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Air Quality Forecast

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Air quality forecasts for Evansville and Vanderburgh County are provided as a public service.  They are best estimates of predicted pollution levels that can be used as a guide so people can modify their activities and reduce their exposure to air quality conditions that may affect their health.  The forecasts are routinely made available at least a day in advance, and are posted by 10:30 AM Evansville time on Monday (for Tuesday through Thursday) and Thursday (for Friday through Monday).  When atmospheric conditions are uncertain or favor pollution levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, forecasts are made on a daily basis.

Ozone forecasts are available from mid-April through September 30th.  Fine particulate (PM2.5) forecasts are available year round.

Monday
November 2		 Tuesday
November 3		 Wednesday
November 4		 Thursday
November 5		 Friday
November 6
Fine Particulate
(0-23 CST avg)
Air Quality Index		 moderate moderate moderate moderate NA*
Ozone
Air Quality Index		 NA* NA* NA* NA* NA*
Ozone
(peak 8-hr avg)
(expected)		 NA* NA* NA* NA* NA*

* Not Available and/or Conditions Uncertain.

Air Quality Action Days

Ozone Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when maximum ozone readings averaged over a period of eight hours are forecasted to reach 76 parts per billion (ppb), or unhealthy for sensitive groups on the USEPA Air Quality Index scale.

Particulate Alerts are issued by the Evansville EPA when PM2.5 readings averaged over the period of midnight to midnight are forecasted to reach 35 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3).

Forecast statistics documenting the reliability of these air quality forecasts are compiled on a monthly, seasonal (May through September for ozone), and an annual basis.  Compilations of these statistics are reported in Vanderburgh County Health Department’s Annual Report and available on request.

Current conditions of OZONE and FINE PARTICULATE MATTER are available in near real-time on the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s website.

Daily Off Topic Forum November 3, 2015

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Governor Pence Reappoints Priscilla Thomas to Indiana Ethics Commission

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Governor Mike Pence today reappointed Priscilla D. Thomas to serve a four-year team on the Indiana Ethics Commission. She has served on the Ethics Commission since her appointment by Governor Joseph Kernan in 2004 and reappointments from Governor Mitch Daniels in 2007 and 2011. Currently, Ms. Thomas serves as an attorney with Community Health Network, Inc. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Research and Projects and as an adjunct professor at Hall Center for Law and Health at Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. Ms. Thomas has also served as General Counsel for Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Chief Counsel at Eskenazi Health Services (formerly Wishard Health Services), and as Assistant Chief Counsel and Executive Assistant in the Office of the Governor under Governor Frank O’Bannon.

 

In addition to serving on the Indiana Ethics Commission, Ms. Thomas serves as founding member of the Indiana Health Advocacy Coalition and on the American Bar Association – Health Law Section. Ms. Thomas received her undergraduate degree in biology from Spelman College, her master’s degree in neuroanatomy from Atlanta University, and her law degree in Health Law from Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University.

 

Governor Mike Pence also recently made appointments to the following boards and commissions.

 

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Board of Trustees

Sheriff John T. Boyd [LaPorte County], appointed to complete an unexpired four-year term through February 1, 2016

 

Indiana Gaming Commission

Richard W. McClain [Cass County], appointed to serve a three-year term through October 31, 2018

 

Medical Licensing Board

Dr. Kirk E. Masten [Huntington County], reappointed to serve a four-year term through October 31, 2019

Dr. Scott A. Green [Madison County], appointed to serve a four-year term through October 31, 2019

 

Midwifery Committee

Zara M. Fagen [Lake County], reappointed to serve a four-year term through September 30, 2019

Victoria K. Floyd [Hamilton County], appointed to serve a four-year term through September 30, 2019

 

Regional Works Councils

Monica J. Conrad [Porter County], reappointed to Region 1 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

  1. John Dube, Jr. [Porter County], appointed to Region 1 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Daniel L. Tyree [Marshall County], reappointed to Region 2 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

John R. Sampson [Allen County], reappointed to Region 3 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Patrick H. Buesching [Allen County], reappointed to Region 3 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Randall D. Decker [Marion County], reappointed to Region 5 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Cynthia A. Frey [Marion County], reappointed to Region 5 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Bonnie J. Willy [Delaware County], reappointed to Region 6 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Judson M. Motsenbocker [Delaware County], reappointed to Region 6 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

William E. Bradley, Jr. [Jay County], reappointed to Region 6 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Michael D. Wickersham [Randolph County], reappointed to Region 6 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Douglas W. Dillion [Vigo County], reappointed to Region 7 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Kimberly D. Frazier [Lawrence County], reappointed to Region 8 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Jesse R. Brand [Bartholomew County], reappointed to Region 9 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Stephanie S. Weber [Johnson County], reappointed to Region 9 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Sue G. Smith [Bartholomew County], reappointed to Region 9 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Barry E. Parkhurst [Bartholomew County], appointed to Region 9 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Sue B. Habig [Dubois County], reappointed to Region 11 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

Daniel J. Ulrich [Vanderburgh County], reappointed to Region 11 to serve a two-year term through October 31, 2017

 

Eagles host NCAA II Midwest Regional Saturday

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The University of Southern Indiana and the Evansville Sports Corporation host the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Championships Saturday at Angel Mounds. The women’s six-kilometer race begins at 10:30 a.m., while the men’s 10k is at 11:45 a.m.

 

This is the second consecutive year that USI and the Evansville Sports Corporation has teamed up to host the NCAA II Midwest Region Championships at Angel Mounds. The event also will be at Angel Mounds in 2016, while the NCAA II National Championships will be at Angel Mounds in 2017.

 

“Our goal in hosting NCAA Championships like the Midwest Regional is to provide a great experience to the student athletes and fans while showcasing what makes Southwest Indiana great,” Jason Sands, Executive Director of the Evansville Sports Corporation, said. “Angel Mounds’ unique history and the amazing course that has been developed out there has truly put Evansville on the map when it comes to hosting cross country championships.”

 

The Midwest Region consists of teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Around 30 teams and more than 200 student athletes are expected to compete in each race.

 

A total of 12 teams enter Saturday’s races ranked in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association Top 25 polls; eight in the women’s race and four in the men’s race.

 

The Eagles are tied for No. 7 in the men’s poll and No. 11 in the women’s poll.

 

USI is one of four GLVC women’s teams to enter the Midwest Regional ranked in Top 25. Lewis University is No. 14, while the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Bellarmine University are No. 20 and No. 23, respectively.

 

The GLIAC also is represented by four teams in the women’s Top 25, including No. 1 Grand Valley State University and No. 3 Hillsdale College. Northern Michigan University is No. 8, while Malone University is in a tie for No. 25.

 

Grand Valley State also is No. 1 in the men’s Top 25, while Wisconsin-Parkside is No. 13 and Malone is No. 23.

 

Individually, USI senior Johnnie Guy (Palmyra, Indiana) is one of the favorites to win an individual national championship this year. Guy is racing for his second NCAA II Midwest Region title in the last three years after winning the GLVC championship for the third straight year.

 

Several women’s runners toeing the starting line Saturday also have aspirations of capturing the individual national championship. Hillsdale senior Emily Oren and Grand Valley State senior Kendra Foley are among the favorites.

 

Foley is the defending national champion on the cross country course, while Oren captured the NCAA II Outdoor Track & Field title in the 5,000 meters last spring. Oren also won the GLIAC cross country title two weeks ago.

 

Grand Valley State won both the men’s and women’s regional crowns a year ago. The Lakers have won the last 14 women’s regional championships and the previous 13 men’s regional titles.

IS IT TRUE November 3, 2015

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IS IT TRUE we want to congratulate Mayor Winnecke and Gail Riecken for conducting a spirited campaign?  …we are glad that this election will be finally over this evening?

IS IT TRUE we made a mistake when we reference that the location of the proposed Dog Park was going to be located at the old Roberts Stadium property?  …posted below is the correct information pertaining to the proposed Dog Park?

IS IT TRUE the location of a much anticipated new dog park for the city was announced Sunday afternoon, as Mayor Winnecke was joined by a group of enthusiastic dog owners at the site of the future dog park on Evansville State Hospital property. The site is near the center of the park property on land already owned by the City of Evansville. The goal is to use zero tax dollars on the project and rely on private and corporate donations. The large area is surrounded by trees and is close to parking. The trees will serve as a natural buffer to noise, and when full of leaves they will provide shade and help shield the area from view to make it more private.

IS IT TRUE attached below is the official voting centers for tomorrows 2015 General Election?

POLLING  PLACES  LOCATIONS

Bethel United Church of Christ,   3029 N. Green  River Rd.

Calvary Temple Assembly of God,  5050  N.  First Ave.

Fairlawn United Methodist Church,  2001  Parker Dr.

Grace Baptist Church, 1200 N. Garvin St.

Memorial Baptist Church, 605 Canal St.

Methodist Temple, 2109 Lincoln Ave.

Nativity Catholic Church,   3635  Pollack  Ave.

New Bethel Southern Baptist Church,  4301  Broadway Ave.

Northeast  Park Baptist Church,  1215 N.  Boeke  Rd.

Salvation Army, 1040 N. Fulton Ave.

Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center,  1901 Lynch  Rd.

St. James United Methodist Church, 3111 Hillcrest Terrace

St. John’s East United Church,  7000  Lincoln Ave.

Washington Square Mall, 1138 Washington Sq.

Zion Church Educational  Building,  1800  S. Governor  St.

Previously, a voter was required to vote at the polling place within the precinct they resided. Now, a voter can choose to vote at any Vote Center that is convenient for them.

On Election Day, November 3, 2015, the polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM. If you need information about a voter’s registration, you can call the Voter’s Registration Office at (812) 435-5223. For other election questions, you can call the Election Office at (812) 435-5122.

IS IT TRUE we wonder why EPD is patrolling Warrick County?

IS IT TRUE we hear that DMD Director Coures is now pushing his buddies to support Michell Mercer for one of the At-large City Council seats?  ,,,political wisdom suggests by doing so Courses puts his buddy Jonathan Weaver at risk of not being re-elected?

IS IT TRUE that todays “Readers Poll” ask “Who do you endorse to become the next Mayor of Evansville”?

Dates announced for this season’s Marty Simmons Radio Show

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On twelve occasions this season, University of Evansville men’s basketball fans will have the opportunity to be on hand for the Marty Simmons Radio Show.

 

Turoni’s in Newburgh will be the weekly host of the show and it will take place on 12 Monday’s between 6 and 7 p.m.  Fans can also tune in live on 91.5 WUEV and online at www.WUEV.org.

 

The dates for this year are:

November 9

November 23

December 14

December 28

January 4

January 11

January 18

January 25

February 1

February 8

February 15

March 1

Adopt A Pet

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This pretty girl is a 1 ½-year-old female black Shepherd mix! She is good w/ other dogs and cats. Lily still needs a little help with pottytraining, but she’s willing to learn and a consistent schedule will really help! Her $100 adoption fee includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, & more. She can go home TODAY! Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption information!

 

Tax Court affirms rulings for Verizon in contested assessments

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Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com

State tax authorities who couldn’t convince administrative boards to uphold a tripling of assessed valuation on Verizon facilities in Allen County had no better luck Friday before the Indiana Tax Court.

Verizon fought a reassessment for the 2007 tax year that raised the value for property tax purposes from $16.2 million to more than $50.2 million. The Tax Court affirmed the final decision of the Indiana Board of Tax Review in favor of Verizon.

The state Department of Revenue claimed Verizon’s challenge was untimely because the company waived deadlines to appeal the assessment. It argued that any procedural error on the state’s part should be decided in its favor because “a pattern in recent appellate decisions shows a clear willingness by courts to forgive procedural errors even where a consequence for the failure is specified.”

“The Court disagrees,” Tax Court Judge Martha Blood Wentworth wrote in Allen County Assessor v. Verizon Data Services, Inc., 49T10-1408-TA-53. “The cases upon which the Assessor has relied do not establish that appellate courts routinely excuse procedural defects to reach the merits of a case. Rather, the cases the Assessor cites, decided approximately eight years apart, explain that certain procedural defects, such as the untimely filing of a Notice of Appeal or complaint, are not defects that implicate a court’s subject matter jurisdiction.”

Wentworth also noted the state raised this argument for the first time before the Tax Court. “Accordingly, the Court declines to provide the Assessor with a second bite of the proverbial apple at the expense of both Verizon and the Indiana Board.”

Verizon’s Form 131 petitioning for the Indiana Board of Tax Review to challenge the assessment was filed timely under any standard, Wentworth wrote. In a companion case, however, the court concluded that the applicable deadlines are found in Chapter 16 of Indiana Code § 6-1.1, not those under Chapter 15 of the article relied upon by the Department of Revenue.

In Washington Township Assessor, Allen County Assessor, and Allen County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals v. Verizon Data Services, Inc., 49T10-1102-TA-13, Wentworth affirmed the Indiana Board of Tax Review’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Verizon. In this case, the company appealed an increase in the assessed value of tangible personal property from $21 million to nearly $58 million for the 2005 tax year.

“(T)o the extent the deadlines under Section 15-1 and Chapter 16 conflict, Chapter 16 governs because it  applies specifically to appeals of an assessing official’s change to a personal property assessment; whereas, Section 15-1 applies generally to appeals concerning real and personal property assessments,” the court held. “This conclusion gives effect to the importance that the Legislature has placed on assessing officials’ compliance with Chapter 16’s statutory deadlines.

“Accordingly, the Chapter 16 deadlines applied to require the (Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) to issue its final determination by October 30, 2005, which it did not.”

EVSC High School Open Houses Set for November

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This is the time of year when families with eighth grade students in the area begin making decisions about what classes, programs, and schools their children will enroll in for next school year. There are a wide variety of options in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and families have the opportunity to learn about their home district high school and classes offered, as well as about the special ½ day programs the EVSC offers.

Open Houses planned include:

  • Nov. 3:  North High School, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Center
  • Nov. 4:  Harrison High School and Randall T. Shepard Law and Leadership Academy, 6-7 p.m., Auditorium
  • Nov. 5 & 9: New Tech Institute, 6:30 p.m., 1901 Lynch Road
  • Nov. 9:  Bosse High School and International Baccalaureate Programme, 6-8 p.m., Auditorium
  • Nov. 10: Medical Professions Academy, 6:30-8 p.m., Media Center, Central High School
  • Nov. 16: Reitz High School, 5:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 18: Central High School, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Auditorium
  • Dec.10:  Early College High School, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College

 

EDITORIAL: OUR CHOICE FOR MAYOR OF EVANSVILLE

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GAIL RIECKEN ATTEMPTING TO BE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR UN EVANSVILLE 200 YEAR HISTORY

We believe that the voters face the biggest decision on the future of Evansville to be made in many years  this Tuesday. There is a sharp contrast between candidates who are fielded by the two major parties in their platforms, outlooks, and even the ways they have lived their lives.

We would first like to congratulate Mr. Steve Wozniack for having the courage to launch an Independent run for Mayor. He clearly has a great deal of technical knowledge and a fresh way of looking at the City’s problems. Some of the ideas he has presented have potential to make this a better place to live, but we don’t understand how he would implement them. That being said, we believe that he has made a worthwhile contribution to the discussion and hope we haven’t heard the last of him.

Typical party stances are scrambled in this election. We have an incumbent Republican, Lloyd Winnecke who has consistently spent more than we have coming in and the Democratic challenger, Rep. Gail Riecken who is the more fiscally conservative of the two. She is looking for ways to cut spending without any reduction in city services, while Winnecke is looking to continue spending on what he terms “transformative” additions.

Mrs. Riecken’s critics accuse her of running a “negative” campaign, but supporters say her platform is based on the true situation in the City. Mayor Winnecke has been criticized for continuing to spend more than the City takes in, but his supporters argue that the spending is “investment” that will pay off when Evansville becomes a Mecca for young professionals and conventions.

In fact-checking some of the statements made by the candidates on various claims, we have found that the facts tend to fall on the side of the Democrat. For example, the Mayor claims that crime has gone down on his watch and that the use of meth has been reduced by half. The FBI Uniform Crime Statistics show that Evansville is one of the few cities where crime has increased in the past four years. The claims about reductions in meth usage are offset by the fact that it is now being imported from Mexico. The stunning number of local deaths due to heroin usage has largely gone unaddressed by Mr. Winnecke in his claims that he has made Evansville safer.

The incumbent Mayor has raised more money for his campaign than any other candidate in history ($1 million dollars plus), and we have been “treated” to an onslaught of television and internet commercials that make questionable claims about how he has improved Evansville. In his commercials, he has claimed credit for low unemployment and says he is “growing well-paying jobs” and “increasing the tax base.” The truth is that the city has probably lost as many living wage jobs as it has gained. Haier located here because of the availability of the engineers after Whirlpool left, not because the Administration did a better job of courting them than other cities, and those are the “good paying jobs” that have come to Evansville. Winnecke also claims that Evansville is growing and the tax base is increasing under his “leadership.” We can find NO EVIDENCE of truth in either of those statements and he has not offered anything that verifies his claims. We know that our readers are very familiar with his other ball-fumbling moves for Evansville, like the “bait and switch” hotel down sizing deal, the eight million dollar budget shortfall that he tries to blame on City Council, handing two-hundred thousand dollars over to the scammers of EarthCare, and the extreme overpayment for various real estate acquired by the City.

When comparing the resumes of the two, we see that Mrs. Riecken has run a successful business with her husband of 47 years, Ron.  Gail Riecken knows what it takes to make an honorable profit in running a small business. They have been able to pass that business along to their daughters, who remain in Evansville with their families.

Gail began her career of service to others early in life when she spent time the Peace Corps before she married.  She is a co-founder of Ark Crisis Center, and has worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate.  She is a strong advocate for helping kids in need.  Gail Riecken has been involved in many Evansville community organizations for decades.  She takes pride in serving her city and the people that live here . Gail has spent the better part of her life trying to improve the lives of others,  through her community involvement over the years.  Presently, she is  the State Representative for District 72.  She has strongly supported the IU Medical School and legislation to make land-based gaming legal in Indiana.

In a surprising contrast, Lloyd Winnecke does not have entrepreneurial experience, which is an attribute usually prized by Republicans. He has been a member of the local television news media before joining Fifth Third Bank as a Vice President of Public Relations, where he remained until becoming Mayor. He previously served as a County Commissioner, and sheepishly describes taking part in an attempt to take away the Homestead Tax Credit as “not my finest hour in politics.”   He is married to his second wife, realtor Carol McClintock.  He has a daughter who resides in Arizona with his grandson.

We believe that the majority of the public feels the need for more sound fiscal practices from the Mayor and City Council.  The City-County Observer is taking this opportunity to proudly endorse Gail Riecken for Mayor of Evansville.  We feel she will use a reasonable approach to public spending because she understands that so many people are struggling to pay bills and make ends meet.  If elected Mrs. Riecken will be the first female Mayor is Evansville 200 year history.

Bottom line the taxpayers of Evansville can’t afford the things that Mayor Winnecke wants to obligate the citizens to pay for and Gail Riecken understands that.  We believe that Gail Riecken is the clear choice be elected as the next Mayor of Evansville.  We ask you to vote for your own interests by casting your ballot for Mrs. Gail Riecken as the next Mayor of Evansville if you have not already done so.

IS IT TRUE that todays “Readers Poll” ask “Who do you endorse to become the next Mayor of Evansville”?

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