IS IT TRUE FEBRUARY 22, 2017
IS IT TRUE we been told that todays Police Merit Commission Discipline Hearing concerning three (3) of four (4) suspended EPD officers shall be an in your face legal event? Â …we are told that the attorneys for the suspended officers will be extremely well prepared? Â … Police Chief Billy Bolin and his legal staff will also be well prepared to state their case against the suspended officers? Â …all eyes shall be on Police Chief Billy Bolin? Â … how he conducts himself during this hearing shall determine how he will viewed by members of the EPD rank and file and the general public in years to come? Â …we have also been told to expect the defense attorneys to aggressively challenge Police Chief Billy Bolin leadership and management style?
IS IT TRUE that a local landlord rented apartment space to the Evansville Icemen players? …that the landlord has taken the Icemen to court to sue them for damages of around $5,000 for unpaid rent? Â …that the Icemen legal team are addressing this issue and are told that it will be resolved in the very near future? Â …a settlement concerning the Icemen Workman Comp lawsuit lawsuit has been agreed upon by both sides? Â …the final lawsuit between Robie Properties and the Icemen concerning a disputed rental contract recently failed to reach an agreement but have been told it should be resolved in the next several weeks?
IS IT TRUE when all things are considered the former Evansville Icemen owner Ron Geary may come out of his legal issues smelling like a rose if he decide to file a multi-mullion dollar lawsuit against individuals that caused him and his Hockey team financial problems?  …if the former Evansville Icemen owner Ron Geary decides to file a lawsuit against the individuals who wronged him and his business we expect his law suit to claim he experienced retaliatory acts, defamation of his character and tortious interference with a contractural business relationship?  …if Mr. Geary sues we also expect him to retain the service of a top notch Corporate attorney from either New York or Chicago?
IS IT TRUE a news report on a local TV station stating that the former Evansville Icemen change of ownership information was totally incorrect?  …the correct information is that the former Evansville Icemen owner Ron Geary did not sell his controlling interest to a group of investors in Jacksonville Florida?  …Mr. Geary only sold a minority interest in his Hockey team to a couple of well healed investors in the Jacksonville area? .. that a sportscaster at a local TV station needs to research his facts before he publicly announces false information concerning Mr. Gearys private financial dealings?
IS IT TRUE that the Ford Center has been up and running for several years now and it has become the focus of some people who are finally in the mood to analyze the financial performance of the $127 Million downtown arena?…in spite of the sales pitch concocted by the Chema Group that told former Mayor Weinzapfel what he wanted to hear the reality has not performed even close to the predictions made in the business plan?…the Ford Center according to Weinzapfel’s hand picked consultant was supposed to break even from day one and be able to pay the note on the building by now?…it has done neither?…the operating performance of the Ford Center has consistently lost between $300,000 and $800,000?…that doesn’t include the $8 million in payments due each year on the $127 Million that was borrowed by the City of Evansville?
IS IT TRUE the reality is that the Ford Center has needed a cash transfusion of $8.5 Million per year for the last five years from the taxpayers of Evansville?…that amounts to $42.5 Million that has been looted from the City’s operating budget over the last five years? Â …that $42.5 million dollars came from the budgets of road repair, police, fire, and could have even been invested in our crumbling old water pipes and our $1Billion sewer repair mandate?…the City Council at the time certainly got the wool pulled over their eyes by Weinzapfel and his rose colored glasses wearing consultant?…this debacle should be a warning to cities everywhere that are being shaken down for an arena?…the CCO would like to remind our readers that Roberts Stadium was paid for and operated at a profit?…that the University of Evansville Lady Aces basketball team that often only draw 100 fans to a game have seen the light and announced a return to the on campus gymnasium which is one more tenant gone from the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that with all of the headaches and shortcomings associated with the Ford Center’s lack of performance dominating the news, it just may be time for a couple of drinks to heal the agony of defeat?…the first agony is that there is no 10th floor martini bar at the Doubletree so libation will need to be sought elsewhere?…the City County Observer suggests The London Bar in New York City for The Billionaire’s Margarita at a paltry cost of $1,200 each?… the drink consists of limited edition Patrón en Lalique Serie 1 and Rémy Martin Louis XIII?…you could probably finance a trip south of the border with this bill alone?…if you are not into tequila we suggest the Ty Bar in New York City where you can order a Billionaire’s Row Cocktail for a slightly higher price of $1,210?…The Four Seasons Midtown’s Ty Bar serves up this twist on the classic Old Fashioned with impossible-to-find Macallan M, Colorado clover honey, and orange bitters?…if none of these fit your budget there are many bars in Evansville that will quench your thirst and toast your mind for much less?
FOOTNOTES:Â Todays “READERS POLL” question is:Â Are you surprised what the former Evansville Icemen team paid Venuworks to lease the Ford Center for each home hockey game?
CHANNEL 44 NEWS: Discipline Delayed For One Officer Accused In Excessive Force Arrest
Discipline Delayed For One Officer Accused In Excessive Force Arrest
The Evansville Police Officers accused of using excessive force to arrest an Evansville man appeared before the Police Merit Commission Tuesday afternoon. Officers Mark DeCamps, Marcus Craig and Nick Henderson are all accused of using excessive…
USI Foundation, Romain College of Business To Dedicate New Campus Installation, Celebrate Honor Society
The University of Southern Indiana Foundation and the USI Romain College of Business will hold a ceremony honoring the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society and revealing and dedicating a Beta Gamma Sigma key at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 22 in the O’Daniel Atrium of the Business and Engineering Center.
Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes outstanding academic achievements of students in business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The key, a bronze sculpture weighing approximately 135 pounds, is the gift of Dr. Victor V. Schriefer, Jr., a longtime friend of the University, USI Foundation board member and 2008 honorary degree recipient.
WHO: USI President Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett; Dr. Mohammad Khayum, dean of the USI Romain College of Business; Dr. Brian McGuire, associate dean of the Romain College of Business; USI Foundation representatives, donors and guests; Beta Gamma Sigma representatives; USI student inductees of Beta Gamma Sigma
WHAT:Â Ceremony celebrating Beta Gamma Sigma and dedication of Beta Gamma Sigma key
WHERE: Rosemary L. and D. Patrick O’Daniel Atrium of the Business and Engineering Center. A map of campus featuring the BEC can be found at USI.edu/map.
WHEN:Â 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 22. The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes.
PARKING: Parking is available in Lot J adjacent to the BEC. All available parking lots can be found at USI.edu/map.
MEET A MEMBER OF THE CHANNEL 44 NEWS TEAM
Chad Evans is a native of Odon, Indiana, and joins WEVV from WFLI in Lafayette, Indiana where he was the chief meteorologist. Chad may be a familiar name to those in the Tri-State, as he also previously worked at WEHT as weekend meteorologist.
Chad has ten years of professional experience as a meteorologist. Chad has a National Weather Association Seal of Approval and is a member of the Indiana State Climate Office Advisory Committee. Chad is an active blogger about the weather. He also has writing credits in two PBS weather documentaries (An Illinois Winter and Stinging Dust and Forgotten Lives: The Dust Bowl), and is the author of It Was a Mighty Tempest: Hoosier Severe Weather & Flood Events Prior to 1905.
Chad says “I’m looking forward to moving back to the southern end of the state, and to the shorter drives to see my family in Daviess County. I always hoped to have the opportunity to return to the Tri-State, and I’m anxious to get started.â€
Chad graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Climatology.
 It’s Time To Play Ball!      Â
 It’s Time To Play Ball!      Â
Friday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 26
Evansville, IN. – The Midwest Regional Classic Division II GLVC Girls Softball Preseason Tournament is this weekend at Deaconess Sports Park. Thirteen teams from Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee as well as local favorites USI and Kentucky Wesleyan from Owensboro will play three days – Feb. 24-26. USI Softball and Deaconess Sports Park will host the first tournament of the 2017 – the Midwest Regional Classic on Feb. 24-26thbeginning at 1PM on Friday until the last game at 12PM on Sunday. See full schedule below.
Teams expected include Bellarmine University(Louisville, Ky.), Saginaw Valley State(Saginaw, Mi.), Truman State(Kirksville, Mo.), Drury University (Springfield, Mo), Travecca Nazarene University(Nashville, Tn), Ohio Dominican University(Columbus, Oh.), Ferris State University(Grand Rapids, Mi.), McKendree University(Lebanon, IL.), University of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, In.), Northwood University(Midland, Mi.), and Hillsdale College(Hillsdale, Mi.).
USI invites the public and media to attend the tournament to see girls’ softball competition at the college level.
Game times are 1PM and 3PM on Friday(2/24), 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM on Saturday(2/25), and 10AM and 12PM on Sunday(2/26). All games will be played at Deaconess Sports Park. Tickets are $7 per day or $20 weekend pass for adults and free for children 12 and under.
Air Quality Forecast For Vanderburgh County
Air quality forecasts for Evansville and Vanderburgh County are provided as a public service. They are best estimates of predicted pollution levels that can be used as a guide so people can modify their activities and reduce their exposure to air quality conditions that may affect their health. The forecasts are routinely made available at least a day in advance, and are posted by 10:30 AM Evansville time on Monday (for Tuesday through Thursday) and Thursday (for Friday through Monday). When atmospheric conditions are uncertain or favor pollution levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, forecasts are made on a daily basis.
Ozone forecasts are available from mid-April through September 30th. Fine particulate (PM2.5) forecasts are available year round.
Tuesday February 21 |
Wednesday February 22 |
Thursday February 23 |
Friday February 24 |
Saturday February 25 |
|
Fine Particulate (0-23Â CST avg) Air Quality Index |
moderate | moderate | moderate | good | NA* |
Ozone Air Quality Index |
NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* |
Ozone (peak 8-hr avg) (expected) |
NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* |
* Not Available and/or Conditions Uncertain.
Air Quality Action Days
Ozone Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when maximum ozone readings averaged over a period of eight hours are forecasted to reach 71 parts per billion (ppb), or unhealthy for sensitive groups on the USEPA Air Quality Index scale.
Particulate Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when PM2.5 readings averaged over the period of midnight to midnight are forecasted to reach 35 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3).
Current conditions of OZONE and FINE PARTICULATE MATTER are available in near real-time on the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s website.
National and regional maps of current conditions are available through USEPA AIRNow.
COA reverses drug conviction for lack of police inventory regulation
The Indiana Court of Appeals vacated a Putnam County man’s drug conviction Tuesday after finding that police officers were not following proper protocol when they searched the man’s vehicle.
After noticing that the vehicle Otis Sams was driving did not have working taillights, Greencastle Police Department officers Christopher Jones and Justin Tate pulled Sams over and asked for his license and registration. However, Sams’ license had been suspended, so he produced the registration for the vehicle, which was a family member’s truck, and a state-issued identification card.
After running Sams’ information and discovering that he was not licensed to drive, Jones decided that the slick road conditions required Sams’ vehicle to be impounded and towed. They also issued a misdemeanor summons to Sams, rather than arresting him, and Sams left the scene to wait for a ride home.
Jones and a third officer who had arrived, Kyle Lee, began to inventory to contents of the truck and discovered 25 grams of methamphetamine inside a hamburger box in the truck, so Sams was arrested and charged with Class A misdemeanor driving while license suspended and Level 4 felony possession of methamphetamine. He moved to suppress the meth evidence, but the Putnam Circuit Court denied his motion and allowed the meth to be admitted as evidence over his objection.
After his conviction on both counts, Sams appealed in Otis Sams, Jr. v. State of Indiana, 67A01-1604-CR-814, arguing that the evidence was the inadmissible fruit of an unlawful search under the Fourth Amendment. The Indiana Court of Appeals agreed in a Tuesday opinion, with Judge Paul Mathias writing that the search of the fast-food bag and box that revealed the meth was not sufficiently regulated.
At the time of Sams’ arrest, Greencastle Police had a written policy on impounding vehicles that held, “When the driver/owner of a vehicle is arrested, and if the vehicle is subject to a lawful impound, the arresting officer will make an inventory of the vehicle for valuables,†including all personal property and vehicle accessories. However, Jones testified that he was trained to interpret the policy to mean only items perceived to be of liability value should be included on the inventory.
“The written policy thus conflicts both with itself and with the unwritten policy,†Mathias wrote for the unanimous panel. “We suspect that the written policy exists for the sake of reviewing courts and the unwritten policy for the sake of officers in the field. Even if the policies are not programmatically pretextual in this way … their conflict afford GPD officers excessive discretion in allowing officers to choose which of two protocols will govern their searches.â€
Thus, the police department’s existing inventory regime could not sufficiently regulate inventory searches by its officers, Mathias wrote. Further, because Jones testified that he only searched the fast-food bag because it seemed “suspicious†and would not normally search such an item during the inventory, “the search (was) pretextual and therefore unreasonable,†the judge said.
Thus, as Sams argued, the drug evidence was an inadmissible fruit of the inventory, Mathias said, so the appellate court vacated his meth conviction and remanded with instructions to grant his motion to suppress.