Local University Named “Best For Vets”Â
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Northern Kentucky University is among the best universities in the nation for military veterans, according to The Military Times.
The publication’s sixth annual “Best for Vets” list ranks NKU 36th among four-year institutions for the services and support it provides to military veterans and their families. This is the third year NKU has been included in the Military Times rankings, and it is the only institution in Greater Cincinnati to make the list. Also this year, NKU was named a Military Friendly School by Victory Media for the sixth consecutive year and was named a top school in the 2016 Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges & Universities for the second year.
“We have worked hard to establish a culture of trust and connectedness for our veterans and their family members,” said Dave Merriss, assistant director of NKU’s Veterans Resource Station. “We are thankful for the support of our Veterans Advocacy Committee and the University administration of the efforts that have earned us this national reputation.”
NKU serves more than 500 veterans, active family members, National Guardsmen, Reservists, and ROTC students. The Veterans Resource Station provides seamless assistance with applications, financial aid, VA education benefits, advising, registration, career services and more.
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CALL FOR ARTISTS
What They’re Saying After Governor Pence Announces Intention to Nominate Eric Holcomb as Lieutenant Governor
Governor Mike Pence today announced his intention to nominate Eric Holcomb as the next lieutenant governor of Indiana, following current Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann’s announcement that she will resign to pursue the position of president at Ivy Tech Community College. Read what leaders around the state are saying about today’s announcement.
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Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann
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“It has been a special honor for me to serve alongside a great Governor and share in all that we have accomplished to benefit the people of Indiana. As I look forward to other opportunities for service, I am pleased that Eric Holcomb will become the next Lt. Governor. Eric has a distinguished record of service to his nation and his State. He understands State government from his work as Governor Daniels’ Deputy Chief of Staff and is ready to be a valuable partner with Governor Pence leading our State to even greater months and years ahead.â€
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Senate President Pro Tem David Long
“It’s been a pleasure working with Sue Ellspermann over the past several years. As Lieutenant Governor, she plays a constitutional role in presiding over session in the Indiana Senate, and she has always carried out this duty with great integrity and grace. She is an intelligent, capable and effective public servant and I wish her well in her new endeavors.
“Though I will miss working with Sue, the Governor has made an excellent choice in naming Eric Holcomb as his choice to assume the office of Lieutenant Governor. Eric is a highly competent and effective leader. He is a man of character, and I have a great amount of respect for him and his ability to get things done. I’m confident he will serve Hoosiers well.â€
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House Speaker Brian Bosma
“Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann is an extraordinary leader and public servant, who has dedicated herself to serving Hoosiers. I personally wish Sue the best in all of her future endeavors and thank her for her commitment to keeping Indiana on the right track.
“Gov. Mike Pence made a sound choice in selecting Eric Holcomb as his nominee for the next lieutenant governor. Eric is a consensus builder and he is well prepared to step into this role as we continue to move Indiana forward.”
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Secretary of State Connie Lawson
“Eric Holcomb is a proven leader and consensus builder, making him a natural choice. I have known Eric for years and am confident that he will be a great fit to serve the state as Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor has wide-ranging responsibilities and Holcomb is uniquely suited to excel in this position from the moment he takes office.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann for her service and wish her the best in her future endeavors. Sue has been an enormous asset to the State as Lt. Governor and will undoubtedly continue to be so.â€
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Former Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman
“Eric Holcomb will bring extensive experience and enthusiasm to the office of Lieutenant Governor. He will be able to make a great contribution toward progress on day one. Governor Pence made a very wise choice.â€
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Senator Dan Coats
“Governor Pence’s selection of Eric Holcomb to serve as Indiana’s next lieutenant governor is a brilliant choice.
“Eric is a solid conservative, who brings a wealth of experience gained through his decade of service to Governor Daniels, his leadership of the Indiana Republican Party and as my state chief of staff. Eric is known and respected by Hoosiers throughout our state, and he is dedicated to working with Governor Pence to continue the progress Indiana has made over the last decade and to making our state a better place.â€
Congresswoman Susan BrooksÂ
“Our state is fortunate to have had a long history of thoughtful and effective advocates who have served as Lieutenant Governor, and Sue Ellspermann has indeed fit that description during her tenure. On behalf of 5th District Hoosiers, I thank her for her tireless and outstanding service to our state and wish her only the best in her future endeavors.
“I have known Eric Holcomb for over a decade now and learned very early that he is dedicated to public service and improving the lives of all Hoosiers. I’ve always admired his love and passion for all corners of Indiana and everything that makes it great. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the state, having served both Governor Daniels and Senator Coats. I commend Governor Pence for this selection, and I look forward to working with Eric in his new role.â€
Congressman Larry Bucshon
“Sue Ellspermann is a good friend and tremendous advocate for Southern Indiana. I am confident that Hoosiers will continue to benefit from her leadership and service, and I look forward to working with her in the years to come.
“As the governor said today, Eric Holcomb is uniquely qualified to hit the ground running on day one. Not to mention, his experience serving the constituents of Indiana’s 8th District under Congressman John Hostettler is a bonus. I look forward to working with Eric as he and Governor Pence continue Indiana’s record of success.â€
Congressman Luke Messer
“Eric is my friend, and he’ll make a great Lieutenant Governor. He’s an asset to our state and has demonstrated a tireless commitment to Indiana. I look forward to working with him to advance Conservative principles that deliver results for our state.â€
Congressman Todd Rokita
“Congratulations to Eric Holcomb on this nomination. I worked with Eric fairly often when I was Secretary of State and served with Governor Daniels. I look forward to working again with him on issues that impact Hoosiers and wish him well with his new responsibilities.â€
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
“No one has done a better job of serving the state like Lt. Governor Ellspermann and she leaves some big shoes to fill in her departure, but I am confident Eric Holcomb will fill those shoes. His tenure of public service to the State of Indiana has been nothing short of remarkable and I look forward to working with him.â€
Congressman Todd Young
“Key to the notion of public service is putting the interest of those you serve ahead of your own. In her time in the state legislature, as Lt. Governor, and especially today, nobody has exemplified that idea better than my friend Sue Ellsepermann. Indiana has benefitted from her model of service and I know Sue will continue to play a leadership role in our state.
“I also want to congratulate Governor Mike Pence on the excellent choice of Eric Holcomb to serve as Lt. Governor. Eric has demonstrated through his service to Governor Mitch Daniels that he truly understands how to make Indiana a state that works. I have every confidence in the Pence/Holcomb team.â€
Governor Pence to Offer Remarks During Ivy Tech Community College Day
Governor Mike Pence will offer remarks to students and faculty during Ivy Tech Community College Day at the Statehouse. Details below.
Wednesday, February 10:
11:30 a.m. EST – Governor Pence to offer remarks during Ivy Tech Community College Day
*Media are welcome to attend.
Statehouse, North Atrium – 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN
MEDICARE SEMINARÂ SET FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd Â
St. Mary’s Senior Connection will hold a Welcome to Medicare seminar Tuesday, February 23rd, 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, Director of St. Mary’s Senior Connection. It is free but registration is required. Call St. Mary’s Senior Connection at 812-473-7271 or toll free at 800-258-7610 for reservations and directions.
Hoosier’s quest to reach public road ends at 7th Circuit
Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com
The owner of a piece of southern Indiana property who could not reach his land because neighbors would not permit him to drive across their properties has lost his attempt to get to a main road.
Robert Hoyt owns a 40-acre lot in a heavily forested region south of Bloomington. His land is hemmed in by neighbors and has no link to the West Burma Road.
In attempting to gain access, he filed suit in state court in 2001. Seven years later, the case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, where the court ruled for the defendants. Hoyt then appealed to the 7th Circuit in 2012 which held oral arguments in late 2015. He argued he should be able to use roads that connect his property to the West Burma Road.
Judge Richard Posner described the case as “overly complicated, overly litigated†and “a legal monstrosity.†The jurist also disdained how long this lawsuit has taken to wind through the courts.
In the 7th Circuit opinion, Posner admonished, “The duration of this litigation is inexplicable and inexcusable – for it’s actually a pretty simple case!â€
Hoyt asserted he should have access to a road used by the U.S. Forest Service as well as to a shorter road, dubbed the Strip.
Specifically, Hoyt argued he had a prescriptive easement to a private road in the Forest Service’s lot. However, the 7th Circuit noted Hoyt offered no evidence that the road was used continuously by his property’s previous owner which is required for an easement by possession rather than by purchase.
Separately, Hoyt contended he has access to the Strip because an heir to one of the neighboring plots quitclaimed the road to him. Other neighbors disputed that, maintaining the 1965 deed conveyed only an easement which was then sold to the Forest Service in 1967 so there was nothing left for the heir to quitclaim to Hoyt.
The 7th Circuit found that for much of the time the Strip was not a road but just a piece of land on which a gravel road was eventually built. The panel noted since the road did not exist, Hoyt would have needed an easement that would have expressly permitted him to build a road on another person’s property.
“And that’s it for Hoyt,†Posner concluded in Robert F. Hoyt v. Michael L. Benham, et al., 12-1581. “… So plainly there is no public road between Hoyt’s lot and the West Burma Road in the southern lot, and equally plainly he has no right to insist on free passage from his lot to the public road over the string of roads discussed in this opinion.â€
Eagles Return To PAC
Eagles Return To PAC
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball returns to the Physical Activities Center Thursday at 5:15 p.m., when it hosts Maryville University, and Saturday at 1 p.m., when it hosts the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Thursday’s game is USI’s Heart Awareness Night, sponsored by Deaconess Hospital; while Saturday’s game is Homecoming and the Screaming Eagles’ annual Play4Kay game. USI fans are encouraged to wear red on Thursday and pink on Saturday.
USI (10-11, 3-10 GLVC) enters the week trying to stop a 10-game losing streak, its longest skid since losing 12 straight games during the 1991-92 season. The Eagles have struggled from three-point range in the last 10 games, having shot just 25.0 percent (36-144) from behind the arc. Additionally, opponents are averaging 7.7 made three-pointers per game and have connected on at least nine three-pointers in six of the last 10 games.
Despite the losing streak, the Eagles still find themselves with the opportunity to gain ground in the race for a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament berth and a first-round home game.
USI is two games behind Rockhurst University, William Jewell College, and McKendree University for the No. 8 seed, which earns a first-round home game.
Junior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) leads the Eagles with 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while junior guardTanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) is contributing 12.3 points and 3.3 assists per contest. Sophomore guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) is chipping in 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per outing.
Standing in the way of the Eagles’ quest for a GLVC Tournament berth and a first-round home game is Maryville and Missouri-St. Louis.
Maryville (10-10, 4-9 GLVC) enters Thursday’s game with the Eagles following a 60-47 victory over McKendree University this past Saturday. Senior center Alex Hillyer had 19 points to lead the Saints, while junior forward Alex Wolf contributed 12 rebounds.
Hillyer is averaging 16.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game to lead the Saints, while Wolf is contributing 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. Sophomore guard Ali Ringering is chipping in 12.8 points per appearance.
USI defeated Maryville, 82-66, a year ago and leads the all-time series, 4-1. The Eagles are 31-10 all-time against Missouri-St. Louis after defeating the Tritons 59-48 during the regular season and 77-65 in the quarterfinals of the GLVC Tournament.
The Tritons (9-12, 4-9 GLVC), who visit Bellarmine University Thursday, are coming off a 61-53 victory over the University of Illinois Springfield and have won two straight games.
Senior forward Kelly Kunkel leads the Tritons with 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while sophomore forward/center Jordan Fletcher is adding 10.8 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds per contest.
