Due to the cold temperature in the early morning, The EVSC will operate on a 2 HOUR DELAY tomorrow. This will allow temps to warm up a bit for students walking and waiting at bus stops.
JANUARY 2019 BIRTHDAYS
MARILYN COSBY
MICHAEL KNAPP
RICK PELITIER
ADAM BURRIS
BETSEY ODAM
A. A. BRAUN
ROBERT MASSEY
HOLLY DUNN PENDLETON
LAURI MANOR
DORIS HADJISSAVVA
JOHN JR. MCCAULEY
NICK STRATMAN
ADRIAN RAY EVANS SR.
CATHY COOK
LETA OSBORNE
VINCENT BERTRAM
ANGIEÂ KARCHER
CHUCK FRAY
ANDREW MCNEIL
KYLE PHERNETTON
BEN SCHMITT
MISTY DAWN MANN-DAVIS
SARAH HUDSON
JEFFERY HARRIS
KAREN EDWARDS
GREG HEGAN
JULIE GELLERT
BABETTE DETALENTE
MICHAEL LOCKHARD
JEFFERY STECKLER
BETSEY ODAM FREYBERGER
KAREN EDWARDS
LAUREEN CATES
GEORGE RUSSEL FLOWERS
KYLE PHERNETTON
BETSEY ODAM
JEFFERY STECKLER
GREG HAGAN
JULIE GELLERT
JAMES ETHRIDGE
ROBERT MASSEY
NIKI MCLAUGHLIN
SARA ANNE CORRIGAN
STONEY HAYHURST
TARA DILLBECKÂ BRILEY
JERRY DANIEL
CRAD DUPORT
MATT CORN
RICK PELTIER
MICHAELÂ EDWARD KNAPP
JOHN MCCAULEY
SARA ANNE CORRIGAN
ANGIE PARMELY
JAMES VOGLER
BETSYÂ ODOM
BEN SCHMITT
JAY ZIMMER
GLEN STOVER
LISA GASTON
LINDA F NEGRO
KHARA WILLIAMS
KAREN EDWARDS
GEORGE RUSSEL FLOWERS
KYLE PHERNETTON
HOLLY ZIEMER
SARAH HUDSON
“IS IT TRUE” JANUARY 31, 2019
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 yesterday Ben Trockman officially filed to run for the Evansville City Council in the First Ward as a Democrat?  …if Ben wins the 1st Ward seat he will become the first Democrat to win the First Ward seat in 52 years?  …he would also become the first quadriplegic to ever win a seat on the Evansville City Council in the history of Evansville? …that on a terribly cold afternoon, with various school closings, Mr. Trockman managed to attract a large, diverse and enthusiastic crowd to witness his filing?  …we are told that Mr. Trockman chose yesterday to file for public office because it was FDR’s birthday?  …FDR is Ben’s political hero because he was the only U. S. President to serve while in a wheelchair because of a physical impairment?  …that Ben’s campaign theme is “Forward” with an emphasis on that “E” is for everyone? …Mr. Trockman campaign manager is none other than the popular Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders?
IS IT TRUE we are puzzled why the longtime and well-liked Secretary of the Vanderburgh Republican Party Hobart Scales is no longer serving in that position?
IS IT TRUE we were told that the Republican candidate for the At-Large City Council seat was seen at Ben Trockman announcement event?  …if this information is correct we expect that Alex Schmitt will be receiving a phone call from local GOP Party Chairman Wayne Parke?
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Council meets next week? …that the subject of appointing a new board member to the Vanderburgh County Library Board is on the agenda? …that a member of this board’s term ends this month? Â …we have been told that the Vanderburgh County Council will not reappoint her to the Library Board? …we are told that her replacement to the Library Board may be a family member of a Vanderburgh County Councilman?
IS IT TRUE 2019 is shaping up to be a year where people will wonder just why in the daylights that 5 out of the 9 members of the Evansville City Council have decided to get out of the governance business and pursue personal interests?…power is one of the most intoxicating things that a person can become addicted to and roughly 60% of the Evansville City Council has decided to avail themselves of positions of power at a time when the headlines are still looking pretty good?
IS IT TRUEÂ we are told that the avoidance of being held accountable sometimes cause politicians to decide not to run for re-election? …for a few politicians, the intoxicating elixir of power is too great to resist even if the lash of accountability is coming unless of course, they need the small stipend of service to make ends meet?
IS IT TRUE we are told that Mayor Winnecke possible Democratic opponent will demand that he explains why he gave the property ownership rights of the IU Medical School building and the Downtown Doubletree Hotel to investors while the taxpayers are still responsible to pay off the construction bonds for these capital projects?
IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville may have seen the record murder rate of 2017 shrink by 45% in 2018 to what is the 3rd highest murder rate ever but 2019 is off to a start that will reverse those improvements in a matter of months if Evansvillians keep shooting each other at the same rate they have thus far in January?…when it comes to murder in River City the last 10 years have been a time of one step forward and two steps back?
IS IT TRUE that tonight’s Vanderburgh County Democrat Party big-ticket political fundraiser is a sellout? ….that County Commissioners Ben Shoulders and Jeff Hatfield are co-hosting this “Political Fundraiser ” to help raise money for the candidates running in the upcoming city election? Â … tonight’s event will be held at Party Central downtown Evansville? …we are told around 350 tickets have been sold for this event?
IS IT TRUE that yesterday a well known 19-year-old University Of Evansville student-athlete was sworn in as a member of the Greenway Advisory Committee?  …as far as we know that Aulden Nance is the youngest member to be appointed to a county board during the last 50 plus years?  …that Tom Shetler, Jr. was around 16 when he was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board?…we congratulate Aulden Nance on this prestigious political appointment made by members of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners?  …we know he will do an outstanding job in this position?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: Are you excited about the diverse group of individuals running for a seat on the 2019 City Council?
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.
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FOOTNOTE: Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
House Supports Sullivan’s Bill To Boost State’s Workforce
The Indiana House of Representatives voted in favor of State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation to continue strengthening Indiana’s workforce pipeline.
Sullivan said House Bill 1002 would reallocate existing state funds to proven workforce programs so Hoosiers can increase their certifications, earn stackable credentials and secure higher-paying jobs in high-demand fields to meet the changing needs of Indiana employers.
“By 2020, nearly two-thirds of in-demand jobs will require experience beyond a high school education,†Sullivan said. “Indiana’s private sector continues to grow and we need to attract and retain more skilled workers to fill the jobs becoming available. This legislation would build off our previous workforce efforts and continue strengthening our talent pipelines.â€
According to Sullivan, her legislation would also prioritize career and technical education and provide additional flexibility for schools to partner with employers to establish more work-based learning opportunities. To explore and learn more about opportunities after high school, Hoosier freshman and sophomores could enroll in a CTE or college preparatory course.
“Helping schools partner with local companies and industry experts will aid in our goal of educating and training the next generation of Indiana’s workers,†Sullivan said. “The Career Coaching Grant Fund Program is designed to help students and parents become knowledgeable of postsecondary certificate and degree pathways eligible for them to pursue earlier in their middle school and high school career.â€
St. Vincent Cardiologists Host Free Community Lecture Series for Heart Month
Presentations Will Be Held Every Wednesday In February
According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. and is responsible for about 610,000 deaths each year. To help prevent heart disease and raise awareness of its effects, cardiologists from St. Vincent Medical Group are hosting free community lectures each Wednesday in February from Noon to 1:00 p.m. for Heart Month.
St. Vincent cardiologists will share information about the following topics for each session:
February 6 – Dr. Jarrod Frizzell presents Understanding your Treatment Options for Heart Disease
February 13 – Dr. Deepa Kumbar presents Understanding your Treatment Options for Congenital Heart Disease
February 20 – Dr. David Hormuth presents Understanding your Surgical Options
February 27 – Dr. Umang Patel presents Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Treatment Options
Classes will be held in the Cardiac Rehab Classroom at the St. Vincent Center for Advanced Medicine, 901 St. Mary’s Dr., Evansville. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch and registration is not required.Â
Discussion Continues for Evansville Drag Queen Story Hour
Discussion Continues for Evansville Drag Queen Story Hour
JANUARY 31st, 2019 
MEGAN DIVENTI EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The Evansville Public Library plans to hold the first ever Drag Queen Story Hour next month. Following the first announcement, several protests, petitions, and heated discussions have taken place about whether it should be canceled.
“I wanted a meeting because if I’m going to be held accountable for the direction the library is going then I think the appointees should get together and discuss what direction we feel we should take,†says Cheryl Musgrave, Vanderburgh County Commissioner.
Vanderburgh County Commissioners have two appointees on the Library Board of Trustee, but one is currently open after the last appointee resigned.
Andy Ozete stepped down earlier this month and now commissioners are figuring out how to fill the spot.
“He was upset that he was denied the opportunity to vote on the program in question, but I don’t think that was the only issue that had upset him during his tenure,†says Musgrave.
And the decision was tabled for the Commissioner to have more time to discuss the next appointee.
“I just need a little bit more time to contemplate our various courses of action,†says Musgrave. “As I said on the record I want to talk to the other appointing bodies particularly the school corporation. And I’d like to talk to them about the direction that the library is going and does that meet our expectation or do we want a new direction.â€
Those who came out were vocal about the next steps.
“I would like to respectfully request that a hearing, a public hearing be made for the other library board member that you as an appointing body are responsible for,†says one attendee.
Commissioners reacted to the matter.
“And I feel the library is going in the wrong direction and has for a while even without this very divisive issue and I resent that this very divisive issue has been visited upon our community,†says Musgrave.
“It’s my opinion that the library administration the library board should vote to cancel this event if for any other reason public safety,†says Jeff Hatfield, Vanderburgh County Commissioner.
Commissioner Musgrave says she would like to meet the proposed person.
“This is an important decision and I just simply haven’t had enough time to take those actions,†says Musgrave.
Commissioners say the library board won’t meet again before the commissioners next two meetings.
St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements for January 29, 2019
McKenzie Hatchett and Kalob Salkill, Rockport, IN, son, Kingston Paul, January 17
Kylee and Daniel Mickey, Dale, IN, son, Reese Thomas Ray, January 20
Michelle and George Felton Sr., Evansville, daughter, Shiyah Lynn, January 20
Meghan Clutter and Brian All, Evansville, daughter, Isairelle Marei, January 21
Shavonn Skelton and Chance Babb, Evansville, son, Zaiden Ontaine, January 21
Lyla Nix and Deviyon Robinson, Evansville, son, Giovoni Mykel, January 22
Saprina Johnson and Joshua Lynn, Evansville, daughter, Ruby Abigail Marie, January 22
Kendra and Brock Nance, Evansville, son, Clark Allen, Jauary 22
Arica and Aaron Hunt, Mount Carmel, IL, daughter, Aurora Evelyn, January 22
Marie and Greg Gallagher, Evansville, son, Alexander William, January 22
Angela and Ryan Duffey, Richland, IN, son, Walter Daniel, January 22
Randa Leidecker, Henderson, KY, son, Ivan Miguel, January 23
Kylee Brown and Charles Ramsey, Evansville, son, Charles Allen III, January 24
Aria Price and Arthur Peyton, Evansville, son, Brandon Arjai, January 24
Mia Mimms, Evansville, son, Elijah James, January 24
Kaela and Adam McDaniel, Wadesville, IN, daughter, Callie Jan, January 24
Laura and Casey Nunn, Newburgh, daughter, Freya Rose, January 24
