Governor Pence Congratulates 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year
Governor Mike Pence today issued the following statement after Haverhill Elementary School teacher Jean Russell was named 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year:
“On behalf of all the people of Indiana, I want to congratulate Jean Russell on being named the 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year,†said Governor Pence. “With more than 25 years of experience and numerous awards and recognitions to her credit, Jean has dedicated her career to our kids. I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that she will be representing the Hoosier state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
“Dedicated teachers like Jean Russell do our state a great service each and every day in the classroom to ensure that our kids get the education they deserve. So as we congratulate Jean Russell as Indiana’s 2016 Teacher of the Year, let us also give thanks to all the educators in our state whose hard work and passion in the classroom continues to inspire our kids.â€
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.
Aaron Matthew Bratton Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Destinee Renee Minth Fraud on a financial institution, Level 5 felony
Fraud, Level 6 felony
Steffanos Haralambos Katechis Theft, Level 6 felonyÂ
Brennon Ray Bickwermert Domestic battery, Level 6 felony
Strangulation, Level 6 felony
Criminal confinement, Level 6 felony
Fire Marshal Encourages Smoke Alarms, Escape Routes During Indiana Fire Prevention October 4-11
Fire Marshal Encourages Smoke Alarms, Escape Routes During Indiana Fire Prevention October 4-11
INDIANAPOLIS –Â October 4-11 is Fire Prevention Week in the state of Indiana, and the Indiana State Fire Marshal is asking all Hoosiers to make sure that their households are prepared in the event of a fire.
“There are several steps that homeowners should take when safeguarding themselves against fire, and one of the most important is to make sure that working smoke alarms are present in the home,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson. “Having a properly-functioning smoke alarm in the home makes you 50% more likely to escape the situation safely.”
Installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside of each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement can help to warn those inside of a quickly-spreading fire. Listed below are other useful smoke alarm tips:
- Test smoke alarms every month, and change batteries at least once every six months.
- Replace smoke alarms every 8-10 years.
- Know the difference between the two types of smoke alarms. Ionization alarms work best when a fast-moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are specialty alarms that are a combination of both.
While smoke alarms help to provide extra time to escape a fire, it’s also important to practice escape plans with those in the household so that everyone knows which exits to use in each room of the home. These escape plans should be practiced both during the day and during the night. In the event of a fire, it is important to have a designated meeting place outside and away from home. Make sure everyone is accounted for and designate one person to call the fire department.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is also encouraging all businesses and schools to schedule a fire drill during this week to ensure that escape plans are still practiced with staff and students alike.
For more information on fire safety and prevention, visit GetPrepared.IN.gov.
West Side Nut Club Fall Festival begins Today
Once again the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will maintain a tent at the intersection of W. Franklin Street and N. 11th Avenue next to the lost and found booth. At this location, sheriff’s deputies will be passing out yellow wristbands to children. The underside of the wristband can display a parent or guardians’ phone number, which may be used to reunite a child with a missing parent.
The Evansville Police Department will be providing law enforcement services throughout the festival grounds and will have a mobile command center stationed at W. Franklin Street and N. 10th Avenue.
The Sheriff’s Office offers the following safety tips for your visit to the Fall Festival:
- When you arrive at the festival, identify and point out officials your child can approach if they become separated from you. Describe the sheriff’s deputy and police officer uniforms, the Nut Club member hats and the fire official uniforms so your child knows who is safe to approach.
- Nothing takes the place of your supervision. Younger children can become distracted with all of the sights, sounds, smells, and crowds at the Fall Festival.
- If your child is old enough to be out of your eyesight, make sure they take a friend with them. There is safety in numbers (as well as more fun to be had). Remember to have your child check in on a regular basis. Identify where you will meet them and what time they should be there.
- If you become separated from your child, notify a sheriff’s deputy or police officer as soon as possible.
- Heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic will create an increased risk of accidents. Take your child by the hand when walking to and from the festival. Use caution when leaving the sidewalk. Consider using a paid parking lot to support a worthy cause.
Stop by the Sheriff’s Office Fall Festival tent, where you can talk to a sheriff’s deputy and pick up a free munchie map. You can also enter for a chance to win a 2015 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle from the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA). The motorcycle will be on display Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of festival week. Proceeds will go to the ISA to benefit the families of deputies and officers killed in the line of duty as well as the Sheriff’s Youth Leadership Camps and Scholarship Program.
Sheriff Dave Wedding stated, “On behalf of the entire Sheriff’s Office, we hope everyone who vistis the Fall Festival this year has a safe, fun and memorable time!”
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
EPD Activity Report
Adopt A Pet
 Farley is a 2-year-old male German Shepherd mix! He’s got the cute head-tilt down pat. He was found as a stray, so not much is known about his background. All we know so far? He loves tug toys! His $100 fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, & more! Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption information.
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IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 5, 2015
IS IT TRUE last week victims of domestic violence held a candlelight vigil at the Four Freedoms Monument? …we are very thankful that the professionals of Albion Fellows Beacon Center and Holly’s House are available to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assaults? …we encourage domestic violence victims not to be afraid to report acts of domestic violence against them no matter how politically connected or wealthy their attacker may be?
IS IT TRUE that some of the EPD rank and file are saying if Chief Bolin would spend the same amount of time and energy running the Police Department as he does politicking  for the Mayor and doing public relations events the overall performance of the Police Department would be greatly improved?
IS IT TRUE the Courier and Press asked contested City Council candidates a series of meaningful questions about their views on issues concerning the upcoming Council races?  …one part of  a question that was asked by the Courier and Press was; “Under What Circumstances Would You Advocate For A Tax Increase”?  …we found  At-Large Councilman Jonathan Weaver answer to this question interesting?  …he stated he “Would advocate a tax increase in order to fund public safety”?  …he also stated “Thats what a few of us are in the process of working on doing’?  …it looks like if you want a tax increase Mr. Weaver is the man you should vote for?
IS IT TRUE another question was; “Is The City Well Managed Financially Right Now? Â …Dan McGinn, Michelle Mercher, Â Ann Hargis CPA, Justin Elpers all said “yes”? Â …Anna Melcher, Alex Burton, Bart Gadau, Henrietta Jenkins, Connie Robinson and Dr. Dan Adams all said “No”? …who couldn’t figure out what Jack Schriber and Jonathan Weaver were trying to say concerning this simple question?
IS IT TRUE last weeks unscientific but trendy ‘Readers Poll” ask the following questions?  …the question was “do agree with the testimonials TV ads for Mayor Winnecke stating that he has gotten the City’s finances under control”?  …the results of this poll was: 376 people voted, 275voted ‘NO”, 29 voted ‘YES” and 77 voted that they haven’t seen the TV Ad?  …we now know why Gail Riecken For Mayor staff are extremely pleased that Mayor Winnecke continues to run this TV Ad?
IS IT TRUE our current unscientific but trendy “Readers Poll’ question is “Who do you think was responsible for not collecting the proper evidence for the 3 suspects charged with the Murder of Shane Breedlove”?
IS IT TRUE that GOP Party Chairmen Wayne Parkes sent some insulting e-mail to individuals for accepting the prestige’s “Community Service Award” to be  presented to them by the City County Observer on October 26, 2015?
IS IT TRUE on September 1, 2015 the Solid Waste Management District met in official session?  …that the Solid Waste Management District voted to increase their 2016 Budget by 8%?  …those who voted for this increase were Missy Mosby, Bruce Ungethiem, Angela Koehler Lindsey and Bob Stone?  …as of August 31, 2015 the Solid Waste District cash on hand was $161,906 and investments were $325,000 for a total of $486,906 in the operating account?  …at the beginning of the year the cash balance was $472,766 which means the operating account was increased about $14,000 so far in 2015?  …with a pretty healthy cash balance we wonder why the Solid Waste Management District decided to increase their 2016 operating budget by 8%?
Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature articles because they are always an interesting read. Please scroll at the bottom of our paper so you can enjoy our creative political cartoons. Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without our permission