protests alike throughout America?   …that groups of anarchists and agitators attempted to foment lawlessness and unrest to advance their own objectives to cause chaos in America? …we are a nation born of the revolutionary spirit of protest, coupling expressions of grievances against injustice with the desire to be free? …we deplore the theft, looting, and burning of businesses and places of worship caused by the random acts of lawless anarchist thugs?  …in fact, we believe that these lawless thugs should be arrested and thrown in jail?
IS IT TRUE that Knight Township Trustee Kathryn Martin is doing an outstanding job for the people she serves?
IS IT TRUE the stark reality is that newspapers across the country are victims of large investment groups that have cut talented writers and reporters from their employment, alienated advertisers, and produced irrelevant biased narratives?…at this rate, there will only be a handful of newspapers still in print in the United States in 5 years?
IS IT TRUE that many people feel that one of the key focuses of a local newspaper should be to keep local government accountable to the taxpayers?
IS IT TRUE that it is no secret that this region is struggling with a heroin and fentanyl epidemic along with much of the country?…that this epidemic came about because some irresponsible doctors were handing out opioids like jellybeans?  …this irresponsible practice has created an estimated 18 million opioid addicts?  …the parts of the country where opioids were handed out like Halloween candy are now seeing more heroin and fentanyl deaths than other places but no place is immune to this scourge?  …during the last several years more people have died from fentanyl and heroin overdoses than from gun-related homicides?
IS IT TRUE that our staff recently had a discussion concerning who is the hardest-working member of the Vanderburgh County Council and who is the most conservative?  …it was decided that every member of the Vanderburgh County Council is hardworking but James Raben is the most conservative member?
IS IT TRUE that we are pleased with the way that Vanderburgh County Commissioner, Ben Shoulders, and Evansville City Council member Jonathan Weaver are addressing excessive government spending and overreaching bureaucratic ordinances?
IS IT TRUE that we wish that our elected officials, business owners, and Veterans groups would organize a capital fundraising committee to raise money in order to bring back the “Veterans Memorial Colosseum”  to its original grandeur?
IS IT TRUE it’s with a prayerful resolve that the compassionate advocates of the downtrodden will convince the career politicians and bureaucrats to create government-funded programs that will start offering the disadvantaged a helping hand, not governmental handouts.
IS IT TRUE we have been told that there might be an internal philosophical power struggle between the moderate-to-right and the far-right elements of the Vanderburgh County GOP?
IS IT TRUE that when politicians reappraise our home value earlier this year they in essence increase our annual property tax payments?
IS IT TRUE that we support those who have taken to the streets to exercise their First Amendment rights by peacefully expressing their anger and sorrow about the mistreatment and discrimination of people of color and members of the LBGT Community?  …we also strongly oppose discrimination against people of all races, colors, creeds, and sexual orientations?
IS IT TRUE if you’re looking for a down-home place to find an incredible tasting thick T-BONE STEAK or a scrumptious 2-inch PORK CROP please take a short drive to Oakland City, Ind and visit TAYLOR-2 Restaurant?  …the service is top notch and the prices are extremely affordable?
FOOTNOTE:  Please take time and read our articles entitled “Statehouse Files”, Law Enforcement, Weekly Birthday, Hot Jobs, and “Local Sports”.  
You now are able to subscribe to get the free City-County Observer daily.  Please go to the top upper right corner of the front page of the CCO and click the “Subscribe” link to sign up.
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Senator Braun joins letter calling for Special Counsel to investigate Biden business dealings

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WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Braun joined Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator J.D. Vance in calling for a Special Counsel to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden, President Biden, and his family in their business dealings.

As reported in the New York Post, “[The letter comes] a day after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) revealed that the Ukrainian businessman who allegedly paid $5 million apiece to Joe and Hunter Biden in 2015 and 2016 claimed to keep 17 audio recordings of the president and first son as ‘insurance.’”

The Senators wrote,

“Recent reports indicate that Burisma—a Ukrainian natural gas firm where Hunter Biden sat on the board—allegedly paid then-Vice President Biden $5 million to influence United States policy decisions—conduct that would clearly constitute bribery. To make matters worse, the FBI has stonewalled congressional oversight of this matter, refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee. Additionally, both Joe and Hunter Biden pursued numerous business deals that were allegedly arranged by individuals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”

“Given these concerning allegations that continue to come to light with each passing day, we urge you to appoint a special counsel to investigate any wrongdoing by President Biden and his family in their business dealings.  Only then—with the appointment of a neutral and independent special counsel with broad authority to investigate these credible claims of the Biden family’s corruption—can the American people be assured that there is truly one set of laws in this country and that they apply to everyone equally, regardless of their viewpoint or political affiliation,” continued the senators.

LINKS OF ORDINANCE G-2023-12 AUTHORIZING REVENUE BONDS FOR FIFTH AND MAIN PROPERTY

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ATTACHED BELOW ARE LINKS TO ORDINANCE G-2023-12 AUTHORIZING REVENUE BONDS FOR FIFTH AND MAIN STREET PROPERTY

An Ordinance of the Evansville Common Council Authorizing the City of Evansville, Indiana, to Issue Two Series of Economic Development Revenue Bonds, and Approving and Authorizing Other Actions in Respect Thereto.

Sponsor(s): Heronemus, Beane.  Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS
G-2023-12 Attachment:
Series 2023B Evansville Fifth and Main — Trust Indenture(26586294.1) Attachment: FOOTNOTE: On Monaday evening of this week members of the Evansville City Council approved the above Financial Agreements docuements without having all the detaiis (interest rates, terms of the loan, etc.) concerning the loans.  The above Financial Agreements was passed by City Council without very little discussion.  
We hope when the details of the financial terms of the above Financial Agreements are finalized that the City Controller will ask City Council to ratify the final terms of the above agreements.

Attorney General Todd Rokita Doubles Down On TikTok 

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Attorney General Todd Rokita doubles down on TikTok 

Cooper & Kirk attorneys tell court: It’s hardly political posturing
to show how the Chinese government steals Americans’ identities,
even their facial features

Attorneys at Cooper & Kirk joined Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita today in his ongoing fight to hold TikTok accountable for collecting personal data from app users — information that is then accessible to the Chinese Communist Party. Today, the Office of the Indiana Attorney General filed an amended lawsuit against TikTok.

“The district court’s criticisms of the initial complaint were misguided and unfounded,” said David Thompson of Cooper & Kirk, the state’s lead outside counsel. “Is it considered ‘irrelevant posturing’ to express concern that Americans may be unknowingly posing for CCP facial recognition files?”

Even journalists at left-leaning CNN have now accepted the credibility of testimony “that the Chinese Communist Party accessed the data of TikTok users on a broad scale, and for political purposes.” Recent sworn testimony from a former employee of ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, reveals the depths of their deception.

Such testimony provides just one example of TikTok’s insidious practices — despite the company sparing no expense to deny it to Congress, the media and American consumers.

“TikTok has engaged in a massive PR campaign in which their statements and omissions paint a false, deceptive and misleading picture for Indiana consumers that there is minimal risk of the Chinese government accessing and exploiting their data,” Thompson added.

In December 2022, Attorney General Rokita led the way by filing two separate lawsuits against TikTok — both related to false claims made by the company about its video-sharing app. This week, Attorney General Rokita amended the state’s data-privacy complaint against TikTok to reflect the recent revelations that TikTok users’ data is subject to Chinese law and may be intercepted by the Chinese government.

Previously, TikTok removed the state’s case to federal court, but on May 23 the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana agreed with Attorney General Rokita’s office that the case should proceed in state court. The district court criticized the complaint as “posturing” —  an opinion not shared by the patriots fighting against TikTok.

“Not only do TikTok’s false, deceptive and misleading practices blatantly violate Indiana law — but they also endanger individual Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Too many U.S. policymakers put their heads in the sand while the Chinese Communist Party steals data and uses it to advance its own strategic agenda.”

The amended complaint is attached.

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