 Marty McFly is a 1-year-old male black cat. He’s extremely affectionate and loves to be held! He came into the VHS as a tiny baby on October 21, 2015 – on Back to the Future Day, hence the name! His $30 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Â
COA Affirms Damages Award To State
Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com
The state of Indiana was entitled to more than $1 million in costs and treble damages after a township auditor criminally misappropriated funds, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Tuesday, though it reduced the total amount of damages owed to the state.
In 2010, Alan Mizen, chief financial officer for Center Township in Marion County, deposited a check for nearly $350,000 into an account held by “Alan S. Mizen DBA Attorney’s General Clearing Tr.†He transferred the funds into his personal accounts and used the money to make various personal purchases. The check was supposed to be made payable to the treasurer of the state of Indiana, but instead was made payable to “Attorney’s General Clearing Tr.â€
A routine audit of the township in 2014 revealed discrepancies related to the check, and Mizen was subsequently charge with theft in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He pleaded guilty and agreed to pay restitution in the full amount of the check.
Then in June 2015, the state filed a complaint to recover public funds against Mizen, seeking nearly $55,000 in costs related to the State Board of Accounts’ special investigation into the township, as well as roughly $1 million in treble damages, court costs, attorney fees and other costs under the Crime Victims Relief Act.
Both parties moved for summary judgment, which was granted to the state in April 2016. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed that decision in part Tuesday, with Judge Patricia Riley first noting that, despite Mizen’s argument to the contrary, the state’s CVRA claims were filed within a two-year statute of limitations because they earliest the state could have known of the criminal misappropriation was January 2014.
Further, Riley wrote that the attorney general had specific authority to recover the nearly $55,000 because Indiana Code 5-11-5-1(a) gives his office authority to recover public funds that are diverted as a result of a public employee’s malfeasance.
Finally, Riley wrote that the state is entitled to recovery treble damages that equal no more than three times its actual damages. But because Mizen has already paid the nearly $350,000 in restitution, the case was remanded for the $1 million treble award to be reduced to roughly $687,000, plus attorney fees and costs.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath from Michigan City today issued the following statement on the first half of the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly:
“I don’t think Ronald Reagan would recognize the Republican Party of today in Indiana.
“While I’m sure that the Indiana House Republicans are pleased with what they’ve done this session, I’m not so sure anyone else is joyful.
“They rammed through a road plan that taxes too much and gives unlimited power to toll.
“They passed a budget that certainly will be applauded by the testing companies who will get millions for ISTEP or ILEARN or whatever bogus name they can conjure up to try and make people forget they are selling the same old test that no one liked. However, the same budget doesn’t do enough for our public schools, and returns to the same old formula of diverting more and more toward private subsidies and charters.
“They said that the people of Indiana do NOT have the right to choose who serves as the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“They simply could not resist the impulse to interfere in the private health care decisions of women across Indiana.
“Yes, they may feel they’ve done a wonderful job, but the storm clouds for the remainder of the session have formed.
“Already we have heard the rumblings from the Senate gurus that the House Republican road plan takes too much from Hoosier taxpayers, and the House Republican budget isn’t that great, either. And as for the idea that the people of Indiana shouldn’t elect a Superintendent of Public Instruction…well, the Senate went bipartisan to vote against that idea.
“As the people of Indiana watch the warring Republican factions in the House and Senate prepare for battle, House Democrats remain ready and able to help.
“Our road plan doesn’t raise taxes or tolls.
“Our budget cuts excessive state spending, and assures that our schools don’t see funding cut…again.
“Whenever the Republicans get finished deciding whichever plan of theirs is in more trouble, give us a call and we’ll lend a hand.â€
The Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee today unanimously passed a bill that would designate equines as livestock, an action that if approved will provide tremendous benefit the entire horse industry. Securing livestock classification of horses and equine has been among the top policy priorities of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), since being founded in 2004.
Sen. Robin Webb of Grayson County sponsored Senate Bill 139, which she said she’d been working on for several years.
“Our statutes have been historically inconsistent with the designation of the horse as livestock. We have the support of AAEP, which has taken this position publicly, as well as our major horse-industry groups,†Webb told her fellow committee members before their vote, referencing the American Association of Equine Practitioners, which represents veterinarians of all horse breeds and disciplines. “Seven years ago today, I got my favorite horse. He’s a big part of my life, and I love him. He’s my companion, but he’s not a companion animal. He’s livestock. It’s important to myself as an owner and him as a horse to be so designated, and designated consistently for protections that designation does allow.â€
Sen. Damon Thayer, the Republican’s majority floor leader from Georgetown, hopes the bill can go to the Senate floor later this week. “I think it has a great chance to pass the Senate,†added Thayer. â€Then
we’ll send it on over to the House and see if we can get agreement from them.â€
“SB 139 would be a great step forward for the horse industry as a whole,†stated KEEP executive director Joe Clabes. “Designation as livestock is the most reflective of the realties of breeding, owning and caring for horse and we’re proud to stand in support of this bill with the AAEP and the numerous Kentucky horse organizations from across the state.â€
Webb stressed the designation is important to make sure that horses are not classified as companion animals, similar to household pets. She emphasized that her bill did not deal with taxation, with the state’s 6-percent sales tax required when buying feed, bedding and equipment used for equines, with all other livestock exempt.
“We hope to address that at another time, with tax reform or in another measure,†Webb said. “It’s designation of the horse being what it is: And that’s livestock.â€
Several of the committee members clearly were sympathetic toward tax equality for the horse industry.
“As chair of the horse farm subcommittee in the Senate, I couldn’t vote any other way on this legislation,†said Sen. Steve West, who lives in Paris and whose district includes some of the most famous Thoroughbred farms in the world. “Basically, it’s equity and fairness for the horse industry.â€
“In this state, for years, there seemed to be walls and barriers between one livestock group and another. But this seems to be a way we can bring some of our producers together and put equine on the same page as all the other livestock groups. It’s not a complicated thing. Horses are livestock. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to taxes, but as we go into tax reform in the fall, maybe we can take a look at that.â€
Said Thayer: “I think horses are livestock, and should be treated as such in the tax code. I’m hopeful some day, when we do tax reform, we can get tax parity for the equine industry. I think this bill is a good step in the right direction.â€
Agriculture commissioner Ryan Quarles, who represented Scott County as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, applauded the action.
“It’s a clarification that has been attempted for several years now,†Quarles said. “As agriculture commissioner, I always remind people of the economic impact that horses have in Kentucky. It’s a
signature industry, one that creates literally tens of thousands of jobs, and billions of dollars of investment here in Kentucky. As I continue my term as commissioner, I will be supporting not only our family farms, but our family horse farmers as well.â€
Said Sen. Dorsey Ridley of Henderson, whose district includes Ellis Park: “It just puts them all (livestock) in one classification. It’s an effort to make sure that horses are certainly not taken advantage of, but by the same token, it’s to protect our property. I was glad to be a part of it. It is a big thing for the Thoroughbred industry — and for all horses.â€
“This legislation is a significant step for the horse industry and our membership,†said Martin Maline, executive director of the Kentucky division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents about 6,000 owners and trainers involved in horse racing in the commonwealth. “The livestock designation offers other important protections for everyone who owns and works with horses. We applaud members of committee, and hope Senator Webb’s bill sails through the full Senate and state legislature.â€
Clabes added, “I’d like to congratulate Senator Webb, Chairman (Paul) Hornback, and Majority Floor Leader Thayer in advancing this long awaited legislation. Success in Frankfort doesn’t happen overnight and they and many of their colleagues in the Senate and the House have put in a lot of work on this issue over the years.â€
Evansville Police are investigating an act of vandalism at the Adath B’Nai Isreal Temple at 8440 Newburgh Rd. The damage to the Jewish synagogue was reported to police on Tuesday morning.
A window at the synagogue was damaged by a small projectile. Police believe the damage was intentional. Police are working to determine who caused the damage, what they used to cause the damage, and when the damage occurred.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call EPD at 812-436-7979 or WeTIp at 1-800-78-CRIME.
Â
The 12th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team tips off post-season play in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. The third-seeded Screaming Eagles (25-3), who earned a first round bye in the conference tournament, enters the quarterfinals against sixth-seeded Truman State University (21-8).
In addition to USI and Truman, the lower half of the GLVC Tournament bracket includes second-seeded and West Division champion Quincy University (24-5) and seventh-seeded Lewis University (17-12). The winners advance to the semifinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The upper half of the GLVC Tournament bracket includes fourth-ranked and top-seeded Bellarmine University (25-3), fourth-seeded University of Wisconsin-Parkside, fifth-seeded University of Indianapolis, and eighth-seeded Drury University (18-9). Game time for Bellarmine, the GLVC East Division champion, and Drury is noon Thursday, while the UW-Parkside and UIndy contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Live coverage of USI’s games in the GLVC Tournament, including live statistics and audio/video broadcasts are available at GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard over the airwaves on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and 95.7FM The Spin.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Week 18 Quick Notes:
On February 23, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter promoted Captain Jon Smithers to the rank of Major to serve as commander of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing both state and federal regulations on all commercial motor vehicles.
Smithers is a native of Indianapolis and a 1984 graduate of Southport High School. He attended Ball State University and graduated with a BS in Business in 1988.
Smithers began his law enforcement career in 1994 upon graduation from the 51st Indiana State Police Academy. Â He was assigned to the Indianapolis Post and patrolled Marion County. Â In February 2000, Smithers was promoted to Squad Sergeant and supervised troopers in Marion County. September 2008, he was promoted to First Sergeant to serve as assistant commander of the Indianapolis District. August 2011 he was promoted to Lieutenant to serve as commander of the Indianapolis District.
In November, 2013 Smithers was transferred and promoted to captain in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division to serve as the assistant commander. Major Smithers will now serve as the Division Commander for the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division and will be responsible for 120 employees, both enforcement and civilian, statewide.
Major Smithers resides in Marion County.
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball opens the Deaconess/Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship Tournament Friday at 6 p.m. when it takes on the University of Indianapolis in the quarterfinals at the Ford Center.
The Screaming Eagles jumped two spots in both the Division II Media and WBCA Coaches’ Polls this week. USI is No. 17 in the Division II Media Poll and No. 21 in the WBCA Coaches’ Poll.
USI (24-4, 16-2 GLVC), which won the GLVC East Division by three games, enters the GLVC Tournament as the No. 2 seed, while the Greyhounds (16-13, 9-9 GLVC) were re-seeded to the No. 7 seed after their 66-48 road win over William Jewell College in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament.
The Eagles, who ended the regular-season on a four-game winning streak, capped off by an 88-81 win at No. 20 Bellarmine University last Thursday, earned a 58-47 come-from-behind road victory over Indianapolis a month ago.
Other quarterfinal games Friday include the No. 1 seed and West Division champion, Drury University, taking on the No. 8 seed, Maryville University, at noon; the No. 4 seed, Bellarmine University, taking on the No. 5 seed, Rockhurst University, at 2:30 p.m.; and the No. 3 seed, Lewis University, taking on the No. 6 seed, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, at 8:30 p.m.
The GLVC Tournament semifinals are Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.—USI would play at 8:30 against the winner of the Lewis-UMSL game should the Eagles win Friday—while the championship is Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets for the GLVC Tournament are $42 for an All-Tournament pass (good for all seven sessions); $32 for a flex pass (any two of the first six sessions); $18 for adults and seniors per session; and $8 for students (ages 6-17). Children five-and-under are free of charge.
All of USI’s games this weekend will be broadcast on WSWI 95.7 FM, while live stats, GLVC Sports Network broadcasts and WSWI internet audio can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes
–Tanner Marcum is seventh in steals (168), eighth in made three-pointers (116), 10th in assists (225), and 12th in scoring (1,124);
–Kaydie Grooms is 17th in scoring (1,002), is 18th in blocks (46), and 28th in rebounds (384).
–Randa Harshbarger is eighth in assists (256);
–Hannah Wascher is eighth in blocks (67), 21st in rebounds (435) and 35th in scoring (700);
–Morgan Dahlstrom is tied for 19th in blocks (43), 20th in rebounds (436) and 41st in scoring (553).
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
