Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

08/14/2025

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Attorney General Todd Rokita leads 25-state brief defending schools’ right to maintain sex-specific bathrooms and locker rooms

08/14/2025

Schools may keep separate facilities based on students’ biological sex without regard to ‘gender identity,’ AG Rokita says.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is leading a 25-state coalition asking a federal appeals court to reverse prior decisions that undermine schools’ ability to maintain sex-specific bathrooms and locker rooms.

In an amicus brief filed Monday, Attorney General Rokita argues that school policies requiring students to use facilities consistent with their biological sex are constitutional, reasonable, and necessary for protecting student privacy and safety.

“No child should be subjected to using a school restroom or locker room with someone of the opposite biological sex,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The Constitution and Title IX support commonsense safeguards that respect biology and shield kids from vulnerable situations.”

The brief calls on the court to overrule two earlier decisions that compelled schools to allow students access to facilities based on gender identity — including in a 2023 case involving the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville in Indiana.

In the Martinsville case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the school district had to allow a student born female to use the boys’ restroom because the student had begun identifying as male.

“Schools deserve the freedom to enact policies that reflect community values and protect our kids,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Mandating co-ed bathrooms or showers ignores biological realities and undermines the privacy and safety of every student.”

In the brief, Indiana and 24 sign-on states argue that the U.S. Supreme Court has now made clear — in United States v. Skrmetti — that policies applying equally to all students based on biological sex do not violate the constitutional principle of equal protection or the stipulations of Title IX. In addition to the 25 states participating through their attorneys general, the Arizona State Legislature also joined the brief.

The brief emphasizes that Title IX — passed in 1972 — was never intended to require schools to grant access to boys’ or girls’ facilities based on their gender identity. Rather, the law clearly permits schools to separate facilities on the basis of biological sex.

“The Equal Protection Clause fiercely defends sex-separated bathrooms and locker rooms,” Attorney General Rokita said. “It demands schools protect every student’s privacy and dignity by unapologetically honoring the undeniable differences between the sexes.”

Attorney General Rokita’s leadership in this case reflects a broader commitment to protecting parental rights, student welfare, and the right of local schools to develop their own policies free of federal bureaucratic or judicial overreach.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

08/14/2025

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

08/14/2025

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

EPD Focuses on Impaired Driving Enforcement Ahead of Labor Day

08/13/2025

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As summer winds down, the Evansville Police Department is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to prevent impaired driving and save lives. From August 16 through August 30, officers will increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement campaign, led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Our top priority is keeping our roads and our community safe,” said Sgt. Nick Winsett. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.”

In 2024, nearly 14% of all traffic fatalities in Indiana involved alcohol, while more than 35% of all traffic fatalities involved drug impairment, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Drivers are encouraged to make transportation plans before consuming alcohol. Impaired judgment can lead to dangerous and even deadly decisions. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-drivi

Otters strike first but fall in series opener

08/13/2025

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PEARL, Miss. – The Evansville Otters (27-52) couldn’t find the big hit late as they fell to the Mississippi Mud Monsters (40-38) on Tuesday night, 4-3. This was the 29th one-run game they have played this season.

J.J. Cruz reached on a slow roller up the middle and then Graham Brown doubled and scored him to start the game. G. Brown scored on a wild pitch during the next at-bat to give Evansville a 2-0 lead.

Parker Brahms made his 15th start of the season and started his outing with a 1-2-3 first. A one-out single followed by a triple put Mississippi on the board but a great defensive play at third allowed Darryl Jackson to throw out a runner at home. The Mud Monsters struck for two in the third to give them a 3-2 lead.

Brahms settled in after the third. He set down 12 of the next 13 Mud Monster batters to get through the seventh inning. Evansville was mostly stifled offensively, but they did put runners in scoring position in the fourth and seventh. Both times the runners were stranded at second.

Brahms went back out for the eighth, but a leadoff hit ended his day and brought on Nolan Thebiay. Thebiay surrendered a single that gave Mississippi a 4-2 lead, but got the next two batters he faced. Pearl native Gunnar Dennis entered to get the final out and struck out the only batter he faced.

The Otters came to the ninth needing two runs and for the second straight game, they didn’t go down without a fight. Logan Brown led the inning off with a single and J.T. Benson walked. For the second straight game, Jackson came up with two outs in the ninth and once again, he singled to keep the game alive, scoring L. Brown. The tying run was stranded in scoring position as Evansville fell 4-3.

The Otters send out Joan Gonzalez for his first start against the Mud Monsters this season tomorrow. As a reliever this season, he has seen 20 Mississippi batters and sent them all down. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT at Trustmark Park.

Funeral Services For Ronald Cosby

08/13/2025

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Ronald Cosby, 82, of Madison,Alabama, passed away on August 6, 2025, in Madison. Born on July 28, 1943, in Evansville, IN., Ron lived a life rooted in hard work, family devotion, and a deep connection to public policy.

From an early age, Ron embraced the values of council and perseverance of good public policy. He began student council in college, developing a strong work ethic that would shape his future endeavors. In 2002, he channeled that passion into founding City-County Observer, a business he built from the ground up. Over the course of more than twenty four years, Ronald’s dedication transformed his company into a respected name throughout Evansville, Indiana. His craftsmanship and commitment to excellence are evident in countless new policies that make him a living legacy that will continue to flourish long after he is gone.

Ronald’s greatest pride was his family. He enjoyed baseball games and watching the grandkids play any sport he could. He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn Cosby; three children: Melanie Solmos (Joe), Mollie Darke-Schreiber (Jill), Bart Darke (Kacy), Jason Cosby; grandchildren: Romon Solmos, Ralph Hadlie and Henslie Darke-Schreiber, Sam and Grace Darke, He also leaves behind his sister Anita Cosby, and brother Sammie Cosby and a host of loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sam Cosby and Daisy Cosby. Grandaughter Sophia Solmos, and brothers Donald, Gary and David Cosby.

Ronald’s memory lives on through good public policy in politics. May his legacy continue to inspire those who knew him.

The Celebration of Ronald H. Cosby will be on August 16, 2025. We invite all who wish to honor Ron.

Services will be at Alexander Funeral Home- East Chapel

2115 Lincoln Ave.

Evansville, IN 47714

Time: 11:00-1:00 with services at 1:00

Governor Braun Announces Julie Q. Smith as Director of Office of School Safety

08/13/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Governor Mike Braun announced Julie Q. Smith will serve as the first Director of the Office of School Safety.

Julie Q. Smith is a Sergeant in the Columbus Police Department. Sergeant Smith oversees the School Resource Officer Division in Columbus, comprising 18 schools. She is a former school resource officer for Bartholomew County Schools.

Julie Smith has distinguished herself as a national leader on school safety. She is a National Instructor for the National Association of School Resource Officers as well as Regional Director for the Midwest states, President of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association, and has been recognized for her proactive, evidence-based leadership on strengthening schools and promoting school safety legislation.

As Director of the Indiana Office of School Safety, Julie Smith brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to protecting Hoosier students.

“Providing a safe and secure environment for Hoosier students to learn and grow is a top priority for me both as Governor and as a father and grandfather. Our Office of School Safety puts that priority into action, and Sergeant Julie Q. Smith is uniquely qualified and dedicated to this mission to strengthen our schools and help students thrive.” — Governor Mike Braun

“I’ve dedicated my career to keeping students safe, and it’s an honor to put my experience to work strengthening Indiana schools and communities as the Director of the Office of School Safety.” — Julie Q. Smith

Governor Braun created the Office of School Safety as part of his Freedom & Opportunity Public Safety agenda. Governor Braun’s first legislative session saw major education successes signed into law, putting students first and parents in the driver’s seat of their kids’ education.

Those accomplishments included a nationally-recognized expansion of school choice freedom, a first-in-the-nation tuition freeze across all Indiana state colleges and universities, increased base salary for teachers, over $640 million in additional funds for schools in the Indiana budget, and a new diploma path focused on setting students up for success after graduation.

Indiana’s Resolution on Federal Debt Gains National Traction

08/13/2025

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STATEHOUSE — Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla applauded the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for recommending Indiana Senate Resolution 51, that sounds the alarm on the national debt, serve as a model for state legislatures to pass across the country.

“This recommendation from ALEC shows how Indiana’s leadership is playing a critical role in the effort to build widespread support to urge President Trump and Congress to balance our country’s budget and tackle the massive $36 trillion debt problem for the states and for America,” said Comptroller Nieshalla.

Senate Resolution 51, introduced during Indiana’s 2025 legislative session, is modeled after Senate Resolution 600 — authored by Governor and former U.S. Senator Mike Braun — which passed unanimously and raised awareness of the consequences of federal overspending and the rapidly growing debt. Senate Resolution 51 was co-authored by State Senators Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) and Brett Clark (R-Avon) and received overwhelming bi-partisan support.

“The fact that the nation’s debt has become a national security threat hastens the need for the Indiana Senate’s resolution to be adopted across the states to draw attention to the gravity of the problem and bring us together to solve it in our lifetimes and for future generations,” Comptroller Nieshalla added.

Indiana Senators Jim Buck (R-Kokomo) and Linda Rogers (R-Granger) submitted the resolution for consideration during ALEC’s Annual Conference in July, at the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee Meeting where it passed unanimously. Comptroller Nieshalla, who is the chair of the National Debt Crisis Task Force of State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), presented remarks before the committee, raising concerns about the nation’s deficit spending and rising debt. She encouraged the adoption of Indiana’s resolution as a meaningful tool for lawmakers to use in calling for the restoration of fiscal solvency at the federal level. Yesterday, ALEC’s board of directors formally adopted the resolution to serve as model policy.

“As hard as so many states work to be in a strong financial position, we are vulnerable to the vastly weakened fiscal position of our nation due to the high level of accumulated debt. This resolution signals the critical role states must play to call for the federal government to get back to the essential fundamentals of balanced budgets and a debt-to-GDP ratio that is manageable,” Comptroller Nieshalla added.

As a voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism, ALEC provides a forum for experts to discuss business and economic issues facing the states to encourage growth, preserve economic security and protect hardworking taxpayers.

SFOF’s mission is to drive fiscally sound public policy, by partnering with key stakeholders, and educating Americans on the role of responsible financial management in a free market economy.

Indiana’s pro-life laws win again as Attorney General Todd Rokita and team prevail in Indiana Court of Appeals

08/13/2025

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Indiana’s commonsense pro-life laws are consistent with provisions of the Indiana Constitution, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today, handing yet another legal victory to Attorney General Todd Rokita and his team of litigators as they fight for unborn children and women’s health.

“This ruling is a resounding victory for life and the rule of law in Indiana,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and upholding our state’s values will continue to guide this office. The overwhelming majority of Hoosiers stand with us in defending the sanctity of life and the health of women across our state.”

Indiana law currently permits abortion in three circumstances: (1) when an abortion is necessary either to save the woman’s life or to prevent a serious health risk to her; (2) when there is a lethal fetal anomaly; or (3) when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

In cases where an abortion is permitted, the law states, it must be performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center. The appeals court decision therefore means Planned Parenthood may not resume performing the procedure in its clinics.

Attorney General Rokita thanked members of his legal team who worked on this appeal. Specifically, he named Solicitor General James A. Barta, Deputy Solicitor General Jenna M. Lorence, Deputy Attorney General Katelyn E. Doering and former Deputy Attorney General John M. Vastag.