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“IS IT TRUE” OCTOBER 30, 2018

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” 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 the 2017 SBOA Audit Report has just been posted on the SBOA website! …the audit shows that the City has been operating in the red 10 months of the year audited?  …soon as we can link it to the City-County Observer we shall post it on our site for your reading pleasure?  …it looks like our prediction that this audit will be interesting is correct?

IS IT TRUE the Rotary Club will be hosting a Prosecutorial candidate forum today at noon in the Walnut A and B at the Tropicana Executive Conference Center?  …following introductory remarks by the Prosecutorial candidates, there will be a question and answer session, led by the mediator Nick Wideman from the University of Southern Indiana?  …we have just been informed that Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann may not attend this event but his political opponent Stan Levco will?  …we also been told that Mr. Hermann Chief Deputy Gary Schutte will speak on Mr. Hermann behalf at this important political forum if Mr. Hermann can’t attend?

IS IT TRUE it looks like the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor race is turning out to be one heck of a political barn burner? …we are being told by those in the know that this race is to close to call?

IS IT TRUE could a political solicitation by an employee of the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor office on behalf of Nick Hermann during normal working hours would be considered to be a violation of the Hatch Act? …it’s been alleged that passive aggressive insinuations directed at fellow employees not willing to “volunteer” to help with a political campaign that their jobs may be in jeopardy could also violate the Hatch Act? …we been told that the person doing the solicitation walked around with a clipboard asking for names of campaign volunteers? …that employees request to investigate this situation have not been successful and that investigation of this matter, has not been opened? …..the City-County Observer respectfully request that the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann look into the above allegations to determine if they have any validity?

IS IT TRUE  that last year the newly appointed Executive Director of ECHO Housing told City Council he did an extensive search to locate a list of current ECHO Board of Directors members but couldn’t find any? …at a recent City Council, the Executive Director of ECHO Housing announced that they have appointed a new Board member but failed to give his name? …can anyone help us to identify the newly appointed members of the ECHO Housing Board Of Directors?

IS IT TRUE that the Honorable Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge for Vanderburgh County David D. Kiely is running unopposed for re-election?  …we feel that he should be unopposed because he has done an outstanding job as the Circuit Court Judge for Vanderburgh County?  …we recommend that you give him a complimentary vote on election day?

IS IT TRUE that the following Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judges are also running for re-election as unopposed candidates?  …they are the Honorable-Margaret Lloyd (Chief Judge), Honorable-Brett Neimeier, Honorable Robert J. Tornatta, and the Honorable Wayne S. Trockman? …although they are running unopposed for re-election we urge you to give them a complimentary vote by pulling their lever because they are doing a great job for the citizens of this community?

IS IT TRUE that the Jacksonville Icemen (formerly the Evansville Icemen) are the only undefeated team in their conference at 5 and 0 and are ranked third (3rd) out of 27 teams in attendance in the ECHL.? …we send the Jacksonville Icemen owner Ron Geary big congrats?  …it looks like the City of Evansville made a major mistake when that forced the Evansville Icemen to move to Jacksonville, Fla?

IS IT TRUE that Indiana is one step closer to legalizing another form of gambling?

An interim study committee at the General Assembly recently voted 9-0 to recommend lawmakers approve sports gambling?   …this proposal will be considered when the legislature meets in January?  …if sports gambling passes in Indiana it was have a major negative impact on Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky?

IS IT TRUE that all good things must come to an end and it is becoming increasingly possible that the current embodiment of Thunder on Ohio was known as Thunderfest may be on its last stand due to financial shortfalls relative to the cost to put this festival on?…after two years with the weather this year being the absolute best that it could be it is still expected that the revenue fell well short of the cost?…this time it is the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau that is going to be left holding the bag with what could end up to be well into six figures of losses?…hanging onto an outdated event that has now broken the financial back of at least 3 organizations is irrational and it is time to bite the bullet and kiss the thunder boats goodbye for the last time?

IS IT TRUE we are told that many patrons of Ellis Park are disappointed that the current owners of Ellis Park (Saratoga Gaming of New York) haven’t invested money to professionally pave and stripe the main parking lot, install proper exterior security lighting and signage, install a first-class exterior digital (on-premise sign) located next to the highway?

Today’s “Readers Polls” question is: If the election was held today for the Knight Township Trustee who would you vote for?

FOOTNOTES: Our Publisher is now quieting resting at home and is beginning to show some positive progress. We would also like to thank the many people for the get well cards, phone calls, personal visits and prayers on behalf of Ron.  It looks like your support is helping him turn the corner.

If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-CountyObserver@live.co

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.

Just IN: Link To 2017 SBOA Audit Of The City Of Evansville

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Attached below is the link of the 2017 SBOA Audit of the City Of Evansville. The audit shows that the City has been operating in the red 10 months of the year audited?

It looks like our prediction that this audit will be interesting read is correct?

https://secure.in.gov/apps/sboa/audit-reports/#/

Trial Date Set For Suit Alleging Coerced Confessions

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Trial Date Set For Suit Alleging Coerced Confessions

OCTOBER 29TH, 2018 TYRONE MORRIS EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

A lawsuit involving three teenagers who accuse Evansville police of violating their constitutional rights is headed to trial.

Back in January, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals found there was enough evidence to warrant a civil trial in the suit filed on behalf of William, Deadra, and Andrea Hurt and their mother but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

The teens’ lawsuit alleges Evansville police threatened them and fed them facts to coerce confessions in the 2012 killing of 54-year-old Marcus Golike.

The case is set to go to trial in September 2019.

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National Group In Indiana To Mobilize Minority Voters

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National Group In Indiana To Mobilize Minority Voters

October 29, 2018 

By Dionte Coleman
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—A national progressive organization has come to Indiana to mobilize black and other minority voters to cast their ballots on Nov. 6 and to stay involved beyond 2018.

Arianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC, was in Indianapolis Monday to work with local activists to turn out the vote for Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Democrat facing a tough election challenge from Republican Mike Braun.

 

BlackPAC was founded in 2016 by Shropshire to work with activists in black communities across the country to encourage people to vote and continue to participate in issues ranging from the justice system’s treatment of minorities to voter suppression.

In Indiana, she is working with Robin Winston, former chair of the state Democratic Party and his Progressive Thought Matters organization.

BlackPAC is investing $2 million in Indiana, with about half supporting Donnelly, and is working with local organizations to knock on 300,000 doors across the state to encourage voter turnout. Their total budget for the 2018 election is about $14 million, with other money going to support Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri as well as candidates in Virginia, Georgia, and Florida, she said.

“Our priority is the Senate for a whole host of reasons, but not the least of which is that we’re deeply concerned about the courts and the reshaping of the courts, Supreme Courts certainly, but the federal bench in general. So, the race here (Indiana) becomes really important in that mix,” Shropshire said.

Donnelly cast a vote against Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court last month. Kavanaugh, who had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman while in college, was approved in a controversial and mostly party-line vote.

Shropshire, who is originally from Seattle, said that voters need to be educated about the importance of the mid-term elections. Turnout in non-presidential election years drops by 15 to 20 percent, she said, a decline she is hoping to help reverse this year.

In talking to black voters across the country, Shropshire said that some common themes emerge, starting with jobs, the economy and wages.

“We did some polling a couple months ago to try to understand how black voters were weighting issues, what were the most important issues, and you have this narrative in the country about the economy improving and getting better, but that just does not ring true for a significant percentage of black voters,” Shropshire said.

Communities of color are also concerned about the quality and affordability of education, access to health care and the racism that persists across the state, particularly in rural areas, she said.

“I think one of the things that’s clear for me is how what happens here in Indiana is so connected to everything that is happening across the country,” Shropshire said.

She got her start as a community organizer in Los Angeles following the fires and protests in the aftermath of the Rodney King case. King had been beaten by white police officers who were subsequently acquitted of all charges. Shropshire has continued her work through labor, community, faith and economic justice campaigns in New York City, and advises labor unions, grassroots organizations, and political donors.

FOOTNOTE: Dionte Coleman is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

March of Dimes Receives $95K Donation

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March of Dimes Receives $95K Donation

OCTOBER 29TH, 2018 TYRONE MORRIS INDIANA

The March of Dimes is on a mission to help all moms reach full term and to find a way to prevent and eventually end premature birth.

Monday, the organization was on the receiving end of a $95,779 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Foundation.

The money will help the March of Dimes expand access to prenatal care and to provide vital resources to expectant moms.

Premature birth is the largest contributor to infant death in the U.S., and pregnancy-related death has more than doubled over the past 25 years.

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AG Curtis Hill To Discuss Expansion Of Drug Abuse Program Aimed At Teens

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Attorney General Curtis Hill will host a press conference on the first day of his office’s 9th Annual Drug Abuse Symposium to discuss the expansion of an innovative digital curriculum for high school students that informs them about the safe use of prescription drugs and ways to avoid the risks of substance abuse.

Details are as follows:

WHO: Attorney General Curtis Hill; Maddy Murphy, EVERFI; Kevin Thompson, Walmart; Stephanie Long, North Central Health System; possible school representative

WHAT: Press conference to discuss the expansion of an innovative digital curriculum for high school students that informs them about the safe use of prescription drugs and ways to avoid the risks of substance abuse.

WHEN: 12:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29, 2018

WHERE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville Indianapolis Convention Center, 13700 Conference Center Drive South, Noblesville, Indiana.

Note: Media should use the hotel’s conference center entrance (south side of building, east end). Upon entering the building, check in at the registration table. Media are encouraged to stay for a 1:30 p.m. keynote address, “Federal Law Enforcement’s Response to Opioids,” by U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Greg Westfall.

As a courtesy, please email Deputy Communications Director Bill McCleery at bill.mccleery@atg.in.gov if you plan to attend the press conference.

Justices Agree To Hear Case Regarding ‘Obscene’ Material On Cellphone

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IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

The Indiana Supreme Court granted one transfer request and denied 18 others last week, agreeing to hear an argument as to whether content found on the phone of a man convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor is considered obscene under an Indiana statute.

Justices granted transfer to Nathaniel Bennett v. the State of Indiana, 18S-CR-538, a case in which the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the revocation of Nathaniel Bennett’s placement in community corrections when it found a cell phone in his possession contained “obscene matter,” which he was prohibited from having. Specifically, after Bennett pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor and was sentenced to seven years – with four years served in community corrections followed by three years on probation – police found explicit photographs and videos on a cell phone in Bennett’s possession.

As a result, the Marion Superior Court revoked Bennett’s placement in community corrections and ordered him to serve four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Bennett appealed, arguing the judge’s statements during the sentencing hearing indicate the court found the phone did not contain “obscene” matter as defined by Indiana statute, but the COA disagreed in an August memorandum decision.

Oral argument has not yet been scheduled for Bennett’s case.

The complete list of transfer decisions for the week ending Oct. 26 can be read here. 

Trick-Or-Treating Changes And Safety Tips

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Trick-Or-Treating Changes And Safety Tips

OCTOBER 29TH, 2018 AMANDA PORTER INDIANA

It’s no trick. Children in costumes will be flooding the Tri-state the day before Halloween.

There’s rain in the forecast for Wednesday so several Halloween plans are taking place tomorrow.

Law enforcement wants to make sure families enjoy their Halloween activities and treats without a scare.

Trick-or-treaters will be going door-to-door just before dark so drivers beware.

“Be vigilant,” says Vanderburgh County sheriff David Wedding.

“Make sure you operate with your headlights on and be watchful for the children that may dart in front of your vehicles.”

Costumes should be safe.

Many towns are scheduled for trick or treating into the night.

Safety lights can be added to make sure trick-or-treaters are visible to drivers.

“If a costume is too long then it could be a trip hazard,” says Nick Nackery Owner Suzy Blesch.

“Or like the all black skin suits. We usually suggest that they not go out by themselves because after dart they become invisible.”

Children should trick-or-treat in a neighborhood they are familiar with. Using a cell phone is critical to keep in contact with the family.

So it’s important for trick-or-treaters like Evelyn Clements to have a game plan.

“I basically just discuss with my parents first the area I will be going around which is just basically around my house,” says Clements.

And trick or treat in groups.

“Someone who looks a little suspicious we try to cross the sidewalk or just try not to make eye contact and just stay away as much as you can,” says Clements.

Dark residences should be avoided.

“Make sure when you are trick-or-treating you go up to homes that are welcoming to kids where they are well lit, doors are open, and they look people friendly,” says Sheriff Wedding.

“People that may be on the sexual offender registry list they have been instructed to keep their houses dark.”

Sheriff wedding also recommends checking bags for unopened candy and examining the treats before your child starts eating.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke recommends trick-or-treating take place Tuesday.

Indiana:

Jasper Tuesday 6-8 p.m.

Chandler Tuesday 4-8 p.m.

Newburgh Tuesday 4-8 p.m.

Elberfield Tuesday 4-9 p.m.

Birdseye 6-8 p.m.

Holland 6-8 p.m.

Kentucky:

Henderson, Owensboro, Daviess, Sebree, Clay, Dixon, Wheatcroft trick-or-treating will be held Tuesday.

Madisonville Tuesday 4-8 p.m.

Dawson Springs Tuesday 4-7 p.m.

Central City Tuesday 3-5 p.m.

Sturgis Tuesday 3-7 p.m. with a block party from 5 to 7 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for St. Vincent Patricia Browning Stone Sensory Playground

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The Generous Gift Made By Bill & Mary Stone

              St. Vincent will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Patricia Browning Stone indoor/outdoor sensory playground on  Monday, November 5, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent Center for Children, 3900 Washington Avenue, Evansville

St. Vincent will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Patricia Browning Stone indoor/outdoor sensory playground on November 5. The new state-of-the-art, the therapeutic sensory playground will help provide sensory stimulation and cognitive development for children who struggle with a variety of conditions such as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

The playground was made possible due to a generous donation by Bill and Mary O’Daniel Stone. They are natives of Evansville and are 1973 graduates of Memorial High School. Bill is CEO of Connecticut based, SS&C Technologies, which also has a large Evansville office. The playground will be named in honor of Bill’s mother, Patricia Browning Stone, who is also a graduate of Memorial High School and of the St. Mary’s School of Nursing.

The St. Vincent Center for Children is a comprehensive outpatient facility that was created to address the unmet healthcare needs of the region’s children. Services include pediatric behavioral health, pediatric subspecialty clinic, a resource center that provides care coordination for subspecialty referrals and the Tri-State’s only behavior-based, feeding therapy program.

FOOTNOTES: Bill and Mary Stone, members of the St. Vincent staff and several community leaders will be in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

Indiana State Police Drug Take Back Results

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On Saturday October, 27th, 2018 the Indiana State Police participated in the 16th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA.) The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft.

Collection sites were set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to be turned in for destruction.  This program is intended for liquid and pill medications.

The Indiana State Police set up collections sites at every post, except the Toll Road, and at the Indiana Government Center North building in Indianapolis on Friday October, 26th.  The Indianapolis post collected 300 pounds of medications between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Statewide the Indiana State Police collected a total of 2,073.5 pounds of unused or expired medication. Below is a list of each locations results for Friday and Saturday.

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