Here We Go Again By State Representative Gail Riecken

07/13/2013

“More than 187,000 clients of the state’s Family & Social Services Administration may have had their personal and financial information wrongly disclosed, with nearly 4,000 possibly having their Social Security number revealed.” – Indianapolis Star, July 1, 2013

Here we go again.

A private agency entrusted by the state with handling personal information on thousands of Hoosiers proves unable to handle the responsibility.

This is not some tiny error, either.

Many of your friends and neighbors might have had extremely personal details sent to other people…things like names, dates of birth, and medical and financial information, not to mention Social Security numbers.

And itâ€™s not like it just happened either. The error was made in early April, discovered in early May and fixed later that month. They didnâ€™t get around to admitting it to the public until a few days back.

Once found out, the usual excuses and apologies were hastily offered. We were assured not many people were hurt, and the private vendor accepted full responsibility. Hopefully, the financial penalties being imposed on the vendor that made this mistake will keep this kind of thing from happening again.

But keep in mind that this problem involves a state agencyâ€”FSSAâ€”that was supposed to be a role model for private operation of public services. Back in 2006, the Daniels administration turned over eligibility services for Medicaid, food stamps and other programs to IBM. It was hailed as a step into the future.

Instead, it was a nightmare. Services were terminated for no reason, and that was just the surface of what went wrong. I still get an occasional complaint about lost paperwork causing benefits to be denied.

It went so wrong that the Daniels Administration terminated the IBM contract in 2009. The matter ended up in court, and taxpayers like you and me ended up paying the bill for it…to the tune of many millions of dollars.

So now we have this.

Much like the last administration, it certainly seems like this one is all too eager to fiddle around with programs that are crucial to helping the less fortunate in our state.

We must keep our hands off big businesses and corporations, but people who need a little help from government are perfect lab rats, and if things donâ€™t work out, well, letâ€™s try something else that makes them feel a little less valued in our society.

Another concern must be addressed.

When will people start to realize the perils that come from putting functions of government into the hands of private, for-profit companies?

And now we have a second scandal involving FSSA.

These are mistakes being made with your tax dollars. You have the right to ask for more from your state government.

State Representative Gail Riecken
Indiana House District 77

Pop Evil Brings All-American Rock to Victory Theatre

07/13/2013

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Not just one but three hard rock bands rattled the rafters in the historic Victory Theatre on Thursday night. Headliners Pop Evil returned to Evansville for the first time since appearing at the Ford Center as part of the Trespass America Festival last July, to the delight of the hardcore fans of this Detroit-based group. Pop Evil put on a high- energy show that kept up its head-thrasing intensity for well over an hour. Supporting act Candlelight Red gained some new fans with their adrenaline-fueled set, and local up-and-comers Sideshow Romance both brought in some of their most devoted followers and picked up some new fans of their own when they opened the show.
â€œIt was good to see a new genre in Evansvilleâ€™s Victory Theatre. There seemed to be a lot of new faces and I was excited to bring new people to the venue,â€ said Victory Theatre General Manager Ben Bolander.
The Victory Theatre continues an active summer and fall schedule with upcoming shows that include Tyler Farr (Summer Country Nights at the Victory series) July 12, â€œWeird Alâ€ Yankovic â€“ The Alpocalypse Tour July 27, Charlie Worsham (Summer Country Nights at the Victory series) August 15, No Justice (Summer Country Nights at the Victory series) September 13, Tommy Emmanuel September 20, and Don Williams October 17.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

07/13/2013

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Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutorâ€™s Office on Thursday, July 11, 2013.

BobbyÂ BratcherÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon-Class C Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury-Class C Felony

Ronald BondÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle as an Habitual Traffic Violator-Class D Felony

Eugene MeyerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sexual Battery-Class D Felony

Amanda StokesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Theft-Class D Felony

Brian WernerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury-Class C Felony (Two Counts)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Interference with the Reporting of a Crime-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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 July 12, 2013

07/12/2013

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IS IT TRUE July 12, 2013

IS IT TRUE that some members of the City Councilâ€™s repeated warnings that the windfall of revenues from the casino riverboat shouldnâ€™t be counted on to last forever and that the City has to work to help promote the riverboat as its largest visitation driver and tourist attraction are starting to come true?…that the CCO has learned from some inside the Civic Center that a recent change in riverboat tax structure will mean a decrease to the City of approximately $600k this year?…this was a legislative change enacted during the last session to help put Indianaâ€™s riverboats on an equal playing field with their neighbors in adjacent states?… that the City of Evansville wasted an opportunity to strongly voice support for a land-based measure in the last session that could have increased the casinoâ€™s ability to attract MORE visitors here (many donâ€™t like the old, 3-level riverboat constraints Indiana operates under), and generate MORE tax revenue to the City and region?â€¦ instead of trying to figure out ways they could support the casino to be more competitive, they focused on things that would protect their taxes which will inevitably decrease more as non-local customers continue to choose locations that offer land-based gaming?… that this $600k annual decrease to the Cityâ€™s expected revenue stream will hit especially hard considering itâ€™s been mentally â€œspentâ€ already on things like subsidized hotel project, dogparks and skateboard parks, and an assortment of other trivial pursuits?

IS IT TRUE that local business Green Tree Plastics was recently featured on the Travel Channelâ€™s Hotel Impossible by host and designer, Blanche Garcia who was prominently standing by the bench donated by Kimballâ€™s National Office Furniture division to the rebuilding of Seaside NJ that was devastated by last yearâ€™s Hurricane Sandy?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO would like to congratulate Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Herrmann, Vanderburgh County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Gary Schutte, and Vanderburgh County Deputy Prosecutor Charles Berger on their excellent legal work on a shoestring budget that lead to the conviction and sentencing of the now convicted child murderer Jeffery Weisheit?…as long as the United States of America offers the death penalty as an option in cases that are as cruel and gruesome as this one was death will continue to be an appropriate dispensing of justice?

IS IT TRUE that a particularly vendetta driven commenter on the City County Observer that calls himself or herself WOW must be the most digitally challenged and obsessed fool in Evansville?…not only does this sorry varmint get up at 5am to write his own version of IS IT TRUE to post as a comment but is foolish enough to call the CCO liars about our traffic counts?…the internet traffic counts that we occasionally report are compiled by Google Analytics which is a secure third party program used by marketing professionals to assess the value of their advertising campaigns?…the CCO would like to issue a challenge to WOW to choose a public location with witneeses and provide our access codes to both Google Analytics and WordPress to confirm our traffic counts in a way that will embarrass this tortured obsessive soul into silence or feed his/her obsession to institutionalization?

IS IT TRUE that WOW and others who want to argue with scientifically measured things like internet traffic would get on about the business of maintaining the infrastructure and treasures of the City of Evansville things just might get better here?…the role of the CCO is the role of pointing out instances of bad public policy and what it leads to?…the McCurdy Hotel which has degenerated into a melting hunk of bricks during a prolonged period of abandonment which occurred after the City of Evansville used it as a political tool is a perfect example of what obsession with politics and neglect leads to?…the McCurdy is an embarrassment to an otherwise pretty nice riverfront?

EPD Activity Report: July 11, 2013

07/12/2013

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EPD Activity Report: July 11, 2013

Pet Of The Week

07/12/2013

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Mistache is a 1-year-old female cat with beautiful, unmistakable markings that are pretty hard to miss, given her name! She came up to a nice woman in Illinoisâ€™ house for help, because she was looking pretty rough from fending for herself outside. But she is a very sweet and loving cat who has done very well here at the shelter! She lives in the cageless cat room at the VHS, which means sheâ€™s used to having to share her space, food, and litterbox with other cats. Her adoption fee is $30, which includes her spay, vaccinations, microchip, and a bag of food.

BUCSHON HOLDS HEARING ON PLAN TO IMPROVE AMERICAN MANUFACTURING, CREATE JOBS

07/12/2013

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Rep. Bucshon and Dr. Rich at the Subcommittee on Research and Technology hearing on July 10, 2013.

(Washington, DC) â€“ On Wednesday, Representative Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology, held a hearing on developing a strategic plan to guide economic policy decisions that affect American manufacturing competitiveness.

Specifically, the hearing focused on H.R. 2447, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2013, legislation to create a coordinated plan that will streamline current government programs and foster research and development into new products, and promote advanced manufacturing jobs here in the United States.

â€œManufacturing is a critical component of our state and national economies and a source of employment for many Americans,â€ said Bucshon. â€œIt is absolutely necessary that we develop a clear strategy for improving manufacturing competitiveness without disadvantaging other sectors or putting the government in a position of picking winners and losers. If done correctly, a plan, like the one offered in H.R. 2447, can promote economic and employment growth in the manufacturing sector, support a skilled workforce, enable innovation and investment in manufacturing, and support national security. I am pleased that Dr. Rich was able to provide a valuable perspective to our discussion about this important issue.â€

Bucshon tapped the Chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics Corporation in Evansville, IN, Dr. Jonathan Rich, to provide comments and recommendations to the Subcommittee.

â€œIt was an honor to have the opportunity to provide testimony today before the House Subcommittee and to offer a business perspective on both the current and projected state of manufacturing in the United States,â€ said Jon Rich, Chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics Corporation. â€œAs outlined in my testimony, HR 2447â€™s objective of promoting growth and sustainability, creating jobs, and strengthening the competitiveness of Americaâ€™s manufacturing industry is vital to our national interests and to the stability and success of our local communities.â€

Manufacturing represents approximately 11 percent of the American economy, with an output that has risen by 13 percent over the last several years. Manufacturing also has the greatest multiplier effect of any major sector in the American economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, each dollar spent in manufacturing generates an additional $1.35 in spending.

Indiana is home to over 9,600 manufacturers employing nearly 560,000 workers. Indiana ranks first in manufacturing employment and second in manufacturing as a gross state product in the country. The critical sector also makes up about 27percent of the stateâ€™s economy.

The 8th district of Indiana is home to many of these manufacturers, like Berry Plastics that pair with institutes for higher education like Ivy Tech, Vincennes University, the University of Evansville, and the University of Southern Indiana to offer degrees related to advanced manufacturing and work closely with these entities to develop a talented and well-trained workforce.

Bucshonâ€™s full opening statement can be accessed here â€“ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwugBePfV1Q&list=PLIXJ2Mq-88lxo69oDjCZnnBdFJvR4TA8e&index=2.

Dr. Richâ€™s full opening statement can be accessed here â€“ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4NVWsY7cNw&list=PLIXJ2Mq-88lxo69oDjCZnnBdFJvR4TA8e&index=1.

H.R. 2447, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2013

The proposed legislation would strike and replace an existing requirement for the National Science and Technology Councilâ€™s Committee on Technology to develop a 4-year strategic plan on advanced manufacturing research and development with a national manufacturing competitiveness strategic plan.

It calls on the Committee to conduct an analysis of factors that impact the competitiveness and growth of U.S. manufacturing, including: research and development; technology transfer; the manufacturing industrial base for national security; the workforce; trade and intellectual property policies; tax policies; emerging markets; and policies of our global competitors.

The goals of the required strategic plan are defined as: promoting growth of the U.S. manufacturing sector; supporting a skilled workforce; enabling innovation and investment in domestic manufacturing; and supporting national security. The strategic plan shall contain near and long-term objectives to meet the defined goals, including research and development, and describe the progress in achieving previous plansâ€™ objectives. It shall also define the role of each agency as well as federally-supported advanced manufacturing activities to foster the technology transfer of research results into new products and processes. Additionally the plan shall describe federal programs to support the manufacturing workforce and small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The plan shall also consider input from a wide variety of stakeholders as well as the analysis of factors that impact U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

H.R. 2447 also requires the Presidentâ€™s annual budget to include information regarding the consistency of the budget with the goals and recommendations included in the strategic plan.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

07/12/2013

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Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutorâ€™s Office on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Tiffany BoydÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â False Informing-Class B Misdemeanor

Stephani BurdenÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Public Intoxication-Class B Misdemeanor

Dana CallowayÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle with an Ace of .15 or More-Class A
Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor

Anthony ClarkÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle with an Ace of .15 or More-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

Robert FarmerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life-
Class C Felony

Donnie FosnightÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor

Lamiea GilbertÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Disorderly Conduct-Class B Misdemeanor

Matthew JordanÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle with an Ace of .15 or More-Class A
Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

Micki MayoÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of Methamphetamine-Class C Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Theft-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

Kenneth ReelÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â False Informing-Class B Misdemeanor

Chavar SniderÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Driving While Suspended-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

Thomas WhitmerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanors (Two Counts)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person-
Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor

John BakerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Burglary Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class A Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Burglary-Class B Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Forgery-Class C Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Theft-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fraud-Class D FelonyÂ Â Â Â Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery By Body Waste-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Habitual Offender Enhancement)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Daniel BellmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Intimidation-Class C Felonies (Two Counts)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Residential Entry-Class D Felony

Glenn Carper JrÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life-
Class C Felony

Rakeyona CarterÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Assisting a Criminal â€“Class A Misdemeanor

Blake DrapeauÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Residential Entry-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Trespass-Class A Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â False Informing-Class B Misdemeanor
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal Mischief-Class B Misdemeanor

Jared MooreÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Strangulation-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felony

Mario RabonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Theft-Class D Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Habitual Offender Enhancement)

Michael ShepardÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Domestic Battery-Class A Misdemeanor Enhanced to D Felony

Rick UtleyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life-
Class C Felony
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

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.

CITY SWIM MEET

07/12/2013

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The 2013 City Swim Meet will be held on Saturday, July 13th and

Sunday, July 14th at Garvin Park Pool. All Neighborhood Pools, with the exception of Rochelle-Landers, will be closed both days in order for staff to help out with the Swim Meet.

Rochelle-Landers will be open normal business hours from 11:00 am â€“ 5:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm on Sunday. Hartke Pool will also be open normal business hours from 11:00 am â€“ 8:00 pm on Saturday and from 12:00 noon â€“ 8:00 pm on Sunday. In addition, Lloyd Pool will be open normal business hours from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

The preliminaries for the City Meet will start at 9:00 am on Saturday and the finals will start at 10:00 am on Sunday.

There are close to 500 participating in the City Swim Meet ranging in age from 4 to 65 plus. Everyone is urged to come out and root for their favorite team.

Federal judge rules Apple Inc. colluded to raise E-book prices Indiana joins DOJ and 32 other states in declaring victory

07/12/2013

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INDIANAPOLIS â€“ A federal judge ruled against Apple Inc. Wednesday for conspiring with major U.S. publishers to artificially raise the retail prices of electronic books (E-books).

The ruling stems from a multi-state lawsuit filed by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, 32 other states and the U.S. Department of Justice in April 2012. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that Apple â€œplayed a central role in facilitating and executingâ€ the conspiracy to raise E-book prices, and that â€œAppleâ€™s orchestrationâ€ of the conspiracy was necessary to its success.

â€œFederal and state laws are designed to ensure the market remains competitive and fair,â€ Zoeller said. â€œThis ruling emphasizes the importance of accountability in the E-book marketplace and highlights how the states and the federal government can work together to protect consumers.â€

Zoeller said damages for consumers will be determined during a separate trial.

The U.S. Department of Justice, other states and Indiana already settled with five major U.S. publishers including Hachette Book Group Inc., HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C., Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Simon & Schuster Inc., and Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC d/b/a Macmillan for allegations relating to the same conduct. Zoeller said together those settlements will result in Indiana consumers receiving $2.7 million in refunds and more than $166 million for consumers nationwide. For more information about the refund process visit www.ebooksagsettlements.com or contact the Indiana Attorney Generalâ€™s office at 1.800.382.5516.

The multistate lawsuits against Apple and the publishers came after a two-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Justiceâ€™s Antitrust Division and attorneysâ€™ general offices.

For years, retailers sold e-books through a traditional wholesale-retail distribution model under which retailer outlets like Amazon or Barnes & Noble set prices. In 2010, before Apple entered the e-book market, bestsellers cost $9.99 which was a price set by Amazon.

According to the investigation, publishers conspired with Apple to shift their distribution model to allow publishers to set prices and sell e-books directly to consumers. This change artificially increased prices which accounted for the new bestseller pricing of $12.99 and $14.99.

The complaint said the publishers and Apple relied on contract terms that forced e-book retail outlets to sell their products at the same price therefore eliminating price competition. Under the agreement, Apple was guaranteed a 30 percent commission on e-books sold through its iBookstore.