Joshua Academy third grade will be having a Trashion Fashion Show in honor of Earth Day and for the school Science Fair. Students have made complete attire out of trash bags and recyclable products. Some of the fashions are upcycled – items repurposed. The show starts at 8:15 am on April 22 in the school auditorium: Joshua Academy 1230 Illinois Evansville Indiana.

Are you money smart? We all need to know how to spend it, save it, and borrow it wisely. Money Smart Week® is a series of free classes and activities designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances sponsored by the Federal Reserve. The following Money Smart Week classes and events will take place at Central Library:

* Money Smart Week Kickoff – Sunday, April 21 • 2:00-4:00 pm

Financial information booths from local businesses and organizations, activities for all ages, giveaways, refreshments.

* FICO Scores and Credit Reports – Monday, April 22 • 6:00 pm

Learn free and easy ways to locate your credit report and FICO score and how you can improve your numbers. Presented by Bob Boxell of Gates Financial Services.

* Saving Money for College – Monday, April 22 • 7:00 pm

Find out about ways to save money for college and avoid student loan debt. Presented by Bob Boxell of Gates Financial Services.

* Homebuyer Education – Wednesday, April 24 • 5:00 pm

Learn what you need to know when preparing to buy a new home. Presented by First Federal Savings Bank.

* Budgeting Basics – Thursday, April 25 • 5:30 pm

Learn how to review and track your spending and tools to use for successful budgeting. Presented by Andrea Collins of Apprisen.

Local Money Smart Week activities are sponsored by EVPL, Apprisen Financial Advocates (CCCS), Fifth Third Bank, Ivy Tech Community College, Old National Bank, OTPL Central Library, Tri-State Better Business Bureau, United Way of SW Indiana, and YMCA of Southwestern Indiana.

We now stand in the finals weeks of session here at the Statehouse, and there has been a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. Conference committees, a committee of legislators appointed by the House of Representatives and Senate to come to a conclusion of amendments on a particular bill, have begun to meet. After a level of agreement has been reached, representatives will take the version of the bill back to their respective legislative body, and present to the General Assembly to concur or dissent. With this new level of finality, you will begin to see a noticeable amount of legislation being signed by the governor and enacted into law.

Two notable bills that I have authored and sponsored have gone to conference committee. Senate Bill (SB) 554 and House Bill (HB) 1061 are two bills addressing local issues for us in Southwest Indiana. SB 554 addressing improved convenience in healthcare through telehealth and telemedicine services, while HB 1061 speaks to issues in my home district of Warrick County with the Warrick County circuit and superior courts.

As a healthcare professional, I believe that the topic of telehealth and telemed will revolutionize the way that medicine is practiced. Through enacting SB 554, authored by my fellow state legislator Sen. Veneta Becker (R-Evansville), Hoosier taxpayers would save millions of dollars each year under Medicaid.

Telehealth refers to patient monitoring that occurs in the home by a health care provider from a distance. The shortage of physicians and psychiatrists is a limiting factor on patients’ access to care, especially in rural areas like ours. Telehealth and telemedicine services allow physicians and psychiatrists to care for their patients without having those patients travel to receive them, or having physicians use precious time and money to visit the patients in their homes.

The bill will require the office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to reimburse home health agencies, rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers for doing medical consultations, diagnoses and monitoring using videoconferencing, telephones or computers.

There may be monitors that transmit blood pressure and other vital data in the home to the provider in a hospital. St. Francis Health has done this for a while and has noticed greater savings. Specifically for congestive heart failure, there is normally a 1 in 4 readmittance rate. With telehealth, there is a one in twenty readmittance rate.

Reducing the readmission rate means that patients are having healthier outcomes, and are being done with lower costs. SB554 would allow providers to receive reimbursement, which would decrease health care costs by reducing hospital readmission rates.

House Bill 1061 allows the judges of the Warrick County circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint a magistrate. According to the 2010 census, the Warrick County population has grown by almost 10,000 people in past ten years, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Indiana. The attractiveness of our region has spurred economic development and consequently, more work for county judges. County judges will hold magistrates accountable for their work, creating a higher level of efficiency within the judicial system.

Adding a new magistrate will also assist with the increased workload of the judges. This legislation will streamline the county’s court system and ease some of the burden that the county is currently facing by allowing for more reasonable hearing dates.

Throughout the 2013 legislative session my thoughts are with the communities of Indiana and how I can help improve the lives of Hoosier families. These bills address key issues within District 75, as well as across the state. As session begins to draw to a close I am proud of what has been accomplished and I look forward to working these next few weeks in committees to do what is best for Hoosiers.

As always, feel free to connect with me on my website at www.in.gov/h75 or by phone at 317-232-9674. I look forward to continuing to support legislation that positively impacts Hoosiers in our state.

Rep. Bacon represents House District 75, serving portions of Pike, Warrick and Spencer counties.

On Saturday, April 27, 2012 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the sixth nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to be disposed of for destruction. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. The only restriction is we will not accept new or used needles. This program is intended for liquid and pill medications.

The Drug Take Back events have proven to be a popular and safe method for the public to legally and safely dispose of prescription drugs that are no longer needed or have expired. Citizens wishing to participate in this program may drop off their prescription drugs for disposal at any Indiana State Police Post throughout the state (except the Toll Road) on Saturday, April 27, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

To locate a collection site closest to your home or business, visit https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/ntbi-pub.pub?_flowExecutionKey=_c9A72F226-1A39-29CF-5E86-1546A21F7C7C_k4FB902E6-E157-D32E-1F0A-17127551AD25

3 p.m. (CST) on Monday, April 22

Civic Center Complex, Room 301

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller will recognize local March Against Hunger food drive participants for their outstanding contributions.

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nicholas Hermann will also accept the Attorney General’s Cup for his office winning the nonprofit/public service division by donating 2,295 pounds of food and $5,000 to the Tri-State Food Bank.

Evansville’s bank is one of 11 regional food banks in Indiana that partner with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry or FIsH – an organization which helps link Indiana’s resources to feed those in need. For the fifth consecutive year, the Attorney General’s office has joined FIsH and the Indiana State Bar Association to challenge law firms to donate goods and raise money for these banks.

This year, 44 Indiana and Kentucky law groups competed and raised $55,455 and 10,065 pounds of food total for local food banks

Grammy Award-winning country vocal group Little Big Town blew into Evansville on Thursday night with their “Tornado Tour,” and even the city’s weather was anticipating their arrival. It may have been cold, dark and stormy outside the Victory Theatre, but inside the atmosphere was decidedly warm and light thanks to the group’s lively, upbeat show. Little Big Town and opening act David Nail were enthusiastically received by a sold-out crowd that was determined to have a great time no matter what the weather.

“We were excited for Little Big Town to play at the Victory,” said General Manager Ben Bolander. “The atmosphere in this smaller setting lets fans feel close to the group, and the acoustics in the theatre really showcase their four-part harmonies. It was good to see them welcomed by a packed house.”

The Victory Theatre continues to be active with upcoming shows that include Here Come the Mummies April 19, SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody May 22, B.B. King June 5, Jagged Edge June 15, and Gregg Allman June 25. The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra will also present performances on April 27, and May 18 & 19.

The Victory Theatre is managed by VenuWorks of Evansville, LLC.

For event information or to purchase tickets, please call (812) 422-1515, or visit
www.facebook.com/VictoryTheatre www.twitter.com/Victory_Theatre