The first of two Keep Evansville Beautiful Tree Planting and Care Workshops at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is scheduled for this Saturday. Learn how to select the right tree to plant in the right place on your property and how to care for it properly so that it not only survives but thrives.
Saturday’s workshop will take place at Central Library at 9:00 am. The same workshop will be presented at Oaklyn Branch Library on March 22 at 9:00 am. Door prizes and one certificate for a free tree will be given away at each program.
The workshop is presented by Mike McGarrah of Keep Evansville Beautiful, Larry Caplan of Purdue University Extension Service, Shawn Dickerson with the Department of Urban Forestry, and Paul Bouseman of Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.
There is no fee to attend, but registration is required. To reserve a spot, call Keep Evansville Beautiful at (812) 425-4461, email keb@keepevansvillebeautiful.org, or visit evpl.org.
Environmental groups opposed to a controversial coal gasification plant proposed for southwest Indiana have asked for state administrative review of a permit that was extended without a hearing on the day it was set to expire.
The Sierra Club and Valley Watch, Inc. filed a petition for administrative review of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s permit renewal because they say it was done without public hearings. The groups contend those hearings are required under the state’s administrative code. The petition is filed with the Indiana Office of Environmental Adjudication.
IDEM more than 18 months ago issued a “Prevention of Significant Deterioration New Source Construction/Part 70 Operating Permit†for the facility proposed to be built in Rockport by Indiana Gasification, LLC, a subsidiary of hedge fund Leucadia National Corp. The Rockport plant project manager is Mark Lubbers, a one-time aide to former Gov. Mitch Daniels, who championed the project.
The permit issued in June 2012 was set to expire Dec. 26, 2013. The petitioners say 326 IAC 2-2-8(a)(l) stipulates such permits “shall become invalid†if construction hasn’t started within 18 months. IDEM renewed the permit on that date, the same day Indiana Gasification filed a permit amendment application, according to the petition. It says IDEM violated its rules in doing so.
“IDEM’s failures to follow public notice procedures or provide a justification for the extension in the Permit Amendment not only renders the Permit Amendment invalid and the PSD Permit expired, but they deprived the Petitioners their right to know and to comment upon the basis for IDEM’s decision,†the petition concludes.
IDEM spokesman Dan Goldblatt said the agency was formulating its legal response Tuesday, but that under the federal Clean Air Act, the agency was not required to conduct hearings on an extension that did not constitute a modification of the existing permit.
THIS SECTION SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. WHEN YOUR Â READY TO FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM, CALL Â ATTORNEY ARNEAZ LAW @ 812-425-6247.
Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show†radio program every Monday morning at your convenience.
Download the program from the Network Indiana public website at www.networkindiana.com. Look for the state police logo on the main page and follow the download instructions. This 15 minute talk show concentrates on public safety and informational topics with state wide interest.
The radio program was titled “Signal-10†in the early sixties when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show†and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.
Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance.
This week’s show features Indiana State Police Lt. Colonel Larry Turner, primary staff officer for intelligence and investigations. In this first of a two week series, Lt. Colonel Turner discusses his role and responsibilities for all matters regarding intelligence and investigative needs of the Department.
STATEHOUSE – “The governor has once again affirmed his commitment to Hoosier schools and families. As a grandfather, I have a vested interest in the education of our young Hoosiers. Preparing kids for their bright futures is a priority in Indiana, and supporting preschool education is a major building block for a high quality education system. I look forward to continuing our work to further our recent accomplishments and keep Indiana on the right path.â€
The Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) has been closely monitoring the impact and issues stemming from the chemical spill, which occurred in Charleston, West Virginia, last week – 700 river miles from Evansville. EWSU is obtaining regular updates and information from the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
The exact time when the chemical plume will reach the Evansville area – and the concentration level – is yet to be determined, as it is dependent upon several factors, including the flow rate (miles per hour) and rain events. The river levels between the dams along the Ohio River will affect its arrival; although, it is estimated to reach our area by the weekend, according to the Coast Guard.
EWSU will examine two key issues as the plume nears our City:
The concentration of the chemical in the Ohio River – The Utility uses monitoring systems – gas chromatograph (GC) at its intake building and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) in the water plant lab. Those systems are used to determine if any of the chemical is detectable at our location.
Whether the chemical floats on the surface, mixes completely or sinks – The City’s water intake pumps pull water at a depth of several feet from the river bottom. The dilution effect at the Ohio River will have a large bearing on the level of detection in Evansville.
The contaminants from this spill are being monitored at several points along the Ohio River, including Huntington, W. Va.; Ashland, Ky.; Maysville, Ky.; Portsmouth, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Louisville, Ky. EWSU receives concentration reports from each location. A report yesterday showed a concentration of 36 parts per billion (ppb) at Huntington, W. Va. The Evansville Water Utility will use carbon treatment if any level of the chemical is detected. This method of treatment has been used effectively by other water
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utilities affected by this chemical spill. Also, this particular chemical omits a sweet odor even at very low concentrations. The carbon treatment will help minimize an odor that might be present.
The Utility will conduct routine tests on the intake water daily, as usual; however, the organic components will be more closely watched. The Utility is planning to apply its activated carbon mixture material to all intake water, which will act to absorb any organic contaminants in the river water. Additionally, the Utility will look at the GC and GCMS readouts for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) contamination.
The Evansville Water & Sewer Utility is a member of ORSANCO and coordinates monitoring and policy matters with and through that organization. EWSU’s equipment is tied with ORSANCO’s monitoring system via the Internet, enabling the Utility to draw from ORSANCO’s expertise in reading scans and making determinations regarding questionable components that may be observed in the intake water. EWSU is in constant contact with ORSANCO and the Coast Guard on any spills that occur along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pa, to Cairo, Ill., where the Ohio River discharges into the Mississippi River.
We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn more about the spill’s impact to Evansville’s water supply.
STATEHOUSE – State Representative Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) is pleased to honor ExceptionalSheets.com with an Economic Development and Growth through Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Award presented by Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor, Sue Ellspermann.
The EDGE Awards are given by the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) to organizations that are either established, like ExceptionalSheets.com, or emerging small businesses. These awards are presented each year to 20 small businesses that have accomplished measurable economic impact in Indiana communities.
“Businesses like ExceptionalSheets.com are what help our economies grow and thrive,†said Rep. Sullivan. “I congratulate Paul Saunders and Exceptional Sheets on this award and thank them for their positive impact on our community. Paul’s successful business is a great example of how E-commerce can play a vital role in growing the economy of southwest Indiana.â€
ExceptionalSheets.com is a U.S. Veteran owned and operated company in Evansville that began over five years ago by owner and award recipient Paul Saunders. They offer a variety of sheet and towel sets that are guaranteed to be first-class luxury products. Their mission is to deliver the best customer service whether it is online or elsewhere.
“I applaud Governor Pence, who shared many of the same concerns my colleagues and I have expressed, during his State of the State Address. Whether we are discussing employment, the health of families or preschool education, it is important to work together in order to make Indiana a better place to live and raise a family.â€
“Indiana’s business climate is one of the best in the nation, and we must continue to keep our state competitive in order for Hoosier businesses to expand and grow. Most importantly, we must always work together to improve our state, and I was delighted that the governor expressed his continued commitment to making Indiana the best place to live for Hoosier families.â€
THIS SECTION SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. WHEN YOUR Â READY TO FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM, CALL Â ATTORNEY ARNEAZ LAW @ 812-425-6247.
Evansville Police continue to investigate a double shooting in the 100 block of W. Oregon. Investigators are trying to determine who shot Angie Mueller and Mark Baughn.
Mueller initially listed two possible suspects; however, she later said that she did not actually see who shot her. Investigators have interviewed several people and collected evidence from the scene, but do not have enough information to charge anyone in the case at this time. The case remains open.
Anyone with information is asked to call EPD at 436-7979.
Statement Re: Charleston, W.Va., chemical spill and its downstream impact on Evansville’s Water Supply
The Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) has been closely monitoring the impact and issues stemming from the chemical spill, which occurred in Charleston, West Virginia, last week – 700 river miles from Evansville. EWSU is obtaining regular updates and information from the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
The exact time when the chemical plume will reach the Evansville area – and the concentration level – is yet to be determined, as it is dependent upon several factors, including the flow rate (miles per hour) and rain events. The river levels between the dams along the Ohio River will affect its arrival; although, it is estimated to reach our area by the weekend, according to the Coast Guard.
EWSU will examine two key issues as the plume nears our City:
1. The concentration of the chemical in the Ohio River – The Utility uses monitoring systems – gas chromatograph (GC) at its intake building and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) in the water plant lab. Those systems are used to determine if any of the chemical is detectable at our location.
2. Whether the chemical floats on the surface, mixes completely or sinks – The City’s water intake pumps pull water at a depth of several feet from the river bottom. The dilution effect at the Ohio River will have a large bearing on the level of detection in Evansville.The contaminants from this spill are being monitored at several points along the Ohio River, including Huntington, W. Va.; Ashland, Ky.; Maysville, Ky.; Portsmouth, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Louisville, Ky. EWSU receives concentration reports from each location. A report yesterday showed a concentration of 36 parts per billion (ppb) at Huntington, W. Va. The Evansville Water Utility will use carbon treatment if any level of the chemical is detected. This method of treatment has been used effectively by other water utilities affected by this chemical spill. Also, this particular chemical omits a sweet odor even at very low concentrations. The carbon treatment will help minimize an odor that might be present.
The Utility will conduct routine tests on the intake water daily, as usual; however, the organic components will be more closely watched. The Utility is planning to apply its activated carbon mixture material to all intake water, which will act to absorb any organic contaminants in the river water. Additionally, the Utility will look at the GC and GCMS readouts for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) contamination.
The Evansville Water & Sewer Utility is a member of ORSANCO and coordinates monitoring and policy matters with and through that organization. EWSU’s equipment is tied with ORSANCO’s monitoring system via the Internet, enabling the Utility to draw from ORSANCO’s expertise in reading scans and making determinations regarding questionable components that may be observed in the intake water. EWSU is in constant contact with ORSANCO and the Coast Guard on any spills that occur along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pa, to Cairo, Ill., where the Ohio River discharges into the Mississippi River.
We will continue to keep the community informed as we learn more about the spill’s impact to Evansville’s water supply.
Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor City of Evansville
Allen Mounts, Executive Director Evansville Water and Sewer Utility
