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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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

Tasha Kay Adams: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)

Melissa Marie Davis: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

Leslie A. Walker: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

James D. Hendricks Jr.: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Auto theft (Level 6 Felony), Receiving stolen auto parts (Level 6 Felony)

USI President Linda L. M. Bennett announces retirement

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After nine years as president and 15 with the University of Southern Indiana in total, Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett has announced plans to retire effective June 30, 2018.

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve this great institution,” said Bennett. “The essential strengths of USI are not contained in buildings, though our beautiful campus is a tremendous asset. Those essential strengths are the people of the campus, the power of community and the high quality education our students take with them as they graduate. This December I will be 65, and with that milestone, I believe it is a good time to think about the next chapter of my life. The University of Southern Indiana is well-positioned for a transition, and this is the right time.”

The USI Board of Trustees will announce plans this fall for a national search for USI’s next president.

“It has been my good fortune to have worked with each of the three presidents of this University, all have exemplified outstanding qualities necessary to captain a ship such as ours,” remarked Harold Calloway, chair of USI’s Board of Trustees. “Dr. Bennett, without exception, has proven to be a transformative leader who was the right person at the right time for our institution, and we will certainly miss her intellect, caring personality, wit, and love and respect for the institution. The Board of Trustees will work to select a leader that will continue the legacy of Dr. Bennett and all of her predecessors.”

Bennett became USI’s third president in July 2009, after serving as USI’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs from 2003 until her inauguration. In addition to serving as president, she is a professor of political science and has taught courses in Introduction to American Politics for USI students.

In her first year as president, she led the effort to establish the University’s first strategic plan. This plan included an intentional effort to raise the University’s academic standards, admitting students most likely to succeed at a four-year university.

In the area of academic programming, she coordinated the self-study, which led to the approval of USI’s first doctoral program—Doctor of Nursing Practice—by the Higher Learning Commission. She also oversaw the expansion of the Bachelor of Science in engineering degree program with the addition of Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The manufacturing engineering degree was the first of its kind in the state and one of only around 20 such programs in the country. Additionally, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) has recently expanded to be available both on campus and in an entirely online format with areas of concentration that include accounting, data analytics, engineering management, healthcare administration and human resource management.

During her tenure, the University continued to see monumental growth with the addition of numerous building projects, including the Business and Engineering Center, Performance Center, Lenny and Anne Dowhie Ceramics Center, Applied Engineering Center, Griffin Center, renovation of the University Center and the USI-Burdette Trail, as well as the start of construction on the Physical Activities Center expansion and renovation, and the Fuquay Welcome Center.

In 2015, she launched the University’s second strategic plan, which will continue through 2020. Also under Bennett’s leadership, enhanced admission processes have been implemented and the University’s brand and image have seen updates and increased visibility across the region. Additionally, the USI Foundation led a successful Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence, a $50 million capital campaign that exceeded its goal at its conclusion in 2016.

During her time as president, Bennett has led initiatives at USI focused on enrollment and retention management, outreach and engagement, faculty development, the retention of intellectual capital, accreditation renewal, and long-range planning.

In the broader higher education community, she has served with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the national organization representing public institutions, as an advocate for qualitative and quantitative comparisons of campus environments and degree-granting practices nationwide. She has been an evaluator for regional accreditation of institutions and a voice for accreditation standards nationwide. She is a leader of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference Council of Presidents, past chair of the Indiana Campus Compact Board and has been a member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Executive Committee. Bennett has been a strong advocate in strengthening the relationship with Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) in support of nationally recognized best practice in technology transfer from the Department of Defense.

An active civic leader, Bennett has contributed to a variety of organizations such as Joshua Academy, Holly’s House, Aurora, Leadership Evansville, the Diversity Lecture Series, Southwest Indiana Network for Education, Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Mesker Park Zoo Planning Committee, Indiana University School of Medicine Advisory Council, Chair of the WNIN Public Broadcasting Board of Directors, Deaconess Health Systems Board of Directors, the Red Cross, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, director of the Welborn Baptist Foundation, the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, the Mayor’s Education Roundtable and the Rotary Club of Evansville. She was recognized as the 2015 Rotary Civic Award winner. In 2016, she received the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award and Trailblazer Award and in 2017 the Boy Scouts of America Buffalo Trace Council Distinguished Citizen Award.

Bennett is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Cincinnati. She came to USI from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where she served from 1999-2003 as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of political science. At Appalachian State, she established a college-wide Diversity Committee to develop strategies for faculty recruitment and retention. She also led the College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Council in statewide friend-and fund-raising efforts, including a capital campaign that raised more than $5 million.

Additional experience in higher education includes Bennett’s service at two other universities. From 1996-99, she was chair of the Department of Political Science and professor of political science at Northern Kentucky University. From 1983-96, she was associated with Wittenberg University. She chaired the Department of Political Science from 1994-96 and rose to the rank of professor in 1996.

Bennett plans to remain in Evansville with her husband, Stephen, and stay actively involved in community service.

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Eight Vehicle Crash Closes I-69 for 4 Hours

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On Monday, August 14, 2017 at approximately 7:07 AM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of I-69 north of Boonville-New Harmony Road upon report of a major traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and multiple vehicles.

On scene investigation and witness statements indicated that a white Frieghtliner tractor trailer had been traveling southbound on I-69 prior to colliding with a line of stopped vehicles in a construction zone. The tractor trailer first collided with a grey 2004 Toyota 4Runner SUV, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in an additional five vehicles being struck. An International tractor trailer, a gold 2014 Chevrolet Captiva SUV, a red 2001 Chevrolet sedan, a red 1998 Dodge Stratus and a maroon 1997 Chrysler Concorde were all involved. An eighth vehicle, a red 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan, was struck by debris.

A total of three (3) drivers were transported to the hospital by ambulance. One driver sustained a head injury and is currently undergoing treatment.

Southbound I-69 was closed for nearly four hours for investigation and clean-up. A quad-copter from the Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency was used to take aerial photographs and video of the scene, which occupied a nearly one-quarter mile stretch of southbound I-69.

Pursuant to state law regarding crashes involving serious bodily injury or death, the drivers of all the vehicles consented to a post-crash blood draw. The cause of the crash remains under investigation pending a full crash reconstruction and toxicology results.

The driver of the white Frieghtliner tractor trailer was identified as Mr. Joel Ramirez, 44, of Louisville, KY.

Pictured above: 2004 Toyota 4Runner struck by the Freightliner.

Pictured above: Crash scene on I-69.

 

 

On Monday, August 14, 2017 at approximately 7:07 AM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of I-69 north of Boonville-New Harmony Road upon report of a major traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and multiple vehicles.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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

Prosecutor Nick Hermann Speaks About Upcoming Public Safety Foundation Rally On August 23, 2017

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Good Legislation: A Product of Good Discussion by Gail Riecken

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Good Legislation: A Product of Good Discussion

by Gail Riecken

This may seem a little tedious but I didn’t know how to access the information below before I was on the legislature. I would be lost without this information now and hope it is helpful to you, too.

Summer is the time our legislature holds Interim Study Committee meetings to discuss issues more in depth than is possible during Session.  These meetings are an opportunity for legislators to learn and exchange ideas and positions but also for you to have input into the discussions.

To learn what is being discussed, go to iga.in.gov/legislative; then go to interim committees; select your topic of interest.

For a complete list of the approved discussion topics:  http://iga.in.gov/documents/27badb77 .

For an up-to-date interim committee calendar:   http://iga.in.gov/static-documents/2/4/2/e/242eba6c/cal_of_meetings.pdf . Check it often. It changes.

These meetings are streamed. Here is a snippet of the exciting discussions that will go on for a couple of months.

On August 23, 1:00 EST the Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services Committee meets.

This committee is scheduled to discuss the INSPECT program and what improvements might be needed.

The program is a data base requiring 24-hour reporting, providing nearly real-time data to practitioners who are required to log in controlled substances a patient has been prescribed and the dispensing pharmacy where the patient obtained them. The goal is to address the problem of prescription drug abuse in Indiana.

Senator Vaneta Becker is on this Interim Committee. She would welcome any comments.

indianasenaterepublicans.com to submit a comment.

It goes without saying we have a drug abuse crisis in the US today and Indiana has not been left out. Opioids and prescription drug abuse has been a topic of legislative action for several years. Just this past session SEA 226 was adopted placing restrictions on the prescribing and dispensing of opioids to seven days with certain exceptions.

On August 30, 10:00 EST the Elections Interim Committee meets.

This committee is scheduled to discuss how “policy changes to Indiana election law have affected voting in Indiana from 2000 through 2016 regarding voter participation and election results.”

Issues such as redistricting, adoption of a computerized statewide voter registration system, affidavit added to state voter registration forms, reduction of absentee voting days and hours, adoption of vote centers, precinct consolidations, elimination of bipartisan boards of voter registration, elimination of satellite voting locations, elimination of Election Day voting locations and photo IDs are mentioned in the law as possible topics.

Representative Ryan Hatfield is on this Interim Committee. He would welcome any comments.

indianahousedemocrats.org

What can I say. I am reallly worried we will see more barriers for qualified voters to get to the polls.

On September 6, 10:00 EST the Government Interim Committee meets. Also, this Committee is already scheduled for October 4, 10:00 EST.

This committee will discuss Food Deserts, an issue promoted passionately by Rep Robin Shackleford. This is a program that addresses the issue of not having access to grocery stores in areas of our state, principally, inner urban areas, but also affecting rural areas of Indiana.

Rep Shackleford is on the Committee and she and Rep Vanessa Summers would welcome any comments.

indianahousedemocrats.org

The problem of healthy food choice opportunities is the core of the issue. Should groceries be incentivized through tax credits or state grants to get them to commit to these areas of concern? Will subsidizing groceries solve the problem? Is this a problem in Evansville? If so, advocates should speak out. This is not the first year there has been legislation to support the idea and representatives/senators need your active advocacy.

Contact a legislator! Hearing from local constituents means there is a better chance of legislation really reflecting our needs in Evansville.

The legislature needs our advocacy. At least that is my view from the outside.

Gail Riecken,

Former State Representative, District 77

WHY WASHINGTON DC IS NOT AS LIVABLE AS PITTSBURGH

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WHY WASHINGTON DC IS NOT AS LIVABLE AS PITTSBURGH

By Tom Purcell

The folks at WalletHub finally got it right.

After using 50 key indicators of attractiveness to compare the 62 largest U.S. cities, you see, WalletHub’s analysts just reported that Pittsburgh, my home town, is the third best city to live in – whereas Washington, D.C., is 31st.

Their findings fly in the face of a handful of other recent livability reports that placed Washington well ahead of “flyover” cities such as Pittsburgh.

In February, for instance, U.S. News & World Report, which bills itself as the “global authority in rankings and consumer advice,” unveiled its “2017 100 Best Places to Live in the USA.” It ranked Washington near the top at No. 4, whereas Pittsburgh was at No. 58.

What a load of bunk.

It’s bunk because Washington isn’t a real city. It’s a giant, smog-filled metro parking lot of a region, propped up by an infusion of my hard-earned tax dollars and lobbying budgets, which fund D.C.’s chief industry: blather and B.S.

You want a real city? Come to Pittsburgh, where real people work in real jobs. Through our brawn and sweat, Pittsburghers mined the coal that fueled this nation and forged the steel that built the country and was central to winning World War II.

Pittsburgh, like dozens of other “flyover” cities,” is superior to Washington across multiple measures.

Take the cost of living. As tax dollars and lobbyist money have flooded Washington, housing costs have soared. If you aren’t making boatloads off government contracts or lobbying dollars, you can’t afford to live there.

But in Pittsburgh, where most people still earn money by working hard to produce something of tangible value, the cost of living is very manageable. You can pick up a nice three-bedroom ranch for under 200 grand – a house that would run you three times that cost in D.C.

Sure, Pittsburgh’s property taxes are among the highest in the nation, relative to our housing values anyhow, but this is a good thing. Our high property taxes and sales tax keep vast amounts of cash within the local region, where it is squandered through patronage and inefficiency. I favor any process that wastes tax dollars at the local level, rather than federal level.

Transportation is a lot more convenient in Pittsburgh. Sure, our roads are bad. In fact, some of our potholes are so large that, after thunderstorms, we’re forced to man them with lifeguards. But have you ever tried getting around in Washington? You can’t pick up a pint of milk at the convenience store without making a Mario Andretti foray onto a six-lane speedway.

We’re told that Washington has lots of wonderful cultural institutions, and that is true. Washington offers the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian and many other wonderful places. It’s amazing what you can do with billions in donations from philanthropic organizations, as well as “donations” from hardworking taxpayers.

In Pittsburgh, we created our cultural institutions the old-fashioned way. Our philanthropists built fortunes on the back of the working man, then used the money to fund wonderful hospitals, universities, the famous Carnegie library system, and lavish arts centers and clubs, so the elite would have places to go during happy hours.

In any event, as WalletHub’s analysts compared affordability, economic conditions, education and health, safety, and quality of life among U.S. cities, it became clear that mid-sized Pittsburgh has charms that trump those available in D.C.

It’s about time somebody finally got one of these annual best-places-to-live surveys right.

Women’s Soccer Tabbed Fourth In MVC Preseason Poll

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The University of Evansville women’s soccer team was picked fourth in a vote by the league’s coaches, it was announced by the Missouri Valley Conference on Monday.

Following a second-place finish in conference regular season play last season, the Purple Aces return six starters and 14 letter winners for the 2017 campaign. UE received 40 points in the preseason poll, just three behind third-place Loyola. Illinois State was selected as the conference favorite, receiving 63 points and seven first-place votes.

The Aces open the regular season on Friday against Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium before wrapping-up the weekend with a home match against UT Martin on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Evansville Law Library Gets A New Librarian

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Evansville Law Library Gets A New Librarian

Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com

Even as legal research materials continue to migrate to online platforms, the Evansville legal community has rallied to save its county law library.

The future of the William H. Miller Law Library, which dates back to the early 1900s, was in doubt after its longtime librarian Helen Reed died unexpectedly in the spring. Data kept by Reed showed lawyers were no longer using the library as they once had but when closure became an option, they advocated to keep the venue open.

Last week, the Vanderburgh Law Library Foundation board assured the facility will continue by hiring Kathleen Weston as the new librarian. Her first day will be Sept. 5.

“I’m very excited to see where this goes,” said foundation board president Yvette LaPlante.

In researching all that Reed had been doing, the board realized the late librarian was providing tremendous assistance to the pro se litigants who were coming to the law library. Weston is expected to continue that role so along with being the librarian, she will also carry the title of pro se coordinator. She will help unrepresented parties find the materials they need and direct them to local attorneys as well as legal aid services who can offer advice and representation.

Pro se coordinators were among the proposals put forth in 2016 by the Indiana State Bar Association’s Future of the Provision of Legal Services Committee. Describing the rise in unrepresented litigants a crisis, the committee recommended coordinators either be attorneys or certified legal interns and be available in the courthouses to help the pro se parties navigate the system.

Weston is not an attorney or a paralegal but she has experience working in student law clinics. From 1998 to 2005, she was the law clinics administrator at William Mitchell College of Law (which has since become Mitchell Hamline School of Law) and from 2005 to 2012, she was the law clinics office administrator at the University of Minnesota.

A native of Evansville, Weston is currently a library assistant at the Willard Library in Evansville and will complete her master of library science degree in 2018.

To determine the future of the law library, the foundation surveyed those who used the library and members of the legal community. Also, it held a public meeting to solicit more feedback.

The foundation board learned the community considered the law library a valuable resource. “I was really surprised at the number of attorneys who said, ‘I don’t use (the library) but we can’t close it,’” LaPlante said. The lawyers view the facility as helping not only the general public but also the legal community.

Through the outreach effort, the foundation board may also have identified some partners for future initiatives. The Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana expressed an interest in holding a monthly clinic at the law library for pro se litigants and the pre-law and political science programs at the University of Southern Indiana want to explore ways they can work with the library.

Funding for the law library will continue to come from the Vanderburgh Circuit Court and the library foundation.

The law library, located in the City-County Courts Building in Evansville, is a non-circulating library with a collection of about 22,000 volumes and another 6,000 volumes on microfiche. Some online resources are also available.

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