Home Blog Page 4687

AG Hill: CDC asks State to alter data on link between needle exchange and increased drug use

0

Attorney General Curtis Hill has issued a statement regarding a letter in which federal officials asked the State of Indiana to alter data pertaining to results of a “syringe exchange program” undertaken in Scott County, Indiana, in 2015. The letter comes from officials with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The final 2016 report of the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment and Prevention determined that drug users receiving clean needles through the “syringe exchange program” reported injecting themselves with drugs more often after the start of the program – from five times a day, on average, to nine times a day. The data from the 2016 report has been cited as evidence of the increase of drug use resulting from implementation of the “syringe exchange program.” CDC officials have asked the Drug Enforcement, Treatment and Prevention Commission (formerly the Governor’s Task Force) to now change the report so that it does not describe an increase in drug use.

Attorney General Hill stated:

“I find incredible the notion that federal officials would ask a state commission to alter or delete statistical findings that do not support the pro-needle-exchange narrative propagated by the CDC. Well-meaning people can disagree on the merits of handing out needles to addicts; however, citizens deserve an honest debate rather than manipulation of facts.”

Hill acknowledged media reports that CDC officials have advised state and local officials not to collect too much data in relation to needle distribution lest they confuse the public with facts.

“Of all agencies, the CDC should prefer objective science and the collection of more data rather than less. The CDC’s credibility will become strained if it insists on changing data anytime the facts do not support predetermined policy agendas. The data generated should speak for itself. Rather than busying itself seeking to change data to conform to a particular narrative, the CDC should focus greater energy on the all-important data point related to the rise of opioid-related deaths.”

“More and more Hoosiers are dying from opioid abuse every day. Passing out needles does nothing to stop that.”

Relevant links:

Rohleder paces women’s golf in opener

0

Freshman took 19th in first tournament

 Freshman Sophia Rohleder carded a 77 in the final round of the Roseann Schwartz Invitational to finish in 19th place at Mill Creek Park Golf Course.

After an opening-round tally of 82, the Evansville product improved by five strokes to finish with a 159 for the event, taking 19th place.

Fellow newcomer Minka Gill saw her score jump by eight strokes on Tuesday.  Gill notched an 86 in the first round of action, but fired off a 78 in the final round to tie for 34th with a 164.  Giulia Mallmann matched that total with identical rounds of 82.

Next up was Maria Pickens.  She also saw an improvement in day two.  Pickens followed up Monday’s 86 with a score of 82.  Her total of 168 tied her for 43rd.  Lexie Sollman was next up with a 171.

Madison Chaney came home in a tie for 43rd as an individual with her rounds finishing at 83 and 85.  Carly Waggoner was tied with Sollman for 49th with a 171.  Waggoner shot an 84 on Tuesday.

Marshall University extended its lead to take the team championship.  The Thundering Herd notched a 608 after totaling a team score of 298 in the last round.  They finished 12 ahead of Akron.  The Purple Aces remained in 8th spot, finishing with a 655.

Cleveland State’s Madison Butler was the medalist.  Her 149 came in two strokes ahead of her nearest competition.

The next action for the Aces will be on Sept. 18-19 at the Ball State Cardinal Classic in Yorktown, Ind.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

0

 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Jessica B. Faver: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Adam G. Bradley: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Theft (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor)

Brittney L. Jackson: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Terri L. Frazier: Assisting a criminal (Level 6 Felony)

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT

0

EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

0

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

Henderson Shelter Assists Texas Facilities Overwhelmed by Harvey

0

Henderson Shelter Assists Texas Facilities Overwhelmed by Harvey

SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2017 Chris Cerenelli CHRIS CERENELLI HENDERSON, KENTUCKY

 

Far from the flood-ravaged neighborhoods of south Texas sits New Hope Animal Shelter in Henderson.

Another stop along the way for dogs searching for a forever home…but a step off the beaten path for some.

Paula Hawkins and her staff are helping a shelter in Abilene, Texas overwhelmed with animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

“These shelters already had animals at their place, so they’re asking us to reach out and help take all those animals to make room for the flood victims’ pets,” says Hawkins.

Of the 10 dogs that came in from the Abilene shelter, three have already been adopted out, and the staff at New Hope says they’ll soon be opening their door to more in the coming weeks.

“They’re processing so many homeless animals that’ve been rescued from the flood,” Hawkins said.

It’s a lot of extra work, but the staff at New Hope says they’re prepared to take care of every dog and cat that comes in to their shelter.

“We have our own dogs and cats here that are in trouble sometimes so we’re not going to push them away,” Hawkins said. “We’re going to continue to serve them and get our dogs adopted the same way because they’re just as important.”

In the meantime, the dogs that will soon be coming to Henderson will be looking forward to a second chance they might not otherwise have gotten if they hadn’t been rescued hundreds of miles away.

A website will soon be set up with a database to help those dogs finish a long, scary, and uncertain journey.

“They want to keep them as close to home as possible so they can be reunited with their owners,” says Hawkins.

For information on how to volunteer with New Hope or if you’re interested in adopting, CLICK HERE.

Todays READERS POLL question is: Tell us ways that the Evansville City Council can balance the 2018 budget?
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.

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

0

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 at 12:00 NOON

 AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. MEETING MEMORANDUM   AUGUST 16, 2017

3. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Fall Festival Parking Assignments

b. Request Re: Approve use of group rate for special event at Swonder on September 16, 2017

– Crook

4.        OLD BUSINESS  

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Joint Land Use Agreement with EVSC for Helfrich Park

– Holtz

b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Management and Service Agreement with Wesselman

Nature Society, Inc.  – Holtz

c. Request Re:  Approve and Execute Extension of Facilities Lease and Service Agreement with

Boys and Girls Club of Evansville, Inc.  – Holtz

d. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments

6.        REPORTS

a. Brian Holtz, Executive Director

7.        ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS

 

8.        ADJOURN

USDA Eases WIC Food Package Rules for Texas Participants Affected by Harvey

0

USDA Eases WIC Food Package Rules for Texas Participants Affected by Harvey

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2017 — Families participating in USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in hurricane-stricken Texas will have an easier time finding WIC-approved foods for mothers and their children thanks to food-package flexibilities approved Sunday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said that USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved the request from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission because the full range of eggs, bread and fluid milk products are in short supply in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

“USDA is committed to ensuring that people touched by this disaster get the vital nutrition they need – in particular the women and children participating in the WIC program,” Perdue said. “Helping victims of Hurricane Harvey is a top priority for President Trump, and we will continue working to expedite access to programs which provide food for the vulnerable. We’re with you, Texas.”

Pregnant, post-partum and nursing women and children participating in WIC are given a personal food “prescription” designed to meet their specific nutritional needs. Under normal circumstances, they can use their food benefits at authorized retailers to purchase only specific WIC food items. The flexibilities approved this past weekend and lasting through September 24, will expand the variety of certain WIC products allowed to be purchased based on what is available on store shelves.

Here are the details:

  • Eggs. Participants will be allowed to purchase a variety of types of eggs in various pack sizes.
  • Bread. Participants will be allowed to purchase a variety of bread products in various sizes that are readily available at the retailer.  Retailers will be assisting participants in making their selections.
  • Fluid Milk. Participants over the age of one year will be allowed to substitute milk of any available fat content and type despite the designation of their food package. Flavored milk will not be considered.

FNS continues to provide critical support for people affected by Hurricane Harvey and has approved the flexibilities to ensure that WIC participants continue to receive nutritional support throughout the disaster. WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and other social services for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

If you lost WIC food or formula, lost a WIC card, or need to find an open WIC clinic, call Texas WIC at 1-(800) 942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The WIC flexibilities approved Sunday are the latest in an ongoing series of USDA actions taken to help Texans cope with the storm and its aftermath that also include a waiver to allow all disaster-affected schools to provide meals to all students at no charge and be reimbursed at the free reimbursement rate through September 30.

In addition, local disaster organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Southern Baptist Men continue to utilize USDA Foods to serve hot meals in congregate shelters. Individuals seeking more information about this and other available aid should dial 2-1-1 (for callers from Texas) or 1-(877) 541-7905. For more information about Texas SNAP, visit YourTexasBenefits.com.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which together comprise America’s nutrition safety net. For more information on FNS assistance during times of disaster, visit www.fns.usda.gov/disaster.

TIRED, POOR, HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO PLAY LOTTERY

0

TIRED, POOR, HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO PLAY LOTTERY

Tyrades by Danny Tyree

A couple of years ago I was a pallbearer for a fellow in denial about his gambling addiction, so I viewed with interest the Wall Street Journal opinion piece “Powerbull: The Lottery Loves Poverty,” by Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute.

Brooks cited scholars who said the poorest one-third of Americans buy more than half of all lottery tickets (which is why states advertise heavily in poor neighborhoods). He also quoted a study that finds lottery players finance their tickets largely by cutting spending on NECESSITIES; after a state introduces the lottery, the bottom third of households shift about 3 percent of their food expenditures and 7 percent of their mortgage payments, rent and other bills.

(The states know which side their bread is buttered on, even if the citizens can’t AFFORD bread.)

Brooks lamented the absurdity of the government spending billions on nutrition and housing programs for the poor while simultaneously encouraging cash-strapped people to sink their own money into state lotteries. It’s like the states have turned into your bullying big brother. (“Stop hitting yourself! Why do you keep hitting yourself???”)

Most of our state legislatures have taken bipartisan action to drive a stake through the heart of the Puritan work ethic. Nowadays we worship Urethra, the goddess of (urinating) away your family’s savings.

Granted, the 44-state Powerball does deserve credit for getting states to COOPERATE on something, unlike their usual “Buy your home state’s products first” campaigns, “Don’t leave the state for a college education” warnings and backstabbing deals to keep factories from settling in other states. (“Land of 10,000 Lakes? Sure, they need that many to drown all the cooties!”)

Many low-income individuals see the lottery as an investment. But a 2002 paper by Melissa Kearney (now an economist at the University of Maryland) says the average return from $1 spent on lottery tickets is 52 cents. You’d do better economically by burying your cash in the back yard — while accidentally rupturing a natural gas pipeline and burning down the neighborhood.

Some poor people will insist they play just for FUN; but when I think about all the types of amusements out there, lottery fever seems like a pathetic reenactment of Charlie Brown’s trick-or-treating escapades. (“I got an Xbox.” “I got a canoe.” “I got a little card to scratch.”)

Many states legitimize the lottery by devoting part of the proceeds to education (my son will benefit from Tennessee’s lottery when he starts college in four years), but the practice sends a mixed message. When some inbred, knuckle-dragging, third-grade drop-out DOES manage to win an eight-figure prize, it’s hard to stay focused on fourth-period trigonometry.

Far be it from me to begrudge anyone their fantasies about telling off their boss or seizing their chance at a “life-changing opportunity.” But I hope retailers don’t expand the promotional gimmick beyond lottery tickets. (“Blow dryers with frayed electrical cords: a potentially life-changing opportunity!”)

And can states lighten up a little on predatory marketing? A marketing plan for Ohio’s lottery some years back recommended scheduling campaigns to coincide with the distribution of “government benefits, payroll and Social Security payments.” With today’s more sophisticated advertising, lottery appeals can be hyper-focused. (“Hey, Mike – that left kidney of yours is looking mighty superfluous right now. It’s a seller’s market. And right big toes – talk about easy money!”)

Asmussen Nips Cox In Trainers’ Race That Goes Down To Wire

1
‘This is my favorite track in the world right now’ – Dr. Ruston Jennings
It came down to the next-to-last race of the 2017 Ellis Park meet that ended Monday. But 2016 meet-leader Steve Asmussen repeated as trainer champion, edging 2015 winner Brad Cox 18 wins to 17.
Hall of Famer Jack Van Berg had a superb meet himself to finish third in wins, going 13 for 36.
Jockey Corey Lanerie on Sunday secured his fourth Ellis Park riding title with his closest pursuer, Jon Court, riding West Virginia Derby winner Colonelsdarktemper at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania Monday. Lanerie was blanked on the closing card, but it didn’t matter with his 35-27 cushion over Court. Jack Gilligan, who at age 20 had a breakthrough meet, finished third with 16 victories.
Mongo Racing — a partnership of trainer J.R. Caldwell and Dr. Ruston Jennings — earned its first owners title anywhere, winning six of 14 starts, with a second and three thirds. Dwight Pruett and Kay Stillman tied for second, both going 4 for 11.
 Asmussen might have set an Ellis record with 107 starters. In addition to the 18 victories, he had 19 seconds and 15 thirds. Cox went 17-10-4 in 49 starts, including victories in the Ellis Park Turf (Inveniam Viam), Grade 3 Groupie Doll (Tiger Moth) and Ellis Park Debutante (Kelly’s Humor). It was very close in purse earnings, Asmussen also nipping Cox, $479,697 to $477,471.
The trainer’s title was nerve-wracking on a couple of fronts for Christy Hamilton, who has overseen Asmussen’s Ellis operation for the past two years. First, she vowed before the season that the barn would repeat. Second, she’s very close to her counterpart running Cox’s Ellis division.
“It was a nail-biter,” Hamilton said. “Tessa Bisha and I are best friends. We’re always happy for each other when the other one wins. Being pitted against your best friend was a little difficult. But in the end we prevailed, and I could not be more thrilled right now.”
Asmussen and Cox both ran three horses Monday, including both in the seventh and eighth race. When neither won the eighth, Asmussen clinched his second Ellis title, and it didn’t matter that his first-time starter in the ninth and final race finished nowhere.
A year ago, Asmussen went 16 for 73, earning $390,521.
“This was a lot tougher meet,” Hamilton said. “There were a lot more horses stabled on the grounds. There were a lot more horses running in the races. The quality of horses this meet at Ellis Park was a lot better quality even than we saw last year. Some of the 2-year-olds we saw last year, you’re going to see their names come up big in the future. Ellis Park really has something to show for itself.”
Mongo’s Jennings: ‘This is my favorite track in the world right now.’
Mongo’s owner’s title was a tremendous feat given that the partnership currently has only five of the 14 horses in Caldwell’s Kentucky stable.
This is Caldwell’s first full year in Kentucky. He came to Churchill for the spring meet a couple of years ago and went on to run a couple of horses at Ellis before heading back to the southwest. Now he wants to make Kentucky and Churchill Downs his main base.
“Kentucky is where the heart of the racing is,” said Caldwell, who is stabled at Churchill Downs and shipped over on race days to Ellis Park. “It’s been a fantastic meet. We’ve come here with a purpose to run here in Kentucky and focus on all the Kentucky tracks. It set up really well for us, as a stable and an ownership.”
With a handful of horses, you don’t go into a meet expecting to win the owner’s title, he said.
“You just have to let that stuff fall together and happen for you,” Caldwell said. “There’s no way to plan and say, ‘We’re going to do this; we’re going to do that.’”
The key was Political Justice going what proved a meet-best 3 for 3: two races for $4,000 claiming and then when in for the $40,000 claiming price in an allowance/optional-claiming race. Caldwell put the horse in the race to give it enough entries to be used for his other horse, Manhattan Mischief, who broke slowly and finished third.
“When we won a race and got to three or four races, I started looking and thought, ‘This is legitimately a good shot,’” Jennings said of the title. “I knew we had a couple of live horses. Then when we pulled off a stunner with an allowance win with a $4,000 claimer, that pretty solidified it. I knew we were in good shape then. I’ll tell you, in the last three or four years, that’s the most shocking win I’ve ever had.”
Jennings, a physician from Granbury, Texas, near Fort Worth, was at Ellis Park for the first time.
“As an owner, being in Kentucky for the first time, being at this meet for the first time, I can’t ask for more,” he said. “It’s been awesome.”
Of being at a track with soybeans, corn and pumpkins in its infield, he said:
“It’s different, but I like it. It’s very homey. It’s different from Churchill and some of those tracks. Hey, when you win an owner’s title, this is a great place to be. This is my favorite track in the world right now.”
Lanerie leads in wins, seconds, thirds, mounts, money
Besides 35 wins, Lanerie led the meet with 27 seconds and 20 thirds in a meet-high 146 mounts, as well as purse earnings of $764,631. Court’s 27 victories this year would have won the title last year, when Lanerie topped the standings at 26.
“It’s great. Winning races and winning titles never gets old. No matter where you’re at, you like to be winning,” Lanerie said. “This colony has gotten tougher and tougher over the years. To still walk away with the most wins, it’s a pretty special feeling.
“It’s great with all the fans here,” he said, adding of the large crowds on the meet’s last two days, “Especially on days like today and yesterday, it’s good to win and be leading rider here. It’s a fun meet here, and the quality of horses have really seemed to have gotten good here this year. Hopefully we can find a Derby horse or an Oaks horse that passes through here. They’ve done it before. So they’re out here for sure.”
In fact, while Lanerie did not ride Lookin At Lee when that Asmussen-trained colt won a maiden race and the Ellis Park Juvenile last summer, he was in the saddle when Lee was second in the Kentucky Derby.
“Lookin At Lee ran through here, got his seasoning here and went on to be a really good horse,” Lanerie said. “So they’re here. We just have to try to get on them.”
1...4,6864,6874,688...7,260Page 4,687 of 7,260