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IS IT TRUE MAY 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 that Deaconess Hospital and Henderson Community Methodist Hospital have formed a group called an “ACO?”  …its legend that “ACO” is where referrals are preferably kept within the group and only certain doctors at Deaconess and Methodist are invited to be a part of that group?

IS IT TRUE  that it been alleged that the paychecks of the “Hospitalists” have been paid by Union County Methodist for at least a year?  …we wonder why this is happening because the “Hospitalists” that are being paid are not working at Union County Methodist Hospital?

IS IT TRUE if Deaconess Healthcare System-Evansville takes over full control of the Henderson Community Methodist Hospital this would mean that Union County Hospital will automatically become a part of Deaconess Healthcare-Evansville?

IS IT TRUE it been alleged that officials from Madisonville Baptist Hospital and Owensboro contacted officials at Henderson Community Methodist Hospital concerning a possible buy out or merger but the official at Methodist never got back to them with a response?

IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball program has really been ringing the cash register since former Kentucky Wildcat and NBA star Walter McCarty was hired to take over as coach of the team?…since McCarty was hired the UE coffers have received a reported $1.5 Million in donations and other financial commitments that they did not have a snowball’s chance in the devil’s house to get with the previous regime in charge?…this is good news as the Aces have been overdue for a significant post season tournament appearance for nearly 2 decades now?…in other good news Coach McCarty has recruited UE’s first ever top 100 incoming freshman?…that is really not true because they weren’t ranking high school kids when the Aces had guys like Jerry Sloan and Larry Humes delivering NCAA Division 2 championships  regularly?…we wonder if our old pal Curt John would have been a ranked Dapper Dan player had ranking been a thing in his day?…we are betting Curt would be a Top 200 at least?

IS IT TRUE on the other side of town the women of the diamond stroked their way to the  NCAA Division 2 Softball Championship?…we congratulate them? …we also congratulate the men’s baseball teams from USI for having a dynamic year?.

IS IT TRUE that to no one’s surprise the fat lady has sung on the new Rosanne show?…the foul-mouthed dimwit matriarch who had a house and a street sign in Evansville featured on their sign on show just got Evansville out of the limelight with a racist tweet that went viral?…this is the same Rosanne Barr that grabbed her crotch and butchered the national anthem at a baseball game in San Diego the last time she was famous?… Evansville is better off without any association with Rosanne?…what is mind-boggling is that while Rosanne deserved what she got some equally offensive people on The View manage to keep their job?

IS IT TRUE that the forecast for Evansville is for at least 1.5 inches of rain and we all know that means raw sewage will be running in the streets of the south and southeast sides of town?…this is likely going to be the case for the foreseeable future since the strategy of the Winnecke Administration is to move the mandated repairs along as slow as possible without triggering the big fines that are associated with doing nothing like the Weinzapfel Administration did?…choosing fun and games over substance is the driving force behind the sewage in the streets of Evansville?…our readers on the south side better get out their galoshes for the big rain storm that is sure to mess things up again?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Are you surprised that Methodist Hospital called off the public meeting scheduled for Thursday at 5:00 PM on the campus of Methodist Hospital?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us CityCountyObserver@live.com.

 

STARBUCKS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR SOCIOLOGY EXPERIMENT

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by Michael Shannon

Previously Starbucks’ customer base had its own individual criteria for choosing a favorite coffee spot among the company’s many outlets. It might be a comely barista, the pastry selection or the free Wi-Fi signal’s clarity.

For the immediate future, however, I suggest abandoning all criteria but one: The strength of the cell phone connection, because chances are you’re going to need it.

Since two trespassers were arrested in a downtown Philadelphia Starbucks in April, corporate has been doing the Social Justice Limbo where management sees just how far it can bend over backward and still maintain a functioning business.

Now that headquarters has decreed it’s ‘Come One, Come All’, everyone is welcome to use the bathroom, occupy furniture and log on to the Internet. If they happen to buy something, so much the better, but it’s no longer required.

It’s a brave new business model that’s a combination of temporary office suite and homeless day shelter.

This week saw the company issue new guidelines for employees who might want to tempt fate and call 911. It’s a bureaucrat’s dream. The decision-making process includes observation, self-doubt, second-guessing, second opinions, re-checking the manual, calling corporate and then hoping the problem went away while the staff was negotiating with itself.

Incidents that qualify for an immediate 911 include Fire, robbery, selling drugs, destruction of store property or a gas leak (although God helps the employee if the leak was simply Venti bean burrito exhaust).

Other incidents are a judgment call and require a corporate-choreographed decision-making process. First, the ‘partner,’ as Starbucks laughingly calls its employees, is to “assess” the ‘guest’s’ behavior. Is it culturally appropriate or is it cultural appropriation? It’s important for the partner to separate the behavior from the individual. The process resembles Evangelicals and homosexuality – hate the sin while loving the sinner.

Behaviors that are currently held in corporate disrepute include “being unreasonably noisy, viewing inappropriate media, verbally abusing people, making unwanted sexual advances and indecent exposure.”

Step three of the pre-emergency call journey is the partner “[considering] how any decision will affect the customer’s experience.” Will not curse out the person who tripped over his shopping cart means the guest suffers increased stress? Will he/she/ experiences heighten sexual tension if they’re prevented from groping an adjacent guest? And could the partner be judgmentally assuming “indecent exposure” when the guest was only trying to increase air circulation?

Assuming the incident hasn’t been resolved by customers acting on their own initiative, the partner will then ponder “whether the customer or situation is safe to approach and whether an employee’s chosen response would be the same for any customer in the same circumstance.”

Before this glacial minute brings the partner within hailing distance of the disruptive guest, another partner must be asked to “observe and verify” the behavior. Only then is management to approach and introduce themselves and ask for the person’s name.

In no time at all I predict Starbucks will be home to the type of colorful human-interest stories – often featuring bodycam footage – that are commonly associated with Waffle House and Walmart parking lots. As one observer commented to CBS, the new Starbucks “will be a homeless camp. But at least we won’t have to deal with them on the street.”

That’s the current action plan, but savvy Starbucks employees know corporate policy can change on a dime. The Philly manager was following store policy when she called the cops, but that didn’t stop her from being fired when the media called corporate.

The real partner policy will be a series of informal questions designed to ensure they keep their job. The first will be: Is the unruly guest a minority or passing as one? If the answer is ‘yes,’ the call decision is ‘no.’

If the guest isn’t a minority but is also not wearing a MAGA hat, the partner must investigate further. Is the guest part of a protected group that may include whites? This normally involves something of a sexual nature and may require the use of intuition, Gaydar or checking for wallets attached to pants with a chain.

If the answer is even a remotely possible ‘yes’ the call is still a ‘no.’

The truth is no Starbucks employee was ever fired for the customer calling 911, and since under new policy the customer is always right, let them make the call.

And all this is before the May 29th shutdown of all Starbucks’ outlets for ‘Re-Education Day’ where highly paid trainers will hector the white partners in an attempt to stamp out “unconscious bias.” My last prediction is once that’s complete, all 175,000 Starbucks employees will be easy to spot: They’re the people not on the phone when all hell breaks loose.

Marriage License Report For Vanderburgh County

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Marriage License Report

Staffing issues, Over-Centralization Revealed In Latest DCS Report

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March 30, 2018,

By Quinn Fitzgerald
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The latest report on the Department of Child Services shows top-heavy decision-making, trouble with keeping qualified and experienced workers, and a shortage of specialized services to deal with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Thursday, DCS shared preliminary findings of the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, which has been conducting an investigation of the troubled state agency since January. Since the last briefing on Feb. 1, they have interviewed a range of people from upper-level management at DCS to case managers and families who are involved with the agency on a regular basis.

The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group is a non-profit hired by Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration to review DCS after the former director, Mary Beth Bonaventura, resigned. She said children in the care of DCS are at risk because of lack of resources to care for them.

Sue Steib, an independent consultant of the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, shares the latest findings in the ongoing investigation of Indiana’s Department of Child Services. Photo by Quinn Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com

Sue Steib, the consultant for the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, said that of the 141 people interviewed so far, many are optimistic about DCS leadership and the renewed interest from state leaders. She also cited the hardworking caseworkers and supervisors as well as the DCS’ collaboration with other state agencies as pluses.

One challenge, however, is how authority has been centralized, often making for unnecessary work for the front-line staff saddled with more paperwork, Steib said, adding that is not unusual in a state system.

Other challenges found were in a lack of qualified workers, including attorneys, and other services that the clients of DCS might need, like help with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Competition for qualified clinicians makes it difficult for provider agencies to hire and retain skilled workers, said Paul Vincent, director of Child Welfare Group. But it’s also a national workforce challenge, he added.

“You find in some cases waitlists, or you find interns doing a lot of the treatment of kids and families when preferably it would be from credentialed psychologists or other professionals,” Vincent said. “We don’t know how widespread that is here, but it was an early concern and it resonates because we see it in so many other places.”

In their initial report, released Feb. 1, they found that a high percentage of children in Indiana end up in state care, more than twice the rate of children in other states. The rate of children in out-of-home care in Indiana is 13 children per 1,000, more than double the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.

Paul Vincent, director of the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, answers questions regarding the latest report and evaluation of Indiana’s Department of Child Services. Photo by Quinn Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com

Vincent’s group also found that the DCS data system is out of date.

In the next two and a half months, the Child Welfare Group will continue conducting interviews and be gathering a variety of data as its researchers develop recommendations to improve DCS. The work will include a survey of the front-line staff to determine experience and level of education as well as shadowing family case managers and supervisors in five selected regions.

These regions are the Lake, Allen, Marion, Vanderburgh, and Clark counties. CWG will spend one week visiting each region interviewing and observing various groups.

“The department actually expanded our proposal to do the field work in four counties to five to make them more representative, and they continue to add respondents to our list of people to interview as they identify people that we also want to contact,” Vincent said.

He said the problem now is trying to limit the number of interviews they do rather than not having enough people to talk to.

Vincent said legislators asked CWG to conduct a legal analysis comparing parts of the child welfare-related statutes in Indiana with other states and some other statutes that are specific to both foster care and the child protection areas.

The final report will be provided to Holcomb’s office and Terry Stigdon, director of DCS, by June 21.

Indiana House Democratic Leader Terry Goodin, D-Austin, praised investigators for talking to everyone involved in the process but said they need to be interviewing Bonaventura who brought the issue to light.

Vincent said that his team hopes to speak with Bonaventura before the work is finished.

Goodin also said that the state should be quick to respond to the needs identified in the report, adding, “We cannot and should not stand for anything that costs the life of one more child in Indiana.”

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

Gov. Holcomb Announces STEM Team Award Winners

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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick and Treasurer Kelly Mitchell today announced the winners of the 2018 Governor’s STEM Team awards.

“Out of the many applications we received, these four students stood out for their hard work, focus and character. They have the determination and disposition to innovate and build our nation’s economic future,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It’s a pleasure to recognize these bright young Hoosiers.”

The awards highlight Indiana’s elite high school students for their work in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).Each winner received a $1,000 college scholarship through Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan and letterman jackets identifying them as members of the Governor’s STEM Team.

“The skills gained from opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math will be critical for the future of our students, communities, and our great state,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I am excited to see the passion for STEM exhibited by Megan, Abraham, Trevor and John, and I am honored to be a part of the 2018 Governor’s STEM Team award ceremony.”

“STEM education is vital to developing Indiana’s workforce, and CollegeChoice 529 is helping young Hoosiers reach educational goals in these critical fields,” said Kelly Mitchell, Indiana Treasurer of State. “As chair of the CollegeChoice plans, I am delighted to help reward the outstanding students of the Governor’s STEM Team for their achievements.”

Four students—one from each of the four STEM subject areas—were honored in a ceremony today in the Governor’s Office.

Science Winner

Student:  John Dalloul

Attends:  Terre Haute High School, Senior

 Accomplishments:

During his high school career, John has demonstrated a deep interest in science, particularly chemistry and biology. He has participated in the Science Olympiad, Indiana Academic Superbowl, and Science Bowl. He is the vice president of the National Honor Society and conducts research in the Drosophila lab at Indiana State University. John has presented on his research at a number of local and national conferences, such as the Indiana Academy of Science and the National Drosophila Conference. John is a volunteer at the Providence Medical Center.

Future Plans:

John hopes to attend Stanford or Princeton University to study medicine and continue helping others.

Technology Winner

Student:  Abraham Oliver

Attends:  Brown County High School, Senior

Accomplishments:

Abraham is the valedictorian of his class. He is student council president, a member of the National Honor Society and the science captain on the Brown County Academic Team.

Abraham has a particular interest in computer science and programming. He develops custom machine learning systems in his work with Communicode and the Indiana University Computer Vision Lab. He presented his research on the Google Deepmind AlphaZero algorithm to the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Future Plans:

Abraham has plans to attend Stanford University in the fall to study computer science and math. His future plans include becoming a computer science researcher and utilizing technology in policy.

Engineering Winner

Student:  Megan Singer

Attends:  Carmel High School, Senior

Accomplishments:

Megan is a member of the Carmel TechHOUNDS Robotics Team, National Honor Society, and Women in Technology. She has combined her interest in electrical engineering with creative design to make her own custom LED prom dresses. Megan has won many awards for her academic achievement, band and robotics. Aside from academics, Megan is also a volunteer and mentor for numerous organizations. She is the leader of the Electrical Division of the Carmel TechHounds and mentors the Westfield High School Sham-Rock-Botics team.

Future Plans:

Megan plans to attend Purdue University in the fall and follow in her father’s footsteps as an engineer.

Math Winner

Student:  Trevor Vogel

Attends:  Jennings County High School, Senior

Accomplishments:

Trevor is a member of the JCHS Career Association, National Honor Society and Jobs for America’s Graduates. He has participated in the school’s Academic Bowl competitions and received a state honorable mention in the Financial Literacy Contest. Trevor volunteers with the Foundation for Youth, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Future

Plans:Trevor plans to attend Indiana State University to study Mathematics. After earning a graduate degree, he hopes to share his knowledge in math as a professor at an Indiana college or university.

Students were nominated for the Governor’s STEM Team earlier this year, and a panel of STEM professionals, teachers and university representatives evaluated more than 100 applications to select the winners based on academic performance, work in research, leadership, community service and extracurricular involvement.

 

T CHILLI PIPERS ARE RETURNING TO VICTORY THEATRE AUGUST 30. TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 1 AT 10 A.M.

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VICTORY THEATRE – AUGUST 30 TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 1 AT 10 AM

Evansville, IN – August 30 at Victory Theatre – Its Bagpipes. It’s Rock. It’s Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet RobertBurns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m.

It’s The Red Hot Chilli PIPERS – (NOT the Peppers!) — a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers. The band has four music degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and all the pipers and drummers have played at the top level in bagpiping.

Since they walked away with the top prize on the primetime TV talent show, “When Will I Be Famous” in the U.K.in 2007, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers haven’t stopped for a breath, other than to inflate their bagpipes! Formed in 2002, The Chillis have fast become a global phenomenon, taking their signature ‘Bagrock’ sound to the masses with their unique fusion of rocked up Bagpipes and clever covers of popular songs from all genres. Covering contemporary anthems like Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, “Clocks” by Coldplay, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, “Let Me Entertain You” by Robbie Williams, and a fantastic rock medley of “Deep Purple”, “Smoke on the Water”, and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers is sure to entertain you!

The Chillis have never been more in demand for their infectious style of feel-good music which appeals right across the age range to people all over the world. Theirs are the very best musicians from Scotland and across the globe– many holding World Champion titles and all serious players with impressive credentials and qualifications.
There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Feel the Chilli heat: It’s time to come closer to the fire!

MAY BIRTHDAYS

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RONALD RIECKEN

ASHELY HAMMER

DAVID DK WELLS

TODD MORHAN

RICK TOMLINSON

SHON ROE

SUSIE NHEERDINK

DARREN STRATMAN

PAUL M BACKSTAGE

GINI EATAN

BROCK LANCE

TOMMY BARNETT

JAMES KELLY

DARLA M MILLIGAN

JAIME A GRAHAM

BRADLEY SMITH

JACK DAVIS

CHRISTINA WICK

SUSIE HEERDINK

DARREN STRATMAN

ED GOEBEL

JOHN MILLER

KALAH GEORGETTE-VOWEL

JOE TEMPLETON

STEVEN PIRNAT

EDIASRISINTA ARIYANTI

EVELYN K GRAVES

MARY DAVIS

BRENT FEULNER

JOHN LUEDKE

C LARRY RHODES

JAMIE FUCHS

ED KARGES

AMANDA HENN

KEN HAYNIE

BRANDEE L. MURPHY

AMANDA HERNN

KELLY CHANLER

PHILLIP DAVIS

CAROL CHRISTINE BARTLEY

KELLYN GATES

DONNA ROBINSON

CHARLES D EUBANKS

JESS DANIELS

JORDAAN BAER

CORY RAY

LON WALTERS

RANDALL FOSTER

TINA PORTELLO

SUNNI ZIMMER

KRISTEN KATHLEEN TUCKER

KELLY GATES

DONNA ROBINSON

CHARLES D. EUBANKS

JESSE DANIEL

CORY RAY

ADOPT A PET

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Honey is a 5-year-old female Miniature Pinscher mix. She was adopted from VHS when she was younger, but recently returned because her family had to move to a place where only 2 of their 3 dogs were allowed. Rightfully so, they elected to keep their 2 large senior dogs and return Honey, who is compact-sized and young and much more likely to find a home! She is pottytrained and great with other animals. Honey is spayed, microchipped, and ready to go home today for $130. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for details!

 

Tavcar Earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

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Indiana University swimmer Anze Tavcar has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, per an announcement from the NCAA earlier this month.

The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.

The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $7,500 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program.

Tavcar was a standout both in the pool and in the classroom for the Hoosiers during his four-year career. A five-time All-America honoree and a three-time All-Big Ten selection, the Celje, Slovenia native was also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

In 2016, Tavcar was a member of Team Slovenia in the Rio Summer Olympics, placing 36th in the 100 freestyle and 39th in the 200 freestyle.

Tavcar graduated this month with a degree in Biology, with minors in Animal Behavior and Psychology.

 

IBLC TO CONDUCT TOWN HALL IN EVANSVILLE ON SATURDAY

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The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will conduct a town hall in Evansville on Saturday (June 2) to give an update on the 2018 session of the Indiana General Assembly and begin preparations for the 2019 legislative session.

The Evansville town hall will be from noon to 2 p.m. local time Saturday at the Greater St. James Community Recreation and Education Center (CREC), 484 S. Governor Street.

“Our annual town hall meetings serve as a chance to tell residents about the legislation that has passed that can have an impact on their lives, as well as the things that haven’t been done,” said State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), IBLC Chair. “In addition, we want to begin preparing for 2019, and the input of people across our state is critical in setting those priorities.”

Pryor emphasized that the town halls are free and open to everyone.

Partnering with the IBLC on the town halls are the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP.

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