Adopt A Pet
Naomi is a 4-month-old female kitten! She’s been battling an upper respiratory infection, so she still has some eye gunk. But she will be good as new soon, and it will not affect her overall health! Her $50 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, first vaccines, and more. Her sister Jody was adopted weeks ago. Call (812) 426-2563 for adoption information. Photo by Big Plans Media.
Phone Calls Allegedly from Indiana State Police are “Spoof†Scam Calls
The published public phone number of 812-867-2079 for the Indiana State Police in Evansville is reported to have been spoofed over the last 24 hours. A person notified the Indiana State Police this morning that he received a phone call from 812-867-2079 and the person calling identified himself as a police officer. The caller further explained that he owed money to the Internal Revenue Service and that if he didn’t pay he would be arrested. This is a common scam and Indiana State Police are NOT calling residents about their unpaid taxes.
As defined by TechTarget, call ID spoofing is a service that allows a caller to masquerade as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID display. Just as email spoofing can make it appear that a message came from any email address the sender chooses. Caller ID spoofing can make a call appear to come from any phone number the caller wishes.
The Indiana State Police would like to remind everyone that the IRS Scam is still very active and to following these simple safety tips from the IRS:
The Internal Revenue Service will NEVER:
- Call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
AG Zoeller: IRS imposter scam, spoofing among top 2015 phone scam trends
Next Do Not Call list sign-up deadline is Nov. 17
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said nearly 1,300 complaints were filed with his office this year about the IRS imposter scam, making it the most common telephone privacy complaint of 2015. Phone scams offering credit services and tech support services are the second and third most common complaints this year.
In the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposter scam, callers claim to be with the IRS and demand immediate payment of past-due taxes. Scammers might threaten arrest and jail time if the payment is not received immediately, and usually request that the money be paid back though the purchase of pre-paid cards.
The IRS imposter scam is among several imposter scams that have emerged this year in which callers pretend to be a legitimate entity and give a false impression of authority to scam Hoosiers out of their hard earned money, Zoeller said. The way they are able to do this, he said, is by Caller ID spoofing where the caller falsifies the telephone number and/or name relayed as the Caller ID information to mimic the identity of someone else.
Members of the public who are targeted by the IRS imposter scam should hang up on the caller immediately and file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at TIGTA.gov or with the Attorney General’s Office at www.IndianaConsumer.com.
More than 3,000 Hoosiers complained to the Attorney General’s Office about unwanted calls this year.
Zoeller said the best way for people to know whether a call they are receiving is a scam is by registering their number on the Do Not Call list. Legitimate companies will not call numbers on the Do Not Call list, so if someone is on the list and is receiving unsolicited contact, it is likely a scam.
The next quarterly deadline to register cellular and landline residential phone numbers on the Do Not Call list is midnight EST on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The updated list will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
“With Caller ID spoofing and other deceptive tactics, it is easy for fraudsters to convince people they are someone legitimate, even a government agency,†Zoeller said. “The best protection against phone scams is simply not do any type of business or give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call yourself.â€
To sign up or to confirm a number is on the Do Not Call list, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. Consumers do not need to re-register unless their address has changed. To achieve compliance with Indiana law, telemarketing companies may obtain a copy of the list from the Attorney General’s Office.
Avoid getting scammed over the phone by following these tips:
- Don’t let a telephone solicitor pressure you to make an immediate decision.
- Ask for a caller’s contact information and tell them you will call them back. Verify that the number they give you is tied to a legitimate company or agency by doing your own research.
- Know that most government entities, including the IRS, will not initiate contact over the phone. Additionally, they will never ask you for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the phone.
- Do not wire any money or make payments over the phone unless you have independently verified the caller.
- Check unfamiliar companies with the AG’s Office or the Better Business Bureau before agreeing to a purchase.
- Hang up on recorded message calls or “robocalls.†Don’t press any numbers.
Additionally, Zoeller urged Hoosiers to take advantage of available call-blocking options to help stop scam calls. The Attorney General’s Office created a non-exhaustive, call-blocking reference sheet to inform the public about available options and encourage development of new options. This reference sheet outlines different call-blocking applications and information about each option, including who is able to use it, the cost, benefits, weaknesses and how to get it.
People who receive an unwanted call or are targeted by a phone scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1.800.382.5516.
Governor Pence Suspends Resettlement of Syrian Refugees in Indiana
Following reports that a Syrian refugee was among the perpetrators of the terrorists attacks that took place in Paris on Friday, Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement:
“In the wake of the horrific attacks in Paris, effective immediately, I am directing all state agencies to suspend the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees in the state of Indiana pending assurances from the federal government that proper security measures have been achieved. Indiana has a long tradition of opening our arms and homes to refugees from around the world but, as governor, my first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all Hoosiers. Unless and until the state of Indiana receives assurances that proper security measures are in place, this policy will remain in full force and effect.â€
The Refugee Resettlement Office in the Division of Family Resources in the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) administers the Syrian resettlement program.
CHRIS BOTTI LIVE AT VICTORY THEATRE VICTORY THEATRE
CHRIS BOTTI LIVE AT VICTORY THEATRE VICTORY THEATRE-
SUNDAY, APRIL 17 AT 6 PM.
– TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 10 AM –
Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD When I Fall In Love, Chris Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop muisc and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four #1 jazz albums, as well as multiple Gold, Platinum and Grammy Awards. Most recently, his latest album Impressions won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 2013 55th Grammy Awards. Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, he has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre.
Over the past three decades, Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and even Frank Sinatra. Hitting the road for as many as 300 days per year, the trumpeter has also performed with many of the finest symphonies and at some of the world’s most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Italy.
Impressions, Botti’s 2012 Columbia Records and Grammy winning release, is the latest in a stellar parade of albums- With Impressions and the albums that preceded it, Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world.
EVANSVILLE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION MEETING
MEETING AGENDA
Friday, November 20, 2015
1:00 p.m. Room 307, Civic Center Complex
- EXECUTIVE SESSION:
- An executive session and a closed hearing will be held prior to the open session.
- The executive session and hearing are closed as provided by:
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(5): To receive information about and interview prospective employees.
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A): With respect to any individual over whom the governing body has jurisdiction to receive information concerning the individual’s alleged misconduct.
- I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9): To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.
- OPEN SESSION:
- CALL TO ORDER
- ACKNOWLEDGE GUESTS
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 9th (Brooks, Hegeman, and Cook)
- APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Yes
- PROBATIONARY OFFICER PROGRESS REPORTS:
- Sgt. Sam Smtih – FTO program – 4 officers in Field Training
- APPLICANTS: 15-181
- APPLICANT PROCESS: Review and approve amendments to EPD employment application and instructions for next application process. (Tabled from November 9th meeting)
- MERIT AWARD RECOMMENDATION: Officer Robert Waller – for actions taken on a child abuse case beginning in 2012 and concluding in 2014.
- NEW BUSINESS:Â Discussion of pending litigation regarding former officer Steven Hicks.
- REMINDERS: Next meeting is Monday, December 14, 2015 at 2:00pm.
- ADJOURNMENT
IceMen Make Four Separate Transactions on Busy Monday
The Evansville IceMen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and AHL’s Binghamton Senators, and Head Coach Al Sims announced four roster moves Monday. The IceMen have been assigned defenseman Mathieu Brisebois, a Chicago Blackhawks prospect who last played for the Norfolk Admirals. Evansville also placed veteran forward Matt Hussey on waivers and called up goaltender Francois Brassard from the SPHL, after goalie Scott Greenham was recalled by Binghamton on an emergency basis.
The move for Brisebois essentially completes a trade that sent defenseman Samuel Noreau to Norfolk last week. With both Noreau (New York Rangers) and Brisebois (Chicago Blackhawks) under contract with NHL teams, those organizations had to approve the trade by officially recalling each player and reassigning them to their new ECHL team. Noreau joined the Admirals late last week.
Brisebois, 23, played in nine games for Norfolk this season and recorded two points (one goal, one assist). The defenseman from Mont-St-Hilaire, QC started the 2014-15 season with Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, before he was assigned to the Indy Fuel. Brisebois skated in 31 games for the Fuel, where he scored two goals and added 12 assists. At the midway point of the season, he was reassigned to the Rapid City Rush, where he totaled 30 points (9-21—30) in 36 games.
The IceMen waived the 36-year-old Hussey, who played in eight games after signing with Evansville as a free agent during training camp. The Plymouth, MN with 21 games of NHL experience and 381 games of AHL experience will become a free agent if he goes unclaimed by another ECHL team by the waiver deadline later in the week.
With an injury to goaltender Andrew Hammond in Ottawa, the parent club recalled Binghamton goaltender Matthew O’Connor, leaving only former IceMen goalie Chris Driedger with the AHL club. On an emergency basis, Binghamton recalled Greenham, who had been placed on injured reserve Friday by Evansville, back-dated to November 2.
With Christoffer Bengtsberg injured and the timetable for his return uncertain, Evansville is left with one healthy goaltender, Keegan Asmundson. On an emergency basis, the IceMen recalled Brassard from the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL. Brassard, 21, was a 2012 sixth round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators who finished his junior career in 2014-15 split between the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. Brassard had 100 career wins in four QMJHL seasons, including three seasons with the Quebec Remparts. He won his only start of the season in Peoria.
Visit us at www.evansvilleicemen.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @EvvIceMen for more information about your hometown professional hockey team.
Eagles Open Home Slate Tuesday
The University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball team opens its 2015-16 home schedule Tuesday at 6 p.m. when it hosts Midway University at the Physical Activities Center.
USI (1-0) is coming off a 77-46 road win over The University of Alabama Huntsville this past Saturday. Junior guard Kendyl Dearing (Huntingburg, Indiana) had 22 points to lead the Screaming Eagles, who posted their largest margin of victory for a season-opening road win in program history.
The Eagles benefitted from a big second quarter that saw them outscore the Chargers, 30-10. USI shot 57.4 percent in the game, including 86.7 percent (13-15) in the second quarter.
Sophomore guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) added 15 points and eight rebounds to the Eagles’ cause, while junior forwardHannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) added 13 points and nine rebounds in her debut with the Eagles.
USI also got a strong outing from sophomore guard Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois). In her first career start, Harshbarger racked up a career-high seven assists and seven steals. She also had four points and four rebounds.
Midway (0-6) visits the PAC Tuesday having already played six games. The Eagles lost all three games last week, including two to Millagan College (Tennessee). Sophomore forward Courtney Pfister is averaging a team-best 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Following USI’s game with Midway, the Eagles travel to Ashland, Ohio, to take on No. 16 Ashland University in an early Midwest Region showdown Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (CST). The game was moved from its original start time of Noon due to an NCAA Division II Football Playoff game that Ashland is hosting earlier in the day.
USI is looking for a little payback against Ashland, which ousted the Screaming Eagles from the NCAA II Tournament a year ago.
Ashland is off to a 2-0 start after posting regional wins over Cedarville University and Alderson-Broaddus College. The Eagles also defeated Bowling Green, 59-53, in an exhibition earlier in the month.
Sophomore forward/center Laina Snyder led Ashland with 21.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in its first two games of the regular season.