“Nothing But A Shirt On Their Backâ€
“Nothing but a shirt on their backâ€: A month after Operation Allies Welcome, some updates from Atterbury
- By Ashlyn Myers, TheStatehouseFile.com
- Oct 29, 2021INDIANAPOLIS—It’s been a while since new updates have come out on the refugees at Camp Atterbury, but the wait is over. The city of Edinburgh’s town manager, Dan Cartwright, shared some key details Friday about the Afghans transitioning out of Edinburgh as well as their lives inside the base.
Here is some information Cartwright shared from briefings with the National Guard:
- As of Thursday, there had been 647 departures from Atterbury.
- Of the departures, 169 involved Afghans flying out of state via the Indianapolis International Airport.
- Family or friends came and picked up 178 people.
- On Thursday alone, there were 47 departures.
- Atterbury has not experienced any major crime related to the Afghans.
- Afghans cannot leave until they receive full vaccinations and finish their vetting processes.
- There are large families at Atterbury, and there are no children without their parents.
Indiana National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Stringer interprets for an Afghan guest during a medical screening Sept. 10 at Camp Atterbury. Task Force Atterbury, consisting of active-duty and National Guard service members supporting this federal mission, is providing housing, medical, logistics and transportation for the Afghan evacuees.
Cartwright said the entire refugee process has gone well. He said there has been no negative response from Edinburgh’s community due to the smoothness of the transition—so smooth, in fact, that Cartwright said if the news of the Afghans wouldn’t have been publicized, he wouldn’t have noticed any change within the city.
Cartwright said Edinburgh does not currently expect any Afghans to stay in town after their time at Camp Atterbury.
Cartwright touched on the assistance the Afghans are receiving. Cultural and English language classes are being offered. On many of his weekly visits, he said he’s had a good time interacting with the children.
“It’s fun when I go out there. I’ve been out several times. The little kids want to fist bump you,†said Cartwright. “That’s a new thing for them in America. I’ve had little 4-year-olds walk up for fist bumps.â€
Cartwright expressed the importance of donations as the winter months begin.
“These people came over with nothing but a shirt on their back, and it’s getting cold,†he said.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration echoed these concerns. It released a statement urging Hoosiers to donate cold-weather essentials and infant supplies to the Afghan refugees. Donations can be taken to any of the following National Guard Armories, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday-Friday:
- Evansville: 3300 E. Division St.
- Greenfield: 410 Apple St.
- Terre Haute: 3614 Maple Ave.
- Danville: 1245 E. Main St.
- Muncie: 401 N. Country Club Road
- Indianapolis: Kessler-Moore Readiness Center, 2625 W. Kessler Blvd. North Dr.
- Fort Wayne: 130 W. Cook Road
- South Bend: 1901 Kemble Ave.
- New Albany: 2909 Grant Line Road
Tony Sandleben serves as the director of communications for Muncie, Indiana, and also is involved with the Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee (MARRC). MARRC is independently run by private individuals and has been helping with resettlement efforts there. It has subcommittees for things such as furnishings, housing, financials, wellness and more.
Sandleben said two refugees have arrived in Muncie. The first individual arrived two weeks ago and has started looking for job opportunities. Sandleben said he has a master’s degree in computer science and that Muncie has employers interested in hiring refugees.
The second individual arrived afterward, and Sandleben hasn’t received as many updates on them yet.
MARRC is preparing for around 50 Afghans to settle in Muncie. Sandleben said that is not a confirmed number but instead a goal for MARRC.
Sandleben said Muncie has been extremely welcoming and that once the Afghans are settled, it will be important to treat them as normal citizens.
“Once they’re here and settled and are able to live on their own, from there it comes down to treating them like neighbors—inviting them to dinner, inviting them out to a show or a football game. Befriending them will be important,†Sandleben said.
Exodus Refugee Immigration is a refugee resettlement and assistance agency that has been very active during Operation Allies Welcome. Cole Varga, the executive director of Exodus’ leadership team, discussed how welcoming and eager people have been to help in Exodus’ efforts.
“The community is rallying. We’ve had 600 people interested in volunteering,†Varga said. “We had to actually shut down our volunteer page.
“It’s overwhelming, but overwhelming support.â€
FOOTNOTE: Ashlyn Myers is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students
Proposed Legislation Should Protect Human Trafficking Victims
| Proposed Legislation Should Protect Human Trafficking Victims | |||||
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Nearly 25 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, making it the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal industry, according to the U.S. State Department. In Indiana, there were 157 human trafficking cases reported in 2019, which is a 19% increase from 2018, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
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Human trafficking is evil, and in the 2022 legislative session I will continue my fight against this crime. I plan to reintroduce legislation, which passed the House in 2021, to help protect young human trafficking victims by allowing them to record a video statement instead of being physically present in a courtroom with their attacker. Additionally, the legislation would increase sentencing for perpetrators whose victims are under the age of 18. I recently met with Linda Reich, wife of Indianapolis Colts Coach Frank Reich, (pictured, left) prior to her testimony in support of the legislation at a committee meeting on Tuesday. Linda and Frank Reich are founders of the Indianapolis-based nonprofit kNot Today, which raises awareness about the crime and helps restore the lives of trafficking survivors. We can do more to protect victims of human trafficking who have already been through so much. It is my hope this legislation would deliver a clear message to all who traffic Hoosier youth and adults in Indiana that they will be held accountable for their heinous actions. |
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GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HONORS JUDGES D’AMOUR AND TORNATTAÂ
GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HONORS JUDGES D’AMOUR AND TORNATTA WITH RARE “DISTINGUISHED HOOSIER†AWARDS
OCTOBER 30, 2021
At the City-County Observer Public Service Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Vanderburgh Superior Court Judge Thomas Massey had the privilege of awarding the “CCO Community Service Award” to Judge Richard G. D’Amour for his 16 years of service to the Vanderburgh Superior Court as a Magistrate and later Judge. Â
Immediately after Judge Rich D’Amour’s very thoughtful and well-received acceptance speech, Chief Judge Leslie C. Shively of the Vanderburgh Superior Court presented a “Distinguished Hoosier†award to retired Judge Rich D’Amour by Indiana’s 51st Governor, Eric Holcomb.
A second “Distinguished Hoosier†award was then presented by Chief Judge Shively to Senior Judge Robert J. Tornatta for his 24 years of service to the Vanderburgh Superior Court as a Magistrate and later Judge.
The “Distinguished Hoosier†award is one of the highest tributes given out by the State of Indiana to its citizens. The “Distinguished Hoosier†has been awarded by Indiana Governors for more than 50 years to recognize outstanding Indiana residents.Â
Only the Governor has the authority to designate a “Distinguished Hoosier†to those who distinguish themselves by significant contributions to their communities and whose qualities and actions endear them in the hearts and minds of Hoosiers.Â
Clearly, both Judge D’Amour and Judge Tornatta were very deserving recipients of such high tribute by Governor Holcomb.
Final Thoughts From The Foundation Director Of Ascension St. Vincent-Evansville
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UE Men’s Basketball Hosts Exhibition Game On Saturday
Aces Open Exhibition Play Against Mount St. Joseph
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Basketball season has officially arrived at the University of Evansville with the men’s basketball team set to open exhibition play on Saturday against Mount St. Joseph. Set for a 1 p.m. tip, it will mark the first of two exhibition contests for the Purple Aces.
Setting the Scene            Â
– Four starters highlight an experienced group that heads into the 2021-22 season with Evan Kuhlman, Noah Frederking, Jawaun Newton and Shamar Givance back in the lineup
– The lone starter to graduate as Jax Levitch, who started last season for UE as a graduate transfer
– Six newcomers join the team including four freshmen, a sophomore and a junior
Wrapping up 20-21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
– Last season saw a rapid climb up the Missouri Valley Conference ladder for UE, who went from an 0-18 mark in 2019-20 to a 7-11 finish a season ago
– With its improvement, UE became just the second team in MVC history to follow a winless conference season with seven victories
– The 7-game improvement for UE is the best that the conference has seen since Loyola went from eight league wins in 2016-17 to 15 a season later
– Evansville is the first team to jump from 10th in the MVC standings to a top five seed since Drake went from 10th in 2017 to 4th place in 2018
– UE completed the regular season in 5th place, marking its MVC finish since 2016
Last Time Out
– Facing Indiana State in its Arch Madness opener in March, the Aces fell by a final of 53-43 at the Enterprise Center
– Evan Kuhlman and Noah Frederking led the way with 10 points apiece while Jawaun Newton totaled 9 rebounds
– The Sycamores held a 43-41 lead with 8:19 remaining in the contest before the defense held UE to just two points over the duration of the contest to seal the win
A Brief History Lesson
– While Saturday’s exhibition contest does not count as an official game, this will mark the second meeting between the Aces and Lions
– On December 22, 2016, the teams met inside the Ford Center with UE taking a 68-55 win
– Evansville’s star that game was Jaylon Brown, who totaled 33 points and 6 rebounds…he connected on 11 of his 16 field goal attempts
First Time for Everything
– Last season, Evansville became the first team in MVC history to average double digit 3-point makes in conference-only games
– The Aces finished with 10.0 3-pointers per contest in its 18-game Valley slate…the closest any other team came was the 2007-08 Bradley squad, who finished with 9.8 triples per contest
Scouting the Opponent
– Limited to 12 games last season, Mount St. Joseph went 2-10 while dropping both of its Heartland Conference contests
– The Lions are led by a pair of double-figure scorers in Brady Thomas and Tanner Clos
– Thomas led the squad with 14.4 points while Clos completed the season with 12.4 PPG
 Using The 3
– One of the staples of the Evansville offense last season was its outside shooting, the 3-point shot accounted for 44.5% of the Aces offense – the second-highest tally in the NCAA
– As a team, UE has averaged 9.6 triples per game (20th in the nation) while hitting a total of 240 (29th in the country)
– Through the 25-game season, 49.0% of the Aces field goal attempts came from outside marking the third year in a row that over 40% of UE’s field goal tries have come beyond the arc (43.7% in 2018-19, 42.4% in 2019-20)
What’s on tap?
– In its season opener, the Aces will match up against the University of Cincinnati for the first time since 1990…the programs have met just five times in their history with the Bearcats winning three of those games
– UE opens the home schedule against IUPUI on Nov. 11…the teams last met on Nov. 30, 2019 in Indianapolis with UE grabbing a 70-64 road win
Halloween Safety TipsÂ
As Halloween quickly approaches, the Indiana State Police would offer a few safety tips for parents and children to consider before heading out to trick-or-treat:
- Know and abide by the appropriate dates and times your local community has established for trick-or-treating.
- Make sure that your child has a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective material on their costume, so he/she can be seen clearly during the low light hours.
- Children should always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating, or at a minimum- use the buddy system, and have a plan if groups get separated (charged cellphone / ask an adult for help).
- Only go trick-or-treating at houses where the front porch light is on.
- Children should NEVER enter the house of a stranger.
- All treats should be inspected by an adult before being consumed.
- And for all motorists- we ask that you slow down and drive with caution in our area neighborhoods. Pay close attention for children that are not paying attention!!
For more information on how to protect and keep your child safe, please visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) website at https://www.missingkids.org/education/kidsmartz.
Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the family time together while out trick-or-treating this Halloween!
FELONY CHARGES FOR VANDERBURGH COUNTY
Bryce Jiovanni Ferrell
Count 1 – Domestic Battery : 6F : Pending
Tashawn Jordan Willingham
| Count 1 – Dealing in Marijuana : 6F : Pending |
Kimberly Ann Newnum
| Count 1 – HC – Dealing in Methamphetamine : 3F : Pending | |||
|  | Count 2 – Unlawful Possession of Syringe : 6F : Pending | ||
Anthony A. Croce
| Count 1 – Dealing in Methamphetamine : 2F : Pending | ||||
|  | Count 2 – Possession of a Narcotic Drug : 6F : Pending | |||
Derek Reginald Singleton
|  | Count 1 – Possession of a Controlled Substance : 6F : Pending |
James Michael Edwards
| Count 1 – Auto Theft : 6F : Pending |