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EPD MEDIA REPORT

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EPD MEDIA REPORT

MEDIA

“IS IT TRUE” February 14, 2020

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way.
IS IT TRUE that last year we reported that Deaconess Hospital and Henderson Community Methodist Hospital formed a group called an “ACO?” …that “ACO” is where referrals are preferably kept within the group and only certain doctors at Deaconess and Methodist are invited to be a part of that group?  …we recently inquired how the “ACO” referral agreement between Deaconess-Evansville and Henderson Community Methodist Hospital is currently doing?  …according to our sources that Henderson Community Methodist Hospital is now an affiliate of Deaconess Hospital-Evansville and things are going extremely well?
IS IT TRUE the LEAPFROG GROUP has been rating hospital safety for many years and last year graded Henderson Community Methodist Hospital as the only F hospital in the State of Kentucky and one of only 9 with a failing grade of F in the entire United States?  …we congratulate the new Board members of Henderson Community Methodist Hospital for having the good business sense to hire the former CEO of Deaconess Hospital-Evansville, Linda White to correct the grade of F of  Henderson Community Methodist Hospital?  …we are happy to report that they now have a passing grade and are expected to achieve the grade of A in the near future?  …five cheers to former Deaconness Hospital-Evansville CEO Linda White for coming out of retirement and working her magic for the betterment of Henderson Community Methodist Hospital?   ….it looks like the recent merger between Deaconness Hospital-Evansville and Henderson Community Methodist Hospital is doing extremely well?
IS IT TRUE that s number of well connected millennial Republicans is running for several of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party Precinct Chairman positions?  …we are also told that some of these people are also going to file as a Republican State Convention Delegate?  …that GOP  Chairman Wayne Parke isn’t happy about this move by the millennials because he can’t remove anyone that is elected to these positions if he disagrees with them on any party matter?  …we are told if the millennials are successful in getting elected as Vanderburgh County Republican Party Precinct Chairman positions it may be a signal that Chairman Parke may have a difficult time getting re-elected to the Vanderburgh County Chairmanship position?
IS IT TRUE this year that EVSC Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Smith is being paid $260,056.96, not including perks and benefits?  …that Warrick County Superintendent Of Schools Brad Schneider makes $156,261.43 not including perks and benefits?  …that the Indianapolis School Superintendent, Aleesia Johnson is being paid $227,181.95 per year not including perks and benefits?
IS IT TRUE that many supporters of Rev. Steve Ary are quietly watching to see how local GOP Chairmen Wayne Parke is going to handle Mr. Ary’s request about allowing him to run for District 77 State Representative as a Republican?
IS IT TRUE it was pointed out to us by one of the readers that if you fly in and out of Evansville you will hear the voice of Mayor Winneckke?   …we are also told if you call the Civic Center the voice message that gives you City and County Department numbers is none other than Mayor Winnecke?  …it looks like the Mayor has become the self annotated spokesperson of Vanderburgh  County?
IS IT TRUE we wonder what the status of the four (4) vacancies at Convention and Vistors Bureau?  …we have been told that leaders of the Latino and Minority communities are watching to see if any qualified persons from their community will offend a position with this “E” IS FOR EVANSVILLE” governmental agency?
IS IT TRUE that ‘Government Shouldn’t Do For People What They Can Do For Themselves”?
IS IT TRUE  we being told that several City Council members are getting tired of City Council President Alex Burton texting them rambling philosophical messages?  …it looks like it might be time for the Mega Preacher, Adrian Brooks give Mr. Burton a Psychology 101 lecture on “How To Win Friends And Influence People”?
IS IT TRUE with sound budgetary planning and cash flow management practices the City Of Evansville City Council could curtail the out of control deficit spending practices of the City of Evansville? …many people are watching to see how the newly appointed Republican City Council Finance Chairman Ron Beane is going to implement a sound budgetary planning and cash flow management program?  …we predict he will do just fine?
IS IT TRUE we are told that County Commissioner Musgrave and County Commissioner Shoulders continue to lead with good public policy, fiscal conservatism, experience and vision for our community? …both Commissioner Musgrave and Commissioner Shoulders have served with both former Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem and current Commissioner Jeff Hatfield and have accomplished many things including historic projects since 2016?
IS IT TRUE we been told that the Evansville taxpayers subsidized ($28 million) vacancy rate of the downtown Doubletree Hotel is much higher than originally projected?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville taxpayers invested around $58 million dollars help fund the downtown Medical School several years ago with the promise that this facility would attract around 2,000 medical students to attend the downtown Medical School?  ….we are told that the number of medical students may be more around 250 plus students?
Today’s “Readers Poll’ question is:  If the Republican primary for the Vanderburgh County Council was held today which three (3) individuals would you vote for?
If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. Personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language and insults against commenters shall not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

A COLLAGE OF DILAPIDATED HOMES OF THE NORTH MAIN STREET AND JIMTOWN AREA

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A COLLAGE OF DILAPIDATED HOMES OF THE NORTH MAIN STREET AND JIMTOWN AREA

Over the last several months we have been questioning the wisdom or the lack of wisdom of those who are in charge of improving the housing stock in the North Main and Jimtown areas.  All we hear from the DMD, Evansville Redevelopment Commission and Hope Of Evansville is how they are striving to bring move affordable, safe, liveable and energy inefficient housing to the Jimtown and North Main areas.

LINK TO CHANNEL 14 TV STORY ABOUT THE HUD FUNDED HOUSE LOCATED AT 101 EAST TENNESSEE STREET
By Jessica Costello | January 23, 2020, at 5:29 PM CST – Updated January 23 at 6:19 PM

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – A complete rehabilitation to a home at 101 East Tennessee was approved on Thursday by the Board of Public Works.

A $240,000 grant agreement between Hope of Evansville and the EVANSVILLE DMD will completely rehabilitate the abandoned home.

The cost will cover the rehabilitation plus an extensive environmental review, appraisals, and construction drawings.

Please click the attached link below to get an idea of how the HUD’S HOME Rehabilitation program fleeces the taxpayers.

We give five (5) cheers to Channel 14 TV for bringing this extremely eye-opening investigative story to the taxpayers of this community.

https://www.14news.com/2020/01/23/k-home-rehabilitation-project-approved/

FOOTNOTE: This soon to be renovated HUD-funded rehabilitation house located at 101 East Tennesse Street, Evansville, Ind. has no front door, no gutters, and a crumbling brick foundation.

Permission to use this link was given to the City-County Observer by TV Channel 14 news.

POSTED BELOW ARE A FEW PICTURES OF HOMES LOCATED IN THE NORTH MAIN STREET AND JIMTOWN AREAS ARE WAITING FOR THE WASTEFUL  SPENDING PRACTICES  OF THE EVANSVILLE DMD AND THE EVANSVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

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FOOTNOTE: ATTACHED IS A LINK OF LESS THAN ATTRACTIVE HOMES OWNED BY HOPE OF EVANSVILLE

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Commentary: The Final Decision Is Still In The Hands Of The Voters

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Years ago former Evansville Mayor, Jonathan Weinzapfel felt entitled to announce his own plans with respect to his future campaigns before anyone else should do so. Mayor Weinzapfel somehow gave the illusions and conveyed the message that the office of the Mayor of Evansville belongs to him until which time he decides whom to bestow that honor upon.

The City-County Observer respectfully disagrees with the assertions that there is any level of entitlement that goes with incumbency.  This is not a playground game of “king of the castle”?

The City-County Observer is beginning to finally see some change coming to Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Those changes are within the Democratic and Republican party and they have been needed for decades. It appears as though the torch that should have been passed to a new generation of progressive thinkers long ago is not being passed at all. That torch is being forcefully taken from the dying hands of an aging machine. That the new political order will hopefully be a place without an entitlement mentality of officeholders and is devoid of political patronage positions that are used to keep the herd inside the fences.

In conclusion, this Commentary should be interpreted as a political endorsement. We endorse freedom of speech, freedom of choice, and the right to choose.

Any aspiring candidate for public office has the constitutional right to choose when, where, and how to enter a race without getting permission from any incumbent, party chairman, political action committee, major contributors, or union leaders before doing so.

It is up to the candidates to choose when to run and the people to choose their elected officials by having free elections.

We say Run Run, Run Ben Run, Run Cheryl Run, Run Kiefer Run, and for that matter Run Ary Run, Run Garrett Run, Run Zac Run, Run Ed Run.and Run whoever Run.

Thanks to the founding fathers of the United States of America that the final decision is still in the hands of the voting citizens.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Jeffrey Wayne Clark: Sexual misconduct with a minor (Level 4 Felony)

Kaise Lovetere: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license (Class C misdemeanor)

Anthony T. Vivians: Burglary (Level 2 Felony), Burglary (Level 3 Felony), Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony)

Amy Rochelle Webster: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Eden Marie Rush: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

Jonathon Michael Carey: Dealing in a schedule I controlled substance (Level 2 Felony)

Happy Valentines Day to All

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What is the real meaning of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day, also called St. Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. … At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century.

Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Originating as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world.

Who is Valentine’s Day meant for?

Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family, and friends. Couples send Valentine’s Day cards and flowers and spend special time together to honor their love for each other

Valentine’s Day Is Not Only For Lovers?

Celebrate Is Differently! Generally, we consider Valentine’s Day as lover’s day or a day only meant for those who are in love. But, this is not true, anyone and everyone can celebrate this beautiful day in their own ways.

Is Valentine’s Day for couples?
about giving Valentine’s Day presents in your “work spouse” as well as your romantic partner. … After all, unlike Valentine’s Day, a couple’s anniversary is about only them, a day to celebrate their love and the life they share, which makes February 14 just another day to buy flowers, candy, and cards.
What should I do on Valentine’s Day?
The Absolute Best Things to Do on Valentine’s Day This Year
  • 1 Spend the night in a fancy hotel room. zodebalaGetty Images. …
  • 2 Take a dance lesson together. …
  • 3 Host a wine and cheese night. …
  • 4 Head to a museum. …
  • 5 Take a painting class. …
  • 6 Take a relaxing bath. …
  • 7 Sing your heart out at karaoke. …
  • 8 Plan a movie marathon.
Spending Valentine’s Day With Friends

 

Most people don’t associate Valentine’s Day with love so much as they do the hearts and flowers and red accents. … With some friends, you might give a card to say “Happy Valentine’s Day,” while with others you might go all out with a big party

6 Things To Do With Your Friends On Valentines Day
  • Impromptu Home Dance Party. Clear your living room floor, put up string lights, prep a playlist, pick up booze and snacks, and invite your friends over for an at-home dance party. …
  • Friendventure Day. …
  • Secret Valentine Exchange. …
  • Swap Meet. …
  • Tropical Pretend Staycation. …
  • Winter Getaway.

 

 

Holcomb Signs Next Level Agenda Bill To Hold Schools Harmless From ILEARN

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement after signing Next Level Agenda legislation SEA 2, which will prevent ILEARN test scores from having an adverse impact on teacher evaluations and school accountability grades in an effort to ease the transition to ILEARN.

“This legislation ensures that Indiana’s students, teachers and schools have the time they need to successfully adjust to the new ILEARN. I am grateful that the General Assembly unanimously supported my call to take action allowing educators to remain focused on helping Hoosier students succeed.”

 Visit the 2020 Bill Watch webpage to view this bill. The page will be updated as legislation makes it to the Governor’s desk.

 

Driving, Public Defender And Cancer Bills Advance In Legislature

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TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Legislation covering specialized driving privileges, indigent criminal defendants and colorectal cancer screenings advanced in the Indiana General Assembly Wednesday as lawmakers begin the second half of the session:

Senate Bill 39: Allows specialized driving privileges.

What it does: SB 39 would allow the court to approve specialized driving privileges for those whose driver’s license has been suspended.

What happened: SB 39 easily passed the Courts and Criminal Code Committee by a 10-0 vote. An amendment from Rep. John Young, R-Franklin, says the court could not send a notice to the BMV until after the defendant’s initial hearing was held, and then the court would advise the person of their right to seek specialized driving privileges. Michael Moore from Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of SB 39.

What’s next: The bill now advances to the full House for action.

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Senate Bill 302: Defines procedure for criminal courts to determine if a defendant able to pay for a lawyer for his or her defense.

What it does: SB 302 would add standardization across the state to determine if a defendant would be able to pay for a public defender. A person’s ability to pay would be determined by assets and income among other factors. It would also allow the court to consider an individual’s ability to pay if they are eligible for aid from any need-based federal program.

What happened: SB 302 easily passed the Courts and Criminal Code Committee by a 10-0 vote with little debate or discussion.

What’s next: The bill now advances to the House.

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House Bill 1080: Changes the age for insurance policies to cover colorectal screenings from 50 to 45.

What it does: HB 1080 amends current law mandating coverage for colorectal cancer testing under accident and sickness insurance policies, health maintenance organization contracts and state employee health plans. The minimum age that coverage is required was lowered from age 50 to 45.

What happened: HB 1080 passed the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee Wednesday with a 7-1 vote. Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, was the lone no vote.

What’s next: The bill now advances to the full Senate for action.

FOOTNOTE: Lacey Watt is a reporter for TheStateHouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

Filing Student Aid Form Would Be Mandatory Under Proposed Legislation

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Haley Carney

TheStatehouseFile.com 

INDIANAPOLIS— High school seniors may soon be required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) under Senate Bill 223, which is now before the House Education Committee.

The committee met in the House chamber on Wednesday to discuss whether filing the FAFSA form should be mandatory. FAFSA is an online document where families provide financial data that is used when students apply for college aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans.

Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, told the committee that she authored SB 223 because only 58% of Indiana high school students fill out the FAFSA, while it is as high as 80% in other states.

If she had been asked two years ago, Leising said she most likely would have not sponsored the bill. But last year when her oldest granddaughter was filling out the FAFSA, she realized how beneficial it was to her in getting scholarships.

After seeing how much it could help Hoosier families as they send their students off to college, Leising decided to author SB 223.

“The bill basically says that you will apply, your parents or family will apply,” she said. “If the family for some reason decides not to, the principal can waive that requirement. We’re giving kids and families the opportunity for assistance that I think will be well received no matter their income.”

Leising also noted that there are exceptions in the bill. Students from certain nonpublic schools, a parent of a student, an emancipated minor or the principal of the student’s school can all waive the requirement because of extenuating circumstances.

Lisa Tansel, the general counsel for the Indiana School Boards Association,  said her members understand the benefits for students and parents for completing this application, but they still oppose it because it places too much of a burden on school corporation officials.

“We have graduating classes of over 500 students and this bill is going to require the counselor, the principal to track down every student that doesn’t enter the data-sharing agreement,” she said. “We are just concerned about this particular mandate on public school officials.”

She said much of the conversation about the bill has been to get parents and students informed of how helpful the FAFSA can be, but most schools are already doing that, therefore it would not be fair to add this extra task.

John Garrison, representing the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, disagreed with Tansel’s argument and testified in support of the bill.

Garrison said that the commission passed a data share agreement requirement last year that provides every school with a list of all of the students who have or have not filed the FAFSA.

“What they do is log onto our system, click on three buttons and they get a full list of every single student in school and if they filled out the FAFSA or not,” he said. “The commission did this to avoid the burden of putting the issue on counselors scattering to chase down students who have not yet filled out the form.”

Garrison also noted that while this bill does technically require the FAFSA, anyone who does not want to share their information does not have to since there are ways to opt-out. He said the commission understands that filing is a personal choice that not all should be forced to.

The committee did not vote on the bill and has yet to set a date on when it will be heard again.

FOOTNOTE: Haley Carney is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Sterling Vandike Baylor Jr.: Criminal trespass (Level 6 Felony)

Larry Allen Gray: Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Class A misdemeanor)

Tarone Lamont Johnson: Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer (Class A misdemeanor)

Amanda Marie Bueno: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony)

Jeffery A. Fischer: Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony)

Jamaine Antoine Sanders: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor), Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license (Class C misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor)

Shannon Fletcher: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Class A misdemeanor)

Gary W. Pearson: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor)

Christy F. Biddle: Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Nicholas Delmar Kelley: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Abronna Nichelle Robinson: Conspiracy Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Aiding Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (Level 4 Felony)

Deshawndrick M. Lockridge: Conspiracy Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Aiding Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (Level 4 Felony)

Zachary Tyler Young: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony)

Aaron Jean Pfeiffer: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Criminal trespass (Class A misdemeanor)

Shawn Dewayne Corsentino: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

Spencer Gregory Franklin: Dealing in a schedule I controlled substance (Level 2 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

David A. Carney: Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony)

Alden M. Westcott: Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Leaving the scene of an accident (Class B misdemeanor), Criminal mischief (Class B misdemeanor), Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor)

Zachary Scott Shafer: Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felony (Level 4 Felony), Carrying a handgun without a license (Level 5 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)

Joshua Allen Morrison: Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony)

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