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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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AG Curtis Hill to provide update on investigation into a data breach
Attorney General Curtis Hill will provide an update Monday regarding an investigation into a data breach affecting many Indiana residents.
WHO: Attorney General Curtis Hill
WHAT: Press conference
WHEN: 1 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2019
WHERE: Office of the Attorney General, Statehouse Room 219, Indianapolis.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Assistant Deputy Director of Communications Lauren Houck at lauren.houck@atg.in.gov.
Holcomb Signs Public Health, Good Government Legislation
Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statements after signing two Next Level Agenda bills. SEA 141 ensures access to quality treatment by implementing standard requirements for office-based opioid treatment providers. HEA 1269 restructures membership on boards and commissions affiliated with the Professional Licensing Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
SEA 141 Office-Based Opioid Treatment Providers
“Timely access to quality treatment is essential for Hoosiers overcoming addiction. With our goal of most residents being no more than an hour away from an opioid treatment program, it’s important that we have office-based treatment in every community. I am thrilled to sign this legislation that balances guidelines for providers and ensures a standard of care will be met for every Hoosier in need of medication-assisted treatment.â€
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HEA 1269 Administrative Boards
 “One of the pillars of my Next Level Agenda is providing great government service at a great value to taxpayers. By streamlining these duplicative boards and commissions and improving customer service, we will cut red tape to deliver more efficient, cost-effective programs to citizens and businesses alike.â€
 Gov. Holcomb signed a total of 61 bills. Visit the 2019 Bill Watch webpage to view these and other bills the Governor has signed into law.
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Aces can’t dodge sweep at SIU
The University of Evansville baseball took their first lead of the series early, got a strong start from Justin Hayden, but couldn’t get their offense rolling, dropping their third straight to Southern Illinois Sunday afternoon in Carbondale, Illinois.
After a scoreless opening frame, the Aces bats went to work. Junior centerfielder Troy Beilsmith a single through the left side of the infield, scoring sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig from third, giving Evansville a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
However, the Salukis would answer back in the bottom of the inning, on a sacrifice fly to right by Aiden McMahan, bringing in the equalizer.
That’s the way it would stay until the bottom of the fifth inning, as Hayden would give up the go-ahead run on a single by Addison Fuggitt, making it 2-1 Southern Illinois.
Hayden (2-2) would exit the game with the bases loaded in the sixth, giving way to freshman left-hander Michael Parks. The southpaw would hold the Salukis to just one run on a fielder’s choice, putting the Aces in a 3-1 hole. For the day, Hayden went 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned on five hits, while striking out seven and walking none.
Parks would roll through SIU lineup in the seventh, but in the eighth the newcomer got tagged for a solo home run to left by Alex Lyon, making it 4-1 Southern Illinois. He would turn things over to senior righty Alex Allinger, who would get the final out of the inning.
However, the Aces offense could not muster any more runs, getting swept out of Itchy Jones Stadium for the second time in three years.
The loss drops Evansville to 21-22 on the season and 8-7 in Missouri Valley Conference standings. Southern Illinois improves to 22-22 overall and 4-11 in league play.
IS IT TRUE MAY 6, 2019
IS IT TRUEÂ we’ve been told that several weeks ago Vanderburgh Chief Deputy County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Schutte resigned his position? Â …we would like to thank former Vanderburgh Chief Deputy County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Schutte for doing one heck of a job for the citizens of Vanderburgh County? Â …we predict that Vanderburgh County Prosecuting Attorney Nick Hermann will have a difficult time replacing Mr. Schutte?
IS IT TRUE Â that rumors are swirling at the Civic Center that the former Vanderburgh Chief Deputy County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Schutte will soon be appointed to a spot in the Vanderburgh County Judiciary? Â …that the CCO would love to see this happen because Mr. Schutte is an outstanding attorney, fair-minded, hard-working, likable, a good family man, and an honest person?
IS IT TRUE that officials at the Evansville Water And Sewer Department Utilities seemingly think that they are part of the United States Government by the way they are planning to add additional frills to the new multi-million dollar Waste Water and Treatment facility on Water Works Road?
IS IT TRUE when Saratoga Gaming Of New York purchased Ellis Park from former owner Ron Geary several years ago, they promised members of the Kentucky Racing Commission that they would do some major renovations at the track?
IS IT TRUE we’ve been told that several patrons are disappointed that Saratoga Gaming Of New York didn’t update the interior decor of the dated “Club House” building? …we are also told that patrons of Ellis Park are disappointed that Saratoga Gaming of New York hasn’t spent the money to professionally pave and stripe the parking lot, install proper exterior security lighting, update the information and directional signage, install a first-class exterior digital on-premise sign located next to the highway?
IS IT TRUE that we’ve been told by reliable sources that the current owners of Ellis Park, Saratoga Gaming of New York are currently negotiating with a successful gaming establishment from New Mexico to sell the track to them?  …we are told by several credible sources that an offer to purchase Ellis Park could be forthcoming?  …we are also told that the patrons of Ellis Park are hoping that this sale goes through?
IS IT TRUE that that several years ago a well-known website called Niche.com, which tracks the cost of living across the United States, named the Indiana cities of Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend as the cheapest places in the country to live?…the City-County Observer is confident that no one who contributed to this article has ever faced a utility bill from Vectren with respect to local earnings or an ever-increasing (unreasonable) bill from the City of Evansville Sewer and Water Utility?…when digging an inch below the surface one finds that Niche.com only considers housing, food, fuel, and property taxes?…property taxes are by definition 1% of the market value of the house so cheap houses means low taxes?…since our elected officials took away our “HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT” our property taxes are expected to be increased?…fuel may be cheap in the Evansville area but it is always cheaper across the money saving bridge in Kentucky or down at Marina Point?…food is and always has been reasonably priced in Evansville but part of that is because locals tend not to be willing to pay for designer brands and have an appetite for very inexpensive fast food from a drive-up window? …Niche also excluded the cost of healthcare, which is quite high due to the high levels of obesity, smoking, sedentary living and abuse of alcohol?…while Evansville is not even close to the cost of places like San Francisco, it is far from the cheapest place in the United States?
IS IT TRUE we are getting a kick out of watching how the local politicians are playing “pass the political ball” concerning building a crosswalk from Bosse High School across Highway 41? …we are hearing that the Indiana Department of Transportation started work last week on a feasibility study to determine viable options for that busy intersection? …that every high school within the City limits, with the exception of Bosse High school, has a pedestrian bridge?
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Lloyd Winnecke announced at his State of the City address in April 2019, “that his administration would continue working closely with INDOT to encourage them to reconsider building the pedestrian bridge near Bosse or to find another similar solution?” …if the City Of Evansville can waste multi-millions of dollars on projects that haven’t produced any measurable economic results and the EVSC could afford to purchase a Golf Course in the North end of the county that lost money, why don’t they pool some of their surplus  resources and build a pedestrian bridge for Bosse High school students?
IS IT TRUE between June 17-21 2019 Willard Library will be hosting a free Genealogy Conference?  …this event will have five national and renowned speakers?  …they are; J.Mark Lowe CG, FUGa, Amy Johnsson Crow, CG, Lisa Louise Cooke, Dr. Michaerl D. Lacopo, DVM and Mike McNerney?  …that participates will have access to 80 hours of Genealogy collections?  …we urge you to call 812-425-4309 to obtain more information about this worthy community event?
IS IT TRUE that another CCO staff member went to “AMY’S ON FRANKLIN” on Saturday night and was also impressed by his incredible steak, service, and atmosphere? …he predicts that “AMY’S ON FRANKLIN” will quickly become one of the area’s favorite places for people to take their family and friends to wine and dine?
FOOTNOTES: Todays “Readers’ Poll†question is: Are you planning to vote in tomorrows election primary?
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.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
School Supplies Donated to Evansville Teacher
A big surprise for a first-year teacher at Highland Elementary school in Evansville.
44news partnered with Crane Credit Union to bring Mrs. Parmley’s first-grade classroom a cart-load of school supplies and treats.
Crane credit union donated the supplies as part of its “education essentials†initiative which aims to relieve the financial burden teachers face when buying school supplies for their classrooms.
Mrs. Parmley says restocking those supplies at the end of the school year will help ease the financial burden ahead of next year.
“A lot of our kids don’t come with supplies at all, and this will kinda help us fill that need. But we can also prep things for next year,†says Mrs. Parmley.
“It’s tough for them to pay for that stuff out of pocket. Especially when you get to the end of the school year and there’s just not much left. And again starting next year they got to buy it all over again. So hopefully this will help Mrs. Parmley for this year and next year too,†says Michael Hostetler.
44news morning anchor Tommy Mason joined Crane Credit Union to help surprise students.
Although this is the final month of school for most Crane Credit Union made a total of 30 deliveries of school supplies across 15 schools in Evansville and Terre Haute.
Commentary: Indiana Now Has Lost Both Of Its Attorneys General
Commentary: Indiana Now Has Lost Both Of Its Attorneys General
By Michael Leppert
MichaelLeppert.com
First, it was Jeff Sessions’ recusal. Then it was Curtis Hill’s groping. Now it is William Barr’s abdication.
That is a lot of trouble for a group of “generals.†It is a job that should be attracting Eagle Scouts, not partisans. These people should occupy the high ethical ground of those more like Robert Mueller, and less like Brett Kavanaugh.
Oh well, I guess asking for the best and brightest in these roles is just a futile pipe dream these days.
Americans are suffering through the shredding of credibility of the U.S. attorney general, Bill Barr. Barr was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February, and by late April, some in Congress were calling for his resignation over his handling of the Mueller Report. Some are even using the “I†word too, which is the edited version of impeachment.
Hoosiers went through this progression last year following the groping allegations against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. When the credible accusations were made against Hill, legislative leaders and Gov. Eric Holcomb called for his resignation. Democrats in the General Assembly wanted to impeach Hill.
Whoops! Sorry for the vulgar use of the I-word there.
The Indiana AG no longer has the political clout needed to do his job comprehensively. How could he? There is no relationship there between him and the governor, and one of his primary responsibilities is to defend the state’s government, laws, and policies in court. Gov. Holcomb will not likely be calling on Hill to partner with him on any inevitable legal debates that are simply unavoidable in systems like ours.
Because Indiana’s AG is elected, that broken relationship cannot be solved like a personnel matter. It appears that the only way Hill will be leaving the office early will be if the Indiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Commission suspends his law license. That could happen as a result of a hearing this week. If his license is suspended, he will immediately be unqualified to keep the job, which should result in an unprecedented removal.
Even if he stays, his standing with the rest of state government is so damaged, his value will continue to be minimized.
In Washington, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused Bill Barr of lying to Congress. It is pretty clear that he did. It is also clear that Barr’s top priority is to protect the presidency of Donald Trump—a priority that is not the job’s top task.
At the federal level, the attorney general is the top law enforcement officer. The AG is the head of the Department of Justice overseeing many agencies, including the FBI. I doubt that Barr’s rebuilding of the DOJ in his image has taken up much of his time just yet though. How could it have?
During Trump’s 26 months in office, 20 of them have occurred with his first AG, Jeff Sessions, under fire and partially wounded as a result of his recusal from the Russia investigation. That tenure was followed briefly by an unqualified and accident-prone Matt Whitaker in an acting AG capacity. Now we have Bill Barr, whose performance and demeanor seem matter-of-fact in their disdain for anything other than spinning and covering up the hard truths surrounding Trump.
Barr admitted before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that he had not even reviewed the underlying evidence that formed the basis of the Mueller Report. That did not prevent him from proclaiming that the evidence was insufficient to establish obstruction of justice offense by the president. The next day, he refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee because he didn’t want to face questions from committee staff attorneys.
Apparently, our AG doesn’t have the courage that Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford did during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearing.
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if Indiana had no state AG, and no U.S. AG either? I never wondered that before either. But since the situation has arisen, I now know that it would be a lot like the way life is today.
America has a void at the top of the DOJ. Indiana has a void too. These jobs matter, and we deserve better.
I hope Curtis Hill loses his law license soon, whether temporarily or permanently. We need someone in that job capable of actually doing the job. We shouldn’t have to wait until January of 2021 for the replacement.
As for Barr, it would seem a Nixonian departure is his only real threat.
Until then, justice for Hoosiers will remain on hold.
FOOTNOTE: Michael Leppert is a public and governmental affairs consultant in Indianapolis and writes his thoughts about politics, government and anything else that strikes him at MichaelLeppert.com.
Strengthening Our Commitment to Hoosier Students, Educators
Strengthening Our Commitment to Hoosier Students, Educators
by State Representative  Ron Bacon
During the 2019 legislative session, one of the General Assembly’s biggest priorities was to pass an honestly balanced budget funding state operations for the next two years. By working diligently, lawmakers finished ahead of schedule and under budget while accomplishing our top goals. The new budget includes a record investment in K-12 public education while maintaining the state’s healthy reserves.
This historic increase in K-12 public education includes $763 million in new funding over the previous state budget. Supporting education is always a priority, and this significant boost in funding will benefit students and teachers. To directly support teachers, lawmakers increased funding for Teacher Appreciation Grants from $30 million to $37.5 million per year to reward effective and highly effective educators.
The budget also includes a $150 million payment to an unfunded pension liability for Hoosier teachers, freeing up an estimated $70 million in annual savings to school budgets. Schools are strongly encouraged to direct these savings into increasing teacher pay. Studies show that, outside of parents, high-quality teachers are the most significant factor to a student’s success. Teachers play a critical role in our society, and it is important they receive adequate compensation for their hard work and dedication to Hoosier students.
We also funded teacher residency programs to better prepare educators to enter the classroom on day one, as well as teacher career ladders that increase opportunities for professional growth and advancement. These programs will help prepare new educators and encourage highly effective teachers to stay in the classroom.
This historic investment in K-12 education will benefit students and educators across the state. Although session is over, I will soon begin attending summer committee hearings and review ideas for legislation for next year. Please continue reaching out to me with input or questions at h75@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9643.