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Vanderburgh County Commissioners Announce AT&T Rural Broadband Project 

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Vanderburgh County Commissioners Announce AT&T Rural Broadband Project 

(Nearly $40 million projects deliver two and five Gbps symmetrical speeds) 

EVANSVILLE, IN. (September 28, 2021) – The Vanderburgh County Commission announces a nearly $40-million-dollar rural Broadband project with AT&T as the provider. “This project is an investment in the sustainable future of our rural community”, stated County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave. 

In response to a Vanderburgh County Request for Proposal, AT&T has been selected to provide broadband service for unincorporated Vanderburgh County. Of the $39.6 million investment, $9.9 million in public funding and $29.7 million is an investment by AT&T. Public funding is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, federal dollars approved by the US Congress, and President Biden in spring 2021. 

The transformational project is an all-fiber solution that will bring high-speed broadband Internet to over 20,000 customer locations in two years or less. The service locations are unincorporated Vanderburgh County rural homes and businesses currently without broadband service or with inadequate service. Residents will have the option of up to 2 Gbps and businesses up to 5 Gbps symmetrical service. The project will be complete in two years and will provide services to an estimated 21,000 current residents, as well as providing potential future benefits in the form of job creation and economic development potential. 

“Internet service is as fundamental in today’s world as electricity and water. It is difficult to participate in today’s economy without uninterrupted, high-quality access to the Internet. Without Internet access, our children have restricted educational opportunities, our residents have less access to many resources, including banking and health care. Our rural community has been left behind due to the cost of providing wired Broadband access, much like they were a hundred years ago when electrical wires were first strung in cities, and only reaching the rural areas decades later”, stated Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave. 

“The prospect of moving from little or no service to excellent service is truly a transformational opportunity. Fiber to the home and business is the pinnacle technology in today’s world and is 305 ADMINISTRATION BLDG.  N.W. M. L. KING JR. BLVD.  CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX  EVANSVILLE IN 47708 PHONE: 812-435-5241 FAX: 812-435-5963 

considered “future proof” as well. Fiber delivers the best in speed and uninterrupted durability in Internet technology”, stated Commissioner Ben Shoulders. 

“We are thrilled to partner with AT&T to bring the best of today’s technology to our rural neighbors” stated Commissioner Jeff Hatfield. 

This Commission has taken solid steps to build a foundation for digital infrastructure. This project is a direct result of the 2018 Broadband Ready Ordinance, which received unanimous support. Vanderburgh County was one of the first in the state to achieve this designation. The ordinance removed barriers by creating a 10-day permitting process and create tax exemption for new broadband investment. 

This project follows earlier Broadband actions taken by the Vanderburgh County Commission, including the active pursuit of state grants and devoting local Tax Increment Finance District dollars to improve access in a northwestern portion of the county. 

HEALTH OFFICIALS PROVIDE UPDATE ON COVID-19

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HEALTH OFFICIALS PROVIDE UPDATE ON COVID-19

Teachers Act Passes House Of Representatives, Heads To President’s Desk

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WASHINGTON – The Consider Teachers Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Braun, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Senator Tina Smith, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Senator John Cornyn, and in the House by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz aimed at fixing a broken system burdening teachers with unfair loans, passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. This legislation was passed in the Senate in April and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The TEACH Grant program provides grant assistance to students who serve four years as a full time teacher in high-need, often underserved communities. However, often due to basic clerical mistakes, thousands of teachers have found their grants converted into loans that must be paid back with interest. The Consider Teachers Act aims to fix this broken system permanently, and provides extra time for teachers to complete service requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The TEACH grant is an important program to incentivize teachers to serve in neglected communities, but 12 years of poor government management has turned these grants into groans for thousands of teachers,” said Senator Mike Braun. “The passage of the Consider Teachers Act in the House and Senate shows our appreciation for America’s great teachers, and now I look forward to this bipartisan bill being signed into law.”

“Arizona teachers receiving TEACH grants serve in low-income schools, helping Arizona students access quality educations across our state,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema. “The government made a promise to these teachers—and our commonsense, bipartisan bill ensures the government honors its obligation and protects our teachers from surprise bills.”

“The TEACH Grant program has done so much for Texas students in high-need areas, but it’s crucial that we make sure this program is implemented responsibly and efficiently,” said Senator John Cornyn. “The Consider Teachers Act would streamline this grant process, ensuring that teachers will not be saddled with debt as a result of the bureaucratic inefficiencies in this program. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Senate and House in shepherding this important bill through Congress.”

“TEACH grants not only help support the next generation of teachers, but help ensure Georgia students receive a quality education, no matter their parents’ income or zip code,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation to give our teachers the security they deserve.”

“As a mother and educator, I understand the importance of strong teachers for high quality learning,” said Congresswoman Victoria Spartz. “I was happy to join my Senate and House colleagues in leading the Consider Teachers Act, which clarifies and streamlines some processes for the TEACH Grant program.”

“I am pleased the House today passed the Consider Teachers Act of 2021, which will reform the TEACH Grant program, which is unfairly converting many teachers’ grants to loans,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. “Currently, many teachers are finding their grants converted to loans because of small administrative errors. This bill will correct the administrative process and extend the period teachers have to fulfill their service requirements by three years for those who were affected by the coronavirus crisis. It will now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. As the daughter of a teacher in the D.C. public schools, Vela Holmes, this bill pleases me personally.”

“The TEACH Act is a perfect example of well-intended policy that, when put in to practice, produced a bureaucratic headache for those it intended to help, said Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx. “A lesson Congress should always remember – policies that look good on paper must convert to real world success. The bipartisan Consider Teachers Act will help more teachers obtain their promised student loan forgiveness, as long as they fulfill their four-year service obligation, without fear that bureaucratic folly could leave them indebted for life.”

“Finally, we have some good news for teachers participating in the TEACH Grant program who wrongly had their grants converted into loans—with back interest due,” said Senator Tina Smith. “This bipartisan legislation will reform the program’s administration processes so minor paperwork issues don’t cause crushing financial consequences. This never should have happened in the first place, and it took too long to fix, but I’m glad we’re making changes to improve the program and support these teachers.”

“It is critical that the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program would actually work as intended as we recover from the global health emergency that cost education jobs, exacerbated achievement gaps, and worsened the teacher shortage in many states and districts,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “However, administrative issues with the program have inadvertently converted thousands of these grants into loans which must be paid back with interest. The Consider Teachers Act is a bipartisan legislative fix that would ensure TEACH grants can continue to strengthen and expand our nation’s teacher workforc

Gov. Beshear Updates Kentuckians On COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations

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Gov. Beshear Updates Kentuckians On COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations

Five monoclonal antibody injection teams coming to Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2021) – Following the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s amended authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear said today that his administration recommends the following Kentuckians who received a Pfizer vaccine series get a booster six months after their second shot:

  • Individuals 65 and older;
  • Those living in a long-term care facility;
  • People 18 to 64 who have a medical condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19 infection – examples of these include diabetes, heart, kidney or lung disease, or a BMI greater than 25; or
  • People 18 to 64 who are likely to get exposed at their place of work – examples of high-risk work environments include health care and education.

“What I want to do is clear up any confusion that’s out there and let you know who can get the boosters,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you are eligible, go get them. There are plenty of vaccine doses out there.”

In addition, the Governor said for immunocompromised individuals – for example, people who are undergoing cancer treatment or who are taking a high dose of an immunosuppressant – a third shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is recommended at least 28 days after the second shot.

For those who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, no booster dose is recommended at this time.

“It appears that because of these vaccines, new cases may not only be plateauing, but we may be seeing a decrease in cases, hospitalizations and the positivity rate,” said Gov. Beshear.

He added: “With that said, we are still seeing far too many deaths, and this strain is killing more and more younger Kentuckians, primarily those who are unvaccinated. On Saturday, our report included a 39-year-old woman from Bell County. If you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s or 40s – don’t wait. Get vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

Gov. Beshear also said the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services has confirmed five monoclonal antibody injection teams will arrive this week to provide treatment courses for Kentuckians with severe COVID-19.

“The teams are trained folks from the federal government that are going to come in and take over doing the monoclonal antibody treatments, which frees up other people in the hospital to tend to patients. Thursday, we are going to have our website up showing the 50-plus locations that you can get monoclonal antibodies, which will be in each area development district,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have been aggressive and we have argued our cause, which allowed us to receive more than the original ration, but over time that probably will not be the case. With our current rates of infection, there will not be enough for everyone.”

The injections will be administered subcutaneously (under the skin). Today, a team arrived at Baptist Health Corbin; on Sept. 29, teams will arrive at Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center in Floyd County and Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky; and on Oct 1, teams will arrive at Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville and ARH Middlesboro. Each team will include two to four nurses and/or paramedics to assist with injections.

Kentucky National Guard, Nursing Student and Testing Support for Hospitals
Currently, over 500 Kentucky National Guard members are deployed at hospitals across the commonwealth to assist health care heroes as they fight COVID-19. In addition, 27 hospitals are receiving nursing student support from Galen College of Nursing, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Jefferson Community and Technical College System campuses and regional Kentucky Community and Technical College System campuses.

The state is also sponsoring six community testing sites across Kentucky, in partnership with Gravity Diagnostics, the University of Kentucky and Wild Health.

“With the recent spike of the delta variant, we have been providing the community with quick testing so we can stay on top of this,” said Jordan Kelsey, clinical specialist at Gravity Diagnostics. “If we don’t have testing, people are going to spread this even worse than it currently is. We are able to provide a safe environment besides the emergency room (ER). Here, we can get people in and out quickly and help relieve the ER. We get results back in 24 hours, while other clinics can take up to two or three days.”

To see an updated map of all Kentucky National Guard, nursing student and testing support for hospitals, click here.

To learn more about the aggregate, anonymized demographics of Kentuckians who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, including age, race, gender and ethnicity, click here.

COVID-19 Case Information Update
Number of people who have received at least one vaccine dose in Kentucky: 2,688,829
Number of people who received at least one vaccine dose since Friday: 16,537

From March 1 to Sept. 22, 86.7% of COVID-19 cases, 92.1% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 84.6% of COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky have been among those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

The Governor reported that 60% of all Kentuckians, including those that are too young to be eligible, have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose; 71% of Kentuckians 12 or older, or 71%, of all eligible Kentuckians, have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose; and 73% of Kentucky adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Eleven Kentucky counties have reached the milestone of at least 60% of residents receiving at least their first dose: Anderson, Boone, Boyle, Campbell, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Kenton, Perry, Scott and Woodford.

Sept. 25, Cases: 3,171
Sept. 25, Deaths: 37
Sept. 26, Cases: 1,563
Sept. 26, Deaths: 31

New Cases Today: 1,729
New Deaths: 19
Today’s Positivity Rate: 10.55%
Current Hospitalizations: 2,045
Current Intensive Care Admittances: 617
Currently on Ventilators: 399

Attorney General Todd Rokita: ‘California Liberals Should Not Set Environmental Policy For Indiana’

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Attorney General Todd Rokita: ‘California Liberals Should Not Set Environmental Policy For Indiana’

Attorney General Todd Rokita today expressed his strong objection to new standards on greenhouse gas emissions proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which are based on a unique consideration of California priorities.

“These proposed new standards completely disregard the distinct conditions and economies of the individual states, and they neglect important national interests critical to America as a whole,” Attorney General Rokita said. “President Biden’s EPA bureaucrats openly admit that they developed the new rule with a special focus on California. On behalf of Hoosiers, I contend that California liberals should not set environmental policy for Indiana and the rest of the nation.”

Attorney General Rokita and 15 other attorneys general submitted a letter to the EPA registering their adamant concerns regarding the EPA’s notice of proposed rulemaking titled, “Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards.”

“California’s unconstitutional favoritism under the Clean Air Act, and attempted domination of federal policy, is not a valid basis for promulgating nationwide emissions standards,” states the Ohio-led letter. “Moreover, the proposed standards rest on an overly speculative cost-benefit analysis and entirely fail to consider how reliance on China for raw materials and manufacturing will harm our national security.”

By granting California special status, the letter states, the Clean Air Act itself “violates the doctrine of equal sovereignty — a doctrine inherent in our Constitution and express in Supreme Court precedent — by allowing California to exercise sovereign authority that the Act takes from every other State.”

The letter is attached.

Deaconess Aquatic Center Releases Hours, Pricing & Upcoming Programming

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The City of Evansville and YMCA of Southwestern Indiana is pleased to announce additional details about the Deaconess Aquatic Center (DAC).

Hours of Operation

Lilly King Competition Pool

5 – 9 a.m. (Monday thru Saturday for public lap swim)

3 – 6 p.m. (Monday thru Friday for swim team practice and lap swim)

Noon – 5 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday for public lap swim)

Recreational Pool & Splash Pad

9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Monday thru Friday)

3 – 7 p.m. (Monday thru Friday)

Noon – 5 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday)

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance will be available to those in need for membership and programming at DAC.

Assistance will be awarded based on a sliding scale to ensure equitable access to safe, family-fun activities and water fitness.

“We want people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds to discover the joy and health benefits of swimming,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “The City of Evansville and YMCA are working together with the Dream Center, Welborn Baptist Foundation, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, Jacobsville stakeholders and several other community organizations to ensure access for the children of our community.”

As Evansville’s newest asset, Deaconess Aquatic Center is available to all in our community. Although the YMCA is managing the facility, a YMCA membership is not required for admittance.

Pricing

Pool passes and memberships are available for purchase, immediately. The following are the standard rates without discounts or adjustments.

Daily Pass: $6

Pass Packages:

  • 15 visits: $55
  • 30 visits: $106
  • 45 visits: $135

Monthly Individual Membership: $25

Monthly Family Membership: $50

Community Rooms

Two community rooms are available for birthday parties, meetings,s and event rental.

The rooms are currently being offered to neighborhood partners – Jacobsville Neighborhood Improvement Association and the Dream Center – for their respective board meetings.

Upcoming Programming & Services

October 4: GREAT Swim Club will begin training in the Lilly King Competition Pool

October 12: Morning water fitness classes begin on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week

October 25:  EVSC and ECS boys and girls high school swimming season begins

October 31:  Last day of the season for the CenterPoint Energy Splash Pad

November through December: YMCA will be scheduling stroke clinics, adult swimming workshops and other programs like masters swimming

January 1: Swim lessons will begin

For more information about passes, memberships and rentals, call 812-402-9770.

A new DAC website is currently being developed. Updates will be posted via social media athttps://www.facebook.com/EvansvilleDAC or https://twitter.com/EvansvilleDAC.

 

Vincennes University to take high school students electrofishing

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Vincennes University to take high school students electrofishing
WHEN:
10:30 a.m. (EDT), Friday, October 1, 2021
WHERE:
Kelso Creek, Corner of 2nd St. and Niblack Blvd., Vincennes, Indiana
WHO:
Curt Coffman, Dean of College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, VU
High school students
WHAT:
The Vincennes University College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics is hosting Science Fridays throughout Fall Semester 2021. High school students experience electrofishing, set snack foods on fire to determine calorie count, silver a bottle, learn about soil health and watersheds, and several other activities. College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Dean Curt Coffman and students will test the water quality, collect data, and study fish species, while electrofishing in Kelso Creek. The creek runs through Vincennes.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Curt Coffman
Dean, College of Science, Engineering, & Mathematics
Vincennes University
1002 N. 1st Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-888-4373

New Indiana Connectivity Program Now Open

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STATEHOUSE (Sept. 27, 2021) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced the Indiana Connectivity Program, a new resource designed to help more Hoosiers obtain access to reliable and quality broadband, is now open.

Homeowners and business owners can now apply for consideration. This new tool can connect residents and businesses that lack internet service with internet service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to unserved and underserved locations.

“The Indiana Connectivity Program aims to bring high quality broadband service to unserved and underserved Hoosiers,” Crouch said. “The last year and a half has shined a light on the severe importance of having everyone connected. This program is a path to bring service to households and businesses that are in internet darkness or have speeds that are not meeting the demands on our students who are eLearning or our workforce teleworking.”

Hoosiers and business owners lacking internet connectivity can communicate their interest by entering their address and information into the Next Level Connections portal at in.gov/ocra/broadband.

Hoosiers can also initiate interest by calling the Indiana Broadband Connect Center, which is open on business days from from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET. Hoosiers can reach the call center at 833-639-8522.

“Through this program, we can help more Hoosiers, especially those in rural areas, have better access to quality internet service,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “The Indiana Connectivity Program is one more step toward expanding broadband accessibility to all corners of Indiana.”

To be eligible, a location must have access to actual speeds of less than 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload). Inputting location information into the Next Level Connections Broadband portal does not guarantee extension of service.

Eligible locations submitted will be available to service providers within 90 days. Next Level Connections Broadband Program funding may be available to assist in expanding internet opportunities to these locations, following a 60-day bidding process. Once awarded, providers must complete their projects within nine months of the contract date.

Coach Mike Owen Field Dedication

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The EVSC Foundation invites the community to the Coach Mike Owen field dedication Friday, October 1 at Central High School located at 5400 First Ave., Evansville IN 47710.
The event will celebrate the naming of Central‘s football field in honor of longtime coach, friend, and mentor Mike Owen (1953-2019). The dedication ceremony of Coach Owen’s field will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. before the Central Bears take on the Harrison Warrior’s 7:00 p.m. Admission is $6.
EVSC Foundation along with a committee of dedicated Central faculty, alumni, and friends set a goal to raise $50,000 to make Coach Owen Field a reality. Support from former players, class/reunions, corporations, family, and friends came together to surpass the goal and reach the $55,000 mark within weeks. Support goes directly to Central High School to benefit academic and athletic programs. 
Preserving Mike’s legacy by adding his name to Central’s football field一 a place where he spent many years supporting young people, Central High School, and the Evansville community was paramount to the community who witnessed Mike’s impact first hand. A donor recognition plaque will be placed at Central after the first of the year to thank supporters.
It’s not too late to make a gift to honor Coach Owen and support Central High School. To join this effort, please mail support to the EVSC Foundation at 951 Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713, or make a gift online at evscfoundation.org/give-today. EVSC Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS. For questions related to Coach Owen Field, please contact EVSC Foundation at info@evscfoundation.org.

Evansville Rally for Abortion Rights

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Evansville, IN –  October 2nd Evansville Rally for Abortion Rights will host a rally at the Four Freedoms Monument on the Evansville riverfront along with a voter registration drive to raise awareness around reproductive rights legislation around the country that will impact the reproductive health and essential care of members of our community and the tri-state area. 

The Supreme Court has failed millions of Texans. In the dead of the night, the Supreme Court turned its back on 50 years of precedent, rendering Roe v. Wade effectively meaningless in that state. This is unprecedented and we can not let it stand. We cannot let Indiana enact similar legislation.

 WHO: Speakers include: Kaitlin Moore, Evansville City Council Member, Katherine Rybak, Attorney, Maddie Bogan, Albion Fellows Bacon Center

WHAT: Evansville Rally for Abortion Rights https://fb.me/e/1i6CoQpLV

WHERE: The Four Freedoms Monument, 201 SE Riverside Dr, Evansville, IN 47713

WHEN: Saturday, October 2, 2021, 2pm

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