By signing this enrolled act into law, we are widening the umbrella of judicial coverage for more Hoosiers. I stand with Governor Holcomb in the calling of protecting all individuals regardless of their color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation and allowing a judge to consider at sentencing whether a crime was committed with bias or because of a victim’s real or perceived characteristic, trait, belief, association or other attribute. By adding these descriptions, we are removing Indiana from the list of states that do not have this clarification in statute. I look forward to addressing the needs of our communities so we can continue to take Indiana and the Hoosiers that call it home to the Next Level.”
ADOPT A PET
Hosea’s a male baby bunny! He was part of a litter born to his mom Claire at the VHS. Now they’re 8 weeks old and all ready for adoption. His $50 adoption fee will include his neuter and registered microchip. If you’re thinking about an “Easter bunny” for the kids, just a reminder they live for 8-10+ years… and YOU *will* eventually be taking care of it, not them! Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details.
Obituary for Geneva Willingham Stewart
Obituary for Geneva Willingham Stewart
MASON BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME
Geneva W. Stewart, 83, entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at her Evansville, IN home surrounded by family and friends.
Geneva was born on January 12, 1936 in Birmingham, AL, the daughter of the late Joe and Minnie Dale Willingham. She graduated from Ullman High School (Birmingham, AL) in 1953. At the age of 19, she married her sweetheart, Roosevelt “Bell†Stewart and they remained married until his passing. She attended and was baptized at Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church when she was 11 years old and served as an usher for many years. She later attended First Baptist Kingston before moving to Indiana where she attended with her daughter, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Geneva will forever be remembered for having a gentle spirit, being a role model of womanhood and dispersing wise recitations.
She loved to crochet and was an awesome seamstress and throughout her life, taught many of her friends how to do both. She had a sense of humor and enjoyed watching and attending WWE. In the last few years, she was often seen dancing to her own tune, with or without music. She was mother to many and considered a friend by most who were blessed to know her. She had a loving and generous heart and was always helping, sharing and giving to others.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 40 years, Roosevelt Stewart in 1996; sister, Catherine Willingham Jacobs of Buffalo, NY; brother-in-law/son, Isaac Stewart in 1989; and newborn granddaughter, Andrea Yvette Eldridge.
She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her two daughters: Sabrina Stewart-Thomas of Evansville IN and Latresa Stewart Eldridge (Undray Sr.) of Birmingham AL; grandchildren: Kristian Rena, Undray Eldridge Jr., Joshua Roosevelt, Latrell Jobe, and Shantina Eldridge; sisters-in-law: Priscilla Stewart-Richards of Merrillville IN and Mary Ann Stewart of Flint MI; brother-in-law, Willie James Poindexter of Birmingham AL; nieces and nephews: Patricia Hayes Stallings and Gail Hayes King (John) of Buffalo NY, Lorraine Stewart Williams (Eddie) of Houston TX, Rose Marie Stewart Ayres (Gerald) of Birmingham AL, Lavarne Stewart McReynolds (James Jr.) of Birmingham AL, Elaine Stewart of Dayton, OH, Curtis Stewart (Barbara) of Summerville SC, Joel Stewart (Donna) of Birmingham AL, Roosevelt Stewart and Ricky Roby of St. Louis MO; cousins: JoAnn Willingham Brown( Rev. Reginald Brown) of Birmingham AL, Robert Earl Harris, Bernice Harris (Douglas), Lorenza Harris, all of Buffalo NY, Diane Harris Eades of Chicago IL; in-law and friend, Sidney Thomas and childhood & lifelong friend, Elizabeth Washington – both of Birmingham AL; and many family and friends.
Friends and relatives are invited and may call at the New Hope Baptist Church, 663 W.R. Brown Way, Evansville, IN, Rabon L. Turner, Pastor, Thursday, April 4, 2019 from 3:00 -5:00 pm. with a short service beginning at 4:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the South Elyton Baptist Church, 100 First Street South, Birmingham, AL. Reginald Brown, Pastor. Burial will be at the Zion Memorial Gardens, 501 Tarrant Huffman Rd, Birmingham, AL 35206.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Southern Care Hospice Services, especially Helen, who lovingly cared for our mother during her illness.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Geneva Willingham Stewart please visit our Sympathy Store.
Thank A Teacher
Thank-A-Teacher Spring 2019 |
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union and the Public Education Foundation of Evansville, Inc. |
ETFCU, 4401 Theater Drive, Evansville |
Thursday, April 4, 1:30 pm |
Partners will explain how the community can show educators their appreciation and encourage them to Take 5! with a kind note and sweet treat. |
Man who was streaming live video on Facebook while driving arrested on several charges
Evansville Police arrested Jason Dugger (28) on several charges during a traffic stop on Wednesday afternoon. The incident began when an officer was in traffic behind Dugger at the intersection of Vann and Washington. Both were northbound on Vann waiting for an opportunity to turn left onto Washington Ave. While waiting through several traffic light cycles, the officer noticed Dugger was holding a cell phone out of his window.Â
Eventually, Dugger was the first car at the intersection, but had a red light. As soon as the light turned green, Dugger made a quick turn in the path of the southbound traffic. In doing so, he failed to yield the right of way to the southbound traffic.Â
The officer witnessed the violation and tried to pull Dugger over. Dugger initially refused to pull over for the officer. Once he did stop, he was uncooperative and refused to identify himself or provide his driver’s license as required by Indiana law. At one point, Dugger rolled up his window and locked his doors. Dugger was given multiple opportunities to provide his driver’s license, but refused to do so.Â
Dugger was told to get out of his car, but refused. He rolled the window down after officers told him they would break it if he refused to get out. Officers were then able to open the door and remove Dugger and place him into custody for resisting law enforcement and failure to identify.Â
After Dugger was arrested, Officers found a loaded handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. Dugger had previously held a handgun permit when he lived in Tennessee, but has lived in Indiana for several years. Indiana law does not recognize out of state permits once the person moves to Indiana. Dugger was arrested at his Evansville home for felony domestic battery and strangulation in 2018. He also has extensive work history in Evansville.Â
Dugger was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement (L6 Felony), Possession of a handgun without a permit (Class A Misdemeanor), Failure to ID (Class C Misdemeanor), Failure to Yield Right of Way, and Failure to Notify BMV of Address Change.Â
After the arrest, officers were made aware of a Facebook Live video on Dugger’s Facebook page. The video shows Dugger sitting at the light filming the marked police car behind him. While distracted by his own social media activity, Dugger commits the traffic violation in front of the officer. Fortunately, the other drivers were paying attention and did not collide with Dugger as he unsafely turned in front of them. The video also shows Dugger telling his Facebook followers “I ain’t stopping for his ass†as the officer tries to pull him over. The Facebook Live video will be preserved for evidence in his criminal case.
Aces ride fourth inning eruption to sixth straight victory
The University of Evansville baseball team overcame a slow start at the plate to rally past Tennessee-Martin for their sixth straight victory, winning 6-3, in a non-conference match-up Wednesday night at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
After falling behind 1-0 in the opening frame, the Aces’ bats ignited in the fourth inning. The rally began, when with a pair in scoring position, a passed ball got passed the Skyhawks catcher allowing sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig to race home with the equalizer. Next, freshman designated hitter A.J. Fritz would send a single through the left side of the infield, bringing in fellow freshman Danny Borgstrom, giving Evansville the lead, 2-1. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, junior shortstop Craig Shepherd delivered a clutch two-out RBI single, scoring Fritz and adding to the Aces’ pad, 3-1. Finally, senior centerfielder Nate Reeder would cap the five-run frame, launching a 2-run double to center, plating both junior catcher Ben Komonosky and senior leftfielderMatthew Jones, putting UE in the lead, 5-1, after four innings.
Meanwhile, freshman reliever Sam Steimel, who took over for fellow newcomer Shane Gray, who tossed the first two innings, tossed a scoreless third and fourth frame, putting him in line for his first collegiate victory. Yet another freshman, Garrett Presko, would take over from there, tossing two more scoreless frames, while striking out four in the process.
Evansville would tack on one more run for good measure in the fifth, when A.J. Fritz hit his team-leading fourth home run of the season, making it 6-1 UE after five frames.
UT-Martin would cut the Aces’ lead down to three in the eighth inning, but senior closer Austin Allinger came in to put out the fire, striking out a pair while tossing a scoreless ninth, picking up his team-high fifth save of the season.
The win improves Evansville’s record to 15-9 on the season. The loss drops Tennessee-Martin’s mark to 11-17.
Up next for the Aces is a big weekend showdown for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference, as Dallas Baptist comes to town for a three-game series, beginning Friday night at Charles H. Braun Stadium. First pitch is at 6 p.m.
Evansville Man Arrested After Firing Shot During Dispute with Fiancé’s Ex- boyfriend
Shortly after 10 PM yesterday evening Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1800 block of Wolverine Drive in Mill Creek Estates to investigate the call of gunfire in the neighborhood. The reporting party heard a single gun shot coming from one street to the north of her residence. In addition to hearing the gunshot, the reporter indicated that she knew the person who was supposedly being targeted by the shot.
The victim was not immediately forthcoming, but deputies were able to interview him about the incident. According to the victim he was simply walking over to the suspect’s house in order to discuss a disagreement, but quickly retreated in fear of his life when he heard the sound of gunfire.
Deputies determined the identity of the alleged shooter, Matthew Nalley, and were able to take him into custody at his nearby residence. When Nalley was taken into custody for questioning he smelled strongly of alcohol and admitted to having several drinks prior to the incident in question. Nalley admitted to deputies that he fired a single shot into the ground from his .40 caliber Beretta in order to prove a point to the victim whom had supposedly come over to his house to fight him. According to Nalley, the two were disputing for much of the day via text message over the fact that Nalley is in a relationship with the victim’s former girlfriend. According to Nalley the communication escalated to the point where they mutually agreed to resolve the matter with a physical confrontation. Nalley stated that when the victim came over to fight, he instead fired one round into the ground of his front yard. Nalley claimed to have never pointed the weapon at or around the victim.
Due to the substantial risk presented to the neighbors for Nalley’s behavior while under the influence of alcohol he was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal recklessness with a firearm. Nalley was also charged for intimidating the victim with a firearm. Nalley was housed in the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond until his initial court appearance.
Arrested: Matthew Nalley (imaged above,)Â 28, of Evansville, IN
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.
“READERS FORUM” APRIL 4, 2019
We hope that today’s “READERS FORUMâ€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?
WHAT”S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “Readers Poll†question is: When elected officials get a large campaign donation ($500,000) how do you consider it?
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.”READERS FORUM”Â