“READERS FORUM” JANUARY 4, 3018
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EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers
Four People Arrested in Multi-County Chase that Ended in Hopkins Co.
JANUARY 4th, 2018Â 
 TYRONE MORRIS EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, KENTUCKY
Evansville Police say the chase started around 7:15PM on Pollack and Burdette Avenues in Evansville. The chase then continued into Henderson, Webster and Hopkins Counties.
Along the way, police say someone threw objects from the car along Interstate 69. Several officers spent the evening searching along I-69 from Highway 41 to just west of Covert Avenue.
Stay with 44news on this developing story.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHERYL MUSGRAVE PROPOSES PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY
Editor Footnote: Attached below is a copy of a proposed ordnance that amends the current Vanderburgh County ordinance.  This legislation proposes that a new code establishing a parental leave policy for Vanderburgh County.  County Commissioner Cheryl  Musgrave is  sponsor of amending the current ordinance. Please take time and read this proposed ordinance that will established a parental leave policy for Vanderburgh County.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.90 OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY
CODE ESTABLISHING A PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, as the executive and legislative body of Vanderburgh County, have the power to adopt Ordinances relating to the administration of Vanderburgh County government; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County seek to modify the County Employee Handbook to include a parental leave policy providing for up to four (4) weeks of paid leave for parents of a newborn or adopted child; and
WHEREAS, Vanderburgh County is committed to ensuring that its employees are provided opportunities to succeed both in the workplace and with their families and further seek to ensure that pursuing a career and caring for one’s family is complementary and not contradictory; and
WHEREAS, it is an objective of Vanderburgh County, as an employer, to facilitate opportunities to enrich both the workplace and families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County, Indiana as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendment to Chapter 2.90 of the Vanderburgh County Code by the Addition of Section 2.90.340
Section 2.90.340 of the Vanderburgh County Code is hereby created to read as follows:
2.90.340 – Parental Leave
A. A full time County Employee who has been employed by Vanderburgh County for six (6) consecutive months may request and receive up to four (4) weeks of paid leave, upon one of the following events:
1. the birth of the employee’s child;
2. the birth of a child to the employee’s spouse; or
3. the placement of a child for adoption with the employee.
B. If one of the requirements set forth in Section 2.90.340 A is met, then such request for parental leave shall be granted.
C. Parental leave shall run concurrently with the Family and Medical Leave Act for those County employees who are eligible for such leave.
D. Any parental leave not taken:
1. within six (6) months after the birth of a child or the placement of a child for
adoption as set forth in Section 2.90.340A; or
2. prior to the County employee’s separation from employment is forfeited at the earlier of one of those two (2) events.
SECTION 2. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County and following publication as provided in I.C. 5-3-1.
First passed by the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County this ____ day of ___________________________, 2018.
Final passage by the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County this ____ day of ___________________________, 2018.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, INDIANA
By: __________________________________ Bruce Ungethiem, President
By: __________________________________ Cheryl A. W. Musgrave, Vice-President
By: __________________________________ Ben Shoulders, Member
Adopt A Pet
Zeus is a 3-year-old male solid black cat. He can live just fine with other cats and currently lives in the Cageless Cat Lounge! He’s neutered and ready to go home today for $40. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adopti
St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements For Week Of January 3, 2018
Kayleen Fox and Steven Kirby, Evansville, IN, daughter, Ally Bree, Dec. 25
Amy and Drew Williams, Newburgh, IN, daughter, Abigail Elizabeth, Dec. 26
Laci and Andrew Lamont, Crossville, IL, daughter, Adler Drew Conlynn, Dec. 26
Leslie and Bradley Schaefer, Evansville, IN, daughter, Gabriella Alena Ruth, Dec. 26
Brittany and Scott Hendrick, Evansville, IN, son, Kayden Scott, Dec. 27
Tasha Brown, Evansville, IN, daughter, De’Zire Desirae, Dec. 27
Trisha Hahn and Nathan Wright, Evansville, IN, son, William Thomas, Dec. 27
Jordan Revalee and Enrique Powers, Fort Branch, IN, son, Jameson Walter, Dec. 27
Amanda and Travis Tison, Evansville, IN, son, Theo Nathaniel, Dec. 28
Jennifer and Ryan Nicholson, Evansville, IN, Daughter, Lillian Grace, Dec. 28
Ashley and David Howard, Evansville, IN, son, Nova Alan, Dec. 28
Samantha and Curtis Nimrick, Francisco, IN, son, Havok John Ray, Dec. 29
Sarah and David Asher, Sebree, KY, daughter, Alvie Ann, Dec. 29
Sierra Tausch and Isiah Hall, Princeton, IN, daughter, Luna Louise, Dec. 29
Haley Carden and Lucas Boarman, Evansville, IN, son, Cooper Darrell, Dec. 29
Christina Murray, Evansville, IN, daughter, Kayleigh Grace, Dec. 30
Megan and Raymond Lemy Nacisse, Evansville, IN, daughter, Amayah Rosella, Dec. 30
Heather Walston and Nathan Sales, Mount Carmel, IL, son, Kellan Charles, Dec. 30
Whitney Harris and Brent Smith, Henderson, KY, daughter, Nevaeh Carolann, Dec. 30
Denisa and Robert Godwin, Evansville, IN, son, Dominick Robert Esaias, Dec. 31
7th Circuit Reinstates Monarch-Linked Liquor Distribution Suit
The legal battle over an Indiana law that prohibits companies from holding permits for both beer and liquor wholesaling will continue after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of a federal case that challenges the enforcement of Indiana’s prohibited-interest statute.
The case of E.F. Transit, Inc. v. David Cook, et al., 16-3641, traces back to 2009, when E.F. Transit — an Indiana motor carrier that warehouses and transports beer, wine and liquor — entered into a tentative agreement to provide services for Indiana Wholesale, a wine and liquor wholesaler. The agreement would have allowed E.F. Transit to transport Indiana Wholesaler’s products in tandem with its deliveries for E.F.’s largest customer, Monarch Beverage.
Monarch is licensed as a beer and wine wholesaler that shares both ownership and leadership with E.F. Transit. That relationship raised concerns at the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, which found that E.F. had an indirect interest in Monarch’s beer wholesaling permit. Thus, there were concerns about violations of Indiana’s prohibited-interest statute if E.F.’s relationship with Indiana Wholesale, which had a liquor wholesaling permit, proceeded.
Indiana Wholesale eventually withdrew from the agreement after the ATC refused to give its stamp of approval to the arrangement, prompting E.F.’s instant suit against the commission and its individual commissioners. The transportation company alleged the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act preempted enforcement of Indiana’s prohibited-interest laws, but the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana dismissed the claim on ripeness grounds.
While E.F. Transit’s federal case was up on appeal, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a ruling in July in the related case of Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission v. Spirted Sales, LLC, 79 N.E.3d 371, 379 (Ind. 2017). In that case, the justices — excluding Mark Massa, who did not participate, and Christopher Goff, who had not yet joined the court — overturned a ruling granting Spirited Sales, LLC a liquor wholesaling permit. Spirited is an affiliate of Monarch, so the justices concluded “Monarch and Spirited’s overlapping ownership … bars Spirited from obtaining the sought-after permit.â€
The high court also concluded the “ties between EFT and Monarch (are) so extensive that EFT could reasonably be deemed to hold an interest in a beer wholesaler’s permit — an interest prohibited by a combined reading of (Indiana Code) sections 7.1-5-9-6 and 7.1-1-2-5.†That decision eliminates the ripeness concerns in the instant federal case, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Diane Sykes wrote in a Tuesday reversal of the district court’s dismissal.
“…(T)he Indiana Supreme Court has now construed the prohibited-interest statutes to forbid E.F. Transit from entering into an agreement like the one it negotiated with Indiana Wholesale (or any similar company),†Sykes wrote. “Although the penalty of a permit revocation would fall on Monarch, prosecution for a prohibited-interest violation is a standing threat against both it and E.F. Transit.â€
“That’s easily enough for a ripe claim,†Sykes wrote.
Adopt A Pet
Pirate - Arrrrgh, this matey is a TRUE pirate. No really… He was rescued from the Dominican Republic! Someone found him there, and thought she’d found him a home with a friend in the U.S. But he wasn’t a huge fan of her other cat, so now he’s here waiting on a home. He would most likely do best in a home with no other cats. Oh, and he only has one eye. It had to be removed from a severe previous infection that started before he arrived at VHS. He’s already neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and ready to go home! Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or River Kitty at (812) 550-1553 for adoption details!
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Eagles resume GLVC play Thursday
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when it hosts the University of Missouri-St. Louis at the Physical Activities Center.
The Screaming Eagles (10-1, 2-0 GLVC) also visit No. 8 Drury University in a Top 25 showdown Saturday at 1 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri. USI begins the week ranked No. 9 in the latest Division II Media Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today Sports/Division II Coaches’ Poll, while Drury is No. 8 in the coaches’ poll and No. 20 in the media poll.
USI is looking to avenge the 65-59 setback they suffered at the hands of the Tritons last year in St. Louis, while it is looking for its second straight win over Drury after topping the Panthers, 84-78, last year at the PAC.
Missouri-St. Louis (7-3, 1-2 GLVC) has won four straight games enter Thursday’s game, while the Panthers (11-1, 3-0 GLVC) have won a league-best nine consecutive games.
Both games this week can be heard on WSWI 95.7 FM as well as online at www.957thespin.com. Live stats and GLVC Sports Network coverage also are available at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes (1/3/18)
• Eagles end 2017 with win. USI Women’s Basketball ended the 2017 calendar year with an 83-46 win over Grace College. Dating back to last season, the Eagles went a combined 24-4 in 2017, including 14-3 to end the 2016-17 campaign.
• Leaders vs. Grace. Freshman guard Emma DeHart had a career-high 14 points to lead the Eagles in their win over Grace. Senior forward Morgan Dahlstrom added 12 points, while junior guard Alex Davidson and junior forward/center Mikayla Rowan contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
• Season Leaders. Senior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms and senior forward Morgan Dahlstrom continue to lead the Eagles in scoring with 17.4 and 16.2 points per game, respectively. Dahlstrom leads USI with 9.5 rebounds per contest, while senior forward Randa Harshbarger is averaging a team-high 3.7 assists per appearance.
• Eagles sporting one of DII’s top defenses. USI begins the week with one of the nation’s best defenses, ranking sixth in the nation in scoring defense (51.9 ppg), 11th in field goal defense (.337), 13th in blocks (5.4 bpg), 18th in steals (12.2 spg) and 38th in three-point field goal percentage defense (.263). USI has held its opponents to 50-or-fewer points six times this year and to 60-or-fewer points nine times.
• USI in the Top 25. USI slipped one spot to No. 9 in the latest Division II Media Poll and held its spot at No. 20 in the latest USA Today Sports/NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll. USI also slipped to No. 6 in the latest Herosports.com Division II rankings and No. 8 in the Massey Ratings.
• What’s next? The Eagles resume GLVC play Thursday when they host Missouri-St. Louis at the PAC. USI also visits No. 8 Drury Saturday in Springfield, Missouri.
• A look at UMSL. The Tritons resume GLVC play having won four straight games. Led by senior forward Shawnta Johnson, the Tritons have five players averaging 9.7 points per game or better. Johnson leads the Tritons with 12.6 points per game, while freshman forward Alex LaPorta is averaging 9.7 points and a GLVC-best 10.3 rebounds per game.
• A look at Drury. The Panthers have the GLVC’s longest winning streak at nine straight as they resume league play against the Eagles Saturday. Senior guards Alice Heinzler and Heather Harman lead the Panthers with 14.5 and 13.8 points per game, respectively, while sophomore forward Hailey Diestelkamp is averaging 12.6 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per appearance.
• Drury presents tough road challenge. USI is looking for its first win against Drury away from the PAC when it visits the Panthers Saturday. The Eagles are 0-7 all-time against the Panthers in Springfield, Missouri, and are 0-8 against Drury away from the PAC.
• What’s ahead? USI continues GLVC play January 11 when it hosts Indianapolis in its only contest of the week.
• Record book watch. Three players are in currently in USI’s record books:
–Kaydie Grooms is 11th in scoring (1,205), 14th in blocks (55), 15th in assists (200) and 22nd in rebounds (435);
–Randa Harshbarger is sixth in assists (300) and is 10th in steals (159);
–Morgan Dahlstrom is 11th in rebounds (548), tied for 12th in blocks (56), and is 31st in scoring (737).
• USI in statistical rankings. USI begins the week ranked first in the GLVC in six statistical categories including scoring defense, scoring margin, steals, field goal percentage defense, three-point field goal percentage defense and free throw percentage. The Eagles rank in the top five of 15 GLVC statistical categories and in the top 25 of seven NCAA II statistical categories.
• Eagles in statistical rankings. Several Eagles are in the top 15 of GLVC statistical categories to begin the week:
–Morgan Dahlstrom (7 categories) ranks No. 2 in total rebounds (9.5 rpg), defensive rebounds (6.5 drpg) and offensive rebounds (3.0 orpg);
–Alex Davidson (1 category) ranks No. 12 in three-point field goal percentage (.400);
–Kacy Eschweiler (1 category) is No. 10 in blocks (1.1 bpg);
–Kaydie Grooms (5 categories) is No. 4 in scoring (17.4 ppg);
–Imani Guy (1 category) is tied for 11th in blocks (1.0 bpg)
–Randa Harshbarger (3 categories) is No. 2 in steals (3.6 spg).