- The 93rd annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival begins Monday, October 06, 2014. The weeklong event has been an Evansville tradition since 1921. The festival occupies over four city blocks and will feature food, rides, music, pageants, contests and parades.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. Sheriff Dave Wedding and the entire Sheriff’s Office hopes everyone has a safe, fun and memorable time at the Fall Festival!
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West Side Nut Club Fall Festival begins Monday
Bucshon Just Doesn’t Get it
Last week, Congressman Bucshon made a spectacle of telling 8th District voters how he planned to speak with President Obama during his visit to Gibson County. The congressman published a piece in the Evansville Courier, which once again served as a testament to his obsession about the so-called “war on coal.â€
Our congressman made national headlines a few weeks ago regarding his statements on global climate change. He embarrassed himself and, more importantly, our district with his uninformed claims about the growing number of climatologists who are warning us about the dangers of many of the pollutants we are putting into our air and how they affect our environment. He warned against “scare tactics on both sides,†when in reality he consistently resorts to scare tactics on this issue. And why not? He has effectively convinced a large number of the 30,000 coal miners here in Indiana’s 8th District that, without Bucshon, they will lose their jobs.
Congressman Bucshon is convincing in his attempts to portray himself as someone who protects the working man. He will send out mailings on the taxpayers’ dime telling these individuals he is here to protect their jobs. In reality, his loyalty lies with the giant corporations who regularly fill his campaign coffers—Peabody Energy, Murray Energy, and Koch Industries. We saw this a few years ago when he specifically blamed coal miners for contracting black lung disease.
We need to change the conversation. It is time to start finding cleaner alternative energy solutions, and a congressman who continues to receive tens of thousands of dollars from Big Coal is not going to have an interest in doing so. Coal will work in the short-term, but it’s time we start asking ourselves: don’t our children and grandchildren deserve clean air?
The future is now. And it is time to truly stop with the scare tactics and find better solutions for the well-being of those who come along after us.
To learn more about my campaign to represent Indiana’s 8th District in Congress, visit my website at www.spanglerforcongress.com.
Judiciary interim study committee to vote on magistrates
IL Staff for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary is expected to vote Thursday on endorsing magistrate judge requests from seven Indiana counties.
The agenda posted for the Oct. 16 meeting says members will discuss and vote on whether to support the magistrate requests from Clark, Greene, Madison, Marion, Porter, St. Joseph and Vanderburgh counties.
Instead of creating a new magistrate position, Porter County seeks to convert a current juvenile magistrate appointed by the Circuit Court into a full-time magistrate appointed by the Circuit Court. Marion County seeks to convert another four paid commissioners into four state paid full-time magistrates.
The members will also review and approve the committee’s 2014 final report. The committee has voted so far not to take action on the issue of whether a defendant should be allowed to assert a nonparty defense if a statute grants the nonparty immunity from liability; and the issue of whether a father who has abandoned a birth mother during pregnancy should be required to consent to the adoption of the child.
The final committee meeting is at 1:30 p.m. in Room 431.
IS IT TRUE October 3, 2014
IS IT TRUE that Indiana Governor Mike Pence is coming to Southwest Indiana today to welcome the President of the United States to our state?…of all of the people that this writer has ever made the acquaintance of these two are among the most polar opposite that walk this earth?…Governor Pence is a conservative’s conservative who lives and breathes in the far right of the political spectrum?…President Obama on the other hand is on the far left when one watches what he does as opposed to what he says?…there is a song by David Bowie from the early seventies called “Lady Stardust” that has a line in it that says “a cop knelt and kissed the feet of a priest and a qu33r (sorry but that is exactly what it said) threw up at the sight of that” that perfectly describes these two creatures together?…these two people who in these eyes each have some positive and negative traits do not go together?…President Obama is coming here to celebrate manufacturing week?…that is an admirable support of well paying American jobs?…in spite of the disagreement with many of the policies of the Obama Administration that the CCO picks on, we think that Governor Pence who is the polar opposite of President should just let this happen without co-opting the photo op?…nothing makes one want to barf as much as two diametrically opposites who smile for the camera together in spite of feeling contempt for one another?
IS IT TRUE that the official purpose of the President’s visit is to encourage the growth of manufacturing in the United States and to boast a bit about the 6.1% “official” unemployment rate which is a significant improvement over the past few years?…good economic news attracts politicians like a light bulb attracts bugs and that is why Congressman Larry Buschon of recent Daily Show fame and Governor Pence are spending good taxpayer dollars to stand President Obama’s shadow?
IS IT TRUE what these three public servants need to realize is that a number of economists ignore the “official” unemployment rate for the misleading statistic that it is to a different figure the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “U-6,” which it defines as “total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of all civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers?”…the “REAL” unemployment rate today when these statistical ghosts are considered is 12.1% which does indeed reflect the percentage of people who should be working but can’t seem to find a job?…from an economic perspective things do seem to be getting better for those who are educated or have a valuable skill?…as long as politicians use “official” numbers that are not based in reality nothing will change with respect to the ghost workers?…they now number well over 10 Million Americans?…we hope a couple of thousand of these ghosts show up for the celebration in Princeton to let themselves be seen?
IS IT TRUE there was indeed a closed door meeting in City Council attorney Scott Danks’ office to hammer out a budget for the City of Evansville?…five of our City Council members attended this meeting (that they conveniently called a caucus) which is a clear violation of Indiana’s Sunshine Laws if business was done?…it must have been done because Council members Mosby and Weaver have been posting things about the meeting through social media?…the other three attendees in this alleged illegal closed door meeting were Conor O’Daniel, John Friend, and Dr. Dan Adams?…it seems as those these five elected officials have decided the fate of the budget and have the votes to shove down the throats of the other four council members and the Office of the Mayor?…they have announce a public meeting to get further input but we all know how the agenda in such meetings gets stacked rendering the meetings useless?
IS IT TRUE a number of the readers of the CCO have contacted us to express anger at the proposed cuts to the 2015 city budget that are from basic services and maintenance?…we echo the concerns that Evansville is so up to its ears in debt that things like road repairs and salt are on the chopping block so the payments on the Ford Center can be made?…what we hope the people of Evansville realize is that the present situation of civil poverty is a direct result of complacency and ignorance on the part of the electorate?…in the last city election the turnout was so paltry that it is embarrassing?…a large number (nearly 80%) of eligible voters were too disinterested or lazy to even bother to vote?…the 2007 election was the same way?…a closed door meeting by what we call the pinky shake democrats determined the outcome of the 2011 election?…in 2007 Mayor Weinzapfel was reelected over a dead beat candidate that was nothing but a place holder on the ballot?…he then proceeded to borrow $127M to build the Ford Center that is now sucking the budget dry to the point we are allocating road salt?…the situation at hand is the chickens coming home to roost?..until Evansville gets better voters the closed door meetings will continue and the march to Detroit style living will accelerate?
Statehouse Tour Office provides opportunities to learn more about our state capitol
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      Statehouse guided tours are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday—and at 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays. No tours are given on Sundays.For more details about the services provided by the Indiana Statehouse Tour Office, visit theirMotorists Should Avoid using US 41 Friday Afternoon
 Due to President Obama’s visit to Evansville and Gibson County this Friday, Indiana State Police strongly encourage motorists to avoid using US 41 during the afternoon hours. The portion of US 41 affected will be between central Vanderburgh County and central Gibson County.
Motorists should seek an alternate route. Motorists that choose to use US 41 Friday afternoon should expect delays.
Due to security issues, Indiana State Police will not release any additional information until Friday afternoon.
Motorists are encouraged to follow @ISPEvansville on Twitter or tune into local media to receive up to date traffic information for Friday afternoon.
ST. MARY’S TO HOST COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
 Blood is especially needed this time of year. St. Mary’s is hosting a community blood drive from 6:00am – 10:00am at the Manor Annex, Thursday October 9th.
All blood types are needed. Each donation can help save 3 lives.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be healthy and at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, not have given blood in the past 56 days and present identification at the time of the donation. Students age 16 are eligible with parental consent.
All presenting donors during the month of October will be eligible for a chance to win at $5,000 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
To schedule a donation appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org. Appointments appreciated, walk-ins welcome.
Democrats, Republicans plan weekend campaign tours
By Hannah Troyer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Republican and Democratic candidates running for statewide and congressional offices will be traveling the state this weekend looking for votes in advance of Tuesday’s election.
Republicans will visit eight cities on Saturday and Monday as part of the GOP Road to Victory bus tour. Democrats meanwhile will campaign in eight cities on Saturday and Sunday on their Better Indiana Tour.
Gov. Mike Pence will lead the Republican trip, joining Secretary of State Connie Lawson, state Auditor Suzanne Crouch and treasurer candidate Kelly Mitchell along with three members of Congress who are seeking reelection. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann will also be on the trip.
The group will begin the bus tour at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Freimann Square in Fort Wayne.
In the afternoon, the group will head to Warsaw, arriving at 1:30 p.m. at the Kosciusko Courthouse. At 3:30 p.m., the group will make an appearance in South Bend at the St. Joseph County GOP headquarters.
The day’s tour will end in Lowell when the group makes an appearance at 5 p.m. Niemeyer’s Farm.
The tour will continue on Monday with stops in Brazil, Evansville, Huntingburg and Jeffersonville.
The candidates will stop at 9:30 a.m. at the Clay County Republican Headquarters in Brazil.
In the afternoon, the group will head to Evansville, where they will greet supporters at noon at the Vanderburgh County GOP headquarters. Later, the governor will travel with the candidates to 3:30 p.m. appearance at Huntingburg Event Center.
The tour will end at 6 p.m. at Warder Park in Evansville.
The Democratic tour will feature secretary of state candidate Beth White, auditor candidate Mike Claytor, and treasurer candidate Mike Boland. The group will start with a get-out-the-vote rally from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the IBEW Local 481 in Indianapolis, where they’ll be joined by Sen. Joe Donnelly and Rep. Andre Carson.
At 12:30 p.m., they’ll be at Laborers Local 204 in Terre Haute to help with a phone bank. Then they’ll have three more stops on Saturday: 2:30 p.m. at the Knox County Democratic Headquarters in Vincennes, 3:30 p.m. CT at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 16 in Evansville, and 8 p.m. at Habana Blues in New Albany.
On Sunday, the group will make stops in Jeffersonville, Scottsburg and North Vernon.
Democrats will go at 1 p.m. to a Clark County phone bank at 4404 Utica Sellersburg Road in Jeffersonville. They’ll be at the UniServ office at 2 p.m. in Scottsburg and at the Jennings County Democratic headquarters at 4 p.m. in North Vernon.
Hannah Troyer is a reporter at TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
By Hannah Troyer
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Republican and Democratic candidates running for statewide and congressional offices will be traveling the state this weekend looking for votes in advance of Tuesday’s election.
Republicans will visit eight cities on Saturday and Monday as part of the GOP Road to Victory bus tour. Democrats meanwhile will campaign in eight cities on Saturday and Sunday on their Better Indiana Tour.
Gov. Mike Pence will lead the Republican trip, joining Secretary of State Connie Lawson, state Auditor Suzanne Crouch and treasurer candidate Kelly Mitchell along with three members of Congress who are seeking reelection. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann will also be on the trip.
The group will begin the bus tour at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Freimann Square in Fort Wayne.
In the afternoon, the group will head to Warsaw, arriving at 1:30 p.m. at the Kosciusko Courthouse. At 3:30 p.m., the group will make an appearance in South Bend at the St. Joseph County GOP headquarters.
The day’s tour will end in Lowell when the group makes an appearance at 5 p.m. Niemeyer’s Farm.
The tour will continue on Monday with stops in Brazil, Evansville, Huntingburg and Jeffersonville.
The candidates will stop at 9:30 a.m. at the Clay County Republican Headquarters in Brazil.
In the afternoon, the group will head to Evansville, where they will greet supporters at noon at the Vanderburgh County GOP headquarters. Later, the governor will travel with the candidates to 3:30 p.m. appearance at Huntingburg Event Center.
The tour will end at 6 p.m. at Warder Park in Evansville.
The Democratic tour will feature secretary of state candidate Beth White, auditor candidate Mike Claytor, and treasurer candidate Mike Boland. The group will start with a get-out-the-vote rally from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the IBEW Local 481 in Indianapolis, where they’ll be joined by Sen. Joe Donnelly and Rep. Andre Carson.
At 12:30 p.m., they’ll be at Laborers Local 204 in Terre Haute to help with a phone bank. Then they’ll have three more stops on Saturday: 2:30 p.m. at the Knox County Democratic Headquarters in Vincennes, 3:30 p.m. CT at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 16 in Evansville, and 8 p.m. at Habana Blues in New Albany.
On Sunday, the group will make stops in Jeffersonville, Scottsburg and North Vernon.
Democrats will go at 1 p.m. to a Clark County phone bank at 4404 Utica Sellersburg Road in Jeffersonville. They’ll be at the UniServ office at 2 p.m. in Scottsburg and at the Jennings County Democratic headquarters at 4 p.m. in North Vernon.
Hannah Troyer is a reporter at TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
PASTOR ADRIAN M. BROOKS SELECTED 2014 CCO “MOLE AWARD” WINNER
The City-County Observer is excited to announce that the City County Observer has selected Pastor  of Memorial Church, Adrian M. Brooks as a 2014 “Mole Award†winner.  City Council Observer CEO RON Cosby said that Rev. Brooks is quit a “A Success Story” when it comes to taking on the entrenched, well funded back room political movers and shakers of Evansville and Vanderburgh  in order to help the disinfranchised  and down trodden.
Rev. Adrian M. Brooks, Sr. is a native of Henderson, Kentucky and is the son of Rev. Dr. Anthony and Alice Brooks, Sr.
He studied religion at the University of Evansville and holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Southern Indiana of Evansville, IN.
Rev. Brooks has been a minister since February 3, 1980. He has served as the Pastoral Assistant at Seventh Street Baptist Church under the leadership of his father, Dr. Anthony Brooks, Sr. and also as the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, both of Henderson, KY.
Prior to becoming the full-time pastor of Memorial in 1993, Rev. Brooks held the position of regional director of the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation. During his nine-year term as pastor the congregation of Memorial Baptist Church has grown to over 4,200 members. One of his greatest joys is saving souls, and the Memorial Church Family lovingly calls him “The Most Begging, Soul Searching Preacher In The World”. He truly lives the life of an “unapologetically evangelistic” servant of God.
Pastor Brooks also strives to extend the church into the community and continues to affect lives beyond the local area. The church operates over 40 ministries which include: A Childcare Center, Substance Abuse Counseling, Youth Educational Programs, Family Life Components, Computer Lab, and many others. Rev. Brooks understands that God focuses on the inward man and nothing else; and will quickly remind everyone that in all we do, “the emphasis on Souls, not clothes”.
Under the leadership of Pastor Brooks, the Memorial Church has served as an effective model of holistic ministry. It owns a Subway Restaurant as well as two Senior Housing Complexes, Healthcare Center, and a Multi-Family Town Home Complex. He founded the Memorial Community Development Corporation (MCDC), which has also recently launched a two block development that will include a 32 unit townhouse complex to be completed in 2007. In addition, MCDC operates House-A-Friend, which acquires and renovates houses in the center city and then places families in the homes. The Memorial Place Phase II multi-family complex was completed in 2005.
Rev. Brooks has also had the distinguished honor of serving on numerous boards. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of nine organizations and civic agencies including: Neighborhood Economic Development Council, Small Business Incubator, Better Business Bureau, Youth Resources, City of Evansville Economics Commission, Commission on the Social Status of the Black Male, Evansville Police Merit Commission, Metropolitan Evansville Chamber Commerce, Fifth/Third Bank, CRA Advisory Board, and the University of Southern Indiana School of Business Board of Visitors.
He has been the recipient of numerous awards including: Honorary Judge of Daviess County Kentucky; Outstanding Young American; Black Citizen of the Year in Henderson, Kentucky; Citizen Award by Indiana General Assembly; Sagamore of the Wabash; and Paul Harris Fellow by the Evansville Rotary Club. Additionally, Pastor Brooks was honored by the State of Indiana General Assembly, and received the Leadership Award from Leadership of Evansville; Outstanding Citizenship Award from the Evansville NAACP; Indiana Black Expo – 1999 Award; Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award and he is also a life member of the NAACP since the age of 23. He recently received the Jefferson Award.
Rev. Brooks, is a devoted father and husband. He and his wife Terry have three wonderful adult children: Adrian II, Angel, and Austin.
OTHER 2014 CITY COUNTY OBSERVER “MOLE AWARD” WINNERS ARE THE HONORABLE JUDGE ROBERT Â TORNATTA EVANSVILLE POLICE SERGEANT PATRICK Â PHERNETTON, Â WOODS AND WOODS law firm, CORE and RICK DAVIS.