The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has received a report of attempted telephone fraud involving a caller claiming to be a Sheriff’s Deputy.The caller claimed that someone in the household had an unpaid traffic ticket. The caller knew the correct name of the resident, but did not appear to possess any personally identifiable information. The caller attempted to get the victim to purchase a pre-paid re-loadable money card and then provide the “deputy” with the card number over the phone to settle the fine.The Evansville Police Department received a similar complaint and both agencies are now investigating. This attempted fraud is similar to a scam reported to us last July.The Sheriff’s Office does not solicit the payment of fines or fees on behalf of the court. Area residents are advised to treat any unsolicited caller who requests payment or access to personally identifiable information with extreme skepticism, regardless of who the caller claims to represent. When in doubt get the caller’s name, hang up, and then call the business or government entity back at a phone number you know to be correct.
USI Ideation/Innovation course offers real-world solutions for hospital
Students at the University of Southern Indiana will present information this week that could potentially result in huge savings for a local hospital. The final pitches for USI’s Romain College of Business Ideation and Innovation course will be presented from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, December 11, in USI’s Business and Engineering Center, Room 0035 to a panel, including the dean of the College and a team of managers from Deaconess Health Systems.
At the beginning of the fall semester, Linda White, president and CEO of Deaconess Health Systems and USI’s 2014 Executive in Residence, along with several of her colleagues posed three issues to the class that the hospital has been struggling with. These three areas include:
· What could be designed to minimize the number of patient falls out of beds?
· What could be designed to automate menu ordering for patients to replicate room service?
· What kind of device could be used to do blood testing at home, with results sent to the physician?
These issues can, and do, result in millions of dollars in added costs to Deaconess. Seven USI student teams worked on innovative ideas to address these issues. They visited the hospital to gain primary research information and performed a lean feasibility/market analysis to support ideas to address specific needs within the problem areas.
The Ideation and Innovation course offers students opportunity for immersion into entrepreneurial mindset development; innovative thought, openness to new ideas, recognizing opportunities, collaboration and team coaching. “The entrepreneurial mindset is not just about being an entrepreneur,†said Bryan Bourdeau, USI instructor in business. “It’s about possessing unique thought processes and the actions of complete ownership of whatever you’re involved in; it’s also about effectively and efficiently communicating your ideas.â€
This course is designed to provide students with foundational ideation/innovation concepts, as well as engaging them in reality-based ideation. “The objective is for the student to develop an awareness and ability to understand the role ideation and innovation play in today’s value creation process,†said Bourdeau.
Ideation and Innovation is one of three unique courses that make up the USI Romain College of Business Entrepreneurship Minor, nationally recognized in 2014 as an Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Program by the Unites States Association for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs in its Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education competition.
“We invite other companies, large and small, that have ongoing problems and pains, to potentially resolve those issues by tapping into the creative intellectual capital that our students possess,†said Bourdeau, who sees the potential to grow the program at USI.
For more information contact Bryan Bourdeau at bbourdeau@usi.edu or 812-461-5247.
ST. MARY’S WELLNESS CENTER TO OFFER DANCE THRU THE DECADES CLASS
St. Mary’s Wellness Center will bring the decades together through a dance class. Whether it’s the festive flappers of the roaring 20’s, the twist of the 50’s, the disco of the 70’s, or the beats of recent tunes, this class will widen your horizons of what you realize you can do with your dance moves. Come join others, and support yourself for a fun-filled, healthier you in the New Year.
The class will be Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. beginning January 8th and ending February 12th. The cost is $54 per person, and pre-registration is required by Tuesday January 6th. Please call 812-485-5725 to register. For more information, visit StMarysEpworth.com/classes.
IS IT TRUE December 11, 2014
IS IT TRUE as it sinks in that the Old National Bank headquarters in downtown Evansville, which is a world-class building with the absolute top of the line office space with an adjacent parking tower has been assessed at only $31.7 Million, we must consider just what effect that assessment will have on other downtown properties?…knowing by virtue of public records that this property sold for approximately $67 Million in 2006, it must be assumed that the review committee of the assessors office agreed that the value of the property has fallen by $35.3 Million in the last 8 years?…the ONB headquarters is one building in downtown Evansville that has pristine maintenance, a marquee location, and a stable long-term tenant?…if the ONB headquarters has fallen in market value by 53% we shudder to think about what some of the other buildings like the McCurdy Hotel has fallen by?…the assessment of the ONB headquarters will by definition inspire other challenges to assessments which will reduce the flow of cash to the downtown TIF fund that was being counted on to finance other projects?…with an estimated refurbishment cost of over $10 Million for the McCurdy Hotel, using the ONB headquarters as a comp may just eliminate any possibility to fund both the McCurdy and the old Jackson House next door through conventional financing methods?…the same will apply to the downtown convention hotel which was promised to us for no public subsidy by then Mayor Weinzapfel 2,372 days ago?…this may even cause problems for the IU Medical School building which is slated to be owned by private investors?
IS IT TRUE one of our financially astute moles has pointed out that since the City of Evansville’s $20 Million bond commitment to subsidize the hotel was once approved there is a logical train of thought that leads to the conclusion that HCW does not have their loan in place yet?…assuming that ONB is good for their $14 Million contribution under the guise of naming rights and that the City of Evansville really can sell these bonds, that there is only one thing that could be holding this project up and that is the remainder of the funding?…outside of funding issues which along with valuation has been a monumental problem from day one, there are several moles that tell us that the hotel is still way over budget due to the reluctance of local firms to work with Hunt Construction that was the prime contractor for the Ford Center?…the one thing that is for certain is that the start date to avoid inclimate weather has passed and if the truth was told by Mayor Winnecke back in October we are now looking at a Spring 2015 start date if there is one at all?
IS IT TRUE the Mayor’s office must have been in some real need of a positive day of spin to have staged a publicity stunt out at Sigma Packaging over an announcement to hire 17 people?…one would think that incentives and golden shovels would not be necessary when a company expands by only 17 people with jobs that pay just over $20,000 per year?…this did not make anyone forget about the troubles down at MLK and Walnut, where the City is fighting like the dickens to spend $77 Million and end up owning nothing?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced that it will be providing a matching grant in the amount of $300,000 for the Mesker Park Zoo to use to purchase a merry-go-round and an aviary?…the cost estimate for these items is $3 Million?…we wonder exactly where the other $2.7 Million is coming from?…we wonder if a city that can’t afford to change the oil in the police cars seriously afford to consider dropping $2.7 Million on a merry-go-round and a bird cage?…these are nice little cutesy things that we are sure the children will like but spending money like this when one can’t change the oil in a fleet of squad cars is just plain stupid?…that said, if some private individual is willing to come up with the $2.7 Million balance, we will be the first to thank them?
IS IT TRUE we are relieved to learn that the United States Congress seems to have reached a deal that will avoid another government shut down?…there are things in this bill that the democrats are angry about and there are things that republicans are angry about, but the good news is that these suckers finally seem to have worked together to get something done for the American people?…we have little worry for the grandstanding of either side about what is not perfect about this continuation resolution for the ideals of their side?…it is about time this particular congress took a shot of courage and sent something to the President for a signature that is a compromise that will work?
IS IT TRUE we are all benefiting substantially by the drop in gasoline prices and it could not come at a better time?…it is estimated that the average American family is saving about $120 per month on gasoline relative to the price last summer?…that money and the positive attitude adjustment that always comes with falling gas prices should be good for the Holiday season when we all typically give gifts to our loved ones?…whether we like it or not this drop in gas prices was brought to us by added production in the United States of both oil and gas?…we are sure that someday oil will be over $100 a barrel but for now this collapse of prices has been just like getting a raise?
FOOT NOTE: Please take time and go to our “Readers Poll” and cast your vote on the question of the day.
Copyright 2014 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Mayor Winnecke’s No meth Task Force and the EPD Meth Suppression Unit seeing results in the fight against meth labs
Thanks to the community wide effort to combat meth labs in our neighborhoods, the number of meth labs in Evansville/ Vanderburgh County has dropped this year.
In 2012, Mayor Winnecke’s “No Meth Task Force” teamed up with the Evansville Police Department Meth Suppression Unit to address the high number of meth labs in our community. The partnership attacked the issue head on through various avenues. They included education, enforcement, and addiction treatment.
The result has been a significant drop in the number of meth labs reported in 2014. There have been 57 meth labs reported this year. There were 113 labs reported in 2013. This follows an all time high of 130 labs in 2011.
The reduction in meth labs has a direct impact on public safety and the resources needed to dismantle each lab. The time and money needed for the dismantling of each lab can now be directed more towards education and prevention. It also allows for more focus on recovery for people battling meth addiction.
While the issue of meth addiction remains a priority for the No Meth Task Force and the Evansville Police Department, the successful reduction of meth labs is a positive step for Evansville and the entire area.
Breaking News : Gail Riecken CONSIDERING RUN FOR THE MAYOR OF EVANSVILLE
As reported earlier this week by the CCO that a well known and highly respected individual is considering a run for the Mayor of Evansville. Today we have confirmed that State Representative Gail Riecken has almost decided to run for Mayor in this upcoming 2015 city election.
We hear that intense discussions have been going on between a group of bi-partisan movers and shakers with Representative Riecken running against Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke? We also hear that the discussions between Mrs. Riecken and her family have been extremely encouraging? In fact we hear that they have given their blessings and strong support for her run for Mayor of Evansville.
If Representative Riecken decides to take on Mayor Winnecke we predict it will be the biggest political battle of his career? Mrs. Riecken is highly respected and well known for her commitment to help her constitutes resolve problems caused by over zealous government rules and regulations. We predict that all the money that Mayor Winnecke has in his political war chest won’t matter because of Mrs Riecken extreme popularity with people from all walks of life?
Our “Moles” also tell us that we should expect an official announcement from State Representative Riecken concerning her running for Mayor in about 10 days?
Attempts by the CCO to contact Ms Riecken went unanswered.
This is a developing story and we shall update on any developments. Â Please take time and go to our “Readers Poll” to cast your vote for the question of the day.
Copyright 2014 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
EPD Activity Report December 10, 2014
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Reports
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx
Commentary: College sports and government’s role
By Jon Bingham
Indiana Policy Review
Which system do you prefer: college basketball’s March Madness or college football’s bowls-playoff? Your answer may indicate your view of the beneficial role of government. Should the government facilitate competition or predetermine much of the outcome?
March Madness relates to the free market. College football exemplifies government control.
For years, college football has been plagued with debates regarding the legitimacy of its championship declarations. Such questions do not linger in college basketball. Its champion has silenced the critics by earning it on the court for all to see. But the champion of college football has simply been declared by the powers that be. Thus the critics often rage.
When the failures of systems of government control become apparent, the leaders of those systems feign reform. However, attempts at effective and meaningful reform (requiring the loss of control to allow significant competition) are thwarted.
And so it has been in college football. An earlier attempt to appease critics (while essentially maintaining the status quo) was the BCS (Bowl Championship System), but this “fix†merely replaced declaring a single winner with declaring the top two teams that would be allowed to become the winner. The artificial creation of a “championship†game proved to be of little satisfaction to most teams and their fans.
Predictably, this year’s expanded playoff system falls short as well. Yes, a playoff of four is better than a game of two or a declaration of one, but the fundamental problem remains: The powers continue to control access to the championship. They are not open to real competition.
“But how is this any different than what the March Madness selection committee does?†you might ask. “Is not college basketball just another manifestation of the same government control?â€
A free market is not within anarchy. A well-functioning economic system is benefited by a properly functioning, limited government that does what is necessary to establish the framework within which competition can flourish. Then, the competitors are allowed to determine the champion.
Yes, college basketball’s selection committee is a governing body. And yes, each year there are a few “bubble teams†that feel unjustly left out of the Big Dance. But the selection of 68 teams is sufficiently large; no one can credibly argue the true champion was not given its chance to compete for the title.
The College Football Playoff is still not open to this. Apparently the football selection committee thinks it knows best. Tell that to 7th-seeded Connecticut and 8th-seeded Kentucky, however, or to Cinderella teams like Butler. Explain it to Baylor and Texas Christian University.
The solution for football is a full tournament in addition to bowl games. As they have done for so many years, college football fans can continue to enjoy a bunch of bowl games for teams that win at least half of their games but don’t make the cut for the championship. Now let’s create a fully credible competition for the championship within the bowl structure. Here is how it could be done.
A large number of teams mean true competition. Sixty-four teams won’t be necessary for college football but four teams or even eight teams are inadequate. Use 32 teams by taking the top 25 and then selecting the remaining seven slots in a way that includes the next-best but also ensures representation by all participating conferences.Once the tournament starts, the losing teams can be paired into an additional, final bowl game scheduled over the holidays (roughly two weeks after the teams lose).
Here’s the schedule that would work:
1st weekend in December: Announce the selection and pairings of the 32 teams.
2nd weekend in December: The 32 teams play.
3rd weekend in December: The remaining 16 teams play.
4th weekend in December: The remaining eight teams play. Consolation bowls from the round of 32 are played.
The following weekend (late December or early January): The final four teams complete. Consolation bowls from the round of 16 are played.
The following weekend: Consolation bowls from the round of eight are played.
The final weekend (possibly using the following Monday as well, as in basketball): The final games are played. The third-place consolation game is followed by the championship game.
This solution provides the opportunity for more games and more competition resulting in an undisputed champion. So, which system do you prefer?
Jon Bingham is a senior lecturer in economics at Indiana University Southeast.
State won’t appeal ruling that killer is incompetent to be executed
By Hannah Troyer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – The state will not appeal a judge’s decision that Michael Dean Overstreet – who was convicted of the 1997 abduction, rape and murder of a Franklin College student – is incompetent to be executed.
Overstreet was sentenced to death in 2000 in the death of 18-year-old Kelly Eckart. But last month St. Joseph Superior Judge Jane Woodward Miller ruled that Overstreet’s hallucinations and delusions would prevent him from understanding the execution.
The Indiana attorney general’s office said in a statement Tuesday that an appeal of that ruling “is unlikely to succeed.†The office said that Miller’s ruling, which was based in part on testimony from four psychiatrists, “is likely to be considered reasonable†and won’t be overturned.
That means Overstreet will remain on death row but can’t be executed unless a judge finds that he is competent.
“My office has defended the conviction obtained by the prosecutor for the past 14 years during multiple appeals and will continue to faithfully defend the jury’s verdict and death sentence,†Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in a statement.
“My decision was based on the conclusion that Judge Miller’s determination of incompetency was done in a manner as set out by the United States Supreme Court that did not provide adequate grounds for appeal,†he said.
Overstreet has spent the last 14 years on death row for the murder and rape of Eckart, whom he strangled by a shoestring and a strap from her overalls. Eckart was also shot once in the head.
In a 2007 decision in another case, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that death row inmates who are mentally ill cannot be executed if they cannot rationally understand why they are being executed and what execution means.
The attorney general’s office can petition the trial court to reconsider Overstreet’s competency when and if his mental state improves enough for him to be executed.
Hannah Troyer is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
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