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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
Obituary of Ricky West
Obituary Of Ricky West
Ricky West, 60, of Boonville, Indiana passed away at his residence on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
He was born on June 3, 1959, in Evansville, Indiana the son of Billy Nelson West and Grace Ellen (Fulkerson) Bozarth.
Richard was an avid hunter, farmer, and hard worker who loved his family, God, and country. He served his country for 9 ½ years in the United States Navy and was known to many as a hardworking, always moving, busy man. Ricky spent 19 dedicated years working for Toyota Manufacturing in Princeton, Indiana where he was well respected and loved by his Toyota family.
Richard is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sherri West; children, Jason Norris (Genia), Eric West (Melissa), Amarina Julian (Steve), Charlene Westerfield (Joe); grandchildren, Hunter, Pierce, Joel, Aiden, Darren, Isaiah, Bailey, Alicyn, Jasey, Theia, Gracie May, Derek, Brynnleigh and Cohen; mother, Grace Bozarth, stepmother, Mary West; brothers, Tony West (Liddy), Gary West (Carol), David West (Lori); stepsister, Debby Bonesteel (Roger), his beloved dog and loyal friend Gizmo, and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
He is proceeded in death by his father, Billy West; brother, Mark West; sister, Kay Fortune; and stepfather, Eddie Bozarth.
Funeral Services are 11 A.M. Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Koehler Funeral Home in Boonville. Burial will be at Plainview Cemetery in Boonville with the Warrick County Veterans Memorial Service to conduct military honors.
Visitation will be from 12 P.M. until 8 P.M. Friday, August 30, 2019, at the funeral home and again on Saturday from 9 A.M. until service time at 11 A.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 in Richards name.
Koehler Funeral Home of Boonville, Indiana is entrusted with care.
Friends unable to attend may send a condolence to the family at www.KoehlerFuneralHome.com.
To send flowers to the family of Richard “Ricky Eric West, please visit Tribute Store.
Commentary: Andrew Luck Walks Away While He Still Can
Commentary: Andrew Luck Walks Away While He Still Can
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – Maybe Andrew Luck quit because his head is on straight.
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback’s retirement announcement caught everyone by surprise. It also prompted some people who should have known better to start criticizing a young man for trying to make the wisest choices with his life.
I’ve known former NFL players.
Some are fortunate. Even as they advance into middle-age or even old age, they still move with the grace and assurance of the superb athletes they once were. Time might have slowed them a step or two and added a few lines to their faces, but their years on the field didn’t seem to have left permanent marks on them.
Things didn’t go so well for others.
One guy I know is still in his 40s, but he moves with the gimpy stride of a man in his late 80s. Every step seems to cost him something.
Another former NFL player used to work out at the same place I did. He’d break into a sweat climbing a flight of stairs because it hurt so much to drag himself up them. His joints had taken such a pounding th toat almost everything caused him pain.
I should mention that neither of these guys is asking for sympathy. They played because they loved the game and because they were well paid for doing so. They made their choices and they’re living with the consequences of those choices.
But the choices were their choices.
Not the crowd’s choices.
Not the choices of some blowhard on a barstool or in sports talk show sound booth.
But the fact that these former players accept responsibility for the consequences of their career choices shouldn’t blind us to the fact that there were consequences.
Years ago, during my newspaper days, I spent some Sunday afternoons on the sidelines at NFL games.
Being up in the stands or even in a press box distances one from the action. Up close to and at the same level as the play it’s impossible to miss the sheer and incredible violence of an NFL game.
The players are huge, and they move faster than anything that big ought to be able to run. The hits can be horrific, like cars smashing into each other.
In fact, down at field level, an NFL game resembles a demolition derby, only with human bone, muscle and sinew being crunched and mashed rather than automotive metal.
It’s not a surprise that, at every game, several players either limp off or are carried off the field.
It’s also not a surprise that some of them never walk or move right again after being carried off.
I’ve never met Andrew Luck, but he’s always struck me as a thoughtful young man.
He’s gracious and self-deprecating in public. He shares the credit when the team succeeds and shoulders more than his portion of the blame when things don’t go well.
Even after he began to amass wealth on a grand scale, he still maintained a relatively modest lifestyle, driving an old car and even using an out-of-date flip phone for years after he’d hit the big time. He devoted large portions of his time and energy to charity and other good causes.
Luck’s anguish was palpable at the improvised Saturday night press conference announcing his retirement. He’d been booed as word leaked out at the Colts exhibition game that evening.
He said that stung.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said Luck could be leaving as much as $500 million on the table by quitting now.
But it wasn’t the money Luck talked about. He talked about his love for the game and for his teammates.
As always, a thoughtful young man.
But he also said he’d been in pain for much of the past four years and that he had to think about what he wanted his life to be like after his football days were over.
To all but the most boneheaded, it was clear he was making a tough choice.
Andrew Luck is walking away from a game he loves while he still is certain he will be able to walk.
That’s his right and his choice, a choice everyone ought to respect.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is the director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Senator Braun Announces More Dates on ‘Summer of Solutions’ Tour
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Braun is announcing the next week of stops on his Summer of Solutions Tour, visiting cities such as Liberty, Richmond, Spiceland, Batesville and more. Further events will be announced on Monday.
BACKGROUND
Below are a few of Senator Mike Braun’s solutions he will be discussing on the Summer of Solutions Tour, including proposals on lowering the cost of prescription drugs, the opioid crisis, student loans, federal spending, and economic policies:
- Senator Braun: Restoring sanity to drug pricing.“Before being elected to the U.S. Senate last year, I spent 37 years building a business in my hometown, hiring hundreds of Americans and taking on the insurance industry to give my employees quality affordable health care while covering pre-existing conditions. Today, I’m offering solutions to address the rising cost of prescription drugs by adding transparency to our pricing negotiations, clearing the way for more prescription drug approvals by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and providing oversight and accountability for the pharmaceutical industry.â€Â (The Washington Times, 03/06/19)
- Senator Braun: Two straightforward solutions to help combat the opioid crisis.“The opioid crisis is a plague on our communities that has left a devastating and permanent impact on Indiana and the country. Here in Indiana alone, we have lost nearly 15,000 Hoosiers to drug overdoses since 1999 and the number rises each day. This year, opioids continue to be the biggest contributor in drug overdose deaths in our state. On average, we lose five Hoosiers a day to an overdose, and three out of those five individuals overdosed on opioids. Nationwide, we lose roughly 175 Americans a day to this crisis. … Hoosiers sent me to Washington to offer solutions. This week, I introduced two straightforward solutions to help combat this crisis through education and prevention: ensuring every patient knows the risks inherent in every opioid drug they take, and that every prescriber knows how these drugs can shatter – and end – lives.â€Â (The Herald Tribune, 05/20/19)
- Senator Braun: Solutions to eliminate the student loan tax.“Today, Senator Mike Braun introduced the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act of 2019, which removes the ‘origination fee’ adding unnecessary debt to student borrowers’ overall student loan costs. ‘Student loan origination fees are nothing more than a hidden tax that burdens students,’ said Senator Mike Braun. ‘This legislation is a step forward and offers one solution to addressing our broken higher education system that fails to put students first.’â€Â (Press Release, 06/04/19)
- Senator Braun: Solutions to finally get a grip on federal spending.“The massive spending deal, negotiated by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and agreed to by the president, looks poised to kill off the Budget Control Act of 2011—the law that was meant to restrain federal spending. With that law on the way out, the question arises: Where can fiscal conservatives turn to exert real and lasting fiscal discipline? Thankfully, two members of Congress have introduced a bill to do just that. The Maximizing America’s Prosperity Act—or MAP Act—is a bill proposed by Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., that would limit federal spending to a fixed portion of the economy, adjusted for economic conditions.â€Â (Daily Signal, 07/25/19)
- Senator Braun calls on Congress to back America’s workers and approve Trump’s USMCA Deal.“The last time Congress meaningfully debated trade between our two North American partners, the Buffalo Bills had just lost their third consecutive Super Bowl and Mrs. Doubtfire was in theaters. In 1993, very few Americans had a cellphone, and no one had ever heard of buying a book on Amazon. This is why President Donald J. Trump decided to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The agreement was woefully out of date, and over time, our trading relationship with Canada and Mexico has fallen out of balance. President Trump kept his promise to renegotiate NAFTA, signing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in November 2018, but congressional Democrats are refusing to bring the USMCA for a vote because it pains them to admit that President Trump is successfully delivering real results for our economy. … As a Main Street entrepreneur who has created hundreds of American jobs, I applaud President Trump’s action to rectify the longstanding inequities in our trade relationships that have hurt American workers. Now it’s up to Congress to hold up our end of the deal and ratify the USMCA.â€Â (The Daily Caller, 06/04/19)
SENATOR BRAUN’S “SUMMER OF SOLUTIONS” Â TOUR STOPS:
For the Week beginning August 25, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 12:25 PM ET
National American Legion Conference
Open Press
Indiana Convention Center
100 S Capitol Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana
Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 2:15 PM ETÂ
Presentation of the Silver Star to Isaac Harter and Family
Open Press
115 N Pennsylvania Street
Suite 100
Indianapolis, Indiana
Background: Senator Braun will be presenting a Silver Star to the family of William A. Harter, a Hoosier soldier who was killed in action in Vietnam. The Harter family was erroneously presented a Bronze Star in a 1968 ceremony.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 8:00 AM ET Â
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The Tour
Visit to Draper Inc.
411 South Pearl Street
Spiceland, Indiana
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 9:45 AM ETÂ
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The Tour
Blue Buffalo Manufacturing facility
4748 W Industries Road R
Richmond, Indiana
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 11:15 AM ET Â
Union County Luncheon
Open Press
Liberty Bell Restaurant
216 S Main Street
Liberty, Indiana
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 12:45 AM ET
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The Tour
Superior Oil
1500 Western Avenue
Connersville, Indiana
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 2:15 PM ET
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The TourÂ
Tour of Intat Precision Inc.
2148 IN-3
Rushville, Indiana
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 5:30 PM
Open and Closed Press – Media Availability following Roundtable
Roundtable with USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney
3240 Hurricane Road
Franklin, Indiana
Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 9:00 AM ET
Open Press
Franklin County Breakfast Event
Brookville VFW Hall
26 W 8th Street
Brookville, Indiana
Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 10:45 AM ET
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The Tour
Hillenbrand Tour
One Batesville Blvd
Batesville, Indiana
Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 1:15 PM ET Â Â
Open & Closed Press – Media Availability Following The Tour
Tour of MGP Ingredients
MGPI Guard House
652 Shipping Street
Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 3:00 PM ET Â
Open Press
Ohio County Coffee
Jack’s Place
406 Main Street
Rising Sun, Indiana
Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 4:45 PM ET Â Â
Open Press
Tour of the Ridge Winery
11048 E State Road 156
Vevay, Indiana
AG Curtis Hill Urges The FCC To Strengthen Efforts To Stop Robocalls
Attorney General Curtis Hill today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to encourage telecom companies to implement call blocking and call authentication solutions that would protect consumers from illegal robocalls and spoofing. Today’s comment letter to the FCC comes after Attorney General Hill last week led a coalition of 51 attorneys general and 12 phone companies in unveiling the Anti-Robocall Principles to fight illegal robocalls.
“We hear Hoosiers loud and clear,” Attorney General Hill said. “Robocalls are a huge problem in Indiana and across the country. We must continue to use every means at our disposal to stop these annoying and sometimes harmful calls.â€
In comments to the FCC, the coalition of attorneys general states that telecom providers should:
- Offer free, automatic call-blocking services to all customers. The call-block services should be based on reasonable analytics and should not block important calls, including emergency alerts or automated calls for which customers have signed up (such as medical reminders).
- Monitor network traffic to identify patterns consistent with robocalls and take action to cut off the calls or notify law enforcement.
- Implement certain caller ID call authentication technologies that help ensure that telephone calls are originating from secure, verified numbers rather than spoofed sources. The coalition supports the FCC’s proposal to take regulatory action against telecom companies that do not implement the specified technologies.
- Develop caller ID authentication to prevent robocalls to landline telephones. This is particularly urgent because many people victimized by robocall scammers are elderly consumers or live in rural areas, meaning they are more likely to use landline technology.
Many of these actions are also covered in the Anti-Robocall Principles, a set of eight principles focused on addressing illegal robocalls through prevention and enforcement. Twelve phone companies, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint, have already signed on to the principles.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
NOTICE OF
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
The Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission will hold a meeting onThursday, August 29, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the County Commissioner conference room inRoom 305 of the Civic Center Complex at 1 N.W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard,Evansville, Indiana.
EPA to Provide Relief for Certain Marine Diesel Engines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the national marine diesel engine program to provide relief to boat builders and manufacturers of lightweight and high-power marine diesel engines that are used in high-speed commercial vessels such as lobster fishing boats and pilot boats.
“This proposal will provide boat builders the flexibility they need to meet EPA standards while they continue to manufacture products that are critical to marine industries,â€Â said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This action reflects our mindset that environmental progress is best achieved by working with states and the regulated community to advance sound and attainable regulatory solutions.â€
“This proposed rule is very important for both our bar pilots and our port in Savannah,â€Â said Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01). “The current standards have made it impossible for the bar pilots to purchase any new vessels because there simply is not a single manufacturer that can meet the requirements. The new guidance will give the pilots the ability to purchase new vessels, so they are able to continue to do their important job while ensuring there won’t be any disruptions to the shipping traffic or other unnecessary delays at the port. I thank the EPA for working with us to correct the current flawed guidance to ensure the growth at our port and in our region isn’t negatively impacted by standards that are impossible to reach.â€
“Due to the unique design of Maine lobster boats, at this time there are not Tier 4-compliant diesel engines available on the market that can safely fit in these types of vessels. This delay in the implementation of the Tier 4 emission standards for commercial lobster-style boats should provide engine manufacturers time to design and certify engines that will both comply with Tier 4 emission standards and work safely and efficiently in these boats. It also prevents lobstermen from being burdened by requirements that are impossible to meet with the currently available technology,â€Â said U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden in a joint statement. “We are pleased to have worked together with the EPA to find a commonsense solution that supports Maine boat builders and lobstermen.â€
EPA’s proposal will help boat builders whose production capabilities have been impacted by a lack of certified engines available with the desired size and power characteristics. The proposal will provide additional lead time to meet the agency’s Tier 4 standards for qualifying engines and vessels and includes a new waiver process, which would allow for continued installation of Tier 3 engines for certain vessels if suitable Tier 4 engines continue to be unavailable. The proposal also includes changes to streamline the engine certification process to promote certification of engines with high power density.
This rule also includes a proposed technical correction to the national marine diesel fuel program. This change will clarify that fuel manufacturers and distributors may sell distillate diesel fuel that meets the 2020 global sulfur standard adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The proposed correction will help U.S. fuel manufacturers and distributors to meet the IMO standard on time and without creating additional burdens for the industry.
This Week at USI
Below is a list of events and activities happening in and around the USI community in the coming weeks:
2 p.m. Wednesday, August 28
Student Involvement Fair
The University of Southern Indiana will host its annual fall Student Involvement Fair at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 on the Quad, weather permitting. This is an opportunity for departments, student organizations and community groups to introduce themselves to the USI student body. More Information
Open through Friday, September 6; Reception at 2 p.m. Friday, September 6
Visiting art professors Amanda Smith and Tonja Torgerson showcase their paintings and prints at USI
The University of Southern Indiana Art and Design department presents the exhibition Converters: Work by Amanda Smith and Tonja Torgerson, on display through Friday, September 6 at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries on the USI campus. Amanda Smith is a painter and assistant professor of art at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Tonja Torgerson is a printmaker and visiting assistant professor at Indiana University. The public is invited to the free reception for the exhibit from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, September 6, at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries. Read More
STUDENT EVENTS
A collection of events on campus and in the community sponsored by USI student organizations can be found on the USI events calendar by clicking here.
SAVE THE DATE
Registration closes Tuesday, October 15; Race is Saturday, November 2
Registration now open for the 18th annual Norwegian Foot March
The 18th annual Norwegian Foot March, an intense mental and physical challenge, will take participants 18.6 miles through the rolling hills of Evansville’s west side. Carrying a 25-pound rucksack, participants will begin and end on the USI campus, working to make it back to the finish line generally in under four and a half hours depending on age and gender. ROTC cadets, soldiers and veterans, as well as civilians, may register individually or as part of a four-member team. Registration can be completed online or by calling USI Outreach and Engagement at 812-464-1989. Early registration is recommended, as the event sells out quickly. ROTC cadets from any school can register for $25 and all other participants can register for $45. Registration will close on October 15 or when the event is full at 500 participants. More Information