INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be flown at half-staff for Pearl Harbor Day.
Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, December 7, 2017.
Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff on Thursday.
 The Truth About Marijuana, during a press conference, Wednesday, December 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Sheraton at Keystone Crossing, 8787 Keystone Crossing, Plaza Ballroom D & E.
Sponsored by the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys, Inc., the press conference will feature Association representatives, Luke Niforatos of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), Mike Ripley of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen, all describing positions against legalization of marijuana in any form, for any purpose.
Following the press conference will be an educational summit continuing until about 4 p.m. The summit will feature presentations by Indiana Attorney General Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (via video), SAM’s Niforatos, Indianapolis Internist Dr. Palmer MacKie, the Indiana Chamber’s Ripley, Sheriff Nielsen and Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Hertel, president of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys. The media is invited to attend this event as well.
           Actions aimed at protecting Indiana farmers from aggressive over-regulation
Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today his office has joined a 12-state effort to challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court attempts by California to impose agricultural regulations on Indiana and other states.
The lawsuit opposes a California law requiring egg producers in all other states to comply with California’s farming regulations regarding housing of poultry in order to sell eggs in that state. The suit claims that California’s regulations violate both a federal law prohibiting states from imposing their own standards on eggs produced in other states and the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce among and between states.
In 2016, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that an earlier group of plaintiff states lacked standing to pursue their claims in this regard. Today’s filing in the U.S. Supreme Court, however, answers this assertion by providing a careful economic analysis that establishes the impact of these burdensome regulations.
“This case involves a concept known as horizontal federalism,†Attorney General Hill said. “Under the Constitution, states must respect one another’s sovereign prerogatives.â€
Especially worth noting, he added, is that the California law has nothing to do with the quality of the products sold to consumers.
“Obviously, every state has the right to regulate products based on such factors as consumer health and safety,†Attorney General Hill said. “It’s another thing altogether for one state to sit in judgment of other states’ manufacturing and production processes – and to erect barriers to products from other states based upon that judgment.â€
In the case against California, Indiana joins lead plaintiff Missouri along with Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin.
States’ legal complaints against other states must be filed directly in the U.S. Supreme Court, as Congress has provided that “[t]he Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction of all controversies between two or more States.†28 U.S.C. § 1251(a).
Following a pair of impressive scoring performances on the road, University of Evansville women’s basketball graduate guard Hannah Noe has been named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, it was announced in a release by the conference office on Monday.
The Dexter, Missouri native fueled a 12-6 run with back-to-back-to-back three-pointers as she tallied 13 points on 4-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the Aces’ loss at WKU. On Saturday, Noe recorded the second-best scoring outing of her career with 29 points, including six triples, in Evansville’s 82-73 loss at Austin Peay.
Noe currently leads the MVC in scoring and sits 71st nationally averaging 18.2 points per game, while also topping The Valley in three-pointers made per game with 3.7 per contest, the 11th-best average in the nation.
The honor is the second of the season for Noe, who captured conference player and newcomer of the week recognition on November 13 for her 33-point performance in an 89-81 victory over Murray State.
The Aces wrap-up a three-game road trip on Tuesday when they face 20th-ranked Kentucky at 6 p.m. (CT) on the road in Lexington, Kentucky.
On Monday, December 04, 2017 at 8:38 AM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 15000 block of Old Henderson Road in reference to a residential burglary that had just occurred.
As deputies traveled to the address, the victim reported to 911 that two suspects wearing masks had entered the screened-in porch to their residence. The victims retrieved their firearms and confronted the suspects. The suspects reportedly ran to their vehicle and fled the property. The victims discharged their weapons at the suspect vehicle as it fled down the driveway.
A vehicle pursuit began after the suspect vehicle was observed a short time later on Old Henderson Road by responding sheriff’s deputies. The pursuit continued onto Tekoppel Avenue from Old Henderson Road. The Sheriff’s Office discontinued the pursuit when the suspect vehicle began to approach Tekoppel School.
A description of the suspect vehicle and occupants was given out as a Be On the Lookout (BOL) to all Sheriff’s Office and Evansville Police Department units. Evansville Police later found the suspect vehicle parked at Cedar Trace Apartments and noticed a bullet hole in the passenger side front bumper.
Police officers located the suspects nearby and took them into custody. Sheriff’s deputies recovered two firearms from the suspects, one of which had been reported stolen. A search warrant has been applied for to search the suspects’ burgundy 2012 Chrysler 200 sedan.
The investigation is ongoing and the suspects may face additional charges.
ARRESTED:
Prince Charles Jones (pictured above), 21, of Evansville. Burglary as a Level 4 Felony, Theft as a Level 6 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Stolen Firearm as a Level 6 Felony, False Informing as a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief as a Class A Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana as Class B Misdemeanor, Failure to Appear Warrant
Diana Elizabeth Ellmers (pictured above), 25, of Newburgh. Burglary as a Level 4 Felony, Possession of a Stolen Firearm as a Level 6 Felony, Theft as a Level 6 Felony
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.
By Adrianna Pitrelli
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS —’Twas three weeks before Christmas when students sat on the floor, ready to fill the Statehouse with Christmas decor. They listened to the first lady, her friends and First Dog Henry, while patiently hoping Santa would come down a chimney.
“We have gathered here at the Statehouse for our annual decorating party,†First Lady Janet Holcomb told students gathered in the rotunda Monday morning. “It’s a tradition here at the Statehouse that has been carried on for many years.â€
The children sat ready to listen as Holcomb read them “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.â€
A performance of “Jingle Bells†and “O, come All Ye Faithful†by Pike High School’s choir was a show stopper. Pike High School is Gov. Eric Holcomb’s alma mater.
Henry was at Monday’s Hoosier Holiday event wearing a red Christmas collar. Despite the attention he received from the crowd, he never made a holler.
About 250 students from around the state made ornaments for the trees. As part of the festivities, each student put an ornament on the tree.
“These ornaments look great — good job,†Holcomb said to the children as they helped decorate three of the 11 Statehouse trees donated as part of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association annual project. “Merry Christmas. Thank you for the help.â€
Holding an ornament made of applesauce and cinnamon, one student said in a loud voice, “I can’t wait to hang this up on this big, fancy tree.â€
The beautiful, tall green Christmas trees fill the atrium for the 58th consecutive year. For Indiana’s first lady, decorating them brought a lot of holiday cheer.
“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season at the Statehouse,†Holcomb said. “And we are glad everyone is here to be able to participate in the event and join us today.
Adrianna Pitrelli is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
We hope that todays “IS IT TRUE” 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”?
IS IT TRUE that the official “Swim Meet Time Clock†located at the Northside Lloyd Pool has been broken for over a year? …this situation needs to be corrected right away?
IS IT TRUE earlier this year ECHO Housing officials announced plans to turn a vacant warehouse at 101 N. Garvin St. into 27 one-bedroom units of housing for the chronically homeless?  …once completed this project is estimated to cost $6.1 million? …earlier this year the ECHO Housing Executive Director said “that her organization will commission a “Mural” to be painted on the side of this apartment building? …it’s our opinion that putting a painted “Mural” on the side of apartment building for the homeless is a total waste of our hard earned tax dollars?
IS IT TRUE a couple years ago officials at ECHO Housing and Evansville DMD commissioned a “Mural” to be painted on the side of a building located directly behind McDonalds restaurant on the corner of North Main and the Lloyd Expressway?  … the officials responsible for this project declared that this “Mural” will enhance the opportunity of bringing economic development to the North Main Jacobsville area? …we were told that an out of town artist was hired to help paint this abstract “Mural” costing many of thousands of dollars? …we urge you to drive to the North Main McDonalds and look at the vacant building directly behind it and tell us if this painted “Mural” would motivate you to locate a business on North Main Street?
IS IT TRUE that unbeknownst to the powers that be, who were so busy celebrating a $18 Million bike lane and a much too narrow roadway the only grocery store in Jacobsville has announced that it is closing?…this sort of creates a food desert right in the middle of a politician proclaimed up and coming neighborhood?…among other reasons given by the Buehler’s IGA for closing the doors was the high levels of theft that were occurring at the store?…this is the same kind of criminality that supposedly killed the Wesselmans, the Sunshine Market, and another market at the same location over by the old Lincoln School?…a grocery store is a vital part of any redevelopment effort and this loss is a serious loss for many reasons?…it also sets the stage for more degradation and for less possible gentrification?…whether one likes it or not, gentrification is the source of money to sustain a retail business including a grocery store and more importantly a population that does not feel so entitled to the inventory on the shelf that they will steal it on a daily basis?…once again for those who didn’t learn last time, if you want to clean up places like Jimtown and Jacobsville, the first step is to get rid of the Jims and Jacobs who rob and pillage everything that is put there? …good paying jobs, reliable public transportation,  affordable and livable housing, good schools, affordable daycare services, a quality grocery store and accessible and affordable healthcare would go a long way in helping people in that area?
IS IT TRUE that we noticed that the McCurdy is still $750,000 in arears for 6 months of water bills to the City of Evansville for having installed an open loop geothermal system?…that amounts to roughly $1,500 per month per apartment just for the water bill?…like it or not this level of charge is the death knell of the business model that led to the refurbishment of the historic building?…in 2008 the City of Evansville killed a business model for an old folks home to placate the insatiable desire of the past Mayor for feel good pictures and grandiose claims?…in 2017 after the project was completed by another developer the City of Evansville has killed another business model?…we understand that the open loop system is what created the bill, but that is clean water and there needs to be some solution?…if there is no solution then the date with the wrecking ball is once again just a matter of time?
IS IT TRUE that last Friday Brian Ross of ABC News reported incorrectly that a guilty plea for lying to the FBI about a meeting that was held after the election was going to result in a sworn finger being pointed at President Trump for colluding with Russians to steal the election?…now the story has been recanted, clarified, and disavowed, the reporter has been suspended for lying and the stock market dropped 350 points over a lie told in a “we interrupt this broadcast for important news†manner?…Brian Ross is just a new reader who doesn’t have the authority to interrupt anything?…like it or not, this was fake news and it plays right into President Trump’s claim that the media is lying through their teeth to undermine his administration?…last Friday that is exactly what happened?…we wonder what kind of a price ABC will pay for this terrible miscarriage of journalism?
IS IT TRUE we are hearing that well known Democrats Ed Bassemier, Amy Word-Smith, Kristen Burckhartt are considering a run for the Evansville City Council At-Large seats in the next city election? …we are told that Alex Burton will not be a candidate for the 4th Ward City Council seat? Â …if current City Council member Jonathan Weaver doesn’t run for Mayor, we predict that he will run for re-election for At-Large City Council seat?
IS IT TRUE we also wonder when construction will begin on the old downtown YMCA annex building? Â … this building has been vacant of at least 30 Â plus years? Â …a couple of years ago we read in the local newspaper that developers were going to turn this former 5th Street YMCA annex building into housing for the homeless? …we hope that this proposed housing project doesn’t turnout to be another downtown “Pie In The Sky” venture that can’t get bank financing?
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke re-election political war chest has a whooping $400,000 in it?
IS IT TRUE hear that several individuals living in this area want to become the next CEO of the Greater Area Chamber of Commerce ?  …all we heard from the Chamber folks doing the last several years is buy local?  …if the Chamber want people to buy local they should hire local?  …we consider local folks to be extremely qualified and talented and should be considered as serious contenders for the vacant Greater Area Chamber of Commerce CEO position?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that our tax dollars should be spent on putting painted abstract Murals on side of buildings?
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.
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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
