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Gov. Holcomb Announces STEM Team Award Winners

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Governor Eric Holcomb today honored the four winners of the 2019 Governor’s STEM Team awards during a ceremony in the Governor’s Office.

“Indiana is home to many talented students and this year’s pool of STEM Team award applicants is proof of that,” Gov. Holcomb said. “These four students represent the best and brightest of Hoosier high school students. I can’t wait to see what great things they accomplish in the years ahead.”

 

The awards highlight Indiana’s elite high school students for their work in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

 

Science: Annie Ostojic, Munster High School

Technology: Carter Goldman, Lake Central High School

Engineering: Eliza Mount, Scottsburg Senior High School

Math: Jerry Wang, Carmel High School

 

Each student received a $1,000 college scholarship through Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan and letterman jackets identifying them as members of the Governor’s STEM Team.

Pictured left to right: Annie Ostojic, Carter Goldman, Gov. Eric Holcomb, Eliza Mount, and Jerry Wang

Contamination at new Marion County justice center site raising concerns

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MArilyn Odendahl for www.

An independent environmental assessment of the site for the new Marion County jail and courthouse has some judges questioning if the property will pose a health hazard to the people working and visiting the courts, but others are cautioning to not let fear dictate decision-making.

The Marion Superior Courts commissioned ATC Group Services LLC to review the environmental reports and review the remediation plan for the property that will be the new home of the Marion County Community Justice Center. For 99 years, the site at 2950 E. Prospect St. in Indianapolis was the home to Prospect MGP, which manufactured gas and other items like metallurgical cokes, coal tar and molten sulfur.

Testing has found contamination in the soil, the surface water of Pleasant Run Creek which runs through the site, and in the groundwater. The toxins range from carcinogens and expected carcinogens such as Benzene and Naphthalene to lead, arsenic and mercury.

ATC said judges, court staff, inmates and visitors to the campus could all potentially be at risk from the environmental hazards. However, the report concluded “an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment does not appear likely” if the remediation work and mitigation systems are put in place as the city is proposing.

Andy Mallon, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s representative for the project, sees the report as an “absolute validation” of all the work on the site that has been done so far.

But not all Marion County judges are convinced and, according to Presiding Judge Heather Welch, the courts are asking the city and ATC for additional information. The courts are concerned the people who work for the judiciary, the Indianapolis residents who come to the courthouse for business and especially the inmates in the county jail would be at a heightened risk of harm.

Welch compared the courts’ seeking an independent review to getting a second opinion after a medical diagnosis. She said the judges want to feel comfortable that their staffs and the public will not be in danger. However, she also said the judges must get all the facts and understand the remediation plan – and the science and data it is based upon – rather than letting fear dictate their actions.

“If you have challenging issues to address and you try to do that without all the information, that typically doesn’t turn out well,” she said.

According to Steven Wanner, licensed professional geologist and principal at GHD, the environmental firm hired by the city to consult on the justice center project, the remediation calls for the “unsuitable soil” to be removed and replaced with a layer of clay to act as a barrier between the contaminants in the ground and the people. In addition, a vapor exhaust system will exhaust any harmful substances in the air inside the courthouse to the outside above the roof.

Based on the findings of ATC, the courts have asked the city for more information about the remediation and that additional sampling be done. Also, the courts have asked ATC to provide some toxicological information.

The additional facts and details will be compiled by ATC into a supplemental report, which Welch estimated could be completed by late summer or early fall.

“We have to get all questions answered, have a good working knowledge of the information, then defer to our experts’ opinion, based on research and data, that there is no unreasonable risk to human health and safety,” Welch said.

Taylor Ave Homicide Arrests

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Evansville Police have made an arrest in the Thursday afternoon assault that resulted in the death of 28 year old Diamond Sheppard-Rankin. 

Officers were called to 730 Taylor at 3:55pm for a person down. Medical crews from AMR and the Evansville Fire Department were also dispatched to the home. Sheppard-Rankin was found inside the home suffering from serious injuries. Medical care was provided at the scene and the hospital, but Sheppard-Rankin did not survive her injuries. 

An autopsy is scheduled for later today, but police believe Sheppard-Rankin was stabbed during the assault. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office. 

Investigators have two people in custody in connection with the murder. Both people will be booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail today. Their preliminary charges may change as the investigation continues. Additional information will be available once the arrest affidavits are complete.

Suspect #1- Fitolay Demesmin (37)

                    Murder

Suspect #2- Kalei Obasa  

                     Assisting a Criminal 

Taylor Ave homicide arrests

Homicide

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The Vanderburgh County Coroners Office and the Evansville Police Department are investigating a homicide. The victim, Diamond Rankin, $ died at Deaconess hospital after having been transported by ambulance from Taylor Ave. An autopsy has been scheduled for noon today. The Evansville Police Department can provide updates as to their ongoing investigation.

Otters grab early lead, but Grizzlies avoid sweep

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The Evansville Otters grabbed an early 3-0 lead Thursday night, but could not complete a series sweep as the Grizzlies responded back with a 9-3 win against the Otters.

The Otters provided early run support behind starter Austin Nicely Thursday as Carlos Castro hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Otters an early 2-0 lead.

Keith Grieshaber would score a run off the bat of Taylor Lane to give the Otters a 3-0 lead in the top of the third.

The Grizzlies’ offense would awake out of hibernation the rest of the game to avoid a home sweep.

With a runner on base, the hot-hitting Brent Sakurai crushed a two-run home run to right field to cut the Otters lead to one, 3-2.  It was his third home run of the series.

A few batters later, Luke Lowery knocked in an RBI single to score Andrew Daniel, tying the game at three after three.

Shawon Dunston Jr., the son of former overall #1 pick Shawon Dunston, hit a fielder’s choice that scored Cody Brickhouse, giving the Grizzlies their first lead of the series at 4-3 after four.

In the fifth, an error by J.J. Gould allowed Gunnar Buhner to reach first base safely, and Rafael Valera would hit a two-run home run in the frame to give the Grizzlies a 6-3 lead through five innings.

The night would end for Otters starter Austin Nicely, who went five innings, allowing seven hits, six runs – five earned – with three strikeouts and four walks.

Grizzlies starter Chris Carden pitched well, going 5.2 innings while allowing three runs – two earned – on six hits and throwing eight strikeouts.

Anthony Ray would hit an RBI single, followed by two bases-loaded RBI walks in the seventh by the Grizzlies, as they would score nine runs on 11 hits.

Thursday’s game marked the first time this season the Otters were dealt a loss after scoring first, going 5-0 previously.

The Otters will continue their road trip during the weekend, heading to O’Fallon, Mo. to begin a three-game series against the River City Rascals Friday at 6:35 p.m.

 

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Evansville Man Attempts to Flee from Deputies

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Shortly before 8:00 PM on 5/22/19 a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a red Chrysler Sebring in the area of Forest Avenue and Sonntag Avenue for several moving violations and for having an expired registration plate. Rather than stopping, the driver of the vehicle fled from the deputy in his vehicle. At one point during the pursuit the driver of the vehicle, later identified as James Reed, slowed in order to let a passenger out of his vehicle in the area of Lemcke Avenue before continuing to flee.

The Evansville Police Department and Indiana State Police joined the Sheriff’s Office in pursuit of Reed. As the pursuit progressed into the Jacobsville neighborhood, Reed crashed his vehicle into two unoccupied vehicles near Maryland Street and Read Street. After crashing, Reed fled on foot, but ended up surrendering as he was being tracked by a Sheriff’s Office K9.

Reed was later discovered to be a habitual traffic violator. He was arrested and booked for several charges related to the pursuit including resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a collision, as well as for being a habitual traffic violator.

Imaged above: James Reed, 32, of Evansville
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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

“IS IT TRUE” MAY 24, 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 that the City-County Observer has been doing well in the first half of 2019?…that we have increased our page views and unique site visitors by 65%?…that we are excited about providing local news to an increased readership while providing more value to our advertisers?…the recent changes we have made to our paper have kept readers on our site 20% longer?…despite the impressive increase in site traffic, we have decided to keep our same low rates for advertisers, choosing to pass on the increased value?  …that you can advertise with the CCO by e-mailing us at countyobserver@live.com or by reaching out to our Editor directly at tjphil32@gmail.com?

IS IT TRUE that Republicans Steve Schaefer, Hobart Scales, Alfonso Vidal, Ryan Schulz, and Steve Hammer started a political PAC called “Evansville’s Future?” …this political PAC’s main focus is to help Republican City Council candidates in the upcoming November 2019 general election? …this event is planned for August 9, 2019?  …that Governor Eric Holcomb, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, and U.S. Senator Mike Braun are expected to attend this big ticket  “Fundraising Gala?”  …the goal of the “Evansville Future”  is to raise over $100,000?
IS IT TRUE we’ve been informed that City Council First Ward candidate Ben Trockman (D) recently held a political fundraising event at KC’s Marina Point?  …that we’ve been told that this event had 16 hosts and 10 co-hosts?  …the hosts, co-hosts, and others in attendance were CEO of major corporations to small business owners, elected officials, millennials, Republicans and Democrats alike?
IS IT TRUE that all eyes are focused on today’s meeting of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Central Committee?  …we would like to be a mouse in the corner during the meeting?

 

IS IT TRUE we have been told that Mr. Trockman’s opponent, Timothy O’Brien has had similar political fundraisers?  …when we received information about his fundraising events we will also post them?

IS IT TRUE it looks like the 1st Ward City Council race is turning out to be one heck of a political barnburner?

IS IT TRUE many patrons of Ellis Park have been extremely disappointed that Saratoga Gaming Of New York didn’t update the exterior or interior decor of the aging “Grandstand Complex” building?  …during the last several days we have been observing a lot of cleaning, repairing, remodeling and painting activity at the “Grandstand Complex”?  …if you will go to Ellis Park Facebook account you shall see some impressive renderings of what the new owners of Ellis Park are planning to do with the “Grandstand Complex ” building in the very near future?

IS IT TRUE the patrons of Ellis Park are extremely disappointed that Saratoga Gaming of New York hasn’t spent the money to professionally pave and stripe the parking lot, install additional exterior security lighting, update the information and directional signage, install a first-class exterior digital on-premise sign located next to the highway and most importantly replaced some of the out-dated Historial slot machines?  …we been told that the new owners of Ellis Park shall be addressing these issues in the very near future?

IS IT TRUE we are extremely pleased to hear that the new owners of Ellis Park will be  Laguna Development Corporation from Albuquerque, New Mexico? …they have a solid management team in place and has the financial strength that should guarantee a stable and profitable long term business strategy for Ellis Park?
IS IT TRUE that the  Board of Directors of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau abruptly voted yesterday afternoon to discontinue Hydroplane Racing at Evansville HydroFest? …the race Director did not attend this meeting nor was he involved in the decision to cancel the race? …we wonder why the Evansville Sports Corporation officials didn’t assist the Hydroplane Racing at Evansville HydroFest in securing additional sponsors?
IS IT TRUE that the last minute cancelation of the Hydroplane Racing at Evansville HydroFest is an embarrassment to the  Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau?
Todays “Readers’ Poll” question is: Are you disappointed that the Hydroplane Racing at Evansville HydroFest was abruptly canceled?
Please go to our link of our media partner Channel 44 News located in the upper right-hand corner of the City-County Observer so you can get the up-to-date news, weather, and sports.   We also are pleased to provide obituaries from several area funeral homes at no costs.  Over the next several weeks we shall be adding additional obituaries from other local funeral homes.
Please scroll down the paper and you shall see a listing of them.  If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com.
FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

Commentary: Police Escorts: Nice If You Can Get Them

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Commentary: Police escorts: Nice if you can get them

May 23, 2019

By Mary Beth Schneider
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS–Its race day and you’re on your way to the Indianapolis 500.

Or, that is, you would be on your way if only you weren’t stuck in traffic. Suddenly in the next lane, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer on a motorcycle comes zipping by, escorting someone else who is just too important to be sitting in an idling vehicle like you are.

 

Maybe they are that important. It could be the governor. Perhaps one of the drivers or team members. Maybe it’s the archbishop, who has to get there on time to deliver the blessing. Or a busload of band members who parade around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the race begins.

Or it might just be some richer person than you. Someone who was able to buy a package that includes a police escort to the track – a police officer who is on duty and being paid with your tax dollars.

After the 2018 Indy 500 – an event I love despite the fact that I know next to nothing about auto racing in general – I began to wonder who got these coveted police escorts. I contacted IMPD last May 29 asking who could get escorts, who paid for them, the duty status of the officers conducting them and how many got them.

It took several emails and nearly two months to get an answer. On July 25, a public affairs officer for IMPD informed me in an email that escorts are set up “for many people or organizations to include but not limited to” the following groups:

  • Local, state and federal officials
  • Military
  • Sports celebrities and “politically associated persons important to the city”
  • “Longtime community partners that benefit the city/department; police foundation, IMPD motorcycle drill team, PAL (the Police Action League) etc.”
  • Families of officers working the event
  • Drivers and their families
  • Medical personnel
  • Media

I was told that that year about 50 on-duty police officers conducted escorts for about 330 groups or individuals and that the department does not accept payment for the escorts.

I responded the next day, thanking him for the information but saying I found it only partially answered my inquiry since he had said those getting escorts were not limited to the categories listed. So, I asked for the list of exactly who got them.

I’ve never heard back. An email and a phone call this week to prod an answer also went unacknowledged.

This may be why: Google Indy 500 and police escorts and you will find tour promoters selling VIP packages for hundreds of dollars, even thousands, that include police escorts.

Let me be clear: My complaint is not with the police officers themselves. They do a hard, often thankless job, putting their lives at risk to keep this city safe. The police I have known over the years are dedicated citizens who often go above and beyond to protect us, to make our neighborhoods better places. And they do it working long hours for inadequate pay.

But they should not be assigned – on duty, at taxpayer expense – to help a private business make a profit off of tour packages. They work for all of us, not the privileged few. And I’m not thrilled either with politicians who have no official function at the track and who likely are already whooping it up on some lobbyist’s expense account in a suite getting a fast lane to the track, happy to be zipping by all the chumps who are their voters.

Indianapolis has a crime problem. In 2018, for the fourth year in a row, we set a record for homicides, with 156 and we show no signs of slowing that sad statistic this year. Yes, the race and its adjacent activities are just a few days in May. But with a tight city budget and numerous unmet city challenges – from potholes to blighted housing to drugs – this is a waste of manpower and resources.

A few years ago, the city bus service was forced to stop race day shuttles to the track due to a lawsuit. It took away a favored way for many to go the track, and likely increased the traffic jams. How is it wrong to use city buses to benefit many but ok to use city police to benefit a few?

I’d email the city to ask why. But I’m still waiting first for them to answer my other emails.

FOOTNi)E: Mary Beth Schneider is an editor with TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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