 Stella is a 4-year-old spayed female potbellied pig. She can be indoor/outdoor and is currently learning how to potty outside and walk on a leash. She must be adopted outside Evansville city limits. She weighs a little over 100 lbs. but should not get much bigger. Stella’s $250 adoption fee also includes her piggy vaccines! Call (812) 426-2563 or visit www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
Governor Pence Joins Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction
Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today joined 45 governors in signing the Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction, which summarizes the actions needed to address the factors contributing to opioid addiction. The compact, which was developed by and released through the National Governors Association (NGA), stems from a resolution passed at the NGA Winter Meeting in February. By signing the compact, governors are agreeing to redouble their efforts to fight the opioid epidemic in their respective states.
“Ten months after the launch of our Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention, Indiana has made tremendous strides to combat the scourge of drug abuse in our communities,†said Governor Pence. “As we look forward to serving those struggling with mental health and addiction at our new state-of-the-art neuro-diagnostic institute and launch the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse to continue the conversation of our task force, we are dedicating ourselves to this cause for the long haul and are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with other governors across the country.â€
On September 1, 2015, Governor Pence created the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment and Prevention, which consists of experts from a variety of specialties tasked with developing a comprehensive approach to addressing drug problems in Indiana. In June, the Task Force endorsed a set of opioid and controlled substance prescribing guidelines for emergency departments as part of a larger strategy to combat prescription drug abuse in Indiana. Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 271, enacted during the previous session of the Indiana General Assembly, established the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse, which will build on the work of the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment, and Prevention and take the lead in coordinating substance abuse policy throughout the state of Indiana beginning in 2017.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below is a list of the felony cases filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Ryan Wallace Cantner Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Level 6 felony
Reckless driving, Class C misdemeanor
Seth Thomas Nicholson Operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, Level 6 felony
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Level 6 felony
Possession of a firearm, Class C misdemeanor
Zachary Todd Herron Receiving stolen auto parts, Level 6 felony
Terrie Renee Mathis Theft, Level 6 felony
False informing, Class B misdemeanor
Marlin Darryl Meriwether Battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman, Level 5 felony
Jennifer Lynne Lefler Battery resulting in serious bodily injury, Level 5 felony
Battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety official, Level 5 felony
Nigel Tyrone Daniels Prisoner possessing a deadly weapon, Level 4 felony
Prisoner possessing a deadly weapon, Level 4 felony
Michael Wayne Triplett Operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, Level 6 felony
Tristin Jade Wedding Domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony
Attempted domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony
Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, Level 6 felony
Domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, Level 6 felony
Sergio Quentin Montenegro II Aggravated battery, Level 3 felony
John W. White Criminal trespass, Level 6 felony
IS IT TRUE JUNE 13, 2016
IS IT TRUE this is just one of many statements that Jackson cited in his farewell address?  …Andrew Jackson said:  “The men who profit by the abuses and desire to perpetuate them will continue to besiege the halls of legislation in the General Government and will seek by every artifice to mislead and deceive the public servants?  …you have no longer any cause to fear danger from abroad; your strength and power are well known throughout the civilized world?  …It is from within, among yourselves – from cupidity, from corruption…and inordinate thirst for power – that factions will be formed and liberty endangered?

IS IT TRUE Rev. William Payne’s just posted an on line petition entitled “Change.org” that calls for the resignation of Missy Mosby as President of City Council?  …we are presently trying  to contact Rev. Payne so we can get more information concerning thee reason for this petition?

IS IT TRUE that Missy Mosby’s denial that the now dubbed ‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH” ordinance wasn’t aimed at blocking public participation in public matters is laughable?
IS IT TRUE  we hear because of the way that couple of City Council members insulted Alex Burton during his well thought out presentation concerning future race relations is one of the reasons why the young and well educated  people of color are planning a peaceful protest for equality in Evansville proper?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that a diverse group of energetic people are now vowing to get involved. in future decisions being made by Evansville City Council?
IS IT TRUE when Councilwoman Michelle Mercer stated that by State law this City Council doesn’t allow free speech is extremely questionable? …this statement makes people questions Ms. Mercer intellectual judgment?
IS IT TRUE many people believe when Mosby, Weaver and McGinn privately amending the current  Freedom of Speech ordinance was a way to silence their critics?  …that City Council attempt to stop intelligent individuals from coming before council asking embarrassing questions has back fired?
IS IT TRUE we want to give kudos to Council persons Connie Robinson and Dan Adams for standing up to protect our 1st Amendment Rights at the Monday night Council meeting?
IS IT TRUE our poster Zenarcher submitted the following comment, which we found interesting and worth re-posting?  …Zenarcher posted the following;  “Have you noticed  City Council attorney Josh Claiborne becoming more mouthy, not just on legal matters, but confronting and answering questions that should be solely up to the ELECTED officials”?  …his role is for legal advice to the council, not to be their mouth-piece on public matters, and he should not engage with the public”?

IS IT TRUE CCO poster JoeBiden said”  “Very ironic that Jeb (Evansville City Council Attorney Josh Claiborne) of Warrick County claimed Trump was unfit for public office (after Jeb got his smiling picture with Trump)”?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that local Clergy were stunned to hear that Evansville City Council have decided not start future meetings with  an invocation?  …we consider this to be a developing story?

IS IT TRUE CCO poster Martha Stott remarks really got our attention?  …she said “Maybe I am missing something here.  Did these officials not run to represent the citizens in their area?  Should they not know what they are voting on? Do they not get paid?  Shame on Anna. (Anna Hargis).  Well at least she admitted it. Citizens, keep your elected officials accountable by organizing, calling, and letting them know you are watching their votes. That’s how you keep them accountable”?
FOOTNOTE:  “IS IT TRUEâ€Â will be posted on this coming Friday?
Todays READERS POLL question is: Would you vote for Evan Bayh to the United States Senate in this coming November General election?
Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€Â posted in our sections.
If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.
Copyright 2015
City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribute                 Â
NEWBURGH MUSEUM: NEW EXHIBIT-PICTURING NEWBURGH’S PAST
New Exhibit: Picturing Newburgh’s Past
The Newburgh Museum’s newest exhibit, Picturing Newburgh’s Past, will be opening on July 17. This exhibit will feature portraits of some of our early residents along with their homes and businesses.  Also on display will be a large collection of vintage cameras, tintypes, and photographic accessories. This window in time will give you a glimpse of Newburgh at the turn of the last century.
MARSHA YOCKEY
The main exhibit at the museum is changed every few months. The current featured exhibit is about Marcia Yockey, a former Newburgh resident started her career at the National Weather Service shortly before the end of World War II and later became a fixture in the tr-state. This exhibit is a a must-see for weather buffs or for all of us who watched Marcia dispense her brand of weather reporting.
The Newburgh Museum is located on State Street in Preservation Hall. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 11-3:00. Groups are always welcome and to an appointment call 812-853-5045.
Ellis Park Staging Thoroughbred Aftercare Day July 17
Ellis Park staging Thoroughbred Aftercare Day July 17
Raising awareness for industry initiative caring for horses post-racing
HENDERSON, Ky. (July 11, 2016) — Ellis Park is teaming with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to promote the industry-wide venture that provides funding for rehabilitation and retraining of retired racehorses to make sure they have good homes and often second careers after the racetrack.
Ellis Park has made July 17 its Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Day, created to bring attention to the TAA, which accredits racehorse retirement, retraining and adoption organizations – and then provides grants to those programs. In its fourth year of existence, the TAA has contributed more than $5.7 million to 56 accredited organizations.
“Ellis Park is already a supporter of the TAA through their per-start matching contribution, and we are pleased to partner with them for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Day to provide a public venue to gain additional exposure for the TAA mission,†said Jimmy Bell, president of the Godolphin and The TAA. “TAA Day is a wonderful idea that we hope more racetracks will embrace in the future.â€
The TAA is one of the shiniest examples that the disparate factions of the thoroughbred industry can work together for a common goal. The brainchild of Louisville horse owner Jack Wolf, founder of Starlight Racing, the TAA gets funding from owners, breeders, racetracks, sales companies, stallion farms and other industry professionals.
Horse owners at Ellis Park contribute a per-start donation, with the track matching every dollar.
“Racehorses are good to us, and we owe it to be good to them once their racing days are over,†said Ellis Park racing secretary Dan Bork. “Ellis Park is proud to join forces with its horsemen to contribute to the TAA. Many horses who raced at Ellis Park and in Kentucky now are enjoying successful second careers in eventing, horse shows, trail and pleasure riding and sometimes just as a beautiful lawn ornament living the life of leisure in a pasture.
“While many owners and trainers already were finding post-racetrack homes for their horses, it’s a massive undertaking when you consider the sheer numbers involved and the size and energy of these amazing animals. The industry, in rallying behind the TAA, is striving for the goal of having no horse slip through the cracks. The care of the horses after racing is just as important as the care they received while racing.â€
The TAA and most of its accredited organizations in Kentucky will set up by the track’s main entrance near the clubhouse with information, with representatives talking to fans about thoroughbred aftercare. Accredited programs committed to appearing include the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption, Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, Friends of Ferdinand, Old Friends and Our Mims Retirement Haven.
In a joint venture with the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the TAA will have goggles signed by riders available for a donation to be split between the TAA and the PDJF. The fifth race is named after Louisville-based Papa John’s Pizza, which will present a check for $24,570 to the TAA, the result of its highly successful online ordering promotion in the spring that netted $1 from every order to the aftercare initiative via TAA promo code from all participating Louisville and Lexington corporate locations.
“A lot of good goes on behind the scenes in racing that never makes the headlines, things owners and trainers do on a daily basis out of the limelight to take care of the horses who took care of them,†said Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents more than 6,000 owners and trainers in the commonwealth. “It’s terrific that Ellis Park is having a special day to showcase the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and bring awareness to what the industry across the board is doing to to ensure our racehorses have good homes for the remainder of their lives.â€
For more information on the TAA, go to thoroughbredaftercare.org.
For Ellis Park media inquiries, contact Jennie Rees at tracksidejennie@gmail.com
Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana Selected to Study Coal Economy on Region.071216.pdf
Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana Selected to Study Coal Economy on Region
The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana has been selected to launch a study on the impact of the Coal industry and its effects on its workforce. If analysis warrants, the area could make application to secure federal training dollars for affected workers.
(Evansville, Ind.) – The Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board has secured the services of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana to help provide research and analysis of the State of Indiana’s Economic Growth Regions 7, 8 and 11 to determine impacts of the coal economy on workforce. The Coalition will partner with Strategic Development Group (SDG), PQR Energy, LLC and Lee S. Rigsby Consulting which will help compile the data analysis and personal interviews within the area’s coal industry. The Coalition will analyze and evaluate the impact of trends of reduced coal usage on regional employment.
“The goal of this project is the need to gauge the impact on coal and coal-fired power plants and the impact to the surrounding economies’ workforce,†states Jim Heck, Executive Director for WorkOne Southwest.
Within the study, business clusters will be identified and analyzed. The business cluster analysis will attempt to identify growth areas within the region’s business clusters that could potentially offer employment opportunities to residents who have been dislocated due to a lowered demand for Indiana coal.
“At a time when Southwest Indiana is so focused on attracting new talent to the region, it only makes sense to research a sector of our current workforce to overcome challenges,” said Carol Hagedorn, Vice President of Community Development for The Coalition.
Hagedorn further stated that in the past five years, Region 11 (nine counties in the most Southwestern part of Indiana) have lost 1,500 jobs thus far in the coal sector. If the resulting  analysis does indicate that this region is experiencing job losses due to downward trends in the coal industry, The Coalition will further prepare a grant application on behalf of the State of Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development to the U. S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to secure National Dislocated Worker funding for the purpose of financing training for workers negatively impacted by downward trends in the regional coal economies. The study is currently underway.
About the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana acts as the marketing arm and regional economic development organization for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties in Southwest Indiana. The Coalition works with its local county economic development organizational partners to facilitate attraction activities and supports efforts to enhance the business climate through regional capacity building. Since its formation in late 2006, the Coalition has helped to secure over $3.2 billion in new investment and 3,933 new jobs from existing and new companies such as Haier America, Berry Plastics, Mead Johnson, Toyota Boshoku, Midwest Fertilizer Corporation and AT&T.
Another important aspect of the Coalition’s multi-faceted job description is helping the communities it serves build new capacity for future development. The Coalition has helped secure over $115 million in grants for such things as expansion of water and sewer systems; building new community centers; and, making improvements to the region’s levee system, which protects thousands of acres.
USI’s Hodges named D-II Catcher of the Year
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball junior catcher Haley Hodges (Portage, Indiana) has been named the 2016 Diamond Sports Division II Catcher of the Year in an announcement by the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association (NFCA) Tuesday afternoon.
Hodges is one of 10 student-athletes amongst all NFCA levels, including NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), NAIA, NJCAA (Divisions I, II and III), California Junior College, Northwest Athletic Conference and high school, to earn the award.
The honor is the latest in a long list of accolades that Hodges has earned following the conclusion of her historic 2016 campaign. Hodges was named first-team All-America by Hero Sports, the NFCA and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association after compiling what is arguably the best offensive season in program history.
Hodges, the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year, set single-season school records for home runs (22), RBIs (72), walks (45), and runs scored (58).
Along with leading the nation in slugging percentage (1.000) and on-base percentage (.578), Hodges ranked third, nationally, in home runs. She led the GLVC in batting average (.458), runs scored, RBIs, and walks.
Additionally, Hodges was named second-team Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
USI ended the season with a 35-21 overall record in one of the best offensive years in program history. The Screaming Eagles broke single-season team records in runs scored (308), doubles (93), home runs (53), RBIs (278), and double plays (29).
The Eagles’ back-to-back NCAA II Tournament appearances marked the first time in program history that USI has made two-straight appearances.
A committee comprised of head coaches in each of the 10 divisions determined the winner of their respective Catcher of the Year award. The winners of the 2016 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award are listed below:
NCAA Division I: Lexie Elkins, Louisiana-Lafayette
NCAA Division II: Haley Hodges, Southern Indiana
NCAA Division III: Elaine Walker, Aurora University
NAIA: Randi Wimpy, Reinhardt University
NJCAA Division I: Amber Landry, Tyler JC
NJCAA Division II: Maddie Hansen, Kirkwood CC
NJCAA Division III: Lynnsie Collins, Rowan College at Gloucester College
California Junior College: Harlee Donovan, College of San Mateo
Northwest Athletic Conference: Darian Lindsey, Mt. Hood Community College
High School: Bailey Hemphill, St. Thomas Moore Catholic (La.)
Dr. Bucshon Votes to Dismantle Fourth Branch, Restore Separation of Powers
| (WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to curb the ability of unelected bureaucrats to write legislation without the consideration of Congress:
“Here in Indiana, we’ve seen firsthand the regulatory burden of an aggressive Executive Branch. The overregulation of our industries like coal and agriculture has put good-paying jobs at risk,â€said Bucshon. “The courts have allowed unelected bureaucrats to effectively legislate through these regulations and rules without accountability from the American people. With this bill, we restore the separation of powers and reclaim the constitutional power of Congress and the American people to write the laws that govern this country.â€Â  The Separation of Powers Restoration Act (SOPRA) of 2016 restores the legislative power of Congress by overturning a 1984 Supreme Court decision which said courts should defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of certain ambiguities in laws written by Congress. This legal precedent, called “Chevron deference,†has enabled the Executive Branch to effectively end-run Congress by unilaterally creating legislation without input from the American people and their elected representatives. |