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Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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

Indiana Can Help Nationally To Fight Opioid Addiction

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Indiana Can Help Nationally To Fight Opioid Addiction

What great news that President Trump has committed national attention to the problem of opioid addiction.

His commitment supports what we all appreciate has been a critical issue for some time. As an article in Thursday’s New York Times explains – “About as many Americans are expected to die this year of drug overdoses as died in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.” (‘Opioids, a Mass Killer We’re Meeting With a Shrug’ by Nicolas Kristof, New York Time, June 22, 2017,

A friend recently sent me the article and it immediately brought back fine memories of the accomplishments of the former Attorney General, Greg Zoeller, his team and the State legislature in advancing the cause to decrease opioid use by Hoosiers.

Attorney General Zoeller and his administrative team assembled medical and mental health professionals, educators, legislators, victims and law enforcement to study and make recommendations. They then took the most important step. Zoeller’s team effectively worked to push those recommendations into policy and legislation.

Some of the legislative and policy focus areas I remember included promoting the use of Narcan by first responders, reducing the incidence of babies born dependent on drugs (NAS), decreasing excessive long term use of Methodone in addiction treatment, and encouraging best practices in treatment while those serving sentences are still incarcerated.

The AG’s office made a real difference.

The icing on the cake came when then Governor Mike Pence established his own task force to deal with the issue. Some saw it as “Johnny-come-lately” but many of us saw it as “Atta boy, Governor”. With his endorsement he raised the discussion to a new level in Indiana.

It is just that kind of involvement I am counting on in his relationship with the President.

In fact, I hope more than anything that the Vice President is whispering in the ear of the President now about how successfully Indiana has been addressing the issues. And then, I’m hoping the President directs his pick to head up his task force, Governor Chris Cristie, to take a trip to Indiana.

The author of the same article wrote, “… it’s bizarre that Republicans should be complacent about opioids, because the toll is disproportionately in red states — and it affects everyone.”

Well, Governor Cristi, I see that as an open invitation to come to Indiana!

The present Attorney General, Curtis Hill,jr is again prioritizing the fight against drug addiction. With some of the same team members from Zoeller’s adiministration still on board, I know the chances for continued success are great. I am sure they can help Gov Christie jump start the President’s task force and quicken the whole process of making sweeping changes in national policy and legislation.

It is past time to help reduce these terrible statistics and offer those affected and their families a new start in life.

Well, that’s the view from someone who used to be involved on the inside and now looks at issues from the view outside.

IS IT TRUE JUNE 23, 2017

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IS IT TRUE one of the shortcomings of downtown Evansville has been and continues to be the fact that there is no grocery store even close to the residential units that are in the area?…there have been some attempts in the past by local investors like Wesselmans and the Sunshine Market that were on the edge of the downtown but couldn’t get enough traction to survive?…there was recently an attempt at a small grocery section by Stratman’s Pharmacy that was a long time downtown business that did their best to make groceries available to downtown residents?…instead of prospering Stratman’s Pharmacy made the decision to cease downtown operations leaving the downtown with no grocery and no pharmacy?…the reality is that the number of customers who are required to keep such businesses profitable just don’t live near the downtown?

IS IT TRUE an investigation was done with urging from Mayor Winnecke to learn what it would take to attract a Trader Joe’s to downtown Evansville in 2008?…the gap in required numbers was staggering?…Trader Joe’s at the time was looking for 50,000 people within a 10 mile radius that had an average income of over $70,000 per year?…until criteria requirements like this are relaxed substantially the idea of getting a Trader Joe’s will continue to be a laughing matter?…all of the new grocery stores from the Aldi Markets to Schnuck’s for the last three decades have been located where there are large blocks of affluence and population?…the horizon for downtown Evansville to attract any grocery that uses demographic criteria is most likely a lifetime or two away?…the numbers required are just not possible without some very high density residential towers full of upper middle class people?

IS IT TRUE there is another issue with the building stock in downtown Evansville that makes it difficult to make a profit in any business that competes for dollars with businesses located in new buildings in the population zones?…the age of the buildings and the primitive state of the electrical and insulation systems make the utility bills exorbitant in downtown Evansville?…when a service provider has a $1,000+ utility bill tries to compete with someone in the burbs who has a $150 bill the playing field is not level and often the difference cannot be made up for in pricing and volume?…until something is done to equalize the cost of doing business in downtown Evansville smart businesses will stay away and starry eyed downtown supporters who believe the hype with try and eventually learn the hard way about empty promises?

IS IT TRUE that the Downtown Market grocery store located on Lincoln Ave. owned and operated by Memorial Community Development Corp. closed their doors without fanfare? …that competition from the big grocery stores chains and neighborhood convenience stores created to much competition for Downtown Market to make a profit? …the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development funneled about $450,000 plus of Community Development Block Grant funds to help fund the Downtown Market grocery store project for Memorial Community Development Corp.?
IS IT TRUE we recall just days before the 2015 City election ended Mayor Winnecke, City Council members, Rev Adrian Brooks of Memorial Baptist Church and many other political movers and shakers of the 4th Ward attended the ribbon-cutting event for the Downtown Market project?  …the timing and the reason of this ribbon cutting events was obvious?  …once again Evansville DMD has funded another questionable business venture without proper vetting?  …we wonder when the local taxpayers will make a public call for the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development to be audited by an outside entity?
IS IT TRUE that the Director of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development should do a bit more than shrug his shoulders and accept the price increases associated with the elementary but expensive error that was made in designing the width of the North Main Street improvement project?…there are ways to leverage the insurance and bonding that the construction company(s) must have been required to have to get this job?..if relief for this idiotic oversight is not sought we can assume that the stupid mistake was an inside job?…in that case maybe the city should sue its own insurance company for the failures of staff?  …we also feel that this project should be audited by an outside entity?
 Todays “READERS POLL” question is: Do you feel that its time for the City of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development to be audited by an outside accounting firm?
EDITORS FOOTNOTES:  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 this column doesn’t represents the views or opinions of our advertisers.

Indiana Supreme Court Affirmed The Admission Of A Gun

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Indiana Supreme Court Affirmed The Admission Of A Gun

Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

In a decision reaffirming the notion that the doctrine of res gestae is defunct and is not grounds for admission of evidence, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed the admission of a gun and resulting convictions in a joint Lake County resisting law enforcement and battery trial for two defendants.

After Reginald Harris refused to leave his girlfriend Summer Snow’s property, Snow called police and officer Terry Peck arrived on the scene. Peck asked Harris to get out of Snow’s car, where he had been sitting, but Harris refused, resulting in a scuffle.

During the scuffle, Harris pulled Peck into the car and began hitting him, with Snow encouraging him to beat the officer up. Peck eventually handcuffed Harris and advised Snow that if she did not stop shouting at him and go inside, she would be taken to jail for disorderly conduct.

Snow entered her home but soon returned, and a second scuffle ensued between her and Peck. The officer restrained Snow, and while he was handcuffing her, felt something hit his knee and boot and land on the ground. It was later discovered the object he felt was a gun.

Snow was charged with two counts of Level 5 felony battery against a public safety officer and one count each of Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement and Class B misdemeanor disorderly conduct. For his part, Harris was charged with Level 5 felony battery against a public safety officer and Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement.

Neither defendant was charged with a gun-related offense, and they each filed a motion in limine to stop the state from referring to the gun at their joint trial. The defendants argued because Peck learned of the gun after arresting Snow, the state was speculating about the gun’s relevance, and the danger of unfair prejudice outweighed any probative value. The state, however, said Snow may have gone into her house to get the gun, making it relevant to show “some sort of aggression.”

The Lake Superior Court denied the motion in limine, then allowed the admittance of the gun as evidence during trial over the objection of their joint counsel. Snow was found guilty of Level 5 felony battery against a public safety official and one count of Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement, while Harris was found guilty as charged.

A divided Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the admission of the gun and their convictions, finding the weapon “explained the circumstances and context of the extended verbal and physical altercations between Snow and Officer Peck.” Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik dissented, writing the majority had affirmed the trial court under res gestae grounds for admissibility.

Counsel for Snow and Harris made a similar argument during oral arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court in April, warning the case could allow the concept of res gestae to be reintroduced into the Indiana judiciary. But in a Thursday opinion, Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote the concept of res gestae remains defunct and the admission of the gun in this situation was permissible under Indiana’s Rules of Evidence.

The chief justice also said the court disapproved of the “inextricably bound up” standard, a concept similar to res gestae, and disagreed with the state’s reliance on that standard. Similarly, the court rejected the Court of Appeals’ reasoning that the gun was admissible because it explained the “circumstances and context” of the crimes.

Rush then went on to write the trial court was within its discretion to conclude Snow’s gun tended to demonstrate an aggressive state of mind, writing the evidence allowed for the inference that Snow “could have fetched the gun while she was in her house…and that it could have emboldened her aggression.” Further, the trial court instructed the jury about when a handgun is lawfully or unlawfully carried, Rush said, so the prejudice of the gun was not outweighed by its probative value.

The high court reached the same conclusion in Harris’ case, and further rejected his argument that the gun prejudiced his right to a fair trial because it was not relevant to his charges. Harris waived that argument by raising it for the first time during oral arguments, Rush said, and also by not moving for a separate trial or request a limiting instruction.

The cases are Summer Snow v. State of Indiana, 45S03-1703-CR-169, and Reginald Harris v. State of Indiana, 45S03-1703-CR-172.

Castellano, Smith, Velazquez Nominated for ESPY as Best Jockey

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Leading riders Javier Castellano, Mike Smith, and John Velazquez have been nominated for the 2017 ESPY Award as Best Jockey, the cable sports television and online network announced today. The 25th ESPY Awards will be presented on July 12 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., and will be televised live on ABC.

Fans will have a chance to select the winners by voting online or via mobile at this link.  Fans can also follow the official ESPYS Twitter page and provide their selections leading up to the awards show. On the day of the show, fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #ESPYS to join in on the conversation.

Castellano currently ranks third in 2017 North American earnings (which also include Dubai earnings) with nearly $11.8 million through June 21, and is ranked eighth in wins with 112. Last year, he ranked first in earnings with over $26.8 million, and fourth in wins with 300. Last month, he rode Cloud Computing to a win in the Preakness Stakes. Castellano has received four consecutive Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Jockey, and will be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame later this summer.

Smith currently ranks first in 2017 earnings with over $13.3 million. The bulk of those earnings come from Arrogate, whom Smith rode to wins in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January and the Dubai World Cup in March. “Big Money Mike” has accumulated 36 wins to date in 2017, and won five stakes races on the June 10 Belmont Stakes card in New York, including the Ogden Phipps Stakes with champion Songbird, another one of his regular mounts. Last year, Smith earned over $13.3 million. Smith has won two Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Jockey, in 1993 and 1994.

Velazquez, like Smith a member of the Racing Hall of Fame, has 2017 earnings of nearly $8.7 million through June 21. He won his second Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands in May aboard Always Dreaming, and has won 86 races so far this year. Last year, Velazquez earned nearly $18.6 million aboard his mounts, good for fourth among North American jockeys. He won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey in 2004 and 2005.

The ESPYS benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research in memory of the late college basketball coach and analyst Jim Valvano.

Holcomb Statement on Anthem and MDwise Leaving Obamacare Marketplace

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INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement regarding Anthem and MDwise plans to leave the Obamacare marketplace in Indiana:

“We’ve been informed that Anthem and MDwise plan to leave the Obamacare marketplace in Indiana. Hoosiers served by these providers under the federal marketplace will keep their coverage through the end of the year, and this action does not apply to those who are insured through their employers or are members of HIP 2.0, Medicaid or Medicare.

“We’ll know the full extent of the issues with the Obamacare marketplace tomorrow when all provider rates are published, but this is more evidence that the current federal system isn’t working. Indiana is one of many states where Obamacare is failing to provide citizens options to affordable, quality healthcare.

“This underscores the need for reform, and Indiana is poised to lead the way if given the flexibility and time to tailor the best solutions.”

Holcomb Statement on U.S. Senate Health Care Bill

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INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement regarding the Senate health care bill unveiled today:

“We will thoroughly examine the language in the U.S. Senate’s health care bill, and we’ll be thoughtful in our analysis of how it may affect Indiana’s programs and citizens—as well as the opportunities it may provide for us to better meet the needs of Hoosiers.

“This week, we learned two health care providers will exit the federal marketplace. Indiana isn’t alone; insurers are pulling out of Obamacare in states across the country. This underscores the need for reform, and Indiana is poised to lead the way if given the flexibility and time to tailor the best solutions to meet the needs of our people.”

LEADERSHIP EVANSVILLE RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AWARD FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

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Leadership Evansville today announced that it has received the Excellence in Innovation Award from the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) for its VOICE community visioning and change initiative.  Lynn Miller Pease, Chief Executive Officer for Leadership Evansville, will accept the award this Friday evening, June 23, 2017, at the Association of Leadership Programs 2017 National Conference, June 22-24, 2017 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Miller-Pease also will lead the conference workshop session “Transformation Through Connection and Collaboration” on Friday.

Leadership Evansville’s VOICE initiative earned the Excellence in Innovation Award for “demonstrating a community-wide process to bring together all members of our community in facilitator-led group discussions to capture, draw out, and carry forward a broad range of ideas and visions for Evansville’s future.”

Leadership Evansville Launched the VOICE initiative in 2012 in partnership with the City of Evansville Mayor’s Office and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. It’s community visioning sessions enabled participants to have inspiring conversations about their hopes and dreams for our community. VOICE ensured that everyone’s ideas were shared, documented, and made available to the public on a special VOICE website. Over 3,000 people took part in the 32 initial visioning sessions across the community at different times and in neutral locations that enabled it to hear from a diverse population.

Commenting on the award, Leadership Evansville CEO Lynn Miller-Pease said, “We are thrilled to receive this national recognition from ALP!  What an incredible honor for LE – and Evansville – to be recognized for the VOICE initiative, and especially during 2017. This year, Leadership Evansville is celebrating our 40th Anniversary of bringing together diverse servant leaders transforming our community!”

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke – who partnered with Leadership Evansville to launch VOICE in 2012 – offered his congratulations to Leadership Evansville: “Knowing the transformative impact VOICE has had on the strong momentum building in Evansville, it is a tremendous honor to see this initiative receive national recognition from the Association of Leadership Programs this week. I am excited to see the many positive outcomes that the next phase of VOICE will generate here in Evansville and across our neighboring Tri-State communities.”

Now Leadership Evansville is laying out plans to take VOICE to the next level in 2017 by initiating the process to implement VOICE in five counties – Vanderburgh, Posey, Gibson and Warrick, Indiana; and Henderson, Kentucky. This effort will include visioning and strategic action on a large scale, with everyone visioning their preferred future for the region!

Previous Awards for VOICE

Leadership Evansville’s VOICE initiative has been previously recognized for its innovation and impact by two Indiana organizations.   In 2015, AIM (formerly the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns) named Evansville’s VOICE initiative the recipient of its Community Achievement Award for transformational impact at the regional level.  In August 2015, the Indiana Leadership Association (ILA) named Leadership Evansville the recipient of its 2015 Excellence in Innovation Award.

Community Impact

Since 2012, VOICE-inspired servant-leader-led projects have made a phenomenal impact on the community, including:

  • ParksFest, a popular volunteer-led free outdoor music and arts festival attracting over 15,000 people ;
  • Franklin Street Bazaar, the weekly Spring-through-Fall outdoor farmers market extravaganza with arts and crafts, entertainment, and food;
  • Bryce’s Basket, the community-wide gleaning process to collect locally-grown garden produce (over 900 lbs.) and distribute it to those in need.

In addition, organizations and agencies throughout the region have used VOICE visions and information to shape their long-term planning, goal-setting, and strategies, ensuring that our citizens’ hopes and dreams for the community have real impact today and into the future. Examples include the Regional Cities Initiative, Promise Zone Grant Proposal, METS Transportation Study, Downtown Master Plan, Evansville-area Trails Coalition Bike Share Program, and Evansville’s process to secure the IU Medical School in downtown Evansville, to name a few.

About Association of Leadership Programs (ALP):

ALP is a national organization that strives to recognize excellence, foster innovation, share best practices, build networks with colleagues, and provide educational training and development to advance the effectiveness of community leadership programs and professionals.

About Leadership Evansville

Leadership Evansville was founded in 1976 by a group of future-thinking local leaders, whose original commitment to community-wide betterment remains unique and strong. Leadership Evansville brings together people with different talents, gifts and perspectives and transforms these individuals into leaders who embrace the concept of community trusteeship and the collaborative process.  They help develop in them an understanding of how today’s leaders function and teaches them the skills to apply this knowledge in provided real life opportunities through practice and performance. These attitudes, skills and processes are taught to adults, youth, organizations, not-for-profits, businesses, educational institutions, neighborhood associations, churches, and other leadership programs.

Total Eclipse of the Arts, Events, And More!

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Join us to launch Art in the City!
Join us at the Arts Council to help us kick off our members-only exhibit, Art in the City! The exhibit features more than 50 different local artists whose pieces span a wide range of mediums — all showcasing the amazing talent right here in the Evansville area!
Opening Reception:
Friday, June 23
5:30 p.m.
Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, 318 Main St., Evansville
EAT IN THE CITY
EAT AND HELP ARTSWIN FRIDAY!
Don’t forget! Friday, June 23 also is Eat in the City, when nine local establishments will donate 5% of their dinnertime sales to the Arts Council! Make reservations now to eat out tomorrow at Angelo’s, Arazu on Main, The Dapper Pig, Evansville Brewhouse, Gangnam Korean BBQ, Lamasco Bar and Grill, Peephole Bar and Grill, River City, and Sauced!
2017 ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Total Eclipse of the Arts, our 2017 Arts Council awards ceremony, is coming up in August! This high-profile, annual event honors individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made a significant contribution to local arts. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring this event or a table at the event, please contact us at 812-422-2111 or jennifer.young@artswin.org to find the right sponsorship level to fit your needs!
ARTS COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS/GROUP!
A business/organization membership to the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is a great way to show your support of local arts and receive benefits for your group as well! Benefits at this level include: arts/cultural events or announcements listed in e-newsletter; art-based job/internship postings listed in e-newsletter; recognition in gallery and on website; first-entry fees waived for up to five employee submissions; opportunity to include information in Arts Council gallery; and waived security fee for rental of gallery space.

Experience Some Real, Authentic, Japanese Food At Crazy Sake

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Experience Some Real, Authentic, Japanese Food At Crazy Sake

by Bryan Fox 

Wanna get a chance to experience some real, authentic, Japanese food but reside in SW Indiana? Look no further than Crazy Sake, located on Evansville’s east side.

Crazy Sake provides customers with a variety of Japanese dishes and dining experiences. While most establishments offer the same kind of styles to its customers, Crazy Sake offers you 3 different ways you can enjoy your dine-out. One of these options include the Western tradition of dining at a sit-down table or booth. Crazy Sake, like most Japanese restaurants, gives its customers the chance to watch the chefs cook their meals in front of them on the grill as another dining option. However, what most Japanese restaurants don’t offer, at least not in this country, is the full fledged Japanese dining experience. While most of us have seen this in the movies, we probably have never gone to a restaurant where we can take off our shoes and sit on the floor ala traditional Japanese. Crazy Sake offers this. You actually wouldn’t sit on the floor as it’s raise off the ground but it gives you that same feel.

Crazy Sake also has a private room reserved for birthday parties and other special occasions. In this room you once again are given the option of eating in the traditional Western sense or sitting on the floor to enjoy your meal.

Crazy Sake offers a variety of dishes. This includes “All You Can Eat Appetizers and Sushi” as indicated on the front window pane. Other popular items on the list include: crispy calamari, crab angel, sake don, and seaweed salad. Menu items that are highly recommended are the BBQ Squid and Gyoza. The BBQ Squid gives you the same sense as eating wings except not as messy and the Gyoza is comparable to soft pork.

Crazy Sake has been opened for a year. It’s located at 5720 Virginia St in Evansville. If you want a real Japanese dining experience, Crazy Sake is your place. It won’t disappoint.

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