| ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TO ACQUIRE MEMPHIS REDBIRDS | ||
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| ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TO ACQUIRE MEMPHIS REDBIRDS | ||
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New Harmony was awarded over $500,000 to help build storm water infrastructure improvements through a CFF grant. The project in New Harmony consists of 3,820 linear feet of storm sewers, inlets and headwall structures. Â The town is extremely flat making the surrounding hillsides steeply sloped causing runoff in rain events. Â This project will eliminate flooding on streets, yards and basements that the residents and town have experienced for many years.
The grants are administered through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs which will assist community leaders during the 18-month implementation process. I will be recognizing the town of New Harmony for this achievement at their next town hall meeting on November 21. The meeting is at 5pm, and I encourage the public to attend.
The Secured School Safety Grant Program provides grants to school corporations and charter schools to improve safety measures, such as employing a school resource officer (SRO), conduct a threat assessment or purchase equipment to restrict access to the school or expedite the notification of first responders. Schools with an average daily membership of at least 1,000 students applied for grants up to $50,000 per year. Â Schools with less than 1,000 students daily could apply for up to $35,000 per year.
I’m proud to say that the Metropolitan School District of Mt. Vernon received the full $50,000 grant, and the Metropolitan School District of North Posey received a $20,000 grant. Mt. Vernon school district plans to use the money it has received to improve school security equipment, while North Posey County school district plans to improve school security equipment and employ a school resource officer.
In the past month, our district has received over $600,000 to go towards improving our schools and towns. I would like to congratulate those who applied for these grants as I am excited to see the positive impact the money will have on our community and schools.

AG’s office offers top 5 tips to protect your donation, avoid scams
INDIANAPOLIS – Many legitimate charitable groups are springing into action after the recent typhoon struck the Philippines, but Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said so are scammers.
“Hoosiers have always reached out to help those in need and this provides an opportunity for those who will once again try to turn consumers’ good will into a profit,†Zoeller said. “During times of tragedy, it is even more important to be smart and make sure your donations are supporting legitimate relief efforts.â€
Zoeller encouraged the public to verify relief organizations are reputable before donating to avoid being ripped off. The Attorney General’s office offers five tips for consumers to consider before making a donation:
For more information on avoiding charitable scams or to file a consumer complaint visitwww.IndianaConsumer.com.
Staff report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana first lady Karen Pence will speak Friday at a conference in Carmel meant to help build “Godly leaders†to improve the nation.
Karen Pence joins her husband, now-Gov. Mike Pence, just before the 2012 election he won. Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, TheStatehouseFile.com
The event – presented by Indiana-based faith groups Truth@Work and EDGE Mentoring – takes place at Northview Christian Church.
Pence, the wife of Republican Gov. Mike Pence, will talk about “mentoring the next generation of young leaders,†said Ray Hilbert, the chief executive officer of Truth@Work, which serves as a resource for Christian business owners.
“We have many challenges in front of us and the core of our problem lies in this: It’s time for the church of Jesus Christ to rise up and produce the kind of Godly leaders that our country so desperately needs,†Hilbert said in a video promoting the conference. “That’s what this conference is all about.â€
The event will also feature a number of business leaders, authors Patrick Lencioni and Francis Chan, Indy race car driver Ed Carpenter, college basketball and Pacers analyst Clark Kellogg, and Jackie Griffin, mother of National Football League quarterback Robert Griffin III.
It costs $39 for the first 1,000 people who sign up and $49 for all those after.
Appointed as conferee on the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)
(Washington, D.C.) – On Thursday, Congressman Larry Bucshon was appointed as a conferee on the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) by Speaker of the House John Boehner and Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Bill Shuster.
 “I am honored to be selected, for the second time in my Congressional tenure, as a conferee on legislation that is important to Indiana,â€Â said Bucshon. “The 8th district is home to the Mt. Vernon Port, which is one of the largest inland ports in the Nation and I look forward to bringing the perspective of all of our state’s ports and waterways to the table as we craft this critical legislation. I am ready to get to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and from both chambers of Congress and help improve our nation’s water infrastructure and economy.â€
WRRDA passed the House on October 23, 2013 by a vote of 417 to 3 and provides reforms to our nation’s water transportation system that are critical for Indiana’s ports and waterways.
 “Dr. Bucshon has been a tremendous advocate for Indiana’s waterways and ports,â€Â said Rich Cooper, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “The water resource legislation includes a number of important policy initiatives crucial to Indiana’s Ohio River and Lake Michigan ports.  These include reconstruction of federal navigation locks, maintenance of deep draft harbors, and preservation of commerce through the Chicago Area Waterway System. As a member of the House-Senate conference committee, Dr. Bucshon will have a seat at the table for crafting this final version of the legislation and is well positioned to protect Indiana’s interests.â€
As a House conferee, Bucshon will work to develop a final version of the WRRDA bill with his Senate colleagues.
“Dr. Bucshon has been a valuable member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,â€Â said Rep. Bill Shuster, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “I am pleased that he will continue his contribution as a conferee on WRRDA. Dr. Bucshon will play an integral role in working with our Senate colleagues to ensure our country has an efficient and effective water transportation system.â€
Last year, Bucshon was selected as a conferee on the Surface Highway Transportation Bill Reauthorization during the 112th Congress.
Today, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) along with community leaders announced that nearly 21 miles of the existing I-164 in Vanderburgh and Warrick counties will be renamed I-69 during the fall of 2014.
A news release from INDOT states that “The conversion will require approximately 70 large, green interstate signs at or near exits and the smaller, blue signs posted at bridges and every two tenths of a mile. When the new 67 miles of I-69 opened between Interstate 64 and Crane a year ago, the existing I-164 mile markers and exit numbers were continue northward and will not be affected.”
The new I-69 connecting Evansville and Indianapolis is key to future economic growth of southwest Indiana, giving our community better access to jobs, education and health care along with a faster, safer commute for those who frequently travel to Indianapolis. Sixty-seven new miles opened for business in November 2012, under budget and ahead of schedule.
To learn more about the I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis project, visit www.i69indyevn.org.

Evansville Police are investigating a possible abduction attempt that happened in the area of Maryland and Lafayette around 2:30 this afternoon.
The 13 year old who reported the incident told officers she was walking in the area and was approached by a man driving a white Chevy Truck. She did not know the man and did not recognize him.
The man began talking to her as she continued walking. When she did not stop to talk to him, she said the man got out of the truck and came towards her. She told investigators that she started running and he chased her for a short distance. He then ran back to his truck and left.
She described the truck as a white 2000’s model S-10, possible with an extended cab. The left rear tail light was broken out.
The man was described as a black male, mid 30’s, around 5″09 and 155lbs. He has corn rows in his hair and had a mustache with some gray in it.
Anyone with information on the man is asked to call EPD at 436-7979
  Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, November 14, 2013
Dearion Cabell               Possession of Altered Handgun-Class C Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
Carrying a Handgun without a License-Class A Misdemeanor
Maleek Davis                Possession of Cocaine-Class C Felony
Felon Carrying a Handgun-Class C Felony
Possession of a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike Substance-Class A
Misdemeanor
Antonio Hanger            Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator-Class D Felony
Marshall Hilton              Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance-Class B Felony
Dealing in Marijuana-Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance-Class D Felony
Luther Lawton Jr           Possession of Cocaine-Class C Felony
Felon Carrying a Handgun-Class C Felony
Bryant Lockhart             Receiving Stolen Property-Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class A MisdemeanorÂ
James Payne                   Invasion of Privacy-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Myron Ricketson           Theft-Class D Felony
Megan Roberts               Theft-Class D Felony
James Schmitt                Burglary-Class C Felonies (Two Counts)
Theft-Class D Felony
Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanors (Two Counts)
Robert Storbeck            Theft-Class D Felony
Nathaniel Torres            Burglary-Class C Felonies (Two Counts)
Theft-Class D Felony
Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanors (Two Counts
Joseph Vasquez            Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Allisia Cline                    Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convcitions)
Blair Ellis                         Residential Entry-Class D Felony
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class A Misdemeanor
Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor
Austin French                 Escape-Class C Felony
Receiving Stolen Property-Class D Felony
Steven Gagne                 Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felonies (Three Counts)
Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Alex Harvey                    Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictios)
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Timothy Haynes             Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felonies (Three Counts)
Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Kelley Jourdan              Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
Linda Mills                      Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Robert Parker                 Burglary-Class C Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Adam Pfau                      Strangulation-Class D Felony
Domestic Battery-Class A Misdemanor
Jermaine Marshall       Criminal Mischief-Class D Felony
Jeffery Schroeder        Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Elgis Streeter                 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person with a Passenger
Less than 18 Years of Age-Class D Felony
Driving While Suspended-Class A Infraction
Tiffani Talbert                Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
Driving While Suspended-Class A Infraction
Michael Yankavitch      Possession of Marijuana-Class D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance-Class D Felony
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 the City of Evansville is now in possession of the letter from RGL Forensics that covers the topic of accounting activities during the Ford Center project?…the good news is that no willful fraud has been identified by RGL and no one will be facing charges?…the bad news is that this “Initial Observation” by RGL has identified some sloppiness in the accounting processes that looks more like an accountants version of an Evansville City Park than a report about a tightly run ship?… the study stated that “David Garrett’s lead sheets do raise questions as to the accuracy of the information reported in the accounts and we cannot discount the possibility that accounting irregularities may have occurred?â€â€¦the study also brought up the fact that a Kansas City company was overpaid by $350,000 and that no one seems to know whether or not that money has been returned to the City of Evansville?…while there was nothing illegal identified in the audit the fingerprints of SNEGAL (sneaky but legal) were all over the Ford Center project in the form of contractors who made political contributions to politicians who were in the approval cycle of the project?…like it or not when a politician is part of making a project happen and then is the recipient of donations from contractors, suppliers and consultants who materially benefitted from that project of public dollars has occurred and the judgment process of such politicians has been compromised?…this pass through of public dollars into the campaign coffers of politicians SHOULD BE ILLEGAL AND HAS COSTS THE TAXPAYERS OF EVANSVILLE PLENTY?
IS IT TRUE it has now been approximately 2,000 days since a smiling former Mayor announced to the people of Evansville that he had made a deal to get the McCurdy Hotel refurbished into 90 luxury apartments?…despite this premature announcement of a half baked project after 2,000 days the McCurdy looks like the Wreck of the Hesperus with broken windows and graffiti dominating its former imposing but now rotting shell?…many of our readers are beginning to believe that the McCurdy Hotel is destined for the wrecking ball because of neglect?
IS IT TRUE it has also been nearly 2,000 days since that same former Mayor and his Director of Metropolitan Development Tom Barnett announced a deal with Historical Landmark Indiana to refurbish the old Greyhound Bus Station?  …because of Historical Landmark Indiana failure to follow its commitment  the Greyhound Bus Station it now considered to be schedule to a future  wreaking ball project.  …the results are similarly abysmal to those of the McCurdy as the old Greyhound Station is deteriorating and some days even sending forth foul odors that are reminiscent of a stroll through Bee Slough after a big rain?…it is in Evansville as it is in Washington true that government has lost its ability to do anything but push meaningless papers around and claim future victories to distract voters from the malaise of the present?
IS IT TRUE we now wait word from our new Mayor, Department of Codes Enforcement part of the Evansville Building Commission, Evansville Historic Preservation officer and the officials of  Historical Landmark Indiana what they are planning to do with the McCurdy and the Greyhound Bus Station?
IS IT TRUE yesterday President Obama relented to pressure from former President Clinton, the 15 Democrat Senators who gave him a Friday ultimatum, and the American public that has driven his job approval rating into the 30’s and changed one of the bedrock requirements of the new health-care law by yet another executive order?…the President took this action to fulfill his promise to allow people to keep their insurance plans if they want?…this sane act in no way changes the fact that the President stood in front of the American people and told a bold faced lie more than 30 times during the last 4 years?…insurance companies, lawyers, and pundits immediately pounced on this announcement as not passing constitutional muster and hanging new buyers of health care out to dry by essentially pooling the old, sick, and previously uninsured into what will certainly be one of the most risky insurance pools ever created?…while the President’s move was aimed at solving a problem that was threatening the president’s credibility and public faith in the law, it raised a slew of new questions, including whether insurers would adjust, whether millions of customers would pay higher premiums and whether states would make the fix available?…the only thing that is certain about this portion of America’s health insurance markets is that for those who have been cancelled due to ObamaCare that CHAOS is the result of a government that had the hubris not to read the bill, to blatantly lie, and to carve the bill up by executive order at the will of the Chief Executive who is not supposed to make laws?…if this does not teach the voting public a lesson on voting in experienced people then more CHAOS will follow until the good old USA goes the way of the Roman Empire?
IS IT TRUE that the Wall Street Journal reports that 2014 has already set a record for native born Americans renouncing their citizenship?…during the first 9 months of 2013, 2,369 Americans moved to other countries and renounced their citizenship?…the previous high happened in 2011?…the reason stated by many of these former citizens are the economic policies of the Obama Administration?