Just before 6 am on today’s date EPD received a call about a suspicious device found at a business in the 3000 block of Kratzville Rd. EPD officers arrived on scene shortly after being dispatched and located the device. Officers then locked down the area and contacted the Hazardous Device Unit to further investigate. The Hazardous Device Unit took possession of the device and are referring to it as a hoax device at this time. The investigation is ongoing at this point in time.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
George Phillip Martin V:Â Attempt Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony)
Michael Anthony Jones: Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Level 6 Felony)
Jasmine Fortune: Conspiracy Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Conspiracy Robbery (Level 5 Felony), Robbery (Level 5 Felony)
Ramirez lifts Eagles to third straight win
University of Southern Indiana sophomore forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) scored the game-winning goal at the 81:35 mark in the second half as USI upped its win streak to three games with a win over visiting Truman State University Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field.
A rainy afternoon made for slick field conditions, as players tried to maintain their footing. The Screaming Eagles (6-5-0, 4-5-0 GLVC) were held without a shot in the first half, while the Bulldogs (3-10-0, 2-8-0 GLVC) mustered five shots, one on goal.
With the game still scoreless 80 minutes in, senior midfielder Cesar Alba (Hanover Park, Illinois) had the ball in the center of the field and delivered a through ball to Ramirez. Ramirez then pushed the ball past the keeper from the right side of the box after a few dribbles to give the Eagles all the scoring they would need.
The Bulldogs nearly took an early lead in the first half when senior goalkeeper Adam Zehme (Orland Park, Illinois) misplayed a ball near the edge of the box. However, junior defender Kent Katzman (Spring Hill, Tennessee) hustled after the ball and made a sliding stop just before the ball crossed the goal line.
USI also had a scoring opportunity in the 75th minute, when a bicycle kick by Ramirez bounced off the crossbar.
Truman outshot the Eagles 9-7 for the game, with Zehme collecting two saves and his second shutout of the season.
The Eagles return to the road next week, traveling to the far west of the GLVC when they visit William Jewell College and fifth-ranked Rockhurst University. Kickoff Friday at WJC is slated for 7:30 p.m., while the start time next Sunday at Rockhurst is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Following next weekend’s road trip, USI comes back to Strassweg Field for the longest and final homestand of 2017. The Eagles are scheduled to host Drury University October 20; Missouri University of Science & Technology for Senior Day October 22; and McKendree University October 25 for the 2017 regular season finale.
CAPE Head Start to Open Early Childhood Learning Center On Ivy Tech Campus
An Open House is planned for October 11, at 11:30 a.m. to allow interested individuals an opportunity to see the new Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) Head Start and Early Head Start Early Childhood Learning Center on the Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Campus, at 651 Fairway Drive, Evansville.
“We are pleased to renovate a stand-alone building on the Ivy Tech campus to create a center for our students’ children,†said Ivy Tech Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel. This project is being made possible without any state funding, through a partnership with CAPE, grants and private and corporate contributions to the Ivy Tech Foundation. “The Learning Center will allow Ivy Tech students to have their children well cared for and in a learning environment, as they pursue their college degree,†Weinzapfel added.
CAPE CEO Alice Weathers, said, “Collaborating with Ivy Tech, the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development and Early Learning Indiana on this project will allow Ivy Tech students to pursue their education goals while providing quality Early Childhood education opportunities for their children.â€
Opportunities to help fund this project are ongoing, said Ivy Tech Executive Director of Resource Development Erica Schmidt. “We are grateful for the gifts we have received by private donors and community and corporate donors such as Mead Johnson Nutrition, One Main Financial and Early Learning Indiana. This project would not be made possible without the support of the community since it is a donor and grant funded initiative.
“We are continuing our outreach for additional support and are excited to be developing a donor recognition space, designed by Ivy Tech Visual Communications student, Rachel Fitzwater, which will be featured in the foyer of the center,†Schmidt added. To be a part of this initiative, call 812-429-1409.
The Center has the capacity for 50 children, with first priority being given to children of Ivy Tech students. This location is expected to open in November. It will have two Head Start classrooms for children 3-5 years old and two Early Head Start classrooms for children 6 weeks to 3 years old. Full day, year-round enrollment is offered with hours of operation Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
CAPE is currently hiring qualified teachers for the center.
The Center will offer a comprehensive school readiness program, individualized early childhood education, development and health screenings, and meals and snacks.
Cost of the program and other offerings will be a sliding scale, based on the individual’s ability to pay. It will accept Child Care Development Fund vouchers, as well as On My Way Pre-K vouchers, for those who qualify.
Enrollment for open spots is ongoing. To check availability of openings, call CAPE Head Start at 812-492-3978 or 812-492-3979.
Adopt A Pet
Roxy is a 5-year-old female black Lab. She is part of a number of dogs who had to be surrendered when their owners fell on hard times. She’s energetic and would enjoy an active family with daily walks! She weighs 62 lbs. Roxy is social, sweet, and has a canine friend at the shelter named Chunk. Adopt Roxy for only $100. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 9, 2017
We hope that todays “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.
IS IT TRUE the former City Council President and Finance Chairman John Friend, CPA predicted three years ago that starting in 2018 the City of Evansville will be experiencing a major budget melt down was spot on? Â …Mr. Friend also predicts that the 2019 and 2020 Â city budget shall be financial disasters? Â …he also predicted that the only ways the city can balance future budgets are increase taxes, make major budget cuts and lay off employees?
IS IT TRUE that many people in the rural area feel that the Vanderburgh County Council members have let them down? Â …when members of the Vanderburgh County Council ran for office they promised to be open, aggressive, be a conservative voice and most of all that they would stand up for the taxpayers? Â …we wonder why not one County Council member decided not to take Mayor Lloyd Winnecke to task for quieting prodding City Council members to vote on the County Option Income Tax (COIT) without asking their approval or input?
IS IT TRUE that the taxpayers of Evansville still hasn’t any idea where Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke stands on the proposed COIT tax increase? …we hope that Mayor Winnecke will make a public statement if he’s for or against the COIT tax increase before City Council votes on this issue at tonights meeting?
IS IT TRUEÂ that our Civic Center “Moles” tell us that Mayor Winnecke decided not to mess with the “HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT” in 2018?
IS IT TRUE that very little has been said on how Mayor Winnecke plans to pay for the Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey team operating expenses for 2018? Â …we can’t find any reference to the Thunderbolts in the proposed 2018 City operating budget? Â …we been told that some of the Thunderbolts 2018 operating expenses may have been quietly added to the Evansville/Vanderburgh County Building Authority 2018 operating budget? Â …we expect City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr to make a statement concerning this issue at tonights council meeting?
IS IT TRUE that the proposed 2018 City budget didn’t address the current $2.9 million city employees Healthcare deficit for 2017?  …that no money has been allocated in the proposed 2018 city budget to pay these deficits?  …we feel compiled to warn you that the city employees Healthcare deficit could be even higher depending on medical claims filed  before the end of this year?  … we hear that the city employees Healthcare deficit may be well over $4 million at the end of this year?
IS IT TRUE we are told that many members of the Evansville Fire and the Evansville Police Departments don’t want the city to spend a dime of the 2018 COIT tax increase towards past, current or future unpaid city employees healthcare medical claims? …we are hearing that the FOP and EPD members want the money collected from the 2018 COIT tax increase go to first responders equipment, salaries, fire trucks, police cars, retirement funds and etc?  …so far Mayor Winnecke hasn’t said how he will allocate the money from the 2018 COIT tax increase?
IS IT TRUE that the council leadership and the Mayor are promoting the proposed 2018 COIT tax increase as a “public safety” tax? …other members of council are calling it a “paying down the city employee healthcare deficit” tax?
IS IT TRUE Its guesstimated that the COIT tax increase will generate around $5 million for the city and $3 million for the county in 2018?
IS IT TRUE that City Council members Justin Elpers and John Hayden have submitted $1.8 million dollar in cuts to the proposed 2018 city budget? Â …we hear they would like to see the budget savings to be used to pay down the current unpaid city employees healthcare bills?
IS IT TRUE that City Council members Dan McGinn, Jonathan Weaver, and Missy Mosby have recommended a mere $383,000 in budget cuts for 2018? Â …they are promoting that the increase to COIT tax will fix the projected city employees Healthcare budget shortfalls for 2017 and 2018?
IS IT TRUEÂ that City Council members Justin Elpers and John Hayden have recommended budget cuts to the Penguin exhibit at the Mesker Zoo and a new construction project on the Greenway?
IS IT TRUEÂ that Missy Mosby, Dan McGinn, and Jonathan Weaver want to cut $175,000 from the proposed 2018 city budget that was set aside for improvements designed to stop further deterioration of Mesker Park Amphitheater?
IS IT TRUE we are told that three (3) City Council members didn’t submit one amendment to the proposed 2018 city budget? Â …the City Council members are: Connie Robinson (D), Dan Adams (D) and Jim Brinkmeyer (D)?
FOOTNOTE: if you want to contact members of the Evansville City Council to discuss your concerns pertaining to the proposed 2018 City budget listed below are their contact information?
1- DAN MCGINN-FINANCE CHAIRMEN
(H) 812-4796336- or dmcginn@evansville.in.gov
WARD 2 – MISSY MOSBY-PRESIDENT
(C) 812-453-6479 or mmosby@evansville.in.gov
WARD 3 – JOHN HAYDEN
(C) 812-618-2122 or jhayden@evansville.in.gov
WARD 4 – CONSTANCEROBINSON
(C) 812-204-3869 or
(H) 812-425-2372 or connie@hmrdistribution.com
WARD 5 JUSTIN ELPERS-VICE CHAIRMAN
(C) 812-454-3479 or jelpers@evansville.in.gov
WARD 6 – JIM BRINKMEYER
(C) 812-480-6909 or jbrinkmeyer@evansville.in.gov
AT- LARGE -DR. H. DAN ADAMS
(H) 812-425-4220 or (C) 812-459-4221 or drhda501@aol.com
AT-LARGE MICHELLE MERCER
(C) 812-568-5393 or mmercer@evansville.in.gov
AT-LARGE JONATHAN WEAVER
(H) 812-568-0562 or jweaver@evansville.in.gov
 FOOTNOTE: This contact lists was provided to the City County Observer by CITY CLERK LAURA WINDHORST
Todays READERS POLL question is:Do you feel that Mayor Winnecke should make a public statement if he’s for or against the COIT tax increase before City Council votes on this issue?
Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTS†posted in our sections.  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
TAXES REDOUX BY MARK HUNT
TAXES REDOUX
By Mark HUNTÂ CANDIDATEÂ FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE
In my earlier blog regarding federal tax reform, I advocated reducing taxes for all levels of income, reducing our current seven tax brackets to just three, eliminating the odious death tax, allowing corporate monies earned overseas to be repatriated at less than the current confiscatory rates, and increasing the access to health savings accounts for more individuals, particularly those not employed by large and complex organizations, and doubling the amount allowed for individual deductions.
I also argued the importance of maintaining deductions for charitable contributions and mortgage interest. I am very pleased that the Unified Tax Reform Framework recently announced by the Trump administration, while still short on details, seems to accomplish all of my most important desired positions. Most important is the administration’s advocacy for a change to a Territorial Tax System for our businesses working abroad. That brings the US in line with the rest of the international community, will allow businesses to invest hundreds of millions of dollars currently stashed abroad to grow businesses in this country, and eliminates an additional tier of taxes that has grossly handicapped US businesses from competing abroad.
Where I am disappointed is that the corporate rate is lowered only to 20%, not the 15% advocated earlier. That seems to be negotiating against ourselves even before we get started. There is no doubt that Schumer and Pelosi, and their Indiana main man Joe Donnelly, will argue for at least 30% rate and that capitulating to 25% even before the negotiations begins weakens the administration’s position. Also, not stated in the Framework, but allowed by their spokespersons, is that the Trump administration leaves the door open for a 4th tax rate for those very wealthy, if necessary to secure democrat votes. Rest assured, that 4th confiscatory rate will be demanded by the democrats.
Why even open the door to this gouging of the successful, when we know from past experience that the “wealthy will no doubt be defined at around $ 200,000-250,000 / year by the democrats, who never saw a tax they did not like? For some reason, the Trump plan also keeps the inheritance tax for capital gains. I am opposed to that.
The main fiscal argument that will be advanced against the proposed plan is that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—which hasn’t been right since its inception—alleges that the proposed changes in our tax system will add an additional 4.2 billion dollars to the deficit. Senator Schumer and Representative Pelosi are already pontificating against any changes that are not revenue neutral and do not add to the deficit.
What hypocrisy! After eight years of driving our deficit to historic highs under President Obama, they have suddenly discovered the word deficit. Ignore the stench from that part of the swamp. Even though the CBO pronouncement will be proven wrong as usual, the income gained by increased profitability spawned by the tax cuts will more than offset any feared increase in the deficit.