 Roscoe is the VHS’ longest canine resident, and he is an absolute favorite of the entire VHS staff. He’s a male Lab mix and is estimated to be about 6 years old. VHS originally pulled him from Evansville Animal Care & Control. Roscoe has a couple of health issues relating to his skin and hips, but he’s otherwise the perfect dog. He is housetrained, loves other pets, loves all people, rides well in the car, and is low-energy! His $100 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, all previous medical care from VHS, heartworm test, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or at www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Men’s basketball to open season on Friday at Louisville
Aces to face nationally-ranked squad
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 2016-17 season officially begins on Friday as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team takes on Louisville for the first time in 59 years.
Game time is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised live on the ACC Network Plus. The network is part of ESPN3 and is available on your mobile device or computer with your cable subscription.
Evansville is coming off of a 25-9 season that saw them finish with their highest win tally since the 1988-89. Starters D.J. Balentine, Egidijus Mockevicius and Adam Wing from last year’s team have moved on following graduation while fellow starter Blake Simmons is out for the 2016-17 season with a knee injury. That leaves Jaylon Brown as the lone starter from last season; in his first full season as a starter, Brown started all 34 games while notching 10.8 points per game. Seven newcomers complement the returning players.
Brown had his best collegiate season in 2015-16, notching 10.8 points per game on his way to a berth on the MVC Most Improved Team. He started each game at point guard for UE and hit his career-high of 19 points on three occasions last year. In 34 games, Brown scored 8 or more points on 26 occasions; as a sophomore, he scored at least 8 points just ten times in 36 games.
Friday’s contest will mark the first game of the 98th season of Evansville basketball. UE is 65-32 in its first 97 openers and has won its last three; the last season-opening loss came in 2012 at Notre Dame.
Evansville and Louisville will tangle on the hardwood for the first time since December 2, 1957 when the Purple Aces earned a 92-90 home victory. UE holds a 13-12 lead in the overall series and is 8-4 in home games and 4-8 on the road. The last meeting in 1957 was also the season opener for both squads.
Ranked in the top 15 in both of the preseason polls, Louisville is coming off of a stellar 23-8 campaign last season, which included an 18-1 mark at the Yum Center. The Cardinals were picked to finish 4th in the ACC Basketball Preseason Poll behind only Duke, North Carolina and Virginia.
Louisville returns ten lettermen including starters Quentin Snider and Jaylen Johnson from last year’s team, which topped eventual Final Four participants North Carolina and Syracuse. Snider scored an average of 9.4 points per game while leading the squad with 109 assists last season; he was also a 40.4% shooter from outside. Johnson started 22 games on his way to averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest.
Air Quality Forecast
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.
| Thursday November 10 |
Friday November 11 |
Saturday November 12 |
Sunday November 13 |
Monday November 14 |
|
| Fine Particulate (0-23Â CST avg) Air Quality Index |
moderate | moderate | good | moderate | moderate |
| 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.
Adopt A Pet
Oreo is a 1 ½-year-old male black & white cat! He’s… well… let’s just say “pleasantly plump.†He’s a funny guy and will definitely keep his forever family laughing. His adoption fee is $18 thru 11/19 as part of the “Fantastic Cats†special! It includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or at www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Meth conviction reversed over toxicology authentication
IL for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s conviction of operating a vehicle with meth in his blood and subsequently causing death after finding that the state failed to authenticate the toxicology report that found traces of drug in his blood sample.
In the case of William C. Williams v. State of Indiana, 82A04-1602-CR-295, Williams was driving his motorcycle in August 2013 when he ran into the back of a van that was stopped at an intersection, ejecting his passenger and girlfriend, Nancy Parsons, who died from her injuries. Williams was also transported to the hospital, where a blood draw tested positive for THC and meth.
Williams was subsequently charged with two counts of Class B felony operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance, marijuana and meth, in his blood causing death. During the trial in Vanderburgh Superior Court, Williams testified that he did not know how meth could have been in his blood and objected to the admission of State’s Exhibit 65, which contained the toxicology report that showed meth in his blood and the chain of custody for his blood sample. All of Exhibit 65 except for the two pages of the toxicology report was submitted to the jury, and Williams was convicted on both counts.
Williams did not contest his marijuana conviction but instead appealed the conviction related to meth, arguing that the state failed to establish a chain of custody for his blood sample “so as to allow the admission of the results of tests showing it contained methamphetamine.â€
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed in a Thursday opinion, writing that the state had failed to properly authenticate Exhibit 65 because its Certificate of Authenticity contained only a notary signature as a witness, not a signature of a records custodian or other qualified person.
But the state argued that it had properly authenticated the exhibit by the testimony of Jennifer Turri, an analyst with NMS Labs, which completed the toxicology report that found meth in Williams’ blood. Turri testified that she did not physically produce the report, but that a computer generated it after the results of the Williams‘ blood sample test were submitted through the lab’s information system.
The Court of Appeals wrote Wednesday that because Turri’s testimony only partially explained how the toxicology report was created and did not address the other components of Exhibit 65, her testimony did not authenticate the exhibit.
Thus, at the request of the state, the appellate court allowed Williams’ marijuana conviction to stand but reversed his conviction related to meth.
Ivy Tech, Fisk University partner to offer seamless transfer optionÂ
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College, the largest community college system in the United States, and Fisk University, a private historically Black university and the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville, Tenn., have signed an agreement to offer seamless transfer opportunities for eligible Ivy Tech students.
As part of the agreement Fisk University agrees it will guarantee admission to those Ivy Tech students who have met the following criteria for transfer: received an associate degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; met the minimum requirements for admission of all transfer students to Fisk; and made proper application for admission to Fisk which includes submission of an official transcript. The application fee will be waived for all Ivy Tech students.
“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to our Ivy Tech transfer students,†said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. “This agreement between Ivy Tech and the renowned Fisk University is a demonstration of true cooperation with students’ success as the ultimate outcome.â€
Ivy Tech transfer students, upon approval of meeting the needed requirements for Fisk University, will be admitted as upper-division students provided they have received grades of C or better in their course requirements.
“To partner with one of the nation’s premier community college systems is a true honor,” said Dr. Rodney S. Hanley, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fisk University.  “We believe that students transferring from Ivy Tech will enhance the overall intellectual environment of our university, and they will receive a top-notch education here.”
Fisk University is well known for their leadership role in the education of African-Americans, graduating students from diverse backgrounds with integrity and intellect required for substantive contributions to society.
“We are honored to partner with Fisk University as a pathway for a four-year degree seeking students,†said Doran Moreland, executive director of statewide diversity and outreach for Ivy Tech Community College. “Fisk is a venerable, historically Black institution, known worldwide for producing exceptional and diverse graduates. This partnership is one of the many high quality experiences Ivy Tech is providing to help each of our students reach their goals.â€
President Ellspermann, Doran Moreland, five Ivy Tech students and an adjunct instructor, will visit Fisk University on Monday, October 24 for a campus tour and participate in the official agreement signing.
Ivy Tech Community College offers more than 100 transfer programs with in-state and out-of-state schools. For a complete list of participating institutions, local transfer advocate contacts and next steps, visit ivytech.edu/transfer.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
About Fisk University
Founded in 1866, Fisk University is Nashville’s first institution of higher education and currently ranks in the top 20% of all liberal arts institutions in the nation according to The Washington Monthly. According to the American Physical Society, Fisk is the #1 producer of underrepresented minority Master’s in Physics degrees. Fisk is ranked in the top 15 institutions for awarding the Master’s in Physics degree for all students, and tied for fourth place for Master’s degrees awarded to women. Fisk is the 4th highest ranked institution in Tennessee and the highest ranked Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Forbes magazine’s 2015 edition of “America’s Top Colleges.†Fisk has ranked in Princeton Review’s “Best Southeastern Colleges†publication for 22 consecutive years.  U.S. News & World Report ranks Fisk in the elite Tier One liberal arts institutions. Fisk has earned 4 R&D 100 Awards, the only HBCU to do so. For more information about Fisk University, please visit www.fisk.edu.
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Governor Pence Directs Flags Be Lowered to Half-staff Statewide to Honor Hoosier Army Private Dakota Stump Killed in Fort Hood Car Accident
Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today directed flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff for Army Private and Avon native Dakota Stump after he was killed in a car accident in Ft. Hood, TX. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Pvt. Stump’s funeral, Saturday, November 12.
Governor Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to honor the service and sacrifice of Pvt. Stump.
AG Zoeller Settles Data Breach Case Against Software Company
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced today Indiana is one of 16 states that reached a settlement with the software company Adobe Systems, Inc. after an investigation into a 2013 data breach of certain Adobe servers revealed approximately 24,049 Hoosiers were affected.
The hacker stole the personal information of approximately 2.9 million people nationwide, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, usernames, encrypted payment card numbers and expiration dates, as well as other data. Indiana’s share of the $1 million settlement is $53,718.36, which will be earmarked for consumer education and protection.
 “This case is yet another example of the importance of protecting your personal and financial information,†Zoeller said. “I continue to be an advocate for Indiana’s credit freeze protections and encourage all Hoosiers to place credit freezes with the major credit bureaus.â€
The states involved in the investigation of the unauthorized server access alleged that Adobe did not use reasonable security measures to protect its systems from an attack or have proper measures in place to immediately detect an attack. The agreement resolves consumer protection and privacy claims against the company and requires Adobe to implement new policies and practices to prevent future similar breaches
For more information on how you can activate a credit freeze, click here.
The states that participated in the investigation and joined Indiana in the agreement are Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
States Of Indiana Monthly Revenue Report
Thursday, November 10:
The monthly revenue report for October, along with commentary from State Budget Director Brian Bailey, has been posted on the State Budget Agency webpage. The report and commentary can be found here:Â http://in.gov/sba/2696.htm. Charts visualizing revenue data are located on the Management and Performance Hub under the State Tax Revenue section:Â http://www.in.gov/mph/staterevenue.html.
Results
General Fund revenues for October totaled $1,163.8 million, which is $17.9 million (1.5%) below estimate based on the December 17, 2015 Forecast and $56.7 million (5.1%) above revenue in October 2015.
- Sales tax collections totaled $622.1 million for October, which is $9.6 million (1.5%) below the monthly estimate but $28.7 million (4.8%) above revenue in October 2015.
- Individual income tax collections totaled $463.6 million for October, which is $7.9 million (1.7%) above the monthly estimate and $25.5 million (5.8%) above revenue in October 2015.
- Corporate tax collections totaled $17.1 million for October, which is $8.9 million (34.2%) below the monthly estimate and $10.1 million (144.6%) above revenue in October 2015.
- Riverboat wagering collections totaled $20.3 million for October, which is $2.0 million (9.0%) below the monthly estimate and $3.0 million (12.8%) below revenue in October 2015.
- Racino wagering collections totaled $7.6 million for October, which is $0.1 million (1.5%) below the monthly estimate and $0.5 million (5.9%) below revenue in October 2015.
 CommentaryÂ
Year-to-date General Fund collections total $4,762.7 million, which is $75.7 million (1.6%) below the December 2015 revenue forecast but $192.2 million (4.2%) above the prior fiscal year.
Year-to-date sales tax collections total $2,500.3 million, which is $74.2 million (2.9%) below the December 2015 forecast but $75.5 million (3.1%) above collections through the same period from the prior fiscal year.
Individual income tax collections total $1,766.4 million year-to-date, which is $34.5 million (2.0%) above forecasted collections and $132.6 million (8.1%) above year-to-date collections from the same time last fiscal year. Compounding the year-over-year growth of individual income tax in fiscal 2017 is the “five Friday effect.â€Â There was one more Friday of payroll processing in September, which was recorded in October’s payroll tax withholding. In October 2015 there was no “five Friday effect,†so October 2016 individual income tax revenue is higher than October 2015 revenue due to this factor.
Corporate tax collections continue to underperform compared to forecast and compared to prior year collections. Corporate collections are $38.7 million (15.7%) below forecast year-to-date and $8 million (3.7%) below fiscal year-to-date collections through the same period.
Elizabeth Nolan to be Speaker at UE’s Jean Dreyfus Boissevain Lectures
Elizabeth Nolan, professor of chemistry at MIT, will be the speaker for the Jean Dreyfus Boissevain lectures planned at the University of Evansville this week.
On Thursday, November 10, at 12:15 p.m., Nolan will give a general science lecture titled “Humans and Microbes: Understanding How a Gut Peptide Entraps Bacterial Pathogens.†The lecture will be in Room 162 in the Schroeder School of Business Building.
Later that day – at 4:00 p.m. – she will be giving a community outreach lecture at the Koch Family Children’s Museum.
Then on Friday, November 11, at 6:00 p.m., Nolan will be giving a talk titled, “Metals and Immunity: Bioinorganic Explorations of the Host-Defense Protein Calprotectin.†That lecture will be in Room 101, in Koch Center for Engineering and Science.
These events, which are being sponsored by UE’s Department of Chemistry, are all free and open to the public.
Nolan graduated magna cum laude from Smith College in 2000 and earned her PhD in inorganic chemistry from MIT. She pursued her post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School. She joined the Department of Chemistry at MIT in 2009. Her current research involves synergies between metal ion homeostasis and immunity. Some of Nolan’s recent awards include being selected as an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow in 2013, and a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar in 2014.