Know the Law for a Safe and Legal Fourth of July

06/28/2017

The Fourth of July is fast approaching and many area residents are stocking up on bottle rockets, sparklers and firecrackers. We’ve summarized Indiana’s Fireworks Laws below so that you can stay safe and legal this Independence Day.

Indiana Code 22-11-14-6 allows you to discharge fireworks on your property until 11 PM. On a legal holiday (which by statute includes every Sunday) you may discharge fireworks up until midnight.

You may only discharge fireworks on your own property, on property that you have permission to use, or at a special discharge location authorized by the fire department having jurisdiction. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have an adult present in order to possess or use fireworks.

Discharging or possessing fireworks in violation of IC 22-11-14-6 is punishable a Class C Infraction. Damaging another personâ€™s property with fireworks is punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor. Causing serious injury to another person with fireworks is punishable as a Level 6 Felony. Under IC 35-45-3-2 a person who places or leaves a spent firework on the property of another person commits Littering as a Class B Infraction.

Vanderburgh County Code 12.24.010(u) prohibits the possession or discharge of fireworks within a county maintained park. The City of Evansville further restricts the use of fireworks within the corporate limits. The Evansville Municipal Code regulating fireworks may be found here.

Sheriff Dave Wedding explained, “Even though the law permits the discharge of fireworks on any day of the year, intentionally annoying to your neighbors during the work week could result in a citation for disorderly conduct.” Sheriff Wedding added, “Our office wants everyone to have a great time this Fourth of July, we just ask that residents be courteous to their neighbors and exercise a little common sense.”

Fireworks complaints in the county have been on a downward trend in recent years. The Sheriff’s Office received only thirty-eight (38) complaints last summer, compared to forty-three (43) in 2015, sixty-four (64) in 2014 and seventy-one (71) during the summer of 2013.

Residents should call 911 to report the unsafe or illegal use of fireworks, but are asked to refrain from calling 911 to report fireworks use that is in compliance with the law.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Ruling In Travel Ban Leaves Myriad Questions Unanswered

06/28/2017

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Ruling In Travel Ban Leaves Myriad Questions Unanswered

IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to partially reinstate President Donald Trump’s temporary travel ban has left the effort to keep some foreigners out of the United States in a murky middle ground, with unanswered questions and possibly more litigation ahead.

The justices ruled Monday in an unsigned opinion they would hold a full hearing on the case in October. In the meantime, the administration can bar travelers from six majority-Muslim countries from the U.S. if they don’t have a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship” with someone or some entity in the country.

It’s unclear what will ultimately constitute a “bona fide relationship,” though the ruling suggested that an American job, school enrollment or a close relative could meet that threshold. Equally unclear is how many foreigners will be affected from the six countries: Syria, Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Libya and Somalia.

The ruling was seen as at least a partial victory for Trump in the biggest court case of his presidency. Trump claims the temporary ban is needed to prevent terrorist attacks. Opponents reject that and argue it’s a backdoor way to bar Muslims from entering the United States, as Trump promised in his campaign.

The early indications are that the administration will use the decision to take a tough line on travelers from those countries. A senior U.S. official familiar with the situation said the Trump administration has plans in place to relaunch the stalled ban and tourists will be among those kept out.

Under these plans, largely orchestrated by White House adviser Stephen Miller, tourists from those countries and any academics, lecturers or others invited to speak or make presentations in the U.S. will be barred. Those groups are regarded as unable to show a substantial and pre-existing tie to a person or institution in the United States. The official who described the plans was not authorized to discuss them publicly by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

But barring a lecturer already set to speak could cause legal trouble for the government. The Supreme Court opinion specifically said people who accepted a job offer with an American company or “a lecturer invited to address an American audience” could prove a “bona fide relationship.”

But some immigration lawyers and advocates said relatively few people would fall under the ban because these travelers tend to have sufficient relationships with people or institutions in the United States.

Jamal Abdi, policy director for the National Iranian American Council, said most Iranians who visit the United States have relatives here or are coming to work or study. He said his group has no idea how the administration plans to judge family relationships and a hard line could mean a significant number of Iranians will be kept out the country for the time being.

It could also mean more lawsuits if advocates for immigrants believe the administration is going beyond the Supreme Court’s guidelines in barring visitors to the United States.

Like the fate of would-be tourists and scholars, the immediate future for refugees is murky.

In its opinion, the court partially reinstated Trump’s temporary prohibition on refugees from any country, using criteria similar to that used in the travel ban. The effect on refugees could be greater because they are less likely to have family, school or business relationships in the United States.

Lavinia Limon, CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, said she was dismayed by the ruling, but insisted that her agency has “an existing relationship with incoming refugees, certified and arranged through the Department of State.”

“Travel plans are in process, beds have been made and staff around the country plan to meet new Americans at the airports today, tomorrow and in the coming weeks and months,” Limon said.

Trump’s initial travel ban caused panic and chaos at airports around the world in late January as it took effect immediately after being signed. Refugees, legal U.S. residents and visa holders were turned back at airports or barred from boarding U.S.-bound planes. A federal court blocked it about a week later.

There may be less confusion as the ban is partially reinstated. The administration has revised its travel ban to exclude legal residents and visa holders. Also, the government said last week the ban would go into effect 72 hours after the Supreme Court ruling â€” which would be Thursday morning in Washington.

Adopt A Pet

06/28/2017

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Colt is a beautiful male black & white tuxedo! Heâ€™s 1 Â½ years old. He was surrendered with the name â€œDiablo,â€ but that absolutely doesnâ€™t suit him because heâ€™s a very sweet boy who gets along w/ other cats. He needed a sweeter name! His $30 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for details!

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Air Quality Forecast

06/28/2017

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Air quality forecasts for Evansville and Vanderburgh County are providedÂ as a public service.Â They are best estimates ofÂ predicted pollution levels that can be used as a guide so people can modify their activities and reduce their exposure to air quality conditionsÂ thatÂ may affect their health.Â The forecasts are routinely made available at least a day in advance, and are posted by 10:30 AM Evansville time on Monday (for Tuesday through Thursday) and Thursday (for Friday through Monday).Â When atmospheric conditions are uncertain or favorÂ pollution levels above theÂ National Ambient Air Quality Standards, forecasts are made on a daily basis.

Ozone forecasts are available from mid-April through September 30^th.Â Fine particulate (PM2.5) forecasts are available year round.

	Tuesday June 27	Wednesday June 28	Thursday June 29	Friday June 30	Saturday July 1
Fine Particulate (0-23Â CST avg) Air Quality Index	Good	Good	Good	Good	NA*
Ozone Air Quality Index	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Good	NA*
Ozone (peak 8-hr avg) (expected)	NA*	NA*	NA*	NA*	NA*

* Not Available and/or Conditions Uncertain.

Air Quality Action Days

Ozone AlertsÂ are issued by the Evansville EPA when maximum ozone readings averaged over a period ofÂ eight hours are forecasted to reachÂ 71 parts per billion (ppb), or unhealthy for sensitive groups on the USEPA Air Quality Index scale.

Particulate AlertsÂ are issued by the Evansville EPA when PM2.5 readings averagedÂ over the period of midnight to midnight are forecasted to reach 35Â micrograms per meter cubed (Âµg/m³).

Current conditions ofÂ OZONE andÂ FINE PARTICULATE MATTER are available in near real-time on the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s website.

National and regional maps of current conditionsÂ are available through USEPA AIRNow.

Third Year Recognized as Top Performing Attraction in Reviews by Travelers on the Worldâ€™s Largest Travel Site

06/28/2017

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Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science today announced that, for the third year in a row, it has received a TripAdvisorÂ® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its seventh year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.

â€œWe are very pleased and excited to be awarded, once again, with a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor for 2017,â€ said Bryan Knicely, Executive Director at the Evansville Museum. â€œWe thank our many patrons for giving us this vote of approval as we continue to strive to be more patron- and community-focused.â€

The Certificate of Excellence takes into consideration the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Scott Pierce and his GP-55 Grand Prix Hydroplane to Appear at A1 Power Equipment in Newburgh

06/28/2017

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The GP-55 owned by Seattleâ€™s Scott Pierce will be the first Grand Prix World Hydroplane to visit the Tri-State on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm CDT at A1 Power Equipment in Newburgh, Indiana.

Scott Pierce began racing unlimited class hydroplanes in Evansville in 1983 and won the 1991 event driving Miss Budweiser.Â A hard charger and personable fan favorite, he will sign autographs, take photos, and looks forward to talking with his fans and friends.

Pierce, his driver Jamie Nilsen, his crew, and his boat are making the trek from Seattle, Washington to Madison, Indiana for this weekendâ€™s Madison Regatta in Madison, Indiana on the Ohio River.Â They will then cross America for other races before returning to Indiana for 2017 Evansville HydroFestâ„¢ on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda

06/28/2017

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AGENDA

Vanderburgh County

Board of Commissioners

June 27, 2017

3:00 pm, Room 301

Call to Order
Attendance
Pledge of Allegiance
Action Items
1. Final Reading Ordinance CO.04-17-008: Amending County Subdivision Code
2. First Reading of Ordinance Co-07-17-012: Adopting a Conflict of Interest Policy
3. Resolution CO.R-06-17-013: Amending the Plan for the Phoenix Commerce Center Economic Development Area
4. Resolution CO.R-06-17-015 Issuance of Bonds of the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission and Related Matters
5. Resolution CO.R-06-17-014: Title VI Nondiscrimination Implementation Plan
Department Head Reports
New Business
Old Business
Public Comment
Consent Items
1. Contracts, Agreements and Leases
  1. County Health Department:
    1. Alere Cholestech LDX System Placement Agreement
    2. WIC Advertising Contract with the Evansville Courier & Press
    3. Memorandum of Understanding between University of Southern Indiana and the County Health Department providing Nursing Student Clinical Programs
    4. Memorandum of Understanding for Back to School Blitz with ECHO Community Healthcare, St. Vincentâ€™s & EVSC
  2. County Commissioners: Agreement for Services with United Neighborhoods of Evansville
  3. County Engineering: ArcGIS Maintenance Software Agreement with E.S.R.I
2. Approval of June 13, 2017 Meeting Minutes
3. Employment Changes
4. County Highway: Underground Tank Removal and Installation
5. Superintendent of County Buildings: HVAC Repair Quotes
6. Commissioners:Â Notice of Sale of County Property to Abutting Property Owners
7. IBAP Gatekeeper: May 2017 Report
8. Weights and Measures: May 16-June 15, 2017 Monthly Report
9. County Treasurer: May 2017 Monthly Report
10. Sheriffâ€™s Office: Surplus Request for Three Vehicles
11. County Engineering:
  1. Department Head Report
  2. Pay Request # 27 US 41 Expansion T.I.F. for the sum of $6,085.02
  3. Waiver of Mineral Interest Form for Green River Road Phase 6- Parcel 19
12. The Arc of Evansville: February, March, April & May 2017 Report of Activities
Adjournment

EPD has made an arrest in connection to the overnight shooting that left one person injured on Evansville’s north side.

06/27/2017

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At approximately midnight on 6/27/2017 EPD Officers received a 911 call stating that a victim had a gun shot wound to the head. EPD Officers and Detectives arrived to a local hospital and interviewed the victim, who’s injuries are non life threatening. The victim was able to tell Officers that the original scene was in the area of Louisiana St/ N Main St. Officers then, given a description, were able to locate a home in the 1100 block of N Main St. to conduct an investigation. According to witnesses on scene the victim was driving in the area and made comments to the suspect TIAS STEWART, 18, and then continued to circle the area in her vehicle. Stewart then fired at least one shot that resulted into a head injury for the victim. Officers were given permission to check the home for weapons and found a gun. Stewart was arrested for his involvement.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

06/27/2017

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

JUNE 27, 2017 ‘IS IT TRUE”

06/27/2017

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IS IT TRUE we wonder why officials at Henderson Methodist Hospital and officials of a Evansville Hospital are discussing issue of economic concerns? …if members of the local main stream media would had attended last weeks Board of Directors meeting of Henderson Methodist Hospital they would know the answer to this question? Â …if you read tomorrows IS IT TRUE you just might get a better idea of what we are talking about?…this is a developing story?

IS IT TRUE that the fireworks were poised to light up the Evansville City Council meeting last night with a host of controversial issues all coming to a head in the beginning of what promises to be a long hot summer?…A request to move $100,000 in local income taxes into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund was voted down 5-4 by City Council after the people of Evansville had spoken their piece against favoritism when it comes to reduced rent in taxpayer subsidized housing?…it is beginning to dawn on the people of Evansville and 5 members of the City Council that the time for lavish handouts is over and the time for responsible financial management is long overdue?…the elected officials in favor of the subsidies to those deemed to be special and deserving were Jonathan Weaver, D-At-Large; Connie Robinson, D-4th Ward; Jim Brinkmeyer, D-6th Ward; Dan Adams, D-At-Large and Republican Mayor Lloyd Winnecke?…this one may come back to haunt a few of these elected officials when it comes time to run again?

IS IT TRUE the City Council has also voted to allow pot bellied pigs as pets in the city limits?…we are wondering what will be allowed next since there are already homes in the city limits with cows, chickens, and at least one donkey?…we are looking forward to hearing a member of the city council bray like a donkey to approve East Side Jack as a household pet? Â …if Council President Missy Mosby would spend more time on things like how to stop run away deficit spending instead of a Â “pot bellied pigs” issue we wouldn’t be in such a financial mess?

IS IT TRUE the truth has finally been acknowledged about the city employees hospitalization fund being insufficiently funded?…some folks would use the term “looted” to describe what has happened to the money that should have been set aside for employee health benefits?…TheÂ cityâ€™s hospitalization fund, from which city employee health insurance claims are paid, has a negative balance of $4.02 million while the general fund balance is $424,000 leaving a shortfall of $3.6 million if the general fund is completely depleted?…City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr. has finally owned up to this ridiculous situation?…fun and games on borrowed money has taken priority over real life in Evansville, Indiana and the band keeps playing on? Â …the City of Evansville is now facing a major cash flow problem? Â …we wonder when members of the mainstream media are going to report this?

IS IT TRUE that the police and fire unions for the City of Evansville are apparently so fed up with the way the city is being mis-managed that they have ceased communication with the Winnecke Administration?…all we can say is that the obsession with fun, games, and the downtown have distorted the sense of reality in Evansville to the point of ridiculousness?

Â IS IT TRUE we continue to stick by our 2016 predictions that the City of Evansville has major financial problems? Â …we predict that this coming budget hearings will be the beginning of the undoing of Mayor Winnecke’s tax and spend away of doing business?

IS IT TRUEÂ that every time the Evansville DMD Director speaks in public his know it all attitude is becoming a serious liability for the Winnecke Administration? Â …a great example is how he snubbed Rev Steve Ary during last nights Council meeting when Rev Ary was asking some pointed questions about the North main street design problems?

Â Todays â€œREADERS POLLâ€ question is: If the election were held today for Republican nomination for Mayor of Evansville who would you vote for?

EDITORS FOOTNOTES: Â If you would like to advertise or submit and article in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com .

Any comments posted in thisÂ columnÂ do not represent the views orÂ opinions of our advertisers.