EVSC Purchases Property in McCutchanville
Tonight, the EVSC Board of School Trustees approved the purchase of property in northern Vanderburgh County to prepare for the ongoing population growth in this area. The 135.1 acre property currently serves as Eagle Valley Golf Course.
“The Brinker family, who are long time supporters of our schools and the community, approached us with this opportunity,†said EVSC Superintendent David Smith. â€By purchasing this property, it will put us in a position to meet the demands of future growth in this area of Vanderburgh County.â€
Smith went on to say, “Our School Board had the vision to purchase property for a new school 20 years ago, which is the site of the new McCutchanville Elementary School. This Eagle Valley property is adjacent to our new McCutchanville Elementary School property, so it makes perfect sense to obtain this property for future needs. Our Board understands their responsibility to prepare our school corporation to meet the demands of this popular residential area in the next decade.â€
The initial agreement is based on the property being purchased over a three-year time period. The total cost for the 135.1 acres is $3,377,500, including all structures. The cost breakdown is $25,000 per acre. The cost per acre is less that the amount the EVSC paid per acre when the land for the current North High School was purchased in 2008.
While future details of the property development have not been decided, school officials are always looking ahead to meet the needs of schools nearing capacity. The current North High/Jr. High School facility was built in 2012. The complex was intentionally designed to also function as a stand alone high school facility if necessary.  In that scenario, the new property would then be used as a site for a new middle school or junior high facility.
Under this agreement, Eagle Valley Golf Course will continue to operate under the management and leadership of Dean and Dirk Brinker. The Brinkers are responsible for the maintenance of the entire property for the next three years. After that time period, the maintenance of the property will be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.
“The opportunity to come to an agreement with the EVSC is great for the community,†said Eagle Valley Golf Course President and Brinker’s Jewelers President Dean Brinker.  “This protects current homeowner property values in the area and makes Eagle Crossing East and West Subdivisions a premier area to raise a family. For the foreseeable future, it gives us an opportunity to continue our family passion of golf, which was started by my father, Roland Brinkerâ€.
Dirk Brinker, vice president of Eagle Valley Golf Course and vice president of Brinker’s Jewelers stated, “We are working on some unique opportunities for the current student athletes of EVSC golf programs.† Dirk added, “It also allows the EVSC an opportunity and the flexibility to create a unique educational experience for the children in the school district.â€
“This purchase also ensures residents in the area that this property will not be used for retail development.†David Smith added, “I greatly appreciate the Brinker family’s longstanding support of  EVSC and I applaud our School Board for planning to meet the needs of our community when property is made available. If we pass on this opportunity now, it is unlikely a large property like this will be available at the current price in the future.â€
IS IT TRUE FEBRUARY 28, 2017
IS IT TRUE it looks like ECHO Corp is planning boondoggle project located at 101 North Garvin Street in Evansville, Indiana?…if the old Safe House on the Westside was not enough of a waste of our taxpayer dollars this new project should infuriate taxpayers given the value received for the tax money being spent?…this old office-warehouse building is being converted into 27 one bedroom apartments for the homeless at an eye popping price of $6.1 Million dollars?…this works out to $225,000 per one bedroom apartment?…unless these apartments are going to rent for $1,750 per month the taxpayers of the United States, Indiana, and Evansville are getting hosed in a big way?…given that such apartments will likely be in the Section 8 pool of properties the rent for a one bedroom apartment will not exceed about $550 making the maximum defensible price from an investment perspective is $70,000?…the reality is that the City of Evansville could have easily bought finished units in buildings that are on the market for well under $50,000 each since the local market is in the tank for low income rental properties?…it is no wonder the infrastructure of the country is falling apart if spending $225,000 for a one bedroom apartment that is worth no more than $70,000 on a cash flow basis is how things are done when government money is involved?…until this sort of nonsense is stopped, the City and the rest of the country will continue to come up short on sewers, sidewalks, water pipes, and yes these idiotic $225,000 one bedroom apartments?  …we wonder how the homeless and economically disadvantaged are going to pay their rent and utilities once they move into these very nice one bedroom apartments?
IS IT TRUE we wonder how many  two bedrooms Habitat type homes that ECHO could had built with this $6 million dollars State grant earmarked for providing housing for the homeless and economically disadvantaged?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if anyone can tell us who are the Board of Director members of the Evansville ECHO-Housing Board of Directors because we can’t locate them?
IS IT TRUE In the legals section ( page 3C ) of yesterdays ( 2-27-17 ) Courier and Press that  the City of Evansville and its component units  published its 2016 Annual Financial Report of the Civil City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana?  …the most interesting revelations is the fact that about $44. million dollars has already been DISBURSED for the IU Medical School?  …if you drive around the area you will see the beginnings of a steel framed building being erected so far to show for the $44. million disbursement?  …we wonder If it cost that much just to clear the area, prep it for construction and erect a steel frame building?  …we wonder what will the final cost of this project be?
IS IT TRUE that the Ford Center has a competitor when it comes to under achieving with respect to the consultant projections for profits?…the ARK Encounter in Grant County, Kentucky is the latest tax incentive driven boondoggle to fall short of expectations?…the ARK Encounter is coming up so short of promises that the near bankrupt county is contemplating a tax increase?…there is nothing like a 2% tax increase to insult a group of taxpayers who were willing to do something unconventional to lift them out of the economic doldrums?…while the ARK Encounter may have violated the separation of church and state, both the ARK and the Ford Center are so under water with respect to the consultants projections that it would be easy to conclude that the consultants on these projects were either delusional or paid to paint a picture that is rosy enough to be a darn lie?…it is amazing the extent to which politicians will go to put their signature on delusional financial failures while shaking down the construction companies for campaign contributions?
IS IT TRUE we recently read that the former Democratic Party Chairman of Vanderburgh County Mark Owen feels that the party should maintain a full time staffed office?  …that soon to be named Vanderburgh County Democratic party Chairman Scott Danks strongly disagrees with Mr. Owen?  …wasn’t Mr.Owen the party Chairman when when the party signed a long term lease and moved the party headquarters to the old Welborn Hospital building owned by the Kunkel Group?  …that the present party Chairmen has allegedly signed an extension to the current lease knowingly that the owner of the property is owed around $50,000 back rent?  …we wonder why a landlord would allow anyone to sign an extension to the current lease when they owe around $50,000 in back rent?  …its looks like Mr. Danks is spot on and is sending a strong signal to local Democrats that the future decisions of the Democratic party of Vanderburgh County shall be based on sound business principals?
IS IT TRUE last Saturday afternoon, food, floats and family fun took over West Franklin street area for an annual Mardi Gras parade? Â …many hundred of families lined the street with their kids that scooped up food, candy and colorful beads. Â …our hats are off to the West Franklin Street Business Association for putting on yet another family friendly event for the people of this community?
FOOTNOTE: Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you think that the taxpayers should pay $225,000 per one bedroom apartment to house the homeless?
CHANNEL 44 NEWS: Evansville Considering Replacement For Lloyd Pool
Evansville Considering Replacement For Lloyd Pool
This Wednesday the Evansville Parks Board will hear a request for a planning study for a replacement for Lloyd Pool. The 41 year old pool is on its last legs – the manufacturing company that Evansville Parks and Recreation work with says they cannot…
Local Grads Gain Valuable Experience With Rep. Sullivan At The Statehouse
Local graduates are gaining experience as interns with State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) and her fellow members of the House of Representatives during the 2017 legislative session.
Ryan Francis, a resident of Evansville, is the son of Dan and Kristi Francis. A North High School graduate, Francis is a junior at Indiana University in Bloomington where he is majoring in economics and political science.
Rachel Swartwood is the daughter of Steve and Lisane Swartwood. Also a resident of Evansville, Swartwood attended Memorial High School. She is a 2016 graduate of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and earned a bachelor’s degree in civic leadership.
As legislative interns, Francis and Swartwood correspond with constituents through phone calls, letters and emails. They also help staff committee hearings and floor proceedings.
“Interning with the House of Representatives is a great opportunity for students to learn and gain experience with our state government,†Sullivan said. “The work Ryan, Rachel and our interns do behind the scenes helps the Indiana General Assembly to function more efficiently on a daily basis.â€
The House of Representatives offers paid internship opportunities to college students, law-school students, graduate students and recent college graduates for the duration of each legislative session.
Visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/2017-house-republican-internship-program for more information about the House Republican internship program.
ST. MARY’S SPONSORS ASTHMA CAMP FOR KIDS
St. Mary’s Health is pleased to announce that it will once again sponsor Camp Nota-Gona-Wheeze, an asthma camp for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The free camp will host 50 students and will run Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 31 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Delaware School in Evansville. Drop off time begins at 7:30 a.m.
According to the American Lung Association, asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders among children, affecting more than 7 million children across the country. It is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism and the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15.
Camp Nota-Gona-Wheeze, now in its 12th year, provides asthma education in a fun and interactive environment. Campers will learn to identify triggers for asthma attacks and tools to help avoid those triggers. They’ll also learn about their medications, how they work, and why it’s important to take them as prescribed by their doctors. In addition, campers will have the chance to share their asthma story and meet other children their age who are also coping with the condition.
Each day will have its own unique activity. On Wednesday morning there will be a “Caregivers Camp†educational session for parents and other caregivers of children with asthma.
Camp Nota-Gona-Wheeze is made possible through the collaboration of several community businesses and agencies, including the EVSC and USI. St. Mary’s Health funds the camp.
Camp counselors are nursing students and respiratory therapy students, who will all be under the supervision of a USI nursing instructor. A pediatric nurse practitioner, and volunteers from other area agencies will help make the week a success.
Due to limited availability, sign up is recommended on or before March 10. For more information on the camp, please call 812-435-8279.
MEET A MEMBER OF THE CHANNEL 44 EVENING NEWS TEAM
Braden Harp joined WEVV from WEIU-TV in Charleston, IL where he was a weather anchor.
Braden says “I am excited to move to Evansville. I am originally from Robinson, Illinois, and I went to a university in a town that was not much bigger than Robinson. Evansville has a vibrant community spirit, and I’m looking forward to covering stories that matter to the Tri-State.â€
Braden graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, and minors in Broadcast Meteorology and Journalism.
Judges Reverse Resisting Law Enforcement Conviction
Judges Reverse Resisting Law Enforcement Conviction
Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Indiana Court of Appeals has overturned a man’s resisting law enforcement conviction after finding that the police officer’s actions justified the man’s resistance.
In Jefferson Jean-Baptiste v. State of Indiana, 49A02-1608-CR-1798, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy James Russo was attempting to serve civil arrest warrant on Jefferson Jean-Baptiste in April 2016, but Jean-Baptiste refused to comply. After Russo tried to grab his arm, Jean-Baptiste pulled away, so Russo, acting on the assumption that Jean-Baptiste was resisting arrest, entered the home and placed him in custody.
Jean-Baptiste was convicted of resisting law enforcement and argued on appeal that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to support his conviction. The Indiana Court of Appeals agreed, with Judge Edward Najam pointing to the case of Casselman v. State, 472 N.E.2d 1310 (Ind. Ct. App. 1985) and Indiana Code 35-41-3-2 as the panel’s guidance.
Specifically, Najam wrote that Russo was outside the residence while Jean-Baptiste was inside when Russo, “without permission or legal justification,†reached across the threshold and grabbed Jean-Baptiste. Thus, under Indiana Code, Jean-Baptiste was justified in his resistance of law enforcement.
Further, the appellate court reversed Jean-Baptiste’s conviction because it found, sua sponte, that the trial court committed fundamental error by denying his right to a jury trial without first eliciting a personal waiver from him on the record.
Do Not Call List Sees More than 330,000 Hoosiers Register
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INDIANAPOLIS –The Office of the Indiana Attorney General today is thanking Indiana residents who answered its call to take necessary steps to ensure telephone privacy. A total of 332,748 Hoosiers signed up for the Do Not Call list by Feb. 21 — the first of four deadlines in 2017 – and even more are further reducing the risk of falling victim to a phone scam by following Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s simple, important advice: If you don’t know the number, don’t answer. The high volume of registrations is a product of a new telephone privacy campaign aimed at protecting Hoosiers from phone scams – “Do Not Call/Do Not Answer.†The “Do Not Call/Do Not Answerâ€Â campaign began on Feb. 8 and serves as a blueprint to combat unwanted phone calls from telemarketers as well as criminals trying to scam Hoosiers. The 332,748 Do Not Call list registrations on the first of four deadlines in 2017 more than tripled the total amount of Hoosiers who registered for the Do Not Call list in 2016, when a total of 94,465 Indiana residents signed up. Hoosiers who signed up by the Feb. 21 deadline will receive fewer calls from telemarketers beginning April 1. Even if you’re registered on the Do Not Call list, it’s likely you’ll still receive some phone calls from random, unknown numbers. The easiest way to avoid dealing with those phone calls — whether it’s a telemarketer or someone trying to rip you off with a scam – is by simply ignoring the phone call. “I am extremely proud of Hoosiers who took our office seriously and followed the necessary steps to avoid unwanted phone calls,†Hill said. “In the process, they have educated themselves on how to avoid falling victim to criminals trying to scam them over the phone.†Work remains, Hill added. “Our efforts will continue,†Hill said. “We still have three more deadlines this year, and Indiana residents can expect the same efforts from our office to make sure all who are not on the Do Not Call list get registered.†The telephone privacy campaign is aimed at safeguarding Hoosiers from potential phone scams. In recent years, more and more Hoosiers have filed complaints with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General Consumer Protection Division claiming they were contacted by someone from an unknown number impersonating authority figures such as a law enforcement officer or an Internal Revenue Service agent demanding money and personal information. Often, Hoosiers get tricked into believing these phone calls are legitimate, and they end up compromising their personal identity by providing sensitive information such as their Social Security and bank account numbers. The 332,748 registrations are the highest total for a single quarter since 2011 when 189,000 Hoosiers registered during the third quarter of the year. Indiana residents who still need to sign up for the Do Not Call list can call 888-834-9969 or visit IndianaConsumer.com. The next Do Not Call list registration deadline is May 16. You may register your information with the office’s Do Not Call list at any time, but the updated lists only become available to telemarketers in three-month increments. Hoosiers who register by the May 16 deadline will begin receiving fewer telemarketing phone calls starting July 1, the next time the list becomes available to telemarketers. |