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Countdown to Celebration

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   PEF hits 30 years helping public schools

The Public Education Foundation of Evansville, Inc. is celebrating their 30th anniversary beginning this month. PEF was incorporated on November 15, 1985 by innovators who sought to support and expand excellence in public education.  Today, 30 years later, PEF has provided grants of more than $7 million to fund more than 2,500 different projects and programs.

“We believe we have touched the lives of more than 330,000 students,” said Executive Director Amy Walker.  (Agency founders include, Albert Umbach Jr., and early board members Cal Dentino, WD “Turk” Walton, Sally Becker, Ray Justice)

An invitation-only reception will be held November 19 to honor past presidents and decades of supporters. (invite attached for media FYI)

Although PEF works closely with the EVSC, it has always been an autonomous not-for-profit organization with an independent staff and board.  The agency does, at times, include private and parochial schools and schools in surrounding counties in its programming.

PEF provides direct funding to local public schools and teachers for innovative, student-centered programs.  The agency’s signature projects include

  • House Project – 29 years of construction!
  • Summer Musical — 28th year coming up! 
  • Technology and Innovation Showcase – unique student-led event for all ages!
  • Career Exploration Day – this year welcomed 3,100 7th-12th graders!
  • Providing grants and scholarships to local students, scholars and teachers –  last year more than $75,000!

The mission of the Public Education of Evansville, Inc. (PEF) is “inspiring and rewarding student-centered innovation in public education.”  The PEF Board, supporters and staff believe that high quality public education is fundamental to the economic, cultural and civic health of our society; and that all students deserve the best possible public education in order to realize their full potential.

More details about a few PEF Major Programs.

PEF’s first flagship project was The House Project. PEF allows students to actually build a house and gain construction skills. The partnership has produced 28 moderately priced homes.  Approximately 200 students per year learn their trade on this house.

The Summer Musical is the most identifiable Foundation program. The Musical allows nearly 100 high school students annually to perform in a large-scale Broadway-like musical production that has been an anticipated tradition for 27 years.

Grants, Gifts, Scholarships are a large part of PEF’s work.  PEF provides teachers and schools with Excellence in Education grants and Rotary/PEF/Love Foundation grants annually. These grants provide teachers with supplies, technology, and are often used to start programs for the students.  The TJ Maxx Foundation funds Teacher Professional Development grants through PEF and Vectren offers Students in Sustainability grants via PEF.

Career Exploration Day is a partnership of PEF and Jr. Achievement of SW Indiana.  This event invites local professionals to have face-to-face conversations with students about how to plan for future employment opportunities with their business or industry. This allows 7th through 12th graders to educate themselves on careers in the Tri-State and make class enrollment decisions.

Indiana State Police 75th Recruit Academy Nearing Conclusion

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Veteran’s Day 2015 will have even more meaning for the 46 recruits of the 75th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.  Early this morning each recruit was pinned with their ISP Collar Insignia by Superintendent Doug Carter and Chief of Staff, Colonel Mark French.  The pinning took place early this morning at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center where the recruits have been putting into practice what has been learned over the past 20 plus weeks of training in an academy environment.

Now, having earned their ISP collar insignia, these recruits are a mere eight days from graduation day on November 19, 2015.  Graduation day will mark the transition from being a recruit to becoming probationary troopers, after which they will report to their assigned state police posts throughout Indiana.  Once at their assigned post they will complete an additional three months of field training before starting solo patrol duties.

For those interested in embarking in a career with the Indiana State Police, applications are being accepted for the 76th Recruit Academy planned to start in 2016.  For more information on how to apply click this link to see the news release issued Nov. 9thannouncing that applications for the position of trooper are now being accepted.

 

Photo Legend:

Photo 20151111a is of ISP Recruits and Training Staff just prior to the pinning of the ISP collar insignia

Photo 20151111b is a close up of the ISP Collar Insignia

Photo  20151111c shows Supt. Doug Carter (left) and Col. Mark French (right) placing the ISP collar insignia on an unnamed state police recruit

 

BURSTEN

Contact Information:
Capt. David Bursten
Public Information
317-232-0064
DBursten@isp.in.gov

For full details, view this message on the web.

Trump on SNL

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Firm files class action over lower corn prices

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An Indiana law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against one of the world’s largest seed and agrochemical companies in an effort to allow more time for individual farmers to sue the company after corn prices plummeted last year.

Wagner Reese filed the action Monday in Marion County alleging the actions of Syngenta, which is based in Switzerland, caused the value of a bushel of corn to fall drastically because it sold products to farmers that contained a genetically modified trait that had not yet been approved by China, a leading importer of U.S. corn.

Muncie farmers Kevin and Betty Orebaugh are the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, filed on behalf of all Indiana farmers who grew corn in 2013 and 2014 and who have not already filed individual lawsuits against Syngenta.

Their lawsuit stems from the use of the MIR 162 genetic trait in genetically modified corn Agrisure Viptera. The corn had been deregulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2010, but China had not yet approved the genetic trait. The lawsuit says Syngenta sold the corn to farmers in the years that followed despite knowing that China had not yet approved the trait. In November 2013, China began rejecting shipments of corn from the U.S. after discovering MIR 162, and U.S. corn exports to China have not yet begun to recover, according to the lawsuit. Another Syngenta product, Agrisure Duracade, also contains MIR 162 and a new trait (Event 5307) not yet approved by China and other export markets.

Wagner Reese attorney Jason Reese said the firm represents around 3,200 Indiana farmers who have filed suits against the company in Minnesota state court, where Syngenta has offices.

Plaintiffs allege Syngenta in 2012 convinced farmers to buy the seeds containing genetic traits not yet approved by China by claiming the country was going to approve Agirsure Viptera and another product, Agrisure Duracade “within the matter of a couple days.” Agrisure Viptera was not approved by China until December 2014.

All U.S. corn farmers, whether they purchased these products from Syngenta, who priced their corn after November 2013 have received a lower price for their corn than they would have received if China’s imports of U.S. corn had not effectively stopped, the suit says.

Industry experts have estimated losses to American farmers of up to $3 billion in both 2013 and 2014, the firm says. Reese said the estimate is Indiana farmers lost anywhere from 11 cents to $1.10 a bushel over a two-year period.

Reese does not expect the state court to certify the class, but said filing this lawsuit buys time for other farmers to file individual suits. He said his firm and other national counsel handling claims in federal court believe under American Pipe and Construction Co., et al. v. State of Utah, et al., 414 U.S. 538 (94 S.Ct. 756, 38 L.Ed.2d 713) (1974), that Indiana farmers who have not yet filed an individual lawsuit should have until the date the Marion County court rules on the motion to certify the class action in which to file individual claims. He estimates it may allow farmers up to three to five additional months to file suit.

Reese said many have been focusing on harvesting their crops over the last month or so and not aware that the statute of limitations was approaching.

He estimates that only 20 percent of farmers in Indiana have filed suit. Indiana is in the top 5 of corn-producing states.

Governor Pence Celebrates Veterans Day at Indiana Veterans’ Home

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Governor Mike Pence celebrated Veterans Day at the Indiana Veterans’ Home in West Lafayette. There, he offered remarks and met with veterans and staff.

“I am thankful today to spend Veterans Day with some of our nation’s heroes here at the Indiana Veterans’ Home,” said Governor Pence. “On this Veterans Day, let us pause to remember those in uniform and their loved ones. We thank them for answering the call of duty and standing at the ready to defend the blessings of liberty, no matter the cost. Here in Indiana, we vow never to fail to honor their service. God bless those who have served and our Hoosier families that serve alongside them.”

Photos from the event can be found below and attached.

Veterans Day: Governor Pence celebrates Veterans Day at the Indiana Veterans’ Home (IVH), where he offered remarks as part of IVH’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony.

Adopt A Pet

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Gidget is a 4-year-old female black & white tuxedo cat! She likes other cats, and can be shy but very deserving of a good home. She nursed not only her own kittens, but another litter without a mom after them. Her $30 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

IS IT TRUE NOVEMBER 12, 2015

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IS IT TRUE we are hearing that a local attorney named Ryan Hatfield has been calling around and asking people what they thought about him running for District 77 State Representative seat?

IS IT TRUE we find it interesting that the Republican leadership is quietly watching to see how many  Democrats are going to announce that they are running for Mrs. Rieckens  District 77 State Representative seat? …in case the Democrats haven’t noticed the Republicans have total control of the future direction of Vanderburgh County politics for many years to come?  …thanks to turn coat Democrats and Union Bosses who made this happen?  …it will take an extremely qualified and well known Democrat to keep State Representative District 77 seat in the Democratic column?

IS IT TRUE that Moveon posted a comment we found interesting?  …he said; “To the victor goes the spoils. I thought that went away with the merit system. But then again the entire city work force is not on the Merit System and the Department Heads still work at the Pleasure of the Mayor. what a wonderful way to run the local government”?

IS IT TRUE it’s refreshing to see that select members of our lame duck City Council aren’t presenting any last minute City ordinances?

IS IT TRUE that someone needs to remind the EPD media spokesperson that the news media have a First Amendment rights to cover public events either in print or electronically?

IS IT TRUE the University of Evansville recently created a public relation nightmare when they announced they are using 25 of 68 Handicap parking spaces for VIP parking during basketball games?  …yesterday they corrected their mistake and reversed their decision?

IS IT TRUE Pressanykey posted the attached that caught our attention? …he post stated; “If we are going to have a blatantly politicized police department, them we might as well ELECT the chief of police. After all, the Vanderburgh County sheriff is an elected position. and any reasonable argument be made for the mayor of a city appointing the chief of police”?

IS IT TRUE we want to remind  to vote in todays CCO “READERS POLL”? …todays question is; Do you think the Democrats will have a hard time keeping Gail Riecken’s State Representative seat?

Daily Off Topic Forum November 12, 2015

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USI men’s runners move up; women fall in Top 25

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The University of Southern Indiana men’s cross country team moved into a tie for No. 6 in the final U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association Division II Coaches’ Poll; while USI’s women slipped three spots to No. 14.

 

USI’s men are coming off a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championships. The Screaming Eagles, who battled through illness to claim their 11th straight trip to the NCAA II National Championships, were led by junior Chase Broughton(Marengo, Indiana) and senior Johnnie Guy (Palmyra, Indiana).

 

Broughton finished ninth to earn his first career All-Region award in cross country, while Guy, who was running despite suffering from flu-like symptoms, finished 22nd to claim his third All-Region honor in cross country.

 

The Eagles’ women finished fifth at the regional meet to earn their 10th trip to the NCAA II Championships and their first since 2012.

 

Sophomore Emily Roberts (Fredericktown, Ohio) and senior Jessica Reeves (Midland, Michigan) each earned All-Region honors to lead the Eagles. Roberts finished fifth overall, while Reeves was 16th.

 

Grand Valley State University, the Midwest Region champions in both the men’s and women’s races, slipped into a tie with Adams State University for No. 1 in the men’s poll. The Lakers held the top spot in the women’s poll; while Adams State was No. 2 and Hillsdale College was No. 3.

 

USI competes at the NCAA II Championships November 21 in Joplin, Missouri. The women’s race begins at 10 a.m.; while the men’s race is at 11:15 a.m. Race day coverage, including live results, can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.

 

Defenseman Noreau Reassigned to Norfolk Admirals

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he Evansville IceMen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and AHL’s Binghamton Senators, and Head Coach Al Sims announced Wednesday that the New York Rangers recalled defenseman Samuel Noreauand reassigned him to the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals for future considerations.

Noreau joined the IceMen October 14 after he was reassigned by the Rangers through the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The defenseman from Hull, Quebec played in two games for Evansville. He spent the past two seasons between Greenville and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.

In a separate transaction, Norfolk signed former IceMen forward Radoslav Illo. The Slovakian winger signed in Evansville in September, but was released before the end of training camp and soon thereafter joined the Tulsa Oilers where he appeared in one game.

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