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OTTERS NAME RANDY SCHULZ NEW PRESIDENT 

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The Evansville Otters have appointed Evansville CPA Randall M. “Randy” Schulz as the new president of the Frontier League franchise.

Schulz, 59, spent 36 years with Harding, Shymanski & Company before retiring in 2015. A 1978 graduate of Ball State University, Schulz served as one of the firm’s lead construction/contractor and real estate industry specialists, focusing on business development. Schulz worked for Ernst & Young before joining HSC in 1979.

An advisory board consisting of retired University of Evansville athletic director and Old National Bank executive John Stanley, Kahn Dees Donovan & Kahn attorney Ryan Schulz, local businessmen Mark Daily and Jay Altmeyer, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ executive Luke Burket will provide Schulz counsel.

“We welcome the help of Randy and the other advisory board members,” said Otters’ owner Bill Bussing. “Randy’s passion for the game, professional expertise, and reputation in the community equip him well to lead our franchise.”

“I am honored to work with the Bussing family and build on the fine tradition they have established in this community,” said Schulz. “I am excited to work with an outstanding advisory board and the community in a venue like Bosse Field and in a sport that I have loved and followed all my life.”

Schulz is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society (past president of the Southwestern Indiana Chapter), the Construction Financial Management Association, the Association of General Contractors, and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. A contributing author for the “Evansville Business Journal”, Schulz graduated from Memorial High School in 1974. He serves on the boards of Youth First, the Evansville Police Department Foundation and Crossroads Christian Church.

He and his wife, Ann, have two daughters and one grandchild.

The Otters open the 2016 season at home against the Schaumburg Boomers on Friday, May 13, at 6:35 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 4, and may be obtained online at www.evansvilleotters.com or by calling (812) 435-8686.

2016 US CHINA TOURISM YEAR

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RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS coming to Evansville

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RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS

WITH OPENER EVANSVILLE’S PIPE AND DRUM CORPS

PRESENTED BY WABX

VICTORY THEATRE- THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 7:00 PM

– TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, MARCH 18 AT 10 AM –

Evansville, IN – Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning!

It’s Bagpipes. It’s Rock. It’s Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland.

It’s The Red Hot Chilli Pipers – a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers — who have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. The band has four music degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and all the pipers and drummers have played at the top level in bagpiping.

Since they walked away with the top prize on the primetime TV talent show, “When Will I Be Famous” in the U.K. in 2007, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers haven’t stopped for a breath, other than to inflate their bagpipes! Formed in 2002, The Chillis have fast become a global phenomenon, taking their signature ‘Bagrock’ sound to the masses with their unique fusion of rocked up Bagpipes and clever covers of popular songs from all genres. Their trademarked sound is a unique fusion of traditional pipe tunes – like “The Flowers of Scotland”, “The Hills of Argyll”, and “Amazing Grace” (done Chilli-style, of course!) — and contemporary anthems like Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, “Clocks” by Coldplay, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, “Let Me Entertain You” by Robbie Williams, and a fantastic rock medley of “Deep Purple”, “Smoke on the Water”, and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.

*Official after party hosted at Ri Ra Irish Pub.

AG Zoeller: Board orders unlicensed security guards to Cease and Desist for deceiving public, posing as police

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New legislation strengthens state law against police impersonators

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indiana Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board ordered unlicensed security guards operating in Boone, Johnson, Marion and Morgan counties to Cease and Desist, following allegations brought by Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s Office that the individuals were deceiving the public by offering security guard agency services without the required licensing, certification and training, and by posing as legitimate law enforcement officers.

Indiana law requires security guard agencies and private investigator firms to be licensed and meet certain training, bonding, and other standards in order to uphold public health and safety. Additionally, it is a crime – a level 6 Felony – to deceive the public by impersonating legitimate police agencies or officers.

“It is important that the public can clearly identify law enforcement officials and licensed security guards who are trained and equipped to protect themselves and the public,” Zoeller said. “Having unlicensed individuals out in the field practicing as security guards creates confusion with our law enforcement officers should an incident occur and places the general public at risk, as well as deceives customers expecting a certain level of protection.”

During the course of four hearings in Indianapolis, the Board ordered the following unlicensed security guard agencies to immediately stop advertising themselves and acting as security guard agencies or private investigator firms without the required licensure.

The Board also voted to refer two of these cases – Abney and Robinson – to county prosecutors for criminal consideration regarding police impersonation allegations.

  • Jason Abney, doing business as Marion County Jail Bonds – Abney was found to have engaged in unlicensed activities, including advertising himself and acting as a private investigator firm and a security guard agency without any licenses to do so legally. He was also found to have employed his unlicensed family members in this line of work. He operated in Marion and Morgan counties. Part of the State’s case included presenting evidence supporting Abney’s knowing, intentional, or reckless disregard for the licensing requirements.  Additionally, the State presented evidence tending to show Abney impersonating law enforcement officials while engaged in these unlicensed activities.
  • Sean Robinson, doing business as Jagged Empire Upfitting – Robinson worked as an unlicensed security guard for Security Watch Alert Team, before the AG’s Office took action to strip the company of its license in Jan. 2015 due to its employees impersonating police and advertising services it did not or could not legally provide. The State has since reached settlement with Security Watch Alert Team for a permanent revocation of Security Watch Alert Team’s Security Guard Agency License. Robinson was found to have continued to act as an unlicensed security guard agency, engaging in police impersonation and deceiving the public. Robinson operated in Marion and Boone counties.
  • Melvin Hall, Sr. – Hall, Sr., is accused of acting as a security guard agency without a license in Marion County. Hall, Sr., is the father of Melvin E. Hall II, who the AG’s Office took actionagainst in 2015 for police impersonation perpetrated by his company Urban Tactical Response Agency, LLC., and subsequently against Melvin E. Hall, II, as an unlicensed security guard agency. The State reached an agreement with Hall, Sr., where Hall, Sr., agreed to an Order to Cease and Desist his activities as an unlicensed security guard agency.
  • Paul Vitti, f/k/a Sheldon Hankins, doing business as All County Security – Vitti was arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department under the Security Guard Licensing statutes. Concurrent investigation by the State yielded a Motion for an Order to Cease and Desist, which was set for hearing at which Vitti failed to appear and the Board issued a Notice of Proposed Default. Vitti has an active arrest warrant in connection with the criminal matter, when Vitti, who after being released on his own recognizance, failed to appear for the criminal proceedings.

The Attorney General’s Office collaborated with local, county and other state law enforcement agencies on these and similar cases.

Zoeller worked with the Indiana General Assembly this year to pass legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 174, which closes gaps in state law that made it difficult for the Attorney General’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to prosecute police impersonators who deceive and put the public at risk.

Zoeller thanked the bill’s author State Sen. Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) and the bill’s sponsor State Rep. David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) for their work on this issue.

Zoeller also thanked Deputy Attorney General Derek Peterson and Investigator Ed Hutchinson for their work on these cases.

Members of the public can confirm that a security guard agent or agency is licensed by contacting the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at (317) 232-2980. Members of the public can verify that someone is actually a police officer by calling their local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency phone number to verify that an officer is at their location. For IMPD, that number is (317) 327-3811.

To file a complaint against a license holder with the Attorney General’s Office, call 800-382-5516 or visit www.IndianaConsumer.com.

ISP Forensic Scientist Receives Commendation

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Bloomington, IN- Indiana State Police Forensic Scientist Virginia Maletic was recently recognized by the City of Bloomington Police Department for her extraordinary work in a burglary and assault incident that occurred to a 74 year old victim. Matetic received the commendation from Bloomington City Police Chief Mike Diekhoff and Deputy Chief Joe Qualters during the Bloomington Police awards ceremony.

The following is a copy of the letter of request that was submitted by Bloomington Police Department Sergeant Ryan Pedigo for consideration of the commendation.

On 6/14/2015, Patrol Units were dispatched to an address in the 600 block of East Alpine Trail in regards to a welfare check on a 74 year-old female. The female had activated her Guardian Medical Alarm and had advised the alarm company that someone had broken into her apartment and hurt her. Upon the arrival of Patrol, it was learned that a male subject had broken into the apartment and held the victim against her will. He had also sexually assaulted the female repeatedly prior to her being able to activate her medical alarm, which ultimately resulted in the suspect fleeing from the apartment.

Detective Jeff Rodgers was called-in to investigate the burglary and sexual assault. Detective Rodgers requested that numerous items be collected by an evidence technician in the hopes that trace evidence had been left by the suspect. The victim could only provide a basic description of the suspect and said she had never seen him before. Therefore, the case hinged on possible identification through the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and any identifying evidence a Forensic Scientist could locate on the submitted items.

Forensic Scientist Virginia Maletic heard about the gruesome attack on the news on her way to work the following Monday. Upon her arrival at work, Ms. Maletic requested to be assigned the case, as she said she immediately wanted to be involved in the hopes of identifying the individual responsible for this heinous crime. Ms. Maletic worked for several days and located a single male hair on a piece of submitted bedding. Through that single hair, Ms. Maletic was able to isolate a DNA profile for the suspect. She compared the resulting DNA profile to those profiles in the national database, but did not get a positive match. However, Ms. Maletic was able to confirm that the profile matched the suspect profile from an unsolved case involving a similar burglary and sexual assault that had been investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in 1999.

This provided Detective Rodgers with a lead as he reviewed the list of individuals mentioned in that case. Detective Rodgers was able to develop a suspect and the suspect provided a buccal swab for DNA comparison purposes. Detective Rodgers stayed in contact with Ms. Maletic, who advised him that she would be willing to work overtime on the holiday weekend of July 4th with the hopes of positively identifying the suspect. I met Ms. Maletic on July 3rd at the Indiana State Police Laboratory and provided her with the buccal swab from the suspect. Ms. Maletic worked all day to compare the DNA profiles between the hair left by the suspect and the standard submitted for the suspect. At 1838 hours on the evening of Friday, July 3rd, Ms. Maletic contacted me and advised me that the DNA samples were indeed a match, thereby providing Detective Rodgers probable cause to arrest and charge the suspect. It also provided probable cause for the suspect to be charged in the case being investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Ms. Maletic showed a dedication to duty rarely duplicated in today’s society. Her internal drive and desire to successfully identify those responsible for this crime truly represents the values and actions that the Citizen’s Commendation was designed to acknowledge. Ms. Maletic’s selfless actions and meticulous evidence processing lead to the identification of a suspect, which provided a sense of security to the citizens of Bloomington and Monroe County knowing that the suspect had been arrested and charged.

I respectfully request that Virginia Maletic be awarded a Citizen’s Commendation for the valuable role she played in this investigation.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sergeant Ryan Pedigo

“Virginia is a dedicated and valued member of our laboratory system. She serves professionally in her role as a Forensic Scientist and is a valued asset as a member of the Indiana State Police Biology Section,” stated Indiana State Police Laboratory Division Commander Major Steve Holland. “Her work has gained her respect from her peers within the scientific community.”

Virginia resides in Indianapolis with her husband and child.

Photo: Left to Right- Bloomington Police Chief Mike Diekhoff

Virginia Maletic

Bloomington Deputy Chief Joe Qualters

Photo 2: Virginia Maletic

 

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MYERS

 

 

 

 

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Gavel Gamut By Jim Redwine

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Gavel Gamut
By Jim Redwine

THE PIPELINE

Antonin Scalia served on the United States Supreme Court from 1986 to 2016. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan who left office in January 1989. Scalia was confirmed by the Senate for a lifetime appointment. Justice Scalia’s decisions were often characterized as hostile to liberal interests and supportive of conservative views. When Scalia’s friend, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was nominated by President William Clinton in 1993, leaves the court, she will be remembered as hostile to conservative causes and supportive of liberal interests.
Neither Scalia nor Ginsburg nor any other federal judge was ever subject to a democratic election or ever subject to voter review for their performance in office. No one doubts the conservative political views of Reagan and the liberal political views of Clinton were at the forefront of their reasons for choosing particular federal judges. Yet, when the politicians who chose Scalia, Ginsburg and others left office, the legacy of their political choices remained.
There is nothing wrong with judges having political views, who doesn’t? In fact, would we want anyone in any office who was unaware or uninformed? The issue is not what are a judicial candidate’s political or social views. The issues are who gets to select the judges and how can judges be removed when their decisions are based on their personal views instead of upon the law and the evidence of the case in front of them?
These issues are not restricted to federal judges. Many state judges are selected by systems that rely on small groups to the exclusion of the general public. While many of these systems ostensibly subject these unelected judges to public retention votes, in practice, once selected, the judge will be in office as long as he or she wishes.
It is important to note unelected judges are no worse or better than elected judges. We get our judges from the same pool we get our cowboys, plumbers and clergymen. Judges are humans. Plato’s dream of a government by philosopher kings was just that, a dream. In the real world we must make do with what we have, keeping in mind our overarching goal of democracy.
America’s democracy is preserved by having three equal branches of government. This basic framework was devised from an analysis of the ideas of John Locke (1632-1704), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and especially Montesquieu (1689-1755). The people who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia were afraid of European monarchies and unrestrained power of any kind. Our government’s duty is to restrain itself and maintain control in the public. When the power of any branch is usurped by the others, the power of the people is the ultimate loser. Public control over the Executive and Legislative Branches is maintained by electing their members and having short terms of office.
Some form of these elements can be applied to the Judicial Branch. The pipeline through which we get judges to decide our cases has openings at both ends: (1) the pool they come from; and (2) how or why they leave the Bench. We can work with our existing system and, perhaps, make it better soon without the need for more elemental changes that will require more time.
I suggest we start with the front end of the pipeline, that is, the pool of people from whom we elect (or select) our judges. If we look to other areas, neurosurgeons or electricians, for example, we define the pool of available workers by setting forth credentials they must have to be considered. Judges should probably go through several levels of preparation before they can be considered for the job. Now about all that is required is the graduation from law school and the passing of a Bar Examination and maybe friendship with a senator. We might want more.
Politics can be removed from the creation of the pool of people who might become judges. While the potential judges will still be subject to their personal biases, we can, at least, have a better chance to find judges who are attuned to the job of judging as opposed to just anyone with a law degree.
The law schools of some countries separate those who wish to become judges from those who wish to practice law. Such a change in America’s law school structure could happen almost immediately. In addition to a high school diploma, a college degree, the Law School Aptitude Test and background investigations as are now required, an additional year or two as a judicial intern or law clerk could be imposed. Passing a Bar Examination and a minimum number of years practicing law could follow this. Such requirements as these and others before one can stand for election or appointment as a judge would help us avoid politics as the most important consideration.
The rest of the judicial pipeline, that is, how we elect/select our judges using democratic processes and how we get rid of judges we do not want, we can discuss next week.

Frankie Valli coming to Evansville

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Frankie Valli

Coming to 

Old National Events Plaza

Saturday, June 11

 

 

Frankie Valli is a true American legend. His incredible career with the Four Seasons, as well as his solo success, has spawned countless hit singles. With unforgettable tunes like “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “December ‘63 – Oh What A Night,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and of course, “Grease.” His songs have been omnipresent in other iconic movies such as The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing, Mrs. Doubtfire, Conspiracy Theory and The Wanderers. As many as 200 artists have done cover versions of Frankie’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” from Nancy Wilson’s jazz treatment to Lauryn Hill’s hip-hop makeover. Valli’s long-lasting career has led to the overwhelming success of the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons incredible career and features all of their greatest hits. The Jersey Boys juggernaut has now been seen by over 23 million people worldwide, won 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical (2006). It is the 12th longest running show in Broadway history. In 2014, Frankie Valli’s life story was once again featured. This time in the film adaptation of Jersey Boys, directed by Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwood. Valli also returned to acting in Rob Reiner’s romantic comedy, And So It Goes. The film starred Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, and was release July 18, 2014. Frankie recently appeared on a past season of Hawaii 5-0 and AMC series, The Making of the Mob. His mega hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 2015. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have sold over 175 million records worldwide. They continue to tour throughout the U.S. and abroad to packed houses receiving nightly standing ovations from thrilled fans of multiple generations.

“Oh what a night” it will be when the original Jersey boy Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons take center stage at the Aiken Theatre on Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. Seats are $65, $85 and $125. Additional Fees may apply. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 18 at 10:00am and may be purchased at the Old National Events Plaza Box Office, ticketmaster.com, Charge-By-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at all Ticketmaster Outlets.

FEELING THE BERN

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Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

IS IT TRUE MARCH 14, 2016

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IS IT TRUE we are awaiting to see how City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr, CPA  Anne Hargis CPA , Missy Mosby,  Jonathan Weaver and City Council Finance Chairman Dan McGinn are going to spin how the Indiana State Board of Accounts made major mistakes in reporting the final audit results of the 2014 City of Evansville state audit?  …we wonder what quailifies Mosby, McGinn, Weaver to discuss the details of the SBOA findings of 2014 audit of the city books?  …its obvious that members of the main stream media don’t have the interst in reporting the real truth concerning the 2014 audit of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the City originally borrowed $8.4 million from Old National Bank to purchase D-Patrick  downtown property?   …we still owe ONB nearly $5 million after receiving $16,000,000 from the IU bond proceeds?

IS IT TRUE that the suit involving the terribly botched SWAT raid on the home of Louise Milan is now scheduled for trial beginning August 22 of this year? … not only city government is open to  major financial liability , but we hear EPD Chief Billy Bolin may face the possibility of being held personally financially liable for master minding this SWAT team raid on Louise Milan home?  …all of the 7th Circuit Court Judges called this a “Keystone Cop” style raid?…when this case goes to trial we expect EPD and Evansville will get national news coverage, and that is one more good reason to settle before the case goes to court?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke is forming a task force to address what to do with Mesker Amphitheater and Lloyd Pool?  …we can’t wait to see who he appoints to the committees to study Mesker Amphitheater and Lloyd Pool?   …we predict whom ever he selects they will do his bidding?

IS IT TRUE that we are very disappointed to see that Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is seeking permission to start charging admission?

IS IT TRUE we don’t understand why the Mayor considers a Humboldt Penguin display at Mesker Zoo to be a “quality of life” issue for the City?  …we doubt that the quality of life for the penguins will be improved by being on display in the local zoo, and we don’t believe the life of the average resident will be better for it, either?

IS IT TRUE we are surprised that the Mayor acknowledged the 2014 SBOA audit when addressing the Rotarian? … we are not surprised that Mayor put the best possible face on it by dismissing the importance of consistent $6 million dollar shortfalls in  the city account balances?

IS IT TRUE that no mention was made in the SOTC address of upgrading city bus service to seven days a week?  … we believe that is a major quality-of-life issue?

IS IT TRUE that we are pleased to hear that the Wellborn Baptist Foundation is narrowing the focus of the grants it will be giving in the future, in hopes of achieving stronger outcomes? …we believe the Wellborn Baptist Foundation process could benefit with a tighter, more realistic focus?

IS IT TRUE that this legislative session may also open Indiana to costly suits in the matter of the Legislature’s failure to pass any job protection for LGBTQ Hoosiers?  … also true that the law passed to prohibit abortions based on defects in the fetus will likely make Indiana a target of costly legal tests as well?  …Indiana is only the second state in the nation to pass such a law?

IS IT TRUE that our far East side area is growing again?  …Evansville Federal Credit Union is building a new 85,000 square-foot main office on their Morgan Avenue site?  …this location is very near the new Meijer’s, several new restaurants, and most of the other private investment growth in that area?

IS IT TRUE that we applaud Berry Plastics for opening their doors to the 600 people being laid off as a result of the Alcoa smelter closing?   …that Berry Plastics has about sixty job openings that they informed displaced Alcoa workers about and encouraged them to apply for this weekend?  … that we wish the very best to the employees who are losing their jobs and hope that they will not have to leave this area?

IS IT TRUE that we continue to urge our readers to keep a watchful eye on the votes of our ‘Rubber Stamp” City Council members, especially regarding spending on the luxuries that our mayor appears to lust after?

IS IT TRUE that the newest pot of Federal cash will come in the form of grants to the “Promise Zone”, which encompasses much of the Second, Third, and Fourth Wards?   …needs exist that could make the grants great assets to the neighborhoods, and we hope to see it spent accordingly, but we doubt it?

FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Wednesday?

Please take time and read our newest feature article entitled “HOT JOBS”posted in this section are from Evansville proper.

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that members of the Evansville City Council are just rubber stamps for the Mayor?

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