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Future IS IT TRUE lead contamination

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A new health report on lead and arsenic contaminated soil in Evansville says Vanderburgh County children have higher blood lead levels compared to statewide numbers.

A public health assessment by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency, said Vanderburgh’s high blood lead levels in children indicate there is a higher exposure to lead and that it is a health hazard.

It casts the high blood lead levels as an environmental justice issue, linking risk of exposure in some of the city’s most affected areas to aging housing, poverty and race.

IS IT TRUE  that on July 28, 2019, we posted an article covering  A new health report on lead and arsenic-contaminated soil in Evansville that says Vanderburgh County children have higher blood lead levels compared to statewide numbers?  …that a public health assessment by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency, said Vanderburgh’s high blood lead levels in children indicate there is a higher exposure to lead and that it is a health hazard. … that It casts the high blood lead levels as an environmental justice issue, linking risk of exposure in some of the city’s most affected areas to aging housing, poverty, and race.  …that more than 64 percent of residents in the Jacobsville contamination site live in older housing where there can be lead in paint and plumbing.  …that nearly 21 percent of the population there lives in poverty?

According to the report:

  • More than 64 percent of residents in the Jacobsville contamination site live in older housing where there can be lead in paint and plumbing.
  • Nearly 21 percent of the population there lives in poverty.
  • About 27 percent of people there are black, compared with 11 percent black in all of Evansville.

Nearly 7 percent of children in all of Vanderburgh County were found to have high blood lead levels compared to 4 percent statewide in 2014-2015, according to the report.

Vanderburgh County has the eighth largest population in Indiana. In the 10 most populated counties in the state, only St. Joseph County had a higher rate of blood lead levels, the report notes.

The area has been slowly undergoing cleanup through the EPA’s Superfund program as funding becomes available. Twelve years and $60 million dollars after the cleanup began, the project is still several years away from completion.

Named for the Jacobsville neighborhood between the Lloyd Expressway, First Avenue, Diamond Avenue and Garvin Street where contamination was first found, the site has grown to include a 4.5-square-mile area surrounding Downtown.

Jena Sleboda Braun, the EPA’s remedial project manager for the cleanup, said the worst properties in the heart of the Jacobsville neighborhood have already been addressed.

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“We have been working outward from there. We are finding the contamination is less intensive the further out we go,” she said.

EPA testing found residential soils in the area are contaminated with lead and arsenic partly due to air pollution from former foundries and factories operating in the area from the late 1800s up to 1990.

More than 5,000 properties have been tested so far and about 2,450 have been cleaned up, the EPA said. This includes homes, parks and daycare facilities. An estimated 300 will be tested and 400 cleaned up in 2019. Workers remove and replace the first two feet of soil where properties have tested unsafe.

Sleboda Braun said cleanup work is expected to take another five years.

It is unknown how many people may have been affected specifically by the contaminated soil, but the ATDSR considers the exposure risk high. Lead poisoning affects the brain, nervous system and kidneys.

The ATSDR says children in Jacobsville area yards who swallow soil and dust containing lead could experience slower growth and development, hearing damage and attention and learning problems. The problem extends to pregnant women who may ingest lead-contaminated soil, creating similar effects in unborn children.

There is no known safe level of lead in children’s blood, the ATSDR report said.

People exposed to arsenic in soil over long periods of time might be at a slightly increased risk of skin, liver, bladder and lung cancer, according to the report.

Vanderburgh County’s participation rate in childhood blood screenings for lead has decreased, similar to Indiana as a whole, according to the report.

However, the federal health agency noted the Vanderburgh County Health Department offers lead screening for free, along with public education programming.

The health department also received a $675,000 grant to remediate homes with lead-based paint in 2018.

In 2017, Evansville passed an ordinance bringing its powers and procedures for reporting, monitoring and preventing lead poisoning in line with the state’s, including authority to issue citations with fines.

Health Department Administrator Joe Gries did not return Courier & Press phone calls to discuss the report.

“READERS FORUM” May 1, 2019

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We hope that today’s “READERS FORUM” 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.

HERE’S WHAT’S ON OUR MIND TODAY

 It has been well documented that the Weinzapfel Administration saddled the incoming Winnecke Administration with an unholy trilogy of unfinished business.   In a couple of days, we will re-publish some classic “IS IT TRUE” that will prove to be particularly on point on how many problems that former Mayor Weinzapfel created for Mr. Winnecke when he became Mayor of Evansville.  

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays “Readers’ Poll” question is: Should the City Council have known who is paying for the $3 million dollar costs to dismantle the dock at Marina Pointe before approving the move of the LST to the Tropicana area?
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

Vanderburgh County Commissioners Approve Road Paving and Repairs List

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Vanderburgh County Commissioners Approve Road Paving and Repairs List

Evansville, IN-  The Vanderburgh County Commissioners have approved the largest road paving and repairs list in more than fifteen years. 

A total of thirty-four miles of county roadway will be repaired in 2019 at a cost of $4.9 million.  These projects will be funded by INDOT Community Crossing funds, county highway funds, local road and street funds, and TIF funds.

 “After listening to the many needs of our great citizens of Vanderburgh County through numerous road hearings, these road improvements are invaluable to the infrastructure of our community,” said Ben Shoulders, President of the Board of Commissioners. 

The list of over 45 roads includes roads in Melody Hills subdivision, a project for which bids were opened at today’s meeting.  In addition, West Haven subdivision, St. Joe Avenue, St. Wendell Road, Browning Road and Boonville New Harmony Road will all see repairs. 

“The approved paving list provides County residents with a good mix of needed repairs within subdivisions as well as repairs to through roads that carry higher volumes of county traffic,”  said County Engineer John Stoll.

“This is a great day for our roads and for Vanderburgh County. We ask for the community’s patience and for motorists to be mindful of the safety of our road workers throughout this process,” Said Commissioner Shoulders. 

Attached below is the link to the paving and repair list  for this caalendar year for Vqanderburgh County. 

2019 Paving List (003)

Governor Signs $34.6 Billion Dollar Budget Into Law

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Governor Signs $34.6 Billion Dollar Budget Into Law

April 29, 2019,

TheStatehouseFile.com

 INDIANAPOLIS — Standing with legislative leaders under the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the state’s next two-year budget into law Monday, an act that cemented a balanced budget for the eighth consecutive year.

“Our state strategy to grow continues to define how we structure ourselves,” Holcomb said about the finalized budget, a central component to much of the legislation crafted in the recently-concluded session. “We are nimble and we cannot just act, we can react to the lay of the land and, in fact, get things done.”

The $34.6 billion budget sought to address one of the state’s largest challenges by increasing K-12 funding, with the hope that those funds bump up teacher pay. A main selling point for lawmakers has been the new $763 million added for K-12 education, which already constitutes about half the state’s spending priorities. It includes a plan initially introduced by Holcomb to use $150 million to pay down pension liabilities, freeing that money for other needs including salaries.

It also places more than $2 billion into the state’s reserves.

The budget was almost exclusively crafted by Republican lawmakers, with many provisions offered by the Democratic caucus ignored, voted down or removed at the last minute during the legislative session.

Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, and House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, expressed their enthusiasm for the early end to the legislative session, which concluded five days ahead of schedule on Wednesday, April 24.

“We hope to finish five days early make up for one day last year,” Bosma joked, referring to 2018 when lawmakers were forced to hold a one-day special session to resolve unfinished issues including Sunday alcohol sales and emergency funding for school safety improvements.

“There are usually about 20 issues that are irresolvable without any input, and that just didn’t happen this year,” he said.

At a news conference after the signing, Holcomb outlined other legislative items that fell into his “Next Level 2019Agenda” which covers improvements to the state’s economy, infrastructure, education and career development, public health and government.

Among the legislative actions approved by Holcomb are 100-percent exemptions from state income taxes for veteran pensions, broadband internet expansion in rural areas and additional direct domestic and international flights from Indianapolis to bolster economic development.

Holcomb has also signed numerous other bills, including a firearm measure that he signed April 26 before a cheering crowd at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention. The measure, outlined in House Bill 1284, would provide civil immunity to citizens who kill or injure another person in self-defense.

But Holcomb said several bills that arrived at his desk gave him pause, including the massive gambling and casino bill and a proposal involving carbon capture and storage at certain manufacturing facilities.

 “I want to make sure I read every word of those particular bills,” Holcomb said. “They’re big, major, good economic development bills, but I want to make sure I read them for myself.”

Asked if he planned on vetoing any legislation, Holcomb said he had no plans to do so at this time but is still reviewing bills. He has seven days to sign after the legislation reaches his desk. If he chooses to not sign a bill, it will become law by default.

Footnote: Erica Irish is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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IU ATHLETICS TO PILOT BEER AND WINE SALES AT FOOTBALL GAMES THIS FALL

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IU ATHLETICS TO PILOT BEER AND WINE SALES AT FOOTBALL GAMES THIS FALL

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Fans over 21 attending football games at Memorial Stadium this fall will be able to enjoy beer and wine to enhance the IU Football gameday experience.

Pursuant to a pilot program recommended by the consulting firm Wasserman and consistent with the University’s Service of Alcohol Policy, beer and wine will be available for purchase by all football game attendees over 21 through a third-party vendor to be selected through the University procurement process.

“Our main goals with this initiative are to enhance the gameday experience for our fans and reduce alcohol-related incidents in and around the stadium,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass. “While there will be some comparatively modest revenue generated by these sales, that is not the primary purpose of this program. Ten percent of our net beer and wine public sales revenues will be given to campus for alcohol safety programming.”

In considering this move, Indiana University Athletics commissioned Wasserman to study the desirability of introducing beer and wine sales at its home football games. In examining the more than 50 other schools that sell alcohol to the general public at their stadiums, the study found that its introduction resulted in improved game-day experience and attendance (with overall attendance at sporting events on the decline nationally, the introduction of alcohol sales has reversed that trend at numerous schools); and a reduction in alcohol-related incidents and safety issues in the stadium (as an example, Ohio State University reported a 65 percent drop in alcohol-related incidents the first year it served alcohol to the general public, while West Virginia reported a 35 percent decline).

As part of the pilot program and to help ensure responsible behavior from fans, IU’s vendor will be required to ensure beer and wine purchasers have their identification checked, maintain a two-drink limit during each individual purchase, and cease sales at the end of the third quarter. IU Athletics will also work closely with IU’s Superintendent of Public Safety, who has also endorsed the pilot program, to ensure a safe environment at Memorial Stadium.

IU Athletics is establishing a task force to oversee the service of beer and wine this fall at Memorial Stadium which will address outstanding issues such as: appropriately consulting University procurement officials on drafting the RFP and selecting the vendor; determining where to direct the campus share for alcohol safety programming; evaluating the test pilot program and recommending whether it be continued and/or adjusted; whether to expand the program to other venues; and the like. The members of the task force will be Vice Provost and Dean of Students Dave O’Guinn; Associate Vice President and Superintendent for Public Safety Ben Hunter; Associate General Counsel James Nussbaum; and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration and External Relations Stephen Harper.

With the adoption of the pilot program, Indiana joins a rapidly growing list of schools around the state and country publicly serving alcohol at sporting events. Five schools do so in the Big Ten: Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, and Maryland. Butler serves beer in Hinkle Fieldhouse. In addition, on campus, the IU Auditorium serves alcohol at its events.

 

 

Indiana’s King Named Honda Sports Award Winner for Swimming & Diving

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Indiana University’s Lilly King was named the winner of the Honda Sport Award for swimming and diving, THE Collegiate Sports Awards (CWSA) executive director Chris Voelz announced on Tuesday.

A four-time nominee for the award, King becomes just the fourth Hoosier to win the prestigious honor, joining Michelle Dekkers (Cross Country, 1988-89), Kim Betz (Cross Country, 1987-88) and Heather Crowe (Tennis, 1981-82).

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 43 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”.  With this honor, King becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious Class of 2019 Honda Cup which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 24, 2019, at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET, in downtown Los Angeles.

King was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Mallory Comerford (Louisville), Beata Nelson (Wisconsin) and Abbey Weitzel (California).

“I am thankful and humbled to be selected as the 2019 Honda Sports Winner for swimming,” stated King. “Just to be nominated along with three other incredible swimmers is an honor in itself. I would not be here if not for the love and support I have been given by my team, coaches, and professors at Indiana University. As the first Hoosier to win this award in 30 years, I truly am thankful for all the blood, sweat, and tears my IU family put in to helping me reach my dreams.”

A native of Evansville, Ind., King ended her collegiate career as one of the most decorated Hoosiers in program history. A two-time Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, King is an eight-time NCAA Champion winning the 100 and 200 breaststroke crowns in all four years becoming the first woman in NCAA history to win eight NCAA breaststroke titles. The senior is a 16-time All-America honoree and a 16-time Big Ten Champion. She has been named to the first-team All-Big 10 in all four seasons.

Internationally, she won two Olympic gold medals in the 2016 Summer games and has won two individual world titles and two relay world titles at the 2017 FINA World Championships. She is a member of the 2019 U.S. Swimming National team.

“As one of the most prestigious awards in women’s athletics, the Honda Sport Award is a very rare honor bestowed upon any Indiana female athlete,” said IU head swimming coach Ray Looze. “As only the fourth recipient in IU history, Lilly has distinguished herself in her community, at her university and in her sport at the highest levels. All Hoosiers are very proud of her and the legacy she has worked hard to establish over the last four years.”

The CWSA, in its 43rd year, honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.1 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.

 

Marriage Licenses Issued For Vanderburgh County

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Marriage Licenses Issued

Eagles Stranded By Panthers, 9-4

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Eagles Stranded By Panthers, 9-4

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Stuart Wilson Named Head Swimming and Diving Coach

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Wilson Brings Extensive Experience To UE Program

 University of Evansville Director of Athletics Mark Spencer has announced the hiring of Stuart “Stu” Wilson as the Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach for the Purple Aces.  Wilson will begin his tenure at UE on June 1, 2019.

“I want to thank President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz and Athletic Director Mark Spencer for giving me the opportunity to be the University of Evansville Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach,” Wilson said.  “I am excited about the future of the program.“

Wilson brings extensive collegiate and club experience to the Evansville program.  Wilson was the Head Men’s and Women’s Coach at Georgia Tech from 2005 through 2009 after serving the Yellow Jackets as an assistant from 2002 through 2005.  He also spent time as an assistant at Clemson in 2011 and 2012.

“We are thrilled to have Stu join the family,” Spencer said.  “His extensive experience is very impressive and I look forward to seeing him elevate our program as he has everywhere else he has been.”

In his time at Georgia Tech, Wilson enjoyed great success, coaching eight ACC Champions, two ACC Relay Champions and over 30 All-ACC Swimmers to go along with 15 NCAA Qualifiers.  Under his tutelage, four student-athletes were named All-American, six were recognized as Honorable Mention All-Americans and more than 30 garnered Academic All-American status.

Wilson recruited student-athletes with the Yellow Jackets who were responsible for breaking over 60 school records in a span of just four years.  His work culminated in Gal Nevo being named the 2009 ACC Swimmer of the Year while setting the second-fastest time in history in the 400 IM at the 2009 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship.  He also helped Nigel Plummer earn ACC Freshman of the Year accolades in 2009.

Aside from his collegiate work, Wilson has a great deal of club experience, most recently working as the Senior Coach at Nitro Swimming in Cedar Park, Texas.  Other club team work includes: Head Senior Coach at Southern Crescent Aquatic in Peachtree City, Ga., Head Coach and Director of Competitive Swim Teams at Swim Seventy in Norwalk, Ct., Director of Competitive Swimming with the Tampa YMCA and Senior Swim Coach at Swim Atlanta in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Prior to working in the college ranks, Wilson worked with Swim Atlanta in Roswell, Ga., Lilburn, Ga. And Marietta, Ga. From 1990 through 1998 in numerous capacities.  One of his numerous highlights was his work with eventual Olympic silver medalist and world champion Amanda Weir, who set three National Age Group Records under his watch.  She was named the Rookie of the Meet at Nationals in 1998.

He led 16 Olympic Trial and 50 Senior National Qualifiers while helping six athletes represent their countries in the Olympics and World Championships.  Wilson worked with over 40 Junior National Qualifiers, more than 60 Top Sixteen Age Group Swims in the United States Swimming and 30 Georgia State Champions and state record holders.

Tshite, Degbe Earn Honors At International Graduates Recognition Ceremony

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Degbe Earn Honors At International Graduates Recognition Ceremony

Two international students at the University of Southern Indiana were recognized for their contributions to cultural awareness and their leadership and academic accomplishments at the annual USI International Graduates recognition ceremony on Thursday, April 25. Joel Tshite ’19 and Jerome Degbe ’22 were presented with the Outstanding International Graduate and Peace Ambassador award, respectively, by USI’s Center for International Programs.

“Both Joel and Jerome have taken their roles as USI Global Ambassadors very seriously from the moment they stepped foot on campus,” said Heidi Gregori-Gahan, associate provost for international programs. “Their unique stories of resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to our entire community, and it has been such a privilege and a true joy working with these extraordinary young men. Indeed, they restore our faith in the future of this ever-changing, interconnected and complicated world in which we live.”

Outstanding International Graduate

Tshite, who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo at the age of 6 with his family and found refuge in Zimbabwe before coming to the United States, was named the 2019 Outstanding International Graduate. He received a bachelor’s of engineering degree at the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Commencement ceremony on Saturday, April 27. During his time as a student at USI, Tshite was a co-founder of the USI African Cultures club and volunteered with civic organizations and for charitable causes locally and internationally.

“I would not be here today if not for the strong and constant support from my friends, family and the USI community,” said Tshite in accepting his award.

In Tshite’s nomination, a faculty mentor said that he is “a very rare person, that has risen from the depths of probable despair to certain future success in the field of engineering, due to his intelligence, hard work, and determination.”

Peace Ambassador

Degbe, a native of Cote d’Ivoire, was named the 2019 recipient of the Peace Ambassador award. The current president of the African Cultures club, Degbe has provided a voice and a passion for the representation of all African countries and their unique and diverse cultures and traditions.

“The leadership of the USI faculty and staff gave me a unique opportunity to impact my future and the future of my surroundings,” said Degbe. “I came to USI not rich or famous, with no special talent or genius. I just came with my work ethic and my determination to give back to USI. I wanted to contribute to the establishment of diversity and be one of the voices and faces that are an ambassador of diversity.”

Degbe’s faculty nominator noted his “enthusiasm, positive outlook and energy are contagious and make him a joy to work with.  He is sensitive to the needs and sometimes inhibitions of new international students and readily helps them feel at ease and welcomed to USI.”

The Peace Ambassador is awarded annually recognizes an outstanding international student whose actions and involvement in campus and community life have contributed to greater cross-cultural awareness and to increased understanding of the world, its peoples and its traditions.

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