| Friday, August 18th |
Golf Scramble | 12:00 PM | State Representative Ryan Hatfield Golf Scramble
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| Wednesday, August 30th |
Meeting | 6:00 PM | Vanderburgh County Democrat Club Meeting
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| Friday, September 8th |
Golf Scramble | 1:00 PM | Evansville Labor Temple Golf Scramble
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| Wednesday, September 27th |
Meeting | 6:00 PM | Vanderburgh County Democrat Club Meeting
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| Friday, September 29th |
Golf Scramble | 8:00 AM | Commissioner’s Cup Golf Scramble for Ben Shoulders for County Commissioner
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| Wednesday, October 25th |
Meeting | 6:00 PM | Vanderburgh County Democrat Club Meeting
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| Wednesday, November 29th |
Meeting | 6:00 PM | Vanderburgh County Democrat Club Meeting
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| Wednesday, December 27th |
Meeting | 6:00 PM | Vanderburgh County Democrat Club Meeting
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Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Calendar of Events 7/31/2017
Wrongly Jailed Drug Court Plaintiffs Lose In Federal Court
Wrongly Jailed Drug Court Plaintiffs Lose In Federal Court
Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com
Plaintiffs who were jailed for months without due process in a southern Indiana drug court will take nothing in their federal lawsuit against drug court staff members and county sheriff who they say were responsible for violating their constitutional rights, a judge has ruled.
Abuses in the Clark County Drug Treatment Court were so bad that the program was suspended and the former judge who led it, Jerry Jacobi, agreed to never again seek judicial office. More than 60 people whose charges were diverted to drug court were detained more than 72 hours without due process. On average, those participants spent 52 days behind bars without being advised of their right to counsel and in some cases before ever seeing a judge.
The drug court abuses made international headlines in 2014 when prosecutors discovered that lead plaintiff Destiny Hoffman, then 34, had been jailed 154 days after being sentenced to 48 hours’ detention for submitting a diluted drug screen. Hoffman and others sued Jacobi and other officials responsible for the drug court program.
Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker last week ruled in favor of the state defendants on the plaintiffs’ alleged violations of their Fourth and 14th Amendment rights, granting summary judgment on 20 of 21 plaintiffs’ claims. The 42-page order allows only one claim to proceed — plaintiff Jesse Hash’s complaint against Sheriff Danny Rodden alleging wrongful detention may go forward because Hash was not a participant in the drug court program.
Barker had previously dismissed claims for declaratory and injunctive relief against Jacobi due to his resignation from office, as well as other claims against the state actors in their official capacities that became moot when the drug court ceased operations.
Barker ruled last week in the case involving the drug court employees that because Jacobi was removed from office and the drug court program suspended, plaintiffs who were wrongly jailed have no claim, despite showing their constitutional rights were violated.
“(W)e acknowledge Plaintiffs’ pervasive, palpable frustration in waging this legal assault, which feeling arises out of their inability to overcome the central obstacle to their success, that is, the fact that the primary tortfeasor responsible for their constitutional deprivations was Clark Circuit Court Judge Jerome Jacobi acting in his role as the presiding judge of the Drug Treatment Court,†Barker wrote in ruling against the plaintiffs in Hoffman, et al. v. Jacobi, et al., 4:14-cv-00012.
“In the course of our analysis and rulings on the various motions advanced in this litigation, we have found that the official-capacity claims against Judge Jacobi and his staff cannot support an award of monetary damages to Plaintiffs because those claims actually are suits against the State of Indiana. Likewise, we have held that neither Judge Jacobi’s staff, the Clark County Board of Commissioners, nor the Clark County Sheriff can be held liable for the policies, procedures, and actions taken and implemented by Judge Jacobi.
“We are far from unsympathetic to the situations in which Plaintiffs found themselves. Their detentions were in very many instances excessive, arbitrary, unwarranted and unjust. Nonetheless, our decisions here are grounded in the law’s deep-rooted respect for the sovereignty of the States and the independence of the judiciary. These doctrines of immunity predate even our Constitution and have been enjoyed by sovereigns and judges for centuries as safeguards against the erosion of certain governmental powers and the capacity of such institutions to perform the duties entrusted to them … even when claims establish a violation of the Constitution.
“Ordinarily, (plaintiffs) would not be entirely without a remedy,†Barker wrote. “In appropriate cases, state actors, including judges, may be subject to suit for prospective injunctive relief to enjoin their future unconstitutional practices from being committed in their official capacities. … This avenue of relief typically is available to a person confined by a state who seeks to challenge the fact or duration of his confinement. Here, however, such remedies are not available because, following the reports of due process violations to the Indiana Judicial Center, the (drug treatment court) was decertified, the remaining participants were allowed to complete the Program under the guidance of Chief Judge (Vicki) Carmichael, Judge Jacobi was removed from office (along with several members of his staff), and the operations of the problem-solving court officially ended in June 2015.â€
Clark County’s drug court was later re-established under Carmichael’s administration.
Attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants in this case did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Monday.
Rep. Messer Invites Local Job Seekers to Annual Job Fair Thursday in Lawrenceburg
Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) invites local job seekers to join him at the 6th Congressional District Job Fair on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Ivy Tech Community College in Lawrenceburg.
Local employers looking to hire will be at Ivy Tech’s Lawrenceburg campus from 1:30-4 p.m. All members of the public are invited to attend. U.S. military veterans are encouraged to come early at 1 p.m.
“This year’s job fair should be another great event, with many area employers recruiting workers for high quality, good-paying jobs,†Messer said. “We invite anyone looking for a job or new career to join us, and see what the Lawrenceburg community has to offer.â€
Nearly 50 local employers spanning several industries are registered to attend the job fair. Interested employers can register here. Members of the public wishing to attend the job fair do not need to register in advance.
WHAT:
6th Congressional District Job Fair
WHEN:
Thursday, August 3, 2017, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. (1-1:30 is for veterans only)
WHERE:
Ivy Tech Community College
50 Walnut St.
Lawrenceburg, IN
Air Quality Forecast
Air quality forecasts for Evansville and Vanderburgh County are provided as a public service. They are best estimates of predicted pollution levels that can be used as a guide so people can modify their activities and reduce their exposure to air quality conditions that may affect their health. 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). When atmospheric conditions are uncertain or favor pollution levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, forecasts are made on a daily basis.
Ozone forecasts are available from mid-April through September 30th. Fine particulate (PM2.5) forecasts are available year round.
| Monday
July 31 |
Tuesday August 1 |
Wednesday August 2 |
Thursday August 3 |
Friday August 4 |
|
| Fine Particulate (0-23Â CST avg) Air Quality Index |
Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Ozone Air Quality Index |
Moderate | Moderate | Good | Good | Good |
| Ozone (peak 8-hr avg) (expected) |
NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* |
* Not Available and/or Conditions Uncertain.
Air Quality Action Days
Ozone Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when maximum ozone readings averaged over a period of eight hours are forecasted to reach 71 parts per billion (ppb), or unhealthy for sensitive groups on the USEPA Air Quality Index scale.
Particulate Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when PM2.5 readings averaged over the period of midnight to midnight are forecasted to reach 35 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3).
Current conditions of OZONE and FINE PARTICULATE MATTER are available in near real-time on the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s website.
National and regional maps of current conditions are available through USEPA AIRNow.
This Week at USI
Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 6
New Harmony Theatre closes 2017 season with Souvenir
New Harmony Theatre will finish its 30th season with Souvenir by Stephen Temperley. Â The play runs July 28-30 and August 4-6 at the Murphy Auditorium in historic New Harmony, Indiana. Souvenir tells the real-life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, an opera singer of the 1930’s and 40’s who enjoyed the backing of her own money to finance her public performances. With little connection to reality and even less to pitch, she was determined to present herself as a gifted performing artist to an astounded public Single tickets are $30 for an adult, $28 for seniors age 60+, $10 for ages 25 and under, and $24 for USI employees. Season package tickets are also available. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday nights, 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit USI.edu/nht or call the box office at 812-465-1668. Read More
Exhibit open through Sunday, September 10
Art exhibition to feature collegiate art faculties from across the Tri-State
The University of Southern Indiana McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries will display 100 Miles: Art by Regional Collegiate Art Faculties through September 10, 2017. A closing reception for the participating artists and designers will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 10. The reception is free and open to the public. Read More
Thursday, August 10 and Friday, August 11
10th annual MAIA aims to shatter aging stereotypes
Dr. Bill Thomas, touted as one of America’s “top 10 innovators†by the Wall Street Journal, will be the opening keynote speaker for the 10th annual Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness (MAIA), planned for August 10 and 11, 2017, at the University of Southern Indiana. This year’s MAIA, sponsored by USI and SWIRCA & More, also has a slate of new concurrent speakers and topics related to healthy aging, plus a few familiar faces that are returning by popular demand to celebrate our 10th annual conference. This conference appeals to health care and social service professionals, health care administrators, clinicians, older adults or retirees, family members providing care for a loved one, students and anyone who wants to learn tips for leading a healthier life. Read More
Thursday, August 10
Twelfth annual Day on the Bus event scheduled for August 10
On August 10, 2017, 50 faculty and staff members from the University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville and Ivy Tech Community College will spend a day on a coach bus for USI’s Day on the Bus. The annual event gives participants an opportunity to learn about workforce trends in the region while visiting selected organizations in the Evansville area. Additionally, the event provides connections between participants, but also promotes long-lasting collaboration throughout the surrounding area. Sponsored by Old National Bank and USI’s Center for Applied Research, this year’s event will have a global presence, focusing on local businesses who have partnerships worldwide. Destinations include Berry Global, Traylor Brothers and Accuride, with lunch provided by Traylor Brothers. Read More
Thursday, August 17
Fall 2017 Welcome Week and start of 2017-18 academic year
Move in for new USI housing residents will open at 9 a.m. Thursday, August 17 with check-in at the Physical Activities Center. Returning residents can begin moving in at 9 a.m. Friday, August 18 with check in at the Housing and Residence Life Office. A full list of Welcome Week activities can be found at USI.edu/welcomeweek. The first day of classes for the fall 2017 semester is Monday, August 21.
11 a.m Monday, August 21
Solar eclipse viewing party to be held on Quad
The USI Geology and Physics Department will hold a viewing party for the near total solar eclipse at 11 a.m. Monday, August 21 in the Quad on USI’s campus. The event will be free of charge and open to the public. Attendees will be able to view the eclipse through specially-equipped telescopes, and safety glasses will be handed out as they are available. For more information about USI’s party, please contact Dr. Matt Merlo at mjmerlo@usi.edu. To speak with an expert member of USI’s faculty about the eclipse for news stories, contact Ben Luttrull at bluttrull@usi.edu or 812-461-5259.
Registration open now; March to be held Saturday, November 4
Registration now open for 16th annual Norwegian Foot March
The 16th annual Norwegian Foot March will take participants 18.6 miles through the rolling hills of Evansville’s west side. Carrying a 25-pound rucksack, participants will begin and end at the University of Southern Indiana, working to make it back to the finish line in under four and a half hours. It’s an experience unlike any other, happening Saturday, November 4, 2017. Registration is currently open for the 16th annual Norwegian Foot March. ROTC cadets, Soldiers and veterans, as well as civilians, may register individually or as part of a four-member team. Registration can be completed online or by calling USI Outreach and Engagement at 812-464-1989. Read More
Adopt A Pet
Toby is a 5-year-old female brown tabby with a bum back leg. Yes, a female Toby! Her leg will not need amputation, and it doesn’t affect her overall health. She gets around just fine, and doesn’t mind living with other cats! Her $30 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
August TCB Tuesdays
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Boomers sweep season series against Evansville
The Evansville Otters could not solve Schaumburg Sunday as the Boomers beat the Otters 9-3 in front of 2,226 at Bosse Field to complete a season sweep of Evansville.
The Schaumburg offense picked up where it left off from Saturday’s win, scoring three runs in the first inning.
Sean Godfrey hit a two-run RBI single to left to give the Boomers a 2-0 advantage and a passed ball allowed the Schaumburg lead to grow to 3-0.
Evansville answered with two runs in the bottom half as Jeff Gardner’s RBI single scored Josh Allen and John Schultz’s RBI ground out brought Dane Phillips home, making the score 3-2.
An RBI ground out by Andrew Brodbeck made it a 4-2 Boomers lead in the second.
The Otters made it a one-run game again in the third as Brandon Soat delivered an RBI single, scoring Schultz.
From there, the Boomers gradually pulled away.
Capitalizing with a small-ball approach, Brodbeck recorded a second RBI in the fourth with a fielder’s choice to give Schaumburg a 5-3 advantage.
In the fifth, Schaumburg took advantage of a defensive miscue by the Otters.
Godfrey and Ryan O’Malley reached base with back-to-back singles before a Phillips’ throwing error allowed both runners to score, increasing the Schaumburg lead to 7-3.
The Boomers added two more runs in the seventh.
Luc Rennie was handed the loss in the series finale after surrendering seven runs-four earned-in five innings. He allowed five hits and six walks while striking out five.
Michael Wood earned the win in relief for the Boomers. He allowed two walks and a hit in four innings out of the bullpen.
Starting Tuesday, Evansville begins a six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Normal Cornbelters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from The Corn Crib in Normal, Ill.
Fans can listen live to all road games on 91.5 FM WUEV. Lucas Corley (play-by-play) will provide coverage.
Evansville returns home to Bosse Field on Aug. 8 to open a series against the Florence Freedom, the first game of a six-game homestand.
Tickets for August home games are still available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686.