https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx
“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 13, 2019
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 that the owner of the City-County Observer was recently approached by a group of local financially successful business investors asking him to consider publishing a printed Sunday newspaper on their behalf for the Evansville/Vanderburgh County area? …that the real truth is that they would really like to outright purchase the City-County Observer? …we told that the 76-year-old CEO and Publisher of the CCO will give them an answer on January 15, 2020, because at that time he will be given the results of his extensive heart evaluations?
IS IT TRUEÂ that the current owner of the City-County Observer will require that potential buyers of this publication must pledge that it will remain an “Independent Non-Partisan Community Newspaper” that encourages “Good Public Policy”?
IS IT TRUE we have been conducting a non-scientific but trendy “READERS POLL” concerning printing a Sunday newspaper over the last 11 days?  …we are blown away with the number of votes this poll has attracted? …please take the time and cast your vote in this poll? …that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?
IS IT TRUE yesterday the Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding announced that he has appointed Major Noah Robinson to the rank of Colonel”  …that Colonel Noah Robinson is now second in command of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff Office?  …he takes over from retiring Chief Deputy John Strange III position?  …that Colonel Noah  Robinson is highly respected within the ranks of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff Department?  …the City-County Observer staff have had numerous contacts with Colonel Noah Robinson of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff Office over the years and must say that he does an outstanding job for the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County?
IS IT TRUE it’s obvious that former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel really craves holding elected office and hearing the adoring applause of a crowd?…it will be interesting to see how Weinzapfel will respond to questions that will most certainly be asked about the negated effort that he lead to quietly deceive the people of Vanderburgh County with a backroom meeting to take away their Homestead Tax Credit?
IS IT TRUEÂ that former two-term Mayor of Evansville Weinzapfel did finish law school but his interests have never seemed to be in practicing law?
IS IT TRUE yesterday afternoon at the December 12th Evansville Board of Public Works meeting Board members Sharon Walker, Marty Amsler, and Bill Nix showed wisdom in choosing a local company to fulfill the new 5-year advertising contract for the METS bus bench, shelters and bus wrap, and panels?  …the Evansville Board Of Public Works exhibited responsible good public policy in selecting a  local company?  …we hope that the Evansville Bus & Bench LLC owner Lynne M Finney will work in partnership with the METS officials to help improve the appearance and maintenance of the bus benches and shelters throughout Evansville?
IS IT TRUE according to the Evansville Courier and Press that the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Superintendent David Smith was the highest-paid administrator in Indiana’s five largest school systems last year and local teachers were the lowest-paid?  …  this is downright shameful?
IS IT TRUE we are also told that many employees of the EVSC are finally getting tired of the practices of political patronage, nepotism and pork-barrel politics within the school system?
IS IT TRUEÂ we wonder if local attorney Charles Berger ever receive the information he requested from the EVCS?
IS IT TRUE we are told that Deputy Treasurer Dottie Thomas is gearing up to announce her intentions to run for the Vanderburgh County Treasurer position during the next election cycle? Â …that Dottie has a solid reputation of serving the taxpayers in a non-partisan manner? Â …Dottie Thomas is extremely likable and hard working?
Today’s “Readers Poll†question is: Would you purchase a Sunday printed edition of the City-County Observer for one buck?
We are pleased to provide obituaries from area funeral homes at no cost.  We are also pleased to announce that we are now providing news from all the area High Schools.  Please scroll down the paper and you shall see a listing of them.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
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
Holcomb Touts Successes At Annual Legislative Preview
Holcomb Touts Successes At Annual Legislative Preview
By Brynna Sentel
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—Gov. Eric Holcomb stressed the strengths of Indiana before a gathering of legislators, lobbyists, and lawyers Wednesday, but said the state still faces issues that need to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session.
Holcomb’s session at the one-day legislative conference was advertised as a preview of his agenda for the 2020 session of the General Assembly that begins Jan. 6. But the governor is traveling to Terre Haute next week to do that and instead had a 40-minute discussion with moderator Toby McClamroch about some of the issues that might be raised next year.
Holcomb said that his agenda will focus on some of the same issues as in the past.
“I think it’s really three fronts and that’s how we strengthen our people and how we strengthen our infrastructure and how we connect with one another and how we strengthen and modernize our economy,†Holcomb said.
In focusing on “one Indiana,†the governor told the gathering that it’s important that all parts of the state have access to the infrastructure, like roads, bridges, and broadband so all have an opportunity for growth.
Holcomb emphasized the importance of transformational projects like completing I-69, Â getting rid of traffic lights and railroad crossings on Route 31 to South Bend, expanding rail lines and ports and creating a quality of place so people want to live and work in Indiana.
But one of the biggest challenges remains workforce development and making sure there are the people available to fill the jobs of growing businesses, he said. It is a theme his administration has often repeated.
Holcomb listed some of the successes from the 2019 session including dropping the income tax on military pensions, expanding broadband internet access to underserved areas and the investments in education.
Holcomb and Republican leadership in the House and Senate have emphasized that education got more than $700 million in additional funding in the two-year budget passed in the spring and consumes more than half of the budget.
Two weeks ago, thousands of teachers and their supporters from across the state flooded the Statehouse demanding more pay and funding for schools. Lawmakers were in session for one day to organize for the 2020 legislative session.
But it seems unlikely that teacher demands will be met.
The governor said Wednesday he was waiting until the work of his teacher pay study commission is finished before making any specific proposal to increase compensation for teachers, who have fallen behind pay levels in neighboring states.
In separate discussion panels, Republican leaders have said the only new money to be spent in 2020, a non-budget year, will go toward one-time investments, ruling out using some of the state’s $2 billion reserves for teacher pay.
FOOTNOTE: Brynna Sentel is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Sheriff Wedding Appoints Colonel Noah Robinson His New Chief Deputy
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding announced today that he has appointed Major Noah Robinson to the rank of Colonel as his second in command to take over from retiring Chief Deputy John Strange III.
Major Noah Robinson is an 18 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. Major Robinson was a patrol officer with the Owensboro Police Department before joining the Sheriff’s Office in 2001. He spent eight years assigned to the Operations Division where he served as a patrol deputy and later as a field training deputy. He later moved up the ranks, serving as a sergeant in the Professional Standards Unit and then as a lieutenant in the Administration Division. Major Robinson will continue to serve as the executive commander of the Administration Division until his appointment as chief deputy later this month.
Sheriff Wedding said, “I am very excited to have Noah Robinson assuming the role of my chief deputy. I have relied on Noah heavily over the years and know he has what it takes to assist me in leading this agency. He possesses extensive operational and administrative experience and is well respected by his fellow office members.â€
Chief Deputy John Strange, who is retiring on December 27, 2019, after 33 years of full-time service, will transition to a part-time role as the assistant chief deputy with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Sheriff Wedding explained, “I am fortunate that John agreed to remain with our agency as a member of my leadership team and to serve as a resource for our entire command staff.â€
The future chief deputy will assume his new role beginning December 27, 2019, which is the effective date of Chief Deputy John Strange’s retirement from full-time service.
Major Noah Robinson is a graduate of Castle High School and attended the University of Southern Indiana where he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Social Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.
CHILDREN’S CENTER FOR DANCE EDUCATION TO HOST OVER 2,400 SCHOOL CHILDREN AT THE NUTCRACKER REHEARSAL
Students from 14 elementary schools from across the region will experience a“behind the scenes†performance of the classic holiday ballet.
 Old National Events Plaza and Children’s Center for Dance Education will play host to over 2,400 elementary school students Friday, December 13, 2019, at 9 AM for a special field trip performance of The Children’s Nutcracker.
This educational presentation provides the student audience a “behind the scenes†experience, as the morning performance is a hybrid of set-up, dress rehearsal and fully realized show. In addition to the classic holiday story and ballet dancing, the young audience will see and learn how set pieces are installed and curtains are hung, along with other production insights.
Although CCDE has toured its Nutcracker production to Tri-State schools in the past, 2019 marks only the second year for this unique educational performance at Old National Events Plaza.
“The support and excitement around this particular school performance have been outstanding. We simply could not have imagined a full house of 2,400 students; it will be a tremendous experience for the dancers and audience alike,†said Deena Laska, founder of CCDE.
While the 9 AM school performance is private, the public is encouraged to attend The Children’s Nutcracker Friday evening at 7 PM. This year, CCDE celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Nutcracker performances in the Tri-State.
What: Children’s Center for Dance Education presents The Children’s Nutcracker
When: Friday, December 13, 2019, at 9 AM (private school performance) and 7 PM (public performance)
Where: Old National Events Plaza
Tickets: $16.00
Senators Braun, Roberts, Sinema Introduce Tax Payment Clarification Act
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced the Tax Payment Clarification Act (S. XXX) to fix the tax code to ensure the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) follows congressional intent regarding structured payments of corporate tax liabilities.
“Through an unintended loophole, Indiana’s Zimmer Biomet and other companies are being denied access to money that they overpaid to the IRS and this legislation fixes that problem,â€Â said U.S. Senator Mike Braun. “As an former Main Street entrepreneur, I know firsthand that this legislation will help small businesses create more jobs and grow our economy.â€
“Taxpayers should not be punished for attempting to follow the law,â€Â said Senator Pat Roberts. “This legislation would allow the provision of the tax code to function as Congress intended, would return to businesses much-needed cash flow and would likely spur economic growth.â€
“Arizona businesses deserve a tax code that is straightforward, fair, and supports job growth. Our bipartisan legislation ensures Arizona businesses can plan for the future and create more jobs for hard-working Arizonans,†said Sinema.
This legislation would help over 100 U.S. companies, including Zimmer BioMet, Intel, Walgreens, Honeywell, Fiat-Chrylser and many others. Additionally, this legislation serves as a companion to bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives.
IPAC Announces 2019 Award Winners
Several Honored at IPAC Award Ceremony
           Seven Individuals RecognizedP By Indiana’s Prosecutors
(INDIANAPOLIS – Dec. 12, 2019) – The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council honored several people during its annual Winter Conference this week, including lawmakers, victim advocates, administrators, and law enforcement. In all, seven award winners were selected by the IPAC Board of Directors and celebrated for their accomplishments during the 2019 awards ceremony.
The evening was highlighted with the presentation of the Eugene “Shine†Feller Award, the highest honor IPAC bestows. The Feller award was named after Harrison County Prosecutor Eugene Feller and is meant to award Indiana’s outstanding citizens who make a difference in the world of criminal justice. Previous winners have including governors, judges and Attorneys General.
This year’s award winner was Terry Curry, who stepped down as Marion County Prosecutor in September. Curry became a prosecutor in 2011 after a long history in private practice. During his tenure, Curry brought stability to the office and was a tireless advocate for justice. He was nominated by Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter. Despite no longer leading the office, Curry continues to work for the Marion County Prosecutor as a deputy handling white-collar crime.
Two lawmakers from the Indiana General Assembly were also honored for their role in creating legislation that protects victims of crime and helps law enforcement officers do their jobs more effectively.
Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, was selected as a recipient of the 2019 IPAC Legislative Excellence Award, in large part thanks to his work carrying Senate Enrolled Act 551 during the 2019 session. SEA 551 was deemed the Victims’ Rights bill and included several provisions that help those who have been impacted by a crime. Among other things, the bill allowed parents to seek a protective order against someone who is grooming their child for sexual activity,
Former Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry (far right) poses with his Eugene “Shine†Feller Award with Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter (center) and IPAC Executive Director Chris Naylor (left)
tightened penalties for strangulation and domestic battery, allowed witnesses to have trained therapy dogs or comfort items with them on the stand and better protected the identity of victims by removing the use of initials in police reports. Sen. Messmer was nominated by Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin.
The other 2019 Legislative Excellence Award went to Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis. Sen. Young was crucial for prosecutors during the most recent session thanks to his work on synthetic drug reform, closing loopholes in the state’s OWI statutes and drug dealing penalties. As Chair of the Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law, Sen. Young regularly meets with IPAC and prosecutors to discuss pending legislation and its impact on criminal justice. Sen. Young was nominated by Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington.
IPAC also honored two law enforcement officials during the ceremony. Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel Arp II presented one award to Indiana State Police Trooper Josh Allen for his work on the meth and heroin problem in Lawrence County.
“It’s amazing how much of a difference one person can make,†Arp said of Allen’s impact. “He has changed the landscape of my county. Dealers are scared to be found in our community and users are having more success with treatment.â€
Dr. Bill Smock, who works as the police surgeon for the Louisville Metro Police Department, also received the 2019 Law Enforcement Award. Dr. Smock was nominated by Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards who thanked him for his invaluable help to both her office and prosecutors around the state and nation. Dr. Smock is a leading expert on strangulation and domestic violence and has done countless training for prosecutors and law enforcement over the years, making sure everyone is up to date on the latest advancements
in the field.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Dr. Smock has saved countless lives,†Richards said.
Left: Sen. Mark Messmer poses with his award next to Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin. Right: Sen. Michael Young and Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington
Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards (left) and Dr. Bill Smock at the Awards Ceremony
Tonia Sievers was presented with the 2019 Kathy Falkner Richey Award for outstanding service over the past 20 years as the Daviess County office administrator. The Richey Award is given to those who support prosecutors behind the scenes, making sure the day-to-day operations of the office go smoothly. She was nominated by Daviess County Prosecutor Dan Murrie.
The final award from Monday was the Outstanding Victims’ Advocate award, which went to Melinda Padgett, the Director of Advocacy Services in Madison County. Padgett has been in her current positions since 2002 and has been instrumental in bringing on more advocates to the office. Her nominator, Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, said she also represents his office in several different capacities across the county, including the Madison County Trauma Team which she helped create.
“We are extremely happy with all nominations that we received this year and we enjoy the chance to honor those who work hand-in-hand with prosecutors on a daily basis,†IPAC Executive Director Chris Naylor said. “The awards ceremony is our chance to say ‘thank you’ to all of those who help make our jobs as prosecutors a little easier.â€
White House Reporter, Author April Ryan To Keynote 2020 USI Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon
April Ryan, journalist, political correspondent and award-winning author, will provide the keynote address at the University of Southern Indiana’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2020 in Carter Hall located in University Center West on the USI campus.
Since 1997, Ryan has served as the only black female White House correspondent, covering four presidential administrations for American Urban Radio Networks as their Washington D.C. bureau chief. She was named the recipient of the Freedom of the Press Award by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in 2019, and Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2017. Ryan is one of only three African Americans in the White House Correspondents Association’s over 100-year history to serve on its board and is also an esteemed member of the National Press Club.
Ryan’s first book, The Presidency in Black and White: My Up-Close View of Three Presidents and Race in America (2015), received an Image Award from the NAACP. Her latest book, Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House, was published in 2018, and details her experience as a presidential reporter in the current administration. She joined CNN as a political analyst in 2017, and regularly posts on her personal blog, Fabric of America. Ryan has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Morgan State University in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.
Tickets are now available for USI students and employees and will be available for the general public beginning Monday, December 16. All tickets may be purchased online on the USI website beginning on Monday, December 16 or in person at the USI Multicultural Center, located at Room 1224 in University Center East. Tickets are $5 for USI students, $15 for USI employees and $20 for the general public.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Luncheon features a prominent, successful African American keynote speaker and attracts a large crowd from throughout the community. The luncheon encourages and inspires attendees to continue working for the cause of racial equality, for which King gave his life. The event is sponsored by the USI Foundation and the USI Multicultural Center and will include entertainment by student and community groups.
For more information, contact the USI Multicultural Center at 812-465-7188 or at USI.edu/mcc.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Stacy Dewayne Mayes: Possession of a controlled substance (Level 6 Felony)
Andrew Jordan Bowlds: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)
Kyle Andrew McFarland: Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Intimidation (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)
Clint A. Sellers: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Alicia Dawn Utley: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Nicholas Allen Mills: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
John David Graves: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony)
Jacquelyn Jo Shell: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Codey Michael Ritchison: Carrying a handgun without a license (Level 5 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Class B misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Class B misdemeanor), Leaving the scene of an accident (Class B misdemeanor), Criminal mischief (Class B misdemeanor), Disregarding automatic signal (C infraction)
Kyle Paul Johnson: Theft (Level 6 Felony)