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Sullivan’s Bill Taking Aim At Distracted Driving Heads To Governor

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 Sullivan’s Bill Taking Aim At Distracted Driving Heads To Governor

 STATEHOUSE (March 11, 2020) 

State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) hands-free driving proposal could soon become law.

Sullivan, chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, said the proposal would prohibit driving while holding a hand-held electronic device and could help drivers pay attention to the road. She said distracted driving is a danger to others, with nine Americans killed each day because of it.

“Distracted driving kills, and we need a cultural shift in order to save lives,” Sullivan said. “Most of us are guilty of using our phones while driving, and we all need to do a better job of putting our devices down and focusing on the road.”

More than 20 states have implemented hands-free device driving laws, and while Indiana has a law that prohibits texting while driving, it is difficult to enforce. Drivers can still use hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth, or dial 911 in the event of an emergency.

House Enrolled Act 1070 is now eligible to be signed into law by the governor. Visit iga.in.gov for more information.

 

Coal, Utilities And Drinking Water Bills Head To The Governor

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Staff Report
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Legislation dealing with coal plant closures, municipal-owned utilities, and testing drinking water cleared both chambers of the General Assembly Tuesday and are now on their way to Gov. Eric Holcomb.

House Bill 1414: Coal plant closures

What it does: HB 1414 requires the state’s utilities to notify the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission if they plan to close an energy-producing plant. It could cause the closure of coal plants until May 1, 2021, while the 21st Century Energy Task Force finishes its work. House Bill 1414 wins approval in the Senate by a close vote. Photo by Victoria Ratliff, TheStatehouseFile.com

What happened: The final version of the bill that was negotiated between the House and Senate passed both chambers Tuesday—in the House with a 55-38 vote and the Senate with a 28-21 vote.

Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, who chairs the Senate Utilities Committee, said the bill has reverted to the version that passed the House, which once again includes language that would require the IURC to only review coal plant closure plans and coal companies to stockpile coal for 90 days if approved.

“We spent a great deal of time with the bill that left the Senate,” Merritt said. “We all know the stockpile is not acceptable.” Both chambers had legislators argue that Indiana should be looking for ways to invest in clean, renewable energy and delaying coal plant closures sends the wrong message about what Indiana should stand for.

Some who argued in favor of the bill said Indiana needs to protect workers in the coal industry and the bill provides for training.

What’s next: The bill now heads to Holcomb’s desk to possibly be signed into law.

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House Bill 1165: Utilities owned by a municipality

What it does: The legislation prohibits a utility that is owned by a municipality from requiring the landlord of a property to guarantee payment of tenants’ utility bills. Those utilities have been requiring a landlord to guarantee the credit-worthiness of their tenants, putting landlords on the hook for the bills if tenants fail to pay.

What happened: The House approved the final version of HB 1165 by a 61-33 vote after Reps. Chuck Goodrich, R-Noblesville, and Bruce Borders, R-Jasonville, argued in favor of approval. Borders said it isn’t a difficult issue because a well-run municipal authority should be able to collect from its users. Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, said the bill is a “solution in search of a problem” and argued for a no vote.

What’s next: The bill now goes to Holcomb who will decide whether to sign it.

* * *

House Bill 1265: Testing drinking water

What it does: The bill requires all schools to test drinking water to make sure there is not excess amounts of lead in it.

What happened: The House concurred with the Senate version of the bill and approved it by a 93-0 vote. Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, spoke in support of the bill, saying, “We want to make sure our children are protected.”

What’s next: The bill will head to Holcomb desk where he will decide whether to sign it into law.

FOOTNOTE: Victoria Ratliff and Haley Carney contributed to this report. They are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BURTON REQUEST COUNCIL TO SUPPORT ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LETTER TO THE MAYOR

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CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BURTON REQUEST COUNCIL TO SUPPORT HIS ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LETTER TO THE MAYOR

(If you are interested in signing this doc to be sent to Mayor, please let me know ASAP.) 

Dear Council Member;

We aspire for ‘E to be for Everyone’, yet too many kids and adults face experiences that are unacceptable. The recent incident at Olive Garden is an example of what many people face living in or visiting Evansville too often experience.

As members of the council, we want to reassure residents and visitors that there is no place for discrimination of any in our community. We would like the administration in the City of Evansville to take action by reviewing and potentially updating our city’s policies to ensure we have zero tolerance for all city employees who promote hate and/or discrimination. Upon review, we’d also like a report back to show progress in the next 60 days.

All of our residents and visitors deserve to feel welcome throughout our community. There remains work to do because there is an existing racist undercurrent in our community that far too many residents deal with. As members of the council, it is our job to bring about systemic change that leads to an inclusive and truly welcoming community.

Thanks,

Alex Burton

City Council-Ward 4

FOOTNOTE: MR. BURTON  SENT THIS LETTER TO EVERY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND ALSO PROVIDED A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO SELECT MEMBERS OF THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA BUT NOT THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER. 

WE RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS LETTER FROM ONE OF CIVIC CENTER “MOLES”!

UE Announces Proactive Measures Regarding Coronavirus

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In response to the rapidly changing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, and with the safety and well-being of students, the campus community, and our Evansville community in mind, the University of Evansville has decided to extend spring break through Tuesday, March 17, and move all courses to online instruction effective Wednesday, March 18. Online instruction will continue at least through Friday, March 27.

President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz issued a university-wide message including updated guidelines that are effective immediately pertaining to travel and campus events.

Additionally, the University has suspended the spring semester in-person instruction at Harlaxton College, the University’s study abroad center in the UK, and will move all courses to online platforms.

View Online: http://evansville.meritpages.com/news/UE-Announces-Proactive-Measures-Regarding-Coronavirus/14718

MICAH SMITH JOINS OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA AS EVENT MANAGER

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Old National Events Plaza Hired Micah Smith As Event Manager

Smith, a graduate of Mater Dei High School in Evansville, earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Food Management from Ball State University in May 2019.

In a short time since graduation, Smith has built an impressive resume, having served in event support roles with the US Soybean Export Council, Cornerstone Center for the Arts (Muncie, IN) and most recently as Event Designer & Coordinator with City View at Sterling Square in Evansville.

“Micah is passionate about the meetings and events industry, and she knows what it takes to go ‘above and beyond’ for her clients.  Given her skill set, experience, and team-centric philosophy, we are excited to have Micah on board and look forward to introducing her to our partners,” said Alexis Berggren, General Manager of Old National Events Plaza.

In her new role, Smith will serve as the primary contact for venue customers in event planning, logistics coordination, and on-site execution.

 

Kentucky Wesleyan College Unveils Terry Woodward Center for Business Studies

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Kentucky Wesleyan College Unveils Terry Woodward Center for Business Studies

Kentucky Wesleyan College celebrated the dedication and naming of the Terry Woodward Center for Business Studies during a ceremony with the College’s Board of Trustees on Thursday, Feb. 6. A 2019 inductee of the Owensboro Business Hall of Fame, Woodward has been an influential leader in the Owensboro business community and a generous benefactor of Kentucky Wesleyan College for decades. He established the College’s first endowed chair, the W. Terry Woodward Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurial Studies, in 2007.

“It’s quite an honor having anything named after you, and particularly if it has to do with business because that has been my life,” Woodward said at the ceremony. “What I learned at Kentucky Wesleyan gave me the confidence to face the world.”

Woodward, who served as a trustee at KWC for many years, was inducted as a member of the second class of the Kentucky Wesleyan Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005, and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. In 1996, the College awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. The Woodward Health and Recreation Center is also named in his honor in recognition of his establishment of an Athletic Endowment Fund for the College.

The Terry Woodward Center for Business Studies prepares students for professional careers in business and/or graduate studies. This preparation involves a curriculum that stresses analysis and communication, theory and practice, as shaped by the needs of the global business community. Real-life experiences are integrated into classroom instruction. Ethics and values, as well as technical efficiency and accountability, are emphasized in the curriculum.

The following degree programs are offered and accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE):

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Daniel Wertz Teacher Receives March Cause for Applause

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Daniel Wertz Elementary School Teacher Alexandria Craig is the March recipient of the EVSC’s Cause for Applause award. The award seeks to recognize individuals who go above and beyond their normal job responsibilities.

Craig was nominated by a fellow coworker at Daniel Wertz who talked about her compassion and love she shows for her students.

“Alex is a wonderful teacher with a huge heart,” wrote her nominator. “Her kids are everything to her.”

As examples, her nominator writes that at the beginning of each school year, Craig asks family and friends to “adopt” one of her students, giving them a book and writing encouraging notes. She also teaches students their very own third grade pledge that talks about how much their teacher loves them and how unique and special they are. She also attends birthday parties, adoption celebrations and so much more. In addition to teaching, Craig also is the basketball coach and according to her nominator, coaching is something she puts her heart and soul into just like teaching.

“If she knows you are having a bad day, she’ll get your favorite snack and drink and put it on your desk with a note saying how much she appreciates you,” wrote her nominator. “If anyone deserves recognition for loving their job and doing it extremely well, it’s Alex.”

Anyone can nominate an employee of the EVSC for the award. Deadline for nominations is the third Friday of each month. To nominate an EVSC employee, go to www.evscschools.com and click on About Us and see Cause for Applause under Community. Paper forms are available at the schools for those without access to the Internet.

“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” March 12, 2020

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“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” March 12, 2020

“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning National or International issues.
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 JAB” 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.

ADOPT A PET

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Diesel is a male Boxer/pit mix. He is 1 ½ years old, and was surrendered with his “brother from another mother,” Dodger. These dudes got along well with each other and also with other dogs since being at the VHS. Diesel weighs 76 lbs. He’s concentrating on his walkie in this photo, walking through Garvin Park at Cardio for Canines! Diesel’s adoption fee is $110 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

Indiana to Send 11 to NCAA Men’s Championships

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Eleven swimmers from the Indiana University men’s program earned individual qualifying berths to the 2020 NCAA Championships in Indianapolis on March 25-28, the NCAA announced on Wednesday.

 

The following swimmers will be NCAA bound later this month: sophomore Zane Backes, junior Bruno Blaskovic, freshman Brendan Burns, sophomore Mikey Calvillo, junior Gabriel Fantoni, sophomore Jack Franzman, freshman Will Gallant, junior Spencer Lehman, sophomore Van Mathias, senior Mohamed Samy and junior Jacob Steele.

 

Indiana is one of five teams to bring at least 11 swimmers to the IUPUI Natatorium. Texas boasts the most athletes on pre-meet psych sheets with 18 swimmers. Michigan (12) is the only Big Ten Conference school to place more swimmers in the NCAA field than the Hoosiers. Ohio State is third on the conference list with seven participants.

 

Along with the swimmers, the IU diving team will compete for a spot on the NCAA Championship roster at the NCAA Zone C Championships in Lexington, Ky. The competition runs from March 12-14 at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.

 

Last season at the 2019 NCAA Championships, the Hoosiers compiled 385.5 points and a third-place finish, the second-straight season with a top-3 finish. Indiana has posted back-to-back top-3 finishes at the NCAA Championships for the first time since the program racked up top-3 finishes in 12-straight season from 1964-75.

For the fourth-straight season, Indiana finished as the top Big Ten team at the NCAA Championships – the best stretch for IU since accomplishing the feat for 15-straight seasons from 1964-78. Over the course of the NCAA Championships, the Hoosiers had 13 individuals earn a total of 38 All-America honors.

 

Below is a list of the 11 Hoosier swimmers who qualified for individual events at the 2020 NCAA Championships, along with their seeding in each event:

 

Individuals

Zane Backes – 100 Breaststroke (3rd)

Bruno Blaskovic – 50 Freestyle (3rd), 100 Freestyle (3rd), 100 Butterfly (10th)

Brendan Burns – 100 Backstroke (14th), 100 Butterfly (14th), 200 Butterfly (7th)

Mikey Calvillo – 500 Freestyle (28th), 1,650 Freestyle (10th)

Gabriel Fantoni – 100 Backstroke (6th), 200 Backstroke (9th)

Jack Franzman – 50 Freestyle (24th), 100 Freestyle (19th)

Will Gallant – 1,650 Freestyle (14th)

Spencer Lehman – 400 IM (28th)

Van Mathias – 200 Butterfly (28th), 200 IM (25th)

Mohamed Samy – 100 Freestyle (18th), 200 Freestyle (8th), 200 IM (11th)

Jacob Steele – 100 Backstroke (25th)

 

Relays

200 Medley Relay – 1:23.07 (3rd)

400 Medley Relay – 3:02.27 (3rd)

200 Freestyle Relay – 1:16.30 (3rd)

400 Freestyle Relay – 2:48.43 (5th)

800 Freestyle Relay – 6:15.53 (11th)

 

ESPN3 will live stream finals sessions Wednesday through Saturday.  Preliminary sessions Thursday through Saturday will be streamed live here. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour show at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.

 

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