Kit Kat is a female torbie (brown tabby + tortie.) She lived in foster care with her kittens at the home of a VHS staff member for months. She’s just a year old and ready for a home of her own now. She’s very sweet. Her adoption fee is $40 and she’s already spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Tourism in 2017 continues to grow
A new study released by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch with the Indiana Office of Tourism Development shows a growing impact tourism has on Indiana’s economy.
“Now in its seventh year of continued growth, the tourism industry has set a record $12.7 billion in visitor spending last year,†Crouch said. “This trend, combined with the new leadership Misty Weisensteiner will bring, will take tourism to the Next Level in the years to come.”
Here are some of the highlights of the report:
- The number of visitors to Indiana destinations increased to 80 million;
- Total visitor spending reached $12.7B;
- Overnight visits rose to 31.2 million;
- Spending per visitor rose to $158;
- Visitor spending added $9.8B to the state’s gross domestic product;
- Out of each dollar spent, $0.72 stays in Indiana;
- Tourism generated $1.4B in state and local taxes;
- Indiana tourism supported 199,830 full-time jobs; and
- Hoosier households saved an average of $561.
The study was commissioned by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and conducted by Rockport Analytics, an independent market research and consulting company that specializes in economic impact and feasibility studies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The methodology employed by this study is in accordance with industry best practices and aligns economic impact data at the state and local level with rigorous methodological standards that are recognized as the highest in the industry.
The study used data on Indiana visitor spending derived from multiple sources including Longwoods International, Reach Market Planning and the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel & Tourism Office. It was then reconciled with Bureau of Labor Statistics reported employment data, Indiana Department of Revenue reported tax receipts and secondary sources such as Smith Travel Research.
The infographic illustrates some key data points in the economic report. It can be found on the Indiana Office of Tourism Development’s website, VisitIndianaTourism.com.
Due to an error discovered during our 2017 research, we have included a restatement of our 2016 numbers with our 2017 report. For more information on the revision, go to VisitIndianaTourism.com.
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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Responsive employer
local public employee salaries from 2017 using state records.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Courier & Press compiled a searchable database of local public employee salaries from 2017 using state records.
The database features more than 12,000 people who were listed on payroll records for local government units, including city of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and more.
Taxpayers paid for $313 million to local public employees in 2017.
Here are the 111 local government employees who made more than $100,000 in 2017 ranked by salary (name, office, position, municipality, salary):
- Linda L. Bennett – President’s Office, President, University of Southern Indiana – $294,919
- David B. Smith – Administration, Superintendent, EVSC – $241,787
- Ronald S. Rochon – Provost’s Office, Provost, University of Southern Indiana – $221,824
- Jonathan D. Weinzapfel – Chancellor Office, Chancellor, Ivy Tech – $214,516
- Steven J. Bridges – Finance and Administration, VP for Finance & Admin, University of Southern Indiana – $196,410
- Mohammed Khayum – Romain College of Business, Dean Coll of Business, University of Southern Indiana – $174,592
- Cynthia S. Brinker – Government Relations, VP for Govt & Univ Relations, University of Southern Indiana – $173,844
- Ann H. White – College of Nursing & Health Prof, Dean Coll of Nurs & Hlth Prof, University of Southern Indiana – $167,237
- Zane W. Mitchell – College of Science Engineer & Educ, Dean Pott Coll of Sci,Engin&Ed, University of Southern Indiana – $161,700
- Derrick Moore – Evansville Housing Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Evansville Housing Authority – $156,239
- Â James M. Beeby – College of Liberal Arts, Dean Coll of Liberal Arts, University of Southern Indiana – $151,110
- Wayne S. Trockman – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,840
- Brian L. McGuire – Accounting and Finance, Prof of Acctg, University of Southern Indiana – $147,270
- Andrew W. Wright – Enrollment Management, VP of Enrollment Mgmt, University of Southern Indiana – $147,270
- Richard George D’Amour – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Brett J. Niemeier – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Robert J. Pigman – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Leslie C. Shively – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Robert J. Tornatta – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Mary M. Parkinson (LLoyd) – Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge – $147,217
- Nicholas G. Hermann – Supreme Court, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor – $147,217
- Stephen H. Owens – Public Def, Vanderburgh County – $146,311
- Robert K. Spear – Health Dep, Vanderburgh County – $145,954
- Mark C. Bernhard – Outreach & Engagement, Assoc Provost for Outr/Engage, University of Southern Indiana – $144,950
- Marcia K. Kiessling – Student Affairs, Assoc Provost, Student Affairs, University of Southern Indiana – $142,815
- Kevin G. Celuch – Economics and Marketing, Prof of Mktg, University of Southern Indiana – $140,281
- Richard J. Toeniskoetter – Administrative Technology Services, Chief Info Officer, University of Southern Indiana – $139,025
- Shelly B. Blunt – Provost’s Office, Assoc Provost, Acad Affairs, University of Southern Indiana – $131,765
- Mark A. McKnight – Accounting and Finance, Assoc Prof of Acctg, University of Southern Indiana – $131,548
- David L. Wedding – Sheriff, Vanderburgh County – $129,653
- Velinda F. Stubbs – Administration, Dept Supt Of Teaching & Learn, EVSC – $127,123
- Catherine M. Minihan – Administration, Associate Superintendent, EVSC – $126,923
- Richard P. Cameron – Administration, Chief Of Staff, EVSC – $126,743
- Regene I. Newman – Director of Finance, Prosecutor’s Office, Vanderburgh County – $126,392
- Abbas Foroughi – Management and Information Sciences, Prof of Comp Info Sys, University of Southern Indiana – $125,168
- Cathlin S. Gray – Center For Family/School/Comm, Associate Superintendent, EVSC – $125,045
- Mayola Rowser – Graduate Studies, Dir, Grad Studies, University of Southern Indiana – $124,818
- Mark Uhrin – Computer Services, CIO, Evansville – $123,623
- Mary A. Hupfer – Finance and Administration, Assoc VP for Finance & Admin, University of Southern Indiana – $120,864
- Paul A. Kuban – Engineering, Prof of Engin, University of Southern Indiana – $119,993
- David A. Bower – Development, VP for Development, University of Southern Indiana – $119,583
- Craig R. Ehlen – Accounting and Finance, Prof of Acctg, University of Southern Indiana – $119,125
- Alisha M. Aman – Exec Director of Admin Office, EDA-Evansville/Terre Haute, Ivy Tech – $117,221
- Marna M. Hostetler – David L Rice Library, Dir of Library, University of Southern Indiana – $116,312
- Kindra L. Strupp – University Relations, Assoc VP, Mktg & Comm, University of Southern Indiana – $115,500
- Khaled Elkhal – Accounting and Finance, Assoc Prof of Finance, University of Southern Indiana – $115,151
- Sang T. Choe – Economics and Marketing, Prof of Mktg, University of Southern Indiana – $115,037
- Jong C. Rhim – Accounting and Finance, Prof of Finance, University of Southern Indiana – $114,341
- Chad M. Milewicz – Economics and Marketing, Assoc Prof of Mktg, University of Southern Indiana – $114,095
- Â James E. Wolfe – Facility Operations and Planning, Dir, Facil Oper & Planning, University of Southern Indiana – $112,919
- Manfen W. Chen – Accounting and Finance, Assoc Prof of Finance, University of Southern Indiana – $112,762
- Andrew T. Dill – Accounting and Finance, Asst Prof of Acctg, University of Southern Indiana – $112,438
- John E. Smothers – Management and Information Sciences, Asst Prof of Mgmt, University of Southern Indiana – $112,022
- William D. Rector – EVCBA, Gen Mgr, Evansville – $111,458
- Andrew R. Lenhardt – Human Resources, Exec Dir, Human Resources, University of Southern Indiana – $111,325
- Mellisa A. Hall – Nursing, Assoc Prof of Nursing, University of Southern Indiana – $111,319
- Timothy J. Schibik – Economics and Marketing, Prof of Econ, University of Southern Indiana – $111,252
- Sudesh N. Mujumdar – Economics and Marketing, Prof of Econ, University of Southern Indiana – $111,012
- Nichole E. Alcorn – Administration, Dir Of Exceptional Learners, EVSC – $110,710
- John D. Stoll – County Hwy, Vanderburgh County – $109,999
- Ernest H. Hall – Management and Information Sciences, Prof of Mgmt, University of Southern Indiana – $109,791
- Kelly A. Cozart – Vice Chanc Academic Affairs Off, Vice Chanc Acad Affrs, Ivy Tech – $109,292
- Cynthia M. Landrum – Admin, Chief Executive Officer-Director, Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library – $108,840
- Roberta E. Hoebeke – Nursing, Prof of Nursing, University of Southern Indiana – $108,838
- Paul H. Anslinger – Evansville Fire Dept, Assistant Fire Chief, Evansville – $108,686
- Darla Hoover – Administration, Dir Of Hs Sup,Curr,& Asses, EVSC – $108,597
- Timothy Martin – Evansville Housing Authority, Director Of Operations, Evansville Housing Authority – $108,362
- Allen R. Mounts – Water & Sewer Admin, Director Of Utility, Evansville – $108,232
- Michael A. Owen – Administration, Athletic Director, EVSC – $107,974
- Jon M. Hall – Athletics Administration, Athletic Director, University of Southern Indiana – $107,890
- Carl D. Underwood – Administration, Chief Financial Officer, EVSC – $107,457
- Kenneth L. Shemroske – Management and Information Sciences, Assoc Prof of Comp Info Sys, University of Southern Indiana – $106,915
- Julie L .McCullough – Food and Nutrition, Assoc Prof of Nutrition, University of Southern Indiana – $106,537
- Dinko Bacic – Management and Information Sciences, Asst Prof of Comp Info Sys, University of Southern Indiana – $106,478
- Peggy O. Shields – Economics and Marketing, Assoc Prof of Mktg, University of Southern Indiana – $105,603
- Samuel B. Rush – Dean of Students, Dean of Students, University of Southern Indiana – $105,510
- Elizabeth S. Wells – Harrison High, High School Principal, EVSC – $105,098
- John Skinner – North High, High School Principal, EVSC – $104,943
- Gary W. Black – Economics and Marketing, Assoc Prof of Decision Sci, University of Southern Indiana – $104,833
- Bryan A. Perry – Administration, Director Of School Support, EVSC – $104,775
- Jason Fertig – Management and Information Sciences, Assoc Prof of Mgmt, University of Southern Indiana – $104,586
- Jennifer J. Williams – Management and Information Sciences, Prof of Comp Info Sys, University of Southern Indiana$ – 104,578
- David K. Stclair – Southern In Career/Tech Ctr, Dir Career/Tech Education, EVSC – $104,178
- Richard C. Howard – Evansville Fire Dept, Fire Investigator, Evansville – $104,012
- Sheila L. Huff – Bosse High, High School Principal, EVSC – $103,687
- Eric Kremer – Evansville Housing Authority, Director Of Finance, Evansville Housing Authority – $103,406
- Jason M. Woebkenberg – Administration, Chief Communications Officer, EVSC – $103,282
- Katherine A. Draughon – Planning, Research, & Assessment, Chief Data Officer, University of Southern Indiana – $103,187
- Jacqueline Kuhn – Administration, Director Of School Support, EVSC – $103,177
- Audra L. Offutt – Administration, Director Of School Support, EVSC – $102,954
- Michael R. Ward – Police Dept, Police Corporal, Evansville – $102,909
- Deborah K. Debaillie – Administration, Chief Human Resources Officer, EVSC – $102,811
- Andrea D. Campbell – Central High, High School Principal, EVSC – $102,805
- Sharlett K. Gillard – Management and Information Sciences, Prof of Comp Info Sys, University of Southern Indiana – $102,709
- Carrie A. Hillyard – Administration, Chief Transformation Officer, EVSC – $102,657
- Tamara L. Dexter – Administration, Director Of School Support, EVSC – $102,629
- Todd S. Slagle – Administration, Director Of School Support, EVSC – $102,629
- Elizabeth C. Carnahan – Reitz High, High School Principal, EVSC – $102,539
- Michael D. Dixon – History, Prof of History, University of Southern Indiana – $102,192
- Deborah L. Anderson - Vice Chanc Student Success Off, Vice Chancellor Stdnt Success, Ivy Tech – $102,149
- Sherri K. Flynn - Business Admin Conversion, Associate Professor Dept Chair, Ivy Tech – $101,929
- Paul D. Odney - Liberal Arts Sci School Office, Dean/ Assistant Professor, Ivy Tech – $101,756
- Gongjun Yan – Management and Information Sciences, Asst Prof of Comp Sci, University of Southern Indiana – $101,422
- Stacy L. Mauser – Technology Innovation Center, Chief Technology Officer, EVSC – $101,383
- Seyed M. Shokouhzadeh – Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, Executive Director, Evansville – $101,362
- Jeffrey M. Sickman – Business Office, Controller, University of Southern Indiana – $101,149
- Timothy B. Mahoney – Economics and Marketing, Instr in Econ, University of Southern Indiana – $100,903
- Carl L. Saxby – Economics and Marketing, Assoc Prof of Mktg, University of Southern Indiana – $100,804
- Rodney J. Watson – Athletics Administration, Mens Varsity Basketball Coach, University of Southern Indiana – $100,749
- Lloyd W. Winnecke – Mayor’s Office, Mayor, Evansville – $100,533
- Billy R. Bolin – Police Dept, Police Chief, Evansville – $100,072
Mobile readers:Â Check out the complete database
Food:Â How do Evansville’s gas station fried chicken joints rank?
ADOPT A PET
Bitsy is a female black cat. She is one of the VHS’ longest residents, waiting on a home since JULY – she had her kittens shortly after arriving at VHS and raised them in foster care. Now they’ve all been adopted and hopefully it’s her turn soon. Her adoption fee is $40 and includes her microchip, vaccines, and spay surgery. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 28, 2018
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 Â we are told that the chickens of 2009 may be coming home to roost on the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, and some surrogate agencies during the 2019 election cycle?…we are told that several lawsuits could be filed during the coming months for wrongful dismissal, defamation of character, restraint of trade, and the negative impacts associated with such actions?…we are also told that the current and past Mayors may well be named as respondents in the forthcoming suits that are up against the 10 year statute of limitations for grievances of this nature?…that during the same time period the actions of a former City official lead to a settlement for a former CEO of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau?…we were told that the reality at that time was that many non-profit agencies were alter egos of the City of Evansville and other government supporters because the boards of directors of these organizations were dominated by politics in ways that corrupted their independence?…piercing that veil that is supposed to be intact would expose local government to significant settlements for meddling in the management of governmental controlled non-profits?…the director’s and officer’s insurance policies of all of these agencies and their alter ego status could be quite expensive when the extent of the financial damages they caused are adjudicated?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Courier and Press was slammed for publishing an article on the sad fact that the origins of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana happened in Evansville where the first charter for the hate group was signed?…there are many people who are posting comments that it is not appropriate to point out that this started here and are quite offended to learn this undisputed fact?…the reality is that all places have a thing or two that do not make their residents proud but it does a bit of good to revisit one’s past so that the sins of the past to not repeat themselves in the future?…while one thing that most people can agree on is that the Ku Klux Klan was a despicable hate-based organization that has no place in a kind and loving world, to deny the past is to doom something to be repeated in the future? Â …perhaps a commendation is warranted for every citizen of Evansville/Vanderburgh County who can take the remainder in stride and reaffirm their commitment to inclusion, diversity, peace, love, and understanding in a world that seems to be foaming at the mouth for contention?
IS IT TRUE Â for many years we have been telling our readers that the City of Evansville Employee Health Insurance had several million dollar deficits with very little money in the rainy day fund to bring these medical bring bills current? …every time we brought this subject up to the people in the Controllers office all we heard from them were the sound of crickets?
IS IT TRUE we expect that one day the seven (7) current Evansville City Council members will finally realize the mistake they made when they voted to release $500,000 dollars of taxpayers dollars to the embattled ECHO Housing Corp. of Evansville, Ind.?  …we believe  that this vote may prove to be one of the reasons why several City Council members may have a difficult time of being re-elected?Â
IS IT TRUEÂ that last year the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation purchased a golf course?…the large block of acreage on the Northside where people play one of the sports of kings was picked up by the EVSC for the handsome sum of $3.5 Million? …golf is a declining sport when it comes to mass participation and it is no wonder that the family who owned the course were open to letting it go?…we wonder why the EVSC could not find a piece of land that was undeveloped, so they could get a better price?
IS IT TRUE everyone is aware that the population is moving out if the City of Evansville and into the unincorporated area on the North and West side?…at this point there is a new North High School, a new McCutchanville and this land is slated for a new Junior High, none of which would have been necessary if the City of Evansville had not been allowed to degrade to the point of no return?…we predict the Northside schools will continue to dominate the academic performance rankings along with the Signature School and area Catholic schools?…we wonder why the City of Evansville based schools and especially those on the South and Southeast sides have been allowed to degrade to the point that the kids are performing at a failing grade level?
IS IT TRUE last year the basketball championship games of the GLVC tournaments drew a disappointing total of 809 people to the Ford Center on Sunday? …one semifinal session with USI playing drew 929 attendees while the other only drew 401?…there were two championship games, one for men and one for women and only 7% of the seats in Ford Center were occupied?…the tickets, when bought in the overall ticket package, were less than $2 per game and still the crowd was paltry? …we hope that the newly hired CEO of the Evansville Sports Corporation will correct the marketing mistakes of the past by creating sporting events that will be an economic boom for Evansville proper?
IS IT TRUE that government works best when its shut down? ….that the stock markets flourishes best when the government is shut down?  …government works best when President Trump doesn’t tweet?
IS IT TRUE Mayor Winnecke will file for re-election at the Civic Center on January 9, 2019? Â …following his filing, he will be hosting a campaign “Gala” at Party Central for his many supporters?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: If the Republican primary for the Mayor of Evansville was held today who would you vote for?
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St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements for December
Octavia James and Vernon Jones, Evansville, son, Vernon Joseph Jr., December 17
Michelle and Jeremy Wells, Reed, KY, son, Levi Sawyer, December 17
Abby and Daniel Roach, Newburgh, daughter, Anna Katherine, December 17
Erica and Jeffrey Sharp, Rockport, IN, daughter, Kinlee Grace, December 18
Lauren and Matthew Menke, Evansville, daughter, Briar Joy, December 18
Candace Todd and Adam LaRue, Henderson, KY, daughter, Jane Logan, December 19
Chelsea Vasquez and Blake Devine, Evansville, son, Noah Alan, December 19
Mary Raben and Rodney Broshears Jr., Evansville, son, Zeke Van, December 19
Chasidy and Christopher Tewell, Fort Branch, IN, son, Jensen Zeke, December 19
Susan and Drew Greenwell, Waverly, KY, son, John Luke, December 19
Pam and Hugh Stogsdill, Fort Branch, IN, son, Jaxyn Hugh, December 19
Abigail Weller and Nathan Miller, Evansville, son, Elijah Michael, December 20
Angela Thomas and Antonio Hale, Evansville, son, Ayden Demarco, December 20
Harli and Benton Evans, Mount Vernon, IN, daughter, Brynlee Faye, December 20
Audrianna Fuchs and Jesse Hertel, Evansville, daughter, Mila Rae, December 21
Ciara Winstead and DeMario Ray, Newburgh, son, Jamar Antwon, December 21
Oteasha Martin and Glenn Eastwood, Evansville, son, X’Aviyon Rayshawn, December 22
- Shellie and Steven Young, Evansville, son, Paxton Gray, December 22
Victoria Austin, Evansville, daughter, Marcella Rosalind, December 23
Lindsey and Mason Kempf, Evansville, daughter, Sloane Olivia, December 23
Records: Probe of Indiana’s AG Cost Taxpayers At Least $26K
IL for www.theindianalawyer.com
An investigation into allegations that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill drunkenly groped four women at a party last March cost taxpayers at least $26,300, according to records obtained through open records requests.
Special prosecutor Daniel Sigler’s bill totaled $5,217 — mostly for hourly wages — while the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department paid an estimated $3,226 for a sex crime detective’s work on the Hill investigation, The Indianapolis Star reported.
But the bulk of the expenses, $17,861, came from the office of Inspector General Lori Torres, which opened its inquiry after requests by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and legislative leadership.
Documents from Torres’ office show that a special agent worked 285 hours for total expenses of $8,618, while various legal professionals worked about 200 hours, with an average hourly wage of $41.62, for a total of $8,344, the Star reported.
The remaining balance was paid for 27 hours of work from a transcriptionist and 1.5 hours of an administrative assistant.
Hill, a Republican, has denied allegations that he inappropriately touched an Indiana lawmaker and three legislative assistants during a March 15 party held at an Indianapolis bar to mark the end of the legislative session.
In October, Sigler declined to file criminal charges against Hill, saying he lacked sufficient evidence to secure a battery conviction.
Hill was also cleared of any ethical breaches by the Inspector General’s office, which released a searing report detailing its findings.
That report said eyewitnesses told investigators that Hill’s behavior at the party was inappropriate, “creepy†and made many of the women at the party uncomfortable. But he didn’t break any state ethics rules.
Hill declined to comment on the cost of the investigation through his spokesman, Chris Proffitt, who noted the costs were incurred by other agencies. Hill hasn’t used any public funds to defend himself, instead of drawing on campaign money and creating a legal defense fund.
It’s unclear whether taxpayer funding would pay for Hill’s defense in a potential civil case. Documents first disclosed by the Star show that Hill’s office drafted a contract that would pay $100,000 to the Indianapolis law firm of Betz and Blevins to represent Hill and his office.
Hill’s office has declined to answer questions asking whether Hill intended to pursue that agreement.
Hill’s private attorney, Kevin Betz, said he doesn’t plan to take any public funds to defend Hill against any civil or discrimination claims.