INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers who receive relief through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will get less help beginning Nov. 1, according to hunger relief advocates across Indiana.
Find more details about the severity of these cuts in SNAP hunger relief by visiting theFeeding Indiana’s Hungry website. While at this website, check out how you can do to join the fight against hunger in Indiana.
With the recent announcement that the Courier and Press will be requiring payment of access to premium online content and posting privileges, the City County Observer would like to assure our readers and tens of thousands of potential readers that our content and comment section will continue to remain free of charge. We estimate that if we charge our readers the same on line fee that the Courier shall soon be charging we would have to charge our readers $120 a year.
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The statistics are staggering. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Across the country, the month of October has become a symbol of hope and a time to take special pause to raise awareness and make a difference. This is a job that extends beyond the weeks of October however; it is one that will not be done until we see a decreasing number of sufferers and increasing number of survivors.
For those who do not already know this, my wife, Karen, is a seven year breast cancer survivor. Her mother, sister and niece have also battled this ruthless disease as well. From our experience, we learned that early detection is the key. That is something we hear a lot though so I want to take the time to talk about what early detection really is.
The best screening tool used today is mammography. By using x-rays, these images are used to find early signs of breast cancer such as a dense mass or clusters of calcium. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk get a mammogram every year starting at age 40.
There is also genetic testing, known as BRACAnalysis, which can let you know your risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by identifying a mutation in the BRCA gene. Factors, such as a strong family history of breast cancer and/or a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, cause a woman to be considered ‘high risk.’ When that is the case, mammograms are not only recommended more often but also starting at a younger age- sometimes younger than 25.
Due to the prevalence in our family, my wife went through the genetic testing to see if our daughters may also be in line for breast cancer. Fortunately, the results have shown that the form Karen had was not hereditary but I am still very vigilant that our daughters continue to get routine testing because when breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.
This disease does not only impact women however. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the year 2013, 2,240 men will be diagnosed with a new case of invasive breast cancer in the United States. While men are not encouraged to get regular mammograms, they are encouraged not to ignore breast lumps and see a doctor when in doubt. Early detection is the key for both women and men.
I understand however that not everyone can afford to be as attentive as this disease often requires. The good news is, throughout the country, low-cost or free mammograms are available to those who need it the most. Komen Affiliates fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects in their communities. By calling 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) you can find these low-cost options in our area. Many imaging centers are also currently offering mammograms at reduced rates in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To find a certified mammography center you can visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov.
I consider myself very blessed that my wife and many other people have been fortunate enough to beat this. However, I know that this is not always the case. As we continue to look for ways to battle breast cancer, I encourage you to get involved in raising awareness on this issue in any way possible. If you are able, donations can be made at any time to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are also opportunities to get involved by simply volunteering your time. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month. Together, we can work to have a common goal to eradicate breast cancer.
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Healthy Green Space VOICE respondents continuously repeated their desire to be outside and active in their communities. The importance they placed on our community’s health and wellbeing was both tremendous and encouraging. |
Jacobsville Join In (JJI), a community development effort commissioned by the City of Evansville and a project of ECHO Housing Corporation to develop a quality of life plan for the Jacobsville neighborhood, received a $600,000 award for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Program by the Office of Justice Programs.
Jacobsville Join In leaders recognized a need to address crime in the Jacobsville neighborhood during the engagement phase of the community development project. Jennifer Mason, Jacobsville Join In Community Mobilizer, said, “As we listened to residents and stakeholders describe the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the Jacobsville neighborhood, crime and safety were mentioned repeatedly as one of the main issues to improving the quality of life for the neighborhood.â€Â JJI applied for the grant in March to kick-start major improvements to address crime and physical/social disorder in the neighborhood.
The goal of the BCJI program is to fund projects to improve community safety by designing and implementing effective, comprehensive approaches to address crime within a targeted neighborhood as part of a broader strategy to advance neighborhood revitalization through cross-sector, community-based partnerships. Jacobsville is a target neighborhood with high levels of crime or types of crime, and the Jacobsville Join In initiative is able to build upon existing revitalization efforts, including its broad range of partnerships with key stakeholders.
The BCJI program will address the criminal activity with a comprehensive, community-oriented approach. Jacobsville Join In has support and partnership with the Evansville Police Department, City of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development, Jacobsville Neighborhood Improvement Association, Jacobsville Area Community Corporation, and Diehl Consultants.
There is a crucial need in the Jacobsville neighborhood to diminish crime in an effort to revitalize this community.
Chief Billy Bolin, Evansville Police Department said, “Our officers have a deep knowledge of crime challenges and needs in Jacobsville, and as a supporter of the Jacobsville Join In Quality of Life Initiative the Evansville Police Department is excited to collaborate with the community to determine and implement the best crime solutions for Jacobsville.â€
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke described crime as a community problem that deserves a community response to effect change. “I believe this is apparent with the partnerships established with Jacobsville Join In and the Jacobsville neighborhood,†said Mayor Winnecke. “The City of Evansville is committed to Jacobsville as proof through its redevelopment efforts evidenced by time, funding and resources already contributed.â€
The BCJI grant program runs on a 36-month project timeline with actions for initial 15-month project period consisting of research, to be completed by Diehl Consultants, and planning with community partners. The remaining 21-month period will be focused on implementing program strategies. The overall objectives will include:
Leeann Pease has been hired as the Program Coordinator to manage the BCJI grant program for ECHO Housing Corporation/Jacobsville Join In. As a resident of the neighborhood, Pease has been actively engaged in the Jacobsville Join In community development initiative participating in working groups to form the quality of life plan. Additionally, she is helping to revitalize the Jacobsville Neighborhood Improvement Association with other residents. Pease states, “Crime happens in neighborhoods that are not active and organized, I plan to continue living in Jacobsville, and I see my work as an opportunity to help the neighborhood.†Prior to joining ECHO Housing Corporation, Pease worked in the Consumer Resource Center for Mead Johnson Nutrition.
What: Memorial Theatre Department (Reitz Memorial High School) presents The Ghoul Friend, a Mystery Comedy by Gene Donovan. Join us for a night at Lonesome Lake, where the strangely peculiar guests at Green Willow Lodge experience a ghostly legend… or is it?
Who: Directed by Beth Edmondson, Director of Theatre. The Play is by Gene Donovan.
Where it will play: Reitz Memorial High School Auditorium, 1500 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714.
When it will play: Thursday November 21, 2013 at 7:00 PM, Saturday November 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM and Sunday November 24, 2013 at 2:30 PM. All times CST.
Admission: Adults: $8.00, Students and Seniors $6.00.
Ticket/information contact: For ticket information, please call the Memorial Theatre Department box office at (812) 463-2269, or email us at mhstheatre@evdio.org. Advance ticket orders are available online by going to www.seatyourself.biz/mhstheatre. Tickets will also be available two hours prior to each performance at the box office.
—
Blake Morales
Business Manager,
Reitz Memorial Theatre Department
Reitz Memorial High School
1500 Lincoln Ave
Evansville, IN 47714
(812) 463-2269
Evansville Police arrested a 15 year old on several weapons charges after he was involved in a verbal dispute with another juvenile at the Fall Festival.
After officers separated the two, a witness told police that the suspect had threatened to get a gun from his car and come back. Officers were able to monitor the suspect as he walked to his car.
During the investigation into the threat, officers located a handgun in the suspect’s car. The serial number had been filed off.
The juvenile was arrested for Possession of a Handgun by a Child, Possession of a Handgun Without a Permit within 1,000 feet of a School, and Possession of a Handgun with an Altered Serial Number. He was placed at the Youth Care Center.
For full details, view this message on the web.
