This excludes the legal fees incurred by the airport and the EVSC both of which are sourced in tax money. Info on the following link is for our readers curiosity and is posted without edit, opinion or bias.
BMV commissioner to resign in December
Staff Report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – R. Scott Waddell, commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), will be stepping down effective the beginning of December.
“I am honored to have served Governors Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence as commissioner of the BMV. Just as important, it has been my privilege to play a role in the ‘Best in the Country’ successes achieved by the dedicated and hard-working associates of the Indiana BMV,†Waddell said. “The accomplishments of our customer oriented agency have raised the bar for bureaus throughout North America.â€
During his tenure at the BMV initiatives such as branch visit time monitoring technology, touch-screen computers for knowledge testing and transaction-based smart phone apps were implemented.
Waddell’s last day will be Dec. 2.
House Dem leader questions amount of time into Bennett grade change
Staff Report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath questioned the state inspector general Tuesday about the investigation of the “A-F†scandal involving Republican Tony Bennett, the former superintendent of public instruction.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Indiana Inspector General David Thomas, Pelath wants to know what has been uncovered in the two-month-long investigation into allegations Bennett improperly manipulated school grades prior to the 2012 election.
“Given the length of time that has elapsed, have you now developed a specific timetable for the completion of your investigative work?†Pelath wrote. “If so, when do you plan to issue any findings and conclusions?â€
Pelath also requested Thomas share the timeline toward a final report, and, if there is no “specific†timetable or “tentative target dates,†asked what’s preventing progress on the investigation.
Bennett’s changes – which were not approved by the State Board of Education – boosted the grades of 165 schools, including a charter school in Indianapolis that had been held up by Bennett as being among the best in the state. That school was set to receive a “C.â€
Bennett resigned in July as Florida’s state education chief after the grade changes were first uncovered. He maintained he’d done nothing wrong and has requested that Thomas confirm that.
Shepard Academy Expands; Informational Meeting Oct. 17
The Randall T. Shepard Academy for Law and Social Justice will be expanding its offerings for 2014-15 to include ninth and tenth grade students, so that now all four high school grades will be represented in the unique half-day program that introduces students to topics around law, social justice, social values and American policy, as well as core honors curriculum areas of history and English.
Now in its fourth year, the program expansion is allowing 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to apply to be a part of the half-day classes for the 2014-15 school year.  An informational meeting for potential incoming students for 2014-15 is planned for October 17, at 6 p.m., in the Harrison High School Media Center. While students can enter the program at any point betwee their freshman to junior years – the junior and senior year program is considered a two-year sequence. Students in the program study at their home school half the day, and at the Shepard Academy at Harrison High School half the day. Transportation to the program will be provided through the EVSC for EVSC students. The program is open to students outside the corporation, as well, for students who can provide their own transportation.
In the program, students have the opportunity to hear a wide variety of guest speakers including former Chief Justice Randall Shepard, the Academy’s namesake. They will engage in authentic field experiences, attend courts in session, volunteer in advocacy programs, participate in mentor programs with community leaders, among other opportunities. Areas of study by grade include:
9th grade:Â Â Leaders and Literature that Shape America
Credits:Â English 9H, U.S. History H, Speech, State and Local Government
10th grade: Leaders and Literature that Shape the World
Credits:Â English 10H, Geography and History of the World H, African Studies, Asian Studies
11th grade: Building Leaders through Composition, Discourse, and Oration
Credits: AP Language and Composition, Advanced Speech CC, Debate, Law Education, Social Justice CC,
Community Service, and Political Science
12th grade: Building Leaders through the Critical Analysis of Politics, Economics, and Literature
Credits:Â English 12 CC/AP; Government CC; Economics CC; Current Problems, Issues, and Events; International Relations
Brown Bag cancellation
Due to a health emergency, the Brown Bag Series performance from the Shade Tree Players has been cancelled. Please join us on Wednesday, October 23rd at noon at the Arts Council located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville for our next Brown Bag performance. There will be two performances in one! The Newburgh Dance Academy and Sean Holleran will split time in the gallery for our audience. If you have questions, please call (812) 422-2111.
2013 ‘Mole’ Awards Has Huge Turnout & Support for Honorees
Eight Mole Award Winners & Announcements Front-lined Event
By Scottie Thomas
On Monday, October 14th, 2013, City-County Observer hosted its Annual Mole Awards Luncheon to honor 8 individuals for their outstanding public policy and efforts to exhibit good public policy in our community. The event was held at Tropicana Evansville in Walnut Room A & B with a sell out crowd that was represented by a cross-section of people of all political persuasion. The Corporate Sponsor was Torian, Hofmann, Dillow & Flittner Insurance.
Pigeon Township Trustee Mary Hart, State Senator Vaneta Becker, City Councilman John Friend, Honorable Judge Brett Neimeier, Honorable Judge Wayne Trockman, Ben Trockman and Matthew Burkart were the seven individuals that received honors and their ‘Mole’ Award.
A surprise and special ‘Mole’ Award was given to President and City Councilwoman Connie Robinson for her outstanding leadership for Councilwomen this year. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace. The Invocation was performed by D-Patrick General Manager Tony Ricketts.
Wallace also made the major announcement that we will be carrying state legeslative news and videos of state committee and board meetings.
Wrapping up another season in good public policy, community happenings and local politics, City-County Observer had the huge turn out to honor those highlighted.
Additional Burglary Arrest
DATE: October 15, 2013
SUBJECT: Area Business Break-Ins/Arrest
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-NR-066(A)
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Eric Williams
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a second person in connection with several burglaries to area businesses. Brick Bruce Phillips was arrested yesterday on a warrant for two counts of Burglary and two counts of Theft. Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s detectives obtained the warrant following an investigation into burglaries that occurred at Mulzer’s Crushed Stone and United Minerals properties in Vanderburgh County. On October 8th, Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at the residence of Steven Vile and arrested him on similar charges.
The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office continued and Phillips was developed as a suspect. An interview of Phillips resulted in a confession to the crimes as well as an admission of participation in the theft from the Highland Baseball Club. Phillip’s cooperation led to the recovery of several off-road vehicles stolen from the Highland Baseball Club. Vile, while initially uncooperative, gave a statement to Sheriff’s detectives implicating himself and Phillips in the burglaries at Mulzer’s in both Vanderburgh and Warrick County, United Minerals and the theft from the Highland Baseball Club. Sheriff’s Detectives were able to recover more stolen property based on information provided by Vile.
Phillips is currently in the Vanderburgh County Detention Center on a $5,000/$50,000 cash/surety bond awaiting a court appearance.
Brick Phillips, 37 YOA, Henderson, KY
Burglary Class C Felony (2 Counts), Theft Class D Felony (2 Counts)
-END-
For full details, view this message on the web.
Evansville Police to host Church Crisis training
The Evansville Police Department will be hosting an 8 hour “Responding to Church Crisis” training course for area religious leaders. The training will be presented by Sgt. Darren Sroufe of the Evansville Police Department. Sgt. Sroufe also serves as a Police Chaplin.
Some of the topics discusssed will included Vulnerability Assessment, Staff Awareness, Crisis Communcation, Police Reponse, and Recovery After a Crisis.
The training will be held at the National Guard Armory on October 16th from 8:00am-4:00pm. The only cost to attend is a canned good to help the EPD “SWAT out Hunger”. All donations will go to the Tri-State Food Bank.
There is no requirement to pre-register.
For full details, view this message on the web.
Evansville man arrested for armed robbery
Evansville Police have arrested the second suspect in an October 4th armed robbery case.
Shun Webster was arrested on Monday night and is in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Police believe Webster and Bryan Lewis robbed Ricardo Irvine after Irvine gave the men a ride. Lewis is in custody on this robbery and the robbery/ shooting of Walter Ferguson.
Vanderburgh County Felony Charges
Christopher McKinnon                   Theft-Class D Felony
Â
Brandon Parker                   Dealing in Cocaine-Class A Felony
Possession of a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike Substance-
Class A Misdemeanor
Dalton Swanson                   Criminal Confinement-Class B Felony
Intimidation-Class C Felony
Criminal Mischief-Class BÂ Misdemeanor
Â
Steven Vile                            Burglary-Class B Felonies (Two Counts)
Theft-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
Â
Terry Hanna                         Intimidation-Class D Felonies (Three Counts)
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanors (Two Counts)
Failure to Stop after Accident Resulting in Non-Vehicle Damage-Class B
Misdemeanors (Two Counts)
Failure to Stop after Accident Resulting in Damage to Unattended
Vehicle-Class B Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor
Â
Arthur Jones IV Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Attempted Murder-Class A Felony
Attempted Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury- Class A Felony
For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org
Â
Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Â