Attorney General Curtis Hill today confirmed his office’s investigation into USA Gymnastics and filed limited objections to the organization’s requests to continue the services of two consulting firms, Alfers GC Consulting LLC and Scramble Systems LLC.
The limited objections request the court deny USA Gymnastics’ motions if the consulting firms do not agree to: 1) comply with all laws and rules regarding the reporting of suspected child abuse; 2) monitor and promote compliance with the policies designed to protect and promote athlete welfare; and 3) work toward full implementation of the recommendations contained in the Daniels Report. (The “Report to USA Gymnastics on Proposed Policy and Procedural Changes for the Protection of Young Athletes†was issued by attorney Deborah Daniels on June 26, 2017.)
As the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States, USA Gymnastics has been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging improper conduct, including that it failed to protect its member gymnasts and failed to report allegations of sexual abuse of said gymnasts to proper authorities. USA Gymnastics, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, currently is facing decertification by the United States Olympic Committee. While facing these lawsuits and decertification as the national governing body of gymnastics, USA Gymnastics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Indianapolis on Dec. 5, 2018.
“The allegations against USA Gymnastics are extremely disturbing,†Attorney General Hill said. “While my office typically refrains from commenting about ongoing investigations, we can confirm today that we have been investigating USA Gymnastics for nearly a year. Today we took an initial step toward strengthening protections for athletes participating in USA Gymnastics events and at member gyms around the country. We will continue working diligently to ensure non-profit entities in Indiana act with integrity.”
The Indiana Attorney General is charged with protecting the public interest in charitable and benevolent instrumentalities and ensuring the integrity of nonprofit entities operating within the State of Indiana.
I am on record as a staunch supporter of Christmas. However, this time of year, I like to borrow just one component from another tradition – Festivus.
If you’re not familiar, Festivus was created by “Seinfeld†character Frank Costanza. One of the highlights of the made-up holiday was the “airing of grievances†which, I believe, is a worthwhile, real-life exercise, at least once a year.
Thus, back by lukewarm demand, I give you my apolitical list of grievances, in ascending order, for 2018.
10. “Special Days†– I’m all for dedicating a day to honor an individual or event that played an important role in our country’s history. But now we’re just getting silly. National Pancake Day, brought to you by the good folks at International House of Pancakes. National Suckling Pig Day. National Hugging Day which, given the current climate, someone should consider postponing.National Ask a Stupid Question Day. Here’s a stupid question: What are your plans for National Tortellini Day?
9. Pooh-poohing rules – This might not qualify as breaking news but the domestication of the canine continues. You know those signs people put on their lawns, “Please pick up after your dog†or those clean-up stations you see in apartment communities and public parks? Those aren’t meant for “other people.†Those are for you.
8. Winter – It’s late December and I think I’ve seen the sun for a grand total of 15 minutes since Nov. 1. Every year, I try to fool myself into thinking it’s still warm outside by not wearing a coat deep into the winter. This has proven to be a flawed strategy. My mother said the other day that she “likes the seasons†and that’s why she’ll never move to Florida. Despite the fact that we share the same DNA, I would rather bake like a glazed ham under glass than endure another January.
7. Christmas light violations – What you do inside of your own home, as long as you’re not breaking the law, is your own business. But when your illuminated icicles are still hanging from your roof in March, I’m afraid I can hold my tongue no longer. “There’s no deadline,†you say. Yes, there is. The second week in January.
6. Fake food – For years, I’ve naively been under the impression most fine restaurants were preparing their food on the premises. That was until I received a wake-up call when, after ordering dessert at an upscale – and by upscale I mean expensive – establishment, I was informed by my server that my cheesecake was still in Houston, which was unfortunate because I was in Atlanta. How hard is it to make a cheesecake? If the restaurant was going to order out, at least the chef could have found a cheesecake somewhere in Georgia.
5. Zombie Awareness Month – (See above)
4. Runaway grocery carts – If ever there was a reason for reintroducing the pillory into the U.S. penal system, this is it. I’m hardly the first one to notice this but there is something seriously wrong with a person who would allow his discarded cart to meander across the parking lot into someone’s fender instead of depositing said cart into the return a few steps away. We shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve realized that most people will do just about anything to avoid walking another 15 feet.
3. Parking proximity – I recently bought a new car. I haven’t purchased many new cars in my life and I admit I’m a bit compulsive about keeping it dirt and dent free. Thus, in a parking lot, I usually park as far away from other vehicles as possible. Maybe I’m a little paranoid but I actually believe other drivers are going out of their way to park right next to me when there is a 100-yard radius of open spaces around me. I’m convinced that I could park in the middle of the Bonneville Salt Flats at 2 a.m. and someone driving an ’85 Crown Victoria would nestle in three inches from my door handle.
2. Postal problems – I can honestly say that I’ve never transacted any business in a post office that has taken longer than 30 seconds. Without fail, however, I always find myself in line behind someone with an incredibly complicated shipping predicament. “I’m shipping these live toads to Myanmar and I need a return receipt for each toad. I’d also like to pay in dimes.â€
1. Distracted Drivers – Is it me or is virtually everyone you see behind the wheel of an automobile doing something else? I was behind a guy in a red pickup truck the other day. He had a cigarette in his left hand, a phone in his right and he kept veering off onto the shoulder. He should have just gone for the trifecta and tried balancing a beach ball on his nose. Hey folks, just a reminder: A 4,000-pound car is a dangerous thing, especially while it’s moving.
Now that that’s out of my system, Merry Christmas.
Attorney General Curtis Hill today joined 37 other attorneys general in signing a bipartisan letter endorsing the national prison reform legislation known as the First Step Act. In announcing his support for the legislation, Attorney General Hill issued the following statement:
“All Americans should be encouraged by the bipartisan manner in which Congress and the White House have worked together toward the improvement of the federal criminal justice system. As to the specific measures enacted as part of the First Step Act, I especially applaud the new incentives encouraging inmates to participate in programs that develop skills, improve character and reduce the risk of recidivism. I expressed my strong support for such measures to President Trump and Vice President Pence at a White House summit on prison reform this past May.
“We can and must insist that offenders are provided genuine and meaningful opportunities to turn their lives around and break the cycles that lead them repeatedly into criminal behavior. The best correctional models are those that not only penalize offenders for their crimes but that also address social, emotional, spiritual, educational and family issues through targeted services.
“I support commonsense reforms such as equalizing penalties for crack cocaine versus powder cocaine. I also support granting judges greater discretion in handing down sentences. However, I continue to have reservations about legislation that summarily reduces sentences for chronic criminal behavior.
“People still need to be held accountable to the law. We must recognize that a very small percentage of people commit the large majority of crime in any particular community. And in order to protect law-abiding citizens, we must keep chronic offenders off the streets.
“On balance, the First Step Act represents welcome progress for the federal criminal justice system. In an era of political polarization, it also represents the kind of bipartisan compromise that is needed in a healthy democratic republic.â€
The Public Education Foundation and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation are pleased to announce their 31st annual Summer Musical: LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION to be presented July 11-14, 2019 in the Aiken Theatre at Old National Events Plaza in downtown Evansville. Show times are July 11, 12 and 13 (Thurs. – Sat.) at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m.
The show’s memorable songs include “I Dreamed A Dream,†“Who Am I,†“Castle On A Cloud,†“Master of the House,†“Stars,†“On My Own†and “One Day More.â€*
Current 7-12th grade students from around the Tri-State are invited to audition April 3 or 4, 2019 from 3:30-8:00 p.m. in the performing arts center at the Academy for Innovative Studies –Diamond Avenue. Callbacks will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 3:30-8:30 p.m., also at AIS Diamond.
The production team includes Producers Kate Reibel and Tiffany Ball, Director/Choreographer Robert Hunt, Vocal Director Terry Becker, Orchestra Director Kimberly Wren, Scenic Designer/Technical Director Tanya Sweet, and Lighting Designer Chuck Meacham.
Rehearsals, which begin June 3rd, will be held at the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center. Students interested in participating must be able to commit to the program, including all rehearsals and show times (June 3 through July 14, 2019.)
To make a donation in support of the Summer Musical, visit the PEF website atwww.pefevansville.org or contact Kate Reibel, Executive Director of the Public Education Foundation, at 812-422-1699 or 618-263-8950.
The mission of the Public Education of Evansville, Inc. (PEF) is inspiring and cultivating innovative education for all students. PEF board, supporters and staff believe that high quality public education is fundamental to the strength of our community and that all students deserve the best possible public education in order to realize their full potential.
Follow PEF on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Education-Foundation-of- Evansville-Inc/), Twitter (PEFEVV), and at www.pefevansville.org
University of Southern Indiana Baseball is ranked 15th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division II Preseason Top 40 Poll as it prepares for the first pitch of 2019 on February 15 versus University of North Georgia. The Screaming Eagles have been ranked nine times in the last 12 preseason polls, getting the top spot in 2011 and 2015.
USI throws out the first pitch in eight weeks when it travels to North Georgia for a three-game series with the Nighthawks February 15-17. The Eagles open the 2019 home schedule with the Dunn Hospitality Classic February 22-24, featuring match-ups with Ohio Dominican University, Grand Valley State University, and Truman State University.
The early non-conference schedule also is highlighted by a visit to Trevecca Nazarene University (March 1-2) for two games in Nashville, Tennessee; neutral site meetings with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (March 2-3) in Nashville; and a two-game series at Missouri Western State University (March 5-6) in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Locally, the non-conference schedule has the cross-town match-up with the University of Evansville (March 12); a home game with Oakland City University (April 23); and a home-and-home series with Kentucky Wesleyan College (April 16 and April 24).
The 2019 Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule has been revamped to feature 11 three-game conference series (33-games). League play starts March 9-10 at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. USI begins the home portion of the league schedule March 16-17 when Lewis University visits the USI Baseball Field
The conference home campaign, in addition to the three-game set with Lewis, includes 28th-ranked Bellarmine University (March 20 DH); Missouri University of Science & Technology (March 30-31); McKendree University (April 9); 35th-ranked Quincy University (April 13-14); the University of Missouri-St. Louis (April 27-28); and Maryville University (May 3-4). USI is on the road against William Jewell College (March 23-24); Bellarmine (March 26); McKendree (April 3 DH); the University of Indianapolis (April 6-7); and the 17th-ranked University of Illinois Springfield (April 19-20). USI Senior Day will be May4 versus Maryville. The Eagles will not play Rockhurst University and Truman State University in 2019 GLVC action.
The GLVC Tournament is May 9-12 and will be played at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark, Missouri.
The NCAA Division II Tournament has changed this season to include a super-regional format. The Midwest Regional is May 16-19, followed by the Midwest Super-Regional May 24-26. The NCAA II Championship Series is June 1-8 in Cary, North Carolina.
USI completed the 2018 campaign as the NCAA II Midwest Regional champion for the fifth time since the 2007 season. The Eagles were 36-23 overall and 15-9 in the GLVC, placing third in the conference tournament, last spring.
Zara is a female American Staffordshire Terrier/Black Lab mix! She has gorgeous brindle coloring. She was adopted from VHS originally, but then recently returned because her family moved. Her adoption fee is $110 and she’s spayed & ready to go home today. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Evansville is currently home to two semi-professional and two professional squads, with a third coming in 2019.
But over the years, several other organizations have come and gone. In fact, since the 1980s, five professional teams have left. Here’s a look at what each of them accomplished (or in some cases, didn’t), in their time here and why they didn’t last.
Evansville IceMen (2008 – 2016)
Started in 2008 in the now-defunct All-American Hockey League, the IceMen won their only league championship in 2010, the same year the team disbanded. However, the team’s name lived on when owner Ron Geary bought and moved the Muskegon Lumberjacks to Indiana that same year.
For two seasons, the IceMen played in the Central Hockey League, later moving to the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League). This put the team in the pipeline to the NHL, starting with operating as a Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate in 2014. The team became an affiliate of the Ottawa Senators in 2016.
By 2016, the cost of operation was enough to push the team out of the city. The IceMen said they paid $650,000 per season to rent the Ford Center, more than four times the average cost for ECHL teams.
“If the city cannot come up with the money, then they are in effect forcing us out and we would have no other possibility other than to leave,” Geary said in 2016.
ADVERTISING
After exploring a possible move to neighboring Owensboro, the team moved to a whole other part of the country in 2017. Taking the team’s namesake with them, the relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 2017.
Evansville Rage (2012)
The team was the final expansion team to join the now-defunct Continental Indoor Football League in 2012, playing home games at Swonder Ice Arena.
Following a 7-3 season, team owner and general manager Eddie Cronin died in a car crash. His fiance, Melissa Logsdon, assumed his ownership role and moved the team across the Ohio River to her hometown, Owensboro.
The team folded in 2013, forfeiting their final two games, due to lack of funding.
Evansville BlueCats (2003 – 2007)
Who could forget this logo? This team played home games at Roberts Stadium, the Ford Center’s predecessor. Known as “FinHeads,” the fans’ booster club was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
On the field, former high school stars from the area made their mark with the team, including Levron Williams from Bosse High School and Sean Bennett from Harrison High School.
But the team struggled to remain financially solvent as crowds lessened over the years. The BlueCats’ owners, the Voliva family, were unable to ever turn a profit on a team that never posted a winning record.
“The city of Evansville has made it quite clear that anyone else would be insane to come in here until the city changes its philosophy on supporting minor-league sports, or professional sports, period,” said coach John Hart in 2007 when the team ceased operations.
University of Evansville alumnus and Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan was hired to coach this team in its inaugural season, but resigned before attending a single practice, let alone game.
The team, which played at Roberts Stadium, was owned by David Ellenstein. The team came to rely on loans from the league to keep it afloat, but by 1986, the league had had enough. The CBA expelled Ellenstein’s team due to $70,000 in debts owed at the end of the season.
But the players wanted nothing to do with those details: they wanted to play. The Thunder’s regular season was good enough to get them a spot in the playoffs that year, so seven teammates sued the league in an effort to make a post-season run. An agreement was reached in which the league would pay players salaries while Ellenstein paid other team fees.
How did they settle on “Triplets?” The name was selected through a naming contest, apparently a riff on being a team in the Tri-State region, playing Triple-A baseball, and being an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
The team was birthed out of a necessity for more players after Major League Baseball expanded to four additional teams in 1969.
But by the next season, the Triplets became affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers, and by 1974, the Detroit Tigers. That relationship made Evansville a stop for greats like Darrell Porter and Kirk Gibson. And long before he joined the Tigers or even made it to Big Leagues, Jim Leyland managed the Triplets from 1979 to 1981. He led them to two of the franchise’s three championships in that time.
But in 1984, after working with city officials, securing funding and even mortgaging his own home, Larry Schmittou bought the Triplets and relocated them to Nashville. The team became known as the Nashville Sounds and still plays Triple-A baseball today.
Nate Chute is a producer with the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter at @nchute.
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?â€
IS IT TRUE people are watching to see what kind of political deals that individuals who are running for a seat on the 2019 Evansville City Council will be cutting in order to be elected?  …we predict that the new makeup of Evansville the City Council for 2019 will surprise everyone?  …it’s time for the Evansville “Let’s Make A Deal” show to begin?
IS IT TRUEÂ we are told that the current political infighting between the local GOP Party Chairman, Republicans officeholders and Precinct officers may have damaged the once well oiled political machine beyond repair? Â …we are told that they only way that this issue can be resolved is to oust Wayne Parke as the Party Chairman?
IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Chairman Scott Danks has been quietly working on getting an impressive group of individuals to run for Evansville City Council in the 2019 city election?  …because of the political infighting problems of the local GOP we hear that Chairman Danks has been getting some positive results in his search?
IS IT TRUE that the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to claim lives in the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County and has to be driving the Vanderburgh County Coroner nuts?…it looks like 2018 is going to end the year with another big increase in deaths due to opioids, heroin, or Fentanyl?…at this point its not known whether these deaths were suicides or just mistakes that people made who did not understand how to use street drugs after spending many years on doctor prescribed painkillers?…the resurgence of heroin and the more lethal Fentanyl happened for the most part because the medical industrial complex was handing out opioids like candy for over a decade creating a small army of drug addicts who just don’t fit the mold?
IS IT TRUE we are told that the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s funds to conduct investigations of homicides for 2018 has almost been depleted? …it looks like rampant drug use in our region has finally taken its financial toll on the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s 2018 budget?
IS IT TRUEÂ we are pleased that the Evansville City Council gave members of our fireman and law enforcement a 4% ise for 2019? Â …they have a demanding and dangerous job and are worth every penny they make?
IS IT TRUE that tonight Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding (D) and County Councilman James Raben (R) will be teaming up to raise money for the Santa’s Clothes Club and Rileys Children Hospital and Shriners Hospital?  …last year they held an extremely successful fundraising event that raised over $8,000 for charity?  …last years event was held at the Oak Meadow County Club?  …we were taken back by how many people attended that charitable fundraiser? …it was guesstimated that well over 300 plus people attended this worthily charitable event? …we must admit that we never saw so many Democrats and Republicans in one area enjoying each other and having a few drinks talking about every subject imaginable?  …that tonights Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding (D) and County Councilman James Raben (R) charitable event shall be held at Oak Meadow County Club and starts around 5:30 PM?
IS IT TRUEÂ we are pleased to hear that the Convention and Visitors Bureau isn’t going to spend hotel lodging tax money to purchase a $1,200 “Roasted Pig” for their Christmas party like they did last year?
IS IT TRUEÂ we are told that a holiday open house is being held at the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse? Â …the refreshments for this event will be paid for by businesses who rent space in that building? … we give five (5) cheers to Kristin Comer, Superintendent Of County Buildings for not using local taxpayers money to put this event on?
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will host a holiday reception at his Civic Center office? … the refreshments served at this event will be donated by local restaurants, and the Mayor’s political campaign fund paid for additional items used at this social function?  …we are pleased that the Mayor has asked individuals that attend this event to bring a food item to be given the Tri-State Food Bank?  …we give five (5) cheers to the Mayor for not spending taxpayers money on this holiday reception and for encouraging people to donate food to the Tri-State Food Bank?
IS IT TRUE we are hearing that many citizens are extremely pleased with the way District #77 State Representative Ryan Hatfield is conducting himself?
IS IT TRUE one of our staff members wanted a specially designed diamond necklace for his wife for Christmas?  …we recommend that he go to The Diamond Galleria Jewelry store on North Burkhardt Road in Evansville?  …they created a one of a kind diamond necklace for him? …we were also surprised to hear how affordable this uniquely designed diamond necklace was? …our staff member showed us the finished product that Diamond Galleria made for his wife and all we can say is “WOW”? …if you are looking for someone to design a one of a kind diamond gift for your loved one for Christmas at a reasonable price drop by the Diamond Galleria on North Burkhardt Road?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: Who was the most effective Vanderburgh County Council member in 2018?
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 happenings.
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.
Current 7-12th grade students from around the Tri-State are invited to audition April 3 or 4, 2019 from 3:30-8:00 p.m. in the performing arts center at the Academy for Innovative Studies –Diamond Avenue. Callbacks will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 3:30-8:30 p.m., also at AIS Diamond.
