Evansville Rescue Mission To Hold 95th Annual Gobbler Gathering at the Old National Events Plaza
his year’s Gobbler Gathering will serve as the Evansville Rescue Mission’s 95th annual Thanksgiving food basket giveaway for Tri-State families and will take place at the Old National Events Plaza (715 Locust Street, Evansville, IN 47708) for the first time ever.
At Tuesday’s Gobbler Gathering, literally thousands of folks will visit the Rescue Mission’s main campus as a food basket recipient, a Mission staff or Board member, a community volunteer, or as a curious bystander.Â
ERM is fully anticipating  that more than 1,700 Tri-State families will be attending one of five distribution services (which will be held at 10 a.m., Noon, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.) to hear a message of hope and receive a food basket filled with Thanksgiving-themed items; particularly, a frozen 10-13 pound turkey, bagged potatoes, bagged onions, fresh celery, flour, corn meal, a loaf of bread, canned corn/green beans/peas/chicken broth/yams/cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, cake mix, Jiffy cornbread mix, egg noodles and macaroni & cheese.
Â
Additionally, with the help of community volunteers and Evansville’s TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, the Mission will deliver 358 grocery sacks of Thanksgiving-themed food to neighboring downtown Evansville apartment communities such as Kennedy & Buckner Towers, Liberty Terrace Apartments, Horizon Homes, Lucas Place II, and Vision 1505.
Â
That being said, ERM is fully anticipating being able to assist a total of 2,202 Tri-State families (an organizational record) for this year’s Gobbler Gathering.
Â
Of course, Gobbler Gathering Day will not be a success without the help of more than 1,200 scheduled community volunteers who will either assist Rescue Mission staff with registration, transfer food from our pallets into baskets, or lend a helping hand toward our food basket recipients.
Â
More than 200 Tri-State churches, schools, businesses and families donated an assigned food item or a needed service to ensure the 95th annual Gobbler Gathering can take place.
In addition to distributing food, community volunteers will be handing out coats and accessories to any children who may be in need of warmer clothing on Gobbler Gathering day in lieu of the Evansville Rescue Mission’s “Coats For Kiddos†program.
Tracy Gorman, Evansville Rescue Mission’s President/CEO, states, “The Gobbler Gathering is one of our favorite days of the year, because it literally is a day that would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of our great friends throughout the Tri-State. As we gather with over one thousand volunteers to assist a record number of families, we’re again reminded of how blessed we are to be a part of this community.”
The Evansville Rescue Mission gladly accepts monetary donations for the Gobbler Gathering. Gobbler Gathering contributions can be mailed to ERM at 500 E. Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713 or by visiting our website, www.evansvillerescuemission.org.Â
For additional information on the Evansville Rescue Mission’s annual Gobbler Gathering, please contact Chris-Michael G. Morrison at 812.962.6701 or at chris.morrison@ermstaff.org.
Â
Eagles survive battle with Bulldogs, 72-65
The Screaming Eagles fell behind early, missing their first seven shots and watching the Bulldogs build a 12-0 lead before the first media timeout. USI, which would trail by as many as 13 points in the opening 20 minutes, would methodically start to chip away at the deficit with junior guard/forward Nate Hansen (Evansville, Indiana) scoring six of the first nine Eagle points.
Hansen’s six points started a 21-9 run that resulted in the Eagles tying the score, 21-21, on a three-point bomb by junior guard Alex Stein (Evansville, Indiana) with 6:57 remaining  before halftime . The Bulldogs would responded with a five-point burst to regain the lead, 26-21, before the Eagles bounced back to knot the game at 28-28 on a three-pointer by Hansen with 3:01 left in the first half.
After trading buckets, USI got its first lead of the game, 32-30, with 56 second left until the intermission on a basket by junior forward Jacob Norman (Evansville, Indiana). Fisk, however, would take a 33-32 lead into the locker room at halftime on an old-fashioned three-point play.
USI and Fisk would trade small leads through the first 14 minutes of the second half with the Eagles having the largest advantage, 48-43, with 11:05 to play. The Eagles made their move in the final six minutes, using a 12-2 run to take command, 66-57.
Four free throws by Hansen and Stein, followed by a dunk by senior center Julius Rajala (Helsinki, Finland), in the final 30 seconds sealed the victory for the Eagles, 72-65.
Hansen finished the game with a season-best and game-high 22 points, while Stein and Rajala rounded out the double-digit scorers with 20 points and 10 points, respectively. Senior forward DayJar Dickson(Washington, D.C.) led USI on the glass with a career-high and game-high 13 rebounds as the Eagles dominated the boards, 51-24.
The Eagles continue start the second half of the four-game homestand Saturday when they host Martin Methodist College for a 1 p.m. match-up. USI won the only meeting with Martin Methodist, defeating the Redhawks, 100-62, last season in the Bellarmine Classic. Senior center Davis Carter had a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds in the victory.
Martin Methodist, who will plays Cumberland University Tuesday night, is 0-6 to start the 2017-18 season in the NAIA.
Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Dealing and Weapons Arrest
- An Evansville man is in jail after deputies discovered a handgun and synthetic drugs inside a vehicle during a traffic stop.
On Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 9:45 PM Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in the area of Old Business 41 and Diamond Avenue when they observed a Chevrolet pick-up truck fail to signal a turn. Deputies also noticed there was no light illuminating the vehicles license plate as required by Indiana law.
The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Mr. Kyle Haynes. Mr. Haynes’ driving privileges were suspended and he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. A passenger was identified as Mr. Daniel Lorenz Jr., although he initially gave deputies a false name. Mr. Lorenz had an active felony warrant issued in Vanderburgh County for Auto Theft. Both men were taken into custody.
After a roadside investigation, deputies found a handgun tucked in the seat where Mr. Lorenz was seated. Mr. Lorenz admitted he did not have a permit to carry the handgun. In addition to the gun deputies discovered over 7 ounces of synthetic cannabinoids, two sets of digital scales, a plastic bag containing handgun bullets and $300 in cash.
Both suspects were booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail and will make an initial court appearance today.
ARRESTED:
Daniel Ray Lorenz Jr. (pictured above), 24, of Evansville. Dealing in Synthetic Drug or Lookalike Substance as a Level 6 Felony, Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid as a Class A Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia as a Class B Misdemeanor, False Informing as a Class B Misdemeanor, Carrying a Handgun without a License as a Class A Misdemeanor, Auto Theft Warrant
Kyle Eugene Haynes (pictured above), 21, of Evansville. Driving While License Suspended as a Class A Misdemeanor, Failure to Appear on chages of Operating Vehicle while Intoxicated
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.
Workforce Development Emerges As Number One Legislative Issue
By Adrianna Pitrelli
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s legislative leaders from both parties and the governor share one big objective for the 2018 legislative session – workforce development.
“We will work closely with the governor and I know our Senate colleagues have been looking at this all summer,†said House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s yearly legislative preview event. “We have to take important measures to ensure every student is ready for college or a career.â€
Monday’s event was hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to talk about key issues for the 2018 legislative session. Leaders of the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate joined the discussion to talk about their priorities for the year — many of which line up with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda, which was outlined earlier in the month.
“We need to build a stronger, healthier workforce that is trained and knows how to grow so they can get the wages they deserve,†said Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, House minority leader. “Wages, salaries and household incomes are not growing at the rate we’d expect.â€
Healthcare, Pelath said, also plays into workforce development.
“If you don’t have a healthy workforce, you don’t have the workforce you should have,†he said. “We need to explore solutions to maintain health insurance and maintain lives.â€
While Pelath accepts the healthcare issue is based in Washington, D.C., he encourages Hoosier lawmakers to stay informed about what’s happening.
One of the chamber’s priorities is supporting a requirement that all primary and secondary students take computer science courses. That recommendation falls in line with Holcomb’s plan to require all schools to offer computer science courses.
“As we increase the number of technology jobs in the tech sector, it becomes even more important to have required STEM coursework — especially in computer science,†said Caryl Auslander, vice president of education, workforce development and federal affairs at the Indiana Chamber. “This will better prepare students and help improve the skills gap.â€
Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said the addition of computer science coursework in the curriculum is a smart move and will allow for students to be more well-rounded.
“I think it will help workforce,†Lanane said. “I think there is a way, maybe, the state can engage some institutions of higher learning.â€
Adding more practical classes to state requirements for graduation, will give students more opportunities because they will have more skills to make them ready for the workforce, said Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek. Hershman, the Senate majority leader, stepped in for President Pro Tem David Long.
However, he said half the battle of getting a job is making sure people can pass a drug test — what he calls a “big problem of the state,†and a problem all lawmakers will continue to address in 2018.
Finding a solution to have more reliable supplies of water in the state is also a hot topic for the chamber as well as both sides of the aisle — and Bosma said it’s a problem he hopes to see fixed in less than six years.
“It’s not going to be easy, but I think we are in general consensus that there’s a problem,†he said. “Some wanted a water solution with a road solution and I said you can only deal with one crises at a time.â€
In the last legislative session, lawmakers passed legislation to increase gasoline taxes as part of the plan to boost funding for infrastructure repairs.
Seen as both an environmental issue and an economic development issue, the chamber said a plan is needed for the state to effectively manage its water resources. Water prices are steadily rising for Hoosiers because of over usage and old infrastructure, which causes leaks.
“Our state’s economy is growing more diverse, but we always will make things,†Auslander said. “And it often takes large, reliable supplies of water to do so.â€
Other key issues the chamber supports includes raising the smoking age from 18 to 21 and screening prospective employees for tobacco use.
FOOTNOTE: Adrianna Pitrelli is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
State pays $1.2M To Settle Suit Over DCS Search Of Vet’s Office
State pays $1.2M To Settle Suit Over DCS Search Of Vet’s Office
A spokesman for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, which represented DCS in the litigation, confirmed the settlement amount for Beth Breitweiser, DVM. She filed a federal lawsuit against the agency and a family case manager whose conduct she alleged violated her civil rights.
“We agreed to a $1.2 million settlement because it was deemed to be in the best interest of the State of Indiana,†AG spokesman William McCleery wrote in an email.
DCS spokesman James B. Wide did not reply to a message seeking comment on the settlement reached earlier this month. Breitweiser’s attorney, E. Scott Treadway, did not respond to a message Tuesday seeking comment on the settlement, but previously confirmed the matter had been settled.
Breitweiser’s complaint, Beth Breitweiser v. Indiana Department of Child Services, et al., 1:15-cv-1687, alleged that she and her two children were temporarily living in an apartment in the basement of her northside clinic, All Things Wild Exotic Animal Hospital near Broad Ripple, while the family home was being renovated.
After receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, DCS family case manager Nola Hunt and another DCS worker came to the office, refused to identify themselves, and demanded to interrogate Breitweiser, according to the record.
DCS later opened children in need of services proceedings that involved home inspections and interviews, but no evidence of abuse or neglect was found. Nevertheless, Breitweiser claims DCS continued to insist she relinquish custody of her children and continued to press its CHINS case despite a lack of evidence.
About a month after the CHINS case opened, Hunt admitted in a deposition at least part of her report was inaccurate and false, according to the record. Still, DCS continued to press its CHINS petition until the day before a scheduled evidentiary hearing in the matter, after which Breitweiser filed a tort claim notice with the state. Two months later, DCS filed a substantiation against her, placing her on the Child Protection Index. Another month later, after Breitweiser petitioned for administrative review, DCS reversed itself, and the accusations against her were unsubstantiated.
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in the District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in July granted Breitweiser partial summary judgment and set the matter for a trial on damages. Pratt’s order adopted a magistrate judge’s report that found there was no question based on the facts of the case that Hunt had conducted an unwarranted search, and that Breitweiser was entitled to judgment on that question because there were no exigent circumstances that would have warranted the search. However, Pratt also ruled Breitweiser had not overcome Hunt’s qualified immunity defense on Breitweiser’s due process claims regarding Hunt’s alleged threat to remove Breitweiser’s children.
The settlement is the second of greater than $1 million DCS has paid this year to resolve claims of abuses by the agency or its employees. In May, DCS agreed to settle a long-running dispute in which a jury awarded $31 million to Roman and Lynette Finnegan and their family in northern Indiana. The Finnegans were wrongly prosecuted after DCS employees falsified information concerning the death of their 14-year-old daughter. That case settled for $25 million, by far the largest settlement ever paid from the state’s tort claims fund.
Channel, 44 News: Tri-State Alliances Holds Service for Transgender Day of Remembrance
Tri-State Alliances Holds Service for Transgender Day of Remembrance
NOVEMBER 20TH, 2017Â 
CHELSEA KOERBLERÂ EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
A day to remember 23 lives lost across the U.S. due to hatred and violence of transgender individuals.
The Tri-State Alliance held a memorial service for Transgender Day of Remembrance.
TSA hopes events like this one spread the message that trans people are people.
While the memorial features people across the country, that doesn’t mean people in the transgender community in the Tri-State aren’t facing their own issues.
TSA says the most important thing people in the community can do to show their support of people who are transgender is to be open and listen without judgement.
“Even if your heart just sinks when you hear it just take a step back and say ‘I love you,’â€said Kirt Etheridge, TSA Transgender Support Group member. “Because that’s the one thing that trans people in general are so scared they’re going to lose.â€
For more information on TSA click here.
