USI Public Safety, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and Perry Township Fire Department help deliver healthy baby boy
It’s not every day you get to assist with the delivery of a healthy baby boy on the side of Schutte Road. University of Southern Indiana Public Safety, Vanderburgh County Sheriffs and the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department went above and beyond regular duties this morning, Wednesday, October 26, responding first on the scene and assisting a pregnant mother in need from Illinois who was attempting to reach an Evansville hospital.
The call came around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning as USI Public Safety was notified of a medical emergency off campus near the east bound Lloyd Expressway and Schutte Road. Upon arrival, the new mother’s vital signs, medical history and immediate situation were assessed. Then, it was time to get to work—ready or not, the baby boy was ready to make his grand arrival into the world.
Jonathan Hancock, USI First Shift Public Safety Sergeant, was on scene and received assistance from Vanderburgh County Sheriffs and Perry Township Fire Department personnel prior to an ambulance arriving. He and others assisted with the delivery until medical professionals arrived and took over.
“It’s not often as an EMT that I see life begin in this world—usually it’s the end of a person’s life I see,†says Hancock. “When I get to have these moments like today, I relish how much I love my job. I have been an EMT for 14 years and have been involved with various deliveries, but this is my first solo delivery, and I am grateful it went smoothly with no complications for mom or baby. I am also proud of my staff for helping where needed at the scene.â€
The new mother and baby boy are both reported to be doing well, settled in and savoring each other’s company at an Evansville hospital they eventually made it to, with only a slight detour. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to assist in bringing life into the world. But when you do, it makes for a special day.
“USI Public Safety trains to provide security and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the USI campus community,†says Stephen Bequette, Director of USI Public Safety. “At 7:04 this morning, those services were needed off campus, and the result was a healthy baby being brought into the world. We are very proud of our officers who profoundly impact not only the campus community, but also adjacent areas when needed.â€
Allowable Room and Board Rates For Indiana Medicaid Waiver
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the allowable room and board rates an assisted living facility may charge individuals who participate in the Indiana Medicaid Waiver and Money Follows the Person Aged and Disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury programs. This memorandum supersedes all previous communications regarding allowable room and board rates.
Under 455 IAC 3-1-12, participants living in assisted living facilities are entitled to retain at least their personal needs allowance as established by the state of Indiana.
A provider, after assuring that the participants retain their PNA, may bill participants up to the current maximum Federal Supplemental Security Income. The monthly maximum Federal SSI amount for 2023 is $914 per month for an eligible individual based on an 8.7% cost of living increase. Providers may not charge Medicaid eligible individuals a room and board rate that exceeds the maximum SSI amount for a studio apartment. A participant who wishes to select a larger room may pay extra for any unit exceeding the size of a studio based on the monthly amount determined by the facility.
Please see the three illustrations below for further clarification. The amounts included in the examples below are for illustrative purposes only. Providers are responsible for determining the current maximum SSI and the State PNA when calculating room and board rates. The current SSI may be found by clicking here.  Per Ind. Code §12-15-7-2, the State PNA is $52.
Example 1:Â Medicaid Waiver Participant Receiving only SSI Income
- Medicaid Waiver Participant Monthly Income                         $914
- SSI for an Eligible Individual                           $914
- PNAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $52
- Allowable Room and Board Rate                       $862
Example 2:Â Medicaid Waiver Participant with Income in Excess of the SSI Rate
- Medicaid Waiver Participant Monthly Income              $925
- SSI for Eligible Individual                             $914
- PNAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $52
- Allowable Room and Board Rate                        $873
Example3:Â Medicaid Waiver Participant with Income in Excess of the SSI Rate
- Medicaid Waiver Participant Monthly Income            $1,200
- SSI for Eligible Individual                             $914
- PNAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $52
- Allowable Room and Board Rate                       $914
In all these examples, the participant retains their PNA and the room and board rate is no greater than the maximum SSI.
Blunt Named Interim Dean Of Pott College Of Science, Engineering, And Education McCullough To Become Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
The University of Southern Indiana has named Dr. Shelly Blunt, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, as the Interim Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, effective January 2. She also serves as Professor of Chemistry. She previously served as the Associate Dean for the Pott College. Blunt succeeds Dr. Zane Mitchell, who announced he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the year due to ongoing health reasons. Mitchell will continue to serve the University on special projects for the Provost’s Office.
“We are pleased and proud to welcome Dr. Shelly Blunt back to the Pott College to serve as our Interim Dean,†said Mitchell. “Shelly had an amazing and positive impact on the College during her time as Associate Dean, and we know the College will be in good hands with her at the helm.â€
Blunt is actively involved in STEM education and was instrumental in the development of the Southwest Indiana STEM (SWISTEM) Resource Center at the University. She currently serves on the Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI) Board and numerous state-wide committees of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Truman State University and her doctoral degree in organic chemistry from the University of Iowa. Her research interests revolve around directed metalations in organic syntheses, STEM education, academic advising, and student success and persistence. Blunt has generated over $4.5 million in external funding as principal investigator to support her research interests in STEM education, and student success and persistence. Her efforts in STEM education in southern Indiana earned the Celebration of Leadership Regional Impact award in 2010. She is responsible for securing several grants, including Lilly Endowment Charting the Future for Indiana Colleges and Universities Grant, Co-Principal Investigator, 2020-2023, $2.5 million; National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) grant, 2020-2022, Co-Principal Investigator, $149,952; and NSF-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) grant, Co-Principal Investigator, 2008-2013, $1.2 million.
Blunt has been actively involved in undergraduate advising, served as University Advising Fellow for five years, and received the Outstanding Advisor of the Year and the Phenomenal Women of USI awards. Other accomplishments under her leadership include the creation of first year advising centers in each academic college at USI, successful implementation of a new general education core and the development of a university-wide, first-year seminar class.
A national search will be conducted to fill the dean position in the Pott College.
Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Dr. Julie McCullough, Assistant Dean of Health Professions in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, will become the Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, effective January 2. She also serves as Chair of the Food and Nutrition Department and is an Associate Professor of Nutrition. She previously served as a Core 39 Curriculum Facilitator for the College.
As the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, McCullough will assist the Provost in managing various facets of undergraduate and graduate education programs, including general administration with college deans, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Online Learning, Disability Resources, and Student Affairs administrative staff in coordinating programs including University Core Curriculum (Core39), Academic Program Review, Honors Program, Living Learning Communities, First Year Experience and Undergraduate Research Initiatives – Endeavor!
McCullough holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and master’s and doctoral degrees in nutrition from University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her areas of expertise are centered around dietetics, and her research focuses on food system policy.
She is a founding member of the Evansville Area Food Council and a leadership group member of the Welborn Foundation Healthy Communities Partnership. McCullough has been instrumental in numerous community health and nutrition endeavors around the Tri-state area. She is the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year from the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Outstanding Dietetic Educator from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was awarded the first Faculty Affairs Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Nursing and Health Professions and Quality Matters certification for online course design.
At USI, McCullough led the creation of the Food and Nutrition bachelor’s degree, two minors and accreditation of the Dietetics program, collaborated with architects on the design and conversion of the Health Professions Building, including the addition of state-of-the-art food and nutrition classroom and laboratory space. She also helped to create the Food and Nutrition and Southern Roots student organizations.
Biden Administration Continues Phasedown of Super-Pollutants to Combat Climate Change and Boost U.S. Manufacturing
Key Actions to Phasedown HFCs 40% in 2024 Put U.S. on Track with Kigali Amendment to Protect People and the Planet
WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced additional actions to phase down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a crucial component of President Biden’s ambitious agenda to combat the climate crisis while advancing American manufacturing and innovation. EPA today issued a proposed rule to implement the next step of the nation’s HFC phasedown, an ambitious 40% reduction below historic levels starting in 2024. The proposal follows the Senate’s bipartisan approval to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement to phase down HFCs and avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of this century.
“From day one, President Biden promised ambitious action to address the climate crisis and its impacts, which are becoming ever more disruptive and costing billions of dollars every year. Today’s action once again delivers on his promise,†said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.  “This proposal also sets the United States on track to meet the goals of the Kigali Amendment, fostering innovation and economic growth in the private sector and reinforcing U.S. leadership in the global fight against climate change.â€
HFCs are a class of potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosols, and foam products. Their climate impact can be hundreds to thousands of times stronger than the same amount of carbon dioxide. Under the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the EPA has established a national HFC Phasedown Program that will reduce the production and consumption of these chemicals by 85% by 2036. The Biden-Harris Administration has also launched actions across other agencies to support this phasedown, which will create thousands of jobs to help ensure American companies outcompete the rest of the world in innovating and manufacturing HFC alternatives.
Today’s proposal establishes the methodology for allocating HFC production and consumption allowances for 2024 and later years, similar to the methodology used for issuing allowances in 2022 and 2023—an initial step to achieve 10% of this phasedown. Now, the number of available allowances in 2024 will be reduced significantly to 40% below historic levels. Today’s proposal would amend the historic consumption baseline level from which reductions are made to reflect corrected data submitted to EPA, as well as more precisely specify recordkeeping and reporting requirements, to help preserve the environmental and economic benefits associated with the HFC phasedown.
“Last month, we achieved a historic climate win in the Senate by coming together in a bipartisan manner to ratify the Kigali Amendment,†said Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (Del.). “I applaud the Biden Administration’s continued commitment to fully implementing the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act on schedule. Doing so keeps our nation on track to meet our HFC-reduction goals required under this global treaty, which is good for our planet and good for American businesses and workers.â€
“I am proud to see the Biden Administration take this next step to implement the AIM Act. Phasing down HFCs is a critical component of our national climate action strategy, which is why Congress provided EPA with even more funding to administer this law under the Inflation Reduction Act,†said Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20). “I hope EPA will move forward with a rule that further demonstrates that smart climate policies not only protect our environment, but also support U.S. consumers and manufacturers.â€
“Super pollutants, like HFCs and methane, are the low-hanging fruit in the fight to slow climate change†said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52). “Two years ago, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs by 85% by 2036. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will ensure we reduce these dangerous pollutants and protecting communities across the globe from climate change-fueled disasters.â€
To ensure a level playing field for companies complying with the phasedown requirements, the HFC Phasedown Program has established robust enforcement mechanisms, drawing from experience globally with illegal HFC trade and with attempts to illegally introduce ozone-depleting substances into the U.S. market. Since January 1 of this year, companies have needed allowances for producing or importing HFCs. In the first nine months of this year, the Interagency Task Force on Illegal HFC Trade, co-led by EPA and the Department of Homeland Security, has prevented illegal HFC shipments equivalent to more than 889,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the border, the same amount as the emissions from nearly 173,000 homes’ electricity use for one year.
Additionally, on September 30, EPA issued allowances to companies authorizing them to produce or import HFCs in 2023. EPA issued total allowances at the same level as in 2022 per the phasedown schedule, although the number of entities receiving allowances for 2023 increased slightly. EPA also notified certain companies that the Agency intends to retire some of their allowances due to misreporting data. The Agency’s administrative consequences authority, which allows EPA to retire, revoke, or withhold the allocation of allowances, or ban a company from receiving, transferring, or conferring allowances, is an important tool to deter illegal HFC production and import.
EPA is planning to issue additional proposed rules regarding HFCs under the AIM Act. The next proposed rule will focus on transitioning away from HFCs in the refrigeration and air conditioning, foams, and aerosols sectors. The refrigeration and air conditioning sector uses the most HFCs in the United States.Â
Indiana State Police Partners With DEA For 23rd Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, October 29, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 23rd nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back†initiative.  The “Take Back†initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  This program is for liquid and pill medications. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose both potential safety and health hazards.
Once again, the Indiana State Police is pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except for the Lowell and Toll Road Posts. The event will be on Saturday, October 29, 2022, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The Indiana State Police Post in Putnamville will have their collection on Friday, October 28, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To locate the State Police Post closest to your home or business, click this link for Indiana State Police on the Map. To find other locations in Indiana or across the U.S. that are participating in the Drug Take Back initiative, click this link to the DEA.
The Drug Take Back events are the safe, popular and responsible way for the public to legally dispose of prescription drugs with no questions asked.
EPA Awards More Than $3M to Small Businesses for Continued Development of Innovative Environmental Technologies
WASHINGTON –Â the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3,169,239 in funding to eight small businesses to further develop and commercialize their environmental technologies, delivering economic and environmental benefits to the communities they serve. Awarded projects include an air purifier that reduces the risk of transmitting viruses and bacteria, a forecasting tool that reduces unwanted pesticide drift, software technologies for improved recycling, and a process for producing a sustainable low- carbon building material.
“Addressing our most pressing environmental and public health problems requires innovation and creative thinking from all sectors,†said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I am excited to see how these small businesses leverage this investment from EPA to bring their promising technologies to the marketplace.â€
EPA issues an annual Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation for technology proposals for specific high priority environmental topics. Proposals are evaluated on their technical merit, potential for commercialization and impact in the given topic area. These companies have already received Phase I contracts from EPA of up to $100,000 for 6 months to prove the concept for their proposed technology. The companies announced today are receiving Phase II awards of up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize the technologies.
The following small businesses are receiving SBIR Phase II awards:
- CleanRobotics, Inc. (Longmont, Colo.) – To develop an artificial intelligence-powered trash system for sorting and auditing waste at disposal.
- Geometric Data Analytics (Durham, N.C.) – To develop a web-based application that uses mathematical and statistical techniques to provide highly localized and accurate forecasts to mitigate pesticide drift.
- Kebotix, Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) – To develop an artificial intelligence platform to develop polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)-free pigments.
- KLAW Industries LLC (Binghamton, N.Y.) – To develop a novel process to reuse wasted glass in high performance, low-carbon concrete.
- Ohio Lumex Company (Solon, Ohio) – To develop a sorbent trap for continuous emissions monitoring of metal hazardous air pollutant emissions.
- Sonata Scientific LLC (Danbury, Conn.) – To develop an air purifier that uses photocatalytic technology to destroy airborne pathogens.
- Triangle Environmental Health Initiative (Durham, N.C.) – To develop a compact, modular treatment system for non-potable reuse of residential and commercial greywater.
- Zabble Inc. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) – To develop a zero-waste management platform that uses artificial intelligence.
Eagles Prepare For First Swimming Invitational Of The Year
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving teams will travel to Louisville, Kentucky this weekend as they compete in the Bellarmine Invitational hosted by Bellarmine University on October 28-29 at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center. Friday’s events begin at 5pm while Saturdays begin at 10am.
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The Screaming Eagles will take on the Knights as well as Gardner-Webb University and Florida Gulf Coast University.
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USI Men
USI Men’s Swimming & Diving fell in their most recent meet against Quincy University last Saturday, 135-125. The Eagles took five events against the Hawks. Freshman Caleb Davis (Spring, Texas) led USI on the day, taking two events. Davis took first place in the 100 and 200-yard Breaststroke. Freshman Creed Loy (Knoxville, Tennessee) took the other swimming event for the Eagles, taking first in the 1000-yard Freestyle. Davis and Loy both recorded their best times of the season in their respective events.
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The Eagles finished just behind the Hawks in nine of the 16 men’s events on the day. USI had an opportunity to take the lead over Quincy going into the final 200-yard Freestyle Relay. The relay team of sophomore Payton Buse (Lynnville, Indiana), Colton Tang (Newburgh, Indiana), Davis, and Gabriel Groves (New Carlisle, Indiana) finished just .59 seconds behind the Quincy relay team.
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Freshman Lane Pollock (Boonville, Indiana) took both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives for USI. Pollock scored a 215.85 in the 1-meter and a 240.15 in the 3-meter.
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USI Women
USI Women’s Swimming & Diving earned their second straight dual meet victory of the year after they took down Quincy, 201-56. The Eagles took first in 12 events on the day and had five swimmers win multiple events on the day. Freshman Kate Hilgarth (Indianapolis, Indiana) led the way for USI as she took first in two individual events and was a part of both first-place relay teams. Hilgarth took first in the 100 and 200-yard Backstroke as well as the 400-yard Medley Relay and the 200-yard Freestyle Relay.
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Freshman Mattilynn Smith (Morgantown, Kentucky) was the other Eagle swimmer to win multiple individual events. Smith took home the 1000 and 500-yard Freestyle events. Freshman Sarah-Catherine Dawson (Prospect, Kentucky) and freshman Hannah Gardner (Bowling Green, Kentucky) each took one individual event. Dawson took first in the 200-yard Butterfly while Gardner took first in the 400-yard IM. Freshman Paige Neal (Owensboro, Kentucky) was a part of both the 400-yard Medley and 200-yard Freestyle Relay teams with Hilgarth. Dawson and Gardner also accompanied Neal and Hilgarth on the 400-yard Medley Relay team.
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Freshman Erica Williamson (Knoxville, Tennessee) and freshman Elizabeth Busby (Madison, Alabama) were each victorious in one individual event. Williamson took the 100-yard Breaststroke while Busby took the 100-yard Butterfly. Along with Neal and Hilgarth, freshman Emma Ettensohn (Tell City, Indiana) and freshman Emily McIntosh (Huntertown, Indiana) joined them on the 200-yard Freestyle Relay squad.
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Freshman Autumn Turley (Hobart, Indiana) took both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives for the Eagles. Turley scored a 173.40 in the 1-meter and a 144.67 in the 3-meter.
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COMEDIAN LEANNE MORGAN STOPS IN EVANSVILLE DURING THE FIRST LEG OF HER NEW NATIONAL TOUR
TICKETS GO ON SALE NATIONALLY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022 AT 10 AM
Evansville, IN -  – Comedian Leanne Morgan is stopping by Old National Events Plaza on March 24, 2023, with her new national tour, Just Getting Started. Evansville is the seventh stop on the new tour, allowing fans to be among the first to see the funny lady’s new material!
The tour’s name is inspired by Leanne’s career, which began serendipitously 22 years ago when the mother of three realized her calling was making people laugh. As Morgan’s comedic career continues to flourish, she hopes to show others it’s never too late to start something you love!
The comedian’s unique brand of comedy results from her sweet Southern charm and no-holds-barred descriptions of motherhood. Fans relish Morgan’s hilarious guidance on what to do when puberty turns your children into monsters, how to face summer when you don’t have a bikini body, and the top two things that make a man happy.
Leanne has garnered over 2 million followers across social media and her popular stand-up special, So Yummy, has reached over 50 million views on YouTube. She has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The View, Nick at Nite’s Funniest Mom and toured with the Southern Fried Chicks. Her comedy landed her at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2022. Morgan also has development deals for her own sitcom with ABC and Warner Brothers, writer/producer Matt Williams (Home Improvement), TV Land and Sony Television.