(Lynnville, IN) – Representative Larry Bucshon (R-IN) will join over 40 Vietnam and Desert Storm Veterans and their families to honor Sarah Paul, a veteran counselor at the Veteran Center in Evansville, IN. Bucshon will present Paul with a plaque honoring her commitment to helping the brave men and women who have served in combat. During her time at the Vet Center, Paul has spent countless hours helping veterans and their families cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Who: Rep. Larry Bucshon

Sarah Paul

Vietnam and Desert Storm Veterans and their Families

What: Honor Veteran Counselor Sarah Paul of Evansville
When: Saturday, June 7, 2013 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT

Where: Lynnville Park – 405 W State Route 68 Lynnville, IN 47619

BACKGROUND:

Sarah Paul obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Evansville and a Masters certificate in gerontology. She is certified by the American Nurses Association as a psychiatric and mental health nurse. Prior to transferring to the Vet Center in 1993, Sarah worked in the Mental Health Clinic at the Evansville Outpatient Clinic for 5 ½ years, being awarded the Secretary’s Hands and Heart Award. Sarah is a qualified sexual trauma counselor and is the women veteran’s coordinator for the Vet Center.

Since joining the state legislature in 2010, I have worked to secure funding for the Boonville bypass project. Having grown up in Southern Indiana, started a business in Boonville and been engaged in the local community through various association leadership positions, I am glad to see this project coming to fruition.

Since the development of the Alcoa Warrick Operations plant along the Ohio River in the 1950s, the people of Boonville have contemplated the creation of a bypass; relief from the disruption of dirty, loud coal trucks driving through their historic downtown square. With the collaboration of the state legislature, Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, the generosity of Alcoa and the collaboration of the community, this vision has finally become a reality and bids for the $14 million project will begin in December of next year.

Once completed, this 4.2 mile bypass will divert coal trucks to the west of Boonville instead of requiring them to drive through the heart of the town. Having heard these trucks for years, I know first-hand the trouble they can cause, particularly to other businesses. Their presence rattles store-front windows, impedes traffic and creates a lingering layer of dust and dirt on historic buildings.

However, it is important to remember that this project has never been about Alcoa directly. Alcoa serves as Warrick County’s largest employer. They are greatly esteemed and appreciated throughout the community and have routinely partnered with communities, investing a total of more than $550 million.

In fact, Alcoa and their subsidiaries will be donating several parcels of land for this particular project. Residents love having this industry as a staple in their community, which plays a very big role in the identity of this region.

Coal mines are highly prevalent in the area and are a vital part of the economy not only in southwest Indiana but also throughout the country. Frankly, this area needs the coal industry. The creation of a bypass is by no means an attempt to malign this industry, but I think most of us can agree that it will be mutually beneficial when coal trucks do not have to drive through Boonville on a daily basis.

This project is just one example of the commitment Indiana has made to building, maintaining and improving infrastructure in our state. This past session, we successfully passed a balanced budget that kept spending in check, but also increased funding for our priorities like education, transportation infrastructure and public safety.

In looking at transportation funding, an additional $250 million will be provided per year for state and local roads and bridges. Forty-seven percent of these funds will be distributed to local units with no strings attached. In addition, we reserved $400 million in the Major Moves 2020 fund over the biennium for future transportation infrastructure needs. Towns across Indiana will reap the benefits of this significant investment for years to come.

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 seeing the progression of the Boonville Bypass and the positive impact it will have on the community.

A new youth basketball league is coming to Evansville. The Evansville Police Department’s “Choose not to Lose” program will be teaming up with members of the Greater St. James Church to bring the “Difference Makers Youth Baksetball League” to the church recreation center this summer.
This league will be “basketball with a purpose”. Members of the church and police department will be working together as basketball coaches. They will also be working together as “life coaches” for the players. There will be discussions on issues facing today’s youth before each game. The goal is to encourage positive choices and to provide positive role models to the players.
There will be a middle school and high school league. All incoming middle schoolers and high schoolers are able to sign up. The sign- ups will be at the Greater St. James Church at 484 S. Governor on the follwing dates: Tuesday June 11th, Thursday June 13th, Tuesday June 18th, and Thursday June 20th. There will be a “draft” after the sign-ups are complete. The fee to particiapte is $10 and the players receive a jersey.
More information can be obtained by calling Tom Pore from the church at 425-7771 or by contacting the EPD at 436-5744.

This week WNIN welcomes a new General Manager through our doors, Brad Kimmel! Brad will be taking over for David Dial who is retiring after 30 years of service to WNIN, as General Manager.

Winn will be hosting an Open House June 26th from 5-7pm. Viewers and supporters are invited to join staff in saying goodbye to David and welcoming Brad, to WNIN.

Under David’s leadership WNIN has accomplished several milestones including: becoming a NPR affiliate, purchasing the Carpenter Home as their new headquarters, converting to digital TV and upgrading FM transmissions to high definition.

David had this to say about his time at WNIN, “I want you to know that I am greatly honored to have been able to serve you for the past thirty years. WNIN has been my life’s work. I am grateful for the support you have given me in building this organization to the importance that WNIN represents to the citizens of this region today.”

Entering into WNIN with a variety of experience, Brad Kimmel has spent years in both the public and commercial media industries. A graduate of Murray State University, Kimmel has worked for variety of media outlets, including his own company Bradley David Production. His past accomplishments include President of Brad Kimmel Media, CEO of Garage Television, and senior Producer/Director of WEHT.

INDIANAPOLIS –

Higher prices at the pump likely stem from an unusually high number of disruptions in Midwest refinery operations, according to the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

To help protect consumers from being illegally gouged at the pump the Attorney General’s office closely monitors the price of gasoline sold at the retail level, compares the pump prices to the local and state averages, and reviews trading prices on the futures market and other statistical data.

“The recent spike in gasoline prices at the retail level in Indiana is due to a drop in the Midwest region’s oil supply, seven of the 16 Midwestern refineries have all recently experienced closures as a result of planned maintenance and unplanned technical issues. These disruptions have trickled down to the retail level and Hoosiers are feeling the pinch at the pump,” said Tom Bodin, chief economist in Attorney General’s office.

The seven refineries experiencing issues are within the top 10 largest Midwestern refineries including the top three by output volume. Many of the refinery issues experienced over the past several weeks are resolved or being resolved, but it will likely take time before consumers see lower prices again.

According to industry experts, the return of normal output from the majority of the Midwest’s largest refineries will increase supply back to the Midwestern market and will eventually lead to lower retail prices.

The Attorney General’s Office received 80 gas-price related complaints so far this month and just 15 complaints in all of May.

Uncharacteristically, Indiana has the 4th highest gasoline prices in the U.S. with an overnight average price of $4.12. That’s behind Hawaii ($4.36), Michigan ($4.23) and Illinois ($4.15). These prices are in stark contrast to the retail pricing seen throughout 2013.

From Jan. 1 to June 1, Indiana averaged $3.59 for regular grade gasoline. That’s $0.08 lower than the $3.67 average observed for the same period in 2012. Over the last seven days Indiana retail gasoline prices average $3.91, this a $0.31 increase over the $3.60 seen for the same period in 2012.

The Attorney General’s office has authority over retail price gouging and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has jurisdiction over wholesale price gouging. Illegal pricing activities can include agreements between retailers to fix prices, deceptive sales acts or excessive prices during a state of emergency.

Hoosiers who want to report suspected price gouging at retail stations can do so by calling the Attorney General’s Office hotline toll-free at 1-866-241-9753.

For more information about how the Attorney General’s Office tracks gas prices, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com and click on “Gasoline Prices” in the menu. Driving efficiency tips and a gas savings calculator are available on the website to help drivers determine the potential savings by increasing fuel efficiency.