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AG Curtis Hill wins Hamilton County bench trial for Hoosiers in case involving home-restoration scammers

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The Office of the Attorney General has prevailed in a case against two individuals who operated a home-improvement company in Hamilton County that scammed money from 63 Hoosiers, including 33 senior citizens.

Over a 10-month period, Green Frog Restoration LLC took payments totaling $389,187.82 for work it never completed. Nor did the company refund the money paid by consumers.

A Hamilton County court last week awarded judgment in the case of James Twaddle, who with Wanda VanWinkle operated the business from May 2014 to March 2015. The same court already issued a default judgment against VanWinkle and Green Frog in 2017.

The default judgment, totaling $1,268,870.44, includes $389,187.82 in consumer restitution, $367,523.52 in senior consumer treble damages and $511,500 in civil penalties. Following an October trial, the court ordered that Twaddle also be held personally liable for Green Frog’s $1,268,870.44 judgment. Twaddle is also permanently enjoined from owning, operating or managing any home-improvement business in Indiana.

Green Frog Restoration touted its specialty to be replacing siding and roofs on homes in the aftermath of storms. Before coming to Indiana, Twaddle already had been charged with home-improvement fraud in at least five Kentucky and Ohio counties. While out on bail, he moved to Indiana and used the alias “Jim Martin” to avoid being recognized for his ongoing criminal issues.

During Green Frog’s short time of operation, both Van Winkle and Twaddle took significant sums of money out of the business. Bank records show Van Winkle took approximately $127,845 from Green Frog’s account, plus spent approximately $80,000 on personal expenses — including a BMW; psychic readings; and food and retail purchases from stores such as Kohl’s, the Buckle and GameStop. Over the same time period, Twaddle paid himself $108,774 from Green Frog’s account and additionally used $189,688.52 from Green’ Frog’s account to pay his ongoing legal expenses stemming from criminal charges in Ohio and Kentucky, including a court-ordered payment of consumer restitution in the amount of $150,000 to Ohio victims. Additionally, approximately $130,000 in cash withdrawn from Green Frog remains unaccounted for.

“The Office of the Attorney General takes very seriously our responsibility to protect Hoosier consumers,” Attorney General Curtis Hill said. “When you break the law in Indiana, you should pay the price for your actions, and I am grateful for the Hamilton County court’s conclusions in this particular case.”

Eagles open regular season Wednesday

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball begins the 2019-20 regular season Wednesday at 7 p.m. when it hosts No. 11 University of Central Missouri at Screaming Eagles Arena. Wednesday’s game marks the first-ever regular-season basketball game in the Screaming Eagles’ new facility.

USI is coming off a pair of exhibition losses to the University of Kentucky and Purdue University. Senior guard Ashley Johnson paced the Eagles with 12.0 points per contest, while senior guard Kiara Moses pulled down a team-best 5.0 rebounds per game.

Central Missouri (1-1) is coming off a 62-50 road win over Northern State University after falling to No. 18 Minnesota State University-Moorhead, 58-56, in its season-opener.

Wednesday’s contest will be aired live on the GLVC Sports Network as well as 95.7 The Spin. Live stats, audio and video are available at GoUSIEagles.com.

USI Women’s Basketball Headlines
• Eagles look good in spurts during exhibition losses to Kentucky, Purdue. USI Women’s Basketball had some positive runs during its exhibition losses to Kentucky and Purdue. The Screaming Eagles had a solid third quarter effort in the 80-44 loss to Division I preseason No. 13 Kentucky before jumping out to an early 7-2 lead in its 62-44 loss at Purdue. Senior guard Ashley Johnson paced the Eagles in both games, scoring 13 points against Kentucky and 11 against Purdue.

• Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles’ game against Central Missouri marks the first-ever regular-season basketball game in Screaming Eagles Arena. Screaming Eagles Arena hosted several basketball and volleyball camps this past summer and had its first official intercollegiate competition when USI hosted Evansville for an impromptu scrimmage on August 30. USI Volleyball played the first regular-season competition of any kind September 19 when it defeated Ohio Dominican in three sets to kick off the USI Invitational.

• Eagles begin regular season against tough opponent. The Eagles start the year against a tough Central Missouri team that has advanced to the NCAA II Tournament in each of the last three seasons, winning the national title in 2017-18.

• About Central Missouri. The Jennies, who returned eight players and three starters from last year’s squad that went 25-7 overall and 15-4 in MIAA play, began the 2019-20 season with a 1-1 mark. UCM opened the year with a tough 58-56 loss to No. 18 Minnesota State Moorhead before picking up a 62-50 road win over Northern State. Senior guard/forward Morgan Fleming averaged 14.0 points to lead the Jennies, while Nija Collier, the 2019 NJCAA II Player of the Year, chipped in 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.

• Eagles begin 2019-20 with new look lineup. USI opens the 2019-20 season with a new-look lineup after losing six players—four seniors—from the 2018-19 campaign. The Eagles brought in four freshman as well as two transfers to bolster their lineup this season.

• USI enters 2019-20 looking for fourth straight 20-win season. The Eagles have reached the 20-win plateau in each of the last three seasons and four times in the last five years. USI has had at least 20 wins 12 times in program history and have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 10 of those 12 seasons.

• What’s back? USI returns five players and two starters, including senior guard Ashley Johnson and junior guard Emma DeHart, from last year’s squad. The Eagles return 33.9 percent (702) of their 2,074 points; 26.3 percent (301) of their 1,145 rebounds; 42.0 percent (178) of their 424 assists; 40.5 percent (109) of their 269 steals; and 27.8 percent (30) of their 108 blocks from last year’s squad.

• What was lost? Three All-GLVC honorees including first-team forward Imani Guy (transfer), second-team guard Alex Davidson (graduation) and third-team center Kacy Eschweiler(graduation). Last year’s senior class played in a combined 350 games, recording  1,916 points, 1,205 rebounds, 416 assists, 235 steals and 144 blocks during the previous four seasons; all while posting an 84-32 overall record and a 52-20 mark in GLVC play. Davidson finished her career ranked 42nd all-time at USI in career scoring (646); while Mikayla Rowan was 26th in career rebounding (405). Eschweiler tied for fifth all-time at USI in games played (115), seventh in blocks (82), 16th in rebounding (514) and 29th in scoring (788).

• USI picks up preseason ranking. The Eagles are ranked No. 18 by the Women’s Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 poll.

• USI tabbed for fourth-place finish in GLVC. GLVC Women’s Basketball coaches predicted a fourth-place finish in the GLVC for the Eagles in 2019-20. Drury was the unanimous top pick, while Lewis and Bellarmine were respectively predicted to finish second and third. League-newcomer Lindenwood rounded out the top five picks.

• Magic Mark: 75 points. The Eagles are 413-76 (.845) all-time when scoring at least 75 points. USI is 286-27 (.914) since 1996-97 when reaching the 75-point plateau.

ECVB MEETING

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Death Investigation

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Evansville Police are conducting a death investigation at 1032 N 3rd Ave. Police received a tip about a deceased person at the address and confirmed the information when they went to the home. The deceased person was found in a detached garage. 

There appears to have been an attempt to conceal the body and police believe the body has been there for an extended period of time. The identity of deceased person has not been verified by the Coroner’s Office, but police have a tentative identification. 

The investigation is ongoing and no additional details have been confirmed. 

 

Evansville Police Merit Commission

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The Evansville Police Merit Commission scheduled meeting for today

Monday, November 11, 2019 has been cancelled for the impending weather.

The next scheduled meeting of the Police Merit Commission will be on 

Monday, November 25, 2019, in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex at 4:00pm.

Notice submitted by Sgt. Doug Schneider,

 Liaison to the Evansville Police Merit Commission

USI wins wild shootout to upset UIndy

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University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer won a wild second half shootout to defeat University of Indianapolis, 3-2, in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Screaming Eagles, the fifth-seed, see their record go to 9-6-3 overall, while UIndy, the fourth-seed, goes to 12-5-1.

The Eagles advance to play in the GLVC Tournament semifinals at 6:30 p.m. (CST) Friday at Woehrle Athletic Complex in Jeffersonville, Indiana. USI will play winner of top-seeded McKendree University and 8th-seeded Drury University, which are playing in Lebanon, Illinois, this afternoon. GLVC Tournament information can be found on GLVCsports.com.

USI and UIndy were scoreless through the first 70 minutes when Eagles senior midfielder Sean Rickey broke the tie with a blast from 18 yards for the 1-0 lead. The Greyhounds responded with the tying goal at 79:23 before senior midfielder Morgan Kelly gave the Eagles the lead back, 2-1, with a tally at 80:36.

Rickey would strike again at 84:06 to give the Eagles a two-goal, 3-1, advantage. The senior’s two goals in the match were his sixth and seventh of the season.

The Greyhounds cut the Eagles’ lead in half, 3-2, by converting a penalty kick at 86:18, but would be their last chance in the match as USI finished off the last four minutes for the victory that snapped a five-match losing streak to UIndy. USI junior goalkeeper Justin Faas picked up his ninth win of the year by making six saves in the match.

Eagles upset Greyhounds to open GLVC Tournament Etienne ties USI single-season record for shutouts

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer opened the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament by upsetting the University of Indianapolis, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana. The seventh-seeded Screaming Eagles go to 11-6-1 overall, while UIndy bow out of the league tournament to 13-4-1.

The Eagles advance to play in the GLVC Tournament semifinals at 10 a.m. (CST) Friday at Woehrle Athletic Complex in Jeffersonville, Indiana. USI will play third-seeded Rockhurst University (14-4-0), which defeated sixth-seeded Maryville University, 2-0, this afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri. The Hawks defeated the Eagles last month in Kansas City, 2-0. GLVC Tournament information can be found on GLVCsports.com.

USI got on the scoreboard late in the first half with the eventual game-winning goal when sophomore midfielder Rachel Gray scored from five yards out at 35:45. Gray’s second goal of the season was assisted by junior forward Taylor McCormick.

The Eagles, who were outshot in the match, 9-4, let their defense take over in the second half. USI freshman goalkeeper Maya Etienne tied an Eagles’ single-season record with nine shutouts after making five saves in the match. Etienne tied the USI single-season record for shutouts that was set by Angie Gries in 1998.

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

“IS IT TRUE” NOVEMBER 11, 2019

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” 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 this coming Tuesday, November 12, 2019, is the deadline for you to pay your property taxes?

IS IT TRUE we are told that Mayor Winnecke is negotiating with two of the largest riverboat cruise companies in the United States to convince them to begin stopping in Evansville?  …if Mayor Winnecke can pull off this feat it would have a serious economic impact for the City of Evansville and downtown businesses?  …this is a developing a story?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville has one of the most charismatic and hard-working Mayors in years?  …Mr. Winnecke is also very personable and likable? …since he now has to deal with a 7 t0 2 Democratic majority City Council we predict that he will be forced to put more focus on budgetary issues and stop going along with every capital project that comes along?  …that Mayor Winnecke has a lot of talented people surrounding him and he should start seeking their advice before he agrees to invest money on any future big-ticket capital projects?

IS IT TRUE one should never forget when one invests in a multi-million capital project they should also make financial provisions to do long term preventive maintenance on the project?

IS IT TRUE we are told by several of our golfing “Moles” that it looks like the fix may be in?  …they predict the Board of Park Commissioners will decide to close down Wesselman Par 3 Golf Course? ..everybody knows that the Evansville Parks Board are political appointments and they generally do what the politicians want?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the choice for the next Evansville City Council attorney will be most interesting?

IS IT TRUE when a Chairman of a political party sweeps an election he takes total credit for this accomplishment?  …when a Chairman of political party loses he blames everyone else for the loss?

IS IT TRUE we are getting a big kick out of watching a couple of newly elected City Councilmembers jockeying for a leadership position on 2020 Council?

IS IT TRUE that sometimes the names change but the games remain the same?

IS IT TRUE that individuals who like to be kept abreast of the current and future political happenings in Indiana should read an extremely well-researched article written By Mary Beth Schneider of TheStatehouseFile.com?  …this article is entitled “Patches Of Blue In The Red Sea” is posted in today’s City-County Observer?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the practice of not posting unrecorded accounts payable in a timely manner has come to an end starting in 2020?  …that Finra and the SEC now require cities with populations greater than 100k to submit the year-end financial report to the State Board of Accounts by using the accrual method of accounting?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if the Evansville City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr., CPA has paid all the city employees health care bills for this year?  …our guess is a resounding “NO”?

IS IT TRUE that our newly elected City officials are the stewards of the public trust and we hope that the 2020 City Council will start acting like it?

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Richard G. D’Amour is doing an outstanding job for the citizens of Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE on October 30, 2019, DMD Director Kelly Coures sent the following e-mail to members of the ERC Board of Directors?  …he said: “I got an e-mail from Randy this morning about the announcement of the project the former IGA site which stated that there was unawareness of the project by the ERC?  …Mr. Coures also stated that  “It was my understanding that we discussed the project with ERC at the last meeting the ERC approved the initial resolution to begin the work on issuing $1.5 million in TIF bonds for the project and we discuss the parameters of the project living units with a commercial element?  …also wrote that “you approved the funding for the grocery store market study earlier this summer which we are still working on with the developer”? …Coures concluded that “The announcement this morning is a nice cornerstone to what we have been doing the area the last eight years”?

IS IT TRUE we are told that Mr. Coures is attempting to find out who sent us the above e-mail?  …the answer is “MOLE 29”?

Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: WHAT FUTURE DIRECTION WOULD YOU LIKE FOR THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER TAKE?
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