Bronx is a 1-year-old male black Lab mix. So far at VHS he has played nicely with other dogs. He scored well on his temperament evaluation and would be fine in a home with children. His $100 adoption fee includes his microchip, neuter, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org to inquire!
Justin Matthew Birdwell was sentenced to the Indiana Department of Corrections for a period of ten (10) years on Monday, December 19, 2016, pursuant to a plea agreement. Birdwell pled guilty as charged to a count of Causing Death When Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, with a Prior Conviction, a Level 4 Felony. The facts supporting this conviction are that on April 23, 2016, Birdwell caused the death of James Stan Ensor, while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and Birdwell had a previous conviction for operating while intoxicated within five (5) years – that being a conviction out of Vanderburgh County on March 5, 2013. Mr. Ensor was a passenger of a vehicle which was either slowing down or stopped because of a construction zone on Interstate 64, and whose vehicle was struck in the rear by the defendant’s vehicle. There had been reports of the defendant’s erratic driving from individuals travelling from Louisville on this day. The maximum sentence Mr. Birdwell could have received on this count is twelve (12) years.
This was an incident that affected an entire community, as Mr. Ensor was both well-known and well-loved within the Boonville community. There are many factors that are included in the decision as to whether to proceed to trial or to offer a plea agreement. Certainly, first and foremost, any such decision is discussed at length with any and all victims of any crime. While the decision ultimately resides within the authority of the Prosecutor, the rights and wishes of victims and/or their families are given the proper amount of deference. There is a balancing of interests that then must be undertaken – that is – the necessity to effectuate the ends of justice, the preservation of the continued safety and well-being of a community as a whole, and ultimately, the proper punishment of someone who has chosen to disregard the law and for their consequences resulting from their actions.
The Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office is well aware of the dangers of drivers who fail to realize that operating a motor vehicle is a privilege and not a right, and that by operating vehicles under the influence of any type of intoxicant, however slight, poses a significant risk of danger to the rest of us who use our privilege appropriately. We, as an office, and as a representative of our community, are weary of the tragic effects of this most avoidable of all criminal offenses – and have shed too many tears with our fellow citizens in light of recent tragedies. Unless and until our legislators address the issue that a Level 4 or Level 5 felony are the highest levels to which one could be held accountable for these types of incidents, Prosecutors are limited as to how best to proceed for punishment of offenders and protection of the innocent. Most importantly, however, without harsher potential punishment for those who take another’s life through their selfish decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated, we will unfortunately be faced with future tragedies and additional mourning for all of those affected by these tragedies.
Washburne Reappointed to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Codes
DECEMBER 19TH, 2016
BRITNEY TAYLOR EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
An Evansville state representative is reappointed to the House Committee for the 2017 legislative session. Republican State Rep. Tom Washburne will serve as chair of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Codes. He has also been named to the House Committee on Financial Institutions and the House Judiciary Committee.
State Rep. Washburne says, “I both chair and serve on committees that directly affect how the Hoosier court system, both civil and criminal, operates.â€
House lawmakers will convene on January 4th at 1:30 p.m. in the House Chamber for the first day of the 2017 legislative session. Standing committee hearings can viewed live online at Indiana General Assembly.
For a complete list, visit Indiana Republican House Committee Assignments for General Assembly.
WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “READERS POLL†question is: How do you rank Evansville City Council job performance in 2016?
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WAR ON ‘FAKE NEWS’ PART OF A WAR ON FREE SPEECH
By Ron Paul
A major threat to liberty is the assault on the right to discuss political issues, seek out alternative information sources, and promote dissenting ideas and causes such as non-interventionism in foreign and domestic affairs. If this ongoing assault on free speech succeeds, then all of our liberties are endangered.
One of the most common assaults on the First Amendment is the attempt to force public policy organizations to disclose their donors. Regardless of the intent of these laws, the effect is to subject supporters of controversial causes to harassment, or worse. This harassment makes other potential donors afraid to support organizations opposing a popular war or defending the rights of an unpopular group.
Many free speech opponents support laws and regulations forbidding activist or educational organizations from distributing factual information regarding a candidate’s positions for several months before an election. The ban would apply to communications that do not endorse or oppose any candidate. These laws would result in the only sources of information on the candidate’s views being the campaigns and the media.
Recently the Federal Election Commission (FEC) rejected a proposal to add language exempting books, movies, and streaming videos from its regulations. The majority of FEC commissioners apparently believe they should have the power, for example, to ban Oliver Stone’s biography of Edward Snowden, since it was released two months before the election and features clips of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump discussing Snowden.
The latest, and potentially most dangerous, threat to the First Amendment is the war on “fake news.†Those leading the war are using a few “viral†Internet hoaxes to justify increased government regulation —- and even outright censorship —- of Internet news sites. Some popular websites, such as Facebook, are not waiting for the government to force them to crack down on fake news.
Those calling for bans on “fake news†are not just trying to censor easily-disproved Internet hoaxes. They are working to create a government-sanctioned “gatekeeper†(to use Hillary Clinton’s infamous phrase) with the power to censor any news or opinion displeasing to the political establishment. None of those wringing their hands over fake news have expressed any concern over the fake news stories that helped lead to the Iraq War. Those fake news stories led to the destabilizing of the Middle East, the rise of ISIS, and the deaths of millions.
The war on “fake news†has taken a chilling turn with efforts to label news and opinion sites of alternative news sources as peddlers of Russian propaganda. The main targets are critics of US interventionist foreign policy, proponents of a gold standard, critics of the US government’s skyrocketing debt, and even those working to end police militarization. All have been smeared as anti-American agents of Russia.
Just last week, Congress passed legislation creating a special committee, composed of key federal agencies, to counter foreign interference in U.S. elections. There have also been calls for congressional investigations into Russian influence on the elections. Can anyone doubt that the goal of this is to discredit and silence those who question the mainstream media’s pro-welfare/warfare state propaganda?
The attempts to ban “fake news;†smear antiwar, anti-Federal Reserve, and other pro-liberty movements as Russian agents; and stop independent organizations from discussing a politician’s record before an election are all parts of an ongoing war on the First Amendment. All Americans, no matter their political persuasion, have a stake in defeating these efforts to limit free speech.
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VHS Empty the Shelter Event Kicks Off
The event kicked off Friday morning at 10, and the shelter will stayed open late through 8. VHS staff say they are looking to build on a very successful event last year, and have about 200 animals to send to forever homes.
At least 30 animals have been adopted already.
GoFundMe Page To Help Fulfill Steve Sexton’s Wish To Send Underprivileged Kid To College
For those wanting to know about a memorial gift in honor of long-time racetrack and sports executive Steve Sexton:
The Sexton family says Steve made a “bucket†list in 2009. One high on the list was sending to college an underprivileged kid who otherwise would not be able to attend. A GoFundMe page (link below) has been created to help the family fulfill Steve’s wish.
https://www.gofundme.com/343nturm
The family asks that those who worked with or knew Steve to please share on social media and help spread the word.
Sexton’s long career in horse racing included serving as president of Churchill Downs Race Track and Arlington Park and also working in track management at Santa Anita, Canterbury Downs, Golden Gate Fields, Thistledown and Lone Star Park. He also was president of Formula One United States in Austin, Texas, and most recently was managing partner of LOGE, a subsidiary of HKS Sports and Entertainment.
Sexton died Dec. 12 after battling a rare form of brain cancer.
His service is Monday at 11 a.m. CT at Compass Christian Church, 2600 Hall-Johnson Road, Colleyville, TX, 76034. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-5 p.m. CT at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX, 76034
