Zach Stuard
CCO Staff Writer

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann attended Ball State University and earned an undergraduate degree in organic chemistry. While an Honor’s College Fellow, he began researching anti-cancer and anti-tumor medications. Later, he accepted an internship with Eli Lilly and Company working to improve the production process of their cancer fighting pharmaceuticals. While employeed with Eli Lilly, Hermann noticed a disconnect between the scientist and patent attorneys. It was there that he decided that he wanted to streamline the interaction between the scientists, doctors, and patent attorneys. Because of this, Hermann decided to enroll in Indiana University’s School of Law with the intention of becoming a patent attorney.
While attending IU, Hermann interned both with the Marion County Public Defender’s Office and later with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. He enjoyed being in courtroom advocating first for clients and later for the state. His second week working for the prosecutor’s office was an eventful one.
It was his first opportunity to try a case in front of a jury. “My boss at the time asked me if I had ever tried a robbery case, I said that I hadn’t and he responding by saying, ‘Well you have 15 minutes to prepare’. He handed me the case file in the elevator of the courthouse and that was it.”
It was then that Hermann realized he had a passion to help people and in that moment he decided to pursue a career in prosecution. Hermann was drawn to prosecution because when he goes to court he has the opportunity, and responsibility of doing what he thinks is right. “Because we as prosecutors represent the community and not an individual client, we aren’t stuck advocating for a certain position. We do what we feel is in the best interest of our community, whether that is to seek jail time or to send a defendant to treatment or probation.”
This does not, however, come without challenge. In any case the prosecution has the burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Hermann says that the most difficult part of his job is to sit down with families of victims and tell them that an alleged offender cannot be prosecuted without additional evidence. Criminal cases impose a hefty burden on victims and their families. The state has a Victim’s Assistance Program that assists victims and their families but certain problems continue to exist. Hermann spoke of one of the more encompassing of these problems, “One of the biggest problems facing victims is that the entire criminal justice system revolves around the defendant while these victims feel as though they do not have these same rights. These criminals have a choice whereas their victims do not.”
Another major struggle of the Prosecutor’s Office is keeping up with the ever increasing caseload. Everything criminal happening within Vanderburgh County runs through Mr. Hermann’s office and at times this can seem overwhelming. To offset this problem Mr. Hermann and his associates have found ways to operate the office more efficiently and have made efforts to stop the “revolving door” of the criminal justice system. They have two approaches. First they work very closely with problem solving courts, mentoring groups, and other agencies to help people overcome their drug addictions, find appropriate role models, and lead productive lives. On the other end of the spectrum, they have drastically increased filings against habitual offenders in an effort to get career criminals off of the street.
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s office also works closely with the police providing classes and training sessions to keep them up to date. The two departments have very similar interests and it is because of these they have such a symbiotic relationship. The two have worked especially hard recently in fighting the amount of meth labs that are in houses all around town endangering innocent people and worse, children. Prosecutor Hermann has worked hard to educate the public about the dangers involved with drug use and domestic violence and whom to contact with regards to any suspicious activity. He can be seen playing host on many informative PSA style messages airing on local cable networks here in town. Anyone noticing anything out of the ordinary should call 911 and make a report.
Hermann also has a very soft spot for children, especially those with troubling pasts. Hermann believes that the interactions with these kids only make a difference if it is hands on. “Attending an event and sitting at a table is just is not going to cut it. These children need positive, hands on influences on a daily basis in order to grow.” Hermann worked closely with several local organization to ensure that children have positive interactions with law enforcement and positive role models. Hermann has also starting attending schools and speaking out against meth and gang related violence. It is nice to have the reassurance that someone like Nick Hermann is devoted to taking the proper steps to cure our county of many of the problems that affect the lives of our future generations and work to create a brighter future for the city we call home.

The Evansville Police Department will host its’ first Crime Free Multi-Housing Phase 1 training for rental property owners, property managers, and maintenance workers on Aril 23rd, 2013. The training is voluntary and free to attend. The training will be held at the Vectren Building at 211 NW Riverside Dr. from 8:00am-4:00pm. Lunch will be provided. You must pre-register to attend.
The benefits of this training for owners and managers include higher demand for units, increased occupancy rates, attracting better quality tenants, reduced maintenance and repair cost, and increased property value.
The benefits to the community include a safer environment, interested and involved management, increased knowledge about safety and security techniques, and a heightened sense of community.
The benefits to Law Enforcement include reduced calls for service, successful long-term problem solving, and enhanced patrol services by freeing up officers time for extra patrols and community policing.
To enroll in the training contact the EPD Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinators at 812-435-6135 and ask for Officer Eric Krogman or Officer Kevin Corbin.

Finding school records: Locating, Accessing and Acquiring

When: Tuesday 12 March 2013 6:30 PM
Where: Willard Library – Bayard Room on the Second Floor
What: Monthly Meeting
A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at the close of the meeting… you must be present to win.
The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by our program:
TSGS has announced that the program will feature Rena Glover Goss. She has degrees in Music Education from Muskingum University (Ohio) and Indiana University. She taught music for 27 years, 17 of those in Evansville and researched ancestors for over 50 years. Rena has written for musical and genealogical journals. She has lived in Evansville since 1975. She is a member of TSGS and the Association of Professional Genealogists. The title of her program is: Finding school records: Locating, Accessing and Acquiring. Many of us have School Spirit and would like to know more about our school and our classmates. We also wonder about our ancestors, what they did and what they accomplished in school. This promises to be a program that you do not want to miss.
You do not have to be a member to come and participate at the society’s monthly meetings (except, no meetings in July and August).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This time of the year, weather conditions may cause the society to cancel meetings… the decision to cancel usually is determined the day of the meeting, providing short notice. Since a bad weather system may develop later in the day (or that night), check our blog (http://tsgsblog.blogspot.com/) for cancellation notice or call Willard Library (812-425-4309).
Don Counts,
TSGS President

Live Event

Sat Mar 16, 2013
6PM – 9PM CDT

Casino Aztar Conference Center

421 NW Riverside Dr, Evansville, IN 47708

We are very excited to unveil the amazing transformation of our annual SWIRCA & More Auction! For the first time in our Auction’s history we are inviting the public to enjoy the Auction Experience with us.

In previous years, only those who attended the live event were able to bid on our vast array of fantastic items. This year, we are making those same Silent Auction items available here on Bidding For Good. Now you can join the fun beginning March 9, 2013. Online bidding will open at 8:00am. All bidding will close at 9:00pm on March 16th.

Know that every dollar raised from the Auction go towards providing services to the six counties of Southwestern Indiana, all aimed at helping those who are aged and/or disabled maintain their independence.

Thank you for your support and may the best bidder win!

04/28/2012

Location: Evansville Airport Holiday Inn, Hwy 41 North

Contact: Sydney Long, (812) 426-2563 ext.211
s.long@vhslifesaver.org

The 17th annual Going…Going…Gone to the Dogs! Benefit Dinner & Auction will be Saturday, April 28th. This is the largest fundraiser for the VHS! Each year, hundreds of items are auctioned off to support the homeless animals of this community.

Tickets for this event will be sold at 2 different levels, and corporate tables will also be available. The auction will feature a preview cocktail party, dinner, and both silent and live auctions.

Date Mar 05, 2013 Mar 2013

Time 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location Deaconess Hospital, Resource Center
Contact 812/450-6000 if questions
Cost/Fee see below
Description Screenings are offered every Tuesday, 7:30am to 10:30am. No appointment is necessary. Note- 4th Tuesday of each month is at Deaconess Gateway Hospital

Blood Sugar: $6, 2 hour fast required, water allowed.

HDL & Total Cholesterol: $17, no fasting required.

Lipid Profile (includes Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL & Triglycerides): $27, 12-14 hour fast, water allowed.

BMI/Body Fat Analysis: $6, no fasting required.

Blood Pressure Screenings available, free of charge, anytime during Resource Center Hours, M-F, 8am-4pm

Arthur Brown, professor of English at the University of Evansville, has published a new book of poems, Duration and the Second Hand, from David Robert Books.

Reviewer Kim Bridgford writes: “Arthur Brown’s book Duration and the Second Hand focuses on the moments outside regular time, and how, in memory, they take on the beauty and singularity of art. Reminiscent of Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse seeing Mrs. Ramsay as ‘a triangular purple shape,’ Brown looks at a range of scenes through line, shape, and color — beach scenes, father and son moments — and, in doing so, makes us see the world with some aesthetic distance and clarity. No one can make a sonnet sound quite the way Arthur Brown can, with a liquid elegance over the form. His long sentences dazzle.”

Brown’s first book of poems, The Mackerel at St. Ives, was published by David Robert Books in 2008. He has published poems in AGNI, American Arts Quarterly, American Literary Review, The Carolina Quarterly, Dogwood, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Malahat Review, The Raintown Review, Poetry, Southwest Review, and other journals.

Brown’s poems have won the Morton Marr Poetry Prize, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival Anne Dittrick Sonnet-Writing Contest, and the American Literary Review Poetry Prize. His one-act play “Augustina” was selected by Horton Foote as the winner of the Arts & Letters Drama Prize. He has published literary essays on Poe, Henry James, Faulkner, and Shakespeare.

Duration and the Second Hand is available for online order from Barnes & Noble or Powell’s Books. Signed copies are available in the University of Evansville Bookstore.