INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the tragedy in Parkland, Florida.
Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018.
Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff until Monday.
Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today he has expanded his opioid legal team, which is investigating various options under consideration by the State of Indiana, including litigation. The national law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers and Toll PLLC will bolster the state’s legal analysis and litigation experience in this complex area of opioid accountability, Attorney General Hill said.
“Adding this firm to support our investigation is the next logical step in the multifaceted strategic approach we have employed over the past several months,†Attorney General Hill said. “From my first day in office, we have prioritized much of our attention, energy and resources toward fighting this opioid crisis that is destroying Hoosier lives and devastating Indiana communities. These efforts include a deliberative and diligent commitment to holding all parties accountable for actions detrimental to our state. We will continue to evaluate our best avenue for securing and investing resources from those responsible to help addicted Hoosiers overcome substance abuse and rebuild their lives.â€
The agreement with Cohen Milstein calls for the firm to be compensated contingent upon an award of damages. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Denver; New York City; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Philadelphia; and Raleigh, N.C.
The Attorney General will continue to manage the opioid legal team as it investigates whether to pursue litigation.
“As we prepare for the next potential phase, I fully anticipate further enhancing our team as necessary for maximum effectiveness,†said Attorney General Hill.
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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?â€
IS IT TRUE it looks like Democrat Willian Tanoos, a Terre Haute disability attorney, is going to be the only Democratic challenger to either Republicans Dr. Richard Moss, Rachel Covington or current 8th District United States Congressman Dr. Larry Bucshon in the General election?  …Democrat William Tanoos must put in some additional time and effort in campaigning in Vanderburgh County in order to improve his chances of being elected as the next 8th District United States Congressman?  …so goes Vanderburgh County so goes the chances of Mr. Tanoos being elected as the next 8th District United States Congressman?
IS IT TRUE that members of the local media have been focused on the political campaign war chest of people running for public office during this election cycle?  …we like to point out that campaign fundraising committee for County Commissioner Ben Shoulders has raised around $150,000?  …this figure tells us that people think very highly of Mr. Shoulders?
IS IT TRUE so far there are several State and County offices that only have one person seeking to be elected to those positions? Â …we can guarantee that both Vanderburgh County Party Chairman will see that every important political office in Vanderburgh County will be competitive?
IS IT TRUE we have been told that State Representative Wendy McNamara Democratic general election opponent is going to make the “Payday Loan Legislation” that she co-authored a major campaign issue?  …we are told that Ms. McNamara better gets ready for one heck of a re-election campaign battle?
IS IT TRUE are told that City Council President Jim Brinkmeyer (D) is not happy that 5th Ward City Councilman Justin Elpers submitted a resolution without his knowledge to do away with the unreasonable “3-minute Governmental Censorship” rule imposed two (2) years ago by former Evansville City Council President Missy Mosby (D)?  …Mr. Brinkmeyer can rest assured if he doesn’t support Councilman Elpers resolution to do away with this unreasonable “3-minute Governmental Censorship” rule it could cause him some re-election challenges?
IS IT TRUE that a triple homicide happened over the weekend in Evansville which will keep the homicide rate rising through the first two months of 2018 even if the rest of February is a time of peace and tranquility?…this time the killing spree started on Lynwood when a man sot and killed his wife and followed that killing up with a Facebook post announcing the homicide?…then he got into a Black Range Rover with Florida plates and chased down a blue Dodge Challenger on northbound Highway 41 and fired a series of shots into the driver side window, killing the driver?…then the Range Rover proceeded out to the 4-H Center in Darmstadt where the alleged killer was found dead in his Range Rover? …we wonder if “Spot Shooter” could have stopped this triple homicide from happening?
IS IT TRUE also on the Northside last week was a heinous arrest of a public school teacher for allegedly molesting a child in his care?…the CCO is glad that the alleged child molester is in custody and hopes that justice is done?…the particularly sickening nature of crimes in the Tri-State has started 2018 off the rails of the terrible year of 2017?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if the owners of the McCurdy have paid their $750,000 water bill?  …if not, why hasn’t the city turned off  the water at the McCurdy?  …if anyone else didn’t pay their water bill the city would disconnect their water meter?
IS IT TRUE that a couple of years ago the president of TransUnion Healthcare, said burgeoning out-of-pocket costs put consumers with precarious finances at growing risk of bankruptcy if they experience medical problems?  …that A 2013 report from the price transparency firm Nerdwallet Health estimated that 1.7 million Americans live in households that will declare bankruptcy due to their inability to pay their medical bills? …we are told since that time this figure may have tripled?
Todays “Readers Poll†question is: Do you feel that Democrat William Tanoos should put additional time and effort in campaigning in Vanderburgh County if he expects to be the next 8th District United States Congressman?
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.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
FEBRUARY 14TH, 2018Â 
TYRONE MORRISÂ KENTUCKY
The bill is sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson of Owensboro. He says hemp has proven to be economically viable and hemp production is increasing across the Bluegrass with nearly 50 processors operating in Kentucky.
Kentucky amended its Controlled Substances Act in 2017 to exclude many hemp products from the state definition of marijuana.
If this bill passes it would not become state law but it would send a message to Congress and the White House to change the federal wording.
The bill now heads to the full House for debate.
FEBRUARY 15TH, 2018Â 
JEFF GOLDBERGÂ INDIANA
Sargent Cullum says, “The fact is it is at the root of some of the violent acts that we saw in 2017 and when law-abiding citizens come to us and say put a stop to it, protect our community, keep our kids safe we are going to do that.â€
Until marijuana is legalized in the Hoosier state Cullum assures they will continue to go after marijuana offenders no matter the public opinion. However, according to the Journal of Drug Issues points out there is no data connecting the legalization of marijuana to higher crime.
Olivia Covington for www.theiindianalawyer.com
An amended version of Sunday alcohol sales legislation in Indiana would allow Hoosiers to purchase alcohol for carryout on Sundays as soon as the bill is signed, rather than waiting until the traditional legislative effective date of July.
The House Public Policy Committee passed the amended version of Senate Bill 1 with a 9-1 vote on Wednesday, with chairman Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, telling committee members there did not seem to be a reason to delay the implementation of Sunday sales.
“If we’re going to allow the people of Indiana to buy carryout on Sunday, then why are we waiting?†Smaltz said. “What infrastructure needs to go in place?â€
The bill, authored in the Senate by Lafayette Republican Ron Alting, would allow grocery, convenience, drug and liquor stores to sell alcohol for carrying out from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays, ending a Prohibition-era ban on Sunday sales in the Hoosier state. The full Senate passed the historic legislation last month, while identical legislation in House Bill 1051 passed the House.
Grant Monahan and Travis Scheidt – representing the Indiana Retail Council and Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, respectively – each testified in favor of the amended version of SB1 on Wednesday, a recent compromise that ended a longstanding feud between grocery and liquor stores, but spelled defeat for legislation expanding the sale of cold beer beyond liquor stores.
Only Lisa Hutcheson with the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage drinking spoke in opposition to SB 1, expressing concern that the provisions of HB 1419, if passed, would not take effect until 2019 or 2020. That bill would codify certain safeguards related to the sale of alcoholic beverages, such as a requirement for all clerks to be at least 21 years old and to undergo training before selling alcohol.
“Public health and prevention appear to be an afterthought,†Hutcheson said. “…Why are those safeguards going into effect one or two years later?â€
Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, was the only vote against SB 1 on Wednesday. It now moves to the full House of Representatives.
