IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 26, 2017
IS IT TRUE that predatory towing of cars in downtown Evansville is in the news, on Social media, and on the lips of way more people than should be comfortable for downtown Evansville advocates?…a litany of victims have shared their negative experiences with the predatory towing tactics being perpetrated on downtown customers?…there are even allegations that a certain business has a camera that alerts them to tow cars and sometimes the people whose cars are being towed are patrons of the business?…this is a perfect way to kill a business and a retail district?…the costs associated with being towed start at $200 and increase from there?…being known as a predatory towing zone typically hurts retail businesses worse than being a high crime zone?…any and all businesses from goods to sushi who are perpetrating this self defeating activity are guilty of cutting off their nose to spite their face?
IS IT TRUE the City of Evansville has settled a lawsuit filed by their own employees (police and fire) for $300,000?…this settlement happened because the City of Evansville failed to make adequate accommodations to cover the healthcare expenses of this group of employees?…if one carefully examines the budget, one would only conclude that this $300,000 is a drop in the bucket of this over promise and under delivering practice?
IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville has decided to enforce the $784,829 water and sewer fee levied on the Kunkel Group for 6 months of service at the McCurdy Apartments?…this works out to $130,000 per month or over $1,400 per month for every apartment in the historical building?…the stark reality is that this exorbitant monthly fee will mean that these apartments will need to rent for close to $2,500 per month just to break even?…this amounts to the foot of government on the throat of private business and may just make this classic building incapable of delivering positive cash flow?…that if the McCurdy could talk it would probably tell us that it’s death started the day the Weinzapfel Administration decided to save it for political purposes?
IS IT TRUE we posted an article in yesterdays CCO concerning local businessman Steve Hammer announcement that he is running for Vanderburgh County Commission seat in the Republican primary? Â … this article was one of the top five (5) reads that we have had in recent memory? Â …it looks like County Commission candidate Steve Hammer has one heck of a following? Â …we are told that the “Hammers Campaign Committee” will be holding a formal announcement event at the Roca Bar-North on November 9, 2017 at 6:00 P M?
IS IT TRUE The Evansville Association of the Blind has a leaky roof at its North Second Ave. building? Â …the city’s Department of Metropolitan Development wants to use federal funds to replace it? Â … City Councilman Dan McGinn told Council members that this organization has 200 buckets collecting rainwater gushing in the building during a hard rain? … on Monday City Council approved moving $115,000 of Federal Funds to put a new roof on the Association of the Blind building?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Code 2.175.020 establishes that membership of the Police Merit Commission? Â …we wonder why the city code only allows three (3) members to serve on this extremely public and powerful board?
IS IT TRUE that we are told that the City of Evansville Affordable Housing Trust Fund is starting to build up again?  …the Mayor is planning to put in around $600,000 plus in 2018 City of Evansville Affordable Housing Trust Fund?  …the Mayor plans to use this money  toward housing and home repairs for people and families at or below 80 percent of median household income in the county?  …we find it interesting that the majority of the committee that approves these grants are appointed by Mayor Winnecke?  …we find it more interesting that members of the Evansville City Council will have final say who will received these grants?  …we hope that this program won’t turn into another governmental “pork barrel politics” scheme?
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers
Indiana Celebrates Grand Opening of First Opioid Based Treatment Center
Channel 44 News: Indiana Celebrates Grand Opening of First Opioid Based Treatment Center
OCTOBER 25TH, 2017Â 
 CHRIS MASTROBUONO EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The treatment center puts Evansville ahead of any other Indiana city in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
SelfRefind specifically focuses on how to treat opioid addictions a growing problem in Vanderburgh County.
“With this, you know, it gives them a chance to heal that. You know, I’ve had a lot of them say their families talk to them or trust. Had one patient that his family let them now control the family business, before that they didn’t trust him,†says Dr. Alben Shockley.
This facility marks the 20th for SelfRefind.
They will be opening a new facility at the end of this year or early next year in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Samuel Earl Curry Jr.: Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life (Level 5 Felony), Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)
Richard L. Kibe: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Tyler Jon Kachuba: Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 6 Felony), Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 6 Felony), Failure of a sex offender to possess identification (Class A misdemeanor)
Gregory Lane Stokes Jr.: Possession of a hoax device (Level 6 Felony), Distributing a hoax device (Level 6 Felony)
David Wayne Cartwright: Battery by bodily waste (Level 6 Felony), Public intoxication (Class B Â misdemeanor), Disorderly conduct (Class B misdemeanor)
Nicholas H. Smith: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Driving while suspended (Class A misdemeanor)
Gly Shane Fulkerson: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Charles Howanda Polk: Domestic battery (Level 5 Felony)
Dylan Charles Garrett: Conspiracy Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony), Attempt Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony), ConspiracyForgery (Level 6 Felony), Attempt Forgery, Attempt Forgery, Conspiracy Fraud, (Level 6 Felony), Fraud (Level 6 Felony), Attempt Fraud (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Derek Daniel Knight: Conspiracy Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony), Attempt Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony), Conspiracy Forgery (Level 6 Felony), Attempt Forgery, Attempt Forgery, Conspiracy Fraud, (Level 6 Felony), Fraud (Level 6 Felony), Attempt Fraud (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor)
Amanda Dawn Breeze: Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Level 6 Felony)
Logan Michael Detalente: Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Level 6 Felony)
Brandon Gilmore: Burglary (Level 1 Felony), Aggravated battery (Level 3 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Attempt Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
Johnny Wesley Robertson Jr.: Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Several Projects Under Vectren’s Electric Grid Modernization Plan Underway
Crews working for Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana – South (Vectren) are ramping up efforts to begin  nearly 60 projects – investments of approximately $12 million – to be completed by the end of this year as part of the Smart Energy Future strategy, which includes the recently approved electric grid modernization plan. Projects aimed at upgrading Vectren’s electric infrastructure to ensure the energy company can maintain the reliability customers have come to expect will take place throughout the southwestern territory.
Over the next few months, many projects benefitting a large number of customers will be completed. While we will attempt to keep disruption to a minimum, Vectren will communicate awareness of the projects benefiting its many customers and help customers understand any potential interruption to their electric service. Upcoming projects include:
Circuit (a specific grouping of poles and lines delivering power) rebuild and conversion projects– upgrading and replacing hardware and equipment on the circuit, which leads to shorter restoration times, a reduction in the number of emergency repairs needed and increased system performance and integrity Â
- Evansville: Cass Avenue circuit (south side, west of U.S. 41 near Riverside Drive) serving 500 customers
- Evansville: Marx Road circuit (northwest side near Five Dollar Rd) serving 850 customers
- Evansville: Seventh Avenue circuit (north of the Lloyd Expressway near Columbia Avenue and Franklin Avenue) serving 250 customers
- Evansville: Lodge Avenue circuit (south side, west of U.S. 41 near Gilbert Avenue) serving 1,200 customers
- Evansville: Lawndale circuit (southeast side near Vann Road) serving 1,400 customers
- Newburgh: Highway 662 circuit (west of Newburgh on S.R. 662) serving 1,100 customers
- Richland City: Rose Hill circuit (south of Richland, west of S.R. 161) serving 1,300 customers
- Winslow: Winslow circuit (west side of Winslow, west of S.R. 61) serving 1,200 customers
- Tennyson: Tennyson circuit (west of Tennyson on C.R. 350 N) serving 950 customers
Underground cable replacement projects – replacing aging underground cable, which leads to a reduction in risk of unplanned outages, faster outage restoration when outages occur and reduced customer interruption duration by sectionalizing the area in need of repair
- Evansville: Village Green Apartments (southeast side, west of Green River Road) serving 400 customers
- Mt. Vernon: Country Club Estates subdivision (west side) serving 150 customers
- Mt. Vernon: Rush Creek Circuit (north of Mt. Vernon, west of S.R. 69 near Kansas Road) serving 500 customers
Optical ground wire projects – replacing existing steel static wire running along transmission lines to expand communication capability between existing electric substations and improve data collection and system performance
- Approximately five miles of cable running along Alcoa Warrick Operations to the southern area of Boonville
- Approximately eight miles of cable running along Vectren’s Bergdolt Storage Yard on the north side of Evansville, N. First Avenue and ending at Vectren’s Northwest substation on the west side of Evansville
Substation equipment upgrades/replacements – replacing/upgrading substation equipment such as circuit breakers to reduce risk of unplanned outages and reduce the risk of potential safety hazards to the public and Vectren employees
- Evansville: Grandview substation serving 400 customers
- Evansville: Grimm Road substation serving 4,700 customers
By the end of 2017, crews working for Vectren will have completed approximately 35 circuit rebuild and conversion projects and approximately 30 underground cable replacement projects. Generally, customers will notice projects beginning when crews have placed signage in the area. The duration of these projects usually span two to six weeks, barring weather delays.
These projects are part of the company’s seven-year improvement plan to enhance reliability and modernize our electric infrastructure, which was approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in September. The plan, part of the company’s Smart Energy Future strategy, includes upgrades to portions of Vectren’s network of substations, transmission and distribution networks that serve seven counties in southwestern Indiana. The plan features more than 800 projects and is estimated to cost $450 million over the plan’s seven-year period. Customers can learn more about Vectren’s grid modernization plan and its customer benefits at www.vectren.com/SmartEnergyFuture.
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Community Input welcomed For Upcoming EPD CALEA Professional Standards Re-Accreditation
The Evansville Police Department is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve re-accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.
Administered by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
As part of the on-site assessment, department employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, November 7, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Evansville Police Department Foundation Room at the CK Newsome Community Center, 100 Walnut Street, Evansville.
Department employees and the public are also invited to offer comments by calling 812-436-7953 on Tuesday, November 7, 2014 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Comm ents will be taken by the Assessment Team.
Telephone comments, as well as appearance at the public information session, are limited to 5 minutes and must address the Evansville Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the Standards is available by calling Lieutenant Scott Doan at the Evansville Police Department Chief’s Complex 812- 436-5776.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Evansville Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA) 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155
WINNERS OF THE PAPPY AND GRAMMY’S POPCORN Â BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY DRAWING FOR OCTOBER
WINNERS OF THE PAPPY AND GRAMMY’S POPCORN Â BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY DRAWING FOR OCTOBER
City-County Observer is proud to announce that PAPPY AND GRAMMY’S POPCORN will be awarding 20 large bags of customize colors and flavors popcorn twice (2) a month to lucky winners chosen randomly from those whose birthdays appear on our site.
Please send in names and birthdays of your friends and family members to the city-countyobserver@livecom so they can have a chance to win. Winners will receive large bag of customized popcorn valued at $7.
Flavors Of Kettle Corn Available At PAPPY And GRAMMY’S Are:
SWEET & SALTY
Original Kettle Corn
Carmel
Carmel Apple
Toffee
Chocolate
Chocolate Toffee
Chocolate Cherry
Chocolate Banana
Confetti (grape, cherry, blueberry, banana & green apple)
Chicago Style (carmel & yellow cheddar cheese)
Cinnamon (red hot candies)
NON-SWEET
Sour Cream & Chives
Yellow Cheddar Cheese
Spicy BBQ
Butter flavored Movie
Creamy Dill
Garlic Parmesan
5-Alarm Hot
5-Alarm Cheese
Chili Cheese
The following POPCORN BIRTHDAY WINNERS  should go to PAPPY AND GRAMMY’S POPCORN  located at 5 North Morton Ave, Evansville, ind and  show your identity and tell them you won a “Popcorn Giveaway” in the CCO. If you need directions please call Donna Fickey at 812-550-7100.
20 OCTOBER POPCORN BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY WINNERS.
STEVE SAUNDERS
MELANIE ATWOOD
JENNIFER SCALES
JEFF WINCHESTERÂ
KELLI FREDRICK
MIKE WOODS
MATT KELLY
JOY TIMMON
LARRY FAULKENBURGH
MARK ELLIOTT
STEVE HAMMER
RAY BROWN
JANET LEE SCHULTHEIS
MELENIEÂ ATWOOD
STEVE SANDERS
J KENTÂ ASHWORTH
JANE ANNE VAN ZANDT
BECKY BLANCHARD
ANNE MARIE WILLIAMS
TAMMY FRANCE
USI opens ’17-18 with exhibition versus Manchester
University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball opens the 2017-18 campaign at 7 p.m. Monday when it hosts Manchester University for an exhibition game at the Physical Athletics Center. The exhibition game is the first tune-up for the Screaming Eagles, who will sandwich the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at the Ford Center between the exhibition games versus Manchester and at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois on November 6.
Monday’s home exhibition game is the first preseason contest at home for the Eagles since 2008.
Game coverage for the exhibition game, including live stats, video stream, and audio broadcasts, is available at GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and 95.7FM The Spin.
Tickets for the USI-Manchester exhibition are free of charge to the public and can be picked up at PAC beginning at 6 p.m.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Manchester Exhibition Game Quick Notes:
- USI in preseason national rankings. The University of Southern Indiana was shutout of the 2017-18 preseason rankings. The Screaming Eagles were ranked in the final 2016-17 NCAA Division II rankings, closing out the year 16th in the NABC Division II Top 25 and 12th in the D2SIDA Media Top 25. The squad also was ranked 15th on HeroSports.com and 11th in the NCAA Division II power rankings at the end of last year.
- Stein honored in the preseason. USI junior guard Alex Stein was named preseason honorable mention All-American in Street & Smith’s College Basketball.  Last year, Stein was named first-team All-GLVC and set a USI single-season record with 151 free throws made last year.
- Eagles return three of five starters. USI returns three of the five starters from last year. Junior guard Alex Stein leads the returners with 17.3 points per game, while senior forward Julius Rajalafollows with 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
- USI has six overall returners for 2017-18. The Eagles have six returning players for 2017-18. The six combined to average 50.8 points (57.5 percent of last season) and 22.3 rebounds (54.3 percent of last season) per game.
- Eagles vs. Manchester all-time. USI leads the all-time series with Manchester University, 3-0 (all regular season), and have not played the Spartans since 1986-87.
- Manchester in 2016-17. Manchester ended 2016-17 with a 10-17 overall record in the second season under Head Coach Gerad Good, who was a USI assistant coach from 2009-14.
- Second Division III exhibition since 2009. Manchester is just the second NCAA Division III member to visit USI for an exhibition game since 2009. The Eagles defeated Centre College, 88-58, in the second exhibition game of the 2009-10 season, following the heartbreaking last-second loss to Southern Illinois University, 71-69, in Carbondale, Illinois.
Adopt A Pet
Pebbles is a female potbellied pig! Don’t worry, the devil horns were just an “easy†costume to get on her head… she’s as sweet as pie! Pebbles was transferred to VHS from Evansville Animal Care & Control. She’s about 3 years old. She loves all manner of food, particularly Cheerios! Her $100 adoption fee includes her spay & vaccines. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or vhslifesaver.org for details!