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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
ADOPT A PET
Ernie is a very handsome 11-month-old male black & white tuxedo! He’s friendly and lovable. His $40 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for details!
This Week at USI
11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28
USI Graduate Student Colloquium
University of Southern Indiana Graduate Studies will host the inaugural USI Graduate Student Colloquium beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28 in Carter Hall. Designed to celebrate the academic achievements of graduate students, the colloquium will feature presentations revolving around the theme of Innovations. The public is welcome to come and go to any of the paper or poster presentations. More Information
4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29
Bestselling author to hold reading of fiction works at USI
Dan Chaon, New York Times bestselling author, will hold a reading of his recent works at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29 in the Griffin Center located on the University of Southern Indiana campus. Part of the Southern Indiana Reading Series, the event is free and open to the public. Read More
Friday, March 30
University closed
The University of Southern Indiana will be closed on Friday, March 30 and no classes will be held. Classes will resume on Monday, April 2.
Exhibit open through Saturday, April 7
New Harmony Gallery hosting Women in Illustration exhibit
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art’s latest exhibition, The Politics of Imagination: Women in Illustration, will be on display through Saturday, April 7. The exhibition is free and open to the public. A reception will be held at the gallery at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 10 prior to the Under the Beams concert, featuring Ranky Tanky at 7:30 p.m. Read More
STUDENT EVENTS
A collection of events on campus and in the community sponsored by USI student organizations can be found on the USI events calendar by clicking here.
Friday, April 6 – Sunday, April 8
Startup Weekend 7.0 to highlight area entrepreneurs, Google keynote speaker
Startup Weekend Evansville 7.0 will return to the University of Southern Indiana Business and Engineering Center on Friday, April 6 through Sunday, April 8, and will feature presentations from both area entrepreneurs and Google representatives.Open regionally to students, faculty, staff and the community, Startup Weekend is a 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products and launch startups. The Evansville event, the largest of its kind in the state of Indiana, seeks to bring people together to learn, network, bridge the gap between trades, expose potential and realize results. Read More
5 p.m. Tuesday, April 10
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes†event, art installation to promote sexual assault awareness April 10
The University of Southern Indiana Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Group and Albion Fellows Bacon Center will host the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence†event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 in Carter Hall in University Center West. Registration will start at 5 p.m. As part of this year’s event, USI will display a “What Were You Wearing?†art installation featuring outfits and stories of sexual assault and violence. Read More
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Tod Foster Biggs: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony), Failure to appear (Level 6 Felony), Reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor)
John Matthew Smith: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Receiving stolen auto parts (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
James David Sweeney: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Emily Ann Johnson: Conspiracy Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substance (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession or use of a legend drug (Level 6 Felony)
Brett Alan Schaefer: Conspiracy Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Conspiracy Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substance (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession or use of a legend drug (Level 6 Felony)
John Charles Moore Jr.: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor)
Traci Lynn Reising:Â Attempt Criminal confinement (Level 5 Felony), Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Interference with the reporting of a crime (Class A misdemeanor)
Ryan Davis Fletcher: Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony)
Tichele N. Cobb: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)
Jonathan James Campbell: Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 Felony)
Dakota Michael James: Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
Intoxicated Motorist Strikes a Sheriff’s Office Cruiser
- An intoxicated motorist was arrested Friday evening after crashing his vehicle into the back of a Sheriff’s Office cruiser.
On Friday, March 23, 2018 at approximately 9:56 PM a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputy notified central dispatch that his cruiser had been struck at W. Lloyd Expressway (State Road 62) and Schutte Road. The deputy had been facing west on SR 62 waiting for the green turn arrow to travel south onto Schutte Road when he was struck from behind by a black 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan.
The driver of the Chrysler identified himself as Mr. Eric Ramirez Avila. Mr. Avila indicated that he had not been paying attention prior to the crash. When asked to exit the vehicle, Mr. Avila staggered as he walked and leaned against his vehicle for balance. He admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages before driving and was asked to submit to standardized field sobriety testing. Mr. Avila declined to participate in any testing and indicated that he would fail.
Mr. Avila was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Mr. Avila was released on bond the next day and is due in court for an initial appearance on Monday, March 26, 2018.
ARRESTED:
Eric Ramirez Avila (pictured above), 23, of Washington, IN. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class A Misdemeanor with Test Refusal, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class C Misdemeanor
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
IS IT TRUE MARCH 26, 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 wonder if the City Of Evansville Water and Sewer Department has collected any money from the $750,00 plus water and sewer bill owed to them by the owners of the McCurdy? …if they don’t make any payments soon we expect the city will file a lien against the McCurdy property concerning this bill?
IS IT TRUEÂ we hear that At-Large Councilmen and Finance Chairmen Jonathan Weaver is irritated because members of Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s administration didn’t inform City Council that ECHO Housing Corporation was being investigated for misuse of agency funds before City Council voted on appropriating the $466,000 of federal funds for that non-profit organization? …City Council voted on this appropriations just two days before Executive Director Stephanie TenBarge’s was fired from ECHO Housing because she allegedly misused the nonprofit’s agency funds? …we like to inform Mr. Weaver that isn’t the first time that members of the Winnecke administration has given misinformation to members of City Council concerning budgetary matters and we predict that it won’t be the last?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely pleased that the Evansville Police Department has finally decided to open an investigation into the allegations of misuse ECHO Housing funds? …we are surprised to hear that the ECHO Board of Directors attempted to stop a criminal investigation of this not-for-profit corporation by the Evansville Police Department? …we are also very disappointed that the Mayor of Evansville and the Vanderburgh Prosecutors office has remained silent concerning the allegations of misuse of ECHO Housing funds?
IS IT TRUE we commend City Councilmen 5th Ward Justin Elpers (R) and At-large member Jonathon Weaver (D) for writing a proposed City Ordinance regarding CITY OF EVANSVILLE funds allocated to ECHO HOUSING CORP?  … this proposed ordinance is asking the Evansville Common Council to enact rules requiring that all City funds allocated to ECHO be withheld for further payment until ECHO provides the City with certain assurances?  …all we can say is give them hell Elpers and Weaver?
IS IT TRUE we are pleased that the ECHO Housing Corp. attorney Scott Wylie and the Director of the City’s Department of Metropolitan Development, Kelly Course have publicly stopped commenting about the former ECHO Housing Executive Director alledging taking agency funds for personal use?
IS IT TRUE when the EHCO Housing Corporation filed a formal grant application request with the City of Evansville earlier this year the application listed that the Board of Director members of the Echo Housing Corporation? …the names listed were: Roy Dane Chandler of Banterra Bank-Evansville, Reverend Gerald Arnold, President of the local NAACP and Tom Moore, Director of the Vectren Foundation? …the application also listed the former Executive Director of ECHO Housing, Stephanie TenBarge as the board secretary?  …if this information provides on the grant application is incorrect we would like to know so we can make a correction concerning the current ECHO Housing Board members?
IS IT TRUE we been told that members of the not-for-profit ECHO Housing Corporation Board of Director still feel that they are exempt from handing over financial information to members of the Evansville Police Department so they can do a criminal investigation? ..we find it entertaining that members of the board feel that they are exempt from a criminal investigation because ECHO Housing is a not-for-profit corporation?
IS IT TRUE we heard that the three (3) finalists for the Evansville/Vanderburgh Visitors and Convention Bureau Director job are from out-of-town?  …we cant understand why an organization like the Evansville/Vanderburgh Visitors and Convention Bureau couldn’t promote from within?  …we know at least one employee of the Vistors and Convention Bureau was extremely qualified for this position? …she is a long time employee of the Evansville /Vanderburgh Visitors and Convention Bureau and has been an excellent employee? …she grew up in the hospitality industry and her dad is well known and highly respected guru of the hospitality industry? …the next time we hear that someone from the Evansville Visitors and Convention Bureau say hire and buy local all we are going to say is practiced what you preach?
IS IT TRUE about three weeks ago TV Channel 25 Eyewitness News reported on the suspension of the Evansville Philharmonic’s Executive Director? Â … that officials within this not-for-profit organization remain silent as to the status of the suspended employee? …we hear that many friends of the suspended Executive Director are expecting an update from TV Channel 25 explaining why the not-for-profit Philharmonic’s suspended him? …we hear that this is a developing story?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel its time that the Feds come in and impound the financial records of the Evansville ECHO Housing Corporation?
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Commentary: A State That Works, A Government That Doesn’t
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – Our leaders like to proclaim Indiana “a state that works.â€
They festooned websites, social media, roadside billboards, advertisements and mass mailings with that message. They wanted to use the campaign to attract new business and investment to the state.
There’s some truth to the advertising.
Indiana’s people do work, perhaps even harder than they have in years past. The state is close to achieving what economists call full employment, meaning that most unemployment can be attributed to relocations, changes in family status or other factors that aren’t tied to the availability of work.
That said, many Hoosiers now find themselves laboring for more hours or at more jobs simply to maintain their standards of living. Labor and employment statistics show that bottom of the middle-class is under tremendous pressure – and is, in fact, in danger of sliding into poverty.
So, Indiana’s citizens are working.
That’s why it’s such a pity that the state’s government isn’t working.
The fact that Gov. Eric Holcomb finds it necessary to call the Indiana General Assembly back for a special session for no other reason than that the state’s lawmakers cannot read either calendars or clocks is but the latest example of our government’s dysfunction.
Hoosiers – understandably – are upset, even enraged, that the state’s lawmakers will come back to Indianapolis in May at a cost of $30,000 per day to do work legislators could have completed in March if they possessed the time management skills of the average third-grader. That the issues prompting the governor – upgraded school security and regulation of driverless cars – to reconvene the assembly at such expense weren’t exactly legislative heavy lifting adds insult to injury.
But the problem goes deeper than having legislative leaders sleep through math class and personal responsibility training.
At least one of the roles of a legislative body in a civilized, self-governing society involves resolving differences. The founders saw legislatures as mechanisms through which enlightened interests could be balanced and, thus, tensions alleviate.
Our legislature doesn’t do that.
Instead, our lawmakers often exacerbate differences and elevate disputes or quarrels into full-fledged battles.
We have seen as much with the way the legislature has pitted Hoosier against Hoosier in all-out conflicts over a right-to-work law, a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions and a misnamed religious freedom restoration act.
Instead of figuring out ways for Hoosiers with different views to live and work together, our lawmakers too often have opted to pit us against each other.
The why of that is not hard to determine.
It involves another thorny issue, one our legislators have done their best to avoid confronting.
Gerrymandering.
Somewhere between 55 and 60 percent of the state’s voters generally cast their ballots for Republican candidates for the state legislature. Because Republicans have gerrymandered legislative districts so surgically, though, that translates into a House of Representatives that is more than 70 percent GOP and a Senate that has 80 percent Republicans.
(Please do not think I’m blaming Republicans alone for this. Democrats would do the same thing if they could. This is why politicians should not be entrusted with certain tasks, such as doing basic math and practicing clock management.)
The result of this disproportionate representation is that we have lawmakers who feel they aren’t accountable in any way to citizens. They feel like they only need to listen to or talk with people who already agree with them, which is why they so often become captives of special interests.
The legislature could have dealt with this problem this past session by passing redistricting reform.
Or the session before that.
Or the session before that.
But doing so would have involved work. It would have meant listening to competing ideas, balancing varied interests and seeking out common ground.
You know, the kind of stuff lawmakers are supposed to do.
We don’t do that here in Indiana.
You see, we’re a state where the government doesn’t work.
And, because of that, the people do work, harder than they should have to.
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.
SPOTLIGHT: MEET AMY WORD-SMITH
The City-County Observer applauds the efforts of Amy Word-Smith professional, political and philanthropic contributions in the Tri-State Area.
Amy Word-Smith probably needs no introduction. For those who enjoy Evansville nightlife, she’s instantly recognizable as the face of Lamasco Bar & Grill and Dapper Pig Restaurant very popular Westside and Haynie’s Corner establishments.
Lamasco Bar & Grill is known for booking some of the best local and regional bands around to the tune of over 200 shows a year.  The Dapper Pig is extremely well known for its delicious food prepared from scratch.
Amy is well known as the driving force behind the Franklin Street Events Association. Her tireless promotion of that two-mile stretch of road has resulted in the rejuvenation of area businesses and community spirit.
Amy is all too aware that you can’t have one without the other. And now she’s setting her sights on historic Haynie’s Corner in downtown Evansville, bound by creating a new, vibrant restaurant called the Dapper Pig.
The City County Observer gives five (5) cheers to Amy Word-Smith for being an outstanding corporate citizen and an outstanding community cheerleader.
Copyright 2015 City-County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.