http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx
IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 17, 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?â€
IS IT TRUE we are hearing that an unnamed Evansville City Council member has requested the Evansville City Controller, Russ Lloyd Jr to provide him with an accounting  breakdown of Invoices and Unrecorded Liabilities for 2015, 2016 and 2017?  … copies of the requested information were also sent to Council President Missy Mosby and 14 others individuals?  …the requested information has to do with: 1) Account Payable Open Items Reports for 2015-2017. 2) Accrued Compensation Hours for Police and Fire Employees as of Aug 16-18, 2017. 3) Accounting Notes reports for 12/31/2016 and for the City of Evansville and other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) as prescribed by GASB 45 actuarial calculation of retired employees health insurance liability. 4) Also provided to city officials were the accounting notes for the City of Evansville concerning the (PERF) Public Employees Retirement Fund of which Evansville participates in? …we are hearing that the above accounting information given to the unnamed Councilman, Council President Missy Mosby and 14 others may reveal some of the unreported deficit spending decisions of the Winnecke Administration?
IS IT TRUE that local government don’t have a revenue problem they just have a spending problem?
IS IT TRUE in Councilman Dan McGinn resignation e-mail he sent to GOP party chairman, Wayne Parker stated that; “You have criticized us for exercising our independent judgement (sic) and doing what we feel is best for the people we represent rather that marching lockstep to political doctrine”?  …we wonder why Mr. Parke didn’t take on Councilman McGinn for voting to build a multi-million dollar Penguim exhibit during the time of a serious budget crisis?  …Mr. Parke could have taken on Finance Chairman McGinn for continuing to push council members to take away our Homestead Tax Credits during the last several years?  …Chairman Parke could had taken on McGinn for not pushing council members to address the out of control city employees healthcare deficits? …Mr. Parke could had criticized Mr. McGinn for not cutting over $100,000 worth of city grants out of the city budget to area not-for-profits?  …Mr. Parke could have taken McGinn to task for voting to put back a $100,000 plus city grant in the budget to transport one (1) person to a job site located in the outer area of Highway 41? …Chairman Park could had ask why did Council Finance Chairman McGinn support the $12.5 advance payment (2018) of Tropicana riverboat  money to the city? …most of all Mr. Parke was correct in taking Mr. McGinn to task for voting to increase the County Income Option Tax (CIOT) for 2018?
IS IT TRUE it looks like the days of the “TAX AND SPEND” habits of the Evansville City Council and the Winnecke Administration may be coming to an end?
IS IT TRUE we are hearing that at least two of the three Republican primary candidates for the Vanderburgh County Commission race will be announcing this week?
IS IT TRUE that that the son of former U S Congressman John Hostetter, Matt Hosetttler has announced that he shall be running for to soon to be vacated State House of Representative seat presently held by Thomas Washburne? Â …Matt stated in his official announcement that “My family and I are very fortunate to call Indiana home. Our legislative body is a reflection of Hoosier commitment to both fiscal and personal responsibility with limited government interference. District 64 has exemplified these values through Representative Washburne, and it is my goal to pick up where he will leave off. This is a wonderful place for Michelle and me to raise our family, and I intend to ensure that it remains a wonderful place for my son to raise his?”
IS IT TRUE it looks like the President of the Vanderburgh County Commission, Bruce Ungethiem will be facing the biggest challenge in his political career when he takes on Matt Hostetter in the District 64 State Representative Republican primary? Â …we are told that when Mr. Ungethiem voted to pass a wheel tax in Vanderburgh County it costs him a lot of conservative votes?
IS IT TRUE that the performance of the Indiana public schools was recently released and the news for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation is both good and bad?…the good news is that there are now 5 EVSC schools that earned an A after years of having only 2 schools that earn the highest marks?… Scott and Oak Hill which serve the more affluent northern part of Vanderburgh County were the only two schools to earn the top grade for as long as most of us can remember were joined this year by Central and North high schools and Stockwell Elementary?…these three additions brings the A count to 5 and they are the northern most 5 schools in the county?…there are 35 schools in the EVSC so that means that only 14% of our schools are making an A?
IS IT TRUE that nine EVSC schools got an F, which constitutes 26% of the schools in the EVSC?…those schools getting an F are: Academy for Innovative Studies, Caze, Cedar Hall, Delaware, Dexter, Evans, Glenwood Leadership Academy, Lodge and McGary?…these failing schools are located in the south and southeast parts of Evansville where minorities and economically challenged people tend to live?…that it seems like economic performance of the neighborhood is the biggest contributor to failing schools?…we suspect that if the teachers were traded that the results would not change a bit?…the real problem with student performance can usually be traced to active and supporting parents?…it is often the case that poor people have to choose between making a living and spending time with their children?…this is a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself into adulthood?
IS IT TRUE 11 schools were given a B over last year’s 15; 7 schools got a C over the previous year of 8; and three schools were given a D, half of last year’s six?…this means that 46% of our schools were essentially A-B schools with the other 54% at or below C level?…there is still much room for improvement?…the three private/charter schools all got an A?…the Signature School in downtown Evansville has routinely been ranked the #1 public school in Indiana and among the top 10 public high schools in the country for over a decade now?…the success of the Signature School proves that there is nothing in the water that is making our students perform poorly?…what the EVSC should be doing is replicating the way that Signature does things as they blow the other 35 school including the five that made an A right out of the water?
IS IT TRUE the Catholic schools seem to be performing very well with 18 As, 5 Bs and only 3 Cs?…the schools in the counties directly around Vanderburgh for the most part all performed better as a group than the EVSC schools did?
IS IT TRUE that Sears has just announced that the half century old anchor store at the Oxmoor Mall in Louisville will be closing in January?…rather than reposition the inventory, Sears will be having a blow out sale to get rid of it all?…one has to wonder how long Sears will be able to hold onto the anchor outpost at the Washington Square Mall on Evansville’s Eastside?…Sears is apparently the only original tenant of what was the first indoor mall in the State of Indiana?…this Christmas season will be another year when big box retail either makes a comeback or another round of stores gets Amazoned out of business?
Todays READERS POLL question is:Â Do you support local GOP Party Chairmen Wayne Parke call for Councilman Dan McGinn to resign from City Council?
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.
If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers
ANGER IN AMERICA
Making Sense by Michael Reagan
You can’t go to a bar or a play.
You can’t go out to eat with friends.
You can’t even go to a big family dinner without getting into an angry political argument.
Everyone has a strong opinion about Trump, Hillary, Rocket Man, healthcare, Confederate statues, the minimum wage – everything.
And their opinion is always right and everyone else’s is always wrong.
There’s hardly a place left where you can get away from politics and find a little fun and solace.
I can’t even relax in front of the TV anymore.
I can’t watch the news, sports, the morning shows or the late-night talk shows. Or the Academy Awards, the Emmys or “Saturday Night Live.â€
No matter where I click, there’s no escape from liberal politics and the media’s nonstop drumbeat of Trump Hate.
Even TV weather reports have become polluted.
I think every hurricane, thunderstorm, wild fire, drought, flood, snowstorm, heat wave or heavy dew that has negatively affected North America since June has been blamed on humans, their cars or Donald Trump’s energy policies.
What’s the next place on TV to be ruined by liberals and their politics, the shopping channels?
Will HSN soon start hawking “Trump the Chump†and “Amerika Sucks†T-shirts?
Or will it be the game shows?
Will “The Price Is Right†be renamed “The Price Is Unfair� Will America have to watch “Wheel of White Oppression�
Will Alex Trebek come out and take a knee to protest how President Trump’s strict immigration policy hurts Canadians?
How long before we’ll be hearing “Jeopardy!†contestants say, “I’ll try ‘Russian Collusion’ for two-thousand, Alex�
It’s gotten so bad I’m afraid to ask Alexa or Siri a question.
I’m afraid one of them will tell me to go to Hell or say, “What do you want now, you stinking Republican?â€
It’s always been tough for a conservative Republican to read, watch or listen to the mainstream media without becoming incensed by their dominant liberal bias.
But at least not so long ago you could still stay up late and watch Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno or Merv Griffith and fall asleep with a smile on your face.
Allen, Carson, Leno and Griffith had their personal politics. They had their favorite presidential candidates and made plenty of Nixon, Reagan and Bush jokes.
But did Carson or Leno vote for my father? For Jimmy Carter? Bill Clinton?Did they support welfare reform? I can guess, but I don’t know for sure.
Even David Letterman’s politics — up until the end of his reign when he went over the liberal cliff — was a mystery or nonexistent.
Unlike our current trio of liberal preachers – Colbert, Kimmel and Myers – the late-night talk show stars of yesteryear didn’t misuse their powerful platforms to ridicule the president every night and slobber all over his critics and enemies.
People wonder why Americans today seem so angry at each other all the time.
One reason is because the people like Kimmel and Colbert who are supposed to make us laugh are too busy pushing their hateful politics down our throats to do their job.
Frontier League Releases 2018 Regular Season Schedule
The Evansville Otters will host the Washington Wild Things at Bosse Field on May 11 to open the 2018 Frontier League regular season for both teams.
The Frontier League released the schedule for its 26th season Monday and the league will again feature 12 organizations playing a 96-game schedule.
PRINTABLEÂ OTTERSÂ SERIESÂ SCHEDULEÂ Â // Â COMPLETEÂ FRONTIERÂ LEAGUEÂ SCHEDULE
Two games (Joliet Slammers at Florence Freedom and River City Rascals at Windy City Thunderbolts) will open the season on Thursday, May 10, with the remaining eight teams celebrating Opening Night on May 11.
Evansville’s Opening Weekend series will be a showdown between two 2017 postseason teams. Evansville went 3-3 against Washington this past season.
Teams will play divisional opponents 12 times each with six games against each interdivision team. The two division winners plus two wild card teams, regardless of division, advance to the postseason.
The Otters are scheduled for nine weekend home series at Bosse Field in 2018 and the franchise will celebrate the 102nd anniversary of Bosse Field on Sunday, June 17, against the Traverse City Beach Bums.
Evansville will host the defending league champion Schaumburg Boomers Aug. 3-5.
The 2018 All-Star Game will be played at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Mo. on Wednesday, July 11. The regular season concludes Sunday, Sept. 2, and the postseason is set to begin Tuesday, Sept. 4, with Game 1 of the FL Division Series.
Game times and promotional information will be released at a later date, in addition to exhibition games.
Debuting in 1993, the Frontier League is the longest-running modern independent league that features teams in seven states, stretching from Pennsylvania to Missouri and from Kentucky to Michigan.
UE Athletics Announces Sport Restructuring
Department Making Changes Effective Following Fall Semester
The University of Evansville Athletics Department has announced a sport restructuring that will be effective following the fall semester of 2017. At that time, the Purple Aces women’s tennis program will be eliminated.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision because of the impact on the affected student-athletes, but it was one that was done with the best interests of our entire student-athlete body, the athletic department and the University of Evansville in mind,†UE Director of Athletics Mark Spencer said. “This is something that has been discussed internally for several years and this is the right time for all parties involved to move forward with this action.â€
Three factors were pivotal in making this decision. The recent and untimely departure of previous head women’s tennis coach Jayson Wiseman brought into question as to whether to hire a new coach or reconsider program elimination. Secondly, the successful addition of men’s and women’s track and field at the University of Evansville put the program above the NCAA minimum for NCAA Division I participation while also keeping the program in Title IX compliance. Lastly, the aging UE tennis courts, limited access to playing facilities within the community and the persistent financial challenges within the university also factored into the decision.
Consultation on this decision involved the University President, Title IX Coordinator, Faculty Athletic Committee, the University of Evansville’s Board of Trustees Athletic Committee and the Director of Athletics.
“The timing of this was done in order to give our student-athletes as much time as possible to determine what is best for their future,†Spencer added.
Current student-athletes on the team who are in good academic standing at UE will have the option to retain their financial aid until they graduate from the university. Student-athletes wishing to continue their playing career are immediately eligible to transfer and can be eligible for participation in the spring of 2018 semester.
This decision will not have any impact on UE’s affiliation with the Missouri Valley Conference or the NCAA.
Office of Attorney General Requests RSVPs From Media Planning To Cover Visit By Gov. Chris Christie
The Office of Attorney General needs to hear by Oct. 23 from media outlets planning to send staff members to cover a speaking engagement by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Sheraton Hotel, 8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis.
Media should plan to be in place by 2:30 p.m. for the governor’s speech.
Gov. Christie, chair of President Trump’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, will deliver the keynote address at the 8thAnnual Prescription Drug Abuse & Heroin Symposium, which is hosted by Attorney General Curtis Hill.
Immediately following the speech, Gov. Christie and Gen. Hill will appear together at a press conference. (RSVPs are required for the press conference as well.)
Any outlet planning to cover Gov. Christie’s visit is asked to contact Deputy Director of Communications Bill McCleery at Bill.McCleery@atg.in.gov and let him know how many staffers from the outlet will attend these events.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
VANDERBURGH SUPERIOR COURT AWARDED GRANT FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER ASSISTANCE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Vanderburgh Superior Court was awarded $546,344 by the Office on Violence against Women under the Justice for Families Program Grant.
The Court will use these funds to train and establish a Protective Order Assistance Office located within the Courthouse, itself. This Protective Order Assistance Office will provide services to those seeking help in completing applications for Protective Orders, needing interpreter services, screening for lethality, safety planning, and to information share with the various Courts in our County.
Resources will also provide training on the effects of Domestic Violence, and provide financial assistance to utilize Guardian ad Litem services in child custody cases where Domestic Violence is a factor.
The Grant will further provide supervised parenting time and exchanges to victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Child Abuse and Stalking.
THE KEVIN HART IRRESPONSIBLE TOUR WILL BE AT FORD CENTER JANUARY 28
The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour FORD CENTER- January 28
Tickets Go On Sale Friday, October 20 at 10 AM
 Kevin Hart returns to Evansville with his “The Kevin Hart Irresponsible†Tour and will perform at Ford Center on January 28. Tickets will go on sale Friday, October 20 at 10 AM and can be purchased at Ford Center Ticket Office, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800.745.3000.
Kevin Hart has made a name for himself as one of the foremost comedians, entertainers, authors and businessmen in the industry today.
2017 has already been a banner year for Hart, his memoir I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons debuted at Number One on the New York Times Bestseller list and has remained on the list for nine consecutive weeks. The book also toped records on the Audible platform, selling over 100,000 copies in the first five weeks. Earlier in the year Hart voiced a title character in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. To close 2017, Kevin will appear in the Sony reboot of the classic film Jumanji alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black. In March of 2018, Kevin will star alongside Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman in his first dramatic role in the Untouchables for The Weinstein Co. Hart will soon begin shooting the Feature Comedy Night School for Universal, a film in which he co-wrote under the Hartbeat production banner and will also star in. The comedy follows a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes in the longshot chance they’ll pass the GED exam.
Hart’s newest business venture is his digital platform the LOL NETWORK – Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi- platform network founded by Hart in partnership global content leader Lionsgate. The streaming video service will launch on
August 3rd featuring a slate of original scripted and unscripted comedy series, stand-up specials, licensed programming, and live broadcasts. Laugh Out Loud combines Hart’s unparalleled social media savvy that earned him 100+ million followers with his vision for the future of comedy – social, mobile, multicultural, and seriously funny. Hart handpicked the boldest comedic voices to create, produce and star in content exclusive to the service. These include digital superstar comedy talents GloZell, King Bach, Emmanuel Hudson, DC Young Fly, Draya Michelle, David So, Timothy DeLaGhetto and Anjelah Johnson (MADtv, viral sensation Bon Qui Qui) – among others – who have amassed tens of millions of fans across social media. The Laugh Out Loud service will also feature up and coming comedians curated by Hart through LOL showcases at events, including a partnership with the world’s top comedy festival “Just for Laughs.â€
Hart’s recent movie projects include the animated film The Secret Life of Pets (Illumination Entertainment) and the biggest grossing live action comedy Central Intelligence (New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures), Universal’s Ride Along 2, which grossed over $100 million worldwide, Screen Gems’ The Wedding Ringer, and Warner Brothers’ Get Hard. The consummate worker, Hart is also a force in television, executive producing the show, Real Husbands of Hollywood which is currently in Season 5. In addition, Comedy Central will launch 2 standup comedy series’ Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City and Untitled Kevin Hart Stand-Up Series.
In addition, Hart embarked on the multi-city domestic and international WHAT NOW comedy tour. Domestically, he sold out 8 tristate area arenas, including Madison Square Garden, Barclays, Prudential Center and Jones Beach, selling over 100,000 tickets in the NY market. He was also the first comedian to sell out an NFL stadium, selling over 50,000 tickets in one show. Internationally, he sold out over a dozen arenas in the European market, selling over 150,000 tickets, and sold out arenas across Australia, selling 100,000 tickets. Hart’s hit comedy tour grossed over $100 million worldwide.
In September, 2011 Hart released Laugh At My Pain the feature film version of his comedy tour (under the same name). The movie grossed over $7 million, and was 2011’s most successful film of those released in less than 300 theaters. The LAMP tour was so successful, it catapulted Hart to 2011’s number one comedian on Ticketmaster, and in February, 2011, he sold out the Nokia Theater for two nights in a row, breaking the record previously set by Eddie Murphy. This lead to the LAMP DVD hitting double platinum in February 2012, after being on sale for only a month.
Hart’s other television credits include, hosting BET’s classic stand-up comedy series Comic View: One Mic Stand, ABC’s The Big House, which he also executive produced and wrote, and recurring roles on Love, Inc, Barbershop, and Undeclared. He will soon begin production on Night School, the first comedic piece he wrote, which will be produced by HartBeat.
YESTERYEAR: Prohibition in Evansville by Pat Sides
Amused witnesses watch in the background as Lettie Payne destroys bottles of alcoholic beverages at an unidentified site in Evansville after Prohibition went into effect. Payne was an active member of the Indiana chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, a national organization devoted to social reform that aimed to “protect the home†and uplift society in general. She served as president of the Vanderburgh County unit, as well as a delegate to the WCTU’s national convention in 1918.
In that year, the Indiana legislature passed a bill that made the state “dry,†although nationally, Prohibition did not go into effect until January 16, 1920. The ban on alcohol officially ended in Indiana on April 7, 1933.
Professor Arlen Kaufman Invested as University of Evansville’s G. Richard and Rita Eykamp Endowed Chair in Chemistry
The University of Evansville’s William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences Department of Chemistry has announced the investiture of UE professor Arlen Kaufman as the G. Richard and Rita Eykamp Endowed Chair in Chemistry. The investiture ceremony was held Saturday, October 14, on UE’s campus.
The G. Richard and Rita Eykamp Endowed Chair in Chemistry was established by the Eykamps to assist in promoting undergraduate teaching excellence in chemistry. This endowed chair is awarded to a faculty member in the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences who has demonstrated an understanding of the importance of teaching excellence in undergraduate chemistry, and demonstrated teaching excellence in her or his own classroom.
Kaufman, a professor of chemistry, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Kansas and his Doctorate of Philosophy in analytical chemistry from Purdue University, one of the top institutions in the field.
Since arriving at UE, Kaufman has demonstrated his commitment to actively engaging undergraduate students in novel research. The main areas of study in the Kaufman research group include developing analytical techniques for detecting biologically relevant molecules and monitoring chemical pollutants in the local environment. These efforts have resulted in collaborations with colleagues in chemistry and biology at UE and other institutions, and projects have been funded by Naval Surface Warfare and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Research students in the Kaufman group are exploring the use of ambient ionization techniques coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to increase speed and reliability of the analysis of secondary plant metabolites. The first stage of this work was published in Analytical Methods and was selected by the editors to be featured in their “Hot†article in Analytical Methods 2015.
Kaufman has taught a variety of courses in chemistry, environmental studies, and general education. His current teaching responsibilities include Principles of Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, Instrumental Analysis, and Chemistry Senior Seminar. He is a dedicated teacher who has worked tirelessly to engage students in active learning through the use of research projects in his lab-based courses. Kaufman has received the College of Liberal Arts and Science Dean’s Teaching Award and in 2010 was voted “Best College Professor†in Evansville by the readers of Evansville Living Magazine.