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Committee Approves Bill To Expand Role Of Religion In Schools

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By Erica Irish
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—A bill by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, in its initial form would have introduced sweeping changes to the role religion plays in public schools, opening the door for schools to teach courses on creation science and Bible studies.

But after speaking with stakeholders, Kruse proposed an amendment at a Senate Education and Career Development Committee hearing Wednesday to undo most of the proposal.

 

Originally, Senate Bill 373 would have required schools to acquire a poster that clearly displays the motto of the United States — “In God We Trust” — for all classrooms and libraries within a school building. But it would be up to the schools to secure the funds for the posters, either through donations or the school district’s own dollars.

Now, only one provision in the bill remains and it passed out of the education committee in an 8-2 vote, with Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, and Eddie Melton, D-Gary, voting against.

Should SB 373 become law, public high schools will be able to count time spent by a student on optional religious instruction as academic credit, up to a maximum of two elective academic credits.

Kruse, who previously served on the board of directors for a Child Evangelism Fellowship division in Indiana, said religious education organizations are allowed to ask for time to work with students thanks to a Supreme Court decision.

Dating back to 1952, the case Zorach v. Clauson involved a New York City law that permitted its public schools to release students for optional religious instruction should the parent of a child request it.

The Supreme Court determined this measure did not violate the First Amendment of the federal constitution, which prohibits the establishment of a state religion, because the religious education was optional to students and did not pose an additional cost to school districts.

Kruse cited Child Evangelism Fellowship, whose mission is to “evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord of Jesus Christ,” as one of the most prolific religious learning options for schools around the country. In 2018, through its programs in schools, homes, camps and internet ministries, the fellowship served an estimated 22.9 million children worldwide, according to its website.

Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, said he was concerned SB 373 prioritized Christian interests and could limit opportunities for students who want to explore other religions.

“Can somebody go to a Catholic school and teach the Qur’an?” Stoops asked. “Hopefully you’ve got both in there. It seems like if it works one way it should be able to work both ways.”

Some who testified took issue with the reality that public schools should release students for religious education at all.

Reba Boyd Wooden, executive director of the Center for Inquiry Indiana, a non-profit committed to advancing secular values, said each of her children went through a district that offered release time for religious education. She allowed them to decide if they wanted the instruction.

While her son chose to attend, her daughter did not, opting to complete her homework instead. But overall, Boyd Wooden said, including release time for optional religious instruction disrupted already limited class time for all students and their teachers.

“We are talking about having enough time to teach the essentials in schools, and we’re taking time out of that,” Boyd Wooden said.

SB 373 now moves to the full Senate for debate.

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

EPA Releases First Major Update to Chemicals List in 40 Years

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an update of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory listing the chemicals that are actively being manufactured, processed and imported in the United States.

A key result of the update is that less than half of the total number of chemicals on the current TSCA Inventory (47 percent or 40,655 of the 86,228 chemicals) are currently in commerce. As the result of a tremendous effort on behalf of thousands of stakeholders and manufacturers from across the country, this information will help EPA focus risk evaluation efforts on chemicals that are still on the market.

“It’s important for us to know which chemicals are actually in use today. This will help us with our work prioritizing chemicals, evaluating and addressing risks. This information also increases transparency to the public,” said Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dapolito Dunn.

As recently as 2018, the TSCA Inventory showed over 86,000 chemicals available for commercial production and use in the U.S. Until this update, it was not known which of these chemicals on the TSCA Inventory were actually in commerce. Under amended TSCA – The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21 Century Act – EPA was required to update the list and designate which chemicals are active or inactive in U.S. commerce.

More than 80 percent (32,898) of the chemicals in commerce have identities that are not Confidential Business Information (CBI), increasing public access to additional information about them. For the less than 20 percent of the chemicals in commerce that have confidential identities, EPA is developing a rule outlining how the Agency will review and substantiate all CBI claims seeking to protect the specific chemical identities of substances on the confidential portion of the TSCA Inventory.

From August 11, 2017 through October 5, 2018, chemical manufacturers and processors provided information on which chemicals were manufactured, imported or processed in the U.S. over the past ten years, the period ending June 21, 2016. The agency received more than 90,000 responses, which represents a significant reporting effort by manufacturers, importers and processors.

Justices Grapple With Statute Of Limitations Language During Oral Arguments

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Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindinalawyer.com

A case involving a brownfield cleanup and a question of when a claim for recovery of costs can be brought met a skeptical Indiana Supreme Court Thursday, when the justices quizzed both sides on the meaning and implication of the state’s Environmental Legal Action statute.

The court heard oral arguments Feb. 21 to decide if it would grant transfer to Elkhart Foundry & Machine Company, Inc. v. City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, 20A03-1602-CT-02136.

At issue is a long debate over the statute of limitations for bringing a claim under the ELA. Indiana Code section 34-11-2-7 established a six-year limit, but an amendment that created I.C. 34-11-2-11.5 has been seen as providing a 10-year statute of limitations.

The city of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission filed a lawsuit in 2016 against the Elkhart Foundry & Machine Co., Inc., for cleaning up the foundry’s former industrial site. Contaminants found on the 6.8 acres include arsenic, lead and chromium. Also, lead, fluoranthene and pyrene was found to be impacting the sediment of the nearby Elkhart River.

However, Elkhart Foundry argued the lawsuit was time-barred. It asserted the city had six years to file a claim from 2007, when it first learned of the contamination. The city countered that subsection 11.5 creates a 10-year statute of limitations that is triggered when the cleanup costs are incurred.

The Elkhart Superior Court agreed with the city, and the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed.

Before the Supreme Court, attorney Erik Mroz, representing the foundry, said the Court of Appeals decision leads to an absurd result of a statute of limitations that essentially limits nothing.

“When I learn I have an actual fileable claim, I have 6 years to file that lawsuit, and when I file that lawsuit, the court just looks back 10 years,” said Mroz, partner at Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP in Carmel. “My point is, without a hard and fast deadline to file the lawsuit, we don’t have a statute of limitations under the ELA. And if the Indiana Legislature did not want there to be a statute of limitations under the ELA, they could have just said so.”

Justice Mark Massa jumped in and asked why, if subsection 11.5 is not a statute of limitations, did the Legislature include it under the heading of statute of limitations? Joining that line of questioning, Chief Justice Loretta Rush pushed Mroz on the ELA versus the Underground Storage Tank Act. She cited Pflanz v. Foster, 888 N.E.2d 756 (Ind. 2008), and asked why the General Assembly would have one statute of limitations – here, 10 years – for cost recovery claims under the UST and a different one for the ELA.

Mroz responded, “It is our position that the plain and ordinary meaning of (subsection) 11.5 indicates that the Legislature did not abrogate the six-year statute of limitations for property damage claims.”

Justice Geoffrey Slaughter tested Elkhart’s argument, sparring with attorney Brent Huber before he even formally introduced himself to the court. He argued the ELA provision is unlike the others in the chapter in that it does not talk about when the claim accrues and when the lawsuit must be brought.

Huber, partner at Ice Miller LLP, maintained the ELA is action for contribution. The statute of limitations begins running when costs are incurred, not when the contamination was first known. Just knowing about the contamination does not trigger to statute of limitations’ clock.

Slaughter said, “My quibble with you is that those aren’t the words that the Legislature used, and I guess that prompts the question, ‘What is it that qualifies as law?’”

Huber responded, “I would submit that it is the words in the statute.”

Slaughter punched back, “But the words don’t help you here.”

Huber replied, “The courts have also recognized that you can consider the titles and the headings and the location of the statute, certainly the timing of the statute. If you look at all of those things, it’s quite clear that this was intended to be a statute of limitations.”

Slaughter reiterated, “The question for us is, ‘Does the intention matter or do the words matter?’”

Huber argued, “It would have no effect whatsoever if it was not a statute of limitations.”

Slaughter countered, “Well, no. it would have effect. It would simply be treated as (Mroz) suggests that there’s a 10-year lookback for these costs that your client is seeking to recover. It’s either subject to a six-year statute of limitations because as we said in (Cooper Indus. LLC v. City of South Bend, 899, N.E.2d 1274 (Ind. 2009)), it’s a claim about property damage. Or, even if you think the Legislature was repealing that part of Cooper too, then there’s a 10-year catch-all statute of limitations. It’s not as though there’s no statute of limitations.”

Huber responded, “In that situation, your honor, subsection (c) of 11.5 would have no meaning whatsoever because it clearly gives the plaintiff the right to recover 10 years’ worth of cost, and you simply cannot incur recoverable costs without knowing about the contamination.”

Indiana Qualifies 17 for Saturday Night Finals at Big Ten Championships

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The No. 17-ranked Indiana University women’s swimming and diving team qualified 17 swimmers and divers for the last night of competition at the 2019 Big Ten Women’s Championships at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington, Ind.

The Hoosiers will have a total of seven swimmers and divers in Championship Finals, eight in B Finals and two in C Finals.

The Hoosiers will take a 111-point lead into the final night of the conference championships. IU leads with a score of 938.5 points with Michigan in second with a total of 827.5 Ohio State sits in third with 779 points.

100 Freestyle

Freshman Morgan Scott qualified for her third Championship Final this week, earning the No. 6 seed tonight with a career-best time of 48.91.

Classmate Julia Wolf (49.41, PR) and Laurel Eiber will swim in the B Final, while both Maria Paula Heitmann (50.13) and Grace Haskett (50.31) will compete in the C Final.

200 Breaststroke

Indiana will have eight divers in the finals of the 200 breaststroke, with four each in the Championship and B Finals. Three-time defending champion Lilly King will be the top seed after posting a 2:06.99.

Joining King in the Championship Final will be Laura Morley (2:08.16, PR), Noelle Peplowski (2:09.10) and Bailey Anderson (2:10.80).

Swimming for IU in the B Final will be Abby Kirkpatrick (2:11.85, PR), Bailey Kovac (2:12.33), Mackenzie Looze (2:13.25) and Mackenzie Atencio (2:13.31, PR).

200 Butterfly

IU’s Shelby Koontz earned a spot in the Championship Final of the 200 butterflies, touching the wall in a time of 1:57.44 Senior Christine Jensen will swim in the B Final after posting a career-best time of 1:57.89.

Platform Dive

After winning gold in the 1-meter and bronze in the 3-meter dives this week, redshirt senior Jessica Parratto qualified for first overall for the Championship Final of the platform dive. Parratto, the reigning Big Ten champion in the event, posted a score of 326.40.

Taylor Carter continued her strong week, earning a spot in the B Final with a career-best score of 256.70.

The 2019 Big Ten Women’s Championships come to a conclusion on Friday night, with the finals of the 1,650 freestyle, 200 backstrokes, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststrokes, 200 butterflies, platform dive, and 400 freestyle relay.

The first five timed finals of the 1,650 freestyle begin at 4:00 p.m. ET, with the action getting started in earnest at 6:30 p.m. ET.

For all the latest on Indiana University women’s swimming and diving, be sure to follow the team on social media - Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

200 Backstroke

  1. Lauren Miller – 2:03.36 (Personal Best)

100 Freestyle

Morgan Scott – 48.91 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

Julia Wolf – 49.41 (B Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

Laurel Eiber – 49.85 (B Final – NCAA B Cut)

Maria Paula Heitmann – 50.13 (C Final)

Grace Haskett – 50.31 (C Final)

200 Breaststroke

Lilly King – 2:06.99 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut)

Laura Morley – 2:08.16 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

Noelle Peplowski – 2:09.10 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut)

Bailey Anderson – 2:10.80 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut)

Abby Kirkpatrick – 2:11.85 (B Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

Bailey Kovac – 2:12.33 (B Final – NCAA B Cut)

Mackenzie Looze – 2:13.25 (B Final – NCAA B Cut)

Mackenzie Atencio – 2:13.31 (B Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

  1. Hope Hayward – 2:16.43

200 Butterfly

Shelby Koontz – 1:57.44 (Championship Final – NCAA B Cut)

Christine Jensen – 1:57.89 (B Final – NCAA B Cut, Personal Best)

  1. Ashleigh Lechner – 2:05.42 (Personal Best)

Platform Dive

Jessica Parratto – 326.40 (Championship Final – NCAA Zones Qualifying Score)

Taylor Carter – 256.70 (B Final – NCAA Zones Qualifying Score, Personal Best)

  1. Alyssa Wang – 192.10

Snodgrass Floral Company Owner Dies From West Nile; Family Warns the Public of Danger

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FEBRUARY 23RD, 2019 AMANDA PORTER INDIANA

A memorial service was held at Sweetwater Event Center today, to honor the life of an Evansville man who touched a lot of hearts. Richard Snodgrass, the owner of Snodgrass floral arrangements, was affected by a disease you wouldn’t think to associate with the Tri-State, West Nile virus.

Snodgrass contracted a mosquito bite sometime last year, and now the Snodgrass family wants to bring awareness to West Nile and the potentially harmful affects.

“It’s something you hear about on T.V. It’s something you see about, read about, but it’s here. It’s very prominent, it’s in Evansville, Indiana, it’s in your backyard,” says Snodgrass’s daughter Karen.

West Nile is not something you imagine affecting the Tri-State, but friends and family of philanthropist and florist are feeling the aftermath of the disease.

“This was a man that was very vibrant, very strong,” says Karen.

“He contracted a mosquito bite and through the mosquito bite contracted West Nile, because he had a little bit of a weakened immune system,” says Karen.

Karen believes some good can come out of the tragedy. She believes her father would want the public to be aware of the dangers of West Nile and know how to prevent it from happening to them.

“Wear your Deet this summer. Reach out to Indiana, or the CDC.Gov. Look at the website and see what West Nile does. It’s devastating, devastating,” says Karen.

Doctors warned to stay away from mosquito breeding grounds such as standing water and watch out for the flu-like symptoms that it brings. Also, they realize that some people will be bothered by mosquitoes no matter what they do, and just to take extra caution when going outdoors. The Snodgrass family says it’s a devastating blow to Evansville to lose a man like Richard who has given more than smiles and flowers to the community. His wife and business partner, Marianne, wants to thank the community for all the years of happiness.

“Richard and I started an amazing business together, and so we had so many fabulous customers that supported us and are supporting me throughout this.” Richard Snodgrass will live on in those that knew him and hopefully his legacy can save a few lives as well. West Nile is a disease that can affect anyone, but the elderly and infants are the most susceptible. Be sure to educate yourselves, and take caution outdoors this summer.

Gov. Holcomb Unveils Next Level Broadband Grant Program

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the launch of the Next Level Broadband program, which will dedicate $100 million to bridge the digital divide in rural areas of the state.

“The internet is just as essential to Indiana’s prosperity today as highways were a century ago,” Gov. Holcomb said. “By expanding access to affordable broadband, we’ll ensure more Hoosiers can use this business and personal necessity.”

Gov. Holcomb has asked Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, to oversee the application program. The Indiana Department of Transportation will administer grant funding and provide technical support.

For the initial round of funding, broadband providers can apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved areas if they provide at least a 20 percent match. Unserved areas are without at least one broadband provider offering internet fast enough to provide the most basic services – at least 10 mbps download and 1 mbps upload.

The grant program is launching after months of working with stakeholders as a part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections, a $1 billion statewide infrastructure program announced in September 2018.

Applications and more information can be found on ocra.in.gov/nlc.htm. The deadline for applications is April 5 by 4 p.m. ET.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Jamie Orian Massie: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Amanda Faye Stanley: Attempt Obstruction of justice, Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Nicholas Thomas Alexandr Prince: Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony)

Damon Curry: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Jacob Andrews: Attempt Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Mackenzie D. Bryant: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person with a passenger less than 18 years of age (Level 6 Felony)

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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MAIL HANDLER ASSISTANT
United States Postal Service 3.6/5 rating   19,303 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$16 an hour
Please ensure you can receive email messages from our test vendor and follow instructions carefully so you can be. Weigh incoming sacks;…
Feb 12
Indoor Football Player
National Gridiron League – Evansville, IN
Responsive employer
Unfocused or thoughtless actions, such as late hits, taunting, and false starts destroy good field position and momentum….
Easily apply
Feb 17
Courier/Delivery Driver, Mon-Fri 2:30pm-8:00pm, $17.10/Hr.
FedEx Express 4/5 rating   2,048 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$17.10 an hour
The provisions of this article shall apply to any application by any person for a license or employment at any public or private employer, who has previously…
Feb 18
WAREHOUSE/MATERIAL HANDLER
Frito Lay 3.5/5 rating   4,179 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Safely operate a forklift after we provide you training and you obtain certification. Whether you are experienced or not, please be sure that you meet the…
Feb 18
Help Wanted
B & M Electronics – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 1321 Covert Avenue,…
Feb 18
Full-time Receiving and Shipping Associate ( $400-$450/Week)
Evansville Overstock Warehouse – Evansville, IN
$400 – $450 a week
Driver’s License (Required). As a Receiving and Shipping Associate at Lexington Overstock Warehouse your job duties could include stocking warehouse furniture,…
Easily apply
Feb 13
Veterinary Receptionist
West Side Pet Hospital – Evansville, IN
Responsive employer
No phone calls please. We are currently hiring for a full time receptionist for a busy veterinary clinic. Experience is preferred….
Easily apply
Feb 15
Emergency Management Assistant – EVPL Central
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library 3.7/5 rating   3 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$11.57 an hour
I need a valid driver’s license. Regularly performing general office duties and clerical support for the Human Resources and Equity and Well-being team,…
Feb 14
Communications Officer/Dispatcher
City of Henderson Kentucky – Henderson, KY
$15.81 an hour
The purpose of this classification is to answer multiple telephone lines, to communicate effectively with persons requesting emergency and non-emergency…
Easily apply
Feb 18
FedEx Ground Delivery Driver
MAK Logistics – Evansville, IN
$550 a week
Must have valid driver’s license in the state where residing. Driver’s License (Required). We are seeking self motivated individuals who are able to manage…
Easily apply
Feb 14
Morning Show Anchor
WEVV 3.8/5 rating   5 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Morning Show Anchor WEVV-TV (CBS44 and FOX44) is looking for a full time anchor/producer to add to our 44News morning show in Evansville, Indiana. We need…
Easily apply
Feb 18
Experience Facilitator – EVPL North Park
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library 3.7/5 rating   3 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$13.24 an hour
I need a valid driver’s license. I need to have a Bachelor’s degree in a related or applicable field and minimal experience conducting programs for users of all…
Easily apply
Feb 18
Morning Anchor/Producer
Bayou City Broadcasting (WEVV-TV) – Evansville, IN
WEVV-TV (CBS44 and FOX44) is looking for a full time anchor/producer to add to our 44News morning show in Evansville, Indiana. We need an early riser with…
Easily apply
Feb 18
Handler-Warehouse, Part Time w Benefits, M-F, $13.00/Hr
FedEx Express 4/5 rating   2,048 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$13 an hour
The provisions of this article shall apply to any application by any person for a license or employment at any public or private employer, who has previously…
Feb 12
Processing Shipment
Gabriel Brothers 3.3/5 rating   238 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Receive truck and unload, sort. Process merchandise and ready it to be pushed out to the floor….
Easily apply
Feb 18

Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation MEETING

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The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2019, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).

The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room, same address.

EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION MEETING

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EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION

MEETING AGENDA

Monday, February 25, 2019

4:00 p.m.  Room 307, Civic Center Complex

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
  1. An executive session and a closed hearing will be held prior to the open session.
  1. The executive session and hearing are closed as provided by:
  1. I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5): To receive information about and interview prospective employees.
  2. I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A): With respect to any individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction to receive information concerning the individual’s alleged misconduct.
  3. I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9): To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees.  This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.
  1. OPEN SESSION:
  1. CALL TO ORDER
  1. ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS
  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
    1. January 28, 2019  (Cook, Scott, and Hamilton)
  1. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
  1. PROBATIONARY OFFICER UPDATE
    1. Sgt. Steve Kleeman reports on the 12 officers in the field-training program.
  1. MERIT AWARD RECOMMENDATION:
    1. Civilian Robin Simpson for actions taken on January 13, 2019 to confront an active gunman at the VFW Post #1114 on Wabash Ave.  
  1. APPLICANTS:
    1. 18-015
    2. 18-195
    3. 18-206
    4. 18-091
  1. RESIGNATION:
    1. Officer Eyan Childress, Badge Number 1466, resigned effective February 5, 2019 after serving 8 days.
  1. REMINDERS:  The next meeting is Monday, March 11, 2019 at 4:00pm in Room 307.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT
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