Around 2:30 p.m. on July 4th, Evansville Police Officers were dispatched to a parking lot inthe 2100 block of S Weinbach Ave. in reference to shots fired. Dispatch received multiple calls about a male shooting a firearm at another male in the parking lot.
Officers located the Victim near Kathleen and Weinbach Ave. The Victim had a gun shot wound to his lower back and was transported to the hospital. The Victim’s condition is unknown at this time, however, the injury did not appear to be life threatening.
The Victim told Officers that he did not know the suspect and did not know why the suspect shot at him. Officers were able to pull up surveillance video of the incident. The suspect
arrived in the parking lot in a vehicle. The suspect walked into the store and was inside for a few minutes. The video shows the suspect exit the store and have a verbal exchange with someone in the parking lot. He brandishes a firearm and begins to shoot toward the Victim in the parking lot. The video shows the suspect chasing the Victim through the parking lot. The suspect then got into the vehicle that he arrived in and fled the scene.
Investigators were able to identify the suspect. He was identified as 27-year-old DevinShavar Hobby from Evansville. Hobby was located by Evansville Police Officers on July 5thand taken to EPD Headquarters. Investigators spoke with Hobby about the incident and he admitted he was the shooter. Hobby was taken to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center and charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.
One July 4, a group of white men in South Carolina decided to mark the holiday in a peculiar and tragic fashion.
They were part of the Red Shirts, a white supremacist group appalled that Black Americans had some political power in South Carolina, the state where the first shots in the Civil War were fired and the first blood was drawn.
On Independence Day, 1876—America’s centennial—two white planters traveled to Hamburg, South Carolina. Hamburg was a town run and primarily populated by Black Americans, many of whom once had been slaves. The planters provoked a confrontation by claiming that members of the Hamburg Company, a state militia unit, had blocked their path.
The Red Shirts went to court. Their lawyer was a former Confederate general who, without any authority to do so, demanded that the Hamburg Company disband and surrender to him personally.
More Red Shirts—more than 100 white supremacists, all armed—descended on the town. The Hamburg Company took refuge in their armory. The Red Shirts surrounded the armory and opened fire.
The Hamburg Company returned fire. A white man was killed.
The Red Shirts made plans to bring in a cannon. The members of the Hamburg Company chose to slip away in the night.
Enraged, the white supremacists started gathering Black citizens of Hamburg, some of them militia members, some of them not.
The white supremacists formed a circle around their captives and debated what to do. While the Black citizens listened, they decided to kill some just to send a message to others about who really should be running things.
That’s what they did.
The white supremacists shot four Black men dead, then, for good measure, went on to kill a Black state legislator.
Still others were wounded and at least one Black man died in panicked firing that came after the slaughter.
That was Independence Day, 1876—100 years after we Americans established ourselves as a nation by declaring:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We are marking another Independence Day now.
Most of us likely will see the holiday as a moment of celebration, one filled with cookouts, hot dogs and fireworks. We will wave the flag and celebrate all that is good about America.
And there is much that is good about our country.
Not the least of those good things is our declared dedication to principles—liberty and equality among them—that are aspirational in nature. We say that it is our devotion to these principles that defines us as a nation.
But, because we are human, because we are fallible, we often fall short of doing so.
As we did on the centennial of this nation’s birth in Hamburg, South Carolina.
That is why our national holiday always should be something other—something more—than an exercise in jingoistic self-congratulations.
It also should be a time of reconsecration—of dedicating ourselves once again to the ideals upon which this nation was founded and is supposed always to aspire to achieve.
The founders of this nation were not perfect human beings, and they knew they were not. They knew that establishing a nation in which human beings would govern themselves would not be easy and that the ideals to which they proclaimed devotion always would be threatened, always would be imperiled.
That is why, when someone asked him following the Constitutional Convention what sort of government the delegates had formed, Benjamin Franklin replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.â€
This Independence Day weekend, we Americans again find ourselves in a time when our beliefs once again often are tested, often are threatened, often are imperiled.
Thus it always has been.
Thus it always will be.
That’s because the American Revolution never really ends. We must strive constantly to achieve ideals that call for perfection and, because we are human beings, we are not perfect.
But strive we must and strive we shall.
Because we live in a republic.
If we can keep it.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City-County Observer posted this article without bias or editing.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSÂ REGULAR MEETING ATB THEÂ KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERSÂ IN ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEXÂ ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021Â AT 12:00 NOON
                                AGENDA
1. Â Â Â CALL TO ORDER
2. Â Â Â MEETING MEMORANDUMÂ June 16, 2021
3. Â Â Â CONSENT AGENDAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
     a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Permit with Montessori Academy ofÂ
       Evansville, Indiana for use of West Branch Library for a public Day of the Dead Celebration
       Saturday November 6, 2021. -Ridenour Â
     b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Permit with Greater Evansville Media, LLC
       for use of Roberts Park for Evansville BBQ Festival.- Notter  Â
     c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Park Property Use Permit with Easterseals for the use ofÂ
       Garvin Park for Fantasy of Lights.- Holtz                  Â
4.   OLD BUSINESSÂ
      N/A
5. Â Â Â NEW BUSINESSÂ
     a. Request Re: Settlement and Release of Partial Assignment of lease for Pagoda with theÂ
        Evansville Museum and the Convention Visitors Bureau.- Holtz
     b. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments.    Â
6. Â Â Â REPORTS
     Brian Holtz- Executive Director        Â
United States Senator Mike Braun’s staff will be in your area soon! We are here to assist you with any issues you are having with federal agencies, listen to concerns about pending or future legislation, and help address any other topics you may want to discuss.
We are asking anyone wishing to attend the Mobile Office RSVP and work with our staff to schedule a time to discuss how our office can be of assistance. You may do so by emailing Regional Director Steve Hammer at Steve_Hammer@braun.senate.gov.Â
Please see below for details:
Date:Â Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Time:Â 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location:Â
The Old Courthouse (Commissioners’ Parlor)
201 NW 4th Street #102
Evansville, IN 47708
If you need immediate assistance with a federal agency, please complete, print, and sign the attached Privacy Release Form. You may bring this form to one of our mobile office hours or you can send it to the Senator’s state office by mail at 115 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or via email to braun_casework@braun.senate.gov. You may also contact the Senator about any casework issues by visiting our federal agency assistance page.
If you have an opinion regarding legislation before the Senate or a policy concern, you may also contact the Senator directly by visiting our website.
Ark Crisis Child Care is celebrating their 40th birthday this year which Bryan Ruder is currently serving as the President of the Board.
In 1981, Ark Crisis was founded by Junior League of Evansville as a signature project.  The mission still is to keep children safe and strengthens families in times of stress.
Ark gives 1,400 children a safe haven each year when they need it the most. This includes working parents who have no access to safe, affordable care for their children.
With the continual community support, Ark provides free child care for children and a resource for parents and caregivers to help them reduce the stress in their lives. When family stress is reduced, children are less likely to be abused or neglected.
Families do not have to be low-income or residents of Vanderburgh County to receive assistance at Ark. In the classrooms, early childhood professionals provide a collection of age-appropriate materials such as educational toys, art, and games as well as projects to enhance each child’s self-worth and socialization skills.
Wishing Ark Crisis Children Center a Happy 40th Birthday and another successful Keep the Ark Afloat Auction is the Stifel’s Evansville office.  Pictured: Seated: Thomas Ruder.   Second Row left to right: Robert Kozsan, Bryan Ruder, Sharon Ruder and Andre Hicks.
Ark Crisis makes a better place for children.  Happy 40th Birthday!
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 812-475-9353.
County Council Personnel And Finance Meeting wii be held Held At 3:30 p.m. In-Room 301, Civic Center On June 7, 2021
VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL JULy 7, 2021 MEETING AGENDA
1. OPENING OF MEETINGÂ
2. ATTENDANCE ROLL CALLÂ
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEÂ
4. INVOCATIONÂ
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (A) County Council May 5, 2021Â
(B) County Council June 2, 2021Â
6. PERSONNEL REQUESTS: (A) Circuit & Superior Court 2022 budget 1. Superior & Circuit Courts a. Request that Probation Officer salaries be determined by either the PAT or the State Minimum Salary Schedule, whichever sum is greater.Â
2. Superior Court a. Request that all salaries and stipends for Misdemeanor and Juvenile Probation Officers be moved from the General Fund and Superior Court – Supplemental Adult Probation Fund to the LIT Public Safety Fund and paid in their entirety from the LIT Public Safety Fund.Â
b. Request that supervisor job titles and supplemental salaries for Juvenile Probation Officers be reinstated.Â
3. Circuit Court a. Request that all administrative stipends paid to the Chief Probation Officer, Assistant Chief Probation Officer and Supervising Probation Officer be moved from Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation Fund to the LIT Public Safety Fund.Â
b. Request that Probation Officers fully funded from the General Fund or the Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation Fund have the difference between the PAT schedule and the Minimum Salary Schedule paid from the LIT Public Safety Fund.Â
(B) Superior Court 1. Request to increase hours for Police Liaison Officer 10001370-137161Â
2. Request to decrease hours for Part-time Bailiff 10001370-137195Â
3. Request to fill vacancy for Part-time Bailiff 10001370-137199Â
(C) Superior Court – User Fees 1. Request to move PT Re-Entry Advocate from Re-Entry User Fees Fund 2501 to 25030000-199000Â
2. Request to move four PT Home Verification Officers from Veterans Treatment Court Grant Fund 9311 to 25030000-199000Â
(D) Superior Court – INDOC Grant 1. Request to fill vacancy for Residential Officer 93040000-930452Â
(E) Superior Court – ICLEO Grant 1. Request to create and fill PT Mental Health Court Intern 93120000-198000Â
(F) Clerk 1. Request to fill vacancy for M/T Calendar Clerk 10001010-101131Â
2. Request to fill vacancy for Small Claims Counter Clerk 10001010-101132Â
3. Request to fill vacancy for Cashier/Child Support 10001010-101149Â
(G) Legal Aid/United Way 1. Request to fill vacancy for Legal Secretary 10001460-146114 & 49030000-490314Â
(H) Health Department 1. Request to fill vacancy for Environmental Health Specialist 11590000-115928Â
2. Request to fill vacancy for Bookkeeper/Insurance/Payroll 11590000-115948Â
(I) Health Department-WIC 1. Request to change hourly pay for Extra Help Breast Feeding Coordinator 84030000-199000Â
(A) Tourism Capital ImprovementÂ
(B) Surveyor Corner Perpetuation FundÂ
(A) AuditorÂ
(B) Superior CourtÂ
(C) BurdetteÂ
(D) COIT – Superior CourtÂ
7. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:Â
8. REPEAL: NoneÂ
9. TRANSFERS:Â
10. OLD BUSINESS: NoneÂ
11. NEW BUSINESS: NoneÂ
12. AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE:Â
(A) ClerkÂ
(B) Circuit CourtÂ
(C) Superior CourtÂ
(D) Legal AidÂ
(E) Health DepartmentÂ
(F) Superior Court- User FeesÂ
(G) United Way/Legal AidÂ
(H) Health Department – WICÂ
(I) Superior Court – INDOC GrantÂ
(J) Superior Court – ICLEO GrantÂ
13. PUBLIC COMMENTÂ
14. REMINDER UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES:Â
County Council meeting July 7, 2021 @ 3:30 p.m. Room 301Â
Personnel and Finance meeting July 30, 2021 @ 3:30 p.m. Room 301Â
Evansville Civic Theatre Announces The Opening Of “Barbecueâ€
Evansville, Indiana— July 05, 2021— Evansville Civic Theatre is announcing the opening of the final show of its 2020/21 season. Robert O’Hara’s “Barbecue†will open this weekend at the Mesker Mall Shelter, on Mesker Park Dr.
WHO: Evansville Civic Theatre
WHAT: “Barbecue†by Robert O’Hara, directed by Wendy Brown and Larry Armstead
WHEN: “Barbecue†will run July 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:00 pm (there will be no matinees)
WHERE: Mesker Mall Shelter (across from Mesker Park Zoo and old Mesker Amphitheatre)
TICKETS: Cost is $16.50 ($15.00 + $1.50 ticket processing fee)
ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Food vendors available – We have partnered with Southwestern Behavioral Health to raise funds awareness for their organization – “House†opens 30 minutes prior to curtain – Patrons should plan to bring lawn chairs for seating.
 About the Show:
Barbecue centers around the O’Mallery’s, a dysfunctional group of siblings who come together for a park barbeque in order to stage an emergency intervention for their sister Barbara, whose drug habit has gotten out of hand. However, there are in fact TWO O’Mallery families, one white and one black. Each appear in different yet similar scenes that juxtapose to create a dialogue about racial and family politics.
We also are pleased to announce that we a partnering with Southwestern Behavioral Health for this production. Information on their counseling services will be available at all shows and in-kind donations will be collected for their organization.
FOOTNOTE: Â THIS SHOW CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND DEALS WITH ADULT THEMES***
Wishing Ark Crisis Children Center a Happy 40th Birthday and another successful Keep the Ark Afloat Auction is the Stifel’s Evansville office.  Pictured: Seated: Thomas Ruder.   Second Row left to right: Robert Kozsan, Bryan Ruder, Sharon Ruder and Andre Hicks.
