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“READERS FORUM”SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

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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?

Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS” posted in our sections.

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CHANNEL 44 NEWS

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Crouch Cuts Ribbon on Mayse Maze

 The ribbon is cut for the 2016 cornfield maze at Mayse Farm on Evansville’s west side.

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.”

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

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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 practices”, 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 practices”, 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.”

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 Indiana”, 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.”

UE College of Engineering and Computer Science Receives Gift of $1 Million

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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.”

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.”

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

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 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.

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Adopt A Pet

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Hazel is a 4-year-old female American Staffordshire Terrier. She loves to run and enjoys Cardio for Canines every Saturday getting some exercise at Garvin Park! She’s a beautiful fawn & white color. Hazel’s $100 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, heartworm test, & more. Call (812) 426-2563 or visit www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!

Board of Park Meeting Agenda

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERS

ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

12:00 NOON

REVISED AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. MINUTESSeptember 7, 2016

3. CONSENT AGENDA

              a.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Park Use Permit with the Mayor’s Office for Lilly

                    King Celebration at Garvin Park September 24, 2016. – Hayes

              b.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Park Use Permit with the Easter Seals Rehabilitation

                    Center for Fantasy of Lights at Garvin Park November 3 – January 7, 2017. – Hayes

              c.   Request Re:  Declare TMC TRUE Double Solid Door Reach In Freezer Surplus at

                    Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

              d.   Request Re:  Declare Toro Z 222 Riding Zero Turn Lawn Mower Surplus at Swonder

                    Ice Arena. – Crook

              e.   Request Re:  Declare Two NHL Regulation Size Hockey Goals Surplus at Swonder Ice

                    Arena. – Crook

4.         OLD BUSINESS N/A

5.         NEW BUSINESS

            a.   Request Re:  Approve Fall Festival Parking Fees. – Hayes

            b.   Request Re:  Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments.

6.        REPORTS

           a.   Brian Holtz, Executive Director

7.        ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS

 

8.        ADJOURN

Sybil Spreads Her Wings

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Sybil, the Wesselman Nature Society Bald Eagle, has taken the next step in her training.  Animal Curator, Erin Gray, with the help of Alan Eicher, falconer and friend of the Nature Center, hasve worked with Sybil, helping her get comfortable leaving her exhibit, walking around the Preserve and having people get close to her.  Between these two talented trainers and one amazing bird, great things are happening.  We are looking forward to including her in programs we offer for school children, scouts and our visitors.  Your support helps make spectacular things happen here at Wesselman Woods Nature Center.

USI shutout by Quincy, 2-0

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The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team opened its road swing by being shut out by Quincy University, 2-0, Saturday evening in Quincy, Illinois. USI falls to 4-2-0, 1-2-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference, while Quincy goes to 1-3-1, 1-2-0 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles fell behind in the first half at 15:12 when the Hawks found the back of the USI goal after a one hour lightning delay. Quincy would hold onto the 1-0 lead through the halftime.

In the second half, the Hawks increased their lead to 2-0 with a tally at 61:56. The Eagles would try to rally, recording four shots and one corner in the final 28 minutes, but was unable to find the back to the Hawks’ goal.

USI outshot Quincy for the match, 12-11, and in the second half, 9-5, but the Hawks held the advantage in corners, 7-4.

The Eagles concludes the road swing at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, Sunday at noon. Truman saw it record go to 5-0-1 overall and 4-0-0, in the GLVC with a 1-0 overtime victory over Bellarmine University tonight in Kirksville.

USI returns to the friendly surroundings of Strassweg Field September 23 when it host the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The short two-match home weekend concludes September 25 when the Eagles host Lewis University.