Ella is a female calico cat. She’s about 2 years old. She currently lives in the Cageless Cat Lounge and gets along great with other cats! Her adoption fee is $40 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
IS IT TRUE JULY 6, 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 we just learned from reliable sources that the longtime CEO of the Union County Hospital was abruptly dismissed this week?  …it’s been alleged that the reason for her abrupt dismissal was that she strongly objected to the officials of Henderson County Methodist Hospital to continue taking large sums money from Union County Hospital funds to offset their massive losses?  …this may be developing the story for an aggressive reporter employed by a local media outlet?
IS IT TRUE we were just informed that a highly respected and 30 plus year Orthopedic surgeon employed by Henderson County Methodist Hospital was abruptly dismissed by officials of Henderson County Methodist Hospital earlier this week? Â … it’s being alleged that he was replaced by an Orthopedic doctor from Deaconess Hospital-Evansville?
IS IT TRUE it been alleged that a member of Mayor Winnecke staff recently filed a “Freedom Of Information Request” in order to find out which City Council person passed sent an e-mail via their Government account to the City-County Observer concerning the noise ordinance? …if this information is correct all we can say is “are you kidding us”? Â …it looks like “Big Brother” rules at the Civic Center?
IS IT TRUE that USI basketball has been hit with sanctions for NCAA recruiting violations?…the offense was not something that USI did but a “supporter” did buy a recruit a computer for less than $2,000?…we find the sanctions and public humiliation of USI for this small action to be overreach on the part of the NCAA?…the level of minutia that the NCAA seems to go to is suffocating college sports?…it is not their business if a friend of USI gave a gift of a computer to a recruit?…if that same supporter gave the kid a Ferrari or a lap dance from Stormy Daniels that would be a different story?
IS IT TRUE during last year budget hearings Scott Schoenike clearly stated before the City Council that “VenueWorks aims to break even†at the Ford Center and went on to say that their primary interest is “to bring economic development to downtown Evansville?” … first off, no for-profit company of any value “aims to break even†or exists to further the civic interest of a city?
IS IT TRUE during the upcoming budget hearings we hope City Council members will ask City Controller Rudd Lloyd, Jr., CPA about how much in advance payments did he receive from the Riverboat Fund and from the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Board so far this year?  …it looks like the practice of borrowing money from Peter to pay Paul is alive and well at the Civic Center?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville is in the news across the country today along with the rest of the Tri-State as the hottest heat index in the United States?…somehow the 4th of July week always seems to bring out the heat here even when June is moderate?… Thermal, CA with a temperature of 120 degrees has a lower heat index than Evansville for one reason and only one reason and that is excessive humidity in the Ohio River Valley?…the high humidity is what makes summer feel hotter and winter feel even colder in the Tri-State?…we offer our condolences to those who are running the air conditioning 24/7 at the highest a rates for electricity in the State of Indiana?
IS IT TRUE that it is no secret that Evansville is struggling with a heroin epidemic along with much of the country?…this heroin epidemic came about first because doctors were handing out opioids like jellybeans and second because they stopped?…this irresponsible practice has created an estimated 10 million opioid addicts?…the parts of the country where opioids were handed out like Halloween candy are seeing more heroin deaths than other places but no place is immune to this scourge?…in 2017 for the first time in history more people died from heroin overdoses than from gun-related homicides?…the only state that did not see a significant increase in heroin-related deaths was Colorado and that has been attributed to legal recreational marijuana?…the lawmakers in Indiana need to let that sink in?
IS IT TRUE that there is a movement among millennials to abandon the Democrat Party when it comes to national elections?…this movement is called #WalkAway and there are a multitude of articles and videos out there that articulate the frustration of young people with national Democrats?…it is curious that there is really no leader of the Democrat Party with any agenda whatsoever?…the only thing the pretenders like Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, and other assorted malcontents can agree on is that they despise the ground that President Donald Trump walks on?…they even are advocating for an economic crash to get rid of the President?…if the combination of ignorance, arrogance, and downright delusion of national Democrats does not find a positive message, the once inevitable blue wave will probably turn into a decade out of power and possibly a full breakup of the Democrat Party?
Todays “Readers Poll†question Is: Do you feel that Evansville is headed in the right direction?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily
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Series Finale At Crushers Postponed
Thursday’s series finale between the Evansville Otters and the Lake Erie Crushers has been postponed due to inclement weather and wet field conditions.
With the postponement, the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when Lake Erie visits Bosse Field July 17-19. The specific game date of the doubleheader has not yet been announced.
The Otters will conclude the first half of the season with a three-game series at the Washington Wild Things starting Friday at 6:05 p.m. CT from Washington, Pa.
Series coverage will be available on WUEV 91.5 FM for all three games with Sam Jellinek (play-by-play) on the call.
Fans can also follow Otters social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for game updates throughout the day.
The Otters will return to Bosse Field for a six-game homestand July 17-22, featuring $2 Tuesday, Deaconess and Orthopaedic Associates Night, German Heritage Night and Thirsty Thursday, Kyndle Night, Princess Night and Fellowship Day and Family Fun Day.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Season tickets, group outing packages, and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2018 season.
Long Time And Beloved EPD Sergeant To Retire Today
Sergeant Lonnie Rahm is retiring Friday, 7-6-2018, after serving the citizens of Evansville for 42 years and 11 months. He came on the department on Aug 6, 1975. Sergeant Rahm worked undercover narcotics for nine years where he made hundreds of hand to hand drug buys. He was promoted to Sergeant on August 12, 1992 (almost 26 years). Lonnie will be receiving his 10th Merit Award next Monday at the department’s hiring and awards ceremony and he is well beloved by the officers who work for him on second shift. Sergeant Rahm has had a front row seat to many changes in this profession over the past 43 years and Evansville has been lucky to have him.
Some fun facts from when Sergeant Rahm was hired:
#1 song in the country was Jive Talkin by the Bee Gees.
#1 movie was Jaws. This was two years before anyone had heard of a little movie called Star Wars.
#1 TV Show in 1975 was Sanford & Son.
Sergeant Rahm served under sev en different Police Chiefs, dating back to Dave Jackson, six different Mayors, dating back to Russell G. Lloyd Sr. (Lonnie once served as a Camp Counselor at Camp Carson where future Mayor Lloyd Winnecke was one of his campers.), and eight different US Presidents, dating back to President Gerald Ford.
Gov. Holcomb Provides a Statement on the State’s Attorney General
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement regarding allegations made against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill:
“Four women had the courage to step forward to report sexual harassment by the Indiana Attorney General. The findings of the recent legislative report are disturbing and, at a minimum, show a violation of the state’s zero tolerance sexual harassment policy. I concur with Sen. Long and Speaker Bosma that Attorney General Hill should resign, and I support a thorough investigation by the state’s Inspector General.â€
Methodist Hospital, Deaconess Announce Affiliation Agreement
Methodist Hospital, Deaconess Announce Affiliation Agreement
JULY 6TH, 2018 
TYRONE MORRISEVANSVILLE, HENDERSON COUNTY, INDIANA, KENTUCKY
Methodist Hospital of Henderson and Deaconess Hospital of Evansville have announced an affiliation agreement. The agreement will allow Methodist “to remain independent, with some support from Deaconess.â€
“This relationship with Deaconess Health System will enhance our ability to deliver more services locally, by local and surrounding area physicians,†said Benny Nolen, President and CEO at Methodist Hospital. “We know clinical alignment will advance our efforts to provide quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve. This relationship will also strengthen the ability of our hospitals in both Henderson and Union Counties to meet the needs of patients now and in the future.â€
“We look forward to working with Methodist Hospital leaders, staff and physicians to improve the health care services for the people in western Kentucky,†said Shawn McCoy, CEO of Deaconess Health System. “Both Methodist Hospital and Deaconess are local hospitals, whose leaders and physicians understand and support local governance, as well as locally-provided healthcare.â€
More information will be given at a future time, according to a brief joint statement issued Thursday by the two health providers.
County Celebrating the Bicentennial with Birthday Bash for the Community
County Celebrating Bicentennial With Birthday Bash For The Community
EVANSVILLE, IN – Friday, July 6, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Vanderburgh County Commissioners Bruce Ungethiem, Cheryl Musgrave and Ben Shoulders invite the Community to a “Birthday Bash†at the Old Courthouse lawn to mark the midway point of the County’s 200th year. “We are thrilled with the community support for the County Bicentennial Celebration. This is an exciting time for Vanderburgh County. It’s wonderful to celebrate our history and more importantly, to celebrate where we are going,†said Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave
Friday’s event will kick off at 10:00 am at the 4th Street Stairs of the Old Courthouse with the presentation of a Bicentennial Birthday Cake created and donated by Kempf’s Donut Bank Bakeries. The County Commissioners will recognize the County’s many public servants and the County Bicentennial Celebration sponsors. “We want to take the opportunity to recognize the many businesses and individuals who support the Bicentennial Celebration and also the many public servants who serve our community day in and day out,†Said County Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem.
The event is part of the Old Courthouse Lunch on the Lawn series presented by the Old Courthouse Foundation and is free for the community to attend. Attendees can purchase food from a number of local food trucks including Fresh by Genes, Kona Ice, Pizza by the Slice, Chef Bruce Li, Uncle Ted’s, Lamasco on Location, Papa T’s Tamales, Jayson Munoz Caters, River City Dawgs, and Sassy Sweet Confections. A Mobile Zipline brought to the community by the Old National Events Plaza will be set up on 4th Street and will run between the Old Courthouse and the Old Vanderburgh Jail. It is free for participants to ride. In addition, families can enjoy inflatables and face painting. “This is a family-fun event and we hope to see many faces from the community come out and enjoy the day, “said Commissioner Ben Shoulders.
Bicentennial T-shirts will be available for purchase at the event. All shirt sales proceeds go to support the Bicentennial Park project.
Free parking can be found at the Vanderburgh County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum located at 300 Court Street, across from the Old Courthouse.
For more information on the Vanderburgh County Bicentennial, Celebration and upcoming events go to www.VanderburghBicentennial.com.
FOOTNOTE: For more information contact Joelle Knight, Chairwoman of Vanderburgh County Bicentennial Commission at 812-568-9646 or email info@vanderburghbicentennial.com
Commentary: The American Struggle, As It Was, As It Always Will Be
Commentary: The American Struggle, As It Was, As It Always Will Be
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – About 90 miles south of where I live, two centuries worth of my ancestors lie buried.
My mother’s people settled in the hills between Scottsburg and Salem around the time of the War of 1812, before Indiana was even a state. Of hardy Scots-Irish stock, they worked their way to the hills of what was to be Southern Indiana from the Carolinas up through Tennessee and Kentucky.
John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com
They settled in the Hoosier state, dug themselves into this rolling earth and earned a hard living through sweat and determination.
Often, when life or work takes me south, I travel over the well-worn roads to the old cemetery. Stopping there reminds me of the things that endure, the truths that are solid as a rock.
On the Fourth of July, our great national holiday, we Americans often focus on the more hopeful aspects of our country’s saga – the spirit of near-ecstasy F. Scott Fitzgerald captured at the end of “The Great Gatsbyâ€:
“For a transitory enchanted moment, man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.â€
Because we like to see our national narrative as a march of triumph, we tend to forget that most American family stories start at a point of despair.
Unless one is Native American, the ancestor whose fate brought most of us here either opted to come to America because life was brutal somewhere else or, in the case of African-Americans, because they were seized and dragged in terror from the homes they knew.
Because we want to see our story as a joyous one with a happy ending, we like to overlook the fact that our tales all too often began in dread. Hardship rather than hope motivated our ancestors to test cruel oceans and try to plant new life in an unknown earth.
My mother’s people are but one example.
Members of a Scottish clan that wagered on the wrong side in one of the British crown’s brutish succession struggles, they found themselves transplanted to Northern Ireland. There, in a poor country, they lived as both irritants and outsiders, sometimes tolerated, never embraced, most often despised and rejected.
Three brothers – one of whom was my direct ancestor and shares my first name – fled to the colonies to begin again because they believed their lot could not get much worse on this then the dark and unsettled continent.
Nor was their time or that of their descendants easy after they landed here.
They had to scramble across a vast landscape to find a place they could call their own. The land upon which they settled was fertile enough to lift them out of poverty, but not by much. Once there, they had to survive the cataclysms of war, civil war, recession, depression, personal travails and various natural disasters.
A struggle followed struggle followed struggle.
That is what draws me back to this family cemetery again and again and again – this dearly-bought knowledge that the true value of this country is not the stuff of swagger, but the humble virtue of endurance.
There is a great strength in the truth my blood speaks – that, again and again, and again, our story began in despair, but, through unstinting labor, we made it something else.
Something better.
A new beginning.
A fresh chance to pursue happiness.
We know difficult days in this country now.
But we have known difficult days before.
We endured then.
We will endure them now.
The challenge before us is the same one that confronted our ancestors, that confronts every generation of Americans – transforming despair and hardship into possibility and hope.
On this Independence Day, as always, we Americans must do what those who came before us did and discover America all over again.
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.Â
Tri-State Treasure: The World War One Dough Boy
Tri-State Treasure: The World War One Dough Boy
JULY 6th, 2018 TOMMY MASON INDIANA
The city of Evansville is home to numerous reminders of past world wars. But for a time, they very first tribute honoring veterans and their heroics went missing for years, before being given new life in a new location.
44News Morning Anchor Tommy Mason shares the story of the Dough Boy, in this installment of Tri-State Treasures.