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“IS IT TRUE” December 29, 2019 NEWSPAPERS

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IS IT TRUE that tomorrow’s CCO “Community Service Awards” luncheon is completely sold out? ...that book author Joe “Jack” Wallace has just flown in from California to attend our “Annual Awards Luncheon” at Tropicana-Evansville on Friday? …that Joe “Jack” Wallace will be signing his book entitled “Working Outside The Box” at this event? …that  Holly K. Dunn will also have autograph copies of “Sole Survivor”?  …”Uncommon Heart” authored by Olympian Anne Audain will also be available to those in attendance?…it looks like its book signing time in ole Evansville

IS IT TRUE that since the first newspaper was published in 1690 through the turn of the century defined by the year 2000, newspapers have served as the most important medium for holding politicians accountable in an objective and fair manner?…the journalists of old were all about accuracy, fairness, checking their sources, and of course being good citizen businesses?…capitalism has rewarded newspaper owners with status, prestige, and profits turning names like Hurst, Bingham, and Scripps into household names?.

IS IT TRUE newspapers have always been seen as game-changers in exposing corruption and government waste in a fair and honest manner?…sometime around the turn of the century things began to change?…with the widespread availability of the internet, cable news, and the opinion obsessions that followed, newspapers changed from their humble but noble calling into mass disseminators of the same national stories intermingled with biased opinion pieces about things that local people are not in tune to?…the downfall is near complete now as many small papers have folded, dozens of large papers have had to seek bankruptcy protection, and the one the street journalist corps has been depleted to the point of being ineffective?…this has prevailed in nearly every town in America and the fall-off in subscribers and advertisers has punished the editors and publishers for selling their souls for partisan ideology?

IS IT TRUE it is time for good journalism to make a comeback and it is of concern where a young cub reporter can learn the skills that made newspapers great?…the first lesson should be to focus on what impacts the people of the town that a paper claims to serve?…local papers have fallen into the trap of fawning over pet projects of local politicians without questioning the financial sustainability associated with such things?…newspapers have even put on sufficient blinders to make them believe that moving some jobs from one street to another street in the same town constitutes creating new jobs?…it doesn’t if anyone is thinking straight?

IS IT TRUE that one newspaper even believed that a 150 room hotel would create over 800 direct jobs?…one would have to be really bad at math to believe that a hotel with 65% occupancy that rent for $120 per day could survive with $320 per room day in labor costs? …this nonsense all happened right here in River City and the only publication to call all of this out was the City-County Observer?…the real question is why has the cognitive ability of reporting turned into mush?…the survival of news reporting depends on getting back to honest reality about local interests?

IS IT TRUE we could go on for several pages about biased TV journalism is a topic for another day? ..the harsh reality is that between biased reporting and intentionally reporting falsehoods, the business of reporting the news has turned off nearly everyone?…with Facebook and other social media making every human being a reporter without any truth filters, we are becoming an amazingly misinformed nation but most of us don’t seem to know it?

IS IT TRUE that it is no secret that the newspaper industry has been falling on hard times for at least a decade?…from the New York Times to every daily news based paper in the country the struggle to survive has meant cuts to staff and the associated lowering the bar when it comes to quality?…it seems as though any small to medium-sized daily paper that once captured a reader’s attention for a half-hour a day is now only capable of keeping one’s attention for less than 10 minutes? …we are being told by friends in the mainstream media if the out of town conglomerate that owns the Evansville Courier and Press don’t pay strict attention to the business at hand they could be forced to publish online only? …we hope that this doesn’t happen because we also enjoy reading a printed newspaper?

IS IT TRUE when former CCO editor and celebrated innovation CEO from Palm Springs, California was asked about the CCO publishing a printed newspaper his answer was surprising?…Mr. Wallace quickly pointed out that newsrooms across the country that are delivering print products are on a 20-year shrinking spree with some newsrooms having less than half of the reporters they had 10 years ago?

IS IT TRUE we are told by reliable sources that business tycoon Ron Geary will be in town today to meet a group of well-heeled business people to discuss a possible multi-million venture capital opportunity in Evansville proper?  …we are pleased to hear if Mr. Geary decides to move forward with this mega capital venture he will not be asking for any governmental handouts?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the CVB board will once again hire an out of town search firm to hire a new Executive Director?

IS IT TRUE there are several local people with the experience and knowledge to help make Evansville a travel destination, including some who currently work for CVB, who are interested in the job?  …that hiring someone local with experience and credentials wouldn’t require a paid search firm and would save taxpayers money?
IS IT TRUE we are tired of hearing why one current CVB employee isn’t being considered for the vacant Executive Directors job is because her father works for a  Casino establishment located in another city close by?  …in her 17 years with the Evansville Convention and Vistors Center she has never been charged with sharing confidential marketing information with a competitor of Tropicana -Evansville?
IS IT TRUE we urge the soon to be appointed search committee of the Evansville Convention and Vistors Bureau to encourage any local resident to apply for the Executive Director position? …they should encourage people to shop local and hire locally?
IS IT TRUE that another CCO staff member went to “AMY’S ON FRANKLIN” last Friday night and was 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?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if the Evansville City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr., CPA has paid the  Victory Theater bills for this year?
IS IT THAT we just learned that super attorney Neil Chapman has leaped from one tall downtown bank building to another?  …this move is something that Superman would do?
Today’s “Reader Poll” question is: If the election was held today for City Council Ward Three (3) who would you vote for?
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

“READERS FORUM” FEBRUARY 27, 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 ON OUR MIND TODAY.

Recently the Republicans Legislature rejected a proposal authored by Representative Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) that would have funded a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 41 in Evansville near Benjamin Bosse High School?  We agree with Mr.Hatfield that “We have a pedestrian bridge for nearly every other high school in town and it is time we protect Bosse students too.”

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Should the Republican-controlled State Legislature approved a pedestrian bridge for Bosse High school students?

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

FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

Proposal to Allow 192% Interest on Payday Loans

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FEBRUARY 26TH, 2019 MEGAN DIVENTI INDIANA

The Indiana Senate is voting on a measure that would allow Payday lenders to charge interest rates on small loans at very high levels.

Senate Bill 613 is causing controversy over whether a 192% interest rate on certain Payday loans would be allowed. As of now, to be considered a “loan shark” a company has to charge 72% interest or higher.

If a company is caught charging anything higher than that it’s considered a felony crime, but a bill that just passed in the Indiana Senate could change all that.

“If you are going to do something like this, like a payday loan, you take all the measures and be really cautious about this,” says Oana Schneider, Tri-State Better Business Bureau.

You’ve probably seen ads for Payday loans or fast money. For many it’s a short-term solution for having a bit more cash until their next payday, but these loans come at a higher cost.

“Sometimes people don’t realize that this is going to open the door to what we call a debt cycle,” says Schneider. “You will get a loan and you will not be able to pay it on time and the interest rate is going to be really high and that means you will keep postponing this and getting more loans to pay off the first loan and then get another one to pay off the second loan that helps you pay the first loan.”

Approximately 12 million Americans use Payday loans each year. Now Hoosiers who are living paycheck to paycheck could be hit harder as lawmakers discuss Senate Bill 613.

The bill would allow two new types of loans.

This includes loans between $605 and $1500 for six to 12 months with annual percentage rates as high as 192%.

The other type is an installment loan of up to $4,000 with repayment periods up to four years out and interest rates of 99%. Under those terms, as soon as you borrow $100, you already owe an additional 99 in interest.

“So when you don’t have the money and you go to one of these places its very important to know the interest rate is going to be high because they know that you are in a critical condition and they will try to take advantage of that,” says Schneider.

Senate Bill 613 now heads to the House. Experts say limiting the amount you borrow and keeping documentation is critical if you are seeking a Payday lender.

In Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, Payday loans are heavily regulated but legal.

Just this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached a settlement with Indiana and Kentucky over Payday lender Cash Tyme. The company was found guilty of violating the Consumer Protection Act of 2010 by not disclosing details of their loans.

Comments

Proposal to Allow 192% Interest on PayDay Loans FEBRUARY 26TH, 2019 MEGAN DIVENTI INDIANA The Indiana Senate is voting on a measure that would allow Payday lenders to charge interest rates on small loans at very high levels. Senate Bill 613 is causing controversy over whether a 192% interest rate on certain Payday loans would be allowed. As of now, to be considered a “loan shark” a company has to charge 72% interest or higher. If a company is caught charging anything higher than that it’s considered a felony crime, but a bill that just passed in the Indiana Senate could change all that. “If you are going to do something like this, like a payday loan, you take all the measures and be really cautious about this,” says Oana Schneider, Tri-State Better Business Bureau. You’ve probably seen ads for Payday loans or fast money. For many it’s a short-term solution for having a bit more cash until their next payday, but these loans come at a higher cost. “Sometimes people don’t realize that this is going to open the door to what we call a debt cycle,” says Schneider. “You will get a loan and you will not be able to pay it on time and the interest rate is going to be really high and that means you will keep postponing this and getting more loans to pay off the first loan and then get another one to pay off the second loan that helps you pay the first loan.” Approximately 12 million Americans use Payday loans each year. Now Hoosiers who are living paycheck to paycheck could be hit harder as lawmakers discuss Senate Bill 613. The bill would allow two new types of loans. This includes loans between $605 and $1500 for six to 12 months with annual percentage rates as high as 192%. The other type is an installment loan of up to $4,000 with repayment periods up to four years out and interest rates of 99%. Under those terms, as soon as you borrow $100, you already owe an additional 99 in interest. “So when you don’t have the money and you go to one of these places its very important to know the interest rate is going to be high because they know that you are in a critical condition and they will try to take advantage of that,” says Schneider. Senate Bill 613 now heads to the House. Experts say limiting the amount you borrow and keeping documentation is critical if you are seeking a Payday lender. In Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, Payday loans are heavily regulated but legal. Just this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached a settlement with Indiana and Kentucky over Payday lender Cash Tyme. The company was found guilty of violating the Consumer Protection Act of 2010 by not disclosing details of their loans.

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FEBRUARY 26TH, 2019 MEGAN DIVENTI INDIANA

The Indiana Senate is voting on a measure that would allow Payday lenders to charge interest rates on small loans at very high levels.

Senate Bill 613 is causing controversy over whether a 192% interest rate on certain Payday loans would be allowed. As of now, to be considered a “loan shark” a company has to charge 72% interest or higher.

If a company is caught charging anything higher than that it’s considered a felony crime, but a bill that just passed in the Indiana Senate could change all that.

“If you are going to do something like this, like a payday loan, you take all the measures and be really cautious about this,” says Oana Schneider, Tri-State Better Business Bureau.

You’ve probably seen ads for Payday loans or fast money. For many, it’s a short-term solution for having a bit more cash until their next payday, but these loans come at a higher cost.

“Sometimes people don’t realize that this is going to open the door to what we call a debt cycle,” says Schneider. “You will get a loan and you will not be able to pay it on time and the interest rate is going to be really high and that means you will keep postponing this and getting more loans to pay off the first loan and then get another one to pay off the second loan that helps you pay the first loan.”

Approximately 12 million Americans use Payday loans each year. Now Hoosiers who are living paycheck to paycheck could be hit harder as lawmakers discuss Senate Bill 613.

The bill would allow two new types of loans.

This includes loans between $605 and $1500 for six to 12 months with annual percentage rates as high as 192%.

The other type is an installment loan of up to $4,000 with repayment periods up to four years out and interest rates of 99%. Under those terms, as soon as you borrow $100, you already owe an additional 99 in interest.

“So when you don’t have the money and you go to one of these places its very important to know the interest rate is going to be high because they know that you are in a critical condition and they will try to take advantage of that,” says Schneider.

Senate Bill 613 now heads to the House. Experts say limiting the amount you borrow and keeping documentation is critical if you are seeking a Payday Lender.

In Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, Payday loans are heavily regulated but legal.

Just this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached a settlement with Indiana and Kentucky over Payday lender Cash Tyme. The company was found guilty of violating the Consumer Protection Act of 2010 by not disclosing details of their loans.

Author, Scholar, Activist Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor To Keynote 2019 Mandela Day

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Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, author and assistant professor of African-American Studies at Princeton University. A widely sought-after author and speaker, Taylor was named one of the 100 most influential African Americans in the United States by The Root in 2016. She is the author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, which won the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award for an Especially Notable Book in 2016. She is also the editor of How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective, which won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ nonfiction in 2018. Her writing has been published in the New York Times; the Los Angeles Times; Boston Review; Paris Review;Guardian; The Nation; Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society; Jacobin and beyond.

 “From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation” – 2019 University of Southern Indiana Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day Keynote Address. This event is free and open to the public, and includes a moderated question and answer period following the address.

 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 26

USI Performance Center. A map of campus featuring the Performance Center can be found on the USI website at USI.edu/map.

PARKING: Media members are free to park in any available parking spot on campus.

NELSON MANDELA SOCIAL JUSTICE DAY: The mission of the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day and Speaker Series is to raise dialogue at USI around current issues of human and civil rights, public service, and activism through diverse, dynamic, nationally, and internationally known public intellectuals and academics.  Keynote speakers are augmented with a day of educational opportunities for the USI community.  Previous speakers include Tia Oso, Dr. Cornel West, Tim Wise and Dr. Alex Lichtenstein.

 

Mental Health Bill Advances Out Of Senate, But Concerns About Privacy Follow

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By Erica Irish
TheStatehouseFile.com

 INDIANAPOLIS — A comprehensive mental health and school safety bill is off to the Indiana House for review after a 29-20 vote in the Senate Tuesday.

Senate Bill 266, authored by law enforcement veteran Sen. Michael Crider, R-Greenfield, said even though the measure underwent extensive changes and expansions that he did not want, it serves as a critical first step to averting school violence caused by students.

“I sat in my office across from parents from Noblesville. I saw the looks on their faces,” Crider said, referring to the May 25 shooting at Noblesville West Middle School in which a 13-year-old student shot his teacher and a classmate. “Someone knew that student was having issues. It’s incumbent upon us as policymakers to try and figure out ways to try and address that situation.”

But the bill survived by a close margin, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing their concern with how certain provisions will interfere with the lives of children.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we have an element of mental health problems in our state and in our country,” said Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville. “But sometimes I wonder if we don’t have more of an issue of a lack of moral character.”

If signed into law, SB 266 would allow the state to award secured school grants to schools seeking to partner with mental health professionals outside the school community or provide internal counseling services.

Students who would benefit from these programs would have to first receive consent from a parent or guardian, and schools that receive dollars to expand mental health services would have to disclose the available resources to parents.

Legislators like Tomes, however, say these provisions don’t do enough to protect individual privacy. Tomes pointed out a clause in the bill that outlines intervention rules at the state level. For example, the bill would require the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana to develop a behavioral health plan for individuals from birth to age 22 regarding “(1) comprehensive mental health services; (2) early intervention; and (3) treatment services.”

“These are children. They’re not specimens,” Tomes said. “Is this some major government program or experiment we’re going to conduct?”

His colleague Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis, dubbed the measure “Senate Bill 1984” when voicing his opposition, referring to the classic novel by George Orwell that describes a world regulated by “thought police,” propaganda and an invasive government called “Big Brother.”

Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, also warned the parental consent requirement could spur conflict between schools and families. He said if a school identifies a child as a “dangerous person” based on their behavior and the parents refuse to consent to in-school treatment, the district might be left to a difficult choice.

“You know what the school’s going to do?” Taylor asked. “Kick them out.”

But for single parents like Sens. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, and Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, who each spoke from personal experience as single fathers, said schools are one of the first places where mental health issues can be discovered and treated.

“When you’re a single parent and you’re working, you’re not spending the most time with your children,” Bohacek said. “The schools are.”

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

 

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CITY COUNTY OBSERVER OFFERS COMPLIMENTARY OBITUARIES

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Last week the City-County Observer made an agreement with Funeral Homes located in Boonville and Chandler, Indiana that allows us to post their obituaries in our publication at no costs. We feel by posting complimentary obituaries in the City-County Observer to be a public service to the communities we serve.

We also feel that this gesture allows us to pay proper tribute and respect not only to the deceased person but to their family members.

Today, we are extremely pleased to announce that Koehler Funeral Homes of Boonville and Chandler have agreed to allow the City-County Observer to post complimentary obituaries of the deceased that they are providing a dignified funeral for.

Mason Brothers Funeral Homes in Evansville and Henderson, Ky have just agreed to allow City-County Observer to post complimentary obituaries.  During the next several weeks, we will be announcing additional Funeral Homes that have agreed to allow us to post complimentary obituaries in our newspaper.

In the coming days, we shall be announcing additional area Funeral Homes that have agreed to allow the City-County Observer to post complimentary obituaries.

KOEHLER  FUNERAL HOMES SERVING WARRICK COUNTY SINCE 1895

Koehler Funeral Home is dedicated to providing services to the families of Warrick and the surrounding Counties with care and compassion.

For over 100 years the Warrick County community has trusted Koehler Funeral Home with helping them plan the celebrations of lives lived.

We serve every family in our community with great pride. We are able to offer a wide range of services to meet your families needs and customs. We will listen to you and your wishes to help plan a celebration consistent with your expectations. We will take the time to plan every detail and help to relieve the burden on your family during your time of loss.

Our facility offers a warm, comfortable, family-oriented environment with traditional architecture and tasteful decor. We can accommodate all types of funerals and memorials both large and small, public or private. We have two chapels:

Boonville Chapel-304 East Main Street, Boonville, IN 47601

Perigo Chapel-7022 Heim Road, Chandler, IN 47610

LEARN MORE

MASON”S BROTHERS FUNERAL HOMES

OUR HISTORY

Mason Brothers Funeral Services operates the Mason Family of Funeral Homes which has multiple locations in Southwest Indiana and Western Kentucky. In addition to the funeral homes, we operate Olde Town Monuments Gallery.  The first funeral home was founded in 1935 by Ernest F. Mason, Sr. and his wife Mayme Starks Mason in Madisonville, Kentucky. They mentored their children in the business and established a legacy of professionalism and exceptional service which has been perpetuated by Ernest F. Mason, Jr., Judy Mason, William C. Mason, and youngest son, Roth S. Mason.

William C. Mason opened a location in Evansville, Indiana in 1982. Roth S. Mason started a location in Mayfield, KY in 1987 and later in Henderson, KY.

In an effort to offer families more comprehensive funeral services, Roth S. Mason opened Olde Town Monuments Gallery; a full monument service offering Granite Markers, Bronze on Granite Markers, and Monuments in all colors and shapes including benches. In the very near future, Mr. Mason will open a crematory to serve the Tri-state area.

Throughout the years, Masons have ministered to the needs of thousands of families while ensuring a dignified home-going service for their loved ones.  Mason Brothers Funeral Services is currently owned and managed by Roth S. Mason, licensed funeral director & embalmer with over 25 years of experience. He is licensed in the state of Indiana as well as the state of Kentucky. Mr. Mason is the current President of the Kentucky Association of Morticians, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association.

FOOTNOTE:  Please go to our newly created Obituary section located on the bottom half of our publication so you can view recent obituaries.

Johann Funeral Home BY Pat Sides

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YESTERYEAR BY PAT SIDES

In this 1950s image, the white hearse hints at the original function of the buildings on Garfield stretching between Illinois and Indiana streets, now in use as apartments.

The structure in the foreground was the Albert Johann Memorial Chapel, which is seen from the intersection of Illinois and Garfield (looking southeast). It was part of the undertaking business established in 1866 by Albert Johann, Sr., who had arrived in Evansville from Germany in 1848.

After the Civil War, the Jacobsville neighborhood grew rapidly, populated by an influx of German immigrants; the mortuary filled a vital need in the neighborhood, eventually becoming the largest in the city.

Owned by the same family throughout its long history, the funeral home closed in 1979.

Evansville Ivy Tech Student Recognized By IDOE Today With Student Excellence Award

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Lisa Hamrick, an Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Campus student, today (2/26/19) was honored with an Award for Excellence by the Indiana Department of Education at the Indiana Government Center Auditorium in Indianapolis.

Hamrick was nominated by Donna Zimmerman, program chair for Advanced Automation and Robotics. She said Hamrick is a driven student who gives her all to whatever challenge is placed before her.

A single mother of two, Hamrick said she originally was a cyber security student and liked the program, but had already worked some in advanced manufacturing. After getting a taste of robotics, she changed her major.

Zimmerman said she had been faced with dwindling participation in the Robotics Club, and approached the Student Life director about how to see an increase. Hamrick was approached about helping out. “She sent Lisa to see me, and Lisa immediately joined the club, submitted all the necessary paperwork, started a membership drive, and literally saved the Robotics Club from disbanding.”

Hamrick said there was something about helping others, by altering toys to perform a function for someone with a disability that caused her to switch majors. Now, she works with Zimmerman with 3D printing pieces to be used to build a prosthetic arm and working hand. “We even got to go to EnableCon 2018, an international conference on prosthetics, and participate in a panel discussion,” she said.

Hamrick serves as a work study and also does some cleaning of Ivy Tech buildings, while she takes several classes each grading period. She is involved in five student organizations and takes a leading role in many. “She gives her all to them, and truly serves each with excellence,” Zimmerman said.

Following her anticipated graduation in 2020, she plans to study mechanical engineering and eventually become a professor. “I love to teach,” she said.

The Indiana Career and Technical Education Awards for Excellence program identifies and celebrates career and technical education students, programs, active partnerships that contribute to high quality career and technical education, guidance/career services displaying excellence in Indiana, and outstanding contributors to careers in technical education in Indiana.

“Lisa is the perfect person to receive this honor,” said Evansville Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel. “She exemplifies what an engaged student is at Ivy Tech. She loves her classes, she participates and leads many organizations, and she is working toward a career that she loves and is passionate about.”

 

 

Marriage Licenses For Vanderburgh County Issued

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Marriage Licenses Issued

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