Memorial Services are Set for Halee Rathgeber

Memorial services are set for the young woman who was found dead in Warrick County. A public visitation for 20-year-old Halee Rathgeber will be held Sunday, April 30th from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Crossroads Church on Outer Lincoln Avenue in…

Trump White House Reportedly Getting Executive Order Ready To Withdraw From NAFTA

by Matt Vespa

It has not been a good week regarding Canadian-American trade relations. That was the sentiment echoed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. As Katie wrote yesterday, President Trump is asking for a 20 percent tariff on Canadian lumber. It’s no secret that Trump thinks that the North American Free Trade Agreement is a serious problem, one that has hamstrung America’s working class since President Bill Clinton signed it in the 1990s. Politico is reporting that the Trump administration is readying an executive order to withdraw from the free trade agreement, though it could be a tactic to bring both Canada and Mexico to the bargaining table. Canada has signaled that they will push back against this lumber tariff, while Mexico is still angry over Trump’s proposed border wall:

The Trump administration is considering an executive order on withdrawing the U.S. from NAFTA, according to two White House officials.
A draft order has been submitted for the final stages of review and could be unveiled late this week or early next week, the officials said. The effort, which still could change in the coming days as more officials weigh in, would indicate the administration’s intent to withdraw from the sweeping pact by triggering the timeline set forth in the deal.
[…]
“NAFTA’s been very, very bad for our country,” he said in a speech last week in Kenosha, Wisconsin. “It’s been very, very bad for our companies and for our workers, and we’re going to make some very big changes or we are going to get rid of NAFTA once and for all.”
Peter Navarro, the head of Trump’s National Trade Council, drafted the executive order in close cooperation with White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. The executive order was submitted this week to the staff secretary for the final stages of review, according to one of the White House officials.
The draft executive order could be a hardball negotiating tactic designed to bring Mexico and Canada to the table to renegotiate NAFTA. But once Trump sets the withdrawal process in motion, the prospects for the U.S. pulling out of one of the largest trade deals on the globe become very real.

The Vanderburgh County Commission voted yesterday to renew the county’s contract with SMG, the convention-facilities management firm currently overseeing operations at the Old National Event Plaza. SMG has managed the ONEP since 2001.

The new contract will pay SMG a $160,000 annual fixed fee, with the stipulation that SMG will invest $200,000 in bringing new events into the facility and another $30,000 to assist with marketing and sales activities.

SMG, known as a worldwide leader in convention and entertainment facility management, is also eligible for an incentive fee to reduce the ONEP’s operating financial deficit, or it will rebate up to half of its fixed fee back to the county.

“With the new infrastructure in place at the ONEP and other local developments in progress, the county is set up to succeed with this contract,” said Vanderburgh County Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem. “The investment we make along with the investment SMG has pledged creates a win-win for taxpayers and the local economy.”

In addition to providing oversight of all sales, marketing, maintenance and food-and-beverage services at the ONEP, SMG will refocus its efforts on pursuing convention business with state associations, corporate meetings and regional events. SMG will also be announcing new leadership in the next few days to oversee the ONEP.

SMG has been providing facility management for 40 years, and currently manages 230 facilities worldwide.

Trooper Danielle Elwood Henderson Promoted To Sergeant To Serve As Indiana State Police Youth Camps Coordinator

Indianapolis, IN- Monday, April 24th, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter promoted Trooper Danielle Elwood Henderson to the rank of Sergeant to serve as the Indiana State Police Youth Camps Coordinator. The Indiana State Police conduct eight different camps each June and July throughout Indiana.

Elwood Henderson is from Lapeer, Michigan and is a 2003 graduate of Lapeer West High School. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Taylor University in 2008. After graduation, she operated a horse training business, specializing in dressage and jumping, until graduating from the 70th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in 2011.

Sgt. Elwood Henderson was assigned to the Lowell Post and patrolled Lake, Jasper and Newton Counties. During that time, Elwood Henderson became a crash Reconstructionist, Field Training Officer and was a recruit counselor for the 75th and 76th Indiana State Police Academies. Beginning in 2012, Elwood Henderson has participated in the ISP Youth Camps as a counselor and director.

Sgt. Elwood Henderson is assigned to the Public Information Office and will work from the Indiana State Police Museum located at 8660 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis. She will be responsible for the administrative duties and will oversee the Indiana State Police Camps statewide.

Sergeant Elwood Henderson is married to Trooper Brandon Henderson of the Central Swat team. They reside in Henry County with their two month old son Rorke.

For more information on the Indiana State Police Youth Camps go to http://www.in.gov/isp and click on the link Youth Camps.

Holcomb Signs Bills To Attack The Drug Epidemic

Governor Eric J. Holcomb took decisive action today in combating the drug epidemic by signing his three legislative agenda bills into law as well as the bill to expand Indiana’s On My Way pre-k pilot program. These four bills were key items included in his Next Level legislative agenda.

Attacking the Drug Epidemic

“The opioid crisis is negatively impacting the lives of Hoosiers, their families, our communities—even our economy,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I commend lawmakers for supporting my initiatives and delivering a package of legislation that provides a holistic framework for us to attack this epidemic.”

Since 2000, deaths from drug overdoses have increased 500 percent, and Indiana ranks 15th in the country in overdose fatalities. On his first day in office, Gov. Holcomb created a new position, the Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement, and appointed Jim McClelland to lead the effort. His legislative agenda included three bills designed to address the crisis in a coordinated and comprehensive way, and he signed all three into law today:

• SEA 226:  Limits the amount of opioids that can be prescribed during a doctor’s first opioid prescription to a particular patient. This reduces the risk of addiction and reduces the phenomenon of “doctor shopping,” when drug addicted patients go to multiple doctors for opioid prescriptions.
• HEA 1438:  Allows local governments to approve and establish syringe exchange programs to stop the spread of dangerous infectious diseases.
• HEA 1540:  Elevates the level of felony that can be assessed for robbing a pharmacy or pharmacist under varying circumstances.

 Prekindergarten

Gov. Holcomb also signed House Enrolled Act 1004 (HEA 1004) to expand Indiana’s On My Way pre-k pilot program from five to 20 counties and increase funding for early education programs by $10 million per year. This bill is a key component of the governor’s Next Level agenda to prepare a skilled and ready 21^st century workforce.

“My goal this session was to double the number of low-income students who have access to quality prekindergarten programs,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It’s a joy to sign this bill that gives more students a great start to their educational journeys.”

Additionally, Holcomb signed 21 other bills. Visit the 2017 Bill Watch webpage to view these and other bills the governor has signed into law