- On Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 5:14am the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address on Greendale Drive within Old Petersburg Place subdivision in reference to suspicious circumstances.
A witness reported to 911 that a skinny white male, wearing no shirt and suspenders, was removing items from a neighbor’s residence. The unidentified male was placing the items into the bed of a white Chevrolet truck with a Kentucky license plate. A direction of travel was given to 911 by the witness as the vehicle left the area.
A sheriff’s deputy was nearby and observed the truck hauling numerous items as it traveled eastbound on Mt. Pleasant Road. A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with the driver and sole occupant of the truck. Deputies could plainly see the bed of the truck overloaded with items to the point that the driver could not see out of the rear window.
The driver was identified as Mr. Stephen T. Hape. Mr. Hape provided a fabricated explanation to deputies about his business at the residence. Mr. Hape claimed that he had been instructed by his employer to remove items from the residence for the purpose of transporting them to a nearby landfill. Deputies were able to disprove Mr. Hape’s explanation by speaking to the home owner and Mr. Hape’s employer.
The homeowner responded to the traffic stop and positively identified all of the items in Mr. Hape’s truck. When the items were transported back to their origin, the homeowner discovered that Mr. Hape had vandalized numerous items while inside the residence.  Mr. Hape had intentionally clogged drains and left water running, which caused significant water damage to the upstairs and downstairs of the residence. Mr. Hape had also carved profanities into a dishwasher.  Mr. Hape had also damaged several items while he removed them from the home.
During a search of Mr. Hape’s truck, deputies located narcotic paraphernalia and several Vyvanse capsules. Vyvanse is a schedule II controlled substance that Mr. Hape did not have a prescription for.
Mr. Hape was transported to Vanderburgh County Jail, where he was booked on a multiple charges.
ARRESTED:
Stephen Trey Hape (pictured above), 27, of Henderson, Kentucky. Burglary as a  Level 4 Felony, Theft as a Level 6 Felony, Criminal Mischief as a Class A Misdemeanor, Possession of a Controlled Substance as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Home Burglar Apprehended Leaving Old Petersburg Place Early Sunday Morning
The Pawprint Lodge Presents Seven Deadly Sins…One Delicious Temptation to Benefit Another Chance for Animals
Delight your senses with a sinful night of indulgence featuring delicious bourbons, select wines and delectable desserts. The “Seven Deadly Sins…One Delicious Temptation†event, presented by The Pawprint Lodge, will offer tastings of 3 different bourbons and 4 wines, expertly paired with sinfully rich desserts. Being held at the beautiful and chic Blush Ultralounge, event attendees will swoon from the sultry sound of Angel Rhodes. It would be a sin to miss this pleasurable affair. Please join us in supporting “Seven Deadly Sins…One Delicious Temptation†wine, bourbon and dessert tasting to be held on Friday, September 30, 2016.
This gratifying experience will help raise funds for Another Chance for Animals. ACA is dedicated to the rescue, care and placement of homeless animals in the area, working diligently to find forever homes and loving families for these animals. Come out, don’t be greedy, show your pride and give to Evansville’s homeless animals.
Tickets can be purchased at The Pawprint Lodge, The Diamond Galleria or through Eventbrite:Â Â https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seven-deadly-sinsone-delicious-temptation-tickets-26065609941
OTTERS POWER THEIR WAY TO GAME THREE VICTORY
O’FALLON, MO – The Evansville Otters used a pair of five run innings to take a 10-0 lead and eventually win Game Three of the Frontier League Championship Series, 13-7.
The Otters sent all nine batters to the plate in both of the first two innings leading to five runs in each inning. After a leadoff single from Rolando Gomez to begin the game, Josh Allen sacrificed him over with a bunt to put Gomez in scoring position with one out in the inning. John Schultz then drew a walk and Chris Breen loaded the bases with a single. After a strikeout to get the second out of the first inning, the Otters started a rally. Nik Balog drove in a pair with a soft line drive to left field, scoring both Gomez and Schultz, giving Evansville an early 2-0 lead. After Chris Sweeney drew a walk to load the bases again, that led to a pitching change as Dylan Brammer exited the game after only pitching two-thirds of an inning. Joe Pavlovich entered for the Rascals and immediately gave up a two-RBI single to Christopher Riopedre, driving in Breen and Balog, making it 4-0. Shortly after his single, Riopedre stole second base and the Rascals catcher, Josh Ludy, tried to pick Sweeney off at third base, but threw the ball into left field, allowing Sweeney to score the fifth run of the inning. Julio Rodriguez was the ninth batter of the inning, but grounded out to end it.
After the long top half of the inning, Preston Olson took the mound for the first time in the game and retired the side in order in the bottom of the first, getting a big double play to end the inning. The Evansville Otters quickly got back to work in the top of the second as once again Gomez led it off with a single. Allen then drew a walk and Schultz got his first hit of the night to load the bases again for Breen with nobody out. The Rascals again turned to the bullpen, bringing in Reese Gregory to face Breen. Breen promptly took a 2-0 pitch out to deep left-center field for his second grand slam of the postseason, making it a 9-0 lead for Evansville. After a strikeout and a groundout, Sweeney found a way on base with a two-out single to extend the inning to Riopedre. The Otters shortstop then hit a double but the throw to second base got away from the Rascals infielder, allowing Sweeney to score the fifth run of the inning, and tenth of the game for Evansville.
Preston Olson worked through trouble in the third and also faced some more in the fourth, where he finally allowed two runs to come across in the inning on an RBI groundout by Jason Merjano and an RBI single to left field by Clint Freeman. Olson got out of the inning, only allowing those two runs, making it 10-2 after four innings. Olson allowed the bases loaded in the fifth, and ultimately allowed three runs without recording an out in the inning, leading to his exit from the game. Shane Weedman replaced Olson on the mound, allowing a run on a passed ball before getting the final three outs on a fly out to center field and also a fly out to right field where Breen threw out the runner at home plate, ending the inning and recording the double play. The game would remain at 10-6, and that was as close as the Rascals would get all night.
In the top of the seventh inning, Julio Rodriguez hit a leadoff double down the left field line, and was later brought in by Josh Allen as he made it 11-6 with his sacrifice fly to right.
Weedman was electric out of the bullpen, pitching scoreless sixth and seventh innings, carrying the Otters into the eighth. In the top of the eighth, Gardner and Balog connected on back to home runs to make it 13-6, adding some insurance runs late. Weedman went out to start the bottom half of the inning, but was lifted with one out in the eighth for Ken Frosch. Frosch came in, got a quick fly out to right field before giving up a pinch-hit solo home run to Braxton Martinez, making it 13-7. That would be the final run scored by either side as Frosch and Tyler Thompson combined to record the final five outs, securing the victory for Evansville in Game Three of the Frontier League Championship Series.
Shane Weedman was credited with the victory, while Dylan Brammer took the loss.
The Evansville Otters will have an opportunity to clinch their second ever Frontier League Championship tomorrow afternoon in Game Four. The Otters won it all in 2006, and will try to repeat that effort 10 years later. Matt Wivinis will toe the rubber for Evansville, while River City will send out a left-handed pitcher in Dan Ludwig. Game Four will take place at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Missouri, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. If the Otters cannot clinch the series tomorrow, a deciding Game Five will be played at Bosse Field on Monday evening at 6:35 p.m.
“READERS FORUM”SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY!
EDITOR FOOTNOTE: “IS IT TRUE†will be posted on this coming MONDAY.
Todays READERS POLL question is: Do you agree with Dan McGinn, Mayor Winnecke and City Council that they should reduce the Homestead Property Tax Credit from 8 percent to 6 percent for 2017?
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CHANNEL 44 NEWS
Crouch Cuts Ribbon on Mayse Maze
Evansville native, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor and State Auditor Suzanne Crouch had the honor of cutting the ribbon Saturday morning.
To celebrate Indiana’s Bicentennial, the field was cut in the shape of Indiana and outlines the Bicentennial Torch. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete the maze that features Hoosier trivia throughout.
Sherrill Mayse says, “As you travel through, you’ll find podiums that have questions and the answers to the game sheet that we give. You have to travel through the maze to find the answers. It’s really a fun game-sheet. There are 14 questions and 7 podiums for you to look for in the maze.â€
Admission to walk through the maze is nine dollars and that covers other fun activities for the little ones.
Fun on the Farm†will run every weekend through the end of October.
The event is usually on Main Street in Evansville but this year’s event had to be moved inside after a rainy start Saturday. Event-goers could enjoy food from various restaurants across Evansville and live music. Organizers say the event benefits youth interested in live orchestral music and festivals like the jazz and wine festival help the local economy.
“I think they are really good for downtown and even those activities even sponsored by the Evansville philharmonic guild really support the economy because even supporting music you give them really good activities to participate in and it helps industry because industry likes to relocate to an area where arts exist†event chair Ann Almquist said.
14 wineries are represented at the event. The jazz and wine festival ends at 11 p.m. Saturday night.
Indiana Drowning Rate Declining
Indiana Drowning Rate Declining
Indiana Conservation Officers have recorded a thirty percent decrease in the number of annual state drowning victims over the past 2 years when compared to the previous five years.
“Although the DNR Law Enforcement Division continues to encourage the use of life-jackets and promotes water safety messages such as Wear It and Operation Dry Water through various media and social media sites, the decrease in drownings is attributed to the fact that our citizens are applying good water safety practicesâ€, said Lt. Larry Morrison, Outdoor Education Coordinator.
Indiana recorded 50 drowning deaths in 2010, 66 in 2011, 52 in 2012, 60 in 2013 and 54 in 2014. The Law Enforcement Division recorded a decrease in 2015 to 43 drowning deaths and 37 to date in 2016.
“With the turning of the season quickly approaching, Indiana’s outdoor enthusiasts, waterfowl hunters and paddling sport citizens must remain focused on water safety techniques and practicesâ€, said Major Terry Hyndman, Operations Commander. “The colder water temperatures during fall and winter must also be prepared for by those who continue to recreate on or near waterways.â€
To maintain safety on the water during the fall and winter months the following tips are offered:
-Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life Jacket when on or near waterways
-Dress in layers appropriate for the weather
-Remain aware of the changing weather patterns
-Carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device on board all watercraft
-Make a plan before you go
-Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return
-Carry a survival kit and a first aid kit
“We hope that the trend in reduced drownings continue across the state of Indianaâ€, said Danny L. East, Law Enforcement Division Director. “As our citizens become more aware of water safety concerns and prepare themselves well before recreating, we could see a decrease for many years to come.â€
UE College of Engineering and Computer Science Receives Gift of $1 Million
UE College of Engineering and Computer Science Receives Gift of $1 Million
The University of Evansville’s College of Engineering and Computer Science will soon purchase some new equipment thanks to a recent gift of $1 million. The generous donation comes from Paul and Patricia Jones, longtime supporters of UE.
The Joneses have a strong connection to the University of Evansville, and as a couple have contributed immensely to the institution’s success.
They met as students at the University and later married in the school’s Neu Chapel. Patricia pursued a major in medical technology, while Paul earned his degree in engineering. Paul is currently a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, and is the retired chair and CEO of A.O. Smith Corporation.
“We truly appreciate the Jones’s generosity to our engineering programs,†said UE president Thomas A. Kazee. “Their support has been instrumental in transforming much of campus. This particular gift represents the perfect marriage of our shared vision for how state-of-the art engineering education – grounded on the solid foundation of the liberal arts and sciences – can help the region build the workforce of the future.â€
Items that will be bought with the Jones’s gift have long been on the wish lists of UE’s engineering programs. Equipment to be purchased includes a 3D scanner, multiple 3D printers, thermal imaging scanner, a 5-axis milling machine, and a project realization laboratory.
Philip Gerhart, dean of UE’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, noted that “equipment and facilities obtained with Paul and Pat Jones’s magnificent gift will play a key role in continuing the University’s commitment to excellence through both rigorous academics and hands-on experiences.â€
UE’s engineering programs are designed to meet local, national and global needs. Students have the opportunity to study civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. UE also offers a biomedical option in both electrical and mechanical engineering and a certificate program in energy engineering that prepares current students and graduate engineers for opportunities in alternative and traditional energy technologies; an area believed to be key to developing the economy of the region.
USDA Announces Rural Water and Waste Infrastructure Investments
|  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making investments to improve water and waste infrastructure for 168 small towns across the country, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The investment, totaling $283 million, is made through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which provides assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
“Strong infrastructure is critical to keeping America’s communities of all sizes thriving, and USDA is proud to partner with the National Rural Water Association to help improve the livelihood of our smallest towns by providing access to reliable water and wastewater systems,” said Vilsack. “Projects like these are critical to the economy, health and future of rural America, and today 19 million residents now have improved water and wastewater services in their communities thanks to investments USDA has made since 2009.” USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Brandon McBride made the announcement on Vilsack’s behalf here at the National Rural Water Association’s WaterPro conference. The city of Monticello, Ill., for example, is receiving a $14.3 million USDA loan to construct a wastewater treatment plant to benefit the city’s 5,500 residents. The funding will help the city expand its sewage capacity and comply with environmental regulations. In Mississippi, the Mt. Olive Water Association, a non-profit organization serving approximately 368 customers, is receiving a $297,000 loan and a $238,000 grant for a water systems improvement project. The funding will provide a water storage tank, fire hydrants and a generator for this small system. Mt. Olive is one of the first applicants to use Rural Development’s new online application system, RD Apply. In this new process, applications can be submitted by anyone, anywhere in the country, any time of day. That means even the most remote rural communities can submit an application as long as they have access to the internet. USDA’s Water and Environmental Programsdivision launched RD Apply at the National Rural Water Association’s WaterPro conference in Oklahoma City on Sept. 28, 2015. Funding for each project announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant or loan/grant agreement. In 2015, the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority completed a water treatment plant to bring safe and plentiful water to Boone, Newton and Searcy counties in northwest Arkansas. USDA provided $62 million in loans and grants. The rural water systems in these counties were plagued by excessive amounts of naturally occurring radon, radium and fluoride in their groundwater supplies, causing them to be under administrative orders from the state health department. Approximately 20,000 rural Arkansas residents now have a safe, dependable supply of water as a result of USDA’s investment. Newton and Searcy counties are persistent poverty counties and are within USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunityinitiative. Launched in 2010, StrikeForce is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to address persistent poverty across America. Today’s funding builds on USDA’s historic investments in rural America over the past seven years. Since 2009, USDA has worked to strengthen and support rural communities and American agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 American jobs, provides American consumers with more than 80 percent of the food we consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries, and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development (@USDARD) has invested $13.5 billion for 5,739 water and waste infrastructure projects, benefiting 19.1 million rural residents; invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 9,200 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. USDA also has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results. # |