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HAPPENINGS AT THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY GOP
The Activities Of “Feed Evansville Task Force”
When Covid-19 impacted Evansville, Indiana in mid-March, Lisa Vaughan and City Councilman Alex Burton started a grassroots effort to ensure the Tri-State had food access during the Covid-19 Government Shut down.
The effort was so successful it led to the Mayor of Evansville deeming the Feed Evansville Group the official government Food Security task force of the area and named Lisa and Alex the co-chairs.
These efforts also shined a light that Food Security is an issue within the area and the Mayor officially announced that work will need to be ongoing after the pandemic is over. Â
Feed Evansville organized a communication hub and tracked what every organization was doing (both Businesses and Non-profit). The task force created and shared a weekly food access flyer so community members would know where to receive services and published grocery & restaurant hours through social media, TV, radio, and emailed organizations to spread the word. All services have been provided through fundraising and in-kind donations. Â
Activities Of “Feed Evansville Task Force” For March & June.
 • Developed a pop-up grocery store that delivered groceries to those in need or having health concerns. • Assisted community members that have low income and circumstances that prevent them from grocery store access to receive delivered grocery boxes and worked with the federal government to be able to accept SNAP and Credit Cards for that delivery service. March through the end of August.Â
• Delivered an average of 100 pantry boxes weekly and will continue through the end of August.Â
• Spoke with both Senators, our Congressman, and our Governor’s office about food access needs in our community.
• Created a survey to better understand the needs of all organizations as we re-enter.
• Developed a recovery and restoration plan for food service that will take the city through the end of August and developed a summer feed plan for children to assist with the gap of not having summer programs. Â
• Developed a marketing plan so community members that have never had to receive services before Covid-19 and were laid off for two months would understand the resources that are available to them.  • Created a survey to better understand the needs of community members and neighborhoods as the Tri-State reenters from shut downÂ
 • Outlined the need for Food Coalition that will support the Food Security efforts and assure the ongoing work.Â
 • Worked with State Government and advocated for the more efficient SNAP application process and food programming for community members. Â
• Educated the public on sensitivity language and the common ground that all community members have with Food Security as well as explain what food security is and is not. Â
• Worked with community partners and nonprofit to ensure the grocery delivery system is continued after the pandemic and that families in need can enter a food co-op and gain insight on food nutrition budgeting and other resources to ensure stability.Â
- Feed Evansville Task Force has secured the Farm to Families program for the Evansville area. Evansville will start to receive 3,000 Diary Boxes and 3,000 Produce Box each week till the end of August. The boxes will be distributed to nonprofit agencies who will in return handed boxes out to their clients and guest as well as individual families through a truck to trunk event weekly.
Thank our community partners for assisting with this program Evansville Cold Storage, Old National Event Plaza, and CRS One Source.Â
Gov. Beshear Provides Update as COVID-19 Cases Rise in Commonwealth
Gov. Beshear Provides Update as COVID-19 Cases Rise in Commonwealth
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 14, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s ongoing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as cases continue to rise in the commonwealth.
“COVID-19 is attacking us, and we are at war with this virus. We either come together or we fall apart,†the Governor said. “This virus isn’t playing, and neither are we. And it puts so many at risk when any of us fail to do our part.â€
Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 14, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 20,223 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 576 of which were newly reported Tuesday.
“Today’s report shows we are certainly in a time of escalating cases. And our actions over these next 10 days to 14 days – really through the next 30 days that we have put this face covering requirement out – are going to determine if we continue to be a leader, if we continue to be one of the best states in the country, or if we go the route of Arizona, which is now requesting giant freezer trucks because their morgues are being overrun,†the Governor said. “It depends on our willingness to come together and do the right thing, and today should be just one more wake-up call that we’ve got to do it now.â€
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported six new deaths Tuesday, raising the total to 635 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The deaths reported Tuesday include a 44-year-old woman from Carter County; an 89-year-old woman from Casey County; a 65-year-old man from Fayette County; a 77-year-old man from Floyd County; an 82-year-old man from Ohio County; and 72-year-old woman from Shelby County.
“Turn on those green lights for these people. Please. There are multiple counties here that have never had a loss before and they do now, and with thinking that there is going to be worse to come, let’s make sure we amp up our compassion and are there for one another,†said Gov. Beshear. “There are going to be a lot of people who need our help in the coming days.â€
As of Tuesday, there have been at least 494,343 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 3.95%. At least 5,389 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.
Young Hero Encourages Kentuckians to Wear Masks
Today, David Turner Jr., a 9-year-old boy from Louisville who is battling a rare form of brain cancer, joined Gov. Beshear to encourage Kentuckians to wear masks. When the Governor and First Lady met David earlier this year, the 4th-grader sat at the Governor’s desk and declared the day he visited was “Kentucky Ice Cream Day†and said everyone should celebrate by having a scoop of their favorite flavor.
“The fact that we wear these masks probably means more time for David and his family, and as a father I can’t think of anything more important in the world,†said Gov. Beshear. “If you don’t want to wear a mask for me, that’s fine, but surely you will wear one for countless kids around the commonwealth who are counting on you.â€
David Jr. continued to offer excellent advice this afternoon.
“You should wear a mask when you are with other people besides your family,†said David Jr. “I wear a mask to protect other people and so should you.â€
As the Governor reminded Kentuckians yesterday, an increasing number of young children in the commonwealth have tested positive for the coronavirus. Children like David, whose immune systems may be compromised, are especially vulnerable, and everyone on Team Kentucky can help keep them safe by wearing face coverings.
Dr. Steven Stack, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, emphasized the efficacy of face coverings.
“In the middle of May, in Missouri, two hair stylists with COVID-19 spent at least 15 minutes with 139 clients. During that time, there are a few key points I want to highlight,†Dr. Stack said. “All of these individuals, the two stylists and the 139 clients, wore face coverings and no clients are known to be infected after several weeks. That’s a lot of people, folks, all because they wore a cloth face covering. It helps keep people safer, it allows people to return to work, it allows us to go back to the activities we need to do.â€
Governor: Leadership Needed from Lawmakers
Gov. Beshear said Tuesday that Kentucky lawmakers of all stripes need to show leadership during this pandemic.
He noted that a state senator tested positive for COVID-19, and despite this several of his colleagues met today in a legislative session without wearing masks or maintaining a safe distance apart.
“Yesterday evening a state senator tested positive for COVID-19 and had been in various hearings. But today, we had almost every member of one political party’s representatives and senators not wearing masks and not being six-feet apart, after having been potentially exposed, after having a mask mandate, with record numbers of cases out there,†the Governor said. “I’m not trying to publically shame people, but we need leadership. With even the President wearing one, this isn’t right. I hope and expect to see everybody in the annex wearing one, starting tomorrow, otherwise their very own employees are being put at risk. It also spreads their contacts from each other and takes them back into their different communities across the state.â€
Kentucky State Reformatory Death
Executive Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown spoke Tuesday about the death of an inmate at the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County.
Secretary Brown said a 55-year-old man from Jefferson County suffered a heart attack on July 12. He was taken to Baptist Hospital, La Grange, where he was pronounced dead.
The man had been housed in the assisted-living unit where the first COVID-19-positive inmate was housed. The man was tested, along with all the residents of that unit, on July 9 and the positive result was received July 11. He along with all other inmates who tested positive were moved to quarantine and isolated from the rest of the inmate population. His care was being managed by medical staff at the prison.
To view all Department of Corrections COVID-19 updates, click here.
Safety Reporting Hotline
Gov. Beshear noted on Tuesday that the COVID-19 reporting hotline is available to help keep Kentuckians safe.
“As we require masks and encourage social distancing and good hygiene to protect fellow Kentuckians, I want to remind people they can still go to kysafer.ky.gov to report concerns about businesses who are not following the requirements,†the Governor said.
People who witness dangerous non-compliance with coronavirus mandates, including requirements for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitation, are encouraged to call the COVID-19 reporting hotline at 833-KY SAFER (833-597-2337). Labor Cabinet personnel will monitor the hotline from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT. To file a complaint online, click here.
Testing Update
Gov. Beshear reminded all Kentuckians to take advantage of testing offered through the state’s partnership with Kroger.
This week’s Kroger testing sites are in Independence, Louisville and Lexington. Kentuckians can sign up for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing online. Tests are being conducted at the following sites:
Tuesday, July 14 – Thursday, July 16 – Summit View Academy, 5006 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051
Tuesday, July 14 – Friday, July 17 – Louisville Southern High School, 8620 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40219
Tuesday, July 14 – Friday, July 17 – Bluegrass Community and Technical College, 500 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40508
CARES Act Reimbursements
Gov. Beshear, in collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), announced today that 18 central Kentucky governments have been granted more than $16.5 million in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19. Fourteen others have received preliminary approval, meaning they will receive reimbursements once final documentation is submitted to DLG.
“We know many of our local governments are hurting,†the Governor said. “That’s why we set aside $300 million in CARES Act funding for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19 to be administered by our Department for Local Government.â€
For full details on the announcement, click here.
More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at tinyurl.com/kygovespanol (Spanish) and tinyurl.com/kygovtranslations (more than 20 additional languages).
TODAYS BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS AGENDA
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETINGÂ In The KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERS
in ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX on WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020 at 12:00 NOON
 AGENDA
1.    CALL TO ORDER          Â
2.    MEETING MEMORANDUM  JULY 1, 2020
3.    CONSENT AGENDAÂ
      a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by anÂ
        Independent Skating Professional, Catherine Heiger.- Crook
      b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by an
        Independent Skating Professional, Christin Thompson.- Crook
      c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by an
        Independent Skating Professional, Cleomariel De Jesus.- CrookÂ
      d. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by an
        Independent Skating Professional, George Ann Griffin-Atkinson. – Crook
      e. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by an
        Independent Skating Professional, Briana Linenburg. – Crook
      f. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract for the use of Swonder Ice Arena by anÂ
        Independent Skating Professional, Grace Myer. -Crook       Â
4.    OLD BUSINESS Â
      a. Request Re: Deaconess Aquatic Center Update- Alcorn                                                              Â
5. Â Â Â Â NEW BUSINESSÂ
      a. Request Re: Scooter Proposal for Parks Property- Weaver           Â
6. Â Â Â Â REPORTS
      a. Brian Holtz- Executive Director of Parks and Recreation
7. Â Â Â Â ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
 8.     ADJOURN
Vanderburgh County Health Department News Release
The Resource and Awareness Task Force will conduct a second neighborhood drive up testing site this Thursday July 16th at 4100 Covert Ave. This is the location of the former Health South Rehab Hospital and will be conducted in the facility parking lot. The hours of the testing will occur from 5pm to 7pm.  Â
The Task Force is working with City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County leadership, both St. Vincent and Deaconess Hospitals, Pigeon and Knight Township Trustees, local EMA, the Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Scott Township Emergency Response, and other local community leaders to provide this neighborhood testing to some of our most at risk populations.
Details for the testing site are listed below:
- Testing is for any and all Evansville/Vanderburgh County residents.
- No appointments will be required. Individuals will be tested on a first come first serve basis.
- There will be no restrictions on receiving a test, such as being symptomatic.
- Testing will be free of charge, but if individuals have insurance they will be asked to provide their insurance information for billing purposes.
- All those who come to receive a test will be asked to wear a facial covering until they are tested. If residents don’t have facial coverings they will be provided one.
- Individuals will be asked for basic personal information so results can be provided and follow up case management can occur if positive results are determined.
- Children under the age of 18 may also be tested with consent from a parent or guardian.
- Those who are unable to drive to the testing site can walk up to receive a test. These individuals will also be asked to wear a face covering before they receive a test, and be provided a face covering if they do not have one.
The Task Force asks the media to respect the privacy of these individuals and not capture their faces on camera. Future neighborhood testing sites are being planned and will be communicated to the public as soon as final details are available.
Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†July 15, 2020
Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†July 15, 2020
The majority of our “IS IT TRUE†columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB† column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB†AND “MIDDLE JAB†AND “RIGHT JABâ€Â several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB†is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB†is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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Responsive employer
EXECUTIVE ORDER-2020-1
MASK OFF -EXEMPTION
Resource Guide
(as of 7.14.2020)
Mask On
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Educational institutions except where students and faculty can be appropriately socially distanced Example: Students sitting in a classroom where the desks are not 6 ft apart. Example: Students or teachers walking down the hallway in the presence of others. |
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Outdoor situations when social distancing is not an option Example: Fans of different households at a baseball game that are not seated 6 ft apart. |
MASK OFF-EXEMPYOPNS
  Individuals under the age of six (6) years.
- Individuals outdoors when able to maintain at least a six (6) foot distance from others.
- Individuals at home who are in a private residence except that Face Masks will be required in all common areas of any multi-family structure.
- Individuals in a building or office who are alone in a room. Example: Employees seated at their desk or cubicle at work.
- Individuals who are traveling in their own vehicle.
Example: Individual driving their car alone or with members of the same household. - Individuals who are speaking in public or making presentations or lectures for broadcast or to an audience, including, but not limited to, clergy giving sermons.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness. (Please note that our homeless shelters & agencies will have masks available at their locations for distribution)
- Individuals with deafness or other impairments (including those who are hard of hearing) or those in communication with such individuals) who would face obstacles to communication if required to wear a Face Mask.
- Individuals receiving medical or dental services that require removal of a Face Mask to receive such services.
- Individuals who have a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a Face Mask.
- Individuals who are seated and are consuming food or beverage at a restaurant, bar, or another establishment only while consuming food or beverages; however, individuals must wear a Face Mask in all other situations.Example: Patrons of a restaurant when seated at a table and 6 ft apart.
- Individuals who are incarcerated.
- Individuals, when requested by a law enforcement officer.
- Individuals who would be at risk wearing a Face Mask at work, as determined by local, state or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines.Example: Workers operating equipment on a construction site or in a factory.
- Individuals who are engaged in outdoor or indoor physical exercise or sporting activities, including running, jogging, walking, bicycling or swimming which is incompatible with wearing a Face Mask.Example: Kids playing baseball in a competitive or recreational league.Example: Individuals participating in an exercise class.
- Facilities that are owned or operated by Federal and State governments. (Please notethat the city cannot put restrictions in place for state or federally owned buildings)
- Individuals inside religious facilities: provided, however, it is strongly recommended that religious facilities adopt Face Mask policies which are in conformity with federal, state and local guidance.
- Individuals while acting in their official capacity as a public safety employee or an emergency responder when wearing a Face Mask would interfere or limit their ability to carry out their official duties or functions. These include police officers, firefighters and other public safety or emergency medical personnel that support public safety functions.
- Individuals who are smoking or vaping so long as social distancing is maintained.