- Three Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office confinement officers will soon be trading in their uniforms for those of the Evansville Police Department. Officer Cory Little, Officer Jackie Snow and Officer Dillon Powers will report to the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academyafter being sworn in on Monday, January 25, 2016 as the Evansville Police Department’s newest recruits.
The Evansville Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office have a long history of recruiting police officers and sheriff’s deputies from the ranks of confinement officers. Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin explained, “Many of our officers get their start as confinement officers at the jail. The training and skills officers acquire working at the jail is readily applicable to police work. The majority of the criminals we catch on the outside have spent time in the jail before.” Chief Bolin added, “Confinement officers who make the transition to the police department hit the street already knowing the names and faces of Evansville’s repeat offenders.â€
When a sheriff’s deputy, police officer or state trooper makes an arrest, the accused is brought to the intake area of the Vanderburgh County Jail. Referred to collectively as “bookingâ€, this intake area contains a workspace for law enforcement officers to complete the required documentation of a fresh arrest. All confinement officers know first-hand how the booking process works, which gives police officers and sheriff’s deputies who have a jail background a tremendous advantage.
Sheriff Dave Wedding stated, “When I was hired as a jailer in 1981, arrest records and affidavits were entirely paper based. Now a large portion of the training our confinement officers receive consists of learning our computerized records system and jail management system. Nothing that involves the inmates within our jail occurs without proper documentation. Our officers learn how to write reports, complete arrest affidavits and document incidents. These skills are directly translatable to general law enforcement, particularly for the Evansville Police Department who shares our records software.â€
The training process for new confinement officers begins with the Sheriff’s Office Confinement Officer Training School (COTS). A new confinement officer will initially undergo three weeks of classroom training. The officer will then be assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO) for an additional eight weeks before being permitted to work alone. The entire COTS program is modeled after the same program used to train sheriff’s deputies.
“Confinement officers in the jail are sworn law enforcement officers while they are on-duty. Our confinement officers make arrests for offenses observed or reported to them, restrain violent individuals and file required reports,” Sheriff Wedding explained. “Just like a police officer who patrols a beat or a sheriff’s deputy who patrols a district, our confinement officers patrol the jail and keep the peace in their assigned housing units.â€
Chief Bolin added, “I know Sheriff Wedding hates to lose good employees, but we both recognize the benefits of this informal partnership. The Police Department gains trained and tested officers and the Sheriff’s Office maintains a reputation as a great place to begin a career in law enforcement.â€
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Pictured above (left to right): Officer Cory Little, Officer Dillon Powers and Officer Jackie Snow.
VCSO Confinement Officers Trading in their Uniforms for those of the EPD
EDITORIAL: We Hope The Mayor Can Turn IceMen Loss Into A Positive
The City-County Observer accurately predicted the departure of the Evansville Icemen from the Ford Center and the City two weeks before it became fact. The move to Owensboro came as something of a surprise, as Louisville appeared to offer a more suitable venue. In the end, Icemen owner Ron Geary and the Mayor of Owensboro struck a bargain that appears to be a win-win for both of them. Â We wish IceMen the very best in the future.
On the face of it, the loss of the Evansville IceMen Hockey team that was the centerpiece of the design of the Ford Center is not a “positive†for the facility, the Winnecke Administration, or the people of Evansville in general. With some thinking “outside the box†we hope that the Mayor and his team can turn this loss around and make lemonade out of the lemons we were given.  We hope that the Mayor will find a replacement for the Icemen that will draw simliar crowds.  It’s obvious that a new agreement won’t get approval by ECHL because the IceMen have territorial right protection.  We also hope that in addition to another Hockey team, the city leaders will look to other oppurtunities that will attract people to the Ford Center.  Arena Football, Professional Wrestling and Roller Derby come to mind, but there are many possibilities that deserve consideration.
There are some who point to the management of VenuWorks with an accusing finger.  At this time is we feel VenuWorks is doing a good job attracting events that fits Evansville limited marketing demographics.
There are a couple of bright spots on our horizon. The new Health Professions Education Center (formerly known as IUSM, Evansville) is expects to bring economic benefits to the Downtown campus. Â New downtown Convention hotel. Â Tropicana coming on land has a strong likelihood of resulting in positive economic results for the City and Downtown.
It is time to stop expecting the Zoo, Â city parks and golf courses, Â community swimming pools, the Ford Center, the Victory, and Old National Bank Event Center to make a profit for the City. Â Its time to recognize them as a quality-of-life facilities. Â We should stop expecting them to make a financial profit. because its obvious that that won’t happen. Â Fact, if they can come close to breaking even, we should be glad that they are not taking any more money from the City’s coffers.
After last City election its obvious that the taxpayers have chosen to allow Mayor Winnecke to do more of the same he has done during his first term. Â However, Â we expect that in order for him to maintain the present and to enhance the quality-of-life venues in Evansville a tax increase will be in order for the public.
Very few, interested parties showed up to protest any of the future spending of capital projects, during the last City election.  We are not saying “We told you so†even though we did. It is apparent that a majority of the public wanted the Mayor to spend more public money on future “shiny things.â€
IS IT TRUE JANUARY 25, 2016
IS IT TRUE since 2011 Mayor Lloyd Winnecke raised $2,822,000 million dollars for his political campaigns?  …in 2011 he raised $668,000?  …in 2012 he raised $200,000?  …in 2013 he raised $338,000?  …in 2014 his campaign raised around $400,000?  …in 2015 his campaign raised a whooping $1,216.000?  …at the end of his  reporting period  January 19, 2016 he reported to have exactly $12,408.81 cash on hand?  …the annual pay Winnecke receives for being Mayor of Evansville is around $100,000?
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
YESTERYEAR: Evansville Museum Train
Pedestrians walking near the riverfront were surprised one day in early April of 1967 when they encountered an unusual event: a three-car train in the 100 block of Northwest Riverside Drive. It was slowly grinding its way down a seven-block stretch from the railroad tracks at Mesker Steel Company to its final destination at the Evansville Museum. The transfer was completed in two days by volunteer railway workers who laid portable tracks in 39-foot sections along the street.
FOOTNOTE: We want to thank Patricia Sides, Archivist of Willard Library for contributing this picture that shall increase people’s awareness and appreciation of Evansville’s rich history. If you have any historical pictures of Vanderburgh County or Evansville please contact please contact Patricia Sides, Archivist Willard Library at 812) 425-4309, ext. 114 or e-mail her at www.willard.lib.in.us.
FOOTNOTE: We want to thank Patricia Sides, Archivist of Willard Library for contributing this picture that shall increase people’s awareness and appreciation of Evansville’s rich history. If you have any historical pictures of Vanderburgh County or Evansville please contact please contact Patricia Sides, Archivist Willard Library at 812) 425-4309, ext. 114 or e-mail her at www.willard.lib.in.us.
Johnson’s Career Day Not Enough In Wichita State Loss
Johnson’s Career Day Not Enough In Wichita State Loss
WICHITA, Kan. – After leading for much of the first half on Sunday afternoon, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team didn’t have an answer for Wichita State in the second as the Purple Aces fell 58-50 at Charles Koch Arena.
While Kenyia Johnson and her career-best 18 points headlined the UE (2-16, 1-6 Missouri Valley Conference) offense on the day, Sara Dickey continued her ascent up the Aces all-time scoring list, racking up 12 points. The Montezuma, Ind., native now has 1,441 for her career, passing Barb Dykstra, who graduated in 1986 with 1,430.
Johnson, meanwhile, enjoyed one of the best outings of her career, as the sophomore out of Orange Park, Fla., finished 8-of-9 from the field and filled up the stat sheet with five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals.
Rangie Bessard, whose eight-point second quarter propelled the WSU (5-14, 2-6 MVC) comeback, finished the day 11-for-18 shooting with 26 points and seven rebounds.
On the whole, the Aces actually out-scored the Shockers 24-14 in the paint and 22-18 off turnovers, but the real difference was from the free-throw line as UE went 9-of-18. WSU, which shot nearly all of their free throws inside the game’s final minute, was a perfect 8-for-8.
The Aces will be back in action on Jan. 29 as the team will return to the Ford Center to take on Illinois State at 7 p.m.
NOTES: UE is 21-24 against Wichita State and 6-16 in games played in Wichita … Rebekah Parker will be the next target for Dickey on the UE all-time scoring list. The 2008 graduate left Evansville with 1,480 career points … Sasha Robinson is 25 rebounds away from entering UE’s all-time top 10 in the category.
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The Governor’s Week in Photos
1) Governor Pence Welcomes House, Senate Democrats for Coffee // January 19, 2016. Governor Mike Pence welcomes House and Senate Democrats to the Governor’s Office for coffee early Tuesday morning. Pictured left to right: House Minority Leader Scott Pelath, Governor Mike Pence, Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellseprmann and Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane
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2) Governor Pence Visits INDOT as Snow Approaches // January 20, 2016. As Hoosiers brace for snow on their Wednesday morning commute, Governor Mike Pence visits the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) Indianapolis sub-district for a briefing on road conditions.
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3) Governor Pence Visits with Indiana FFA Students // January 21, 2016. Indiana FFA members from West Washington pose alongside Governor Mike Pence at the Statehouse Thursday afternoon.
4) Governor Pence Signs Education Agenda Bills Focused on Supporting Teachers and Schools // January 21, 2016. Governor Mike Pence joins a bipartisan group of Statehouse leaders as he signs into law two of his agenda bills focused on supporting teachers and schools. The first, Senate Enrolled Act 200, holds schools harmless for their A-F grades for the 2014-2015 year to accommodate the transition to more rigorous academic standards. The second, House Enrolled Act 1003, ensures that teacher bonuses and evaluations are not negatively impacted by the transition to a new test this year.
5) Governor Pence Joins in National Guard Armory Dedication // January 22, 2016. Governor Mike Pence joins members of the Indiana National Guard and Marines as they dedicate the expansion and addition to the National Guard Armory at the South Bend Armed Forces Reserve Center. In addition to housing the Indiana National Guard, the center will also be home to a Marine reserve company.
6) Governor Pence Greets Young Hoosiers at March for Life Rally // January 22, 2016. Governor Mike Pence greets young Hoosiers at an Indiana March for Life rally on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
7) Governor Pence Celebrates Hoosier Company’s 100-Year Anniversary // January 22, 2016. Governor Mike Pence joins Rieth-Riley Construction Co. in South Bend as they celebrate a century of doing business in the Hoosier state.
Indiana State takes 82-65 win over Purple Aces
Indiana State takes 82-65 win over Purple Aces
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Shooting over 50% for the fourth game in a row, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team defeated Loyola, 74-66, in Missouri Valley Conference action on Tuesday night at the Ford Center.
“We couldn’t be more disappointed in today’s game. We felt like we were moving in the right direction over the last few days, but it did not come together today,†head coach Marty Simmons said. “We took a lot of bad shots in the beginning, but give Indiana State credit, they played great and did what they had to do to win.â€
D.J. Balentine was one of four Aces (17-4, 6-2 MVC) to record double figures. He had 20. Egidijus Mockevicius had a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards while Jaylon Brown and Adam Wing finished with 13 points apiece.
Leading the Sycamores (11-9, 5-3 MVC) was Brenton Scott. He posted 24 points, including six triples. Tying his mark was Devonte Brown, who also had 24. He hit seven shots on 13 attempts.
Indiana State came out on fire, scoring the first eight points of the game before Adam Wing got the Aces on the board almost three minutes into the game. That was the first of back-to-back buckets as UE made it an 8-4 game. Brenton Scott was the catalyst of the ISU offense, scoring 14 of the Sycamores’ first 16 points as they went up 16-5.
The Purple Aces started to grind their way back into the game as they cut the gap to five at 23-18 midway through the period. Later, an old-fashioned 3-point play by Adam Wing got the Aces within two. After a pair of Sycamore free throws with 5:48 remaining, Blake Simmons hit a triple on the ensuing possession to make it a 1-point game (27-26) with 5:31 left.
Indiana State led at 30-29 with 4:50 left and put the clamps on the Aces in the final minutes of the half, outscoring UE by a 15-2 margin to take a 45-31 lead into the locker room. Scott had 17 points for the Sycamores in the first half and Wing was the leader for UE with 10.
Out of the break, the Aces looked to be ready to mount a comeback as they registered the first five points as Jaylon Brown hit a two and Adam Wing added his second trey of the day to make it a 45-36 game. Indiana State rallied back with a run of their own, scoring 12 of the next 17 to take their largest lead at 57-41.
Evansville was unable to get much closer in the final minutes as they fell by a final of 82-65.
On Thursday, the Aces will be back in action as they tra/vel to Southern Illinois for a 7 p.m. game on ESPN3.