Ivy Tech to Hold Drug Trends In Our Community Panel Discussion
Lt. Monty Guenin from the Evansville Police Department, and a representative from the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office will be part of a panel discussion on current drug trends in Evansville at Ivy Tech Community College.
The event is open free to the public and will take place on Wednesday, February 28, from 1-2 p.m., in room 344 on the Evansville campus. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Renee Rockers, mental health counselor, at (812) 429-9883.
Hoosier Men’s Swimming & Diving Ready for Big Ten Championships
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The No. 2-ranked and defending Big Ten champion Indiana University men’s swimming and diving team will head to Minneapolis, Minn. for the 2018 Big Ten Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships this week.
The four-day meet will begin with on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday through Saturday, the teams will swim a preliminary session in the morning at 11 a.m. with the championship session to follow at 6:30 p.m.
Live results for the swimming events can be found at IUHoosiers.com. Live results for the diving events can be found at DiveMeets.com. For more information on the Women’s Big Ten Championship, including a schedule of events, fans can click HERE.
The Big Ten Championships will be streamed live via BTN Plus on BTN2Go. Complimentary access to BTN2Go is available to viewers connected to the internet network of a Big Ten university. Fans elsewhere can sign up for the pay-per-view webcasts.
Human Sexuality Bill Raises Concerns About Parental Rights, Impact On LGBTQ Students
By Quinn Fitzgerald
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – A Fort Wayne high school student told a House committee that she was surprised to find a speech class she was taking included lessons on gender-neutral pronouns.
“My parents were not informed of this material before I took the class and were shocked to see it in my textbook,†said Sarah Russell, 17, of Homestead High School. “In my opinion, the purpose of this instruction was to teach students that you can change your sex and that’s normal. I don’t think that was right.â€
Russell was testifying Thursday before the House Education Committee in favor of Senate Bill 65, which would require schools to provide parents with details about any curriculum on human sexuality.
Sarah Russell, a student from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, spoke before the Education Committee in favor of Senate Bill 65. Photo by Quinn Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com
The proposed legislation, authored by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, would also require parents to give schools a permission slip allowing their children to receive instruction on human sexuality, including topics like gender identity that Russell was taught.
During about three hours of testimony, the committee heard from those who lauded the bill as protecting the rights of parents to those who said it would create an unnecessary burden on schools or put gay and transgender students at risk by not educating others about their issues.
“Senate Bill 65 is all about parental rights, the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children in the public schools with regards to this very important issue of sexuality,†said Eric Miller, founder of Advance America and representative of Indiana Right to Life.
While she fully supports parents’ involvement in their children’s education, Dr. Mary McAteer, a pediatrician in Indianapolis, is not in favor of the bill because having parents send in written consent would create a burden for families.
Dr. Mary McAteer, a pediatrician in Indianapolis, testifies against Senate Bill 65 during the House Education Committee. Â Photo by Quinn Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com
“Factual education about human anatomy and physiology is an important part of growing up,†McAteer said. “Children have exposed to so many sources of misinformation that schools are an excellent source to provide sexuality education.â€
Unlike McAteer, House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, does not find parental consent to be a burden and favors parents having control over what their children are taught in school about sexual education.
“I don’t have a problem with parental consent. I mean you have to get parental consent to go on a field trip,†Bosma said in a media availability before the committee hearing. “But I do believe it’s important for parents to have noticed that they have the statutory right to review materials.â€
Tara Johnson, associate professor of English education at Purdue University, said SB 65 would silence opportunities to discuss the issues that lead to LGBTQ students being bullied.
“If the topic of sexual orientation and gender identity is so taboo that we need parents’ permission in order to raise it in the classroom, I’m concerned it would have a dampening effect on much-needed dialogue on about those issues which are happening in society whether we like it or not,†Johnson said.
Amendments to the bill will be heard Tuesday in the House Education Committee.
FOOTNOTER: Â Quinn Fitzgerald is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
St. Vincent Opens First Women’s Cardiac Risk Clinic in Tristate Area
Dr. Suneetha Venkatapuram Will Discuss New Clinic & Women’s Heart Health At Free Presentation Feb. 21st
The area’s first Women’s Cardiac Risk Clinic is now open at St. Vincent Evansville Medical Group Cardiology, 901 St. Mary’s Drive Evansville. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a “man’s disease,†the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. The clinic will identify and help women manage their risk factors. Patients will receive an initial cardiac assessment, diagnostic testing (EKG), physical exam and the creation of an individualized action plan to modify risk factors.
Suneetha Venkatapuram, M.D., Cardiology, is the Director of the Women’s Risk Clinic. She is the only female and board-certified adult congenital heart disease cardiologist in the Tristate area.
“Sometimes it’s easier for women to talk to other women about their weight and other health issues,†said Dr. Venkatapuram. “My team and I hope to help educate and to catch cardiac symptoms before a patient develops heart disease.â€
Dr. Venkatapuram will also be the speaker at the Heart Month lecture series at noon on February 21. She will be speaking about Women’s Heart Health and the new Cardiac Risk Clinic. The presentation will take place in the Cardiac Rehab Classroom at the St. Vincent Center for Advanced Medicine, 901 St. Mary’s Dr., Evansville. Registration is not required and attendees will be able to ask questions after the presentation.
The St. Vincent Women’s Cardiac Risk Clinic is accepting new patients by self-referral or through a primary care doctor. For more information call 812.473.2642 or visit www.stvincent.org/evansville.
St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements For February 20, 2018
 Brecklyn Henn, Evansville, son, Jaxon Henn, Feb. 11
Lorelei and Chandler Sanders, Evansville, son, Jerrell David, Feb. 12
Shawna and Travis Goins, Henderson, KY, son, Aiden Christopher, Feb. 12
Susan and Jacob Pauli, Evansville, daughter, Annabelle Marie, Feb. 12
Ashley and Jacob Noe, Evansville, son, Ryker Allan Hoyt, Feb. 12
Kalah Daniels and Sean Daugherty, Evansville, daughter, Lilah Renae, Feb. 12
Amanda and Nathan Boruff, Fort Branch, IN, son, William Scott, Feb. 13
Madison Coomer and Richard Deffendall, Princeton, IN, daughter, Stella Marie, Feb. 13
Desirae Miller and Clayton Lagow, Allendale, IL, son, Julian Greyson, Feb. 13
Cia Hinkel and Luke Ducharme, Princeton, IN, son, Samuel Dean, Feb. 13
Marissa and Aaron Blackwell, Evansville, son, Preston Revere-Chillion, Feb. 14
Jamie Hartley and Kwin Boes, Patoka, IN, son, Parker Dylan Macaulay, Feb. 14
Anjileda Pinnell and Bailey Jimenez, Hazelton, IN, daughter, Kennedy Lynn, Feb. 15
Eagles Have Division Title, Top Seed In Sight
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball can clinch its second straight Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division title and have a shot at gaining the No. 1 overall seed in next week’s GLVC Tournament as it enters the final week of the 2017-18 regular-season.
USI (23-2, 15-1 GLVC), which secures the out-right East Division title with one win, visits the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Somers, Wisconsin, and Lewis University Saturday at 1 p.m. in Romeoville, Illinois.
Both games can be heard on WSWI 95.7 FM, while live stats, audio and GLVC Sports Network coverage can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
Holcomb Statement on Bill Requiring Quality Levels of Care for Moms and Babies
Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement on the passage of SEA 360, authored by state Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R – Valparaiso), which requires the Indiana State Department of Health to certify levels of care for mothers and babies at hospitals and birthing centers:
“I commend lawmakers for unanimously advancing this bill, and I look forward to signing it. The bill takes an important step to help reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate by ensuring pregnant women deliver their babies at a facility that is equipped to meet their needs.â€
TICKETS ON SALE AND DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED NOW FOR VANDERBURGH HUMANE’S LARGEST FUNDRAISER Â
The Vanderburgh Humane Society’s 23rd annual Going, Going, Gone to the Dogs! Benefit Dinner & Auction, sponsored by Pet Food Center and Jack Rogers Realty, will be held Saturday, April 28th, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Evansville Airport. This year’s theme is, “UnLeash Your Inner Hero†and the event just so happens to fall on National Superhero Day! The auction typically nets over $60,000 each year for the VHS, which serves the largest number of animals in the Tri-State each year.
The VHS receives no tax-based funding and therefore must depend on the generosity of the corporate community and the public to continue the much needed services it offers. The 23rd annual GGGD Benefit Dinner & Auction is designed to be the largest single fundraising event for any animal welfare organization in the Tri-State. The auction will feature a preview cocktail party, dinner, and both silent and live auctions. Higher-valued items, unique items, or packages with high interest will be featured in the live portion of this successful event.
Tickets are on sale now for this event. Individuals begin at $75 per plate, with benefactor tickets available at $125 and corporate tables of 10 available at $1250. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so patrons should plan accordingly and make advance reservations. Dress is business casual or themed attire.
VHS is also still accepting donations valued at $25+. Just about anything has a place at “UnLeash Your Inner Hero†including baskets, gift cards & gift certificates, services, artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, sports memorabilia, antiques, and more. Donating to the Going, Going, Gone to the Dogs! Donating is a great way to show philanthropy and advertise your business to almost 300 patrons in a single evening!
Tia Oso to keynote 2018 Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day
WHO: Tia Oso, director of impact at Revolve Impact and a dynamic and experienced social justice leader
WHAT: “Chaos or Community: The Persistent Question in Achieving Racial Progress and Human Rights†– 2018 University of Southern Indiana Nelson Mandela Social Justice Awareness Day keynote address
WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 21
WHERE: Carter Hall, located in University Center West. A map of campus that includes University Center can be found at USI.edu/map. If necessary, overflow space featuring a livestream of the speech will be provided.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Oso will address the media at 5:15 p.m. in University Center room 227. Please contact Ben Luttrull, media relations specialist, at 812-461-5259 or bluttrull@usi.edu if you plan to attend the availability.
MANDELA DAY: The mission of the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day and Speaker Series is to raise dialogue at USI around current issues of human and civil rights, public service, and activism through diverse, dynamic, nationally, and internationally known public intellectuals and academics. We aim to augment each speaker’s visit with a day of educational opportunities for the USI community. In these activities, we hope to commemorate Nelson Mandela, an international educator, activist, and champion of human and civil rights.
MANDELA DAY SCHEDULE: All events are free and open to the public as space allows:
- 10 – 11:30 a.m.: Immigration Explained – University Center room 2217
- 12:30 – 2 p.m.: Activism 101: How to Create Social Change – University Center room 2217
- 6 – 7:30 p.m.: Keynote Address – Carter Hall
PARKING: A map of all parking lots is available at USI.edu/map (Select Parking in the Map Layers menu).
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Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls more than 11,000 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 100 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 16,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at www.usi.edu.