Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Meeting
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2016, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).
The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room, same address.
Stolen Vintage Bicycle Located by Using Social Media
The Evansville Police Department continues to partner with the community by the sharing of lead information on crimes through social media such as the Department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as with radio and television broadcasters and print newspaper media.
A recent example is a case where a rare vintage bicycle was stolen by a fraud scheme.
On April 27th the owner of The Antique Market located at 211 Southeast 4th Street accepted a check in payment for a mint condition vintage 1957 Schwinn bicycle worth about $2000. The check was determined to be a fake but the bike and suspect were long gone by then. The Evansville Police Department obtained surveillance imaging of the suspect cashing another check at a local bank and published the pictures to the Department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. The information was also put out to the media. Local broadcast news media picked up the story and aired the suspect images and also an example picture of the same year and model bicycle in order to enlist the help of the community in solving the crime. Leads immediately began to come in and it wasn’t long until the suspect and an accomplice were positively identified and the bicycle tracked down and returned to the owner.
This case illustrates the effectiveness of police partnering with the community by use of social media as well as news media to solve crimes and improve the quality of life for all members of the community.
Aces women’s basketball adds two assistant coaches
Head coach Matt Ruffing adds impressive names to staff
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville Interim Head Women’s Basketball Coach Matt Ruffing has announced the hiring of assistant coaches Bailey Harmon and Omega Tandy, effective immediately.
“We are very excited to add Bailey and Omega to our staff, the athletic department and this university. Both had successful playing careers and will be great mentors for our players,†Ruffing commented. “Their coaching experience will be an asset on the court and on the recruiting trail as we search for young women of outstanding character, competitive drive, and those that have the desire to be the very best. I am excited to get both of them in town and working for our program.â€
Harmon comes to UE after spending a total of four years with the women’s basketball program at Western Illinois, three of those seasons as an assistant coach for the Leathernecks. She helped the program advance to the Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2016 where they won the first postseason game in its history. It was also the first postseason appearance for WIU in ten years.
She coached eight All-League selections in her time at WIU, including Ashley Luke, who was the 2014-15 Summit League Player of the Year. Luke was also the COSIDA Academic All-America of the Year.
A native of Independence, Mo., Harmon played college ball at Illinois-Springfield, serving as the captain in her junior and senior seasons. She remains in the record books for making the most 3-point field goals in a season. Prior to her time at UIS, she played at Cottey College, a NJCAA program in Nevada, Mo. where she was First Team All-Region and an NJCAA Academic All-American. The 2012 graduate of UIS earned her degree in Mathematics and completed her master’s degree in Sport Management at WIU in 2014. Harmon and her husband, Chad Harmon, were married in May of 2015 and have a dog, Hooper.
“I’m honored and blessed to have an opportunity to work with Coach Ruffing and his wonderful staff,†Harmon said. “There are a lot of positive things happening at UE. Evansville is a one of a kind place with a great tradition and I can’t thank Coach Ruffing enough for believing in me and giving me a chance to help him build a successful program on and off the court. Aces Aces!!â€
As a player, Tandy played for both Duquesne and Cleveland State. With the Vikings, she earned the captaincy and led the team in scoring. She left CSU ranking among the best in school history in minutes played and three-point percentage.
Following her college career, Tandy began coaching AAU in the Indianapolis area for eight seasons, assisting in several student-athletes advancing their careers to the collegiate level.
In 2008-09, she served as an assistant coach for Hall of Famer Stan Benge at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. The squad won the state and national championship on their way to a perfect 30-0 mark. Last year, Tandy was the head coach at Hamilton Heights HS in Arcadia, Ind. and helped the squad to an impressive turnaround as she implemented a culture changes.
The 2006 CSU graduate earned a degree in sociology and worked in child abuse and neglect prevention/preservation. Tandy is married to George Tandy IV, who played for the men’s basketball squad at Cleveland State and had a professional career in Germany. The couple has two daughters – Aven Rae (5) and Grace (4).
“My family and I thank God and Coach Ruffing for the opportunity to join the Purple Aces family. The University of Evansville’s mission of developing students’ skills and wisdom to lead and serve parallel my purpose as a wife, mother and coach,†Tandy explained. “I believe in Coach Ruffing’s vision for academic excellence, accountability, pride and building self confidence in the student-athletes we serve. I look forward to learning under his tutelage and further developing myself as a coach.â€
Adopt A Pet
 Coral is a 10-week-old female gray & buff kitten! Her $50 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, and FeLV/FIV test. Her first vaccines are included, with additional boosters being her adopters’ responsibility. Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
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MEDICARE SEMINAR SET FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15th Â
(Evansville, IN) – Senior Connection will hold a Welcome to Medicare seminar Wednesday, June 15th, at 4:00 p.m. at 951 S. Hebron Ave., Suite C (between Bellemeade and Washington Ave.) adjacent to the Senior Connection Office.
When individuals and their families are new to the federal Medicare program, it can be confusing and frustrating at first glance. This program will help you better understand the many different parts of Medicare and what your options are when you enroll.
This is an informational program only. No specific plans or companies will be discussed. The seminar will be presented by Gina Downs, Vice President of Senior Connection. It is free but registration is required. Call Senior Connection at 812-473-7271 or toll free at 800-258-7610 for reservations and directions.
Willard Library Annual Book Sale
Jun 04, 2016
(9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
The Evansville Area’s largest 1 day book sale featuring large collections of fiction, history, cookbooks, etc. Hardbacks & DVD’s $1, Paperbacks $ .50, Children’s Books 10 for $1, and All Other Material $ .25
The sale is inside Willard Library’s new addition in the Lankford Archives Reading Room and the Browning Gallery.
Event Location:
Willard Library
21 First Avenue
Evansville, IN 47710
Archives/ Gallery
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below is a list of the felony cases filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Mark Allen Kellems Unlawful possession of a syringe, Level 6 felony
Battery resulting in bodily injury, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of marijuana, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanor
Jaylen Ryan Kurtz Unlawful possession of a syringe, Level 6 felony
Theft, Class A misdemeanor
Ricky Lee Page Theft, Level 6 felony
Jason Vance Evitts Battery, Level 5 felony
Battery with moderate bodily injury, Level 6 felony
Domestic battery, Class A misdemeanor
Amy Davette Breece Unlawful possession or use of a Legend Drug, Level 6 felony
Operating a vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of marijuana, Class B misdemeanor
Rameish Cartez Madison Battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman, Level 5 felony
Jerry Wayne Persinger Sr. Battery in the presence of a child, Level 6 felony
James Michael Davis Battery against a public safety official, Level 6 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Criminal trespass, Class A misdemeanor
Disorderly conduct, Class B misdemeanor
Todd Jeffrey Higdon Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felony
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Class C misdemeanor
Phillip G. Baxter Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felonyÂ
Larry Eugene Foster Criminal confinement, Level 6 felony
Domestic battery, Class A misdemeanor
Myceisha Marchele Hunter Battery against a public safety official, Level 6 felony
Disorderly conduct, Class B misdemeanor
Joe Lee Lockridge Strangulation, Level 6 felony
Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Jajaun Donta Bennett Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
Darrell Rhodes Jr. Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
John Raymond Holland III Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
Jeremy Nathaniel Hurst Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
Deaveyonte Marquis Emery Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
Shamar Antione Clardy Residential entry, Level 6 felonyÂ
Robert John David Hull Possession of methamphetamine, Level 4 felonyÂ
William Lee Zeigler Domestic battery, Level 6 felonyÂ
Marlon Lamont Jones Battery against a public safety official, Level 6 felony
Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 felony
John David Rybolt Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Level 5 felonyÂ
Family-Owned Logistics Provider Adding Jobs in Indianapolis
Business that Started in Indianapolis 65 Years Ago Continues to Thrive
Indianapolis – Merchandise Warehouse, a third-party logistics company specializing in temperature-controlled warehousing services, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 65 new jobs by 2019. As part of its hiring plans, the company is committed to continuing to hire many of its employees through the Edna Martin Christian Center, which provides job training services and employment coaching for community members in need of assistance.
“Indiana’s growing logistics industry plays a key role in our state’s economy, supporting a workforce that employs more Hoosiers than ever before in our 200-year history,†said Governor Mike Pence. “With its Indiana expansion, Merchandise Warehouse is helping connect manufacturers and food producers with customers across the nation and around the world. Indiana is ideal for logistics growth not only because of our central location and thriving business climate, but because of the hardworking Hoosiers who truly make this industry successful.â€
The third-generation family-owned business will invest $13.58 million to construct and equip a 90,000-square-foot, 50-foot-tall addition to its food-grade facility at 1414 South West Street in Indianapolis. The addition will increase the company’s operating space by nearly 25 percent, allowing it to meet increased demand from its largest client, a food producer supplying restaurants across the country, as well as new customers. Merchandise Warehouse is also installing cutting-edge technology at its facility, with a robotics system using conveyers and pallet shuttles to select goods stored in racks 33 pallets deep and six lanes high. This system reduces the need for forklifts, maximizes space utilization and increases logistical efficiency for its customers.
Merchandise Warehouse currently employs 69 full-time associates, with plans to begin hiring for forklift and supervisory positions in August. Interested applicants can apply through an employment training program at the Edna Martin Christian Center or through Spherion Staffing.
“Indianapolis remains the ‘Crossroads of America’ and we continue to see a growing demand for our services, due not only to the nature and quality of the service we provide, but because of our location,†said Tim Siddiq, president and chief executive officer of Merchandise Warehouse. “It made sense, when we decided on expanding, to stay right here and build upon our strong team and take advantage of the excellent business climate.â€
Founded in Indianapolis more than 65 years ago, Merchandise Warehouse packages, stores and ships goods for the food, grocery, pharmaceutical and general commodity industries. The company’s food-grade facility has been at capacity for the last two years, with large freezer and cooler areas that allow the company to serve a variety of food production customers. In addition to its food-grade facility, Merchandise Warehouse also operates an industrial warehouse at 3000 Shelby Street in Indianapolis.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Merchandise Warehouse Company Inc. up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Indianapolis supports the project in partnership with Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.
“The continued growth of Merchandise Warehouse in Indianapolis is a testament to the company’s decades-long commitment to our community as well as the resources, talent and connectivity our city provides,†said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “I welcome the positive impact today’s announcement by Merchandise Warehouse will have on families and neighborhoods across Indianapolis and look forward to many more opportunities like this in the years to come.â€
Merchandise Warehouse’s announcement comes on the heels of news last month that Indiana ranks as the best state in the Midwest and among the top five states in the nation for doing business. With Indiana’s strong business climate and workforce, companies have added 136,000 new private sector jobs in Indiana in the last three years, including the addition of 46,600 new jobs so far this year.
R. THUNDERBOLTS SIGN TWO LOCAL TALENTS FOR SECOND SEASON
THE JR. THUNDERBOLTS ACCENTING LOCAL TALENT WITH FIRST TWO PLAYER SIGNINGS EVANSVILLE LOCAL STANDOUTS KODY KIFER AND ANDREW WARE FIRST TO SIGN FOR ’16-17 JR. ‘BOLTS CONTINUING TO EMPHASIZE HOMEGROWN TALENT FOR SECOND NA3HL SEASON
EVANSVILLE, IN— When Evansville’s elite junior hockey team, the Evansville Jr. ThunderBolts, launch their second season as members of the NA3HL in 2016-17, they will continue to assemble a roster replete with homegrown talent from both the Tri-State area as well as the State of Indiana. This was certainly validated in the form of the club’s initial two player signings for the team’s upcoming second season.
On this date, Jr. ThunderBolts General Manager/Head Coach Mark Cody has announced that city of Evansville local standouts KODY KIFER and ANDREW WARE have each signed tenders to join the Evansville club for the 2016- 17 NA3HL campaign.
KIFER, 6-1, 190lb, is a top-flight product of the local EYHA program, having starred the past two seasons with the EYHA Thunder High School Team, leading his squad in point production last season. Widely-recognized as a premiere power forward who excels playing an intensely physical game, KIFER registered a prolific 33-points in 24-games on a combination of 19-goals, 14-assists. His 132-PIM attest to his affinity for physical contact. The local star seems to blend the key elements of size, speed and firepower into his new team’s lineup.
WARE, a package of punch and power on defense at 5-11, 215lb, has been a stellar performer of the highest order, also with the EYHA Thunder HS squadron where he gained acclaim for the past three years. Reputed to be a very reliable, steady, physical rearguard, WARE has combined those key qualities with his outstanding puck-moving ability and strong decision-making when the pressure is on. In 26-games in 2015-16 with the Thunder, the rock- ribbed blue line bulwark engineered 11-points on 4-goals, 7-assists along with 120-PIM.
GM/Coach Cody is looking forward to having two familiar faces rejoining him in ’16-17; only this time around under the Jr. ThunderBolts banner. “I have had the pleasure of coaching both Kody and Andrew for the last two seasons. Kody has great speed and an above average shot. He is a hardnosed player who does not mind mixing it up. He will fit in extremely well with the brand of hockey our ‘Bolts will play in this upcoming season. As for Andrew, he has been a very solid defenseman for the Thunder High School team over the last three seasons. I feel that he has made great strides through the past two years and is ready to make the jump to junior hockey. Andrew is another player who does not shy away from the physical aspects of the game. In addition, he is an outstanding decision- maker with the puck and sees the ice very well.â€
KODY KIFER and ANDREW WARE represent the first two players tendered under the new Jr. ThunderBolts regime of GM/Coach Cody. Both local players will be on the ice for the start of training camp in early September.