Independence Day statement from Attorney General Todd Rokita
In recognition of Independence Day, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued the following statement:
“On this July 4th, 245 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we remain an indivisible nation and a shining example of liberty and justice for all throughout the world. When the Founding Fathers declared independence from the British monarchy, they did so with the intent and purpose to establish their own nation, based upon the eternal principles of our God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
“As we celebrate with family and friends today, I hope we will pause to marvel at the foresight and dedication of our Founders to one United States of America, deriving its powers from the consent of the governed and not from a far and distant ruler on high. We are an enduring nation, governed of the people, by the people, and for the people of the greatest country the world has ever known. We should embrace and celebrate our heritage and the progress we have made over the course of time. These United States have evolved and, over time, we have grown and flourished. We truly are, as Ronald Reagan once said, ‘that shining city on a hill’.
“I am so humbled and proud to serve as your Attorney General, fighting for liberty in our actions every single day. We will never tire of standing up and fighting for the inherent constitutional rights of our citizens in the spirit of protecting and preserving our American independence.
“Have a happy and blessed 4th of July!â€
Otters’ quick start not enough, losing 6-5
After a quick 5-0 start Saturday, the Evansville Otters saw the Gateway Grizzlies fight back to grab a 6-5 win to even the weekend series from GCS Ballpark.
Dakota Phillips opened a monster game with a two-run homer down the line in right, scoring Elijah MacNamee in the top of the second. The Otters then led 2-0.
Dakota Phillips continued his offensive onslaught with a bases-clearing, three-run double in the top of the third, pushing the Otters’ lead to 5-0.
The Grizzlies responded in the bottom half of that inning, as Ty Moore hit a solo shot to right bringing Gateway within four.
Tim Holdgrafer allowed his only other run of the night in the bottom of the sixth, when Connor Owings collected a two-out RBI with a single to center field, tightening Evansville’s lead to three, 5-2.
Justin Lewis came on to begin the bottom of the seventh, and after striking out the first batter he faced, Lewis would walk two batters with a flyout between the two free passes.
Lewis was then lifted for Taylor Wright, who gave up a game-tying, three-run, two-out home run to Andres Regnault (his second in as many nights). The score was then tied in the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Grizzlies managed to push across the go-ahead run after Nick Rotola singled to lead off the inning. He reached second on a stolen base, but the throw down skipped into center field allowing Rotola to advance to third. After an uncorked wild pitch, Rotola scored from third to give the Grizzlies a 6-5 lead.
That score would hold for the final, as the Otters managed to get the tying run aboard in the top of the ninth off Grizzlies closer Geoff Bramblett, but could not get him to score.
Gateway reliever Carter Hayes earned the win, while Taylor Wright took the loss. Bramblett earned his second save of the season.
The Otters look to take the Fourth of July rubber match Sunday, with a 5:45 p.m. first pitch. Fans can catch an audio broadcast of Sunday’s game on the Evansville Otters YouTube channel with a 5:30 p.m pregame show.
Happy 4TH of July
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
The Fourth of July 2021 is on Sunday, July 4, 2021; the federal holiday will be observed on Monday, July 5, 2021.
Indiana Department of Insurance Warns Damage from Fireworks May Not Be Covered by Insurance
As Independence Day celebrations kick off, the use of fireworks may increase in your area. The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renters insurance policies.
Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy.
In 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Annual Fireworks Report, fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36 percent of the estimated fireworks-related injuries.
The following are laws governing fireworks in the Hoosier state, and many towns and cities have additional ordinances that Hoosiers must follow:
- Fireworks can be purchased only by persons 18 years of age or older.
- Fireworks use is limited to personal property, the property of someone who has approved the use of fireworks or a location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks.
- Consumer fireworks may be used only between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on most days that are not holidays, but this may be limited further by local ordinances – check with local officials.
- On holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and New Year’s Eve), fireworks may be used between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. (You should check first with local officials.)
- The times on the following dates are protected in Indiana for consumer use of fireworks and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:
- June 29 to July 3: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;
- July 4: from 10 a.m. to midnight;
- July 5 to July 9: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset; and
- December 31: from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Celebrating Our Freedom
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS
|
|
|
EVPL Foundation Annual Summer Book Sale
The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the EVPL Foundation Annual Summer Book Sale on Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8 at Washington Square.
 The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library has supported the work of EVPL since its founding in 1982. Beginning as a collaboration between Bill Bolte, a Friends of Indiana Libraries officer and Director of the Jeffersonville Township Public Library, and a group of fifty EVPL supporters, what would later become the library’s Friends group – and later become a part of the EVPL Foundation – held its first meeting on September 30, 1982.Â
 Bolte served as a leader in the founding of the group, providing information on how similar groups functioned and highlighting three main areas of focus for a Friends group. These areas included supporting library projects, fundraising for materials and supplies the library may not otherwise be able to afford, and advocating for library-friendly legislation.Â
By the conclusion of the meeting, those present agreed to form a Friends group to support EVPL, approved the group’s constitution and by-laws, as well as elected the Friends group officers and Board of Directors. The initial Board of Directors included: Charles Browning, Malcolm Forbes, Elaine Gomoll, Jane Henei-sen, James Morlock, Martharee Mays, Amaryllis Martin, Ann Pearson, Phyllis Kincaid, Robert Kruse, Margaret Kyle, Timothy Seiler, Charles Wesselman, and Richard Yeager.Â
Since its formation in 1982, the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Friends group have supported EVPL in a variety of ways, including its annual book sale. Beginning as one sale on the first Sunday in August, the sale has now become one large weekend-long event the first weekend in August at Washington Square, as well as two smaller weekend-long events held at EVPL Central.
 After postponing the 2020 summer book sale, EVPL and the Foundation are looking forward to hosting the 2021 EVPL Foundation Annual Summer Book Sale the first weekend of August. EVPL is looking forward to providing the opportunity for the community to browse thousands of books, movies, and music to add to their collection while supporting their public library. More information can be found at evpl.org.
Hostettler Highlights New Indiana Laws Effective July 1
State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) said Hoosiers should be aware of several new state laws effective July 1, including those expanding broadband access, supporting lawful gun owners and helping small businesses.
“Guided by conservative principles, Indiana lawmakers took action on a number of issues ranging from removing carry permit fees for lawful gun owners to cutting red tape for adoptive families,” Hostettler said. “These new laws and other help ensure that government doesn’t needlessly stand in the way.”
Hostettler highlighted several new and notable laws:
Supporting Indiana Adoptions
Adoptions can take longer in certain counties that face increased workloads, delaying children from joining their new loving homes. Thanks to House Enrolled Act 1448, Hoosier families can file petitions to adopt in counties outside of where they live in order to speed up the process.
“All Hoosier children deserve loving homes and government red tape shouldn’t impede Hoosier families from considering adoption,” Hostettler said.
Expanding Broadband Access
Thanks to House Enrolled Act 1001, an unprecedented $250 million will be invested in affordable internet service, especially in unserved and underserved areas. Lawmakers also prioritized access for Hoosier schools, students and health care clinics in rural communities in House Enrolled Act 1449.
Helping Small Businesses
Senate Enrolled Act 1 and House Enrolled Act 1002 support employers and jobs by extending civil liability protections related to COVID-19 to employers, schools and health care entities. House Enrolled Act 1004 allows local employers impacted by the pandemic to apply for a Small Business Restart Grant to pay for a portion of business and payroll-related expenses. Hoosier employers can learn more and apply at backontrack.in.gov.
“We need our small businesses firing on all cylinders,” Hostettler said. “They’re critical to supporting local jobs and our economy. With these grants, our job creators can accelerate their recovery after surviving a very difficult year.”
Supporting Lawful Gun Owners
Lawful Hoosier gun owners will no longer pay a fee to obtain a lifetime license to carry a handgun due to the passage of House Enrolled Act 1001. Hoosiers can visit IN.gov/ISP to apply for a free five-year or lifetime license, or renew current permits. The process to legally purchase a handgun remains the same.
INDOT, Purdue To Develop Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Solution For Highway Infrastructure
The Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University today announced plans to develop the world’s first contactless wireless-charging concrete pavement highway segment. The project will use innovative magnetizable concrete – developed by German startup Magment GmbH – enabling wireless charging of electric vehicles as they drive.
“Indiana is known as the Crossroads of America and we’re committed to fortifying our position as a transportation leader by innovating to support the emerging vehicle technology,†Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “This partnership to develop wireless charging technology for highways sends a strong signal that Indiana is on the leading edge of delivering the infrastructure needed to support the adoption of electric vehicles.â€
“As electric vehicles become more widely used, demand for reliable, convenient charging infrastructure continues to grow, and the need to innovate is clear,†INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness said. “We’re excited to partner with Purdue and Magment to explore incorporating wireless charging technology into highway infrastructure.â€
“The field of transportation is in the midst of a transformation not experienced since the invention of the automobile,†Nadia Gkritza, Professor of Civil Engineering and Agricultural and Biological Engineering and ASPIRE Campus Director at Purdue University said. “Through this research, we envision opportunities to reduce emissions and near-road exposures to pollutants, coupled with other transportation innovations in shared mobility and automation that will shape data-driven policies encouraging advances.â€
The project is part of the Advancing Sustainability through Power Infrastructure for Road Electrification (ASPIRE) Initiative, an Engineering Research Center funded by NSF, the National Science Foundation, and involves the collaboration of universities, government laboratories, businesses, and other stakeholders developing next-generation charging technologies for the electrification of Transportation vehicles of all classes.
“We’re quite eager to see this first of its kind project unfold in Indiana,†said David Christensen, ASPIRE Innovation Director. “This partnership that includes Magment, INDOT, Purdue University, and the larger ASPIRE consortium has great promise to really move the needle on technology development, which will, in turn, enable more positive impacts from deeper electric vehicle adoption.â€
Phases 1 and 2 of the project will feature pavement testing, analysis, and optimization research conducted by the Joint Transportation Research Program (JTRP) at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. In phase 3, INDOT will construct a quarter-mile-long testbed at a location yet to be determined, where engineers will test the innovative concrete’s capacity to charge heavy trucks operation at high power (200 kilowatts and above). Upon successful completion of testing of all three phases, INDOT will use the new technology to electrify a yet to be determined segment of interstate highway within Indiana.
“This project is a real step forward towards the future of dynamic wireless charging,†said Mauricio Esguerra, CEO of Magment, “that will undoubtedly set the standard for affordable, sustainable and efficient transportation electrification.â€
The project will include three phases and is expected to begin later this summer.