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Becky Kasha Named Vice Chairman Republican Party

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Wayne Parke, Chairman on the Vanderburgh County Republican Party is please to announce his appointment of Becky Kasha to fill the vacancy of Vice Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party.
Becky comes to the Central committee after a law career that spanned almost 25 years. Throughout her career, she was actively involved in efforts to make the community a better place to live and work. Her efforts range from the Ark Crisis Child Care Center to the Zoo. She currently serves on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House, VOICES, Inc., and the YWCA. She also works with local non-profits by coaching start-ups and consulting on start board development and fundraising.

Becky is married Dr Ed Kasha. They have two children–one at Purdue University and one at Indiana University.

 

Five Local Troopers Recognized for 25 Years of Service

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Five Indiana State Police Troopers assigned to the Lowell Post were recognized yesterday for achieving a milestone in their respective careers, 25 years of service to the Department. Each of the five was a member of the 46th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy that graduated on November 13, 1988.

Superintendent Douglas G. Carter presented awards in the form of certificates and longevity medals to the following:

Master Trooper Mike Hemphill is a graduate of North Judson/San Pierre High School. Upon his appointment, Hemphill was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Starke and Pulaski Counties. During his career, Hemphill served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), was a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon (TIP), and spent fifteen years on SCUBA. Hemphill is a graduate of the Harley Davidson Police Motorcycle School which allows him to serve the Department as one of its motorcycle patrol units since 2007. He resides in Starke County with his family.

Sergeant Wanda Clay is a graduate of Horace Mann High School; she graduated with two Bachelor Degrees in Organizational Management and Criminal Justice from Calumet College. Clay also received a Master’s of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan in Indianapolis. Upon her appointment, Clay was assigned to the Indiana Toll Road where she worked Lake County. In 1996 she was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Lowell District. Clay was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and was transferred to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division in 2009 to serve as a squad leader. During her career, Clay has served as a FTO, a member of TIP, was a 1st Responder Instructor, and was a Field Training Officer Coordinator. She resides in Lake County with her family.

Master Trooper Erik Gilliam is a graduate of Roosevelt High School; he also served in the United States Army for six years. Gilliam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Safety Public Environmental Affairs. He is currently working on a Master’s Degree. Upon his appointment, Gilliam was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Lake County. He also served as a gaming investigator and was a member of TIP. After serving as a gaming investigator Gilliam was reassigned to the Indiana Toll Road until 2003 when he was reassigned to the Lowell Post. He resides
in Lake County with his family.

Master Trooper Lionel Douglas is a graduate of Roosevelt High School; he is also a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis. Upon his appointment, Douglas was assigned to the Lafayette Post where he worked White and Carroll Counties until he transferred to the Lowell Post two years later. Douglas has served as a FTO, a member of TIP, and served as a gaming investigator for ten years.
After serving as a gaming investigator Douglas was reassigned to the Lowell District where he works Lake County. He resides in Lake County with his family.

Master Trooper Dave Eggers is a graduate of Portage High School; he also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Public Administration from Indiana University. Upon his appointment, Eggers was assigned to the Lowell Post where he worked Porter and LaPorte Counties. In 1995 Eggers was transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) and was assigned to the Indiana Toll Road for ten years. He was then assigned to the Federal Auditing in CVED for three years. Eggers was then transferred in CVED to work at the Lowell Post. He has also served as a FTO, a member of TIP, crash reconstructionists, and a Defensive Tactic’s Instructor. Eggers resides in Porter County with his family.

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**Pictured from left to right, Master Trooper Mike Hemphill, Sergeant Wanda Clay, Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, Master Trooper Erik Gilliam, Master Trooper Lionel Douglas, and Master Trooper Dave Eggers**

REMINDER: RIECKEN TOWN HALL SET FOR SATURDAY

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State Representative Gail Riecken
State Representative Gail Riecken

State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) will conduct a community town hall this Saturday (November 16) at the First Presbyterian Church in Evansville.

The town hall will begin at 10 a.m. at the church, located at 609 E. Second Street.

Dr. Bucshon questions EPA Administrator

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(Washington, D.C.) – At a Science hearing on Thursday, Congressman Larry Bucshon, a physician, questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy about the impact of the administration’s new coal regulations on Indiana.

 

Watch the full exchange by clicking on the image below.

In September, the Administration announced new regulations that are likely to prevent the construction of new coal-fired plants.

 

In late October, Dr. Bucshon joined over 5,000 Americans from the coal industry at the American Energy Jobs Rally in Washington, DC where he spoke about these regulations. Pictures from the event can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/replarrybucshon/sets/72157637672956503/.

 

You can also click this link to access the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcGzyQ-p80&list=PL4CE9BC61F1ADA6A6&index=1.

PET OF THE WEEK

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GetAttachment.aspx-3Caboodle is the famous cat whose gorgeous eyes are featured on the VHS YouTube homepage! She is one year old, and was surrendered   as a “neighborhood cat” from Mt. Vernon. Since then, she has been spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated, and has taken up residence in the cageless cat lounge with several other kitties. In other words, she’s ready to go home with you today! Caboodle’s adoption fee is $30, which includes all of the services she’s already received, plus 30 days of free pet health insurance and a goody bag to take home.

Indiana Michigan Power gets permission to use new technology at Rockport plant

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iurc_logoBy Megan Banta
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved an agreement that will enable Indiana Michigan Power to use a lower-cost technology to meet environmental standards at its Rockport Generation Plant.

The commission’s approval follows that of the Indiana Department of Environment Management, which gave the company the green light on Aug. 27, and an agreement between Indiana Michigan Power and the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental groups and several northeast states back in February.

The agreement, which is between the power company, a group representing its industrial customers and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, allows the plant to comply with strict emissions standards from the EPA by using dry sorbent injection technology.

This technology is a two-step process also known as DSI that removes acid gases to help with pollution control. The change to DSI technology will cost an estimated $258 million, compared to a more traditional method that would have cost an estimated $1.4 billion.

Paul Chodak, the Fort Wayne-based company’s president, said he is pleased his company was able to reach an agreement “that will result in cleaner air with a greatly reduced impact on customer rates.”

David Stippler, Indiana’s utility consumer counselor, said his office worked diligently to make sure the agreement both satisfied environmental mandates and had the least impact on customer rates. He said the change at the plant is key to the state’s future.

“Clean coal technology is and must continue to be a crucial component in addressing Indiana’s energy future,” Stippler said.

The agreement also led to a contract for the company to buy 200 megawatts of electricity each year from a wind farm planned for Winchester and the closing of an older coal-fired plant in Lawrenceburg.

Indiana Michigan Power is owned by American Electric Power.

Megan Banta is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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Inspector general says Bennett did political work on state computer

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By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The state inspector general has filed a complaint with the Indiana Ethics Commission accusing former Superintendent Tony Bennett of breaking state rules by using government resources for political purposes.

Former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is accused of using his state computer for political work. Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, TheStatehouseFile.com

Former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is accused of using his state computer for political work. Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, TheStatehouseFile.com

The commission has set a public hearing for Jan. 9 to consider the charges.

The complaint says Bennett – a Republican who lost his seat a year ago to Democrat Glenda Ritz – “improperly made use of state materials, funds, property, personnel facilities, or equipment for a purpose other than for official state business” in 2012.

That includes using his computer to engage in political campaigning and campaign fundraising, according to the complaint. It said he also responded to a political opponent’s assertions, scheduled campaign meetings and telephone calls, and took part in other political or personal activities.

That would violate the Indiana Code of Ethics, which is part of the state’s administrative code. It could also violate an Indiana law that prohibits state employees from doing political work on state time but Inspector General David Thomas on Wednesday only addressed the issues as a violation of the ethics code.

Bennett said in a statement Thursday that “throughout my time in public service I made every effort to be cognizant of and to follow state rules and guidelines for elected officials.”

“I understand no conclusions have been made in this matter and I look forward to working with the Ethics Commission and the Inspector General’s office to demonstrate proper adherence to state rules and guidelines,” Bennett said.

The complaint comes about two months after The Associated Press reported that Bennett kept campaign databases on Department of Education servers. The AP also reported that Bennett directed his staff to do work to discredit his opponent during last fall’s campaign.

Thomas presented the complaint to the Indiana Ethics Commission at a meeting Thursday. The commission found that probable caused exists to move forward with the investigation and set the public hearing for Jan. 9.

Bennett has been a source of controversy since he left office last January. The AP also reported that emails found on Department of Education servers showed Bennett had sought to make changes in the A-F grading formula for schools that helped a charter school he had lauded. Those revelations led to his resignation as the schools chief in Florida.

Lesley Weidenbener is executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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Evansville man arrested after threats to carry out a shooting at Harrison High School

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Evansville Police arrested 19 year old Anthony Wolfe Jr for Intimidation after officers received a tip that Wolfe was threatening to “shoot up” Harrison High School. Wolfe is not a student at Harrison and not enrolled at any EVSC schools.
During the investigation, officers learned that Wolfe had made verbal threats. As knowledge of the threats spread, people began talking about it on Twitter. Through his Twitter account, Wolfe commented about the issue. He mentioned the amount of Harrison followers now following him and said “I feel something bad about to happen”. When asked what he had done, Wolfe replied “Said Harrison gone get shot up…niggas took that shit serious lol.” Wolfe was located at his home and taken into custody. Investigators do not believe Wolfe was at the school at any time today.
Wolfe is in the Vanderburgh County Jail charged with Intimidation, Class D Felony.
Evansville Police want to be very clear that all threats of violence towards our schools and the children of our community will be taken very seriously. All threats will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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nick hermanBelow is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, November 13, 2013

 

Ricardo Roberts Sr       Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class C Felony (Two Counts)

Strangulation-Class D Felony

Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felony

Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class A Misdemeanor

 

Erick Washington          Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman-Class C Felony

Domestic Battery-Class D Felony

Strangulation-Class D Felony

Interference with the Reporting of a Crime-Class A Misdemeanor

 

 

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

 

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

IS IT TRUE November 14, 2013

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Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics
Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics

IS IT TRUE the aggravation of several business owners on North Burkhardt Road that was annexed by the City of Evansville roughly 4 years ago with the failure of the City to do a couple of small things like install street lights and replace the mulch that keeps on catching fire with some non-flammable material like rocks?…the CCO lampooned Councilman Dan McGinn from the 1st Ward a few days ago only to have been alerted by business owners that they should have 4 members of the City Council concerned for the failures of the City?…the 3 at-large members of the City Council are just as much representatives of the recently annexed area and the business owners know it?…if the street light and mulch problems are not fixed by the next election cycle there is a high probability that there will be a negative ad campaign financed by the North Burkhardt business owners against the 4 council members who should be looking out for their interests and holding the City accountable for its promises in the dark during the annexation negotiations?

IS IT TRUE that the consulting contract between the Evansville City Council and David Garrett to provide financial oversight has ended?…Mr. Garrett was only paid $20,000 for his efforts yet sparked several controversies by exposing holes in the City of Evansville’s accounting system (or lack thereof)?…the City Council certainly got its money’s worth from engaging Mr. Garrett and is more informed about the day to day accounting saga now than they were a year ago?…in spite of this enhanced awareness the Indiana State Board of Accounts has still not released the 2012 audit, has not opined on the state of reconciliation, and still has conditions on the 2011 audit?…right now at the doorstep of 2014, the City of Evansville does not have a clean audit or reconciled books since 2010?…we are sure that some of the people in the accounting departments of the City and the Utility are dancing a jig now that David Garrett is no longer being paid to look over their shoulder?…the high fives among those who participated in making what Councilman John Friend called “a mess” much to the chagrin of former Mayor Weinzapfel are resounding?…it is time for the City Council to realize that “when the cat’s away the mice will play”?…with the lapse of David Garrett’s contract, THE CAT IS AWAY?…the results of David Garrett’s work has proved that the City Council needs someone to carry on this oversight function on their behalf?…it will be interesting to see if this function just goes away quietly as things often do in River City when the machine’s shenanigans are challenged?

IS IT TRUE the portion of the JOBS act that was supposed to enable crowdfunding is now 13 months late in a 9 month project?…according to government sources this provision that will also allow everyday Americans to invest in entrepreneurial start-up companies may be delayed well into 2014 because of just plain old government sclerosis?…for those who don’t know unless you make $200,000 per year or enjoy the financial status of being a millionaire, your government has made it illegal for you to invest in start-up companies that are not yet publicly traded?…this same government will allow non-millionaires to gamble in casinos and sell them lottery tickets with only the depth of their pockets as a limit yet makes it illegal to invest in entrepreneurs?…this policy is nonsensical and contradicts itself?…we hope the nanny state that feeds off of the illogical dreams of non-millionaires when selling them lottery tickets yet prevents them from real early stage investing will snap out of its coma and correct this idiocy ASAP?

IS IT TRUE that the official ObamaCare numbers were released by the White House yesterday and they are abysmally low as expected?…there is no way to know how many people did not “choose” a policy because of website problems and how many just rejected the prices of the replacement policies?…we use the word “choose” because the numbers released were not for people who actually finished a transaction and bought a plan, the numbers were for people who chose which one they may buy?…this fraudulent accounting practice makes about as much sense as a car dealer recording a sale on his books after every test drive?…the number of Hoosiers who have “chosen” a plan in the federal exchange is officially 701 out of more than 500,000 uninsured and thought to be eligible?…in California where over 1 Million individual policies have been cancelled a paltry 35,374 have signed up for a plan?…the California numbers are significant because the state insurance exchange has worked from day one and the population is more supporting of socialized medicine than most states?…the estimates of the numbers of uninsured in California run as high as 10 Million people yet only 35,374 have signed up?

IS IT TRUE this does not bode well for the President’s approval ratings (now 39%) or Democrat Congress members on the 2014 ballot?…it is so terrifying to Democrats from red states that a group of them have launched an effort to grandfather all plans cancelled due to ObamaCare?…of the 7 Million sign ups needed to cash flow ObamaCare the White House was counting on 5 Million of those coming from cancelled policies?…if the Congressional Democrats who are now distancing themselves from ObamaCare as though it is a dead skunk in the road are successful in fulfilling President Obama’s repeated promise that “you can keep your plan period”, that will be the financial death blow to the program as the healthy will have been given a way out of financing the healthcare of the not so healthy?