SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
Sobriety Checkpoint Results for Saturday, November 21, 2015
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
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 The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, November 21, 2015 in the 5000 block of East Virginia Street near Tennis Lane.
- A total of 34 vehicles were diverted from East Virginia Street into the checkpoint. The checkpoint ran from 11:30pm to 2:00am.
Just after midnight a vehicle operated by Mr. Dominique Jamal Pointer approached the checkpoint, but then turned abruptly without properly signaling. An Indiana State Police trooper assigned to the perimeter of the checkpoint stopped Mr. Pointer. The trooper recovered multiple bags of marijuana, digital scales, nearly $500 in currency and a handgun from the vehicle. Mr. Pointer was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Funding for local sobriety checkpoint operations is provided by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA).
ARRESTED:
Pictured above: Dominique Jamal Pointer, 20, of Evansville. Dealing Marijuana as a Level 6 Felony, Handgun without a License as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Let’s Fix That Tax Sale: 2nd In A Series
Let’s Fix that tax sale: 2nd in a series
by George Lumley-All Rights Reserved
People want the lots!
Last week I introduced my approach to finding a solution to the tax sale and land banking problem by jumping right in and buying some lots at the tax sale. Ok you negative naysayers: It was a tax sale. The tax sale process is a complicated one with technical jargon but in our everyday language the properties were being offered for sale because of a result of someone’s failure to pay taxes. It appears to me that keeping these empty lots looking good would be a key point in promoting thriving neighborhoods. Who wants to live on a street where grass grows out of control and weeds are as tall as your head. That is right, when a house is for sale or rent, only the people who like unkempt yards want to live there and like they say, birds of a feather flock together.
The story I want to tell today is not the most significant story, or my Christmas Story, but the story that people do want these lots. Yes I even found a Christmas Story at the tax sale that ends happily. It is a story about someone wanting a lot. I had planned to put the story in the my first printed edition of the CCO on Dec. 15, but due to technical difficulties I suppose it will appear here and I will find another big story for the first printed edition of the CCO now slated for January 15, 2016.
The first time I heard that no one wanted these vacant lots was in a response given to me by a city employee about why so many doomed houses were still standing. Why was the city not tearing them down? I was actually told that “no one wanted the lots†so If we tear the building down the city has more grass and weeds to mow. How rediculous! The city is intentionally leaving structures barely standing so there is less grass to mow? Now this same theme of government not doing any more than they absolutely have to runs rampant in Evansville. The city/county will go to great lengths for special interest but claim they have no money or time for everyone’s best interest. The tax sale process with regard to nobody wanting the lots is yet another example.
I began my quest to find out if anyone wanted the lots over a year ago. When I heard the city say they could not find properties for the State blight elimination program and one of the issues was having a use for the lot after a structure was torn down. I volunteered to look into it. Knocking on doors beside vacant houses that were doomed to be razed I found people who would gladly take the lot or split the lot with a neighbor, own the lot, care for the lot, and even pay taxes on the lot if they could just get rid of the Zombie structure (garbage) sitting on the lot. Almost any “use†qualified the structure for the grant funding which was intended to remove these zombie houses that littered the neighborhoods.
I had no problem finding scattered zombie house properties. But the City leaders told me they needed more worthy projects in a targeted area near schools, parks and churches. That was easy. I went to one of the worst areas in Evansville across the street from Howell Park, and put together a project of ten zombie houses on three streets. People in the neighborhood were more than happy to own the lot, maintain the lot and even, pay taxes on the lot if the city would get rid of the zombie house. This time the city listened. They even acted like they cared and were pursuing the project. After eight months I discovered that my project, which was in everyone’s best interest, was not in the city’s special interest and they had really put one over on me.
Now looking at the tax sale process this year the special interest are trying to put one over on our best interest with the stop the tax sale, give all the property to the Brownfields land bank, and also give them $1.7 million in tax dollars to fund their special interest. Let’s shed some light on these tax sale properties. Did you know that 60 properties were quietly transferred from the auction block to the Brownfields before the public had an opportunity to buy them? The Brownfields control them and in some cases you cannot buy them. The Brownfields sells these properties for a profit to who they want, when they want and if they want. Yes, a special interest nonprofit, can still make a profit. No one wants these properties? Now the next special interest pick was to adjoining property owners. Did you know that if you are an adjoining owner to one of these properties the commissioners can sell it to you and it does not go to the “tax sale� If you knew that, you are an exception. It seems to be a well-kept secret that the lot is available and easily acquired by neighboring property owners. About 30 of the properties were transferred out of the sale using this process by the Commissioners for as little as $1.00 each. In some cases more than one adjacent owner wanted the same lot and the price went up.
I found some very interesting transactions among these thirty properties. One in particular involves a property at 320 W Louisiana St. This is a narrow corner lot that became owned by the county because the Code Enforcement people allowed it to deteriorate to a point of no return; the city paid for the demolition; and now it falls into the hands of the commissioners. I spoke with James who owns the house next to this lot. He wanted it for parking and yard space. James was upset that he was not able to get it. He explained that the lot was too small to build on and he did not see how it would be any value to anyone but him. That is unless he wasn’t there and he assured me that he was not going anywhere. I guess he does not know what code enforcement stands for in Evansville. Some claim the code people to be the eviction police working for special interest and I am starting to see their point.
Well anyway, James offered the County Commissioners a fair price for the lot next to his house. He offered to pay the county $300 for the lot. He wanted to own it, maintain it, and pay taxes on it. There would be no burden to the public tax payers or charities. Well James soon received a letter in the mail that another adjoining owner, Habitat, also wanted the lot and he would have to pay more than they were offering. This often happens because people really do want the lots and are even willing to pay for the privilege of owning, maintaining and paying the taxes. Now the puzzle here is that the other neighboring owner, Habitat, offered $5000 for the lot. Not a typo – that is $5000 for a lot that no one would want. Of the lots that made it to the Auction there was one that actually brought over $10,000. These are vacant lots that our officials are trying to convince us that no one wants.
A new mystery for me and James is why Habitat would out bid him and pay $5000 for the lot next to him. As long as John lives in his house, Habitat can never build on it. He is a young guy and doesn’t plan on going anywhere soon. Habitat now owns the lot beside James and the lot behind it, directly across the alley. Both lots are too narrow to build. Is it possible they are going to start building super narrow houses that span from street to street blocking the alley? Brainstorm, maybe they are going to build up and over the alley. A two story drive through?
As I separate fact from propaganda, special interest from everyone’s best interest, I seem to find more mysteries in a week than I can solve in a month. Why would Habitat pay $5000 for a lot they cannot build on? Why covertly transfer sixty properties to the Brownfields? Why keep the process of adjacent owners buying these properties undisclosed? Why use code enforcement for the special interest of running people out of their properties rather than use it for everyone’s best interest in helping people maintain their properties?
One thing for certain. The propaganda about no one wanting these properties is CRAP. Maybe 5 or 10 out of 100 would be hard to place. The majority 90% could be placed through free enterprise with people who want to own, maintain, and pay taxes on the lots after the garbage houses are removed. No new laws, funding, land banks, etc are needed. We simply need to insure our leaders are looking out for everyone’s best interest rather than their crony’s special interest.
Adopt A Pet
How gorgeous is Missy? She’s a female dilute calico who’s a little over a year old. She has gotten along well with a large dog and other cats in her previous home. They’re all up for adoption, too!  Her $30 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, & more! Call (812) 426-2563 for adoption information. Photo by Big Plans Media.
Three Local Men Honored For Heroic Acts
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office honored three men for their acts of heroism on March 17, 2014.
Dustin Vacha, Scott Taylor and Michael Lankford were awarded with the office’s Distinguished Citizen Commendation for helping Sierah Jones, who was 3 years old at the time, out of a burning building. Dustin was able to safely drop Sierah out of a second-story window into the arms of Scott and Michael.
“They truly were heroes that day,†said Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Hermann. “We commend the efforts of these men for putting their lives at risk to save another.â€
Three people were killed in the fire on 29 W. Franklin Street, including Sierah’s twin sister. Christopher Compton was successfully convicted of starting the fire and has since been sentenced to 200 years in prison.
This is the second time the prosecutor’s office has presented the citizen award. In 2012, David S. Devine was honored after he gave his life to save another person during a knife attack.
IS IT TRUE NOVEMBER 23, 2015
IS IT TRUE we will be taking a break the week of Thanksgiving?  …when we return, you will see some big changes to our site?  …We expect our new format will encourage more reader participation and also attract a broader range of support from advertisers because we will  become a more informative and positive publication?
“Is It True†will no longer be a daily feature. It will be posted a couple of times (Tuesday and Thursday) a week?  …to access “Is It True” readers will have to go to a link that will be provided in the main section of our paper?  … the same will be true for our “Readers Forum.†?  …in essence, we will segregate “Is It True” and the “Readers Forum” from the general readership and Interested readers will have to put in an extra effort to access these posts?  …both sections shall be advertising free so the reading public understand that our advertisers have nothing to do with these sometimes controversial and politically charged sections?
IS IT TRUE  we wonder if anyone knows the status of the Alhambra and the Arts Council agreement ?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if anyone knows the status of the ECHO HOUSING and the CRAWFORD  DOOR & DOCK agreement ?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if DMD have found someone to purchase and develop the vacant $525,000 CVS building on North Main?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if anyone knows what the status of the vacant INTERGA Branch building on North Main owned by DMD?
IS IT TRUE we are pleased with the way that Haynie’s Corner development is coming along?
IS IT TRUE we wonder when the city is going to force the owners of the vacant and dilapidated Old Bernie Little River House Hotel to begin renovating it? Â …this property has sit vacant for over 10 years and is a major blight on the developing downtown?
IS IT TRUE we are waiting for the Mayor to announce his future plans for the Mesker Amphitheater?
IS IT TRUE we are pleased that the concept of making West Franklin Street an Entertainment District is finally catching on?
IS IT TRUE please go to our video section and pull up an extremely entertaining  video produced by the men and women of the EPD?
IS IT TRUE Â the “Readers Poll” ask; Do you feel it’s a smart marketing move for the CCO to a print copy of their publication?
AnimalPalooza Santa Paws Food & Fund Drive
AnimalPalooza is holding its first annual food, toy, and fund drive Nov. 16 through Dec. 6 to benefit 18 animal shelters and rescues in Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky during a historically slow season of giving for these nonprofit organizations.
Donations may be placed in collection boxes throughout Evansville and the surrounding area. Animal shelters and rescue facilities are always in need of pet food, toys, bedding, Dawn
dish washing liquid, paper towels and bleach, among many other items. Find a full listing of needed items at www.animalpalooza.net.
Monetary donations also are needed, and may be made online at the AnimalPalooza website.
“We are very excited to announce that AnimalPalooza will match the total donations we raise online, up to $2,000. So we encourage everyone to go to our Go Fund Me link at www.gofundme.com/un95bvms to make a donation, then share the link with friends and online contacts,†said Melissa Mauser, AnimalPalooza Vice President and Marketing & PR Coordinator. “Every donation, no matter how big or small, counts. We saw what our community can do during our AnimalPalooza Benefit and Music Festival in September and because of that, we’re confident this food and fund drive will also be a big success. We’re continually grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity from so many people and businesses in the tri-state.â€
The Santa Paws event will conclude with a celebration on Sunday, December 6th at Lamasco Bar & Grill on West Franklin Street. The event will feature popular local bands, food, door prizes and family fun from 2 pm to 7 pm.
For more information about the Santa Paws Food and Fund Drive, donating online, a listing of the 18 area animal shelters and rescues that will receive donations, a complete list of needed items, drop off locations and more, visit www.animalpalooza.net.
UE Baseball announces signing class
University of Evansville head baseball coach Wes Carroll has announced the signing of 12 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Purple Aces in 2017.
“I would like to thank Coach Fick and Coach Mahon on their hard work and dedication to recruit a big and talented class of future Aces. They did an outstanding job of identifying and recruiting such a great class for our program,†Carroll said. “We are graduating a large talented senior group so we needed a big class of immediate contributors and I believe this class will fill those needs. This recruiting class has 4 Pitchers and 8 Position Players. All of the pitchers have tremendous upside and the position players are very athletic and versatile. I’m very excited to see this class compete over the coming years in an Aces uniform. â€
Conner Hasectuster-INF
Conner Hasecuster comes to UE from Shelbyville, Ind.. Hasecuster is a four-year letterwinner in baseball and a three-year player football at Shelbyville High School. Hasecuster was named to the all-conference team as both a sophomore and a junior. He was able to help his team win a conference championship during the 2014 campaign.
“Conner is one of the best SS we saw in this 2016 class. He is a plus defender and has a lot of potential hitting from the left side of the plate. What I like most about Conner is that he has tremendous makeup and the intangibles to be a force in the Missouri Valley Conference.â€
-Coach Carroll
Jimmy Day –INF
James Day joins the Aces from Barrington, Ill. The brother of former Aces pitcher Johnny Day, the infielder hails from Barrington High School. His best year at Barrington featured a .425 BA, 1.129 OPS, 5 home runs, 23 stolen bases, 11 HBP, 32 RBI, and 42 runs scored. Was named all-conference, all-area, and was selected to Team IL.
“Jimmy brings exceptional offensive prowess to our lineup. His plus bat speed and consistent bat path project him into the middle of our lineup for the upcoming years. His athletic ability gives him the opportunity to play multiple positions in the infield. We are excited for Jimmy to be on campus as he is the younger brother of recent baseball alum Johnny Day.”
-Coach Mahon
David Ellis-RHP
David Ellis, who is a local product, comes from nearby Princeton, Ind. The right-hander was a four-year player in both tennis and baseball. He was named all-county in baseball as a sophomore. Ellis also boasts a successful tennis career, reaching sectionals with his team the last three years.
“David is a local player that will wear Evansville across his chest with pride. He is a very athletic RHP that already sits in the low 90’s. He has the potential to be a front line arm in our program and be a dominant pitcher in the MVC. I really look forward to seeing him reach his potential in our pitching program.â€
-Coach Carroll
Adam Lukas-RHP
Right-handed pitcher Adam Lukas heads to Evansville from Janesville, Wis. Lukas attends Grafton High School and has lettered in baseball three years along with tennis once. Thru his junior season, Lukas has played in 20 games, making 14 starts. Over his 83 innings of work, Lukas has a 2.04 ERA with 93 strikeouts. Lukas’ record checks in at 10-6 with a pair of saves.
“Adam is an outstanding prospect, he possesses the ability to reach 90 mph with his fastball, and should continue to develop not only his fastball velocity and command throughout his time in our program, but also his secondary pitches as he has a tremendous work ethic. He is a tall right handed pitcher with a loose arm and strong, sturdy frame. He will compete early on for innings on our pitching staff. We are excited to welcome Adam into our baseball family!”
-Coach Fick
Jake Sperry-INF
Jake Sperry is a shortstop from Appleton, Wis. Sperry has played four seasons of basketball and two in baseball at Chippewa Falls Senior High School. During his 2015 campaign, Sperry hit .440, had a .515 OBP, a .643 SLG. He hit two home runs, drove in 16 runs, and scored 23 runs. Sperry helped his team get to the sectional championship during the 2015 season.
“Jake is a quick twitch athlete that is very versatile. He showcases great defensive actions and plus bat speed at the plate. He is a hard-nosed player that plays the game with grit. He is our type of player and is a great addition to our program.â€
-Coach Carroll
Ben Elsen-INF
A native of Cincinnati, Ben Elsen played baseball at Saint Xavier High School. He also spent time playing for the Cincinnati Hornets, which was his club team. Playing primarily at shortstop, Elsen comes from an athletic family as his brother, David, plays soccer at Baldwin Wallace University and his aunt and uncle each played at the Division I level at Bowling Green.
“Ben brings one of a kind athletic ability to our roster. His reliant and sure handed defensive abilities make him a key component of what Purple Aces baseball is all about. His short compact swing combined with his speed will give him the opportunity to hit at the top of the order. Ben comes from a very successful high school program, St. Xavier High School, which will set him up for success at UE.”
Brendan Krob-C
Joliet, Ill. product Brendan Krob comes to the program from Joliet, Ill. where he has spent his high school career playing at Argo Community HS. Baseball runs in his blood as his brother Ryan plays for the University of Chicago and another brother, Dustin, plays at Campbell University. The catcher is a 3-time all-conference player and hit .405 last season. He was named the #10 catcher in the state of Illinois by PBR and was rated 82nd overall.
“We were very fortunate to find Brendan on the recruiting trail as he fills a major need behind the plate. He has tremendous upside as a catcher and hitter in our program. He comes from a baseball family with two older brothers playing at the collegiate level so he knows what it takes. I’m anxious to get him on campus next fall.â€
-Coach Carroll
Dalton Horstmeier-OF
The Aces added outfielder Dalton Horstmeier of Columbia, Mo. At Jefferson College, Horstmeier boasted a batting average of .493 with 3 home runs and 37 RBIs. While at Fulton High School, Horstmeier was all-state and all-conference in three seasons. He set the doubles record at Fulton and tied the hits record with 43.
“Dalton comes to us from a very strong program at Jefferson College where he has had a lot of success. As a transfer we anticipate him to be able to contribute right away and compete for at bats in the middle of our line-up. Dalton is a tremendous competitor who has a real enthusiasm for the game of baseball! His attitude and ability make him an excellent fit for our Purple Aces family. We are glad to welcome Dalton aboard!”
-Coach Fick
Justin Hayden-RHP
Justin Hayden is a pitcher from Rend Lake Community College. Hayden is originally from Murray, Ky. where he attended Graves County High School. The right-hander lettered in baseball five years and basketball four. He boasted a record of 9-1 with a 1.71 ERA during his senior campaign. He also helped Graves County get to the Kentucky State Baseball Tournament during his senior season.
“Justin is a strike throwing right handed pitcher who we believe can get a ton of outs for us in the Missouri Valley Conference. His drive and determination will give him an opportunity to grab a hold of some major innings for us right away. As a junior college transfer, Justin’s proven ability to command the strike zone with multiple pitches is what make him a desirable asset to our pitching staff. We are thrilled that Justin has chosen us as the place he wants to continue his educational and baseball career!”
-Coach Fick
Nathan Croner-LHP
Nathan Croner, who is from Independence, Mo., is 6’6 left-handed pitcher who will bring his talents to Evansville. Croman attends Truman High School where he has lettered in baseball and basketball twice. In baseball he was named 2nd team all-conference. Croner’s best performance to date features a two-hit shutout.
“We are truly excited to welcome Nathan onto our pitching staff and into our our program! He is a tall mid 80’s left handed pitcher and as he continues to develop, it is not unlikely to see a velocity bump in the near future. With the chance to see Nathan pitch a number of times throughout the recruiting process, one thing was clear, he loves competing at the game of baseball! We can’t wait to get him and the rest of this recruiting class on campus. Nathan will compete for innings early on in his career.”
-Coach Fick
Kenton Crews-OF
Kenton Crews is a local product who attended Heritage Hills High School. Crews is a three-sport student-athlete with four letters in football, two in basketball and four in baseball. He was the recipient of the Golden Glove Award for baseball in 2015 also garnered all-conference honors. An MLB Area Code Invitee in 2015, Crews earned numerous awards in all three of his sports, highlighted by the TriStateHomepage Most Valuable Player in the fourth week of the 2015 season.
“Kenton is a local 3 sport standout with rare athleticism. His overall tools and athleticism will develop in our system to be a dynamic baseball player. I really look forward to seeing him focus on one sport year round because he has a tremendous ceiling in this game. Kenton will be an outstanding student-athlete for us here at UE.â€
-Coach Carroll
Sean Cary-INF
Sean Cary is an infielder who comes to UE from Centralia, Ill. A 4-sport athlete, Cary played baseball in all four high school years while also spending time in golf, soccer and basketball. A conference honorable mention in 2015, Cary led Centralia High School in batting average and on-base percentage as a junior. His sister, Erin, is a former swimmer for the Purple Aces and currently works for the department as the Graphic Design Specialist.
“Sean really stood out at our Prospect Camp as a strong defender. While at our camp he gobbled everything hit his direction. He projects out to be an outstanding athlete and we look forward to seeing his continued development in our program. “
Evansville to Host 2016 Northern Men’s Slow-Pitch National Championship Tournament
Event slated for Deaconess Sports Park Labor Day Weekend
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) has awarded the 2016 Northern Men’s E/Rec Slow-Pitch National Championship to Evansville’s Deaconess Sports Park. The tournament will be held over Labor Day weekend – September 2 – 5, 2016.
This is the third national tournament that will be played in Evansville in 2016. In September, the National Softball Association (NSA) awarded the Girls’ Fast Pitch World Series to Evansville on July 18 – 24, 2016. Evansville will host this national tournament with Owensboro, Ky. Following this large tournament will be the ASA/USA Girls’ Slowpitch National Championship for 10U – 18U age groups on July 28-31.
Deaconess Sports Park opened in May of 2015. It has received accolades from organizers and teams as one of the premier sports parks in the Midwest. In spring of 2016, new signage that will include balls/strikes/outs information will be installed on all eight fields.
For information on the ASA tournament in September of 2016, please email or call Tim Fulton at tfulton@evansvillecvb.org or 800-433-3025/812-421-2200. For information on Deaconess Sports Park, visit http://www.visitevansville.com/sports/deaconess-sports-park