Toys for Tots Impacted By Toys R Us Closure
Toys For Tots Impacted By Toys R Us Closure
DECEMBER 21ST, 2018 
TYRONE MORRIS HENDERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY
Last year alone, shoppers donated more than 250,000 toys to the charity drive. The company also gave Toys for Tots $5 million in corporate contributions.
So far this year, donations are down 25 percent because there are fewer places to drop off toys and even fewer places where you can buy toys that also have collection boxes.
Other corporate sponsors including Hasbro, Disney and Build-A-Bear are working to fill the gaps in donations and may make financial contributions to help.
COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR WITH MORE AT TROPICANA EVANSVILLE!
Resolve to have MORE FUN in 2019! Start with Tropicana Evansville’s biggest party of the year on New Year’s Eve! There’sMORE FOOD, MORE MUSIC and MORE GAMES with a special countdown at 421 Lounge as the clock ticks away the last seconds of 2018.
MORE FOOD. Try the All-You-Can-Eat New Year’s Eve Buffet from 4PM – 10PM at The Kitchen, featuring Carved Prime Rib. In addition, sample baked ham, herb-roasted turkey, fried chicken, fried shrimp, peel & eat shrimp, blackened salmon, and a pasta station. Plus, there are plenty of side dishes and desserts – for just $23.95 per person.
MORE MUSIC. From 7PM to 2AM, hear seven hours of live music with two bands in 421 Lounge – The Devonshires and THE HOOTZ! The Devonshires are always a crowd-pleaser, performing a show that includes a healthy dose of classic ‘70s and ‘80s rock, with costume changes and on-stage antics. THE HOOTZ are a hoot and a holler, mingling the forces of rock, pop, country-western and hip-hop for a show you have to hear to believe!
MORE GAMES. The casino is open 24/7 for non-stop gaming action. Check out the old and ring in the new – the newly-installed slots, that is – like Iron Man, The Godfather, the Harley-Davidson Freedom Tour, Zuma and Dreams of Asia!
Awesome party favors will be available while supplies last. And, take advantage of free security-patrolled parking in the adjoining seven-level garage.
For more band information, contact Bobbi Warren, Bobbi Warren Productions, at 812-401-0094 or bobbi.warren@att.net.
Rokita Applauds President Trump’s Commitment To Funding The Border Wall
“I made a similar promise: an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect our country, and that’s why I will vote on spending bills that properly continue fixing our border security, including an effective wall.â€
 Congressman Todd Rokita, Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, applauded President Trump’s commitment to funding the border wall. Congressman Rokita also announced today, he will not vote for any spending deal that does not fund the border wall.
“President Trump made a promise to the American people to build the border wall, and it is now time for Congress to help deliver by providing the necessary funding to build the wall,†said Congressman Todd Rokita. “I made a similar promise: an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect our country, and that’s why I will vote on spending bills that properly continue fixing our border security, including an effective wall.â€
Congressman Rokita continued:
I will vote no on any short-term spending bill that fails to fund the border wall, and I urge President Trump to remain steadfast in his commitment to keeping our nation safe. Punting our inability to fund the border wall to soon-to-be Speaker Pelosi and a Democrat-controlled House is irresponsible. We cannot abdicate our responsibilities to the American people, so I will be saying ‘no’ when ‘no’ is what’s required to be said. Let’s keep our promise to the American people, fund the wall, and prioritize the safety and security of our nation.â€
‘Meager weight’ of mitigating factors could not overcome attorney’s deficient performance
Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com
Although the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed the relationship had broken between a Fort Wayne criminal defense attorney and his client, it did not find that the 130-year sentence handed down would have been significantly less if defense counsel had offered mitigating circumstances.
Roderick Lewis was convicted in 2011 of two counts of felony murder and two counts of robbery for a 1999 stick-up of a drug house in Fort Wayne which left the 16-year-old and 14-year-old who operated the house dead. Lewis rejected plea offers because he could not understand why he was being held responsible for the murders since he did not actually shoot either victim.
At sentencing, defense attorney Jeffrey Raff only said, “Judge, I’m going to defer to Mr. Lewis if he has any comments. I don’t have anything to add.†Lewis proceeded to make a statement that spanned six pages in the court transcript.
The state, on the other hand, presented a number of witnesses, asserted several aggravating circumstances and asked the court to impose aggravated, consecutive sentences. Afterwards, the Allen Superior Court imposed the maximum 65-year sentences for the felony murder convictions and ordered them to be served consecutively.
On appeal, Lewis, with new counsel. unsuccessfully challenged the sufficiency of the evidence in Lewis v. State, No. 02A03-1202-CR-18 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 31, 2012), trans. denied.
Lewis then filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief, arguing Raff failed to advocate on his behalf and there were several mitigating factors that should have been asserted at sentencing.
According to the trial court’s findings of facts presented at the post-conviction hearing, Raff “did nothing at sentencing.†The attorney testified he did not inquiry Lewis’ mental health, was not aware Lewis had attempted suicide in the Allen County Jail, did not ask Lewis about his upbringing or speak to relatives or friends, and did not have Lewis examined by a mental health professional. Also, he did not prepare Lewis to make a statement at sentencing.
Testimony by a psychologist and family members established that Lewis had bipolar II disorder. In addition, he grew up with a mother addicted to drugs, her boyfriends physically abused her and Lewis, and as a 9-year-old, he witnessed one boyfriend stabbing another.
The post-conviction court determined Raff erred, but concluded Lewis was not prejudiced by the alleged deficient performance because it likely did not adversely impact the outcome. The Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling in Roderick Vandrell Lewis v. State of Indiana, 18A-PC-767.
The appellate panel noted Lewis helped planned the robbery, took his gun to the drug house, gave his gun to one of his cohorts and invited him to shoot one of the victims, reached for a shotgun to keep it away from one of the victims, then spent the night in the hotel “essentially celebrating and laughing about the evening’s events.â€
As for his age and mental illness, the appeals court pointed out that Lewis had been a gang member for several years prior to the robbery and his behavior before, during and after the murder suggests he was in control of his faculties.
“We agree with the post-conviction court that there is not a reasonable probability that presentation of the omitted mitigating evidence would have affected Lewis’s sentence,†Judge Robert Altice, Jr., wrote for the court. “While Attorney Raff certainly should have proffered the mitigators at sentencing, the meager weight of those simply could not withstand the overwhelming weight of the aggravating circumstances.â€
UE to play Green Bay in 4 p.m. game Saturday
Aces wrap up Pre-Christmas schedule
The final non-conference home contest of the season for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team is set for Saturday afternoon when the Purple Aces welcome Green Bay for a 4 p.m. game. ESPN+ will have the broadcast.
It will mark First Responder and Military Appreciation Night. Current and former first responders and military personnel receive a free ticket for them and a guest to the game. Additional guest tickets will be available for just $5.
“Green Bay likes to play fast just like us, they are near the top in the country when it comes to tempo. They push the basketball and have the guys that can score,†Aces head coach Walter McCarty said. “We have to be very engaged in knowing that they want to score fast off of rebounds, free throws and made baskets. We have to be alert and get back and shut the paint down, be ready to spread out and guard their shooters.  They really push the ball and are more like us than anyone else we have played.â€
Setting the Scene
– Evansville and Green Bay face off for the 8th time with the Aces winning five of the first seven games
– The squads last met in the 2014 Gulf Coast Showcase with Green Bay taking a 64-62 win; they were led by current Bradley coach Brian Wardle
– UE has won all four games played in Evansville
– Through six home games in 2018, UE is 5-1
Last Time Out
– In a back-and-forth contest, a last-second shot pushed Murray State to a 66-64 win on Tuesday at the CFSB Center
– Evansville erased a 7-point halftime deficit to take a 60-53 lead with just over four minutes remaining, but the Racers picked up points in each of their final eight possessions to pick up the win
– UE’s toughness was on display once again as the squad outrebounded MSU, 38-34, while holding the Racers to 39% shooting
– K.J. Riley had the second double-double of his career with 13 points and 11 boards
Takeaways from Murray State
– After the first nine games of the season were all decided by five or more points, the last two have been decided by a total of seven points
– Redshirt sophomore Devan Straub made his UE debut, playing four minutes while dishing out an assist
– K.J. Riley continued to play at a high level; he has now recorded double figures in scoring in six consecutive contests
– The bench for UE outscored that of MSU by a 25-16 margin
Playing with Pace
– According to KenPom.com, the Aces are averaging 73.4 possessions per game, which ranks 53rd in the nation
– It is a large disparity from last season when UE was 295th in the country, averaging 65.7 possessions
Connecting the Dots
- Green Bay is the only one of UE’s 2018-19 opponents that head coach Walter McCarty faced as a player at Kentucky
– He scored 10 points in a 74-62 Wildcat win on December 6, 1995
– UE assistant coach Todd Lickliter won six games in a row over the Phoenix between 2005 and 2007 as the head coach at Butler
– Aces assistant Matthew Graves enjoyed some good moments against Green Bay; as a senior for Butler in 1997-98, his team went 3-0 against the Phoenix and defeated them by a 70-51 final in the MCC Championship game
– As an assistant with BU, Graves enjoyed a 13-1 stretch against Green Bay between 2005 and 2012
Scouting the Opponent
– Green Bay makes its first trip to the Ford Center with a 6-6 mark
– While the Phoenix are 1-3 in their last four games, they own a huge 100-92 home win over Belmont that came on December 1
– Sandy Cohen III leads the Phoenix with 15.7 points per game; he is also their top rebounder with 5.8 per contest and has a team-high 64 assists
– JayQuan McCloud (13.3 PPG) and ShanQuan Hemphill (12.5 PPG) also average double figures
ADOPT A PET
Penny is a sweet female gray tabby. She’s about 8 years old. She is a wonderful girl who will let you love on her all day long if you’re willing! Her adoption fee is $40. She’s already spayed, vaccinated, and ready to go for that price. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Cardinal Caravan returns to the PAC January 20
University of Southern Indiana Athletics will welcome the 2019 Cardinals Caravan to the Physical Activities Center Sunday, January 20 at 6 p.m. The caravan, presented by Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, offers St. Louis fans a chance to talk baseball and meet current players and Cardinal Alumni (attendees will be announced at a later date).
Admission is free with unlimited seating and doors open at 5 p.m. Log on to StLCardinals.com for more information.
The first 400 children (15 and under) through the door on the day of the event will receive a free Autograph Ticket which guarantees one autograph from each current and former player. Due to high demand, autographs will only be available for children 15 and under.
Trooper Stops to check on Vehicle and makes Drug and DUI Arrest
Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Nick Hatfield stopped to check on a vehicle that was parked on the shoulder of US 41 near the 58 mile marker. The driver of the vehicle was identified as William Beck, 60, of Fort Wayne. A female passenger was identified as April Beach, 59, of Panasoffkee, FL. Hatfield noticed that Beck and Beach appeared to be impaired. Three plastic sandwich bags containing marijuana were located in the glove compartment. After Beach exited the vehicle she fell to the ground. When Beck bent down to assist her a meth pipe fell to the ground. The pipe contained a small amount of meth. Beach was also in possession of Xanax. They were both arrested and transported to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
- William Beck, 60, Fort Wayne, IN
- Possession of Meth, Class 6 Felony
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
- Driving While Intoxicated, Class B Misdemeanor
- April Beach, 59, Panasoffkee, FL
- Possession of Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Nick Hatfield, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department and Vincennes Police