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IS IT TRUE SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

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IS IT TRUE that the ISTEP scores for 2017 are out and overall the performance of local schools hasn’t changed dramatically from 2016?…the sole exception to that neutral trend is among the lowest performing schools which have dropped significantly?…there are seven schools that has passing grades of under 35% of those who took the tests?…those low performers are Caze, Cedar Hall, Dexter, Evans, Lodge, McGary and the Glenwood Leadership Academy?…there is a geographic similarity between theses schools and that is they are all in the south, southeast, and Jacobsville areas of Evansville?…if you want to find high performance look to the north or east because both of the high performing schools are their?…in Vanderburgh County the high performing schools were Scott and Oak Hill while anything feeding into Castle also performs very well?

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Council recently voted to raise the County Wheel Tax by a 5-2 vote? … the five Council members that voted for the County Wheel Tax increase were all Republicans?  …the two County Council members that voted NO to raise the County Wheel Tax were Democrats?  …we thought that Democrats were tax and spend types and the Republicans were conservatives?

IS IT TRUE that the Republican primary candidate for the 8th District Congressional seat, Dr. Richard Moss (R) of Jasper recently stated that “Larry Bucshon has become a typical DC politician”. “He has taken pages from Richard Lugar’s and Evan Bayh’s playbooks by moving his family to Washington”. “He doesn’t even live in the community he represents”. “Instead, he hangs around Washington insiders and lobbyists and has forgotten what the voters in Indiana sent him to do.”  …not owning a family home in the community that he wanted to represent hurt Evans Bayh chances of being re-elected to United States Senate from Indiana?

IS IT TRUE that the last time there were boat races on the Evansville waterfront during the 2009 Freedom Festival a heat wave for three days with temperatures of over 100 degrees spoiled the party and the financial losses were the last draw for Thunder boats?

IS IT TRUE after 8 years of absence Thunder boats were back last weekend and the weather provided another kick in the teeth?…The remnants of Hurricane Harvey created problems all three days for the inaugural HydroFest?…it rained all day on Friday, high wind gusts made the Ohio River dangerous on Saturday and heavy debris filled the river with obstacles on Sunday?

IS IT TRUE HydroFest officials have stated that sponsorships have deleveraged the HydroFest from dependence on $10 wrist band sales? …because of the bad weather the attendance could had been well under 20,000 over the course of three days event?

IS IT TRUE because of bad weather the value of future sponsorships may have taken a real hit?  we have been told that it is highly probable given the disappointing attendance that wrist bands may have brought in less than $100,000?

IS IT TRUE that 2017 HydroFest committee did an outstanding job in promoting this most worthily sporting/community event?  …we urge the current sponsors and members of our community to support next years HydroFest event because of the social, sporting and economic impact on our community?

Todays READERS POLL question is:  Do you feel that members of Evansville City Council are withholding financial information from the general public concerning the proposed 2018 City 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.
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EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any reader’s comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers.

CHANNEL 44 NEWS: ISTEP Scores Released for Spring 2017

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ISTEP Scores Released for Spring 2017

 Indiana education officials will be releasing the overall results from the ISTEP standardized exams given last spring to nearly 500,000 students. The passing rates on the ISTEP exams are also being discussed at the Board of Education Meeting Wednesday.

Students scores dropped for the 2016 tests, with 51.6% of students in third and eighth grades, passing both the English and Math sections. That passing rate was down nearly two percentage points from the Spring 2015 exams.

Hoosier students will be taking the ISTEP exam for the final time next spring as the state is switching to a new test named ILEARN for the 2019 exams.

Details on the new test are still being worked out. Some critics worry it won’t be much different than ISTEP.

To see area school scores, visit ISTEP Scores

Prosecutor Spells Out Concerns To Legislative Commission Following Criminal Code Reform

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Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nicholas Hermann, representing the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, updated the Courts and Criminal Code Interim Study Commission on the impact of the criminal code reform at the Indiana Statehouse, Wednesday.

While prosecutors across the state of Indiana are seeing sharp increases in felony charges compared to 2010*, Prosecutor Hermann described the need for harsher penalties, more treatment services for those in the grips of addiction, and more funding sources for overcrowded jails across Indiana.

“When we talk about the difference between a prison and a jail, I think that’s a distinction, that’s getting blurred right now,” Hermann explained when describing the overcrowded conditions at a number of correctional facilities across Indiana.

“A prison is somewhere people are supposed to go when they are serving a sentence.  A prison is a place where people are supposed to go that are convicted of a crime.  A jail is a pre-trial detention facility.  That is for people who are awaiting trial, who are a threat to society.”

Hermann described to the committee that the job of a prosecutor is to prevent crime, while simultaneously getting help for the people who can turn their lives around.  But reduction of penalties for crimes across the board, provide less incentives for those arrested to take advantage of drug treatment and mental health programs.

“The public shouldn’t have to live in fear.  The public should know that people committing crimes, will go behind bars.  People shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of their families,” explained Hermann.

He discussed a number of disturbing trends in Indiana: “Crime rates are up, CHINS – Children in Need of Services – cases are up, overdose deaths are up, child fatalities are up, prisons are full, jails are full, recidivism is up and we live in a state where you’re more likely to die of a drug overdose than a motor vehicle accident.”

*Information provided by Indiana Trial Court Statistics.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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

Debra Ellen Cash: Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)

William S. Burchfield: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), False informing (Class B misdemeanor)

Bobbye G. Childers: Residential entry (Level 6 Felony)

Tarron Lamont Givens: Dealing in methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor)

Taylor Lee Meriweather: Auto theft (Level 6 Felony)

Traci Lynn Rhodes: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession or use of a legend drug (Level 6 Felony)

Kyndal Lynn Smith: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Clyde Franklin Wells: Child molesting (Level C Felony)

Willie James Bryant: Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license of life (Level 5 Felony)

Jacob E. Nunley: Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a dependent (Level 6 Felony), Driving while suspended (Class A misdemeanor), Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more (Class C misdemeanor)

Jerry Lamar Robinson: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony)

Daniel Ray Bailey: Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life (Level 5 Felony)

Damion Thomas Floyd: Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license of life (Level 5 Felony)

Daniel Allen Lawrence: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), Criminal recklessness (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)

Christina Marie Smith: Unlawful possession or use of a legend drug (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Emory Vandunk: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Scotty Allen Smith: Unlawful possession or use of a legend drug (Level 6 Felony)

Laura A. Morgan: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Ashley Smith: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)

Daniel R. Morris: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)

Travis Walker Phelps: Attempted murder (Level 1 Felony), Attempted murder (Level 1 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

Jones, Cecil Earn First GLVC Runner Of The Week Honors

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University of Southern Indiana senior James Cecil (Owensboro, Kentucky) and junior Hope Jones (Cumberland, Indiana) have been named the first Great Lakes Valley Conference Runners of the Week for their efforts at the Appalachian State Covered Bridge Open last Friday.

Cecil paced the Eagles for the first time in his career, covering the rain-soaked 8,000-meter course in 26 minutes, 13.94 seconds. That was good enough for a fourth-place finish in a field that included multiple NCAA Division I runners.

As a team, the Eagles finished second of 11 teams with 47 points, just four back of Division I Florida State.

Jones also paced USI for the first time in her career, topping a handful of Division I runners to place fourth with a time of 17 minutes, 56.68 seconds on the 5,000-meter course. USI was third of 12 teams with 74 points, trailing only Division I schools Florida State and Appalachian State.

This was the first GLVC Runner of the Week award for both runners.

USI returns to the course September 16 when they host the Stegemoller Classic at Angel Mounds.

Evansville Evens FLDS Behind Etsell’s Pitching

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Ryan Etsell gave up an unearned run, helping the Evansville Otters beat the Schaumburg Boomers 4-3 in the Frontier League Division Series Wednesday at Bosse Field.
The best-of-five series is now tied at 1-1 with Game 3 in Schaumburg set for Friday.
Etsell struck out five batters in his seven inning outing and he was able to work around five walks.
After two scoreless innings, Ryan Long gave the Otters a 1-0 lead with a solo home run. Later in the frame, Alejandro Segovia’s RBI single extended the Evansville advantage to 2-0.
Evansville would double the lead in the fifth when Long led off with a walk and Kolten Yamaguchi followed with a two-run home run to push the lead to 4-0.
The Boomers pulled to within three in the seventh when Sean Godfrey scored on Kyle Ruchim’s RBI single, making the score 4-1.
In the ninth, Rock Shoulders hit a two-run home run off Evansville’s Randy McCurry with two outs, bringing the Boomers to within one at 4-3. However, McCurry was able to get John Holland to ground out to shortstop to preserve the win.
Kit Fowler took the loss for Schaumburg, pitching 4 1/3 innings while giving up four earned runs off four hits. He struck out two batters and walked four.
McCurry earned the save for Evansville after giving up three runs—two earned—in the ninth. Connor Little pitched a scoreless eighth and struck out two.
Yamaguchi finished 1 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs for the Otters. Long was 1 for 2 with two runs and an RBI.
Ruchim was 2 for 3 in the loss for the Boomers.
Kagen Hopkins will start for Schaumburg in Game 3 Friday. Hopkins was 9-5 in the regular season for the Boomers with a 4.19 ERA.
Felix Baez will get the start for the Otters. He went 5-4 in the regular season in 15 starts with a 3.69 ERA.
The series shifts north to Schaumburg for Games 3-5. Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (Saturday) in Schaumburg will start at 6:35 p.m. while a potential Game 5 (Sunday) will begin at 5:05 p.m.
Lucas Corley will handle radio duties on WUEV all three games at Boomers Stadium this weekend.

Wagering on Ellis Park’s Landmark Meet Tops $38 Million

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‘We think this was our best race meet probably in my 11 years. And I think it’s just going to get better and better’– Ellis Park owner Ron Geary
HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, September 4, 2017) — Ellis Park topped last year’s benchmark meet with an even better one, with total wagering on the 31-date session that ended Monday up 15 percent over 2016.
Now management already is thinking how to improve for 2018.
“We had quality racing. We had a whole bunch of great trainers bring their horses here. We had a great jockey colony, and we had some exciting races,” said Ron Geary, Ellis’ president and majority owner. “Our purse money was up over the previous year. The result is that we think this was our best race meet probably in my 11 years. And I think it’s just going to get better and better.”
A record $38,380,549 was wagered on Ellis Park, both on-track and from off-track and online outlets. Even with the Aug. 6 card called off after three races and last Sunday’s cancelation after a single race because of inclement weather, that’s up 18 percent over the $32,537,417 bet on Ellis’ racing product in 2016.
Betting elsewhere in Kentucky, out of state and through online outlets was extremely strong on Ellis’ races, up 20 percent: $33,560,195 this year vs. $27,872,292 a year ago. On-track wagering on live racing totaled $4,820,354 vs. $4,665,125.
The one number showing a decrease was in simulcast wagering at Ellis on other tracks, totaling $3,543,065. The 8-percent decline is attributable to Kentucky tracks not taking California, Gulfstream and Monmouth Park for several weeks after the company handling their simulcasting signal raised their rates on average 42 percent right before the Ellis meet began.
Putting on-track simulcasting into the mix, wagering during the meet totaled $41,923,614, up 15 percent over last year’s $36,395,093.
The abbreviated cards make average daily betting a bit deceptive. For the 31 dates for which at least one race was held, betting on Ellis (on and off-track) averaged $1,238,082. Factoring out Aug. 6 and last Sunday, betting on Ellis for the 29 complete cards averaged $1.3 million.
Field sizes remained very solid with an average of 8.2 starters per race for 256 races in spite of extreme competition for horses in the region during the summer. That’s up slightly from the 8.0 average in 2016 for 259 races.
Purses paid out totaled $6,223,300 million, or about $214,000 per complete card, up about $15,000 a day. The average purse paid out was $24,0310, up about $2,000 per race.
Dan Bork, Ellis Park’s racing secretary the past 11 years, called it “one of the best summers I think in the history of this track, for sure.
“The fans are phenomenal. That’s what it’s built on. The fans in this area are very supportive of this track. They come out every weekend, and it’s been building every year, getting stronger and stronger.
“Our purse structure is now at the point where we can compete with most of the bigger tracks in the country. There’s always room for improvement. No matter how good we think we’re doing, we’re not even close to where we should be. Our purse structure is great, but we could do a lot better. We’ve got a good stakes schedule. It needs to improve there, too. We’re already looking forward to a year from now.”
The cancelations aside, the meet largely enjoyed terrific weather. The public responded in droves, including this past Sunday’s jam-packed crowd for Kids Day and the weekly Value Day featuring reduced prices on select concessions.
Ellis Park does not charge attendance and therefore doesn’t have official turnstile counts. However, using other indicators, Sunday’s crowd was estimated at more than 8,000, easily the largest in years and with 5,000 considered a sizable assembly. Management acknowledged the massive influx created operational challenges that will be dissected and corrected.
“We sit down after the meet and diagnose what we did and how we can do better,” Geary said. “And what maybe the fans want more. That’s why I think we had such great programming this year, that brought out a bunch of people who haven’t been here in a while. We will learn from anything we need to improve on, and we will do that next year and do it better.”
Jockey Corey Lanerie needed to improve on his 26 victories en route to last year’s riding crown to get his fourth Ellis title, 35-27 over Jon Court. Trainer Steve Asmussen, the 2016 meet leader, and 2015 champ Brad Cox duked it out all meet, with Asmussen prevailing 18-17 for his second title. Asmussen had the numbers, but Cox took the marquee races with three stakes victories: the Ellis Park Turf (Inveniam Viam), Grade 3 Groupie Doll (Tiger Moth) and Ellis Park Debutante (Kelly’s Humor).
Mongo Racing, a partnership of trainer J.R. Caldwell and Ruston Jennings, earned its first owner’s title with six victories out of only 14 starts.
The hallmark of Ellis has become its 2-year-old program, which has gone from being one of racing’s best-kept secrets to national recognition. The form of Ellis Park Juvenile winner Dak Attack was flattered when the horse he beat in winning a Churchill Downs maiden race, Sporting Chance, won Monday’s Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga.
Last year, 2-year-olds who raced at Ellis Park went on to finish second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Bork thinks there are horses in the 2017 crop that could go one step better.
“The quality of 2-year-olds I saw is as good as last year, if not better,” Bork said. “I think a lot of the Kentucky guys left their best horses here instead of taking them up to Saratoga. I think we’ll see some Grade 1 horses come out of our races this summer, for sure.”
John Hancock agrees. He’s the third-generation trainer, horse owner and lifelong Henderson resident regarded as the mayor of the Ellis Park backside, chief cheerleader and unofficial track historian.
“Last year we all were quoted as saying that would be the meet of all meets, that it would stamp Ellis Park and move it forward,” said Hancock, who is on the board of the Kentucky division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association that represents owners and trainers at the commonwealth’s tracks. “I actually believe this meet here was way better than we had last year, with the quality of horses that were here. Even the 2-year-old of Ian Wilkes that ran Sunday (debut winner Dreamer’s Point), down the line he’s going to be somebody. This meet might have been above and beyond last year. This meet was a monster.
“We had the meet last year; we built off it. We had some meetings in the offseason to get things done. They all improved. Now we go into the off-season this year and get things ready for next year. It will be here before we know it.”
Ellis Park doesn’t go dormant once live racing concludes. The track remains open seven days a week for simulcast wagering and its Historical Horse Racing gaming operation. New this year is the Pumpkinfest and Corn Maze in the infield, Sept. 16-Oct. 31.
Ellis Park’s 2017 meet by the numbers
Total racing dates: 31 (includes abbreviated cards Aug. 6 and Sept. 1)
Total wagering (including on-track simulcasting): $41,923,614
Total wagering off track on Ellis: $33,560,195
Total on-track wagering on Ellis: $4,820,354
Total on-track simulcasting during meet: $3,543,065
Total races: 256
Total purses: $6,223,300
Average number of starters per race: 8.2

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Outsourced Payroll Processing Associate for CPA Firm
Harding Shymanski & Company, PSC – Evansville, IN
Prepare federal and various state payroll tax filings for assigned clients. Established in 1975, Harding Shymanski & Company, PSC has offices in Evansville, IN…
Manager-in-Training (Assistant Manager)
Eastland Mall 5 reviews – Evansville, IN
$915 a week
Assistant Managers are required to relocate at the end of their training program in order to become a General Manager of their own store….
USI- PT IT Assistant/ Unit Clerical
Sodexo Inc. 8,592 reviews – Evansville, IN
Answers telephone, conveys messages and runs errands. Opens and routes incoming mail, answers correspondence and prepares outgoing mail….
Full Time Teller
Heritage Federal Credit Union 13 reviews – Evansville, IN
Tellers are responsible for excellent member service, conducting financial transactions on member accounts and accounting for all cash and instruments assigned….
Receptionist
Service Corporation International 220 reviews – Evansville, IN
Administrative Support Customer Service Receives incoming telephone calls and assist callers with any questions or comments;…
Loader / Unloader – 2nd Shift
Cintas 1,538 reviews – Evansville, IN
A valid driver’s license, preferred. To support our aggressive growth plans, we offer unique opportunities, including advancement, ongoing training, mentoring…
Warehouse Worker
Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC – Evansville, IN
$11 an hour
Required license or certification:. Valid driver’s license. Safe driving/excellent driving record:. Moving trucks on company property (CDL B required)….
Apartment Cleaner
Coba Investment Group, LLC – Evansville, IN
$10 – $11 an hour
This is a part time job cleaning vacated units. Includes appliances, floors, windows, bathrooms, etc. Cleaning equiptment will be responsibility of applicant
Leasing Consultant
AMP Residential 3 reviews – Evansville, IN
Valid Driver’s License. The right candidate will be attentive to details and will work cooperatively with the property operations staff to provide an…
Marketing Assistant
Garvin Business Center – Evansville, IN
Looking for an internet savvy, marketing assistant with social media experience. This is a position that is perfect for a college student or experienced…
Youth Care Worker (2nd shift Tues/Weds off)
Hillcrest Youth Services, Inc. – Evansville, IN
Must be 21 years old with a high school diploma or GED and must be able to pass a criminal background check, urine drug screen, possess a valid driver’s license…
Resource Development Assistant
Ivy Tech 470 reviews – Evansville, IN
Associates Degree in Administrative Office Technology, Accounting or other business related field or equivalent work experience in the development/fundraising…
Part Time Merchandiser / Stocker (Evening)
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated 480 reviews – Evansville, IN
Valid driver’s license for your state of residency (Motor Vehicle Report will be reviewed). Consolidated (CCBCC), the largest independent bottler in the US, is…
FT- Customer Service Specialist
German American Bancorp – Evansville, IN
Provides quality customer service by greeting customers, ascertaining needs, processing deposit and loan transactions, solving routine problems, and making…
Accounting Specialist
OneMain 777 reviews – Evansville, IN
1-2 years or experience working in accounting or other business related field. Detailed research and analysis of account balances and transactions….
Team Members FULL/ Part time $8.00-11.00
Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill – Evansville, IN
$8 – $11 an hour
With Salsarita’s, you can count on quality leadership that knows how to train and develop employees while offering top of the market pay, benefits, and career…
Administrative Assistant
Hazex Construction – Henderson, KY
Administrative Assistant: Correspondence Accounts Receivable Job Costing Invoicing Answering Phone Filing Process Bid Paperwork Job Type: Full
Route Coordinator
Professional Transportation, Inc. 51 reviews – Evansville, IN
Keep in contact with State Manager(s) about issues throughout the day and work with the State Manager to resolve problems….
Resource Development Assistant
Ivy Tech Community College 470 reviews – Evansville, IN
Associates Degree in Administrative Office Technology, Accounting or other business related field or equivalent work experience in the development/fundraising…
Patient Registration Representative – St Vincent Evansville
R1 RCM 235 reviews – Evansville, IN
Experience working in a healthcare environment Completed a Medical Terminology class Certification in healthcare access preferred….
Optical Associate
U.S. Vision, Inc. – Evansville, IN
The optical associate completes paperwork and computer data entries as necessary to place and process orders and perform some technical operations such as…
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Medical Billing Consultants 4 reviews – Evansville, IN
AAPC – CPC or RHIT certification OR one year medical billing or health insurance experience with ability to obtain CPC certification within 12 months….
Route Service Sales Representative – Uniform (4 day) – CMV
Cintas 1,538 reviews – Evansville, IN
Have an active driver’s license. Obtain a DOT medical certification. To support our aggressive growth plans, we offer unique opportunities, including…
Customer Service Supervisor
Aetna 2,357 reviews – Evansville, IN
Maintains a visible presence and is available to staff to answer questions, monitor calls and give ongoing feedback….
Quality Control Consumer Loan Specialist
Heritage Federal Credit Union 13 reviews – Newburgh, IN
Ability to operate related computer applications and business equipment including adding machine, fax machine, ATM, copy machine, and telephone….
Class B Delivery Driver
Farm Boy Food Service – Evansville, IN
Required license or certification:. Class B Delivery Driver positions now open! Local food service distributor is now hiring qualified Class B delivery drivers…
General Laborers
C&K Industrial Services, Inc. – Evansville, IN
Valid driver’s license required. No phone calls please. The individual in this role will be required to perform labor activities at customer sites, lift up to…
Dietary Aide
Cardon & Associates 36 reviews – Evansville, IN
As a Dietary Server, you will be responsible for providing attentive, timely, and courteous dining room service to residents and their guests at meals in the…
nights & weekends perfect after school job
Once Upon A Child 380 reviews – Evansville, IN
We offer flexible schedule, great employee discount & awesome co-workers. Looking to hire one person….
Youth Outreach Specialist
Matthew 25 AIDS Services – Henderson, KY
This position will also implement social media platforms for youth outreach and connection. The YOS will accomplish this goal by using a variety of outreach…

Adopt A Pet

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Bella is a 6-year-old female solid gray cat. She could possibly be a Russian Blue mix? Bella is housetrained, gets along with other cats, and mostly affectionate towards people. She’s soft-spoken and has been waiting on a home for several months. Her adoption fee is $30 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or visit www.vhslifesaver.org for details!

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