7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Neu Chapel Sanctuary, University of Evansville Campus, 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN
POLICE NEEDS HELP IN IDENTIFYING Hit and Run
 The Evansville Police Department is looking for help in identifying the driver of this vehicle that was involved in a hit and run motor vehicle accident at 10th and Franklin Street on January 25th between the hours of 7:00pm and 9:30pm. The picture of the female is the suspected driver of the white car. The last picture shows several people who aren’t suspects but were merely passengers in the suspect’s vehicle.Â
 If anyone recognizes the female or the occupants of her vehicle, please call the Evansville Police Department’s Hit and Run Unit at 812-436-7942
 Â
 Â
Shots Fired 1100 Block of South Linwood
 On February 1st around 10pm, the Evansville Police Department was dispatched to the area of 1100 S. Linwood Ave. The caller told dispatch that they heard shots being fired in this area. There has been a high number of calls recently received about shots being fired in this area.
The responding officers were able to pinpoint an address on S. Linwood where the shots had been fired. Several juveniles were found to be inside the residence along with three stolen firearms. One of the juveniles was taken into custody and is facing a felony and misdemeanor charge.
“IS IT TRUE” February 3, 2020
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â 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 so far we are hearing that there are a talented and qualified practicing attorney and two Magistrate Judges who will be applying for the Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge position? …so far the names of three (3) highly qualified people are showing interest in this most prestigious judgeship?  …they are the well known practicing attorney Tom Massey, and highly respected Magistrate Judge J August Straus, and Magistrate Judge Gary Schutte?
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners held their annual road hearing last week?…last year the Vanderburgh County Commissioners approved and oversaw the largest road pavings and road repairs in modern-day history? ….we are pleased that all three County Commissioners continue to focus on roads on prioritizing, listening and acting on what the Vanderburgh County taxpayers want, need and request in order to allow their traveling to be safer?…we give five (5) cheers to Vanderburgh County Engineer, John Stoll for doing an amazing job in overseeing all these road and pavings projects?
IS IT TRUEÂ that County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave will make history this year by becoming the first female in Vanderburgh County history to be re-elected to a third (3) term as County Commissioner?…she was first elected as Commissioner in 2004 by defeating an incumbent County Commissioner and won again in 2016 by again beating another incumbent Vanderburgh County Commissioner?…it looks like her Republican primary opponent for this District Three County Commissioner seat, Ronald Chapman, has an uphill battle?
IS IT TRUE that the race for Vanderburgh County Council At-Large is shaping up to be very competitive?…it looks like the local Vanderburgh County Democrat party has fielded a strong three-person Council At-Large ballot? Â …County Councilman Mike Goebel, former County Councilman Ed Bassemeier and the popular County Council At-Large candidate, Amy Back?
IS IT TRUE that the Republicans have two incumbent County Councilmen At-Large running again for re-election; the well respected Joe Kiefer and Angela Koehler Lindsay?…we are told that the local Republican Party is working overtime to field a third candidate for the County Council At-Large seat?…they have approached Greg Peete, Mike Duckworth?…that Peete and Duckworth delined to be a candidate for County Council seat?  …that several members of the Republican Party are hoping that Zac Rascher will be the third candidate to run for County Council At-Large?
IS IT TRUE that the race for Vanderburgh County Recorder will be very competitive?…that the incumbent County Recorder, Debbie Stucki, is running again for re-election?….that the Democrat Party has fielded a new candidate for this race?… the Democrat candidate is the well-liked, Ken McWilliams? …last week Mr. McWilliams announced and will be officially filing to run for this seat very soon?
IS IT TRUE that business Tycoon Warren Buffett is selling his newspaper business to Lee Enterprises for $140 million? … Warren Buffett is selling his newspaper business for $140 million – a fraction of the $344 million he spent acquiring 28 daily papers?  …Lee Enterprises has managed Berkshire Hathaway’s newspapers since 2018?  …that Warren Buffett bought 28 papers for $344 million in the early 2010s?  ….he’s also selling The Buffalo News, which he acquired for about $36 million in 1977?
IS IT TRUE the question is “Are printed newspapers becoming obsolete”?  …the answer is that printed newspapers are in terminal decline and each year, a few million newspaper readers die and are not replaced by new readers?  …at the same time, an increasingly competitive ad market is making it harder and harder for in-print newspapers to charge premium rates?
IS IT TRUE the question is “How many newspapers closed since 2000?  …the answer is “The pace of the decline has not slowed? …new research shows that over 2,000 newspapers have closed since 2004, this a staggering figure for the industry was once among the largest employers in America?
IS IT TRUE the question is “What is an online newspaper called”?  …the answer is “An online newspaper is the online version of a newspaper, either as a stand-alone publication or as the online version of a printed periodical?  …Going online has created more opportunities for the newspapers industry, such as competing with broadcast journalism in presenting breaking news in a more timely manner”?
IS IT TRUE the question is “What day of the week is the newspaper most read?” …the answer is “Assuming we’re talking about a paper that publishes seven days a week: Most people work Monday through Friday? …that some people get the paper on their way to or from work?  …that some people only get the Sunday paper usually, it has a lot more news to read and a lot more coupons to clip?
IS IT TRUE the question is “What is the benefit that internet newspapers have over in-print newspapers”?  …the answers are that “Online newspapers are a popular way to publish content on general or specific newsworthy happenings? …they are cheaper to produce than traditional print newspapers and have the potential to reach a wider and more global audience”?
IS IT TRUE the question is: “What is the most read part of the newspaper”?
…the answer is “The most popular newspaper section is ‘Local/domestic/national news’ (read by 65% of the readers), followed by ‘Sports’ (read by 59%). The least popular sections are ‘Home & Decoration’ (read by 13%) and ‘Letters from the Readers’ (read by 12%)”?
IS IT TRUE the question is “Why is the Sunday in print paper more expensive”?  …the answer is  “Because Sunday in print papers carry more advertising and coupons than any other day, the typical edition has the potential to pay for itself many times over”  …If publishers want to sustain the biggest and most profitable revenue source that they have, they need to get real about the pricing of their Sunday products”?
IS IT TRUE the question is: What are the top 3 selling newspapers in America?  …the answer is: The top three U.S. newspapers by total average circulation (from print products, digital subscriptions and other papers that use their branded content) are USA Today (4,139,380), The Wall Street Journal (2,276,207) and The New York Times (2,134,150), according to Alliance for Audited Media?
IS IT TRUE the question is: what are the largest daily US newspapers in order of circulation?  …the answer is The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, latimes.com., The New York Times, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, and The Washington Post?
IS IT TRUE that Cable and local TV news were the bright spots in another economically down year for the U.S. news media industry’s economic fortunes?
IS IT TRUE the question is “What one of the reasons why print media have lost credibility with the general public” Â …one reason is that print media have allowed themselves to become the “Ministers Of Progranda” for elected Local and State and National officials and the printing of dated information?
IS IT TRUE about 13 years ago that the owners of the City-County Observers made an astute visionary decision to stop publishing their in -print newspaper and publish online? … during the last 17 years, the City-County Observer has made an honorable profit each and every month?
IS IT TRUE we would like to thank Ray Simmons, Director of Athletic Communications at USI for sending current sports happenings from that fine University?
IS IT TRUE we would like to thank Kalah E. Hirsch, EPD Records Specialist for the Evansville EPD for sending daily activities reports in a timely manner?
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny! Â When the Government fears the people we have Liberty
Today’s “Readers Poll†question is: How do you rate the Super Bowl half time show?
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.â€
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will 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.
Coal Industry Bill Advances Over Objections Of House Democrats
Coal Industry Bill Advances Over Objections Of House Democrats
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS –– A bill that would pause the phasing out of Indiana’s coal industry advanced in the House Thursday, but without amendments that addressed campaign contributions and whale oil.
House Bill 1414 was authored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, and would allow the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to be able to block an electric utility from shutting down a power plant if the company can’t show it was either required by a federal mandate or is otherwise necessary. Under the legislation, these regulations would end in 2021.
Coal plants in Indiana are in the process of shutting down in favor of switching to natural and renewable resources, which are less expensive. The bill united environmentalists, the utility industry and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in opposing it in committee.
Soliday passed an amendment to the bill Thursday that would also require the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to hold a hearing in order to determine if a utility plant’s decision to close is reasonable.
In his remarks, Soliday said the purpose of the bill is to be temporary in order to provide more time for a state task force created by the legislature to complete studies of the state’s energy industry and recommend proposals for the 2021 legislative session.
The legislation faced opposition from Democrats in the House, who said the bill tries to turn back the clock on the technological advancements that have been made in renewable resources.
Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend, offered an amendment that aimed at showing the absurdity of protecting an industry that was falling to new technology. His amendment required that whale oil be brought back to “serve the purpose of lighting Hoosier homes and businesses.â€
Dvorak gave a history lesson to the members of the House about the use of whale oil in the United States as an energy source many years ago. He said the downfall of whale oil came from the same issues the energy industry faces today with new technology.
“Help make America great again by bringing whale oil back,†Dvorak said as he ended his presentation of the amendment. This was followed by some laughter from members in the chamber.
In response, Rep. Alan Morrison, R-Brazil, criticized Dvorak, saying the issue of coal miners losing their jobs is not a joking matter, and the amendment was “disgusting.â€
Dvorak responded: “I think this is a very serious issue. I think it’s being handled incredibly irresponsibly. We can continue to live in the past and ignore the way the rest of the world is moving.â€
He tried to remove the amendment after his point was made, but House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, had already called for a vote. The amendment failed 11-83, with all “yes†votes coming from Democrats.
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, presented another amendment that would bar state legislators and the governor from receiving any donations from members of the coal industry. The coal industry has donated to Gov. Eric Holcomb and also to state legislators, including Soliday.
DeLaney said the legislature shouldn’t favor helping one for-profit industry, especially one that could result in ratepayers paying more for coal-powered energy.
“How did we come here? To raise rates on people and then receive political contributions from those in the industry who benefit?†DeLaney said.
Rep. Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said Delaney’s amendment troubled him because lawmakers were there to “represent the constituency, not personal motivations.†He said the amendment suggested that people should question lawmakers’ intentions.
Delaney’s amendment was withdrawn after Bosma ruled the motion was not related to the original content of the bill.
Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, called the downfall of the coal industry “creative destruction,†which he said meant that a once-advanced industry is falling to new technology. He pointed to the example of railroads becoming more obsolete with the creation of highways.
“We’re fighting the natural progression of technology,†Pierce said. “The theory is in the long run, the people who lost their job in the industry that’s running out will have an opportunity to work in the new industry.â€
HB 1414 is eligible for a vote in the House on Monday.
Emily Ketterer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Governor Signs Bill To Pay Cash For Higher Education Capital Projects
Governor Signs Bill To Pay Cash For Higher Education Capital Projects
Staff Report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—The General Assembly is reaching the midpoint in the 2020 session as legislation allowing the state to pay cash for some capital improvement projects is signed by the governor and bills dealing with abortion and prescription drug prices advance:
House Bill 1007: Allocates money from Indiana’s surplus to pay cash for $291 million in projects at the state’s colleges and universities.
What it does: By paying cash instead of financing higher education capital improvement projects through bonds, Indiana will save money in interest payments, the state budget office has said. The projects had been approved by the General Assembly in the 2019 session.
What happened:Â Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HB 1007 into law Wednesday, the first legislation of the 2020 session to reach his desk.
“By paying off these one-time expenditures, we’re ensuring our state remains the fiscal envy of the nation by saving Hoosier taxpayers more than $135 million in borrowing costs, which in turn frees up money to be spent on other priorities,†Holcomb said in a news release.
Democrats tried and failed to amend HB 1007 to use some of the surplus to raise teacher pay and spending on other programs.
“Republicans are prioritizing paying cash for these projects over the needs of Hoosier teachers, parents and seniors who have been battling low pay, expensive early childhood education programs and skyrocketing prescription drug prices,†said Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, in a news release.
What’s next: The money can now be spent on the capital improvement projects.
* * *
Senate Bill 299: Deals with the disposal of fetal remains after a chemical abortion.
What it does: The bill, authored by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, clarifies that a woman who has a chemical abortion at home can take the remains to the health care provider or abortion clinic for cremation or interment.
What happened: After a hearing in the House Health and Provider Services Committee, the bill passed by a 10-1 vote. Brown, saying the bill also clarifies existing state law, expressed concern that abortion clinics are still treating aborted remains as waste even though state law requires that they be cremated or buried. Sen. Jean Breaux, D-Indianapolis, cast the only no vote, saying that when a woman has an abortion at home she is expelling a large blot clot.
What’s next: SB 299 advances to the full Senate for consideration.
* * *
House Bill 1005: Would require hospitals and off-campus hospital facilities to be more transparent with medical service pricing.
What it does: Authored by Rep. Donna Schaibley, R-Carmel, HB 1005 first provides the definition of off-campus facility of a hospital. The legislation lists requirements for hospitals to provide select medical service pricing in their websites. Also, medical facilities or practitioners that treat patients with non-emergency care would be required to inform the patient of a best-estimated price of the care no more than three business days after the patient first seeks care.
What happened: An amendment to allow Indiana to import lower-priced prescription drugs passed 49-44 in the House on Wednesday. The amendment was authored by Rep. Ryan Hatfield, D-Evansville, and stems from President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to look into allowing states to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada that would be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The amendment allows Indiana to import certain prescription drugs, already used in the United States, from Canada to help lower prescription drug prices. Similar legislation was passed in Florida last year.
“Hoosiers have been crippled by the high cost of prescription drug prices for far too long,†Hatfield said.
Schaibley asked members of the House to vote against the amendment, saying the bill itself was already “hefty,†and she would like to discuss prescription drug pricing with different legislation.
What’s next: HB 1005 is eligible for a final vote in the House.
Haley Carney and Emily Ketterer contributed to this report. They are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Responsive employer