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HOTJOBS IN EVANSVILLE AREA
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Environmental Justice Report Shows Notable Progress In Vulnerable Communities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Fiscal Year 2019 Environmental Justice Progress Report highlighting the agency’s progress in advancing environmental justice for minority, low-income, tribal, and indigenous communities across the country.
“Under the Trump Administration, at EPA, we remain committed to ensuring that environmental justice is integrated into EPA’s programs and activities to strengthen environmental and public health protections for low-income, minority, indigenous, and disadvantaged communities that are more likely to live near contaminated lands or be disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards,â€Â said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Among our accomplishments, EPA made notable progress in accelerating the remediation of Superfund sites to address environmental risk. We also deleted all or part of 27 sites from the Superfund’s National Priority List, the largest number of deletions in a single year since FY 01. I look forward to working together with states, local communities, tribes and private parties as we continue the environmental and economic development work happening across the nation.â€
The FY 2019 Report describes how the Agency is working to meet the needs of vulnerable communities to address disproportionate environmental impacts, health disparities and economic distress, including the following examples:
- Selected 50 new small EJ grants recipients in FY 2019 to receive $1.5 million in grant funding, with half of the grants going to communities located in or impacting Opportunity Zones.
- Awarded $64.6 million to 149 communities with Brownfields grants, which will provide funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties. 108 of the communities identified sites or targeted areas within Opportunity Zones. Awarded $46.19 million to support state and tribal response programs and continued to encourage the prioritization of sites in communities with the greatest need, including communities with EJ concerns.
- Awarded approximately $50 million in funding for Diesel Emission Reduction Act projects with priority given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrated their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended in communities or populations that have faced or are facing EJ concerns. Awarded $29.4 million in targeted airshed grants that will reduce environmental and public health impacts in several communities throughout the U.S.
- Provided technical assistance to communities affected by Superfund sites so that they could meaningfully contribute to the cleanup process, including 43 communities that received Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) and 37 communities that received support through the Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) Program.
- Collaborated with state partners to develop online trainings on approaches to integrate EJ in state policies and programs, reaching over 4,000 people representing government agencies in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the District of Columbia.
- Selected 2020-2023 National Compliance Initiatives that prioritize impacts on vulnerable communities and will consider EJ issues throughout this work. Performed 868 EJ screenings in enforcement work, which assures that EPA enforcement personnel working on a case are aware of the potential EJ concerns in a community.
- Provided trainings and technical assistance to approximately 40 states agencies and organizations, as well as local agencies and tribes, across all ten EPA Regions, on how to proactively address their civil rights obligations.
- Trained and/or engaged with approximately 12,350 community residents, conducted approximately 300 workshops and community forum activities that addressed local environmental and public health issues, and developed approximately 50 new partnerships between EJ grantees and local stakeholders. This resulted in forty-four underserved communities that felt the meaningful impacts of EJ funding received over the last two years. Twenty-nine of the communities were in predominantly rural states, with over 90% of the grantee organizations receiving their first EJ grant this decade.
You can read about these and many other accomplishments including EPA making notable progress in accelerating the remediation of Superfund sites to address environmental risk, in the FY 2019 Report.
EPA is committed to assisting vulnerable communities to become cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous places to live, work, learn and play. FY 2019 Report shows how EPA is collaborating with partners, supporting communities, and ensuring that EJ is integrated into the work of every EPA programs and regional office. EPA is also working to align programs, policies and investments to support economically distressed communities, including those in Opportunity Zones.
Aurora’s Gingerbread House Fundraiser on Nov. 23
AURORA GINGERBREAD HOUSE FUNDRAISER
 THIS SATURDAY! November 23
(EVANSVILLE, INDIANA) – Aurora, a non-profit organization in Evansville that works to prevent and end homelessness, is excited for its annual Aurora’s Gingerbread House Fundraiser, presented by First Bank, this Saturday, November 23 at Tropicana Evansville Executive Conference Center at 421 NW Riverside Dr. from 10:00 am-5 pm. Â
The public is invited to watch this FREE and exciting culinary challenge while getting in the holiday spirit!Â
Competitor categories include Professionals, Amateurs and Children! The top three winners from each division will receive cash prizes, trophies or medals:
 Professional Amateur Youth
Up to $1,000 Up to $500 Up to $100
A People’s Choice award will also be chosen in each division, which will be given to the team who collects the most donations at their table during the event.Â
Competitor registration will close on Friday, November 22 at 8pm, however, those interested can register today at www.auroraevansville.org.
The competition is expected to draw in over 1,500 people!
Guests will also enjoy the Orange Leaf Kid’s Korner, a holiday silent auction, pictures with Santa, a hot cocoa bar and live holiday entertainment! Admission is FREE.
Our generous sponsors include First Bank, U-Vet, Deaconess, Orange Leaf, IBEW, Brentwood Springs, Riney Hancock, Park Terrace Village, Old National Bank, Sign Crafters, Inc, Berry Global, Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, Shoe Carnival, Tropicana Evansville, Escalade Sports, Morrow Mechanical Services, ABK Alarms, Inc, Tri-State Trophies, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Kahn Dees Donovan & Kahn LLP, Bosse Title Company, Shephard Services, Team McClintock, Old Fashion Candy Co, Homes By Huffman, Schultheis Insurance Agency, Inc, Evansville Eyecare Associates, Slade Print, FC Tucker – Ken Haney, Fifth Third Bank, Ironworkers Local #103, Aurora Board of Directors, Signarama, Lamar Outdoor, 14WFIE, 25WEHT, 44WEVV, Madstache, Nick Basham, Townsquare Media, Midwest Communications, Evansville Living, Directions Promotions.Â
USI XC runs at nationals Saturday
University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country competes at the NCAA II National Championships Saturday at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course (at Haggin Oaks) in Sacramento, California. The women’s six-kilometer race is set to begin at noon (CST), while the men’s 10k is slated for a 1:15 p.m. start time.
Fans that are unable to make the trip can watch the Screaming Eagles live on FloTrack.com. Links to live video and results are available at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Cross Country Notes
• Winders captures another title. Great Lakes Valley Conference champion Titus Winders won his second consecutive NCAA II Midwest Region title on November 9. Winders, who became the fifth runner in program history to win a regional cross country championship, joins USI and GLVC Hall of Famers Jim Nolan (1982-83) and Elly Rono (1996-97) as the only runners in program history to win back-to-back regional titles.
• Eagles’ men making another trip to nationals. USI Men’s Cross Country is making its 15th straight appearance at the NCAA II Championships following a third-place effort at the NCAA II Midwest Region Championships. The Eagles, who earned an automatic bid with their regional finish, are making their 27th trip to nationals. They have recorded eight top-10 finishes at nationals, including a third-place showing in 1982 and a fifth-place finish the following season.
• USI women returning to nationals. The Eagles’ women are returning to nationals for the first time since 2016 and the 12th time in program history following a sixth-place performance at the NCAA II Midwest Region Championships. USI was one of eight NCAA II Midwest Region teams to qualify for nationals and one of five to earn an at-large bid. The Eagles have placed in the top 10 at nationals four times, including a program-best fifth-place showing at the 2016 NCAA II Championships.
• All-Region honorees. Sophomore Titus Winders garnered All-Midwest Region honors in addition to Midwest Region Runner of the Year accolades with his first-place finish at the regional meet. Junior Jennifer Comastri and senior Hope Jones were 13th and 18th, respectively, in the women’s race to earn All-Midwest Region honors.
• Double Trouble. USI Men’s and Women’s Cross Country both won Great Lakes Valley Conference titles on October 26, marking the 11th time in school history that the Eagles have captured both the men’s and women’s GLVC titles in the same year. In fact, the Eagles have now accounted for 11 of the 13 times in league history that the same school has won both the men’s and women’s crowns in the same season.
• Make that 15! USI Men’s Cross Country’s win at the GLVC Championships marked its 15th consecutive conference title and the 26th in program history. Both of those marks are league records regardless of sport.
• Eagles retake conference title. USI Women’s Cross Country returned to the top of the GLVC mountain after a brief hiatus in 2018. The Eagles, who had won seven straight GLVC titles prior to 2018, have won the conference championship 10 times in the last 12 years and a league-best 13 times overall.
• Winders named GLVC Runner of the Year. Sophomore All-American Titus Winders was named the GLVC Runner of the Year after winning his first GLVC title at the league meet. Winders, the 2018 GLVC Freshman of the Year as well as the 2018 Midwest Region Runner of the Year, is the ninth different USI men’s runner to capture a GLVC Cross Country title. USI men’s runners have won a total of 17 conference titles, including eight of the last nine. Senior Austin Nolan had won the previous two conference championships.
• All-GLVC honors handed out. In addition to Winders, USI had four men’s runners and five women’s runners earn All-Conference honors thanks to their top 15 finishes at the GLVC Championships. Nolan joined Winders in earning All-Conference honors with his fifth-place finish, while senior Nathan Hall (8th) and junior Gavin Prior (14th) rounded out the men’s All-League contingent. Junior Jennifer Comastri (5th), senior Hope Jones (6th), freshman Presley Warren (9th), junior Doriane Langlois (13th) and freshman Mckenna Cavanaugh (15th) represented USI’s women on the All-Conference team.
ADOPT A PET
Bigi is a female Coonhound mix! She was found as a stray & never reclaimed, and is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a medium-sized girl weighing only 31 lbs. Bigi’s adoption fee is $130 and will include her spay, microchip, heartworm test, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
EPA Fall 2019 Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan Underscores Commitment to Strong Environmental Protection and Regulatory Reform
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the rest of the federal government, released the Fall 2019 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions and Regulatory Plan (Fall Regulatory Agenda and Annual Regulatory Plan), which provides updates to the public about regulatory activity.
“EPA’s Fall Regulatory Agenda and Annual Regulatory Plan continue to advance the agency’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment through regulatory reform and modernization,†said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Under President Trump, EPA has finalized 47 deregulatory actions, saving Americans nearly $5 billion in regulatory costs. By creating a climate of regulatory certainty, we’re able to breathe new life into local economies around the country.â€
EPA’s Fall Regulatory Agenda includes information on the agency’s regulatory and deregulatory activities under development within the next 12 months. The Agenda includes 56 actions that are expected to be deregulatory and 37 actions appearing for the first time.
The Annual Regulatory Plan includes EPA’s statement of regulatory priorities and additional information about 34 priority actions that the agency plans to propose or complete in the coming year. Among those are multiple actions focused on emerging contaminants, including Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Other priority actions include the following:
- Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States†(Step 2);
- Oil and Gas NSPS Reconsideration; and
- Updating Regulations on Water Quality Certification.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Brian Demarcus Colclough: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
William Francis Jarboe III: Possession of a controlled substance (Level 6 Felony)
John Tyler Hammond: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Thomas Anthony Nadratowski Jr.: Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 5 Felony)
Daniel William Baughn: Dealing in a schedule I controlled substance (Level 2 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony)
Robert David Aguero: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Jackie Ray Brown Jr.: Battery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony), Battery by means of a deadly weapon (Level 5 Felony)
Timothy J. Serbus: Causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Level 5 Felony), Causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 5 Felony)
Brattany Ann Williamson: Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)
Aaron Micheal Vincent: Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)
George Russell Flowers Jr.: Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony)
Eric Michael Mullen: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony)
Tournament berth on the line in final weekend
Aces set to play Bradley and Illinois State
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A berth in the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is on the line this weekend when the Purple Aces volleyball team travels to Bradley and Illinois State. UE takes on the Braves on Friday at 6 p.m. before facing the Redbirds on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Normal, Ill.
So What Needs to Happen?
– There are several ways the Aces can clinch a spot in the first MVC Tournament since 2008
– The Aces can punch their ticket with a win
– If Indiana State loses either match this weekend, the Aces would clinch
– The final way is if Missouri State defeats Southern Illinois on Friday
Weekend Recap
– Evansville split its final home weekend of the season
– On Friday, UE defeated Missouri State by a 3-1 final with Alondra Vazquez setting her career mark with 29 kills
– Melanie Feliciano added 22 while Gabriela Macedo recorded 34 digs and Allana McInnis added 56 assists
– Saturday’s Senior Night saw Southern Illinois pick up the win over the Aces in five sets
– As a team, the Aces had a program record of 126 digs with Macedo tallying 33 and Vazquez posting 24
– Rachel Tam and Feliciano each set career highs with 23 and 21, respectively
– Feliciano led the offense with 21 kills
Top Rankings
– UE is not only near the top of the conference rankings in several categories, but is also impressive on a national scale
– With 39.65 attacks per set, the Aces offense ranks third in the nation
– The top four schools in that statistic are all from the Missouri Valley Conference
– Led by Gabriela Macedo’s 6.06 digs per set, the Aces average 18.37 per game
– That total is 4th in the NCAA and second in the Valley
– Macedo’s tally paces the MVC and is 5th in the country
– Individually, Melanie Feliciano is second in the Valley with 4.22 kills per set; she ranks 32nd in the nation in that stat and is the #3 freshman
– Feliciano’s season total of 493.0 points is 27th in the country
– UE’s freshman is 19th in the NCAA in total kills with 456 while Rachel Tam is tied for 45th with a total of 409
– Allana McInnis is third in the conference with 10.79 assists per set; her average is 36th in the NCAA while her total of 1,164 helpers in 2019 is the 10th-highest tally in the NCAA
– Hannah Watkins paces UE with 1.00 blocks per game; that is fifth in the MVC
Digging into the Record Book
– UE senior Gabriela Macedo registered her 655th dig of the season on Saturday against Southern Illinois
– It is just one off of the single-season program mark of 656, which was set by Julie Walroth in 2007
– Macedo’s season is 15th-best in MVC history and just 22 more digs would put her in the top 10
– She currently ranks fifth in the NCAA with her season dig average
Record-Breaking Freshman
– Freshman Melanie Feliciano broke the Evansville program record for kills in a season by a freshman last weekend
– Her season total of 456 passed Jessica Kiefer’s record of 434, which came in 1997
– Feliciano had one of her best conference weekends, averaging 4.78 kills as she had 22 against Missouri State and 21 versus the Salukis
– The MVC recognized her on Nov. 18 with her fourth Freshman of the Week honor
Swimming Heads to Knoxville, Diving to Indianapolis
The Indiana University men’s and women’s swimming teams will head south to compete in the Tennessee Invitational from Nov. 21-23, while both diving squads will be put to the test at the IUPUI House of Champions Invitational from No. 22-24.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Each of the three contested days of the Tennessee Invitational will begin at 10 a.m. with preliminary races. The finals will begin at 6 p.m. later that same day at the Jones Aquatic Center.
The diving group will kick off the meet with the platform event beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday. The men’s divers will compete in the 3-meter, while the women hit the 1-meter dive starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Finally, the meet will conclude with the women’s 3-meter and men’s 1-meter at noon on Sunday.
IU SPLITS TWO MEETS WITH TEXAS, LOUISVILLE
The Indiana men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both toppled No. 9/11 Louisville in both the long-course (197-84, 166-115) and short-course (189.5-91.5, 142-139) meets but fell to No. 2/8 Texas (157.5-121.5, 146-134) and (160-118, 168-113) at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center last weekend. All six teams competing in the meet were ranked inside the top-20 of the TYR Dual Meet Rankings.
MEN’S TEAM DOMINATES BIG TEN OPPONENTS
The Indiana men’s swimming and diving teams defeated both Iowa (245-55) and Michigan (165-135) at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center last weekend.
For the second-straight meet, senior Mohamed Samy was electric. He posted three event times inside the top-10 nationally to this point in the season, to include the nation-leading time in both the 100 free (43.20) and the 200 IM (1:44.95) and the fourth-fastest time in the 200 free (1:35.30).
INDIANA PICKS UP THREE WINS AGAINST KNETUCKY, NOTRE DAME
Five Hoosiers combined to win nine individual events and one relay in the season-opening tri-meet against Kentucky and Notre Dame. Sophomore Zane Backes won the 100 and 200 breaststroke, freshman Brendan Burns touched first in the 200 butterfly, junior Gabriel Fantoni took gold in the 100 and 200 backstroke and the 100 fly, and senior Mohamed Samy won the 100 and 200 freestyle plus the 200 IM.
Backes, Burns, Fantoni, and sophomore Brandon Hamblin teamed up to secure a victory in the 200 medley relay.
IU defeated UK by a score of 204-96 and ND by a final tally of 219-81.
EIGHT HOOSIERS NAMED TO 2019-20 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER
Eight current and postgraduate Indiana University swimmers were named to the 2019-20 USA Swimming National Team roster, which is made up of the nation’s top six swimmers in each individual Olympic event. Current Hoosier swimmer Michael Brinegar was named to the squad, while postgrads Lilly King, Annie Lazor, Zach Apple, Ian Finnerty, Zane Grothe, Cody Miller, and Blake Pieroni made the cut.
FOUR HOOSIERS NOMINATED FOR GOLDEN GOGGLE AWARDS
Looze, along with IU postgraduate swimmers Lilly King, Zach Apple, and Blake Pieroni were all nominated for the 2019 Golden Goggle Awards. The nation’s top swimmers and coaches are nominated in eight categories for the celebration and fundraising gala honoring the sport’s top performances of the year.