http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx
“IS IT TRUE” MARCH 13, 2018
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â 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 Ford Center had a capacity crowd of over 10,500 paying customers for an NCAA basketball game on Saturday night for the championship of the Ohio Valley Conference?…the winning team was the Murray State Racers that took the first automatic entry to March Madness 2019 over Belmont to finish their regular season with a record of 27 wins and 4 losses?… Murray State has a large local fan base and enjoys a very gifted player that is expected to be chosen in the top 3 of the NBA draft?…the semifinal game with Murray against Jacksonville drew over 8,500 fans to downtown Evansville?…this proves that a winning team with a shot at the NCAA tournament can draw fans to Ford Center and that lesson should not be lost for the University of Evansville Purple Aces who once drew capacity crowds to Roberts Stadium?…the Aces have no reason not to expect seasons with 25 wins and when they do the crowds will follow? Â ..the City-County Observer has always stated that a winning record will bring more to fans to the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE the other games in the Ohio Valley Conference did not fare so well at the box office drawing only between 400 and 900 fans per game?…that is because there is no fan base locally for the other teams and Murray States women’s team was eliminated early?…these lessons should be learned and we do congratulate the Evansville Sports Corporation creating two nights of exceptional basketball at the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that some legislators just stand out?  …there are times that our local legislators deserve a big “thank you†and sometimes we fail to acknowledge them? …the City-County Observer would like to thank Senators Jim Tomes and Vaneta Becker for standing up and speaking against the “Sports Book” gaming bill that was just passed by the State Senate? …we totally agree with them that this legislation discriminates against the taxpayers of Evansville?  …posted below is a link to this bill:
Indiana Senate passes ‘major expansion’ of gaming allowing Terre Haute casino, sports betting
IS IT TRUE last week an overflow crowd attended the  “Meet Your Legislators” meeting and only two (2) legislators attended this important community event?  …we want to thank State Senators, Vaneta Becker and Jim Tomes for attending this important governmental meeting? …it’s obvious that Senators Becker and Tomes realizes the importance of having direct and open communications with the people they represent?  …since this meeting was planned many months in advance one would expect that the majority of our State Legislators would have made advance plans to attend this extremely important public forum?  …we are told that at least one (1) State Representative couldn’t attend this gathering because of a funeral and another one went on vacation?  …that the remaining members of this group went to a breakfast meeting in Posey County?
IS IT TRUE we are told that the University of Evansville is attempting to get the State of Indiana to drop the zoning restrictions on property they own at Lloyd near Stockwell Road next to Wesselman Woods? Â …we are told that University wants to build a new health center in that area and the rezoning of this property is important to those plans? Â …people that oppose the rezoning of this property feel that if this legislation is passed it would encroach on the pristine and valuable Wesselman nature preserve?
IS IT TRUE we congratulate State Senators Vaneta Becker and Jim Tomes for strongly opposing the “Payday Lending” bill?  …we are pleased that Senators that Tomes and Becker also had harsh words when they voted against this ill-advised Senate-approved bill? …It passed the Senate 26-23 and now is before the House.  …attached below is the link of the ‘Payday Lending ” bill that we urge you to read?
IS IT TRUE last year that the Evansville DMD leased a dilapidated, vacant block building to the Davita Dialysis Center?  …right after the Davita Dialysis Center signed a lease with the Evansville DMD for a nominal monthly payment someone started to do extensive and expensive renovations on this building?  … last week we couldn’t officially verify who paid for the extensive and expensive renovations of this property?  …it’s now alleged that the costs of renovation ($350,000 t0 $400,000) of this building were paid by the Evansville DMD? …we have attached a link from the Vanderburgh County Assessor concerning the sales transactions and old and new appraisals of this building? …we look forward to getting your take on this entire transaction?
http://vanderburghassessor.org/Default.aspx?PID=82-06-20-026-091.008-029
IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville made a dubious list compiled by the National Council for Home Safety and Security and the results are not flattering?… Evansville ranked at number 40 in the Top 100 nationally for the most dangerous large cities in America?… Evansville also checked in at number 45 in large cities with the highest increase in violent crime and number 38 in large cities averaged violent crime rate increase in violent crime?…as far as the most dangerous cities list is concerned, Evansville got the worst score in the State of Indiana including Indianapolis that came in at number 41?…South Bend came in at number 49 to round out the Hoosier cities that made this Hall of Shame?… Gary, Indiana which has been a perennial leader on the violent crime list did not make this list as Gary has gotten so bad that there has been an exodus large enough to remove them from the list of large cities?…the most dangerous on the list was Springfield, Missouri that is known as a center for meth as Evansville was several years ago?…to put things into perspective that longtime violent drip hole called St. Louis came in at number 99?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: Are you disappointed that not one City Council member made a request to the City Controller to give them a detailed financial accounting of the Evansville Thunderbolts?
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 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.
2019 Public Review of the Pollution Controls Standards Scheduled For Evansville
2019 Public Review of the Pollution Controls Standards: March 1st – April 15th, 2019
Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Revisions to ORSANCO’s Pollution Control Standards
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is accepting public comments, and technical and scientific studies and data supporting those comments, starting Friday, March 1, 2019 through Monday, April 15, 2019, to assist in a public review and update of its current Pollution Control Standards for Discharges to the Ohio River – 2015 Revision. The purpose of the public review is to receive comments from interested parties on the proposed 2019 Revision. ORSANCO is particularly interested in receiving technical and scientific information or data that supports comments on proposals for revising the Standards.
Pursuant to the authority contained in Article VI of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact, and by direction of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, three public hearings will be held by the Commission:
Hearing in Pittsburgh, April 1, 2019, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Eastern Time)
DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh – Green Tree, Duquesne meeting room
500 Mansfield Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15205Hearing in Evansville, April 4, 2019, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Central Time)
Tropicana Evansville, Walnut B meeting room
421 NW Riverside Drive
Evansville, IN 47708Hearing in Cincinnati, April 8, 2019, 6:00 pm-8:00pm (Eastern Time)
Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport, Kenton meeting room
1717 Airport Exchange Boulevard
Erlanger, KY 41018
The hearings will be conducted from 6:00 pm local time until completed. The record of the hearing shall remain open and written testimony accepted beginning March 1st and extending until midnight (Eastern Time) on April 15, 2019.
The purpose of said hearings is to receive comments, including data and scientific justifications or other supporting rationales, concerning the Commission’s proposed action described as follows:
The proposed 2019 Revision is based upon a multi-year comprehensive assessment of ORSANCO’s evolving function and role in partnership with its member states and the multitude of state and federal water quality protection activities collectively and cooperatively administered to protect the Ohio River. The proposed 2019 Revision maintains ORSANCO’s Pollution Control Standards for the Ohio River to protect the uses delineated in ORSANCO’s Compact while providing needed flexibility for member states to utilize the Pollution Control Standards or their own rigorously developed and the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved water quality criteria for Ohio River discharge permits.
Webinars
In order to facilitate comments, ORSANCO will host two webinars to present an overview of the review it conducted and the proposed 2019 Revision. These webinars have been scheduled for March 12, 2019, at 10:00 am (Eastern Time), and March 14, 2019, at 6:00 pm (Eastern Time).
For complete webinar directions, please visit: http://www.orsanco.org/webinar-directions/
Click here for the Public Webinar presentation
Instructions for Submitting Comments (must be received by April 15, 2019)
All parties interested in submitting comments may do so by mail or email. Mailed comments should be addressed to ORSANCO, 5735 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230, Attn: PCS Comments. Emailed comments should be sent to: PCS@orsanco.org Emailed comments must be sent by the original submitter. Third party emails will not be accepted in order to protect data systems integrity. Comments must be included in the body of the email. Email attachments will not be accepted in order to protect data systems integrity. Please contact ORSANCO directly at 513-231-7719 for instructions on submitting technical and scientific information or data since email attachments cannot be accepted. Your name and mailing address must accompany all correspondence.
Proposed Revised Standards
Click here for Proposed Revisions to Pollution Control Standards – Marked-up Version
Click here for Proposed Revisions to Pollution Control Standards – Clean Version
2018 Second Public Review of Pollution Control Standards: June 26 – August 10, 2018 (Extended to August 20, 2018)
Click here for all materials and comments received from the second public review period which took place June 26 through August 20, 2018 (now closed).
2018 Initial Public Review of Pollution Control Standards: January 10 – February 24, 2018
Click here for all materials and comments received from the initial public review period which took place January 10 through February 24, 2018 (now closed).
2015 Revision to Pollution Control Standards (Current Revision)
Click here for the 2015 Standards.
OTHER PROGRAMS
- Algae & Nutrient Monitoring
- Bacteria TMDL
- Biennial Water Quality Assessment
- Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling
- Biological
- Clean Metals
- Contact Recreation Bacteria
- Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring
- Emergency Response
- Harmful Algae Blooms
- Mercury BAF Study
- National Rivers and Streams Assessment
- Nutrient Reduction Activities
- Ohio River Users
- Organics Detection System (ODS)
- Pollution Control Standards
- Source Water Protection
- Water Quality Trends
- Watershed Pollutant Reduction
- Wet Weather Studies
Indiana Adds “X†Non-Gender Specific Marker to State Issued Driver’s Licenses and State I.D.’S
MARCH 12TH, 2019 
AMANDA PORTER INDIANA
“X†marks the spot for those wanting to be non-specific gender when applying for licenses or state I.D. in Indiana.
It’s a progressive change to be sure the choice is no longer either or.
The change comes after the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles adopted credential standards by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Kirt Ethridge a facilitator with Queer Space EVV, a non-profit for greater inclusion of gender identification, identifies as trans-masculine.
They feel as though the previous options of male, or female weren’t inclusive.
“I didn’t feel quite comfortable choosing that so now that there is this third option of “X†that’s helpful for me because now I feel comfortable because that is who I am,†says Ethridge.
BMV officials say drivers would need to provide documented proof; A certified, amended birth certificate or a signed and dated physician’s statement that the applicant has permanently changed their gender.
“It can be sort of restrictive for transgender people who are underprivileged, and the same is true for amending a birth certificate. It’s also their issue of being able to get the transportation needed, and sometimes even having access to previous records that would allow you to change your birth certificate that can be difficult.â€
“I guess if they have to do it they have to do it,†says Cindy Floyd as she enters Evansville’s Eastside BMV.
“But I just think it’s up to whatever that person feels if they want to do that.â€
Groups like Queer Space Evv say the X designation is a step in the right direction for the state to correctly identify people.
“Right now what is important for advocates to do is reach out to any transgender people who are at or below the poverty line or had issues with transportation who might want to change their gender marker and provide resources to them to help them do that,†says Ethridge.
States like Oregon, Maine, Minnesota, and California already offer gender non-binary identification cards including New York and Washington D.C.
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IU Researchers Develops Groundbreaking Test For PTSD
MARCH 12TH, 2019 TYRONE MORRIS INDIANA
A cutting edge blood test discovered by IU School of Medicine could help accurately diagnose veterans and others experiencing forms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The study followed more than 250 veterans and identified molecules in the blood that can help track stress intensity. According to the findings, the blood test can accurately show if you are at risk for stress disorders or are experiencing them severely.
Starting with the genome, the expression of genes in the blood were studied for nearly a decade. Researchers were able to narrow the study to 285 biomarkers that can help diagnose patients with PTSD.
This new research will not only help veterans but anyone who might be suffering from PTSD or any other kind of stress disorder. It will be able to provide more precise treatments and prevention for patients.
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
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SWI-AHEC’s The Blues Café Targets Pharmacists’ Views On Opioid Crisis
Pharmacists are healthcare providers on the front lines in the war against opioids abuse. They have an important role in helping patients understand the risks and responsibilities of prescription opioids. Often, they encounter prescription forgery, requests for early refills and dose increases, and patients who claim to have lost their medications. Having to tell a patient that he can’t fill a prescription could result in anxiety, fear and misunderstanding on both sides.
Because the pharmacist point of view is so important in this crisis, the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (SWI-AHEC) is presenting the third annual The Blues Café to discuss general opioid information, safe prescribing and legal requirements. The Blues Café will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 S. Governor Street, Evansville.
The event is an opportunity for health professionals, social service providers, government agencies and the public to engage with a panel of professionals, including Kimberly P. France, RPh, JD, who will answer questions and provide local and national resources for the community.
This event is FREE and includes lunch. Registration is required; please visit www.usi.edu/swi-ahec.
Lunch is sponsored by the Community Action Program of Evansville (C.A.P.E). Continuing education will be provided through the University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning.*
For more information, call Kerseclia L. Patterson, academic outreach coordinator at SWI-AHEC at 919-632-8419 or email kpatterson@usi.edu.
Southwest Indiana AHEC began as a regional center in 2008, and it is hosted by the University of Southern Indiana in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. It is part of a national network with a mission to improve health by leading the nation in the recruitment, training and retention of a diverse health workforce for underserved communities.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY GOP HAPPENINGS
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Stein Receives First Ever USI Men’s Basketball Academic All-American Honor
University of Southern Indiana senior guard, Alex Stein (Evansville, Indiana) has become the first Screaming Eagle men’s basketball player to ever be named NCAA II Academic All-American by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America on Tuesday. Stein earns his first Academic All-American honor by being named to the third-team.
To be eligible for the CoSIDA Academic All-America and All-District teams, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). They must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at the institution (true freshmen, red-shirt freshmen, and first-year athletic transfers are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at the institution.
Stein, who was named to the Academic All-District IV team in February, is the only Great Lakes Valley Conference player to be named to any of the three Academic All-American teams. The Evansville native has averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this season.
USI will open the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 16 in Romeoville, Illinois where it faces the fifth-seeded Ashland University at 7:30 p.m.
Hammat Named Dean of Students At USI
Hammat Named USI Dean of Students
Following a national search, Dr. Marcia Kiessling, vice president for Student Affairs, has announced the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Hammat as the dean of students at the University of Southern Indiana. Hammat currently serves as university Title IX coordinator for the Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics Office at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The appointment is effective May 6, 2019.
“Dr. Hammat has a great deal of experience in higher education that will be an asset to the Dean of Students Office as well as to the University,” said Kiessling. “She also has a passion for working with students, and I’m confident she will continue the important work we do in supporting our students and our campus community effectively.”
The USI dean of students reports to and represents the vice president for Student Affairs and serves as a member of the Provost’s Council and Student Affairs Directors Team. The dean of students enhances the University mission by engaging students in programs and services that help develop responsibly, contributing members of a global society; provides leadership and oversight to the Dean of Students Office, Counseling Center and the University Health Center; chairs the CARE Team and Eagle Experience Team; serves as an advocate for students in the University community; and is primary advisor to the Student Government Association.
Hammat holds a doctorate and master’s degree in higher education administration from Texas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Murray State University in Kentucky.
Prior to her current position at George Mason, she served in several roles at The University of Texas at Austin, including from 2006 to 2015 as associate vice president for University Compliance Services, Title IX coordinator, Clery Act coordinator, as a representative of the Youth Protection Program, assistant vice president for student affairs, and interim director for Texas Student Media. From 1998 to 2006, at Texas Tech University, she served as the director, associate director and assistant director of its Student Judicial Program. She also worked as an area coordinator, assistant area coordinator, hall director and assistant complex director for Housing and Residence Life. From 1995 to 1998 she served in the role of area coordinator, assignment coordinator, and publications manager at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Hammat also has teaching experience at the University of Texas at Austin, teaching courses in education administration and economics and finance of higher education and its fundraising implications. She holds several certifications, is a member of a number of professional associations, as has been involved with a wide variety of programs, presentations, and committees.
Hammat is the recipient of several awards including The Eyes of Texas Award from the University of Texas at Austin, the President’s Quality Service Award from Texas Tech University, and a Communicator Award honoring excellence in marketing and communications.
FOOTNOTE: Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls more than 11,000 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 20,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at www.usi.edu.
2 Indiana Law Schools Slump In 2020 U.S. News Rankings
MARILYN ODENDAHL FOR WWW.THEINDIANALAWYER.COM
The U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 list of the best law schools brought mixed results for Indiana with two institutions slipping in the rankings and all three having well over 60 percent of students graduate with average debt of more than $90,000.
Notre Dame Law School climbed to the 21st slot, up from its 2019 ranking of 24th. Both Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney fell from last year’s ranking as the Bloomington school sunk two places to the 34th position while the Indianapolis school stumbled 10 slots to 108th place.
However, IU McKinney’s health care law program was ranked the 11th best in the country, and its part-time law program was listed 30th best.
The latest rankings were released by the magazine Tuesday. Yale, Stanford and Harvard law schools filled the top three spots respectively.
Missing from this year’s list was Valparaiso Law School. Traditionally, the northwest Indiana institution has been included in the rank-not-published category, but the school is no longer accepting students and has announced its intention to cease operations in 2020.
The 2020 rankings also included financial information on the cost of attending law schools and on the debt graduates are incurring. The ranking was divided into public and private law schools.
IU McKinney awarded a median grant of $11,274 while 60.5 percent its full-time students received grants. Eight percent got a grant that covered full tuition, and 4.3 percent were awarded a grant that paid for more than full tuition.
Comparatively, IU Maurer gave a median grant of $27,000, with 98 percent of full-time students receiving grants. Financial awards covering full tuition were given to 8.1 percent of the students, while grants for more than full tuition were awarded to 14.5 percent of the full-time enrollees.
At Notre Dame, the median grant amount awarded to full-time students was $25,000 with 88.2 percent receiving some kind of grant. But less than 1 percent of students received grants of full tuition or grants of more than full tuition.
Despite the financial awards, students at Indiana’s law schools are completing their studies still owing a significant amount of money. The magazine examined the class of 2016 to determine how many graduated with debt and what the average amount was.
IU McKinney had 83 percent of its 2016 graduates leaving with debt, and the average debt was $97,062. At Notre Dame, the average debt was $122,814, with 76 percent of the 2016 graduates having debt. IU Maurer had 65 percent of its 2016 graduates in debt, with the average amount owed $92,800.