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JUST IN: Double Homicide Suspect from South Carolina Apprehended in Evansville

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On Tuesday, June 13, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force received information from the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) that a person wanted for the shooting death of two female victims in Berkeley County, South Carolina may be in the Evansville area.

The CRFTF advised that Damayjohn Gadson had family ties in the area, prompting the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task to force set up surveillance on several areas on the Southeast side of Evansville. After conducting surveillance in the area of Washington Avenue and Weinbach Avenue, a task force officer observed a male matching Gadson’s description exit a pizza establishment and walk south in the 1100 block of S. Lincoln Park Drive. The subject was stopped by task force officers and was identified as Damayjohn Gadson.

Gadson was arrested without incident and lodged in the Vanderburgh County Jail where he will await extradition back to South Carolina.

The following agencies were involved in the apprehension: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Evansville Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Damayjohn Quintez Gadson, 19, of Utahville, SC.

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

BREAKING NEWS: AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING THE USE OF FACE MASKS IN EVANSVILLE

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MAYOR
MAYOR
page1image29330688BREAKING NEWS:

page1image22942208Executive Order 2020-1

Resource Guide

(as of 7.14.20)

Mask On

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.

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 – Exemptions

  • 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 other establishments 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 Government. (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, fire fighters 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.

EPA Announces $6 Billion in New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects

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Funding availability builds on 24 WIFIA loans issued under President Trump financing nearly $12 billion in water infrastructure and creating 25,000 jobs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, including funding for the new State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. These funding programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support diverse projects in both large and small communities. This year’s funding will provide up to $6 billion to support $12 billion in water infrastructure projects while creating more than 35,000 jobs and improving public health and environmental protection in communities across the country.

“EPA’s WIFIA loan program has become one of the most effective tools used in President Trump’s efforts to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure, create jobs and safeguard public health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This new round of $6 billion in funding comes in time to help communities that are trying to recover from the health and financial stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and, for the first time, includes funding expressly available to states.”

To date, EPA has issued 24 WIFIA loans totaling $5.3 billion in credit assistance to help finance $11.7 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 25,000 jobs—including eight WIFIA loans closed and one refinanced from March 2020 through June 2020. These recent loan closings will save ratepayers over $1 billion compared to typical bond financing while supporting the financial health of vital water systems. This financial support came at a critical time as the federal government, EPA and the water sector worked together to help mitigate the public health and financial impacts of COVID-19.

This announcement marks the fourth round of WIFIA funding. This year’s notice of funding availability prioritizes construction-ready projects in three areas: updating aging infrastructure; reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants; and water reuse and recycling. The 2020 notice of funding availability builds upon the existing, active pipeline of WIFIA projects, which includes 49 projects in 19 states and D.C. For the first time, the agency will evaluate submitted projects using additional criteria that were developed to help clarify project and federal budgetary considerations. EPA will accept letters of interest from prospective WIFIA borrowers for 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.

EPA is also, for the first time, providing funds under SWIFIA. This new program, which was authorized by Congress as part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, offers low-interest loans to state water infrastructure programs (e.g., the State Revolving Funds) that then help finance needed water infrastructure projects in local communities. This round of funding will provide SWIFIA borrowers up to $1 billion to support $2 billion in water infrastructure projects. EPA will accept letters of interest from state water infrastructure programs for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS

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The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 662 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 52,685 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus.

Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remains steady. As of today, nearly 38 percent of ICU beds and more than 84 percent of ventilators are available.

A total of 2,582 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 13 over the previous day. Another 193 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 578,409 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 570,409 on Monday.

To find testing locations around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link.

 

Ozone Pollution Continues to Decline Under President Trump, EPA Proposes to Retain Existing NAAQS for Ozone

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its proposal to retain, without changes, the existing, more stringent 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. This proposal comes after careful review and consideration of the most current available scientific evidence and risk and exposure information, and with consultation of the Agency’s independent science advisors.

“Under President Trump, the U.S. has made significant progress in reducing ozone concentrations across the nation,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Based on a review of the scientific literature and recommendation from our independent science advisors, we are proposing to retain existing ozone standards which will ensure the continued protection of both public health and the environment.”

From 2017 to 2019, ozone concentrations fell 4 percent. Since the beginning of the Trump Administration, EPA has also re-designated 13 nonattainment areas for the 2008 8-hour ozone standards to attainment meaning these communities are now breathing cleaner air.

With this action, EPA is following the principles established in the earliest days of the Trump administration to streamline the NAAQS review process and to fulfill the statutory responsibility to complete the NAAQS review within a 5-year timeframe. EPA is on track to finalize the 2015 ozone NAAQS review in 2020 – marking only the second time the agency has met the 5-year timeframe in its history. This is a needed departure from the previous administration’s failure to meet statutory deadlines, often taking twice as long to promulgate updated standards.

While consulting the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee (CASAC) on the draft Policy Assessment, which included current scientific evidence and quantitative air quality, exposure and risk analyses, a majority of CASAC members recommending the agency retain the primary standard, and reaching consensus to recommend EPA retain the secondary standard.

As a result of Clean Air Act programs and efforts by state, local, and tribal governments, from 1990-2019, U.S. emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds – air pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone – have dropped by 65 percent and 47 percent respectively. During that same time, national average ozone concentrations have dropped 25 percent.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

SHOULDERS ENDORSED FOR RE-ELECTION BY LOCAL TRADES COUNCIL

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Agenda Of  Today’s Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting

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civic center

Agenda Of Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners

July 14th, 2020 MEETING AT 3:00 pm, Room 301

  1. Reconvene Emergency Meeting
  2. Attendance
  3. Pledge of Allegiance
  4. Permission to Open Bids:
    1. VC20-07-01: Replacement of Nurrenburn Road Bridge #1431
    2. VC20-07-02: Concrete Street Repairs in Willow Creek Subdivision
  5. Action Items 
    1. Cooperative Extension: Revised MOU with Vanderburgh County
    2. Continuation of Public Hearing & Final Reading of Vacation Ordinance CO.V-06-20-003: A Petition to Vacate a Portion of a 12’ Alley at 500 N. Woods Avenue
    3. Superior Court: Agreements for Professional Services 
      1. Abigail Vaughn
      2. Julie Braun
      3. Carson Hicks
    4. Computer Services: Non-Disclosure Agreement with FireEye
    5. Sheriff Department: 
      1. WOW Phone Service Contract for 3500 N. Harlan Avenue
      2. Agreement with Trinity Tech Solutions 
    6. Superintendent of County Buildings: Baret Fawbush Old Courthouse Lease Agreement
    7. Resolution.CO.R-07-20-010: A Resolution of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners Authorizing Submission of COVID-19 Phase 2 Grant Application
      1. Four Factor Analysis
      2. Permission Letter Authorizing SW Indiana Economic Development Coalition to Advertise and Conduct Public Hearings
    8. Resolution No. CO.R-07-20-011: Resolution Recommending Citizens to Wear Face Coverings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Vanderburgh County 
    9. County Engineer: 
      1. Award of Kansas Road Phase 1
      2. Interlocal Agreement with EWSU for Relocation of Water Lines Related to Reconstruction of Kansas Road
      3. Oak Hill Road Financial Commitment Letter for Federal Funding
  6. Department Head Reports
  7. New Business
  8. Old Business
  9. Consent Items
    1. Approval of June 23rd Emergency Meeting Minutes
    2. Employment Changes 
    3. Election Office: Allocation of Funding by the Indiana Secretary of State for New Election Equipment
    4. Vanderburgh County Treatment Court: 2021 Indiana Department of Corrections Grant Letter of Support
    5. County Engineer: Department Reports and Claims
    6. County Clerk: June 2020 Monthly Report
    7. County Auditor: 
      1. Claims Voucher Reports 6/22/-6/26/2020 & 6/29-7/3/2020 & 7/6-7/10/2020
      2. Submission of Statement of Salaries and Wages
  10. Public Comment
  11. Recess Meeting

Beshear Provides Update on COVID-19

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Beshear Provides Update on COVID-19

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 13, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continued efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Gov. Beshear emphasized his priorities – protecting the health and safety of all Kentuckians, restarting our economy and opening our schools – and said wearing a mask is the most important step we all can take to achieve those goals.

“So, what do we have to do? What are the actions that we have to take to protect our economy, to make sure that we protect $10 billion of our economy? It’s pretty simple. Wear a facial covering,” said Gov. Beshear. “Facial coverings help us achieve our three goals. No. 1 goal is to protect the lives and the health of Kentuckians. It is now a scientific fact: Wearing a mask protects both you and other people.”

He noted that cases are surging across the nation, causing many states to roll back their efforts to reopen their economies.

“The second goal is restarting our economy,” Gov. Beshear said. “There are multiple states now rolling back their reopening. I don’t want that to be us.”

Gov. Beshear said that while Kentucky is not posting the positive case numbers that we’re seeing in many places, many areas of the state are seeing worrying increases.

The Governor said Bell, Carroll, Graves and Shelby counties all posted major growths in cases in the past week, with Carroll County leading with a 47% growth in cases from July 3 to July 11.

While social media can paint a distorted picture of public sentiment on some of these issues, Gov. Beshear pointed to a recent poll that found that Kentuckians overwhelmingly back his mandate for face coverings, with 73% supporting versus 23% opposing.

“There’s noise out there. We live in a culture of what I believe is a broken system of social media, where one group can seem to be the majority sometimes because of amplification they get. But today, there was a poll that came out that asked Kentuckians if they supported requiring people to wear masks in certain indoor places, and folks, it’s not even close here in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “Seventy-three percent support it. It crosses all demographics. It crosses all political parties. This is what the American people and the people of Kentucky want to see from their neighbors. So remember, when you wear a mask, you are a part of an overwhelming percentage of Kentuckians who know this is what we have got to do.”

The Governor also noted that there was a time when some questioned other safety laws, including those requiring seatbelts.

“We wear seatbelts don’t we? And I hope none of us would argue right now that a seatbelt is an infringement on our personal liberty,” said Gov. Beshear. “I don’t know if you remember, the history of seatbelts had the same kind of arguments we’re seeing against masks right now. But seatbelts aren’t even the same as wearing face coverings because your decision not to wear a seatbelt might result in you dying, but your decision not to wear a mask could result in you and other people dying. I consider the mask requirement more like a DUI law. You can’t do something where you could potentially harm somebody else. It’s not forever, it’s just until enough people can get this vaccine and we know our people are safe.”

Dr. Steven Stack, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, highlighted Kentucky’s non-partisan approach to battling the coronavirus with science.

“Regardless of party affiliation, [U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Dr. Jerome Adams] I’ve known for a couple decades, and he’s a friend and a colleague. There’s no party and no identity in this. It’s all about the science and trying to advise what are the best steps we can take as people to keep ourselves safe and minimize the impact of this disease,” said Dr. Stack. “It is essential that we use these masks. And if we think, ‘Oh, the kids will be fine,’ one, they won’t all be fine, a very small number are going to have problems. But the older folks, and the people with medical problems, won’t all be fine. If we want to get back to our activities, we have to use these masks.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. July 13, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 19,653 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 272 of which were newly reported Monday.

The Governor warned against seeing too much positive in the relatively low number of new cases reported today, saying we often see fewer cases reported coming out of a weekend.

“We continue to see a rise in cases for children under five. Today we have 11 and the youngest is just four months old. This impacts our children, too,” said Gov. Beshear.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported four new deaths Monday, raising the total to 629 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Monday include two men, ages 60 and 79, and a 90-year-old woman from Fayette County, and a 77-year-old man from Warren County.

“We are continuing to see a significant number of 60-year-olds who continue to lose their lives to COVID-19. I hope none of us think that that is old,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s remember these families. At a time when cases are escalating and we’re seeing things in Florida that are just terrifying, let’s make sure that we’re giving people that comfort of being able to see those green lights and hear those bells in their neighborhood.”

As of Monday, there have been at least 480,372 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. At least 5,344 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.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Sunday, July 12, click here.

CARES Act Reimbursements
Gov. Beshear, in collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), announced today that 15 western Kentucky governments have been granted $3,667,367 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19. Sixteen 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.”

For full details on the announcement, click here.

Testing Update
Gov. Beshear reminded all Kentuckians to take advantage of testing offered through the state’s partnership with Kroger.

“Not only are we back to a time when we’re seeing an increase in cases, we’re also back to a time where testing is a little more concerning. Many of the national labs out there are suddenly going back to the six-, seven-, eight-, nine-day turnaround times that we know are severely problematic,” said Gov. Beshear. “I want the people of Kentucky to know that we have already taken action and have made sure that we have purchased enough kits from here in Kentucky with commitments of a 48-hour turnaround time where we are not going to face that issue. We still need people to sign up and make sure you’re getting tested.”

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

Last Week in Review
To read more on major updates from last week, including those on the state’s new face coverings mandate, COVID-19 spread in day care facilities, long-term care, testing, corrections, unemployment insurance claims, unemployment insurance in-person services, Kentucky’s new education commissioner, CARES Act funding, economic development and the state budget, go to governor.ky.gov/news.

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.

Special Notice on Utility Shut Off Moratorium

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A special notice will soon begin arriving in Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) bills informing customers that the moratorium on utility shut offs may end on August 14th, 2020 unless extended again by order of the Indiana Regulatory Commission and Gov. Holcomb. If the moratorium is not extended, EWSU will resume the shut off process on August 15th. Note: EWSU Customers who pay their utility bill online will receive an email notification.

The EWSU Board voted last week to authorize the utility to extend payment terms from three (3) month to at least six (6) months. Payment terms may be extended up to 12 months for extenuating circumstances. In addition, the board voted to continue deferring the collecting of late fees, convenience fees, deposits and reconnection fees while the moratorium remains in effect.

If a customer has an account in delinquent status, they are encouraged to use EWSU online services to make payments or request payment arrangements. Visit www.ewsu.com and click “Payment Arrangement” under General Requests. EWSU Customer Service will work with customers to set-up extended payment plans.

Financial assistance may be available through local agencies. For a list of community resources, go to www.ewsu.com and click “Assistance Agencies”. For more information call EWSU Customer Service at 812-436-7846 or send an email to: EWSUCustomerService@ewsu.com.

 

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