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VHS TO HOST 3RD “EMPTY THE SHELTER” HOLIDAY ADOPT-A-THON WITH WAIVED FEES

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The VHS is hosting an adopt-a-thon of epic proportions on Saturday & Sunday, December 16th & 17th. The goal is simple: to find homes for every adoptable animal in the building and “empty” the shelter. It is an event not to be missed.

For the third year, the Vanderburgh Humane Society will be hosting an “Empty the Shelter” event with 100% waived adoption fees on all shelter animals. This includes dogs, cats, and rabbits. (There will not be puppies available.) The event will kick off at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 16th. (This is a change from the previous 2 years, when the event was held on Friday & Saturday.) VHS will have extended adoption hours on both days, opening early at 10:00 am and closing late at 8:00 pm. All hands will be on deck for this event including all staff members and a host of volunteers.

Without this event, each VHS shelter animal would spend Christmas Eve in a cage or small room. They will receive a few minutes of extra treats and pets, but ultimately the staff must turn off the lights and leave for the night. The staff and volunteers’ dream is to see those animals instead spend Christmas snuggled in a warm bed with humans who love them. Each one of them deserves that.

The obvious concerns that many well-meaning individuals have are that people who cannot afford to pay an adoption fee, cannot afford to have a pet. One is inclined to believe that those who get “free” animals are much more likely to abuse them, abandon them, or return them to the shelter once the excitement wears off. The VHS and many other major animal welfare organizations have found that this is not at all the case.

While VHS realizes that many members of the public would be opposed to and perhaps even vehemently angered by an event like this, they would like to reassure the public that all normal adoption procedures will still be in place.

  • All adopters must fill out an adoption application and provide a valid photo ID
  • VHS Adoption Counselors and/or volunteers help families to choose a pet that is an ideal match for their family based on ages and personalities of family members, living situations, financial situations, other pets in the home, and so on
  • Each adopter will sign a legal binding contract, as they always have, to care for the animal for its lifetime, provide it with veterinary care, and return it to VHS if they are ever unable to keep it
  • VHS has always and will continue to reserve the right to deny adoptions for any reason.
  • Those who have used our emergency food pantry within the past year are not permitted to adopt.

The fact of the matter is, VHS can never guarantee with 100% certainty that every animal is entering a permanent, loving home. Even if each animal cost 1 million dollars to adopt, someone who could afford
that fee is still perfectly capable of abusing that animal. All any animal welfare group can do is trust the internal controls they have in place, have conversations with adopters in order to make good matches, and have faith in the people that they are entrusting with their dear shelter pets’ lives. Events like these do not so much attract the “bottom of the barrel” adopters who cannot afford animals, but the promotion alone attracts families who simply may not have known where VHS was or who may have been considering adoption at other places.

In the 2 years since this event began, the VHS has not seen an increase in returns from this event specifically. Animals who are going to be returned, are going to be returned… no matter the adoption fee paid. If someone truly cares about getting their animal basic veterinary care, they will do so… no matter their income. There is no way to distinguish “good” pet owners from “bad” ones based on adoption fees alone.

Anyone age 18+ can adopt from the Vanderburgh Humane Society, including those who do not live in Vanderburgh County. If a person can make the trip to the facility and transport the animal back home with them, they can adopt no matter where they live. VHS has no residency requirements for adoption!

As of December 1st at 10:30 am, VHS has nearly 200 cats, 66 dogs, and 19 rabbits in their care. They regularly lose money on each adoption (an average of $100 per animal). An event like this will cost the shelter well over $20,000 in testing, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, microchips, staff time, food, and lost adoption fees. Thanks to a generous sponsor, the Petco Foundation, a portion of the expenses are covered but not all. The current focus is to seek business or individual sponsors to underwrite costs. Ultimately, VHS’ goal is to find homes for every animal in their care. But they must also keep the doors open, so that they can continue to help more homeless animals long after the ones they have are gone. They cannot do events like these without financial support from the community.

The VHS implores those who cannot adopt, to sponsor an adoption instead. $100 pays for an adoption fee for one dog or up tothree cats. Those who wish to help us continue to save more lives can visit www.vhslifesaver.org to make an easy, secure tax-deductible donation.

The VHS has transferred in almost 20 dogs from Evansville Animal Care & Control, Another Chance for Animals, Hopkins County Humane Society (KY), PAAWS, and Crittenden County Animal Shelter (KY) to help ease the burden of overcrowding across the region.

The Happy Tails Resale Shop will also be open 8:30 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 16th and additional hours, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 17th. The public is encouraged to bring some extra money to shop and find some great deals! Cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover accepted.

There will be no Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic or Cardio for Canines on Saturday, December 16th.

An FAQ sheet with information on the adoption process for this event can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lasZjonSYxLoAysY2hyFSf82DPpQbA4N/view?usp=sharing

The VHS encourages the public that if they see an animal up for adoption that they like right now, not to wait until this event. No animals will be held for any reason before or during Empty the Shelter. Those who wish to adopt ahead of time and pay regular adoption fees will have a much larger selection and avoid the large crowds. In 2015 and 2016, more than 400 people attended.

 

Messer Bill to Help More Transfer Students Earn Degrees Included in Higher Ed Package

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Ivy Tech, Indiana Higher Ed Commission, Indiana Chamber Key Supporters

U.S. Rep. Luke Messer’s (IN-06) bipartisan legislation to help more community college transfer students earn degrees was included as an amendment, by unanimous consent, to a broader higher education package that passed the House Committee on Education and the Workforce this week.

The bill is supported by Ivy Tech Community College, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Student Veterans of America and others.

Tuesday night, the Committee voted to include Messer’s proposal — originally introduced as the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2017 in September, — as part of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4508, the PROSPER Act). Messer’s proposal would make it easier for students to earn a degree through a “reverse transfer,” where students who transferred from a community college to a four-year-institution but haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree, can apply those additional credits back toward an associate’s degree

The provision would streamline credit sharing between community colleges and four-year institutions so transfer students can be notified when they become eligible to receive an associate’s degree through a reverse transfer.

“An associate’s degree can make a huge difference for working Hoosiers,” Messer said. “By making it easier for transfer students to combine credits and get a degree they’ve earned, Hoosiers will have more opportunities to get good-paying jobs and succeed in today’s workforce.”

More than 30 percent of students who transfer from a community college to a 4-year institution drop out before completing a bachelor’s degree. But often, they’ve earned enough for an associate’s degree if those credits are transferred back. Between 2003 and 2013, nearly two million transfer students nationwide who were eligible for an associate’s degree were not awarded diplomas. Associate degree holders earn about $400,000 more in a lifetime than someone with only a high school diploma.

Ivy Tech Community College President Sue Ellspermann has been a leading advocate of reverse transfers and is urging support of Messer’s legislation.

“Streamlining the Reverse Transfer process is in the best interest of students who earned a credential which they deserve,” saidPresident of Ivy Tech and former Lieutenant Governor of Indiana Sue Ellspermann. “Thousands of students transfer to different schools annually in Indiana, both in-state and out-of-state. We owe it to our students to help them improve their lives and award them for the work they have already done.”

Ivy Tech has awarded 270 associate degrees to students over the last two years through reverse transfer, but Ellspermann says many others could be eligible.

Messer’s bill would amend the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which currently regulates the sharing of student credit information between higher education institutions, to make the process more open and efficient.

 

Friday, Dec. 15 is the Health Insurance Marketplace ‘Open Enrollment’ Deadline

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Time is running out – the health insurance marketplaces is only open for just a few more days. This Friday, December 15 is the last day to enroll in or change plans on HealthCare.gov for coverage to start January 1, 2018. Financial help is available for most people enrolling for health insurance on the marketplace.

St. Vincent is committed to serving our community and being sure all people continue to have convenient access to healthcare. Healthcare coverage is an important piece of access to care, and those who do not have health insurance in 2018 may have to pay a fine.

Stacy Woodall, Health Access Advocate, St. Vincent, is available to answer questions about Open Enrollment, including:

  • Who should apply?
  • How do you apply?
  • Where can you go to apply for a plan?
  • Where can you find 2018 plans and prices?
  • What information should you have ready before starting a Marketplace application?

To schedule an interview with a Stacy Woodall, Health Access Advocate, St. Vincent, about Open Enrollment, please contact me at 812.485.4044.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE ENROLL:

St. Vincent Evansville and St. Vincent Warrick both have Healthcare Navigators available to sign up community members for health insurance prior to the deadline. Walk-ins are welcome.

 

COA allows med mal case to continue

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Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com

A woman with severe back pain will be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim against her orthopedic surgeon after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the clock on the two-year statute of limitations does not start until the patient discovers the malpractice.

Diane Zelman underwent spinal fusion in May 2010 to stop the pain in her lower back. After the procedure, the surgeon, Francesca Tekula, M.D., told Zelman the surgery was more involved than original expected with the discovery of a second cyst and the decision to do a second-level fusion.

Zelman felt “intense pain” following the surgery and shared her concerns with Tekula but the surgeon maintained everything was fine. The patient sought out different specialists, receiving injections and pain medications along with physical therapy. She also met with another surgeon who told Zelman that a second back surgery would be “brutal” and had no guarantee it would be alleviate her discomfort.

In 2014, Zelman underwent a second back surgery. Afterward, the surgeon, Michael Coscia, M.D., said he had found there was no fusion. Also there were no pedicle screws which is extremely unusual since the screws are used as part of a fusion.

The next year, Zelman filed with the Indiana Department of Insurance a proposed complaint alleging medical negligence against Tekula and Central Indiana Orthopedics. The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment which the Delaware Circuit Court granted. Specifically, the court found Zelman had the ability to discover the alleged negligence before the statute of limitations deadline which was March 1, 2013.

A unanimous Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the trial court in Diana Zelman v. Central Indiana Orthopedics, P.C., and Francesca D. Tekula, M.D., 18A02-1705-PL-1121.

Citing David v. Kleckner, 9 N.E.3d 147, 152-153 (Ind. 2014) and Booth v. Wiley, 839 N.E.2d 1168, 1172 (Ind. 2005), the appellate panel held the two-year limitation starts when the claimant either knew of the malpractice or learned of that facts that leads to the discovery of the malpractice.

The Court of Appeals pointed out that Zelman consulted several medical professionals and was initially discouraged from undergoing a second surgery.

“Given that the second surgery was required to discover the malpractice, and given that it was described as brutal with no guarantee of success, we cannot say as a matter of law that Zelman was not reasonably diligent when she did not have the second surgery sooner than she did,” Judge Elaine Brown wrote for the court. “Thus, we hold that a genuine issue of material fact exists as to when Zelman’s pain and diligent pursuit would have led her to discover that medical malpractice was the cause.”

Aces back in action against Oakland City, UIC

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team wraps-up a two-game homestand against Oakland City at 7 p.m. on Thursday before hitting the road for UIC for a 3 p.m. showdown on Saturday.

The Purple Aces (2-6) are coming off a narrow 82-75 loss to Morehead State on Sunday. Evansville opened the game on a tear, as the Aces shot 63.6% from the field in the first quarter including going a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe to take a 24-12 lead after 10 minutes of play. In the second quarter, the Aces increased their lead to 20 at 35-15 before the Eagles sprinted back to cut Evansville’s lead to just 38-34 at the half. UE continued to hold its lead throughout the third quarter, but in the final frame Morehead State battled back to take the lead as the Eagles rallied late for the 82-75 win.

Graduate guard Hannah Noe led the Aces in scoring for the fourth time this season, recording 17 points, while junior center Kelsi Scott and senior guard Brooke Dossett both chipped-in double-digit scoring performances with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Morehead State was led by Darianne Seward who scored 31 points and Miranda Crockett who added 25.
The Aces open the week with a Thursday matchup with Oakland City at 7 p.m. inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse. The Aces and Oakland City are meeting for the 25th time on Thursday, but just the third matchup since 1983. Evansville is 19-5 all-time against the Mighty Oaks and the Aces are currently on a five-game winning streak in the series. In the last contest between the two, Evansville earned a 108-68 victory over OCU on December 6, 2016 inside the Ford Center. The two sides last met in Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Feb. 8, 1983 when the Aces earned an 83-59 triumph over the Mighty Oaks. Oakland City enters Thursday’s matchup with a 2-5 record and is coming off a 126-55 loss in an exhibition at Ball State on Sunday.

Wrapping-up the week, Evansville travels to downtown Chicago to take on UIC at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. UE and the Flames have done battle 12 times with the Aces owning a 9-3 advantage in the series. The two sides have not met since November 25, 2006 when Evansville earned a 69-53 win on the road at UIC. In the series, the Aces currently own a five-game winning streak with the last win for the Flames coming in a 60-55 UIC win during the 1989-90 season. UIC enters the matchup with a 5-3 overall record and is fresh off a 73-70 victory on December 8 over Eastern Michigan.

2018 City Council Meeting Information for 2018

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CITY OF EVANSVILLE COMMON COUNCIL

1 N.W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Room 314
Evansville, Indiana 47708

The Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana will hold its regular meetings for 2018 at 5:30 p.m. on the dates listed below. The meetings will be held in Room 301 of the Civic Center, 1 N.W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. A separate notice will be sent to the media for any cancellations or special meetings scheduled.

SCHEDULED COMMON COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR 2018

Monday, January 8, 2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

Monday, February 12, 2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

Monday, March 12, 2018

Monday, March 19, 2018

Monday, April 9, 2018

Monday, April 23, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Monday, May 21, 2018

Monday, June 11, 2018

Monday, June 25, 2018

Monday, July 9, 2018

Monday, July 23, 2018

Monday, August 13, 2018

Monday, August 27, 2018

Monday, September 10, 2018

Monday, September 24, 2018

Monday, October 8, 2018

Monday, October 22, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018

Monday, November 26, 2018

Monday, December 10, 2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Sheriff Holds Jail Overcrowding Meeting with Area State Legislators

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On Friday, December 08, 2017 Sheriff Dave Wedding hosted a meeting between state legislators and area sheriffs concerning issues affecting local jails.

Overcrowding and the continuing impact of House Bill 1006 were discussed at length. HB 1006 took effect in 2015 and immediately caused low-level felons serving time at the state department of corrections to be returned to their home counties to finish their sentences.

Sheriff Wedding explained, “A huge part of the issue is that most jails are simply not equipped to handle inmates with addiction and mental health issues. We know that the majority of our inmates suffer from drug and alcohol dependence or mental illness, which in turn plays a significant role in causing them to re-offend once released.” Sheriff Wedding added, “The goal of this recent meeting was to provide a forum for local and state government officials to share ideas and collaborate on solutions.”

The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the following elected officials for taking the time to attendFriday’s meeting: Vanderburgh County Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem, State Representative Wendy McNamara, State Representative Holli Sullivan, State Senator Vaneta Becker, State Senator Jim Tomes, State Representative Ryan Hatfield, State Representative Tom Washburne, Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris, Pike County Sheriff Jeremy Britton, and Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann.

 

 

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

40th Anniversary Commemoration Of 1977 UE Plane Crash Set For Today

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A 40th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1977 University of Evansville Plane Crash will take place today at 7:00 p.m.

The ceremony will be held at Memorial Plaza on the UE campus and is open to the Evansville community and the general public.  In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside Neu Chapel.

The Air Indiana Flight 216 crashed at 7:22 p.m. on the evening of December 13, 1977 carrying the University of Evansville men’s basketball team along with coaches, administrators, fans and flight crew.  Those gathered will observe a moment of silence at that time during the candlelight vigil.

A candle lighting will commence the service which also includes a reading of the names of those who perished in the plane crash and a bell ringing during each interval.  University of Evansville President Dr. Thomas A. Kazee will provide a statement followed by the singing of the UE alma mater, prayers and bagpipes.

Following the ceremony, an opportunity for informal gathering and fellowship will be offered in Ridgway University Center’s 1959 Gallery and Lounge.  Neu Chapel will also be open for personal prayer and meditation throughout the evening.

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