Home Blog Page 2905

Gov. Holcomb to Provide Updates in the Fight Against COVID-19

0

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health and other state leaders will host a virtual media briefing in the Governor’s Office to provide updates on COVID-19 and its impact on Indiana.

 

WHO:             Gov. Holcomb

State Health Commissioner Kristina Box, M.D., FACOG

 

WHEN:           2:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, March 31

 

Media RSVP

Please register HERE by 1 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31. Late requests will not be accepted. One confirmation will be sent per media outlet. If you are confirmed to attend the event, you will receive additional logistics in a separate email, including details on an opportunity to test the system at 11:15 a.m. today.

 

Logistical questions can be directed to agray@gov.in.gov.

 

Media outlets that wish to broadcast the press conference live are encouraged to use the high quality livestream. The livestream is also available to the public. Direct Link: https://livestream.com/accounts/18256195/events/9054752/player?width=960&height=540&enableInfoAndActivity=true&defaultDrawer=feed&autoPlay=true&mute=false

 

AGENDA Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners

0

AGENDA

Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners

Old National Events Plaza Locust Room B,C

March 31, 2020

10:00 am

  1. Reconvene Emergency Meeting
  2. Attendance
  3. Pledge of Allegiance
  4. Action Items 
    1. 2020 Local Elected Officials Agreement
    2. Superior Court: Professional Services Agreement with Veronica Inkenbrandt
    3. Sheriff: Agreement with Quality Correctional Care for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services 
    4. BRIT TPA and Assured Acknowledgement
    5. Berry Plastics Hold Harmless Agreement
    6. Hornby Lane Emergency Road Access Approval
    7. Resolution No. CO.R-03-20-007: Resolution Allowing County Employees to Use COVID-19 Benefits As Approved at the Emergency Meeting of the Vanderburgh County Council on March 25, 2020
  5. Department Head Reports
  6. New Business
  7. Old Business
  8. Consent Items
    1. Approval of March 23, 2020 Emergency Meeting Minutes
    2. Employment Changes 
    3. County Treasurer Monthly Report: February 2020
    4. County Clerk Monthly Report: February 2020
    5. County Auditor Claims Voucher Reports for 3/16-3/20/2020 and 3/23-3/27/2020
    6. County Engineer:
      1. Department Reports
      2. Peck Road Notice of Termination
  9. Public Comment
  10. Recess Meeting

Dresden Shooting

0

    On Monday March 31 around 4:15 p.m., the Evansville Police Department was called to the 1400 block of Dresden Street for a shots fired call. The first responding officers located a victim that had been grazed by a bullet on their arm. That victim was immediately transported to the hospital to receive treatment for a minor wound. 

  Witnesses told officers that a dark colored vehicle, with tinted windows, had pulled up and began shooting. It is believed that there was more than one shooter in the vehicle. Multiple vehicles were struck by bullets and shell casings were recovered.

  If anyone has information about this shooting, they are asked to contact Detective Aussieker, with the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7981.

Dresden Shooting

Hit and Run

0

 The Evansville Police Department’s Hit and Run Unit is looking for help in identifying this person who was involved in a hit and run motor vehicle accident on February 21 in the Walmart parking lot at 401 N. Burkhardt Rd. 

  If anyone knows who this person is, they are asked to contact the Evansville Police Department’s Hit and Run Unit at 812-436-7941.

Gov. Holcomb Details COVID-19 Surge Plan

0

Governor also signs executive order

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order and detailed Indiana’s plan for the anticipated spike in COVID-19 cases. To see a copy of the executive order, click here: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

“We see a surge coming and we’re calling in the reinforcements, bolstering Indiana’s capacity to provide additional health care services during this emergency,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “By eliminating licensing barriers and tapping in to the available talent pool of healthcare workers, Hoosiers are staffing up and stepping up to meet this challenge head-on.”

The executive order allows the following professionals who do not currently hold an active license to practice:

  • medical professionals who retired or became inactive in the last five years
  • medical professionals who hold licenses in other states
  • medical professionals who held licenses in other states and retired or became inactive in the last five years
  • certain medical students and graduates

These professionals must register with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency via their website at www.in.gov/pla. These professionals will be able to assist in screenings, telemedicine and other basic procedures to allow regularly licensed medical professionals to be on the frontline.

In Indiana, the baseline number of critical care hospital beds is 1,432. As of Monday, hospitals have already taken steps to increase the number of critical care hospital beds to 1,940. Overall, the state’s plan is to double the number, if needed, by taking existing noncritical care hospital beds, recovery rooms, operating rooms and outpatient facilities, turning them into critical care hospital beds.

In Indiana, the baseline number of ventilators is 1,177 ventilators. As of Monday, hospitals have identified another 750 ventilators that can be used for critical care patients. Overall, the state’s plan is to double the number, if needed, by repurposing ventilators from operating rooms, ambulatory care centers, EMS and the Indiana National Guard.

Additionally, the surge plan calls for moving less critical patients to alternate facilities including neighborhood hospitals, medical clinics and state-owned hospitals, such as unopened floors at the NeuroDiagnostic Institute hospital in Indianapolis and the Richmond State Hospital.

If needed, after all of these steps are exhausted, Indiana will be prepared to put patients in alternative facilities. The Indiana National Guard and Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with FEMA, are in charge of these plans.

The state of Indiana has been working on plans related to COVID-19 since January, and each hospital has a disaster plan in place. Planning has become more specific for state health and hospital officials as models of the projected impact of coronavirus became available. Based on those models, Indiana’s patient surge is expected to begin soon and the peak is expected to be mid-April to mid-May.

Attached are the graphics used in Monday’s press conference.

Click here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by the state for your use: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0

More information may be found at the ISDH website at coronavirus.in.gov and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

 

EPD REPORT

0

EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

0

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

“IS IT TRUE” MARCH 31, 2020

4

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?

(Recently we detected an issue where our subscribers may have not been getting breaking news alerts from the City-County Observer. This notification is to let you know that starting today you have been added to receive future news alerts.  If you no longer want to receive future news alerts please opt-out by clicking the  link in your e-mail to unsubscribe)

IS IT TRUE that “Government Shouldn’t Do For People What They Can Do For Themselves”?  …now is the time for “Government To Do For People What They Can’t Do For Themselves”?

IS IT TRUE we are told that when you have a major crisis the best approach is to plan for the worst?  …that sometimes the truth can bring fear but adversity brings strength?

IS IT TRUE it was recently reported in the local media that at least one EPD officer has tested positive for the Coronavirus and is quarantined?…we certainly wish this officer a quick recovery? …we were just informed that a number of officers on the Evansville Police Department have also been quarantined for 14 days due to potential exposure to the Coronavirus? …if our information is correct we feel that this situation merits a public statement from someone with authority concerning the current status of the EPD?

IS IT TRUE because of the uncertainly of the Coronavirus members of the Evansville Fire Department were told to cancel any planned vacations?  …also members of the Police Departments were told not to plan any future vacations?

IS IT TRUE that personal property tax bills for Vanderburgh County have been mailed this week with Spring payment being due on or before May 11th, 2020. Fall payment due on or before November 10th, 2020? …due to the COVID-19 crisis, (per Executive Order 20-05), the Governor has excused property tax penalties for 60 days?

IS IT TRUE that many people are extremely disappointed that the Mayor, County Council, and County Commissioner continue to discuss the status of the Coronavirus with local medical providers vie the phone? …its time that our elected officials get real and call a  press conference to explain to the masses that the deadly Coronavirus is already at our footsteps and provide us with their detailed plans how they are going to keep us safe?
IS IT TRUE last Friday Indiana State Health officials said that Coronavirus cases in Indiana probably won’t peak until mid-to-late April?  …that Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said “We don’t see the peak yet, these numbers are compounding,” Holcomb said. “This is like a snowball that’s rolling downhill and getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”?  …when asked if he plans to extend the “Stay-At-Home” order, he said, “he is making decisions day-by-day and will wait closer to the end date of April 7 to decide”? …we wonder why the Governor would waste his time extending his “Stay At Home” order because very few people are paying attention to his current “Stay-At-Home” order?
IS IT TRUE all you have to do is drive around Evansville and Vanderburgh County its obvious that our local officials aren’t enforcing Governor Holcomb state-mandated “Stay-At-Home” order?
IS IT TRUE we watched Governors Andrew Como (NEW YORK), Andy Beshear KENTUCKY), J.B. Pritzker (ILLINOIS) speak in detail on how to protect people from the Coronavirus? …they are brutally direct, honest, well informed and well-spoken? …they understand how deadly this virus can be and how to take it head-on?  … it’s also obvious that they are putting ordinary citizens, first responders and health professionals above profits?
IS IT TRUE over the years the  City Of Evansville “Rainy Day Fund” was spent on non-essential items?  …the past and present City Council members never required the Mayor to refurbished this fund to a sustainable level?
IS IT TRUE if the city had been a little more frugal with the donations to local non-profits they would have additional funds available to help with the budgetary shortfall caused by deficit spending and the CORONAVISUS crisis?
IS IT TRUE it appears that the working poor of Evansville who rely on public transportation is the beneficiary of the financial cuts to the METS transportation budget?
IS IT TRUE Federal Grants are awarded to Governmental entities to be used for specific programs or projects but the Grants shouldn’t be used as a way to balance their budgets?
IS IT TRUE we hope that the financial adjustments made to the 2020 Fire Department budget don’t hamper the future fire fighting capabilities of the Department?
IS IT TRUE  that any kind of lipid solvent will disrupt the Coronavirus, such as soaps, detergents, and smaller alcohols? …you need to use about 70% ethanol in water for optimum effectiveness
IS IT TRUE that people don’t care who you were but they only care who you are now?
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny!  When the Government fears the people we have Liberty?

IS IT TRUE our “READERS POLLS” are non-scientific but trendy?

Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: Should medical providers and elected officials conduct their medical briefings in public instead of talking with each over the phone?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, “READERS POLL”, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS”, EDUCATION, OBITUARIES and “LOCAL SPORTS”.
You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com

 

 

Mayors to Governors: Toughen Up!

0

Mayors to Governors: Toughen Up!

STATELINE ARTICLE

By: Erika Bolstad 
STATELINE /PEW

 

Read Stateline coverage of the latest state action on coronavirus.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The optics were terrible, even if the weather was perfect. Absent a firm order from Gov. Kate Brown to stay at home, thousands of people with nothing else to do packed Oregon’s beaches, trails and state parks a couple of weekends ago.

Mayors in coastal cities panicked at the onslaught, begging Brown, a Democrat, to act. One after another, towns passed emergency ordinances that shut down hotels, campgrounds, RV parks and short-term vacation rentals to all but essential visitors.

Democratic Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, joined by 25 other leaders in nearby communities and the state’s major health care providers, warned they would act if she didn’t.

“We’ve been told for weeks now by the Centers for Disease Control that we need to social distance,” said Bruce Jones, mayor of Astoria, a coastal Oregon town that often swells on weekends with tourists who drive 100 miles over two-lane roads from Portland. “We’re trying to reduce the spread of the virus, and putting visitors into our town just increases the risk of rapid transmission of the virus.”

To be sure, some governors have had to push mayors to take bolder action. In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the crowds he saw on New York City streets “a mistake.”

He urged Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to come up with a solution, including perhaps closing some city streets to vehicle traffic. “It’s insensitive. It’s arrogant. It’s self-destructive. It’s disrespectful to other people,” Cuomo said. “And it has to stop — and it has to stop now. This is not a joke. And I am not kidding.”

Cuomo’s blunt briefings have earned widespread praise. But for the most part, mayors have taken a harder line than governors on restrictions, perhaps because they are closer to the people they govern. That has led to some conflict — and colorful language.

“Listen up [dips–ts] and sensible people,” Gabe Brown, the mayor of Walton, Kentucky, wrote in a foul-mouthed Facebook post — which contrasted sharply with Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s reassuring nightly briefings. “I might not have the best bedside manor [sic]. I might not put you at ease like the Governor does, but I don’t care. You need to realize that this is a serious ordeal. In fact, it’s a big [f—ing] deal. Stay at home.”

In Mississippi, absent direct guidance from Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, the state’s mayors acted on their own to create a patchwork of local stay-at-home and social distancing orders. Eventually, Reeves issued an order superseding local efforts.

The governor’s order included a broader definition of essential businesses, which emboldened some establishments to reopen after cities ordered them closed.

Mayors who sought to protect their communities were left dumbfounded and asked the governor to clarify his order.

Potholes aren’t political, and the virus shouldn’t be either, said Lynn Spruill, Democratic mayor of Starkville, Mississippi, a college town of 25,000 nearly an hour’s drive from the nearest interstate highway.

Spruill, who has been helping by answering the phone at City Hall, said she watched with worry as New Orleans became a COVID-19 hotspot. She was certain that people in her community traveled there for Mardi Gras.

Absent early action from Reeves, Spruill prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people and restricted restaurants to takeout and drive-thru. After seeing young people congregate in parks, she tried to get the city board of aldermen to pass another emergency ordinance, but it failed.

“None of us have seen this before and it’s all the kind of thing that sadly becomes political in terms of finger-pointing and that sort of thing,” Spruill said. “And it doesn’t help that we’ve got an election coming up. All of that complicates the decisions and colors the decisions. And it’s unfortunate.”

Many states found their decision-making hampered by President Donald Trump’s all-caps assertion on Twitter that the consequences of an economic slowdown would be worse than the effects of the virus itself — an opinion that defies the advice of health experts.

“Look, this is really, really hard,” Brown said last week in an interview on Oregon Public Broadcasting. “That order substantially alters the way people live their lives and I am well aware of that. Every executive order I issue at this point in time has a ripple effect on people’s lives and their livelihoods.”

Even governors in frontline states have hesitated to issue statewide orders, including in Washington, where the first cases appeared. Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, issued a statewide stay-at-home order the same day as Brown. Like Brown, he said he hoped that strongly urging people to say home would be enough. It was not.

“I have heard from health professionals, local officials and others that people still aren’t practicing these precautions,” Inslee said, while announcing his order.

In Idaho, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, a Democrat, told Republican Gov. Brad Little last week that she and other regional leaders were prepared to order residents to stay home if he did not.

“I can do something here, but people could still have the option to leave my community and move about,” McLean said, “and we know that that’s not in the best interest of our goal of our community or helpful to the goals of slowing the infection rates.”

Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare already ordered people to self-isolate in Blaine County, a hard-hit area home to the Sun Valley ski resort. By midweek, Little decided to issue a statewide stay-at-home order.

“Every state is in a different stage,” he said at the news conference. “I am confident that the decisions that we have made in Idaho, over the past few weeks and months, have been solidly grounded in the advice for epidemiologists and our infectious disease experts.”

Conflicts between mayors and governors continued to play out in Florida, too, where GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis said last week he had no intention of calling for a statewide stay-at-home order.

In Miami, Republican Mayor Francis Suarez, who tested positive for the coronavirus and is posting daily video diaries on Instagram from his quarantine, issued a stay-at-home order the night before. “The sooner we take action, the sooner we can return to normalcy,” Suarez said.

Like Trump, DeSantis argued that lengthy stay-at-home orders could be worse for the economy than the effects of the virus itself.

“There’s certain parts of the state where you have more sporadic cases, and to order someone not to be able to earn a paycheck, when them going to work is not going to have any effect on what we’re doing with the virus, that is something that I think is inappropriate,” DeSantis said last week in a news conference.

In Oregon, Jones, the Astoria mayor, said he didn’t blame Brown for taking a few days to issue a statewide order: “I don’t have a beef with the governor at all,” he said. “She’s in a very tough position, trying to make a decision that applies statewide across rural areas and heavily populated areas and can be fair to everyone. It’s virtually impossible.”

Brown told the radio station she took the criticism in stride — although she said she heard from many others that her order went too far and put the state’s economy at greater risk.

“Here’s the harsh reality: None of us have lived through a global pandemic like this one,” Brown said. “The world has never seen anything like this. There is no playbook.”

Top State Stories 3/30Coronavirus and the States: Plastic Bag Bans on Hold; Nuclear Plants Running Low on Gloves, Masks and Wipes

TODAYS VANDERBURGH COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA

0
civic center

Vanderburgh County Commissioners
MARCH 31, 2020

10:00 A.M.

AGENDA

 

1. Call to Order

 

2. Attendance

 

3. Pledge of Allegiance

 

4. Action Items

 

A. 2020 Local Elected Officials Agreement
B. Superior Court: Professional Services Agreement with Veronica Inkenbrandt
C. Sheriff: Agreement with Quality Correctional Care for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services
D. BRIT TPA and Assured Acknowledgement
E. Berry Plastics Hold Harmless Agreement
F. Hornby Lane Emergency Road Access Approval
G. Resolution No. CO.R-03-20-007: Resolution Allowing County Employees to Use COVID-19 Benefits As Approved at the Emergency Meeting of the Vanderburgh County Council on March 25, 2020
5. Department Head Reports

 

6. New Business

 

7. Old Business

 

8. Consent Items

 

A. Approval of March 23, 2020 Emergency Meeting Minutes
B. Employment Changes
C. County Treasurer Monthly Report: February 2020
D. County Clerk Monthly Report: February 2020
E. County Auditor Claims Voucher Reports for 3/16-3/20/2020 and 3/23-3/27/2020
F. County Engineer:
1. Department Reports
2. Peck Road Notice of Termination
9. Public Comment

 

10. Adjournment
1...2,9042,9052,906...7,283Page 2,905 of 7,283