Learn about the state’s On-Ramp program for artists this weekend
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Rural Indiana communities recognized for collaboration
Today, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs recognized more than 70 rural Indiana communities who collaboratively shaped and executed their vision for their communities in 2018.
“By working together, these communities provided unique and impressive changes to their local parks, walkways, main streets and economic developments,” Crouch said. “In partnership with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, local leaders were able to utilize state funding to incorporate the plans to further their community development.”
Crouch said more than $41 million was provided by local communities and was combined with $22 million from OCRA. These funds were used to complete quality of place improvements like water system enhancements, new public facilities, revitalizing main streets, restoring historic buildings and enhancing downtowns.
“Today is a great day to celebrate all the successes, collaborative efforts and planning our Hoosier communities have achieved this past year,” said Jodi Golden, OCRA executive director. “Our office was fortunate to help make our rural cities, towns and counties better places to live, work and play. I’m excited to see how the communities will continue to grow this funding.”
The 2018 awards ceremony marks OCRA’s 13th anniversary and state legislators, mayors, local elected officials, grant administrators, community development organizations, community partners and businesses were present at the celebration.
Catching cervical cancer early – when it’s most curable
January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Approximately 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
The good news: cervical pre-cancers are diagnosed far more often than invasive cervical cancer, thanks to increased screening with the Pap test. The Pap test can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops and detect cervical cancer in its early stages, when the disease is most curable.
Here are 3 facts you should know about cervical cancer from the American Cancer Society:
- There are usually no symptoms: Left undetected, cervical cancer was once a major cause of death for American women – especially because there are usually no symptoms. The best way to find cervical cancer early is to have a regular screening with a Pap test. Being alert to any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis.
- Several risk factors increase the risk of developing cervical cancer: The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of more than 150 viruses. Other risk factors include smoking, having a weakened immune system, being overweight, and having a family history of cervical cancer.
- Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment: Today, a test to detect HPV is often used as a follow-up when abnormalities are detected on a Pap smear. The same test can also be used as a screening method on its own. In one recent study, this test to detect HPV was shown to be nearly twice as effective as the Pap test in detecting early cervical cancer. Anti-cancer vaccines have been found effective in preventing the two strains of HPV most frequently found in cervical cancer. Your primary doctor or gynecologist often can do the tests needed to diagnose pre-cancers and cancers and may also be able to treat pre-cancer.
To speak with a St. Vincent provider about the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings, contact me at 812-485-4897.
Justices: Agreed juvenile adjudication appeals follow T.R. 60
Olivia Covington forwww.theindianalawyer.com
Juveniles who agree to delinquency adjudications cannot immediately challenge their adjudications on direct appeal, but instead must make a request for post-judgment relief via Trial Rule 60 before pursuing their constitutional right to appeal, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled.
Justices granted transfer in J.W. v. State of Indiana, 19S-JV-12, on Wednesday and used the case to determine whether the holding in Tumulty v. State, 666 N.E.2d 394 (Ind. 1996) should be extended to the juvenile version of plea agreements. Tumulty held that adult defendants must challenge their guilty pleas via post-conviction relief, not direct appeal, and the instant case tasked the justices with examining that rule in the juvenile context.
J.W. has a lengthy history with the juvenile justice system dating back to his first delinquency adjudication in 2013. He was eventually placed in the Department of Correction, and upon his release in 2017, he became a runaway.
Then in July 2017, New Castle police received a 911 call about a young man threatening suicide. J.W. turned out to be the person making the threat, though he identified himself to police as his older brother, M.W., using his brother’s birthdate to make it appear as though J.W. were 18.
J.W.’s true identity was revealed when he was admitted to the local hospital and his sister called asking for information about his identity. J.W. was then arrested as a juvenile runaway for fleeing his parents’ home and for false informing.
At a subsequent hearing in August 2017, J.W.’s counsel told the court the teen had agreed to admit to what would be Class B misdemeanor false informing if committed by an adult, and J.W. admitted to providing a false name and birthdate. The court accepted the settlement, but J.W. appealed, arguing his adjudication should be set aside.
The Indiana Court of Appeals, however, dismissed the appeal in December 2017, finding juvenile defendants must seek relief through a Trial Rule 60 motion. The Supreme Court likewise dismissed J.W.’s appeal, finding the “same concerns of finality and freedom†that apply to agreements and settlements in the criminal and civil courts likewise apply in judicial proceedings.
“As with other consent judgments, an agreed delinquency judgment limits the juvenile’s ability to challenge the agreed judgment on direct appeal,†Justice Geoffrey Slaughter wrote for the unanimous court.
The process of challenging agreed judgments, including agreed delinquency adjudications, generally requires trial courts to conduct additional fact-finding into the formation of the agreement, Slaughter wrote. While that process plays out in criminal post-conviction proceedings for adults, Trial Rule 60 is the appropriate avenue for juveniles who wish to raise “any and all claims†regarding the illegality of agreed delinquency adjudications, the court said.
“Under Rule 60, ‘the court shall hear any pertinent evidence, allow new parties to be served with summons, allow discovery, [and] grant relief,†Slaughter wrote, quoting from section (D) of the rule. “And after the trial court has ruled, a party aggrieved by the post-judgment ruling can then appeal.â€
“… Moreover, in the interest of judicial economy, if a juvenile’s direct appeal includes any claim subject to our extended Tumulty rule, the entire appeal shall be dismissed without prejudice so the so-called ‘Tumulty claims’ can receive a full airing in the juvenile court,†Slaughter continued. “Only after the juvenile court has resolved the Tumulty claims in a post-judgment proceeding can the juvenile proceed on appeal with all his claims.â€
Finally, the justices concluded that juveniles retain the right to counsel for post-judgment relief motions. The court also noted that its bright-line ruling might be overinclusive, but “the rule’s likely benefits in simplicity and overall judicial economy outweigh its costs.â€
The case was dismissed without prejudice and remanded for further proceedings, with the court noting that the time J.W. spent litigating his appeal will not impact the timeliness of any post-judgment motion he chooses to file.
“IS IT TRUE” JANUARY 9, 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 TRUEÂ recently “Lonely George The Tree Snail” died, and the species goes extinct?
IS IT TRUE that 8 years ago than Mayor Weinzapfel convinced a group of his political buddies in the Vanderburgh County Democrats party to defeat Mayoral candidate Rick Davis? …that the Weinzapfel and his political buddies where successful in their efforts? …the anti-Rick Davis Democrats helped elect Lloyd Winnecke Mayor of Evansville by a close margin?…the during last 8 years the Vanderburgh County Democratic party almost experienced the same fate of “Lonely George The Tree Snail”?
IS IT TRUE about two years ago Ben Shoulders helped the Vanderburgh County Democratic party from experiencing the same fate of “Lonely George The Tree Snail”? Â …along came Jeff Hatfield and the Vanderburgh County Democratic party is now becoming the Democratic party that it use to be?
IS IT TRUE to no one surprise Ben Shoulders was elected President of the Vanderburgh County Commission and Jeff Hatfield was selected his Vice President? Â …the law firm of Jones and Wallace were selected as the Vanderburgh County Commission attorneys?
IS IT TRUEÂ earlier this week we predicted that Karen Ragland will be elected President of the EVSC school board? Â …at Tuesday School Board meeting Karen Ragland was elected President of the EVSC school board? …it looks like the days of power politics at EVSC are over?
IS IT TRUE we are told that team Danks, Wedding, Commissioners Shoulders and Hatfield have committed to raising a bunch of money for the Democrats running for City Council in the 2019 general election?Â
IS IT TRUE Its time we take a look both the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Mesker Amphitheater and see how we make them once again a major part of our social, cultural and entertainment offerings?
IS IT TRUEÂ that our favorite “Restaurant Entrepreneur” Amy Word Smith is ready to embark in another restaurant venture on West Franklin Street area? Â …we can’t wait for her to announce her new restaurant venture and attending the soft opening of her new restaurant in the near future?
IS IT TRUE that CCO poster  recently said  “strange how a person has to get permission from the city arborist to cut down a tree on private land”?. “I guess it’s just another example of the rulers having privilege over the ruled”?
IS IT TRUE that today Mayor Winnecke wii officially file for re-election at the Civic Center? …following this event he and his supporters will venture across the street for some “sarsaparilla and finger food” in celebration of his announcement? Â …we expect him to have an impressive group to cheer him on?
MY 105.3 WJLT, 103 GBF AND VICTORY THEATRE ARE BRINGING BACK HAIRBALL MARCH 9 AT VICTORY THEATRE
MY 105.3 WJLT, 103 GBF AND VICTORY THEATRE ARE BRINGING BACK HAIRBALL – A ROCK & ROLL EXPERIENCE on MARCH 9
Tickets Go On Sale Friday, January 11 At 10 AM
Evansville, IN– On March 9, welcome back HAIRBALL to Victory Theatre and take yourself back to the 80’s and 90’swhen Arena Rock was all that mattered. My 105.3 WJLT, 103 GBF and Victory Theatre are bringing Evansville another fantastic night with HAIRBALL – A BOMBTASTIC CELEBRATION OF ARENA ROCK. If you saw them before, you know youdon’t want to miss this concert! Tickets go on sale Friday, January 11 at 10 AM.
2018 finds Hairball celebrating its 18th year of rocking hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Constantly adding more characters, more pyrotechnics, more lights, more sound, more props, more surprises…more everything! While Happy often tells the audience “Today is the first day is the rest of your life!” Hairball performs every show as though it could be their last. Every night is a 100% full-on, no-holds-barred, exciting, chaotic, fiery party that has to be experienced to be believed!
As important to Hairball as the music, are its fans. While many bands claim to have the best fans in the world, Hairball actually has! Whether they are 10 years old or 100, Hairball fans bring an unparalleled enthusiasm and energy to the show that enhances the arena experience. Hairball knows it wouldn’t exist without its fans and takes every opportunity
Commentary: The Power Of Three Little Words
Commentary: The Power Of Three Little Words
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – Now that the Democrats have taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives, everyone has advice for them.
Much of that advice is specific to the issues of the day – arguments both for and against advancing impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, strategies for extending health coverage to more Americans at lower costs, etc.
John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com
These, to be sure, are important issues that merit open discussion and debate.
My counsel, though, is tied less to the battles of the moment and more to providing lasting leadership. That counsel can be boiled down to three words.
The first is: listen.
And not just to those who agree with you.
The emergence of and reaction to President Trump has brought this nation to a point that is both volatile and fragile. Old loyalties have been shaken in ways we Americans haven’t seen before. Who would have thought that Republican bastions such as Orange County – where the political careers of GOP stalwarts Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan took root – would fall into the Democratic column?
But they have, in large part because many Americans are worried, even frightened, enough to consider what for them are desperate options.
Hear their concerns.
One of the most distressing things about this president and the members of his party who enable him is their seeming belief that their only obligation is to those who voted for them or otherwise supported them.
But our political system isn’t a sport and election day isn’t the championship game.
Once the votes have been counted, those elected are supposed to represent all the people, not just those they like or who like them.
The act of listening can be healing in itself – we all like to feel that we are being heard – but it also can be productive. Sometimes, the other side or the other person has a better idea.
The second word is: explain.
The best leaders in our history have been great teachers. When they have had to make tough decisions or unravel tangled issues, they have been able to present the reasons for their actions or policies in ways everyone could understand.
In many ways, leadership in a self-governing society is an ongoing exercise in civic education. The more people understand both the problem and the proposed solution, the more likely they are to support both the leader and the plan. The most extreme voices on either side will generate a lot of noise that will have to be cut through but keep teaching and keep explaining.
Most Americans know good sense when they hear it.
The third word uses the other two as its foundation: govern.
For more than a half-century, politicians from both parties have made a practice of running against government. This has been corrosive to our government and our country.
The founders of this nation didn’t go to war with the British to end government. They did so to secure the right to govern themselves.
When we fight against the idea of government, we fight against ourselves – and that’s a war we can’t win.
The current nonsensical federal government shutdown demonstrates that. The only casualties in this fight are our own people.
Government in a free society is supposed to be the means by which we resolve our differences, not exacerbate them. At its most basic level, our government is supposed to serve and protect the people of this nation, not burden and imperil them.
But burdening and imperiling them is exactly what we’re doing now.
As the midterm elections demonstrate, many Americans are willing to set aside partisan and even ideological loyalties in the hopes that someone, anyone, in a position of leadership will start being the adult in the room.
The president has demonstrated, again and again, that he can’t be the grown-up.
So, the Democrats will have to be.
If this means crafting a face-saving way out of the border-wall trap the president built for himself and this nation, do it. Remember the folks that he doesn’t seem to care about. Put people back to work and keep them from being thrown out of their homes.
Solve the problem.
Don’t make it worse.
Listen, explain and govern are only three little words.
But they can make a huge difference.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism, host of “No Limits†WFYI 90.1 Indianapolis and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City-County Observer posted this article without opinion, bias or editing.
