Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s annual event for family Halloween fun! Live entertainment, decor, trick or treating, storytelling, animal encounters, nightly costume contest with prizes and much more!
October 18-20 and 25-27
Friday & Saturday: 5-8 PM
Sunday: 3-6 PM
This event is held rain or shine. All sales final. No refunds.
 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Michael Aaron Presley: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Stacy Jean True: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Shawn Marie Steklik: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Leaving the scene of an accident (Class B misdemeanor)
Hannah Lee Dike: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Destiny May Glover: Invasion of privacy (Level 6 Felony)
Matthew Ryan Gard: Residential entry (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), Invasion of privacy (Class A misdemeanor), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), Domestic battery by bodily waste (Class A misdemeanor)
Damien Dewayne Wilder: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony), Criminal confinement (Level 6 Felony), Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Interference with the reporting of a crime (Class A misdemeanor)
Ethan Michael Hawes: Dealing in a schedule I controlled substance (Level 4 Felony), Dealing in a narcotic drug (Level 3 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Jerry L. Butts: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony)
Derek Matthew Harris: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)
Meagan Leann Smith: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony)
Kyle Dean Tatum: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Jeremy Lee Hudson: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Sonya Sue Saunders: Criminal confinement (Level 3 Felony), Criminal confinement (Level 3 Felony), Intimidation (Level 5 Felony)
Angela R. Storey: Criminal confinement (Level 3 Felony), Criminal confinement (Level 3 Felony), Intimidation (Level 5 Felony)
Veronica Burch: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Amanda D. Fenwick: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Criminal trespass (Class A misdemeanor)
Christopher Lee Fenwick: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Christopher Alan Roman: Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony)
Bryan Matthew Hardin: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Julia Dian Little: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Class A misdemeanor)
University of Southern Indiana Cross Country is set to host the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships Saturday at Angel Mounds. The women’s six-kilometer race begins at 10:30 a.m., while the men’s 8k follows at 11:30 a.m.
Tickets for Saturday’s races can be purchased at the event and will be cash only. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children ages five-and-under.
Eagles hosting GLVC meet. USI is hosting the GLVC Championships for the first time since 2011 and fourth time in program history. The Eagles have previously hosted the conference meet in 1982, 2000 and 2011.
Angel Mounds. Saturday’s race marks the first time Angel Mounds has served as the host course for the event. Angel Mounds has been the host course to several NCAA II Midwest Region Championship meets as well as the 2016 NCAA II National Championships.
In the rankings. USI’s men continue to be ranked No. 8, nationally, while the women’s squad dropped nine spots to No. 22 in the latest poll. The Eagles are the only GLVC team in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) Top 25 men’s poll, while USI’s women are one of two league schools in this week’s ranking. GLVC-newcomer Southwest Baptist University is ranked No. 11 in the women’s poll, while the University of Illinois Springfield is receiving votes outside the Top 25 of the men’s poll.
Last time out. The Eagles’ men finished fourth out of 34 teams at the Lewis University Crossover on October 12, while USI’s women were sixth out of 36 teams. Sophomore Titus Winders was fourth out of 423 competitors to lead the men, while junior Jennifer Comastri was fifth out of 403 runners to lead the women.
He did what? Senior Austin Nolan’s 19th-place finish at the Lewis Crossover is, by itself an impressive accomplishment. What was more impressive was the fact that Nolan lost his shoe a mile into the race and his other shoe about a mile later.
Nolan looks for three-peat. Austin Nolan is looking for his third-straight GLVC individual title, something only three runners have accomplished. In fact, there have been only five runners, four men and one woman, who have won three GLVC individual cross country titles. Nolan’s father, Jim, is the only cross country runner in league history to win four GLVC crowns (1980-83).
The Streak. USI’s men are looking to capture its league-record 15th straight GLVC title Saturday and its 16th in the last 17 years—their only loss in the last 17 years was a two-point setback to Lewis in 2004. The Eagles’ 14 straight conference championships and 26 overall are GLVC records for all sports.
USI women look to get back on top. The Eagles’ league-record run of seven straight GLVC women’s titles came to an end in 2018 when USI finished fifth at the conference meet. USI had won nine of the previous 10 championships and a league-record 12 overall prior to last year’s GLVC Championships.
Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today that Indiana has joined a multistate investigation into Facebook over possible antitrust violations.
“Just like individual citizens, corporations must be held accountable for following the law,†Attorney General Hill said. “And just like individual citizens, corporations also enjoy the presumption of innocence until facts prove otherwise. In this case, we must follow the facts to determine whether Facebook has engaged in anti-competitive behavior in violation of state and federal antitrust laws.â€
Anticompetitive behavior may hurt consumers, Attorney General Hill noted, by leaving them with fewer choices and higher prices. A social media company, for example, might be able to charge higher prices for advertising if it successfully thwarts competitors from gaining a foothold in the marketplace.
“To protect consumers and the free market, we must promote conditions under which all entities may compete on a level playing field in accordance with the rule of law,†Attorney General Hill said.
The multistate investigation is also looking into whether Facebook has compromised consumers’ personal data and privacy.
Gus is a gorgeous yellow Lab/white German Shepherd mix. He was surrendered because his family was moving. They had had him since he was a puppy and he’d successfully lived with two young children. He is 5 years old. Gus is also great with other dogs! His adoption fee is $110 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs joined officials from the Town of Veedersburg to announce the designation of Indiana Site Certified Prime to the Bell Property.
“These site certified locations underscore Indiana’s continued commitment to working with our local partners and communities to foster business growth and economic development opportunities,†said Crouch. “I commend the leadership and local partners of the Bell Property for collaborating and working together to bring Veedersburg to the Next Level.â€
The 31-acre site, located less than a mile from I-74, is in close proximity to major roadways, demonstrating the park’s logistical advantages. All utilities are available at the site and the town is willing to revise zoning to include commercial or industrial.
“We are pleased to receive the Prime Site designation,†commented Ken Smith, Town Council President. “With this designation, Veedersburg has taken a step to broaden our economic development efforts and entice companies to become part of our community. We are grateful to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs for this honor, and we look forward to the opportunities the Bell Site will bring to Veedersburg.â€
The site certification was made possible through a partnership with the landowner and the Town of Veedersburg. This designation is achieved due to the strong partnership demonstrated by all involved.
The Indiana Site Certified program has three goals:
The program is administered by OCRA in partnership with the state’s Fast Access Site Team, which is comprised of multiple state agencies. These agencies include the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Former Vanderburgh County Sheriff, past United States Congressmen and  Vectren Executive Brad Ellsworth, will be the Master Of Ceremonies for this event.
This year’s awards luncheon will be held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. Â The registration begins at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon.
This year’s event is a sellout.
The City-County Observer  “Outstanding Community Services Award” Winners For 2019.
MARGARET KOCHÂ
Margaret is a very personable person that is involved in every aspect of our community.
She was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and has her parents to thank for teaching her the importance of stewardship and working to make the world a better place. She moved to Evansville in the spring of 2000 and worked as a registered nurse for Visiting Nurse Plus, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital and most recently Deaconess Hospital. She and her husband, Kevin, have two wonderful and busy daughters who are 11 and 9 years old. They both attend St. Bens Catholic school.Â
Due to the needs of her family, Margaret made the decision in 2013, to become a full-time house spouse and community volunteer.
She is a Junior League of Evansville Sustainer, and it was with this amazing organization that she began honing her fundraising skills while working on several money-generating committees. Since completing her seven-year stint with the Junior League, she has served on the boards of Ark Crisis Child Care Center and the Reitz Home Museum. With both of these boards, she cultivated relationships within our community working to build partnerships with these wonderful organizations and our many individuals and corporate champions.
Presently she serves on the stewardship committee and pastoral council at St. Ben’s Cathedral, and helps raise money for the Summer Social and Holiday Luncheon. She also is very involved with St. Ben’s School Mardi Gras committee where she focuses on raising sponsorship dollars that go toward the ongoing upkeep of this outstanding school along with updating technology and educational tools.
She also is a member of the Evansville Museum board, where she helps with the annual gala and serves on the art committee. She has been a member of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation Alliance Women’s Fund for the past two years and more recently joined 100+ Women Who Care. She feels privileged to be a part of both of these groups of strong, giving women.
Her passions for animals, conservation, and FUN have been fulfilled with her role as a board member of the Evansville Zoological Society, which is the non-profit arm of Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. She perhaps a little too enthusiastically participated in a feasibility study and was subsequently asked to chair our zoo’s first-ever capital campaign in 2014. She is so pleased with the outcome of the campaign so far when she and the family enjoy the Engelbrecht Carousel and walk among the spectacular parakeets in the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Budgie Walkabout. She invites you to visit the zoo and see these spectacular additions, thanks to the generosity of so many individual and corporate donors.
Margaret thrives on helping others and strives to make the world a better place. She is so proud of the progress happening throughout Evansville and feels honored to be a part of it.
Honorable Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Mary Margaret “Maggie” Lloyd
Judge Lloyd is very well respected. In 2000, Judge Lloyd was elected the first female judge in Vanderburgh County.
Judge Mary Margaret “Maggie†Lloyd was born in Evansville, Indiana and graduated from the McKinney School of Law in 1991. After serving as a law clerk for then Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard of the Indiana Supreme Court, Judge Lloyd returned to Evansville to practice law in her hometown. Her first position was as a law clerk for then Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Following her clerkship, she served nine (9) years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office litigating hundreds of felony cases. In 2000, Judge Lloyd was elected the first female judge in Vanderburgh County. Currently, Judge Lloyd has jurisdiction over Family Law matters and civil cases, and since 2001, has been the Supervising Judge of the Domestic Relations/Family Court for Superior Court.  In 2012, she was elected by her fellow judges to serve as Chief Judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court.
During her nineteen (19) years of service as a judicial officer, Judge Lloyd was instrumental in the creation of the Vanderburgh County Family Court Project which assists divorcing parties without means to hire an attorney to resolve their cases, themselves. She has served on the Domestic Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana which created a Domestic Relations Bench Book to be used by all judicial officers throughout the State and helped update the Child Support Guidelines. Judge Lloyd served as an At-Large Member of the Board of Managers of the Indiana Judges Association, and further serves or served as the Superior Court judicial representative to the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center, Inc. Board, the Evansville Bar Association Board of Directors, the Vanderburgh County Community Corrections Board, and the Evansville/Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Presently, Judge Lloyd has been appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court to serve on the Protection Order Committee and has been selected along with two (2) other Courts in the State to initiate a Pilot Project for the electronic filing of Protective Orders for the State of Indiana.
In 2017, Judge Lloyd led a collaborative effort which culminated in Vanderburgh County Superior Court being awarded $546,344.00 through a Justice for Families Grant from the Office on Violence against Women. These funds have been used to supply free supervised visits and exchanges at the Parenting Time Center to benefit children affected by domestic violence, and to create a Protective Order Assistance Office which assists victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in seeking protective orders and teaches these parties about their available community resources. The Grant further provides a free Guardian ad Litem to represent children in paternity and divorce cases where domestic violence has occurred between the parties, there parents.
CHRISTINE H. KECK Â
With the February 2019 acquisition of Vectren Corporation by CenterPoint Energy (CNP) Christine leads Federal advocacy and policy engagement for CNP, enterprise-wide, covering the regulated gas and electric utility operations which now encompass 8 states as well as the company’s non- regulated subsidiaries which have a nation-wide footprint. With the Vectren acquisition, CNP is now the 2nd largest natural gas utility in the United States, serving more than 7 million metered customers.
This builds upon Christine’s efforts since 2008 leading public policy, strategy and external engagement initiatives for Vectren and its subsidiaries, advancing public policy critical to addressing and improving our Nation’s pipeline infrastructure, the nexus between domestic energy production and independence with defense and national security, energy efficiency, regulatory regimes and tax policies.
In 2015 Christine was recognized with the national “Energy Champion†award by the Energy Services Coalition, in recognition of her efforts to advance the use of performance-based contracting and for her efforts in successfully securing a 3-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Christine is active in energy industry associations, including the American Gas Association, the Edison Electric Institute, the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition, the National Association of Energy Services Companies and the Energy Services Coalition, for which she is the past board president.
Prior to joining the company in 2008, Keck served as Senior Vice President, Southern Region Corporate Lending Executive for Evansville, Indiana based Old National Bank. Christine began her career with Old National as part of the Bank’s Management Training program, and worked in a variety of capacities, primarily in the Commercial and Corporate Lending groups.
In October of 2018, Christine was elected as Chairman of the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving in this capacity to October 2020. In July 2019 Christine became the Chairman of the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.
In recognition of her community service and leadership, Christine was recently awarded the Sara B. Davies Award by Leadership Evansville. She has also been a finalist for the Athena award in 2018, 2014 and 2012.
EDUCATION
Christine attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She has received several professional certifications including the prestigious designation of “CRCâ€, Credit Risk Certified, by the Risk Management Association, a national organization dedicated to the use of sound credit and lending practices in the financial services industry.
LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS
Jason Cullum is an extremely likable person and is involved in every aspect of our community.
In 2013, Sgt. Cullum founded Cops Connecting with Kids. To date, this unique partnership between law enforcement, schools, and the community has provided all-expenses-paid trips to Walt Disney World for 166 underserved kids from Evansville.
Sgt. Jason Cullum is a 20 year veteran of the Evansville Indiana Police Department. He has served in many assignments that include co-founding the first-ever EPD Bike Patrol Unit, SWAT team member, Filed Training Officer. He also served as the Crime Prevention Unit supervisor for 3 years.
He is currently assigned as the agency’s Public Information Officer and also coordinates the department’s Speaker’s Bureau program.
Sgt. Cullum is an Evansville native and returned home to serve his community after a 4-year enlistment in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Military Working Dog handler and a Korean National Police Liaison.
In 2016, Sgt Cullum also served as a Fellow for the Office of Community Policing (COPS office) in Washington D.C. where he served as a subject matter expert for community policing development and law enforcement social media.
STEVE HAMMERÂ
He is a  Principal Partner of the Ohio Valley Properties, LLC-Evansville, Indiana, also a  Principal Partner with Roca Bar North, LLC-Evansville, Indiana and is the  Evansville Region Representative the United States, Senator Mike Braun
He has a BBA-Management degree from the University of Kentucky-Lexington, Kentucky and is a graduate of Central High School-Evansville, Indiana.
Mr. Hammer Community Involvement:
Was a Community Emcee at various events & organizations including St. Ben’s Mardi Gras Gala, Multiple Sclerosis Gala, YWCA Legacy of Style and Wesselman Woods Wandering Owl.
Former Candidate for Vanderburgh County Commissioner, District 2 in 2018.
Weekly Volunteer at St. Anthony’s soup kitchen since 2017.
Chef at A Hundred Men Who Cook annual charity event since 2014.
Basketball Coach for St. Ben’s Catholic School 3rd Grade Girls team in 2018.
Builder at Mickey’s Kingdom Community Construction Project in 2018.
Member of A Hundred Guys Who Care charity group since 2017.
Member of Evansville Country Club since 1999.
Member of Ziemer Society of St. Vincent Hospital since 2017.
Volunteers his service as the Chairmen of the CCO ‘Living Outside THe Box” speakers series.
He is also a  supporter of numerous charity events to numerous to mention.
He is married to Ashley, a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner at St. Vincent Hospital and they have two wonderful children, William, 22 & Addison 9.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEN SHOULDERS
Three years ago Democrat Benjamin Shoulders ran for the Vanderburgh County Commissioner and was elected by a comfortable margin.
Since his election, he has been extremely effective in promoting good public policy and has seemly been a voice of reason and compromise. Mr. Shoulders has demonstrated that he can face difficult governmental challenges with an open mind.
Commissioner Shoulders is extremely outgoing and is from a well respected and prominent political family of this area.
He is currently the Commercial Lender ll at Banterra Bank and has been in banking for 16 years.
Ben received his college degree from Indiana University (Bloomington) – Bachelor of Arts ’02 CJUS (College of Arts and Sciences). He was graduated from Harrison High School–Magna Cum Laude (College Prep).
He received his certification from Indiana Bankers Association – Bank Management Series in 2010 and the Indiana Bankers Association – Commercial Lending School (2011 Graduate).
Ben is married to former Shannon Perrette of Evansville for 11 years and they have three (3) children. Â Emma who is 9 years old and 6 years old twins Parker and Sadie and they reside in Evansville.
Some of Bens’s favorite things he enjoys doing are coaching youth basketball and taking his family out to eat fish Tacos and drinking slushies.
His Community Involvement Is Very Impressive. Â Listed Below Are Some OF Them.
Vanderburgh County Commissioner – District One (Elected – Nov 2016; took office – Jan 1, 2017). Elected President in -2019.
GAGE (Growth Alliance of Greater Evansville) – Board Member (2018 – present)
Commission on Homelessness – Board Member (2017 – present)
Past Community Corrections – Board MemberÂ
Old Courthouse – Board Member (2017 – present)
Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission – Board Member (2017 – present)
IU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board (2014 – present)
Boys and Girls Club of Evansville – Board President (2018 – present); Vice President (2016 – present)
EVSC Foundation Board of Directors – Vice President (2013 – 2018)
Darrell Ragland Foundation Board of Directors – Board Development Chair (2014 – present)
United Way – Keel Club (2014 – 2018); Southern Indiana Campaign Cabinet Member (2016)
Past “EVSC Hall of Fame” – Co-ChairmanÂ
IU Alumni Association of Greater Evansville – Past President / Board memberÂ
Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Commissioners – Board Treasurer (2014 – 2015)
Past member of the Habitat for Humanity of Evansville – Development CommitteeÂ
Current Leadership Evansville Board of Directors – Recruitment Chairman
Harrison High School /Warrior Athletic Booster Club – Past President (2010 – 2013)
Harrison High School Athletic Hall of Fame – Founder and Past Chairman
WNIN Channel 9 Auctioneer (2011 – 2015, 2017, 2018; â€Red Blue Hoops†radio co-host 2014-16)
Past member of the Evansville African American Museum Gala – Auction CommitteeÂ
Commissioner Shoulders Current And Past Awards and Honors:
Top Producer/President’s Award – First Federal Savings Bank (2010 and 2011)
Community Service Award – Fifth Third Bank (January 2013)
Most “Starz†Volunteer Hours in Evansville Market – Old National Bank (2014, 2015)
Selected as a Top Performer for Old National BankÂ
Chamber of Commerce Drive – “Big Dawg Award†(most memberships sold)
Past Recipient of the President’s Award for Community Service – Boys and Girls ClubÂ
Selected as  a “Top 20 Under 40†– Evansville Business Journal/Evansville Courier and Press in September 2011
Selected as “Top 20 Under 40†– News 4U Magazine in 2015)
Involved in 100 Men Who Cook — Chef -Evansville
Past Vanderburgh Medical Alliance Annual Style Show – Master of Ceremonies
This year’s awards luncheon will be held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begins at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on October 25, 2019.
The Keynote speaker will be announced later this week.
This year’s event is a sellout.
By Brynna Sentel
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana State Budget Agency has reported that in September the state took in $1.7 billion, or an increase of 6.3% year-over-year.
Collections from sales and use, individual income and corporate taxes plus other revenue sources such as insurance and interest propelled the general fund above estimates. The revenues are also higher compared to the prior month and year-over-year, the agency reported.
General fund revenue is $91.1 million, or 5.6%, higher than estimated in the April 17 revised revenue forecast.
The year-to-date general fund collections totaled $3.9 billion, which is $151.7 million or 4% above the revised revenue forecast, and $113.2 million, or 2.9% above collections through the same period in the prior fiscal year.
The agency reported that September is a high revenue activity month but most revenue collections are projected to come in between the months of December and June.
Although revenue from gasoline tax came in slightly below estimates, sales tax collections totaled $710.6 million, which is $33.9 million or 5% above the forecast and $52.7 million, or 8%, more than September last year.
Sales tax collections year-to-date totaled about $2.1 billion, which is $55.3 million or 2.7% above the estimate, and $81 million, or 4.1% above collections through the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Individual income tax revenue totaled $683.7 million, which is $40.7 million, 6.3% above estimated, and $55.2 million, or 8.8% higher than this time last year.
Year-to-date individual tax collections totaled $1.4 billion, which is $52.9 million or 3.8% above the estimate and $8.5 million, or 0.6% above collections through the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Corporate tax collections totaled $186.8 million. Although this was $17.2 million or 8.4% below revenue in September 2018, it was still $0.9 million, or 0.5% above the estimate.
Year-to-date corporate tax collections totaled $196.7 million, which is $24.1 million or 1% above the estimate and $15 million, or 8.3% above collections through the same period in the prior fiscal year.
FOOTNOTE: Brynna Sentel is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
