“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†MAY 21, 2020
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†MAY 21, 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.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Tyler J. Oldham: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Kelton James White: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Angela Renee Stewart: Robbery (Level 5 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Katie Leigh Schaefer: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Driving while suspended (A infraction)
Travis W. Waters: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)
William Joseph Wassmer: Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)
James Charleston Jr.: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), Carrying a handgun without a license (Level 5 Felony)
ADOPT A PET
Winnie is a female Shar Pei mix with adorable ears! She was found roaming in an alley not far from the VHS. No one ever came forward to claim her! She’s estimated to be around 4 years old. She weighs 45 lbs. She has gotten along with some dogs here at VHS, but a meet & greet is recommended as she can be picky. Winnie’s adoption fee is $110 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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Responsive employer
Governor Announces Next Stage to Safely Reopen Indiana
Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced that because health indicators remain positive, most of the state will advance to stage 3 of the Back On Track Indiana plan on Friday, May 22.
Indiana Back On Track has five stages. For Cass, Lake and Marion counties – which started Stage 2 after other counties, stage 3 may begin on June 1. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.
“We continue to remain vigilant about protecting Hoosiers’ health while taking responsible steps to further open our state’s economy,†Gov. Holcomb said. “Moving to stage 3 is possible because Hoosiers across the state have worked together and made sacrifices to slow the spread.â€Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he will continue to do so as the state contemplates a sector-by-sector reset. The state will move to reopen while continuing to monitor and respond to these four guiding principles:
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 days
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The state retains its surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilators
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The state retains its ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic as well as health care workers, first responders, and frontline employees
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Health officials have systems in place to contact all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and expand contact tracing
As the state lifts restrictions and more people return to work, visit a store or restaurant, and participate in more activities, the number of COVID-19 cases will increase. If these principles cannot be met, all or portions of the state may need to pause on moving forward or may need to return to an earlier phase of the governor’s stay-at-home order.
In Stage 3, Hoosiers 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions – who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus – should remain at home as much as possible. Face coverings in public places are recommended. Hoosiers who can work from home are encouraged to continue to do so.
Social gatherings of up to 100 people will be permitted following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines.
Retail and commercial businesses may open at 75% capacity. Shopping malls can open at 75% capacity with indoor common areas restricted to 50% capacity.
Gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, martial arts studios, and similar facilities may open with restrictions. Class sizes should be limited. Equipment must be spaced to accommodate social distancing and cleaned after each use. No contact activities are permitted.
Community pools may open according to CDC guidance. Community tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, YMCA programs, and similar facilities may open with social gathering and social distancing guidelines in place.
Community recreational youth and adult sports leagues may resume practices and conditioning while adhering to social gathering and social distancing guidelines. Contact sports, such as lacrosse and football, are prohibited, but conditioning and non-contact drills may take place.
Youth summer day camps may open on June 1.
Raceways may open with restrictions and no spectators.
Campgrounds may open restrictions, including social distancing and sanitation precautions. State park inns will reopen.
Restaurants and bars with restaurant services may continue to operate at 50% capacity, but bar seating must remain closed. Personal services such as hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors may continue to be open by appointment only and must follow social distancing guidelines.
Movie theaters and playgrounds, which had been projected to open in stage 3, will remain closed. Movie theaters are now projected to open along with other entertainment facilities and venues during stage 4. Playgrounds are to be determined.
If health indicators remain positive, the state will move to stage 4 in mid-June. To learn more about the different stages and the associated dates to get a better understanding about where we’re going as a state, click here to see the full plan: BackOnTrack.in.gov
The Governor has signed an executive order implementing stage 3 of the Back on Track Indiana roadmap. The executive order can be found here:https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm
The Critical Industries Hotline continues to be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailingcovidresponse@iedc.in.gov
Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 581 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 29,274 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. As of today, 39 percent of ICU beds and nearly 81 percent of ventilators were available as of Sunday.
A total of 1,716 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 38 over the previous day. Another 148 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record, following a correction to the previous day’s total. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
                                                       To date, 195,738 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 189,330 on Tuesday.
                        Marion County had the most new cases, at 119. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (53), Clinton (14), Hamilton (14), Hendricks (10), Howard (20), Johnson (14), Lake (78), Porter (10), St. Joseph (41) and Tippecanoe (18). A complete list of cases by county is posted at www.coronavirus.in.gov, which is updated daily at noon. Cases are listed by county of residence.
Hoosiers who have symptoms of COVID-19 and those who have been exposed and need a test to return to work are encouraged to visit a state-sponsored testing site for free testing. Individuals without symptoms who are at high risk because they are over age 65, have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or another underlying condition, as well as those who are pregnant, live with a high-risk individual or are a member of a minority population that is at greater risk for severe illness, also are encouraged to get tested.
Former GOP Congressman Rokita Enters AG Race, Seeks To Oust Hill
Former GOP Congressman Rokita Enters AG Race, Seeks To Oust Hill
The race for Indiana attorney general has taken another turn with a prominent Republican emerging as a candidate on the last day to file with the party.
Former Congressman Todd Rokita announced Wednesday morning that he’s entering the race to oust embattled Republican incumbent Curtis Hill.
Earlier this month, Rokita suggested he might seek the party’s nomination and described Hill as “very badly wounded†after the Indiana Supreme Court suspended Hill’s law license for 30 days over accusations that he drunkenly groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party.
Hill has denied doing anything wrong and is seeking reelection despite calls from Gov. Eric Holcomb and other top GOP leaders for his resignation. Hill’s temporary license suspension started Monday.
Rokita said he would be “the people’s attorney†if elected and fight federal government overreach and hold China accountable for its role in the coronavirus pandemic. “I can bring certainty in uncertain times,†Rokita said.
Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter and Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp also are challenging Hill for the Republican nomination, which will be decided in one month by state party delegates. Typically, the candidate is selected at the party’s convention, but this year the Indiana Republican Party called off the in-person convention. Speeches will be aired on TV instead and delegates will vote by mail.
Rokita, 50, said he didn’t want to challenge an incumbent from his own party, but the Supreme Court ruling made it clear Hill shouldn’t be in office.
“I waited out of respect,†Rokita said. “I waited out of the due process for the law … but that pushed us to this point.â€
This won’t be Rokita’s first contested convention race. In 2002, Rokita sought the party’s nomination for secretary of state after working in the office for several years. After three ballots and five hours of voting, he beat then-Vanderburgh County Commissioner Richard Mourdock; Mike Delph, who was an aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Burton at the time; and then-Marion County Coroner John McGoff.
He won the general election that year, becoming the nation’s youngest secretary of state at age 32, and won re-election in 2006. During his time as secretary of state, Rokita became known for his tough enforcement of securities laws and implementation of what was then Indiana’s new voter-identification law, a statute opponents challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I’m the only one in this race that has won twice statewide. I’m tested,†Rokita said. “The others have to promise what they’re going to do in office. I have a record.â€
In 2010, Rokita won the race for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, and he served four terms in Congress. In 2018, he ran for U.S. Senate, but he lost in the Republican primary to Jasper businessman Mike Braun.
Last year, after leaving Congress, he took a job as general counsel and vice president of external affairs for Apex Benefits. The Indianapolis-based company helps employers find ways to lower health care costs.
“I was able to be successful in the private sector without being a lobbyist,†Rokita said.
Rokita enters the race with several endorsements, including from Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan, LaGrange County Republican Party Chairman Patricia Brown, state Sen. Erin Houchin and Harrison County Prosecutor J. Otto Schalk, and State Director for the Susan B. Anthony List Jodi Smith.
The winner of the GOP race will face a Democratic opponent in the fall. State Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nomination, which also will be decided at the party’s virtual convention next month.
COMMENTARY: THE OPPORTUNITY FOR Â THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR Â THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
During the last several years we have been quietly observing the activities of the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission with extreme interest. We have seen some really productive community projects created for the public good by this board. Â We also witnessed some political bickering and infighting. In fact, sometimes it was downright disappointing how certain members treated each other during the meetings.
The Redevelopment District of Vanderburgh County was established for the purpose of levying and collecting special benefit taxes (TIF) for economic redevelopment purposes.
The Redevelopment Commission Board’s mission is to finds and determines that all of the taxable property within this special taxing district will be considered to be benefited by the redevelopment projects and economic development projects.
The five members serving on this board are appointed by the County Council and County Commission. Â Newly appointed members of this board are County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave (R), County Commissioner Ben Shoulders (D), County Councilmen Jim Raben (R), County Councilman Tom Shelter (R), and well-known and respected businessman, Wayne Kinney.
There are five (5) TIF Districts in Vanderburg County. Money collected from the five (5) TIF Districts is used to enhance the quality of life issues in the County.
By far the largest and most profitable TIF in Vanderburgh County is Burkhardt Road TiF. Â During the last 3 or 4 years, many millions of dollars collected from Burkhardt Road TIF has been used for the expansion of Kansas Road, Oak Hill Road, Booneville -New Harmony Road and a proposed North Greenriver trails, sidewalks, and bike paths in the near future.
Members of this board determine what projects will have the most beneficial economic and quality of life impact within the budget restraints of the respective TIF”S. Â The board submits its recommendations to the Vanderburgh County Commission who then approves the project contracts.
It’s important to point out that the newly appointed members of this board are strong will, opinionated, intelligent, hard-working, honest, visionary, have proven business skills, are politically savvy, and have the desire to make Vanderderburgh County a better place to raise their kids. Â In fact, we consider the overall makeup of the membership of this most important public board to be competent.
We urge County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave (R), County Commissioner Ben Shoulders (D), County Councilmen Jim Raben (R), County Councilman Tom Shelter (R), and Wayne Kinney to use all their life experiences and business skills to plan, analyze and candidly discuss how they can invest future TIF money in a creative, responsible and conservative. manner. Â Most importantly, they will achieve measurable results if they decide future projects by a consensus vote.
If they can achieve the above challenges this will be the perfect opportunity for members of the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission to show the citizens of our community that are indeed outstanding public servants that know how to practice “Good Public Policy.”
CCO STAFF
Senator Mike Braun And Senator Todd Young Introduce Opioid Crisis Bill To Help Veterans Dispose Of Unwanted Medication
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Mike Braun and Senator Todd Young of Indiana are introducing a bill to create a safe, anonymous, and continuously available way for veterans to easily dispose of unwanted medications: the VA Directly Returning Opioid Prescriptions, or DROP Act.
The bill, the Senate companion to Representative Jim Baird’s (IN-04) House bill, would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs have physical locations for the disposal of controlled substances medications.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic is at the front of all of our minds, we cannot forget about other crises that continue to ravage our countries, such as the opioid abuse and the veterans who are seven times more likely to suffer from an opioid use disorder,” said Senator Mike Braun. “This bill makes it easier for veterans to dispose of unneeded medications, and thus helps reduce the risk of opioid abuse.”
“The opioid epidemic continues to impact some of our most vulnerable in the veteran community,â€Â said Senator Young. “The DROP Act will ensure veterans have access to a way to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or unwanted medications. As Congress works with our state and local partners to address the opioid crisis, this bill will help prevent opioids from being abused or ending up in the wrong hands.â€