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APRIL 4, 2024
Dear John
The purpose of this letter is to serve as an introduction to the history of the operations of the City-County Observer, which has served the people of Evansville/Vanderburgh County, Indiana over the last 22 years. We have highlighted a few of our most impactful reporting that has saved the people of Vanderburgh County tens of millions of dollars by avoiding both governmental actions and utility rate increases.
The report on the history of the City-County Observer is attached as a part of this document and addresses our philosophy, financial results and expansion opportunities
We are most certainly looking forward to your presentation at our upcoming annual community achievement award luncheon on November 3, 2022, at Bally’s Casino in downtown Evansville.
We are honored by your acceptance and truly look forward to making your acquaintance. We anticipate much mutual benefit in the future.
Best Regards,
Ron H. Cosby, CEO of City-County Observer

                OVERVIEW OF THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER 

The mission of the City-County Observer is to serve our community by reporting news built on honesty, trust, and journalistic integrity. Our publication is designed to provide “our readers with the information they need to live safer and more enriched lives. We consider the City–County Observer to be a “Beacon of Light” for our Community with a continuous focus on good public policy.

                    MISSION OF THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER

For more than twenty-two (22) years, the City-County Observer has served the citizens of Evansville/Vanderburgh County and Southwest Indiana by reporting on issues and events that shape the lives of our citizens. The publication is built on the cornerstones of service and trust. It is also a nonpartisan publication with consistent and objective reporting. 
The City-County Observer is published daily online and mobile and in our printed monthly paper at no cost. Our monthly print papers are available in many locations throughout Evansville/Vanderburgh County at no cost.
Our free publication is solely supported by local advertising. dollars.

  THE RATIONALE FOR PUBLISHING THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER

It is widely believed that there is a major void for accurate, truthful, and nonpartisan news throughout the United States, and this need has never been more evident than now.
It is a known fact that national newspaper conglomerates have put their shareholder’s financial interests and ideological dogma over providing their readers with accurate and unbiased news.
Based upon the above premise we decided to create a locally-owned community newspaper that reports the news and does not engage in publishing unvetted rumors as though it was accurate news.
It is very important to stress that the City-County Observer respects and honors the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 
The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for the for a redress of grievances.” 
Also, let us not forget that “When people Fear The Government There Is Tyranny But When The Government Fear The People There Is Liberty!” (Thomas Jefferson)
 EXAMPLE OF THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER EXPOSING BAD POLICY 
 The City-County Observer was informed by several civic-minded individuals that local elected officials were ready to invest in a very questionable and non-vetted business venture known as Earthcare Energy Corporation. Earthcare Energy Corporation promised our elected officials to manufacture a device that uses a natural gas pipeline pressure reduction valve to generate power. The City-County Observer proved that this device was not patented as it was represented to be and not proven to be commercially feasible. Furthermore, we exposed the reality that the Earthcare Energy Corporation owner’s and manager’s commitment to our elected officials was hyped beyond reasonable expectations for a technically informed professional. The City of Evansville elected officials stated that the city would provide a five (5) million dollar loan to Earthcare Energy Corporation and pay for its rent at the location of an abandoned factory at the Evansville Airport./. State incentives also include one (1) million in tax credits for the Earthcare Energy business venture
 
When all was said and done, the majority of the Evansville City Council members voted (in a split vote) to advance Earthcare Energy Corporation a sum of $250,000 in seed money to begin this project. Three (3) months after receiving the $250,000 startup money from the City of Evansville Earthcare Energy Corporation left town without meeting any of the commitments concerning this bogus startup business venture.

 

The majority of the elected officials who did not heed the City-County Observer’s advice concerning this failed business venture either did not run for reelection or were defeated in their reelection bids.
                               FUTURE PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES 
 
We have always believed that there would be an opportunity for new owners TO expand our publishing business model into different markets of similar size. 
The City-County Observer owners are at a point in life to consider a reasonable offer to purchase our publication.
                                      
                       THE CITY–COUNTY OBSERVER STAFF
                                         
                                      RON COSNY-Publisher and CEO
               
                 Marilyn Cosby-Assistant Publisher-Secretary and Treasurer 
Johnny Kincaid, Jay Young, Michael Daughtery, Dannie McIntire Contributing Writer
                                     Jim Staley -Ad Designer
                                                                                  
                                        Xyan Adkisson – IT 
                                                                                     

                                                  CLOSING REMARKS

 
We have over one hundred independent contributors of content so we can keep our readers informed about local happenings. Some of these contributors choose to remain anonymous and we honor their wishes. These contributors are a critical component of our “IS IT TRUE” section and the investigative articles that help us expose unethical behavior and bad public policy of our elected and appointed officials.  The information that is provided by our Independent Contributors, helps us ensure that our readers clearly understand that the City-County Observers’ mission is to influence good public policy at all times.
 
The City-County Observer is fortunate to be a media partner with the Franklin College StateHouse Files. and a decreased media relationship with several members of the Main Street media.
 
During the last twenty-two (22) years, the City-County Observer has built a phenomenal network of local businesses, not-for-profit groups, entertainment venues, schools and colleges, and local and state law enforcement agencies, political individuals, and organizations that provide our publication with daily up-to-date breaking news and informative articles.
 
The City-County Observer also has many citizens from our local community who provide our publication with content and articles of significance throughout the year.
City-County Observer.do not charge our readers a subscription fee.  We find that this business decision has encouraged our readers to pick up our free printed papers at many locations throughout the city. Also  our printer paper being free helps us to maximize our advertiser’s exposure.
 
The City-County Observer has no outstanding debt.

 

The City-County Observer doesn’t have any current, past, or pending lawsuits.

 

All current State and Federal taxes have been paid.
All of our capital equipment is paid for.
To save money, the City-County Observer is produced out of our home.

 

The most impressive aspect of the City-County Observer is that we have a special financial arrangement with the majority of our advertisers. They pay us a year in advance for advertising.
We consistently maintain a $75,000 plus balance in our business checking account.
We sponsor an Annual “Community Service Awards Luncheon” which, honors individuals that have contributed to the betterment of our community. Our Annual Awards Luncheon generates an impressive profit for the CCO.
ATTACHED BELOW ARE NINE (9)  LINKS OF PAST MONTHLY PRINTED  NEWSPAPERS THAT WE PUT ON NEWSPAPER RACKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AT NO CHARGE.

   LINKS OF CCO PRINTED PAPER

FOOTNOTES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS AND READERS POLLS AND STATISTICAL WILL BE SENT TO YOU VIE NEXT DAY MAIL TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO POTENTIAL INVERTORS.

 

Public Safety Message

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Public Safety Message

EVANSVILLE, IN – April 2, 2024 – Public Safety Message:

Due to severe storm-related damage, traffic issues are currently impacting roadways and utilities across

Vanderburgh County. The Vanderburgh County Commissioners, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office,

and Evansville / Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency advise all residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay off the roads until further notice.

Your safety is our utmost concern, and reducing traffic will aid the efforts of our local utilities and highway department in addressing the damage effectively.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Musgrave

Vanderburgh County Commissioner

Noah Robinson

Vanderburgh County Sheriff

Cliff Weaver

Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency

 

Rohleder leads Aces men’s golf after first day of Don Benbow Butler Spring Invitational

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The Purple Aces sit in seventh after two rounds on Monday

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The University of Evansville men’s golf team currently sits in seventh after two rounds at the Don Benbow Butler Spring Invitational with a team score of 572.

Graduate student Issac Rohleder leads the Purple Aces after 36 holes at Highland Golf and Country Club, hitting par following two rounds with a score of 141. Rohleder is tied for 22nd across all golfers after shooting one under par in the first round of 18 at 69 strokes on Monday morning while shooting two over par in the afternoon at 71 strokes. Just behind Rohleder is sophomore Daniil Romashkin with a total score of 142 after shooting one over par in both rounds at 71 strokes over 18 holes.

Senior Nick Gushrowski is tied for 38th following the first day of the Invitational with a combined score of 143. Gushrowski shot three over par in his first round of the day at 73 strokes but made up three strokes in the second round by hitting par at 70 strokes. Fifth-year Caleb Wassmer and senior Michael Ikejiani round out Evansville’s five at the Invitational both tied for 81st with total scores of 148. Wassmer shot six over par in the first round at 76 strokes but would end the day only behind par by eight after a 72-stroke second round. Ikejiani shot four above par in both rounds on Monday with 74 strokes through 18 holes in the morning and in the afternoon.

Purdue Fort Wayne currently leads the 14-team field at the Don Benbow Butler Spring Invitational at two under par with a team score of 558. Host Butler and Indian Hills are tied for second with team scores of 559 as both teams shot 280 in the first round and 279 in the second round on Monday. The final round of the Invitational is set to start on Tuesday at 8 a.m. CT.

THUNDERBOLTS HOST BIRMINGHAM THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR LIKELY PLAYOFF PREVIEW

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Evansville, In.:  Following a weekend split of their two final regular season road games in Pensacola, the Thunderbolts prepare to round out the regular season on Ford Center ice this Friday and Saturday night against the team they will likely see in the first round of the President’s Cup Playoffs, the Birmingham Bulls.

The Thunderbolts rallied from 1-0 down on Friday in Pensacola, with Grant Spence scoring the tying goal to force overtime, where Matthew Hobbs scored shorthanded to win the game for Evansville 2-1.  Evansville nearly rallied again in Saturday’s rematch but fell just short 4-3, with two more goals from Hobbs as well as one from Lincoln Hatten.  Cole Ceci played both games in net for Evansville, stopping 37 of 38 shots on Friday and 29 of 33 on Saturday.

Mayor Terry Announces Application for Opioid Settlement Funds

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Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced a request for proposals for approximately $1.3 million in Opioid Settlement Funds designated for use in the Evansville area.

The funds are part of a $54 billion federal settlement agreement reached in 2021 with Opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. At the time, Indiana learned it would receive $507 million of those funds over an 18-year period; the approximately $1.3 million for which Mayor Terry is seeking proposals includes funds remaining from the city’s allocation in 2023, as well as the city’s full 2024 allocation.

“As of today, we are requesting proposals for projects and programs that can make an impact on the opioid crisis in our community,” Mayor Terry said. “This includes proposals for education and prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, treatment, and any other areas that might make a difference fighting opioids in our community.”

The application form, which is due by May 15, can be found on the city’s website at Document Center / Mayor Announces City Opioid Settlement Fund Application / City of Evansville, IN (evansvillegov.org).

In all, the city has $940,540.27 in “restricted” funds, which must be used for opioid addiction, treatment, and harm reduction purposes. Another $371.028.44 is in “unrestricted” funds, which can be used for non-opioid purposes.

“It is our intention, though, to put all of these funds toward programs dealing with the opioid crisis,” Mayor Terry said.

Last year, city officials allocated more than $645,000 in restricted funds to Youth First, Inc. ($257,500) and Forefront Therapy ($387,642).

“We’re grateful for the exceptional work that Youth First and Forefront Therapy are doing in fighting the opioid epidemic at its roots,” Mayor Terry said. “These funds will allow us to build on their work as we continue moving Evansville forward.”

This year’s funding application was developed by an ad hoc committee of individuals representing Mayor Terry’s office and various constituencies involved in the fight against opioids, including:

  • Deputy Mayor Lindsay Locasto
  • Communications Director Joe Atkinson
  • State Representative Ryan Hatfield
  • Superior Court Judge Wayne S. Trockman
  • Assistant Evansville Police Chief Nathan Hassler
  • LaRissa Madison, MSN-Ed, RN, IBCLC, RLC
  • Lisa Seif, LCSW

In crafting the application, the group leaned heavily on the five guiding principles published by Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health to ensure that the funds are used in the most effective way. Those principles also will be at the fore when the committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to Mayor Terry and the Evansville City Council regarding how to allocate the funds.

Any committee members with ties to organizations applying for the funds will be required to remove themselves from the review process.

WEEKLY DEATH REPORT LIST

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Weekly Death Report Feb 26 to Mar 3, 2024

Governor Holcomb, IEDC Secure Largest Quarter of Committed Capital Investment in State History

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Following back-to-back record years, State’s modernized toolkit continues to yield once-in-a-generation ‘wins’ and unprecedented economic momentum

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors meeting that the IEDC has secured $20.68 billion in committed capital investment so far in 2024, marking the highest quarter on record for capital investment in the agency’s nearly 20-year history.

“This is a significant time in Indiana’s history,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Decades from now, we’ll look back on these years as a critical turning point that transformed Indiana’s future, cultivating the growth of future industries and creating high-paying, in-demand career opportunities for Hoosiers for generations to come. We are proud to share that Indiana has secured another $20.68 billion in committed capital investment in just the last three months, and that, most importantly, this will positively impact our communities and our residents.”

The governor, along with Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg and IEDC Chief Strategy Officer Ann Lathrop, unveiled at the board meeting that in the first quarter of 2024, 45 companies committed to locate or expand in Indiana, investing $20.68 billion in their operations and creating 5,158 new jobs with an average wage of $33.79/hour – or more than $70,000 annually (over 20% the state average wage and approximately the national average wage). This committed capital investment already totals 72% of the capital investment committed in all of 2023 ($28.7 billion), which was an all-time high for the IEDC.

Indiana rolled out a new, comprehensive economic development strategy in 2021, marking an intentional shift to a more proactive organization with a focus on building a high-growth, high-tech economy of the future. In partnership with Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly, the IEDC has made significant modernizations to the state’s economic development toolkit and committed unprecedented investments to innovation, entrepreneurship and quality of place, equipping the organization to better compete for and win large, critical industry investments.

Since that time, the IEDC has celebrated two consecutive record-breaking years in 2022 and 2023, securing a total of $71.57 billion in new committed capital investment since the beginning of 2022. This includes the growth of new-to-Indiana sectors like electric vehicles and semiconductors, as well as transformational, high-impact commitments such as Canadian Solar (Jeffersonville), Eli Lilly and Company (Lebanon), ENTEK (Terre Haute), General Motors and Samsung SDI (New Carlisle) and StarPlus Energy (Kokomo).

“Indiana’s strategic focus on creating the economy we want is working,” said Sec. Rosenberg. “In partnership with Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly, we’ve created a more competitive environment in Indiana, attracting once-in-a-generation investments from companies that will be at the forefront of the future economy. This historic economic momentum will bring new life to our communities – both urban and rural – and create more quality career opportunities for current and future Hoosiers, ensuring all residents can prosper and succeed.”

IEDC board approval is often a necessary step in a company’s decision to announce a project. With the board’s approval today, these companies are expected to begin making announcements in the coming weeks and months.

DCS emphasizes community support during Child Abuse Prevention Month

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INDIANAPOLIS (April 1, 2024) – The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and its community partners are working together to raise awareness and educate the public in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. DCS encourages individuals and organizations to play a role in making Indiana a safer place for children and families — not just in April, but throughout the year.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb has proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month to call attention to efforts to support families and keep children safe. View the governor’s proclamation here. 

“Every child has the right to safe, secure and supportive environments free from child abuse and neglect,” Governor Holcomb said. “The key to preventing these cases is to ensure we have community programs and systems that are engaged and supportive so families can thrive.”

DCS and its partners work to provide support for communities through preventive programs for families, including Healthy Families Indiana and Community Partners for Child Safety (CPCS). DCS also opened family resource centers in La Porte, Wayne, Tippecanoe, Clark and Elkhart counties in the past six months. These centers are designed to allow easy access to a range of services and supports, including tutoring, notary services, parent trainings, tax preparation and other resources to help increase protective factors and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.

“Child safety is our number one goal,” DCS Director Eric Miller said. “For DCS, this month is all about increasing awareness of the things that put children at risk so that families and communities can better protect them and prevent abuse and neglect.”

Throughout April, DCS will share resources, photos and videos related to prevention on Instagram, X and YouTube. DCS local offices and partners also will host special events focused on education and prevention. In partnership with Firefly Children and Family Alliance, the Marion County DCS office will host a kickoff celebration at Bicentennial Plaza from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 7. To view the statewide Child Abuse Prevention Month calendar of events, click here.

Anyone who suspects a child has been neglected or abused should call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556. For more information and resources on preventing child abuse and neglect, click here. 

USI Historic New Harmony organizations to offer eclipse weekend ahead of total solar eclipse

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The University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony is one of five New Harmony, Indiana, organizations partnering to offer area visitors a special opportunity to see the community’s rich cultural and historical sites during the weekend prior to the Great American Eclipse. Events will take place between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, April 6, and 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. New Harmony has a history of utopian experiments, starting over 200 years ago as a spiritual sanctuary and later becoming a gathering place for scientists, educators, artists and scholars searching for equality in communal living. Today, the small town is known for its impressive architecture, public art, gardens, nature trails and history tours.

USI’s Historic New Harmony, New Harmony State Historic Site, Rapp-Owen Granary Foundation, Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation, and Working Men’s Institute will offer up nine sites between their organizations to visitors, including the Atheneum Visitors Center, Double Log Cabin, 1830 Owen House, Lichtenberger Building (Maximilian-Bodmer Exhibit), Community House No. 2, Thrall’s Opera House, Roofless Church, Rapp-Owen Granary and the Working Men’s Institute.

Visitors may tour the sites on foot or take advantage of Historic New Harmony’s hop-on/hop-off shuttle service that will begin and end at the Atheneum Visitors Center and loop through town stopping at each of the sites as well as the New Harmony Inn and the Ribeyre Gym. The Roofless Church, Rapp-Owen Granary and Working Men’s Institute will be open to the public, but the rest of the sites and shuttle service will require paid admission.

Admission is $20 for adults 18 and older, $10 for children between ages 6 and 17 and free for children under 5. No other discounts or membership pricing will apply. Tickets may be purchased onsite Monday and Tuesday, April 6-7, at the Atheneum Visitors Center at 401 Arthur Street, New Harmony, Indiana. All passes include free solar eclipse glasses and a souvenir wristband while supplies last.

Ascension Medical Group announces the acquisition of Midwest Neurological P.C.

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Midwest Neurological P.C. associates joining Ascension Medical Group.

EVANSVILLE, IND.-  Ascension St. Vincent Evansville is pleased to welcome the physicians and staff of Midwest Neurological P.C. to the Ascension Medical Group (AMG) team. The group comprises three board-certified physicians specializing in neurology: Carla Brandt, MD, Francis Kadiyamkuttiyil, MD and Faris Fadheel, MD.  

Clinical teams at Ascension St.Vincent Evansville and Midwest Neurological P.C. have worked together to provide high-quality neurology care to patients for many years. We know that through this new partnership, we will continue to build and deliver outstanding neurological care to the community.

“We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter of growth and innovation with this group of specialists that have served our community for three decades. Our top priority remains unwavering — providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients and their families,” says Dr. Chad Perkins, Regional Chief Medical Officer, AMG Evansville.  “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing healthcare services and addressing the evolving needs of the community we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition that ultimately benefits our patients, staff and the entire region.”

In August of 2023, we announced the opening of the new Thrombectomy Suite, a major advancement in stroke care. This technology uses multiple X-rays to give the physician a 3-D, live look at the stroke-causing blood clot to quickly and efficiently remove it. Offering our patients the best chance at recovery. Our neurologists are involved in the care of these patients from early in their hospital course through their outpatient neurological follow-up care. The Midwest Neurological, P.C., physicians joining the Ascension Medical Group brings together the care team, making follow-up care easier to navigate for patients and their families.

As part of this acquisition, we have worked to onboard our new team members so they are ready to begin seeing patients immediately. We are renovating the Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Medical Office Building East, located at 801 St. Mary’s Drive, to accommodate our growing practice. We anticipate the construction will be completed by the end of June 2024. 

Until construction is completed, Drs. Brandt, Kadiyamkuttiyil and Fadheel will continue to see patients at their current location: 1312 Professional Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47714.

We are excited for possibilities this partnership will bring to the region and our healthcare ministry. 

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