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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
Responsive employerGovernor Eric Holcomb Directs Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff
Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be immediately flown at half-staff in memory of U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings.
Flags should be flown at half-staff now until sunset on Friday, October 18.
Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff.
Evansville’s Future PAC Update – October 2019
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Attorney General Disciplinary Hearing Begins Monday
Attorney General Disciplinary Hearing Begins Monday
By Brandon Barger
TheStatehouseFile.com
 INDIANAPOLIS– Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr., facing Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission charges for allegedly groping women, is trying to block the testimony of two women who worked for him when he was Elkhart County prosecutor.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Myra Selby, who will preside over Hill’s hearing starting Monday, has not yet ruled on whether the witnesses will be allowed to testify.
On Wednesday, Selby met with the attorneys for both Hill and the disciplinary commission to iron out details in advance of the hearing. Hill, a Republican in his first term as attorney general, will be fighting for his political and professional life in the hearing looking into misconduct charges stemming from an end-of-session legislative party in early 2018.
At that party, held at an Indianapolis bar, Hill allegedly touched the backs or buttocks of State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, and three legislative staffers, Niki DaSilva, Samantha Lozano, and Gabrielle McLemore.
The women came forward with the accusations in June 2018. Many high-ranking officials in both parties, including legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, called for Hill’s resignation.
Hill has refused to step down and has denied groping the women. He attributed any behavior from him at the party to have had a few drinks – three glasses of wine, a martini and a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky – and his friendly attitude.
In one court filing, his attorneys said Hill “has an engaging personality and often physically interacts with others by placing a hand on the other person’s arm, shoulder or back. He also has some difficulty hearing in one ear, so he is prone to leaning close to people with whom he is conversing, especially in loud environments.â€
In October 2018, a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the accusations decided against filing criminal charges against Hill. A legislative investigation found lawmakers could take no action because Hill was not the women’s boss and it happened on private property. Also, an inspector general’s report found that Hill’s conduct at the event was well-documented and inappropriate and then closed the case.
However, in March 2019, a complaint against Hill was filed by the Supreme Court’s disciplinary commission saying his actions amounted to a battery, a misdemeanor, and sexual battery, a felony, and constituted professional misconduct. That was followed by a civil lawsuit filed by the four women against Hill.
The disciplinary commission hearing is expected to last through next week in the Supreme Court chambers in the Indiana Statehouse. If Selby finds he committed professional misconduct, his punishment could cost him his license to practice law. That would effectively remove him as the attorney general since the position requires the person holding it to have an active license.
During the pre-trial meeting, Hill’s lead attorney, Donald Lundberg, disputed Selby’s decision to grant the commission’s request to use communications between Hill and two of his top aides, Chief Deputy Aaron Negangard and Chief of Staff Mary Beth Bonaventura, with the exception of one text from Bonventura. Lundberg cited the impact that would have on the civil lawsuit. Selby gave him until noon Thursday to file a written motion renewing his objections.
The commission also wants to present testimony from two women who previously worked with Hill when he was the prosecutor in Elkhart County. Hill’s attorneys are arguing that past alleged actions should not come into play during this hearing.
However, the lawyers for the disciplinary commission argued in a filing that “evidence of prior inappropriate sexual behavior at (Hill’s) workplace will show that the Sine Die party was not just an isolated event unfortunately caused by a relaxed social atmosphere and too much to drink.â€
Selby indicated she would rule on whether those and other witnesses can testify during the course of the hearing.
Seth Pruden, staff attorney for the disciplinary commission, told Selby he expected to have about 15 witnesses testify, along with video and audio exhibits. Lundberg said Hill will present five to 10 witnesses.
FOOTNOTE: Brandon Barger is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalists.
Indiana Students To Get Free FAFSA Filing Help At College Goal Sunday
Financial aid professionals will be volunteering at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Campus to help college-bound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The event is set for 2 p.m. Nov. 3, in the Library of Ivy Tech at 3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville.
The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA MUST be filed by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.
“College Goal Sunday is helpful because completing this required form correctly and by the deadline is sometimes perceived to be complicated and time-consuming,†said Casey Trela, director of financial aid. “In less than one afternoon at a College Goal Sunday event, students and their families can get free help and file the form online.â€
Now in its 31st year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 94,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).
What students should bring?
Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parents’ should bring:
- Completed 2018 IRS 1040 tax returns
- W-2 Forms
- Other 2018 income and benefits information
- Students who worked last year should bring their income information
- Students, 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their own completed 2018 IRS 1040Â Â Â tax return, W-2 Form or other 2018 income and benefits information.
- Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at fsaid.ed.gov before coming to the event.
Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters. A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.
Attendees may win educational prizes
Students may also win one of five $1000 scholarships. Students who attend any of the College Goal Sunday sites and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1000 scholarship. The winners will be notified in December, and prizes will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.
 21st Century Scholars benefit
21st Century Scholars are income-eligible students who sign a contract in the seventh or eighth grade promising they will graduate from high school, meet grade point requirements, fulfill a pledge of good citizenship, and apply for college financial aid. Upon high school graduation, Scholars who have fulfilled the commitment receive state funds to help cover their college tuition and fees for eight semesters at eligible Indiana colleges. To fulfill their pledge, scholars must submit a completed FAFSA form on time. College Goal Sunday can help.
Program is a national model
College Goal Sunday originated right here in Indiana and is now a national model. Following Indiana’s example, College Goal Sunday events organized by more than 34 states have opened doors to higher education for hundreds of thousands of students all over the country.
County Health Department Nurse Receives USI Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award
Adrienne Bond ’16, a registered nurse at the Vanderburgh Health Department, is the 2019 recipient of the University of Southern Indiana Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award. She works in the Pre to 3 Program, which provides support for mothers, infants and families to reduce risks associated with infant mortality, and is certified as a lactation consultant and car seat technician.
Before the Pre to 3 Program launched, Bond was instrumental in helping develop policy, standards and the model currently implemented for home visiting. Her nominator stated, “I am nominating Adrienne for the dedication and professionalism she has exemplified in her position as a Pre to 3 nurse. Adrienne is passionate about her role in our program and about the families that she serves. She has been a mentor for our new staff, helped organize continuing education opportunities, and promotes our program through outreach opportunities.â€
When accepting the award during USI Nursing’s annual White Coat Ceremony, held September 8, Bond spoke to the value of her nursing education at USI. “The USI nursing program helped equip me to practice nursing in a variety of settings,†she said. “The emphasis on taking care of the whole patient and focusing on the small things that patients truly remember is such an important value that is instilled into USI nursing students. The program prepares students to hone the compassionate values of our nursing founders so that they shine through in the work of modern nursing today.â€
Each year, the USI Nursing Alumni Society recognizes a graduate who has made outstanding achievements in a career or public service. For more information about the USI Nursing Alumni Society, visit the society’s web page.
Hoosiers Warned To Watch Out For Added-On Costs When Purchasing Vehicles From Dealers
Dealerships Adding Fees To Original Sticker Prices Could be Violating State law
Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosiers to watch out for costs added by dealerships to the price of vehicles at the time of purchase. Fees added by dealers can increase final purchase prices by thousands of dollars, and in some cases, they may violate state law.
“As with any transaction, people buying vehicles must be absolutely vigilant in making sure sellers are not slipping extra charges into the deal,†Attorney General Hill said. “Anytime Indiana residents encounter questionable business practices, we want them to let our office know so that we can investigate and fulfill our vital mission of protecting Hoosier consumers.â€
The Office of the Attorney General recently investigated two Clark County car dealerships based on allegations of this type of behavior. Both entered into agreements with the State of Indiana under which they must pay civil penalties and pledge to stop certain business practices. As part of the agreements, the dealerships have not admitted to any legal wrongdoing nor been implicated for any such violations.
- In the first instance, Kia of Clarksville added a “Kia Total Protection Package†sticker to all new vehicles. This “protection package†— featuring mudguards, all-weather mats, and a spare tire kit — increased the cost of each new vehicle by $3,990. The added sticker also listed the manufacturer’s warranties as part of the protection package even though the warranties were already included in the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of each new vehicle. Kia of Clarksville did not include the cost of the protection package in any of its advertising. Under the terms of an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) approved by the Clark County Circuit Court, Kia of Clarksville must remove all references to warranties and roadside assistance packages from the added stickers. They also must include the costs of any added packages in the advertised prices of vehicles. Kia of Clarksville also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $55,000 plus $2,000 in costs for a total monetary payment of $57,000.
- In the second instance, Neil Huffman Honda utilized a similar “protection package” addendum sticker on all new vehicles. This package increased the cost of each new vehicle by $1,995 and included mudguards, all-weather mats, and a key chain. The added sticker lists Honda’s roadside assistance program as part of the package even though this benefit is already provided by Honda and included in the MSRP of each new vehicle. Neil Huffman Honda also represented that the package included two years of certified maintenance. However, Neil Huffman Honda offered and advertised this maintenance program at no cost on each new or used vehicle sold, meaning that consumers were not receiving it through purchasing the additional protection package. Under the terms of an AVC approved by the Clark County Circuit Court, Neil Huffman Honda must remove all references to roadside assistance and certified maintenance from the added stickers. They also must include the costs of any added packages in the advertised prices of vehicles. Neil Huffman Honda also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $50,000 plus $3,000 in costs for a total monetary payment of $53,000.
Consumers who believe they have encountered similar practices at any other dealership in Indiana are asked to report these instances to the Office of the Attorney General. They may do so by calling 1-800-382-5516 or going online at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral and clicking the “File a Complaint†box at the bottom of the page.