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ISP Welcomes Six New Motor Carrier Inspectors to the Ranks

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On Monday, February 13, 2017 the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division graduated 6 new Motor Carrier Inspectors (MCI’s) from its 2016-2017 Motor Carrier Inspector Recruit Academy.  An ISP MCI is a uniformed civilian employee with limited enforcement authority tasked with enforcing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and certain Indiana state laws governing trucks and buses. During the 11 week academy the recruits received intensive technical training in the areas of emergency vehicle operations, first aid, defensive tactics, fire arms familiarization, radio communication, and court testimony. They were also instructed on FMCSR and Indiana traffic laws governing truck size, weight, registration, and permitting.

During the graduation ceremony the featured speaker, Mr. Gary Langston President of the Indiana Motor Truck Association, spoke on the importance the new MCIs will play in ensuring safety on the roads and how crucial it is that the trucking industry and enforcement work together to reach that common goal.  Standing before friends, family, and future co-workers Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter administered the Oath of Office to the recruits and then welcomed them into the ISP Family.

On Tuesday, February 14th, the probationary inspectors reported to their areas of assignment and began a fourteen week field training phase.  During this training phase the MCI’s will work with veteran inspectors to experience hands on, real world application of the materials they learned during the recruit school academy.

Gerald Farmer, Richard Wieczorek, and Chad Mysiewicz are assigned the Lowell Districts scale facilities while Donald Aldrich and Gerald Stump will be working at the Putnamville District’s West Terre Haute Scale facility. Michael Buckley is assigned to the Versailles District’s West Harrison Scale facility.

Captain Jon Smithers, Commander of the Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division, closed the ceremony with the following comments. “You will be patrolling our state’s highways and manning our weigh stations ensuring the safety of the citizens of Indiana and our visitors. Not only to ensure that large commercial vehicles are operating and being maintained in a safe manner but also to identify potential criminal activities such drug smuggling, human trafficking, and terroristic activities. Stay vigil, stay safe, and utilize the training you have received to return home to the ones you love every night.”

Further information on the Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspector program can be found at www.in.gov/isp and click on the link “Career Opportunities.”

PHOTOS

  1. MCI Graduation Photo 1 – Newly appointed probationary Motor Carrier Inspectors (left to right)

Gerald L. Farmer (assigned to Lowell District, Lowell Scales I-65 SB)
Richard A. Wieczorek (assigned to Lowell District, Chesterton Scales, I-94)
Michael Buckley (assigned to Versailles District, West Harrison Scales)
Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter
Donald F. Aldrich (assigned to Putnamville District, West Terre Haute Scales)
Chad Mysiewicz (assigned to Lowell District, Chesterton Scales, I-94)
Gerald Stump, (assigned to Putnamville District, West Terre Haute Scales)

  1. MCI Graduation Photo 2: Guest Speaker, Mr. Gary Langston, President of the Indiana Motor Truck Association.

 

Police Action Shooting – Updated Information

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Indiana State Police are releasing the names of those troopers involved in the police action shooting that occurred last night in Vincennes.

  • Master Trooper Shaun Hannon, 25 years of service

 

  • Trooper Korey Mauck, 9 years of service

 

  • Trooper Justin Bean, 9 years of service

The Indiana State Police SWAT team and the U.S. Marshals Task Force were working together last night to locate and apprehend Zimmerman. The Indiana State Police and U.S. Marshals Task Force were both present during the police action shooting.

Police recover over 50lbs of K2, suspect arrested for dealing synthetic marijuana

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Members of the Narcotics Task Force seized over 50lbs of synthetic marijuana during an investigation on Tuesday afternoon.
The suspect, 22 year old GABRIEL APPEL, was arrested for an active felony warrant during a car stop near Kratzville and Huber.
During the stop, officers found over 1lb of synthetic marijuana in the car. Officers also found over $2,000 during the stop.
A search warrant was issued for Appel’s home at 3005 Hawaii Drive. Officers found over 50lbs of synthetic marijuana in the house.
APPEL was charged with:
Dealing in Synthetic Cannabinoids (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids (Class A Misdemeanor).

 

Aces win fourth in a row, defeat Drake by 87-70 final

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Three score 20+ points to lead UE 

David Howard scored a career-high 21 points while Jaylon Brown and Ryan Taylor added 22 apiece to lead the University of Evansville men’s basketball team to its fourth win in a row, defeating Drake by a final of 87-70 on Tuesday night at the Ford Center.

It was the first time three players scored 20 or more points for UE since Dec. 30, 2006 against Bradley when Matt Webster, Kyle Anslinger and Bradley Strickland notched 20 apiece against Bradley.

“As a team, we were in attack mode tonight.  Jaylon was driving to the basket, Ryan was hitting his outside shots and I was attacking down low,” Howard said.  “It was a great win tonight.”

Howard hit six shots and was a career-best 9-for-9 from outside for the Purple Aces (14-14, 5-10 MVC).  Brown and Taylor each hit nine shots apiece.  Brown did his work inside the arc, with all nine field goals being 2-pointers.

“Those guys all had great nights; Jaylon did well driving to the basket and David has been on quite a roll,” head coach Marty Simmons said.  “Christian (Benzon) and Dru (Smith) also played extremely well.  We had a nice stretch there in the second half when Ryan hit that three.  Our guys just played well.”

A 4-for-4 start from the floor saw the Purple Aces open the night with the first eight points over the first 2:40.  Just as quick as the Aces opened up, Drake came right back as a triple from Billy Wampler saw them record five points in a row.

Evansville, who led for the duration of the first half, pushed its lead to double figures at 25-15 midway through the half on a Christian Benzon free throw.  The lead for UE went as high as 13 points on a jumper from Ryan Taylor.  His bucket made it a 32-19 game with 6:23 remaining in the half.

Over the final minutes, the Bulldogs cut into the UE lead, finishing the half on an 18-8 stretch to trail by just three at the break.  Another Wampler trey got the run started while Reed Timmer notched eight in the run to make it a 40-37 game at the break.

The lead for the Aces quickly grew to seven points in the opening minute of the second half, but the treys kept coming for DU as De’Antae McMurray connected twice from outside to get the Bulldogs back within three.  At that point, Evansville buckled down.  An 18-6 run that saw Dru Smith notch six points saw UE open up its largest advantage at 71-55 with just over nine minutes remaining.  Later, an and-one by Christian Benzon saw UE pull away even more, up 81-62 just five minutes later.

From there, the Aces held strong, taking their fourth game in a row by a final of 87-70.

UE takes to the road for the final time in the regular season.  The stretch begins on Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Bradley before the Aces head to Wichita State next Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tilt.  The home finale at the Ford Center will take place on Saturday, February 25.  Fans are reminded that this game is now a noon tip off.

 

Officer Involved Shooting in Vincennes

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The suspect has been identified as David Zimmerman, 35, of Princeton. A felony parole warrant for manslaughter had been issued earlier this month out of Gibson County.  Tuesday evening, February 14, Indiana State Police had received information that Zimmerman was possibly in the area of Chuckles, located at 1744 Old Decker Road, Vincennes.  At approximately 8:57 last night, troopers spotted Zimmerman’s Dodge Ram pickup truck at Chuckles. Troopers in unmarked vehicles pulled in behind his truck. Zimmerman placed his vehicle in reverse and collided into the front of one of the unmarked vehicles. Troopers opened fire when Zimmerman reached for a weapon.  Zimmerman was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes where he died from his injuries.  A search of the vehicle revealed a handgun.

This is an on-going investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available.

EPD Activity Report

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EPD Report

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

IS IT TRUE FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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IS IT TRUE that hearts were on fire in downtown Evansville on this Valentine’s Day inspired by the opening of the new Hilton Doubletree Inn?…this hotel has been a long time coming and today was a day for the beautiful people to give each other congratulatory hugs and sip martinis together?…it has only been 9 years since former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel proclaimed that a JW Marriot would be built with no public incentive by one of his buddies from Indianapolis?…it has only been 8 years since the wheels came off off that bus?…another suitor came forward and didn’t deliver in 2011, followed by yet another wannabe hotelier the following year that got off of the hook?…finally at long last with a larger than expected handout for a shorter than expected hotel, the keys are finally turning?…we are curious to see if prosperity spreads like a bad cold now that there is another hotel in downtown Evansville?

IS IT TRUE yesterday it was stated during a Channel 25 TV news story that the per night rooms rates will be between $130 to $250 per room?  …we hope that Hilton Doubletree Inn Developer and CEO will have a lot of wiggle room concerning room rates so they can be competitive with other well established local Motels and Hotels?

IS IT TRUE we are puzzled why the Director of Gage wasn’t present at the new Hilton Doubletree Inn ribbon cutting event?  …we were just told that the most recent Director of Gage is no longer employed by them? …if this information is correct we wonder why he is no longer employed by Gage? …we hope our information is incorrect because we heard that he was doing and outstanding job as Director of Gage?

IS IT TRUE when it comes to telling people things were going to Happen and then pulling the old bait and switch, the last two mayors of Evansville are masters of the art?…former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel was famous for promising things would happen without a public handout and then seeing his promises vanish into thin air? …Weinzapfel saw both the 4 Star downtown hotel and the McCurdy Hotel vaporize before his very eyes?…Weinzapfel had big dreams that just never happened?…the one dream that happens picks the taxpayers pockets every year for $8Million in bond payments for the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke on the other hand has seemly made a political career out of making capital projects happen by paying twice as many taxpayer dollars for half of the projects he has promised (new Downtown Doubletree Hotel and the IU Medical school)?…that is from the bait and switch playbook too but at least the people of Evansville see something for their money?…the common theme is that public project always comes up short when this individual is in charge in spending our hard earned tax dollars?

IS IT TRUE we wonder when Evansville Mayor Winnecke and Ivy Tech-Evansville Chancellor Jonathan Wienzapfel are going to publicly demand that soon to be built IU Medical School will include Ivy Tech 1,500 Medical Tech schools in their plans?  …that the taxpayers Evansville pledged $57 million dollars to insure that the new Downtown IU Medical School will house programs from the IU School of Medicine and the IU School of Dentistry, as well as Ivy Tech Community College,  the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville?  …could this be called a breach of contract and also a breach of the public trust?

IS IT TRUE we hear that deficit amount transferred from the 2016 Employee Healthcare program could be several millions of dollars? …it’s been alleged that that the City Controlled during the last week of February quietly transferred around $4 million dollars in the City Employee Healthcare account to pay off some of the  past due medical bills?  …we wonder where he got the $4 million dollars to pay down the past due medical bills?…we are now hearing that the as of today total deficit for 2017 Employee Healthcare program could be between $4 to $6 million of dollars?    …we are also hearing that around 150 city  employees have been sued because of non payment of healthcare bills?…we wonder where the City of Evansville are going to find the money to bring the Employee Healthcare program payment current?

IS IT TRUE that DMD purchased two lots located behind Gelhausen Paint on West Iowa street for the grand total $63,000.00 in exchange for letting the public park there on the finished paved parking lot during the week? …that DMD recently finished one lot into a first class paved public lot really used by the general public?   …the other lot had a dilapidated house on it and  was razed buy the City?  …we were to told the total investment for this project for purchasing two lots with one dilapidated home, razing home and turn one lot into first class paved public lot has costs the taxpayers well over additional $100,000?

 

A Sweet Celebration: DoubleTree Opens With Red Ribbon Cutting

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A Sweet Celebration: DoubleTree Opens With Red Ribbon Cutting

FEBRUARY 14TH, 2017 Lauren Leslie LAUREN LESLIE EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

 “A long time coming…” Those are the words Mayor Lloyd Winnecke used to describe the new DoubleTree Hotel and Convention Center project. This morning city leaders cut the ribbon on the new addition to the Evansville skyline. After the ribbon cutting the public was allowed inside to check everything out.

The hotel features 241 rooms, a full service restaurant and several event spaces. Mayor Winnecke says this new facility allows Evansville to be a player again in the convention business, “Once they knew an approximate opening day they could go out and sell it, so they’ve booked a number of conventions here as a result of that work and this opening. That’s what it’s all about, it’s about bringing visitors to our city who are going to spend millions of dollars annually that will pour into our economy,” Winnecke referencing the Evansville Conventions and Visitors Bureau. Officials say if it were not for the new Hotel those conventions would not have been booked.

COA Allows Vectren To Move Forward With Coal-Powered Plants Project

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COA Allows Vectren To Move Forward With Coal-Powered Plants Project

Olivia Covington for www.theindinalawyer.com

An Indiana energy company can proceed with its plans to bring two of its coal-powered plants into compliance with federal emissions standards after the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected an appeal to force the company to build natural gas plants instead.

After receiving a notice of violation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emissions from three of its coal-powered generators in 2013, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana Inc. reached a settlement in principle with EPA to resolve the alleged violations and also became subject to new federal mandates regarding mercury emissions standards.

As a result of those compliance issues, Vectren filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in January 2014 for approval of modifications to four of its coal-powered facilities. Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana Inc., Sierra Club Inc. and Valley Watch Inc. intervened and opposed the petition in April 2014, arguing that Vectren should replace all or some of the four units with new electricity-generating sources as a cost-saving measure for customers.

The IURC ultimately approved Vectren’s petition in January 2015, but the intervenors appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. In its October 2015 opinion, the appellate court ordered that two of Vectren’s proposed projects be issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity, but sent the case back to the IURC to consider the other two projects, which dealt with soda ash and lime injection systems, based on Indiana Code 8-1-8.7-3(b).

On remand, the IURC rejected the intervenor’s petition to reopen the evidentiary record and found that under I.C. 8-1-8.7-3(b), the other two projects should be granted certificates of public convenience and necessity.

In their second appeal before the appellate court, the intervenors argued that the IURC’s findings on remand were not adequately explained, were arbitrary and capricious, and were not supported by substantial evidence because the commission only considered Vectren’s pre-filed direct testimony. Had the IURC considered other testimony, it would have learned that the long-term cost of installing pollution controls on the existing coal-powered units would be more than the cost of building new natural gas plants, they said.

But Judge Robert Altice, writing Tuesday for the unanimous panel, noted that the IURC’s first order granting all four projects remained intact even after the court’s decision to remand after the first appeal. The commission was merely instructed to consider the other two projects under a different section of Indiana Code, which it did, Altice said.

“Moreover, the cost analysis was not the sole basis of the IURC’s decision to issue the CPCN to Vectren,” Altice wrote. “The IURC issued specific findings on all nine statutory factors as set out above, many of which had nothing to do with the cost analysis.”

Further, the commission was not required to reopen the evidence and re-litigate the case on remand, especially considering the fact that there was ample evidence in the existing record for evaluation on remand, the judge wrote.

The case is Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Inc., Sierra Club, Inc., Valley Watch, Inc. v. Southern Indiana Gas and Electricity Company d/b/a Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana, Inc., Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 93A02-1607-EX-1637.

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