EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
Redistricting Made Simple: What Happened, And What’s Next
Redistricting Made Simple: What Happened, And What’s Next
By Haley Pritchett
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS—The next 10 years of Indiana politics started this week during redistricting.
Redistricting is a complex issue often skimmed over by citizens. The process, however, is vital in determining whether or not all Hoosiers’ voices will be heard.
Q: What is redistricting?Â
A: Redistricting is the process by which the state’s lawmakers redraw the boundaries of each voting district. What district you live in determines what Indiana House, Indiana Senate and U.S House candidates you vote for. District maps are redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. Census is completed. The United States Constitution says that each representative should have an equal number of citizens. Lawmakers are supposed to keep this and other considerations in mind.
Q: Why does this matter?Â
A: Although it seems to be a simple, straightforward process, redistricting is a bit messier when it is looked at under a microscope. Because politicians themselves are in charge of redrawing the maps, oftentimes they are accused of gerrymandering.
Q: What is gerrymandering?Â
A: Gerrymandering is when districts are drawn with intentional political motives. Politicians make sure they stack the odds in their favor when they place certain people in each district. This could mean putting all of the opposing party in one district so those people do not create competition in another, or stacking more of their supporting party in a district that they think could sway competitive districts to their advantage.
Q: Is this happening in Indiana?Â
A: At the public meetings on Sept. 15 and 16, which discussed the supermajority Republicans’ proposed maps for the Indiana House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives, it was argued that this is in fact happening in Indiana. For example, Julia Vaughn, policy director for Common Cause Indiana, a group that has no political affiliation, called the redistricting process a complete conflict of interest.
Q: What are the effects?Â
A: The effects of unfair redistricting processes are long term, even past the 10 years they are in place. They are especially harmful for minority populations. One in four Hoosiers is a minority, yet only one of the 11 members of the Indiana congressional delegation is a minority. Only 16 of the 150 members of the Indiana House and Senate are minorities.
Q: Where is Indiana in the process now, and what comes next?
A: Indiana’s House Elections and Apportionment Committee just finished hearing public testimony about the proposed maps for the Indiana House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives. The committee will have an amend-and-vote-only meeting on Monday, followed by a full House vote on the committee report, before it moves on in the process. As for the Indiana Senate maps, which have yet to be released, a public hearing is set for Sept. 27.
FOOTNOTE: Haley Pritchett is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Aces win Dunn Hospitality Tournament Championship
Aces win Dunn Hospitality Tournament Championship
UE wins 10th match of the season
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman Madisyn Steele had the top outing of her college career, recording 10 kills and two block assists to help the University of Evansville volleyball team earn a 3-0 win over Murray State to earn the Dunn Hospitality Tournament Championship.
Alondra Vazquez was named the Most Valuable Player of the event and finished Saturday’s match with 19 kills andf 14 digs. Steele and Melanie Feliciano earned All-Tournament accolades. With the win, UE moves to 10-1 on the season with Missouri Valley Conference play set to begin on Friday at Indiana State.
Blakeley Freeman added 10 digs while Feliciano added eight to complement nine kills. Taya Haffner had 43 assists, Kate Tsironis picked up five block assists and Giulia Cardona led all players with three service aces. Alexa Harris and Brooke Watts led the Racers with 16 and 15 kills, respectively.
Set 1
With the score tied at 7-7 in the first set, Evansville tallied three points in a row and would lead for the remainder of the frame. Feliciano and Vazquez recorded kills during the stretch. Cardona added a kill of her own to push the lead to five at 15-10. The Racers cut the deficit to three points before two more Vazquez kills capped off a 25-17 win.
Set 2
UE had the early momentum in game two, grabbing a 10-5 lead thanks to a Vazquez kill. Murray State chipped away at the lead and tied it up at 13-13 before going in front at 18-17. A back-and-forth battle ensued with the Purple Aces going back in front at 20-18 with Cecilia Thon adding an ace. Two in a row by MSU tied it up before a Steele kill gave UE a 21-20 edge. With Evansville continuing to lead by a 22-21 tally, the Racers stormed back with three in a row to bring up set point.
Facing a deficit in crunch time, the Aces responded in a big way with Alondra Vazquez taking control. Her kill got the Aces within one before a Racer error tied it up. The senior added a service ace to put the Aces in front before Murray State tied it up. The teams exchanged points leading to a 31-31 score. That is when Vazquez took over once again, registering a kill and an ace to clinch the set. Evansville did a great job of keeping control in the final rallies, never letting the Racers take the lead.
Set 3
In the third set, the Aces put everything together to finish off the day. While the set was close early on, UE never let Murray State gain the lead. With the score knotted at 7-7, the Aces picked up six of the next seven tallies to go up 13-8. Haffner had an ace while Cardona notched a kill to extend the advantage. The Racers cut the gap to a pair (17-15) before an 8-2 rally capped off the 3-0 match victory on the strength of a 25-17 decision in the set. Thon picked up another ace in the late stages while Vazquez had two more kills to finish the day with 19.
- INFO: For all of the latest information on University of Evansville athletics, log on to the sport page on GoPurpleAces.com or follow the program on Twitter via @UEAthletics.
- SUPPORT: For information on giving to UE Athletics or its individual athletics programs, visit http://gopurpleaces.com/give.
- TICKETS: To purchase tickets for University of Evansville athletics events, log on to GoPurpleAces.com and click on the TICKETS tab on top of the page
“If I’ve Already Had COVID, Why Should I Get Vaccinated?”
“If I’ve Already Had COVID, Why Should I Get Vaccinated?”
(Reviewed by Majed Koleilat, MD, Deaconess Clinic Allergy and Immunology, and Jeff Starkey, PharmD, Antimicrobial Stewardship Coordinator, Deaconess Pharmacy)
This is a very common question that we often receive, along with many other doctors and pharmacists, and we understand why people ask this question. When you’ve had an illness, why would you need a vaccination to prevent getting it again?
However, COVID-19 infection leading to “natural immunity,†and the risk of future infection, isn’t nearly as straightforward as many other illnesses.
According to a study in Kentucky earlier this summer1, 2, unvaccinated people who have had COVID-19 are more than twice as likely to be re-infected than those who are vaccinated. Given the prevalence and increased transmissibility (contagiousness) of the Delta variant, this number is likely even higher now.
We’ll break down the reasons why those who have had COVID-19 in the past still need to be vaccinated, as well as why prior infection isn’t necessarily a helpful piece of information when it comes to current COVID-19 infections and hospitalization rates.
1) “Natural Immunity” wanes.
Natural immunity results from the antibodies made by a person’s immune system when they’re infected with a particular pathogen. When someone is infected with COVID-19, they do develop antibodies to the SARS-COV-2 virus (the virus that causes the COVID-19 infection). But over time, those antibodies begin to reduce in number. This process is different from person-to-person and impossible to predict.
2) Natural immunity doesn’t adequately protect against variants.
The genetic make-up of viruses changes and evolves over time. (For example, the flu changes each year, requiring a somewhat different shot every fall.) SARS-COV-2 is doing the same thing, and prior infection from earlier variants of the virus may not offer the same protection for new variants. Immunity from vaccination, however, offers broader coverage because it creates antibodies to the protein on the outside of the virus, which is remaining more consistent. That means a vaccinated immune system is more prepared to recognize variants of the SARS-COV-2 virus.
3) Natural immunity is not predictable.
Different people get exposed to different viral loads (quantities of viruses). In a studied vaccine, everyone gets the same dose. This makes the response predictable.
Let’s use chickenpox as an example. For those of us old enough to have been infected with chickenpox prior to vaccination availability (about age 25 or older now), we probably know someone who had chickenpox twice. In those cases, the first chickenpox infection was likely mild, which meant that their immune system didn’t create adequate antibodies to prevent a second infection.
That is now COVID-19 infections seem to be working. Mild-to-moderate SARS-COV-2 infections tend to not create as strong of an immune response to the virus, allowing reinfection.
Additionally, those who had severe cases of COVID-19 may not mount an adequate antibody response, due to timing (an infection many months ago), or unknown immune suppression (contributing to the severe infection in the first place). Those who have had severe infections are being re-infected, although at a slower rate than those with a milder infection.3
Vaccination, on the other hand, delivers a precise, equal, and measurable dosage, which instructs the body to make antibodies that recognize multiple versions of the virus. This is predictable and easier to study.
4) Vaccination reduces the likelihood of both contracting or spreading COVID-19.Â
People who have had both a COVID-19 infection and are vaccinated are believed to have the best protection from future infection.
People with natural immunity but are unvaccinated may be more likely to spread the infection to others because we cannot predict how protected they are (see #3, above) and now because of the highly contagious Delta variant.
People who are vaccinated don’t have as high of a viral load as an unvaccinated person (amount of virus in their nose and throats) for as long of a time span4. That shorter time span can reduce the likelihood of spreading to others, especially at the beginning of the infection, when one may be asymptomatic or with minor symptoms.
Additionally, as more people become vaccinated, making their bodies an inhospitable host to the SARS-COV-2 virus, the more we can reduce the risk of future variants. Every time a virus replicates, there is the risk of a new variant forming.
5) Vaccination reduces the current and future suffering.
One of the most difficult feelings for any human to process is regret. When unvaccinated people get seriously ill with COVID-19, or when people realize they’ve given COVID-19 to someone else, it leads to feelings of regret and “shoulda, woulda, coulda.â€
Being unvaccinated increases the risk of severe illness, which can have long-lasting consequences for not only the patient, but their family who is counting on them. And as mentioned earlier, vaccination reduces the risk of giving COVID-19 to someone else…someone who may not do as well. No one wants to learn that a loved one, or a patient you were caring for, passed away because of a COVID-19 infection that you gave them.
Why Sharing Prior COVID-19 Infection Data Isn’t Helpful
In healthcare, when sharing information about COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, we’re often asked why we don’t include the numbers of people who have had COVID-19 before. Including that data isn’t helpful in drawing meaningful conclusions because of many variables explained above, including:
- When did someone have COVID-19?
- How severe was it?
- Which variant/strain was it?
- What percentage of the overall community has had COVID-19, to recognize if it’s a proportional number?
So listing a “yes or no†for prior COVID-19 infection isn’t always a meaningful statistic, compared to whether someone has been vaccinated. Prior infection is not always a useful predictor. Listing vaccination is far more straightforward and precise, as we know how many eligible people have been vaccinated, what their dosage was, etc.
The greatest variable now among listing vaccination numbers is those who are immunocompromised (due to medical conditions or age) resulting in their body’s inability to mount as strong of an immune response to the vaccine. That factor is why 3rd doses are being recommended for that group of patients. For more information on third dose eligibility, visit https://www.deaconess.com/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccine/3rd-COVID-19-Vaccine-Dose.
You can schedule a vaccine at Deaconess at www.deaconess.com/vaccines, or at area pharmacies and other locations at www.vaccines.gov.
Dr. Koleilat is board certified in allergy and immunology and pediatrics. He completed his fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Duke University and is a member of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.
Jeff Starkey completed his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Butler University and completed a PGY-1 residency at Henry Ford Health System.Â
Sources:Â
1) CDC.gov
4) TampaBay.com
Susan Kirk Selected a 2021 “Community Service Award Winner”
SUSAN KIRK RETIRED AFTER SERVING THE PUBLIC IN APPOINTED AND ELECTED OFFICES FOR OVER 50 YEARS
The City-County Observer is pleased to announce that Vanderburgh County Treasurer Susan Kirk has been selected an “Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2021.
Blanket statements and stereotypes are never a good idea. Some people run for public office because they really do want to serve people and make a difference.
Susan Kirk is among Vanderburgh County’s biggest assets and best kept secrets. She has a variety of accolades ranging from homeless fundraising efforts to excellence in voter registration
Susan Kirk. She doesn’t get involved in political matters surrounding her office. She just does her job and follows the laws and regulations set by the state. There’s no political grandstanding in her eyes. She does her job with fairness and integrity, or as she puts it, the way it’s supposed to be done.
Susan’s political career began in 1968. At the time, she was working as a dental assistant. Remembering that May and November are typically busy times in the County Treasurer’s Office, she recalled the time her father asked her to come work for him. While she was doing that part-time, she was offered a full-time position as a secretary at The Centre.
When Shirley Cox was elected Clerk, she asked Susan to come to work for her in the Election Office. Susan leaped at the chance. She talked about all she had seen as an Election Office employee. She said that during the week of the elections she would go into the office on Monday morning and wouldn’t go home until Wednesday.
While she has worked in a political atmosphere for most of her life, Susan doesn’t consider herself a seasoned politician. She earned from her father the value of maintaining your integrity as a public servant.
She took a common-sense approach to government spending. “I think all of the government needs to prioritize spending. When you have no money, you just need to maintain what you have. On the federal level, I think everything should pass on its own merits, with no attachments. As far as Vanderburgh County goes, I think, compared to a lot of other counties, we are doing pretty good.â€Â Vanderburgh County Clerk
While most people may see Susan Kirk as Vanderburgh County Clerk, she’s much more than that. Take one step in her office and look around. It’s apparent that she is adventurous and family-oriented. Her office is decorated with photos of her son, granddaughter, and 97-year-old mother, who incidentally still lives with her. She also has a certificate from a tandem jump from her lone skydiving adventure. And let’s not forget her Indiana Women’s Golf Association Hole-In-One certificate from a perfectly played hole at Quail Crossing Golf Club.
“I really can’t complain. I’m very thankful for the life I have. I enjoy my job, and I have a wonderful, healthy family with my two brothers, my son, my granddaughter, and my mother,†said Susan softly.
Joining Susan Kirk as a 2021 “CCO Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2021 are; State Senator Vaneta Becker, the popular three-term Mayor of Evansville  Lloyd Winnecke, prominent attorney, and community activist Charles L. Berger, retired Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Richard G. D’Amour, and the Co-Chairpersons of the “Feed The Hungry” collation of Vanderburgh County, Lisa Vaughn, and Evansville City Council member Alex Burton.
This event is scheduled for October 20, 2021 at Bally’s-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B at 12:00 noon.
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch held her annual Excellence in Affordable Housing Awards Program
Yesterday concluded the 2021 Statewide Indiana Housing Conference. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch held her annual Excellence in Affordable Housing Awards Program. Part of the program is a joint award given by IHCDA and the Indiana Affordable Housing Council to a resident that goes above and beyond within their community to improve the day-to-day lives of themselves and those around them.
Within each of our affordable housing developments in Indiana are residents. Many of them have transformed their lives by having safe, decent and affordable housing. This includes this year’s award recipient.
Treat those around you how you want to be treated. Go above and beyond for your neighbor. Rodney Allen exemplifies these statements as a valued resident at Florence Fay School Senior Apartmentsin Indianapolis. His kindness and selflessness shows through a variety of activities such as:
- Paying out his own pocket to support bingo games on Friday nights
- Providing gifts for all new move in’s also out of his own pocket.
- Picking up trash for the seniors that cannot walk to the dumpster
Mr. Allen also is a go to person for local resources, often offering his own car to take people to get to medical appointments. The type of friend and neighbor we would all love to have. .
It is a pleasure and honor to acknowledge and share some of the great things with you about Mr. Rodney Allen, our 2021 Outstanding Resident Volunteer
Program Highlight – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Energy assistance is a one-time annual benefit that can assist low-income Hoosiers with the high cost of home energy and can help those who are about to get disconnected.
Beginning October 1, 2021, Hoosiers can apply for a one-time benefit assistance payment to help with utilities. You don’t need to have fallen behind on your heating or electric bills to qualify. These benefits are paid directly to the utility vendor to help cover your heating and electric costs during winter months. If your utilities are included in rent, you may still qualify for this program.
This program is available to Hoosiers renting and for those who own their home.
All interested weatherization applicants need to contact their local Community Action Agency to find out if they are eligible for services. Click HERE to access an interactive map with details on who serves your county.
Volleyball opens home slate with win over CSU
UE takes on Murray State on Saturday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A complete team effort by the University of Evansville volleyball team on Friday saw the Purple Aces improve to 9-1 with a 3-0 victory over Cleveland State in the Dunn Hospitality Tournament.
Eleven Evansville players recorded a dig, nine contributed a kill and eight registered a block in the winning effort. Alondra Vazquez recorded a match-high nine kills while Giulia Cardona added eight. Taya Haffner registered 23 assists while Cecilia Thon posted 11. UE finished with ten service aces, led by three from Hannah Watkins. Madisyn Steele tallied five block assists to lead all players.
Set 1
Evansville came out on fire in its home opener, taking an 11-3 lead. A pair of kills from Melanie Feliciano and Alondra Vazquez, coupled with a kill from Blakeley Freeman, propelled the Aces attack. Cleveland State was unphased by Evansville’s start, rallying to score eight in a row to tie it up. Chelsea Penfield completed the run with a pair of service aces. Following a timeout, Feliciano got the Ace s back on track. Madisyn Steele added a kill that helped the Aces respond with six in a row. From there, UE cruised to the 25-15 win. Vazquez had five kills in the frame.
Set 2
Game two saw the Purple Aces jump out to a 5-0 edge with Cardona picking up two kills and Brooke Springer adding her first of the night. After the Vikings made it an 8-4 game, Evansville countered by reeling off six of the next seven points to go up 14-5. Laura Ruiz had back-to-back service aces in the run. With the Aces closing in on a 2-0 lead, Elise Moeller picked up two kills to lead her team to a 25-10 win.
Set 3
Cleveland State opened game three on a 3-1 stretch before Evansville tied it up at 4-4. The Vikings remained close, trailing by a 12-10 tally before the Aces slowly took control. Chloe Bontrager picked up a kill that gave UE a 15-11 lead before consecutive Moeller kills pushed the lead to 19-13. Hannah Watkins put the finishing touches on the night with three service aces to give Evansville a 25-15 win and a 3-0 match sweep.
Eagles blanked on the road by #2 Greyhounds
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer could not hold up against nationally ranked University of Indianapolis, falling 3-0 at Key Stadium on Friday night. The Eagles (1-3-0, GLVC 0-2-0) have lost two straight conference matches while the Greyhounds (4-0-0, GLVC 2-0-0) stay perfect in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Offense was not a high point in the first half for either club. UIndy was able to muster 11 shots compared to USI’s five as the teams went in to the break knotted up at 0-0. The Eagles were able to tally three shots on-goal in comparison to the Greyhounds’ two.
The Greyhounds broke the tie in the second half scoring twice within a 10-minute span (54:04 & 63:25) going up 2-0. UIndy gained another goal at the 75:32 mark to give the Greyhounds a commanding 3-0 lead.
USI tallied eight shots with four on goal. Sophomore forward Zach Barton (St. Louis, Missouri) produced two of the eight shots for the Eagles. Senior goalkeeper Justin Faas (Carmel, Indiana) recorded five saves and allowed three goals off 24 total shots from the Greyhounds.
UPCOMING FOR THE EAGLES:
USI is idle until next Friday (September 24) when it hosts the University of Illinois Springfield for a 5 p.m. GLVC match-up. The Prairie Stars entered tonight’s match versus the University of Missouri-St. Louis at home with a 2-2-0 mark, 1-0-0 GLVC. Illinois Springfield also is set to play Lindenwood University Sunday at home before traveling to play the Eagles.
USI has a commanding 12-4-1 lead in the series with Illinois Springfield after posting a 1-0 victory on the road last spring.
HOOSIER HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS: A New Courthouse for Allen County
September 19 – September 25The Week in Indiana History |
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“For the Farmers’ Day Parade (at the State Fair,) I was asked to drive a pony cart, an event that went fairly well until the high school bands leading the parade began to play loud, fast marches. What a day! I don’t know whether the pony or I was more scared and confused.” – – – Kathryn Louisea Heiliger Craig (1911 – 2001) Her husband, George Craig, served as Indiana Governor from 1953 to 1956. Did You Know?   Even back in the “Good Old Days,” there were state taxes. The book Indiana Past and Present by George S. Coffman, published in 1915, provides a look at the tax schedule for 1824. Property taxes were $1.50 per hundred acres for first-class land, $1.00 per hundred acres for second-class land, and 75 cents per hundred acres for third class land.  Each horse and mule was taxed at 37 1/2 cents. A two-wheeled carriage was charged $1.00. One with four wheels was assessed at $1.50. If you owned a brass clock, you paid a tax of $1.00. A silver watch was 25 cents, but a gold one was $1.00. There was also a poll tax of 50 cents for each male over 21 years of age “who was sane and not a pauper.”
ANSWERS: 1. b/ Single G     2. d/ Garfield   3. a/ Henry |
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1937   The Mark Twain Roustabout Club of Indianapolis embarked on their annual river steamboat trip. The group, made up of business and professional members of the community, began their journey on the Ohio River at Cincinnati and traveled to West Point, Kentucky. Invited to join them on the riverboat S. S. Gordon C. Greene were Indiana Governor M. Clifford Townsend and Senator Frederick Van Nuys,.
1948   The Four Freshmen singing group made their debut at the 113 Club in Fort Wayne. The quartet, which began at the Jordan School of Music at Butler University, was made up of brothers Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigin, and friend Hal Kratzsch. They created a vocal jazz harmony that won them a contract with Capitol Records. The group’s big hits include “It’s a Blue World,” “Mood Indigo,” and “Day by Day.”
1942   The first P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane was produced by the Republic Aviation Company in Evansville. Equipped with eight 50-caliber machine guns, the P-47 was one of the most important planes used by the United States Air Force in World War II. By the time the war was over in 1945, over 6,000 Thunderbolts had been built in Evansville.
