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Aces baseball drops game one of doubleheader to Little Rock

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The University of Evansville baseball team got a dominating performance from junior starting pitcher Adam Lukas and some early opportunistic offense, however Little Rock got the last laugh in rallying to a game one 7-5 victory in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sunday afternoon.

The Aces grabbed the early lead, as senior outfielder Nate Reeder reached on a one-out hit-by-pitch, then moved into scoring position on an error, then scored on freshman second baseman Danny Borgstrom’s RBI single for the icebreaker.

Lukas would struggle in the bottom of the opening frame, walking in a run, knotting the game at one.

However, in the top of the second, the Evansville bats ignited. After Troy Beilsmith got hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, freshman designated hitter A.J. Fritz sent a single to second, however an error allows Fritz to make it to second, allowing Beilsmith to tally the go-ahead run. A single by sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig would load up the bases, then a Kenton Crews sacrifice fly would bring in Fritz to make it 3-1 Aces. Senior third baseman Sam Troyer would follow that up by hustling out an infield single, scoring DannyBorgstrom, pushing the UE lead to 4-1. Junior shortstop Craig Shepherd would cap the rally with an RBI single to center, driving in Craig, giving Evansville a 5-1 advantage.

Lukas would recover from his shaky start, tossing four shutout innings, striking out seven in the process. The junior right-hander was one pitch away from getting out of sixth, when Troy Alexander tagged Lukas for a solo shot to right, ending his day, after tossing 120 pitches. Weigand (1-1) would get out of the frame without any more damage. However, in the seventh, the Trojans would whittle into the lead with another tally.

Little Rock would go onto load up the bases on Weigand with no one out in the bottom of the eighth, which would bring junior right-hander Jake McMahill in relief. Chase Coker would greet McMahill with a grand slam home run, giving the Trojans a lead they would not relinquish.

The loss dropped the Aces to 1-4 on the season, while the win gives Little Rock (1-4) their first of the season.

Aces Softball Defeats Creighton, 4-2

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Aces Pick Up Big Win In weekend Final

 Eryn Gould notched two hits and scored twice while Emily Lockhart tossed another complete game to lead the University of Evansville softball team to a 4-2 win over Creighton on Sunday morning.

Evansville (6-6) picked up four hits on the day with Gould notching two.  Katie McLean and Mackenzie McFeron had the other two.  Lockhart went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four.

The Purple Aces scored single runs in both the first and second inning.  Gould hit a leadoff double to begin the game and would score when Bailee Bostic reached on an error.  In the second, McFeron drew a 1-out walk before working her magic on the basepaths.  She stole second base before moving to third on a passed ball.  Gould reached on an error, allowing McFeron to add to the lead, making it a 2-0 game.

Creighton (5-7) picked up two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the third, but Evansville countered in the fifth.  McLean singled to lead off the frame before advancing to second on a Mea Adams sacrifice.  Another Bluejay error helped McLean give the lead back to the Aces.  In the seventh, UE added an insurance run when Gould came home on the fifth Creighton error of the day.

Lockhart was able to finish it off from there, picking up her third victory of the season.

Next weekend, the Aces head to Birmingham, Alabama for a tournament hosted by Samford.  The Aces will take on Western Kentucky, Houston Baptist, Jackson State and Samford in the tournament.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY SHERIFF ARRESTS BOOKING

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

“READERS FORUM” FEBRUARY 25, 2018

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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 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.

University of Evansville Alum Rami Malek Wins Best Actor at the Oscars

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FEBRUARY 25TH, 2019 AMANDA PORTER INDIANA

The University of Evansville community is celebrating the achievements of one of its own. 2003 UE graduate Rami Malek is nominated for the best actor award for his portrayal of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Sterling Square hosted an Oscar watch party featuring food and desserts. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the university’s new lab theatre.

“It also serves us very well in recruiting purposes,” says UE theatre director Sharla Cowden.

“We audition over 22 hundred students every year. You accept only 40 in the first year class, so we really feel this will bow well for us on a national level too, being able to improve the quality of students that come to the university.”

In addition to watching the Oscars, patrons played games including guessing who would win in each category.

Agenda For Tonights City Council Meeting

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City Council Meeting
FEBRUARY 25, 2019 at 5:30 P.M. At Civic Center

AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION

 

Agenda Attachment:
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM

 

Memo Attachment:
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

V. CONSENT AGENDA:  FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE F-2019-03 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Approving the Annual Community Development Plan and Appropriating Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program Grant Funds Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 3/11/2019 4:00pm Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD
F-2019-03 Attachment:
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

VII. REGULAR AGENDA:  SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2019-01 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.50.30 (Department of Economic Development) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date:  2/25/2019 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS
G-2019-01 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2019-02 An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Sewage Works Revenue Bonds of the City of Evansville, Indiana, and Issuance of Notes in Anticipation of the Issuance of Bonds; Prescribing the Form and Other Details of the Bonds; Providing for the Collection and Disposition of the Revenues to be Derived from its Sewerage System; Making Other Provisions With Respect to the Operation of the System and the Issuance and Sale of the Bonds and Notes; and Providing for the Security and Payment of the Bonds and Notes; Other Matters Connected Therewith, and Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith. Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer, Elpers Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Adams Discussion Date: 2/25/2019
G-2019-02 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2019-03 An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 15.16 (Registration of Rental Dwellings) and Amending Chapter 8.40 (Registration of Residential Rental Business) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): McGinn Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Mosby Discussion Date:  2/25/2019
G-2019-03 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE G-2019-04 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places Within The City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as a Portion of Waterworks Road, In the City of Evansville, Indiana. Sponsor(s): Mosby Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Mosby Discussion Date:  2/25/2019
G-2019-04 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE F-2019-02 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Additional Appropriations within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date:  2/25/2019
F-2019-02 Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2019-01 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 224 Mulberry Street Petitioner: Caron Leader & George Boren Owner: Caron Leader & George Boren Requested Change: R3 to CO1 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Julie Bellamy
R-2019-01 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2019-02 Amended An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 202-204 E. Florida Street Petitioner: Betty J. Hammer Owner: Betty J. Hammer Requested Change: C1 and R2 to C4 w/UDC Ward: 3 Hayden Representative: Krista B. Lockyear, Lockyear Law
R-2019-02 Amended Attachment:
H. ORDINANCE R-2019-03 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3540 Broadway Avenue Petitioner: Richard & Lucia Schenk Owner: Richard & Lucia Schenk Requested Change: R1 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Krista B. Lockyear, Lockyear Law
R-2019-03 Attachment:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

 

A. RESOLUTION C-2019-01 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for Community One, Inc. Whole House Rehabilitation Projects in the City of Evansville, Indiana in an Amount not to Exceed Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000) Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 2/25/2019
C-2019-01 Attachment:
IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

 

A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, March 11, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A. ORDINANCE F-2019-03 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Approving the Annual Community Development Plan and Appropriating Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program Grant Funds Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 3/11/2019 4:00pm Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD
F-2019-03 Attachment:
XI. ADJOURNMENT

Eagles Plate 20 To Defeat Bulldogs

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team scored nine times in the first inning and cruised to a 20-1 victory over Truman State University Sunday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles move their record to 4-1 to start the year, while Bulldogs fall to 0-7.

More Than 800 Firefighters Attend Weekend Officers School in Owensboro

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PAUL WILCOXEN KENTUCKY, OWENSBORO

Firefighters and emergency personnel spend several hours each year training and preparing for the next emergency.

In Owensboro over the weekend, more than 800 men and women convened at the convention center to learn advanced techniques through the Bryant Stiles Officers School hosted by the Green River Firefighters Association.

“What this allows is for the firefighters to come in and get some advanced leadership training in how to manage a fire scene, how to recognize PTSD, suicidal tendencies amongst emergency responders [and] how to build a successful training program,” said GRFA treasurer Pat Thompson.

“It’s programs you don’t normally get on a weekly [or] monthly bases at your local fire department.”

The event featured a total of 31 classes over the three-day event.

“They’re great classes,” said Eva Antee, a firefighter from Hopkinsville, KY. “You learn a lot from them, and they’ve got some great instructors.

“I’m glad they’ve continued with these classes all these years because you do learn a lot.”

The Green River Firefighters Association has hosted the seminars from close to three decades but moved the event from Owensboro in 2009 when the Executive Inn closed.

“We moved it to Lexington,” said Thompson. “But when the convention center opened back up, we’re not in our fifth year back here at the convention center.”

Thompson says most of the firefighters are from Kentucky, but the school also sees men and women from Illinois and Indiana back the trek, as well as from Tennessee and West Virginia.

“All of our instructors come from nation-wide,” said Thompson. “We have some from Rhode Island, Louisiana, California, and Florida. We have instructors from all over the country.”

Antee says she’s hoping to learn more about being a safety officer and making sure her firefighters are going and returning safely.

“I love helping people,” she said. “We need more people out here to help others and show that we care.”

Antee adds that it’s important to continue to train.

“We don’t know everything,” she stated. “Each class that we go into, we do learn more. I’m very anxious about learning more and I wish other people would take consideration and doing the same thing with helping people.”

Thompson also says that one area that is getting more outside attention when it comes to firefighters is cancer awareness.

“It’s not new to us, but it’s newly recognized,” said Thompson. “Cancer awareness has been a big topic.

“Things are being made different now. It’s not all wood anymore its plastics. So, our firefighters are being exposed to more harmful chemicals and things that are in the fire, so we’ve got to learn ways to better take care of ourselves.”

When it all comes down to it, Antee says she sees all her fellow firefighters as a family.

“I look at them like we’re all family,” said Antee. “We should all stick together. You learn from them as well because there’s a lot of them that are more experienced than some.”

Thompson notes, the Green River Firefighters Association are already working towards next year’s convention.

“People love coming to Owensboro,” said Thompson. “When we came back five years ago it was tremendous that the city and county built [the convention center].

“When you have thirty-something classes offered and you’re trying to tie down instructors and nailing them down and get them here, you’ve got to start planning events so we have discussed things that we can do better than we did this year and what we’re going to keep for next year and what we’re going to add.”

The Evansville Water And Sewer Utility Board Needs $110 Million In Bond Funds

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On February 5th, the Utility Board approved a Bond Resolution that came before the City Council for the first reading on February 11.  The 2nd reading is scheduled for February 25th  and Utility representatives will be prepared to address the Council during the second reading.

I will cover the essential points during my presentation on Feb 25th.    The bond ordinance is a complex ordinance and legal document necessary for the Utility to move forward with bond issues.  We will have our bond financial advisors present to address any technical, financial or legal questions concerning the bond ordinance.

My Elevator Speech Version Is:

The Utility needs $110 million in bond funds for required Consent Decree projects that need to completed or begun in 2019-2020.  When the Council approved the 2018 Bond Ordinance last November, the utility was able to restructure some of the past bond and new debt to take advantage of issuing State Revolving Fund (SRF) bonds over a long period.  (35 years vs 20 years)  Plus, amend the past bond ordinances to incorporate language required by the State Revolving Fund to enable the Utility to seek special funding from SRF.

The Good News Is:

The utility will be able to fund the bond payments for the $110 Million bonds (the mixture of General Revenue Bonds and SRF Bonds) with without the need for a sewer rate increase.

As A Side Note – We are still in negotiations with the EPA, IDEM and DOJ to change the scope and timing future Consent Decree Projects to reduce the future burden on ratepayers but have not yet reached a final resolution.  While we have made progress in our negotiations, we still have several changes we are requesting the EPA to approve.  Whenever we do reach an agreement, that agreement will have to be approved by EWSU, EPA, IDEM, DOJ and the Federal Court … which will not be a quick turnaround.  As a reminder, the Consent Decree covers projects over a 24 ½ year period ending in 2040.

As a matter background and maybe a bit redundant … below is a summary of what the 2018 Sewer Bond Ordinances accomplished:

What The Ordinances Accomplish:

All three ordinances basically accomplish the same thing through amendments to prior bond ordinances:

Allows the utility to restructure past Sewage Word Revenue Bonds (2009, 2010A, 2012E, 2016C, 2017A, 2018A) through the State Revolving Fund (Indiana Finance Authority) by allowing the bonds to mature over a period not later than 35 years.  The prior bonds issued could not mature over more than 20 years.

We have several projects with a project life of more than 35 years that we can refinance through SRF at a lower interest rate than the interest rate in effect for outstanding bonds.

Ordinance No G-2018-30 also allows us to finance the remaining bonding capacity of $107,355,000 (2016 ordinance) with bonds maturing over a period no longer than 35 years … as opposed to the existing 20-year limitation.

The ordinances make some legal technical corrections that the State Revolving Fund requires for their bond documentation.  Sorry, I don’t know the specifics, but I do know those changes have been approved by SRF and our bond counsel (Barnes and Thornburgh)

Why?

The ordinances allow the utility to restructure existing bonds and future bonds that will allow EWSU to lower the Utility’s Annual Debt Payments (ie. 35 years vs a 20 year bond), thus allowing the Utility has the capacity to borrow additional funds to pay for mandated EPA projects (Integrate Overflow Control Program (IOCP) projects and Non-IOCP Projects without asking the council to approve additional sewer rate increases to fund the debt service for the additional debt.

The change also allows us to optimize the amount of low-interest rate bonds we can obtain from the State Revolving Fund (Indiana Finance Authority) rather than a General Revenue Bond.

In other words, we lower the utility’s cost of capital.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks

Allen Mounts

CEO Of The Evansville Water And Sewer Department

Improving Efficiency In Our County Court By Wendy McNamara

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Vanderburgh County Circuit Court is the foundation of our local court system. This court hears small claims, minor offenses, and civil and criminal cases. I proposed legislation that would allow additional magistrates to assist the judges and reduce the workload in this system.
Currently, there are seven judges and four magistrates who oversee numerous cases. The judges and magistrates are responsible for hearing all pre-trial cases, nearly 7,000 every year. In order to thoroughly respond to the rising number of cases filed, they need more help.
My legislation would allow for an additional circuit court magistrate and superior court magistrate. This would minimalize the caseload for judges and move cases through the system faster and more efficiently.
I proposed this legislation after the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary supported Vanderburgh County’s request for additional magistrates. The study committee determined this change is necessary to accomplish the amount of work that needs to be done in the county court.
This bill is now moving on to the Senate for consideration. To learn more, click here.
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