House Bill 1487 Could Raise Local Income Tax
Indiana Lawmakers are taking up a bill, that’s creating some backlash here in the tri-state. House Bill 1487 would give the Vanderburgh County Council the power to raise the local income tax to 1.25%. Right now its at 1%. The money would go to…
 The House Committee on Education today advanced State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) proposal that would make reforms to the state’s financial aid programs for struggling higher education students, particularly those who attended post-secondary institutions that have recently closed.
“My proposal would maintain financial aid eligibility for the former students of colleges that abruptly closed last year by addressing each individual student’s financial hardship on a case-by-case basis,†Sullivan said. “This new flexibility would help increase graduation rates, shorten the time needed for students to graduate, and allow them to enter the workforce with less student loan debt. For example, when ITT Tech suddenly closed its doors, many of its students were trapped in a situation, at no fault of their own, in which they could not complete their degree after exhausting grants or financial aid.â€
With the support of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, House Bill 1281 would provide the state more flexibility when handling the individual cases of Hoosier adult students impacted by the recent closing of post-secondary institutions, such as ITT Tech and Medtech College late last year. These students would have their eligibility for financial aid restored in order to complete or renew their studies at another institution.
Additionally, Sullivan said the legislation would offer more incentives and opportunities for low-income students to participate in state grant and scholarship programs.
The bill now moves to the full House of Representatives for further discussion. For more information on Sullivan’s bill, visit iga.in.gov.
 Indiana- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers and Motor Carrier Inspectors from the Indiana State Police (ISP) are teaming up with officers from neighboring states to raise awareness of human trafficking Jan. 23 – 27, 2017.
The ISP, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Michigan State Police have once again partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) to educate motorists about the signs of human trafficking and to enforce laws that crack down on traffickers.
“The goal of this week-long tristate human trafficking initiative is to raise awareness and educate those individuals in positions to observe human trafficking taking place, such as commercial motor vehicle drivers, public transportation companies, rest area attendants and truck stop employees,†stated Capt. Jon Smithers, Assistant Commander of the ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED). “These individuals are a force multiplier that can act as the eyes and ears of Indiana’s highways.â€
ISP first partnered with TAT in 2016 and is working diligently to become to become a state that has fully implemented TAT’s awareness program. Currently three states, including Michigan, have fully implemented the program.
To report trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733.
As of October 31, 2016 the NHTRC had received 206 calls and reported 66 cases of suspected human trafficking in Indiana.
The Indiana Supreme Court Suspends Attorney From Practice
Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended from practice a Chicago attorney who misrepresented his abilities to a client and was convicted of battery against his wife.
In the disciplinary case of In the Matter of: Narles W. Coleman, 98S00-1301-DI-52, a client was charged with Class C felony child molestation and, shortly thereafter, received a letter from attorney Narles Coleman seeking to represent the client for a “reasonable fee.†According to the Indiana Supreme Court’s per curiam opinion issued Tuesday, Coleman falsely told the client he was associated with The Cochran Firm of Johnnie Cochran fame.
In reality, Coleman had minimal experience in criminal law and no experience in child molesting cases, the unanimous court wrote. The client paid Coleman part of a flat fee of $4,000, but then began having trouble communicating with Coleman. The attorney failed to appear at a pretrial conference, deceived the client into signing a new fee agreement for $200 an hour, and agreed to a plea agreement without consulting his client, even though the client had previously said he would not enter a plea agreement and, thus, refused to sign.
After the client fired him, Coleman did not withdraw his representation or forward a copy of the case file to the client’s new counsel until a show cause proceeding was initiated against him. After the criminal charge was eventually dismissed, Coleman sent the client a bill for more than $9,000, predicated on the new fee agreement and filed a civil suit to collect the money.
Further, Coleman sought to collect additional money for time spent and expenses incurred in connection with withdrawing from the case and filing the civil suit. At a deposition of a witness that Coleman named, he failed to reveal that the witness was his wife.
Then in October 2012, Coleman was charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery stemming from allegations that he hit his wife in the presence of four children. He was convicted of Class A misdemeanor domestic battery in July 2013 and the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a complaint against him one year later.
After a hearing officer’s report was filed in September 2016, the Indiana Supreme Court found Tuesday that Coleman was in violation of 20 Indiana Professional Conduct Rules, including failing to provide competent representation; making an agreement for, charging, or collecting an unreasonable fee; and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Although Coleman’s misconduct was mostly limited to the client’s case, the court found that such misconduct was “wide-ranging, pervasive, retaliatory, and deceptive at multiple junctures.â€
“Respondent’s systemic malfeasance in connection with his representation of Client, his criminal conduct, and his less-than-effective self–representation during most of these disciplinary proceedings reflect exceedingly poorly on his fitness to practice law,†the court wrote in its per curiam opinion.
The court noted that Coleman is already under an order of suspension for dues nonpayment and failing to fulfill CLE requirements. His misconduct led to an additional two-year suspension without automatic reinstatement. In order to be reinstated, Coleman must prove his remorse, rehabilitation and fitness to practice. The costs of the proceedings are assessed against him.
USI Students, Faculty, Staff Travel To Inauguration
A group of University of Southern Indiana students, along with faculty and staff traveled to Washington D.C. for the 58th Presidential Inauguration as part of a group sponsored by World Strides and the Smithsonian Institution University Travel Programs. The group consisted of political science majors, Master of Public Administration and Master of Art in Communication students, and one student majoring in exercise science. During the five-day, four-night trip, they attended the swearing-in of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. They also attended panel discussions, lectures, guided tours and events focused on the role and impact of the presidency on American democracy and society. Partial funding for the trip was provided by the USI Foundation and USI’s College of Liberal Arts. Contact Ben Luttrull in University Communications if you would be interested in talking with Dr. Matthew Hanka, director of USI’s MPA program and associate professor of political science, who led the group, or students or faculty who participated in the historic event.
Bestselling Poet To Give Public Reading, Work With Students
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 25The University of Southern Indiana will host bestselling poet Kathleen Driskell for a public reading of her poetry at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 25 in the Rice Library Reading Room. The event is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by USI’s Core 39 Speaker Series, Academic Affairs and the Department of Communications Program in Communication Studies. Read More
MPA Speaker Series to feature Dr. James Perry
The University of Southern Indiana will host Dr. James Perry, internationally recognized leader in public administration and the study of public organization management, at 5 p.m. Thursday January 26 in Kleymeyer Hall of the Liberal Arts Center as part of the Master of Public Administration Speaker Series. Perry will address how public service motivation research has proliferated in parallel with enduring concerns about how to improve the performance of public service personnel. The presentation reviews public service motivation research since 2008 to identify the extent to which researchers have discovered lessons for practice. The presentation is free and open to the public. For further information, contact Dr. Matthew Hanka at mjhanka@usi.edu or 812-461-5204.
Film Screening, Panel Discussion Recognize Human Trafficking Awareness Month
In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the University of Southern Indiana Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Committee is sponsoring a film screening of Trade and a panel discussion from 6 to 9 p.m. January 31, in Mitchell Auditorium located in USI’s Health Professions Center. The event is open to USI students, staff, faculty and the public. Attendees will be able to ask questions publicly or submit them ahead of time on an index card. Read More
Student Success Week To Highlight Resources, Provide Assistance
The University of Southern Indiana’s University Division will host the fifth annual Student Success Week Tuesday, January 31 through Thursday, February 2 in the University Center. Sample workshop topics include developing healthy relationships, test-taking skills, time management, roommates and combating discrimination. Presenters will include representatives from University Division, Career Services and Internships, Counseling Center and the Dean of Students Office. Read More
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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball looks to stay atop the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division standings this week as it travels to Rensselaer, Indiana, to take on Saint Joseph’s College Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and to Indianapolis to take on the University of Indianapolis Saturday at noon (CST).
Both games will be aired on WSWI 95.7 FM, while live stats, audio, and GLVC Sports Network coverage can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com. The GLVC Sports Network also is available on Apple TV (4th generation), Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku.
USI (16-3, 8-1 GLVC) is tied with No. 11 Bellarmine University for first place in the GLVC East Division following its 2-1 showing in conference play last week. The Screaming Eagles suffered an 88-83 loss to then No. 4 Bellarmine, but bounced back with a 78-71 win over the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and an 85-65 win over then No. 24 Lewis University.
Senior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) was named the GLVC Player of the Week after leading the Eagles with 24.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Junior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) added 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest to aid the Eagles, who are receiving votes in both the WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll and Division II Media Poll for the second straight week.
For the season, Grooms leads the Eagles and ranks sixth in the GLVC with 16.2 points per game, while Marcum is second on the team and 16th in the GLVC with 13.2 points per appearance.
Saint Joseph’s (8-11, 4-5 GLVC), which defeated the Eagles twice a year ago, have lost four of its last six games. Senior forward Kalea Parks averages 15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to lead the Pumas, who had won 6-of-9 after losing four straight to begin the year.
Junior guard/forward Sydney Brackemyre and junior guard Martha Burse lead Indianapolis, which has won six of its last seven games to improve to 13-6 overall and 7-2 in GLVC play. Brackemyre averages a team-best 16.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while Burse is chipping in 14.5 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per contest for the Greyhounds, who defeated the Eagles 73-64 last year at the PAC.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes
–Tanner Marcum ranks 17th in scoring (974) and is tied for 13th in assists (205);
–Kaydie Grooms is 20th in scoring (875) and is 18th in blocks (45);
–Randa Harshbarger is ninth in assists (221);
–Hannah Wascher is ninth in blocks (60) and 39th in scoring (577);
–Morgan Dahlstrom is 22nd in blocks (36) and tied for 28th in rebounds (366).
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The Tri-State Alliance AIDS Holiday Project has scheduled a new volunteer meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 5:30pm at the TSA Offices, 501 John Street Suite 5 in Evansville. Volunteers will hear an overview of the project, as the group works to meet the needs of over 400 low-income households impacted by HIV / AIDS throughout the Tri-State.
For more information contact Wally Paynter at 812-480-0204, wallypaynter@aol.com or visit AIDSHolidayProject.org.
Note to the editor: Below are statements from State Reps. Ron Bacon (R-Chandler), Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) and Tom Washburne (R-Evansville) to be used with stories covering today’s jobs announcement for the Princeton Toyota Plant.
“Toyota has been an admirable corporate citizen since coming to Princeton,†said State Rep. Tom Washburne (R-Evansville). “They deserve recognition for what they’ve done for our area of the state.â€
“The top quality vehicles coming out of Southwest Indiana again affirms the stellar job our regions workforce alongside Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana has accomplished,†said State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville). “As a former team member at Toyota, I know these will be quality jobs with an excellent company.â€
“In the past few years, the Gibson County Toyota plant has increased manufacturing by more than 25,000 units,†said State Rep. Ron Bacon (R-Chandler). “Last year, the plant celebrated its 20th year of production, along with the approval for a $1.3 million grant to go toward improving intersections around this growing plant.â€
