Home Blog Page 3316

New Law Bars Animal Abusers From Owning Pets

0

New Law Bars Animal Abusers From Owning Pets

By Lacey Watt
TheStateHouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Eeyore was a malnourished pit bull terrier mix with a heart condition when a stranger dropped him off at IndyHumane in November 2018.

The only information IndyHumane staff had was that the scruffy, half-starved animal had been found with no collar or chip to determine where he belonged. He appeared as though he had been scavenging for food on his own for some time.

 

After surgery at Purdue University to fix his heart condition and regular meals to help him put on 20 pounds, Eeyore today is a playful, goofy 3-year-old.

Eeyore is the kind of animal lawmakers had in mind when they enacted legislation in the 2019 session to make sure abusers don’t get a chance to abuse again. Senate Enrolled Act 474 states that a person convicted of animal abuse may not own, harbor or train a companion animal during the probation and parole period.

“In most cases animals can’t protect themselves,” said Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, author of SEA 474. He doesn’t have a pet himself but appreciates the impact animals can have on people’s lives.

Alting wrote SEA 474 after he was approached by Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington and others with concerns about the cases of animal abuse they were seeing. Harrington had prosecuted about a half dozen cases over the past three years of dogs and cats being shot, burned and mistreated in other ways.

“If you are convicted of a crime with a vehicle, what happens to your license,” Harrington said. That license is revoked, and a person convicted of mistreating an animal should lose the right to own another one, he added.

From 2014 to 2017, 45 people were convicted and sentenced for animal cruelty as a Level 6 felony. Out of the 45 convicted, 80 percent were place of probation for an average of 326 days. In the past law, there was nothing that prevented abusers from owning animals again.

Cheri Storms, executive director of Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana, agrees with the intent of the new law.

Storms, who has been working in the animal welfare field for 12 years, recalled one particularly awful case when a rescue team brought a badly burned cat to her facility. They had named the cat Phoenix and treated him for his injuries, but the animal eventually died.

Storms said that this case was beyond anything she had heard, and felt that lawmakers should hear of it, too, in order to make needed changes to the law.

“I felt sick,” Storms said of her experience describing the abuse to lawmakers during the last session. “It was nerve-wracking, but worth it.”

Storms said her hope is that with the passage of SEA 474 people will stop and think before abusing an animal. If they do, they will be punished.

“Part of our work is to make sure they have a good life,” Storms said of the animals she helps.

At IndyHumane, where Eeyore found new life, officials try to make sure prospective pet owners are properly screened before being allowed to adopt. When adopting, a person must sit down with a counselor to discuss why they want a pet.

Kirsten VantWoud, IndyHumane’s chief operating officer, explained that they hold interviews to make sure they match with pets to owners that will last a lifetime. As far as knowing if someone has a history of animal abuse, it’s harder to tell.

“We ask some leading questions. We ask about pet history, so certainly if some said they had 12 animals and they just don’t have them anymore, that would concern us,” VantWoud said.

At IndyHumane’s facility in northwest Indianapolis, cage after cage and room after room are filled with dogs and cats, some of which have been abused, waiting for someone to look in their direction and take them to a new home. IndyHumane has 235 animals currently waiting to be adopted, with 182 animals in foster homes or at two offsite adoption locations, Pet Supplies Plus in Whitestown and the Nine Lives Cat Café in Fountain Square.

Freddie, a 2-year-old cat, is one of the lucky ones. He ended up at IndyHumane when he was found with a broken jaw, but after surgery is now recovering.  Freddie, like Eeyore, has found his forever home.

Editor’s note: This is a story in an occasional series about the impact of legislation passed in the 2019 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Lacey Watt is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

SEN. MIKE BRAUN: In Case You Missed It

0

 

As Dems debate, let’s remember that Trump has already remade judiciary for decades to come
Senator Mike Braun
Fox News
June 26, 2019
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sen-mike-braun-democrats-debate-trump-judiciary

As Democrats descend on Miami for their first presidential debate, it’s a good time to reflect on the fact that President Trump has kept his promise to nominate great conservative judges, with the Senate approving 125 judges since Trump took office — including 40 since I’ve been in the U.S. Senate.

Shortly after assuming his duties at the White House, Trump hit a home-run by selecting conservative Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Justice Gorsuch has been a steadfast defender of the Constitution over the last two years. It’s also great to have a voice on the court who comes from Middle America instead of the East Coast, like nearly all of our other Supreme Court justices.

A year later, Trump nominated the conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The night of his nomination, Senator Elizabeth Warren was already on the steps of the Supreme Court opposing this highly qualified nominee.

As time passed, Democrats— including my opponent, Democratic former Sen. Joe Donnelly — lined up to smear Kavanaugh, but unlike any president before him, Trump stood by his nominee when the going got tough, which sent a bolt of energy to my campaign in Indiana.

As I sprinted down the homestretch of my campaign, Hoosiers were proud that I had the courage to support a nominee who was falsely accused of wrongdoing and promised to interpret the Constitution as it was written instead of legislating from the bench.

On the circuit court level, President Trump has appointed nearly one-third of the judges on the Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Circuits. Additionally, the infamous liberal Ninth Circuit is slowly returning to sanity. President Trump has nominated enough judges that almost half of that court will faithfully interpret the Constitution.

In terms of district courts, the Senate has approved 82 district judges — including 29 since I’ve taken office. I’m incredibly proud to have supported the confirmation of fellow Hoosier Holly A. Brady from Fort Wayne to serve as a United States district judge for the Northern District of Indiana.

For an entrepreneur who has spent his entire career creating jobs, I can assure you that leaving my business to help President Trump confirm conservative judges is well worth my decision to run for office and a great use of the Senate’s time, given how dysfunctional Washington can be.

Finally, for viewers who tune in to the first Democrat debate, it shouldn’t be lost on them that President Trump has already remade the judiciary, moving our country away from activist judges and toward individuals who will uphold the Constitution. It’s another important reason to re-elect President Trump and maintain our Republican majority in the U.S. Senate.

Food Inspection Report For Vanderburgh County

0

 

Food Inspection reports 6-26-19

“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JAB” JUNE 28, 2019

13

“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JAB”

“Right Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have two commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning National or International issues.
Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan’s comments are mostly about issues of national interest.  The majority of our “IS IT TRUE” columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give Mr. Biden and Mr. Reagan exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and RIGHT JAB”  column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB” AND “RIGHT JAB” several times a week.  Oh, “Left Jab” is a liberal view and the “Right Jab is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments of the two gentlemen is free to do so.

FOOTNOTE: Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

Lt. Governor Crouch: Public schedule for June 28

0

 Below is Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch’s public schedule for June 28, 2019.

Friday, June 28
What: Crouch meets with DOR summer interns
Host: Indiana Department of Revenue
When: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., ET
Where: Indiana Statehouse, Room 333, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Friday, June 28
What: Crouch visits Monumental Marketplace
Host: Indiana Grown
When: 11:00 a.m. – Noon, ET
Where: Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

0
Security Officer – Custom Protection Hiring Event
G4S Solutions USA – Evansville, IN
$15 an hour
Security Officer – Custom Protection. Security Officer – Upscale. G4S Solutions USA Hiring Event!…
Sponsored
Receptionist – Part-Time –
Silver Birch of Evansville 4.3/5 rating   3 reviews  – Evansville, IN
The receptionist is responsible for welcoming residents and visitors into the community, answering phones, routing calls and communication (including but not…
Easily apply
Jun 20
Van Driver
DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville 3.8/5 rating   3,484 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Preferably have hotel experience and must have a current, valid driver’s license with a clean driving record….
Easily apply
Jun 23
Assistant Manager -Wholesale Nursery /Greenhouse
Shourds Wholesale Nursery – Evansville, IN
$19,500 – $22,500 a year
Potential for additional increases -Help Manage daily affairs (loading trucks, general sales, watering, maintenance, potting up plants, supervising others,…
Easily apply
Jun 23
Housekeeper
Canteen Service Company 3.6/5 rating   29 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$12 an hour
Maintains Food Sanitation Certification. Cleans offices, halls, foyer, break rooms, bathrooms, and other areas by performing the following duties….
Easily apply
Jun 20
Law Office Assistant
Wilhite and Associates Law Offices – Evansville, IN
Transport your classroom learning and skills into the “real world” with us and we’ll help you develop lifelong skills….
Easily apply
Jun 23
Assistant
Wilhite and Associates Law Offices – Evansville, IN
Word processing, running errands, shopping, organizing, scheduling, answering phones, travel arrangements, light cleaning like taking out trash….
Easily apply
Jun 23
Part-Time Cashier
ALDI 3.4/5 rating   5,525 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$13.50 an hour
Meets any state and local requirements for handling and selling alcoholic beverages. Whether it’s in customer service or our exceptional products, we owe our…
Jun 19
Security Officer
Nighthawk Security Company LLC – Henderson, KY
$8.25 – $11.00 an hour
Nighthawk Security requires that all employees have a reliable means of transportation and A valid driver’s license….
Easily apply
Sponsored
Law Office Assistant
Wilhite and Associates Law Offices – Evansville, IN
Transport your classroom learning and skills into the “real world” with us and we’ll help you develop lifelong skills….
Easily apply
Sponsored
Dietary Manager
Silver Birch of Evansville – Evansville, IN
The successful Culinary Services Manager will have five (5) or more years of food service management experience including all phases of dining operations and…
Easily apply
Sponsored

Evansville Events Planning Task Force Meeting

0
page1image18880608

Indiana Main Street Program Welcomes Two New Communities

0

the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Roann Community Heritage and Main Street Centerville Inc. as the newest members of the Indiana Main Street Program, which encourages economic development, redevelopment and improvement to downtown areas.

“Congratulations to Roann and Centerville for becoming the latest organizations to join the Indiana Main Street Program and bringing our total to 135,” said Jodi Golden, OCRA Executive Director. “By seeking this designation, these communities are committed to preserve, cultivate and revitalize their historic commercial core and cultivate a strong and vibrant downtown.”

Golden said both main street organizations are comprised of dedicated community members working together to revitalize their downtown. The mission of Roann’s Community Heritage, Inc., is to enhance and preserve Roann’s cultural and architectural heritage.

“We are so excited to be a part of Indiana Main Street! We look forward to working with members of the community to improve Roann and make it a destination people are drawn to,” said Jo Ellen Nelson, Co-President of Roann’s Community Heritage, Inc.

The mission of Main Street Centerville, Inc. is to enrich the town through economic development, redevelopment and beautification initiatives. They will help educate others on the history, architecture and vitality of the businesses and residents.

“The designation really validates that Main Street Centerville has established a strong organization, and helps us form partnerships across the community for greater impact,” said Melissa Vance, President/CEO of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is just the beginning – great things are on the horizon!”

For more information on the Indiana Main Street Program, visit www.in.gov/ocra/mainstreet.htm.

 

Reducing Regulatory Burdens: EPA’s Proposal Levels the Playing Field for Sources That Reduce Hazardous Air Emissions

0

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule to implement the clear language of the Clean Air Act that allows a “major source” of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to reclassify as an “area source” after acting to limit emissions to below the levels that define major sources. This proposal would relieve reclassified facilities from regulatory requirements intended for much larger emitters and encourage other sources to pursue innovations in pollution reduction technologies, engineering, and work practices.

“‘Once in, always in’ policies discourage facilities from deploying the latest pollution control technologies or modernizing in ways that increase efficiency and reduce emissions,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s proposal would remove a major regulatory burden and incentivize investments in technologies that improve air quality and public health.”

“This action is based on a clear reading of the statute that is in line with EPA’s guidance for other provisions of the Clean Air Act,” said Bill Wehrum, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “It will reduce regulatory burden for industries and the states while continuing to ensure stringent and effective controls on hazardous air pollutants.”

Today’s action would implement EPA’s reading of the Clean Air Act described in a January 2018 guidance memo withdrawing the “once in, always in” policy. Established in 1995, the “once in, always in” policy determined that any facility subject to major source standards would always remain subject to those standards—even if production processes changed or controls were implemented that eliminated or permanently reduced that facility’s potential to emit hazardous air pollutants. States, state organizations, and industries frequently noted that the “once in, always in” policy discouraged voluntary pollution abatement and prevention efforts and technological innovations that would reduce hazardous air pollution emissions. EPA’s January 2018 memo found EPA had no authority under the Clean Air Act to limit when a facility may be determined to be an area source and that facilities may be reclassified as area sources once their potential to emit hazardous air pollutants falls below the levels that define major sources.

EPA estimates that this proposal would result in cost savings when compared to the agency’s previous “once in, always in” policy. Of the estimated 7,920 sources subject to national emissions standards as a major source, EPA estimates nearly half could become area sources, saving $168.9 million in the first year and $163 million to $183 million annually (in 2014 dollars) in the following years.

EPA requests comment on all aspects of this proposal, including:

  • EPA’s position that the proposed approach is the proper reading of Clean Air Act section 112(a) and is consistent with the act’s clear language and structure.
  • Requirements for establishing effective HAP emissions limits.
  • Allowing limitations issued by the state/local/tribal air pollution control agencies to be recognized as effective provided they are legally and practically enforceable.
  • Safeguards that may be appropriate to protect against emissions increases.

EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

UE Athletics teams with Sidearm Sports to create new app

0

University of Evansville athletics has teamed up with Sidearm Sports to launch a new app for the Purple Aces.  It is free to fans and can be downloaded on both the App Store on Apple Devices and the Google Play Store on Android models.

To access the new app, you can click on either of the links above for your respective device or search “Evansville Athletics”.  The app is fully integrated with GoPurpleAces.com and content from the site will appear on the app in a mobile form.

Fans will be able to create free accounts that allow them to receive push notifications for each UE sport they would like to follow.  Direct access to all Purple Aces videos and social media accounts are also accessible directly from the app.  In the coming months, interactive features including geo-fencing will be utilized for unique promotions when the UE teams get back on the field.  The athletic department will also feature contests and promotions for those who download the app.

Acquired by collegiate marketer Learfield IMG College in June 2014, SIDEARM Sports is the nation’s leading digital provider for college athletics. The company is based in Syracuse, N.Y. and was founded in 2000 by Jeff Rubin, who continues to lead the business. SIDEARM is trusted by some of the biggest brands in intercollegiate athletics, including 250 NCAA Division I programs and 56 Power Five athletic departments.

As a leader in collegiate athletic web solutions, SIDEARM Sports provides the software and technology that powers websites, mobile applications, live stats, social presence and video streaming for its school and conference partners. Clients applaud SIDEARM for its service, reliability and customization, and its easy-to-use interface allows schools to customize their content streams and digital presence.

1...3,3153,3163,317...7,199Page 3,316 of 7,199