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Casino Aztar is Your Award Winning Destination!

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Casino Aztar is Your Award Winning Destination!

The votes are in, the ballots have been counted, and guests have chosen Casino Aztar as an award winning destination!

Southern Gaming and Destinations Magazine readers awarded Casino Aztar with three 2012 “Best Of” Awards: Second Place for Best Night Life and Third Place for both Best Casino Floor and Best Poker Room.

More than 160,000 total votes were cast in the Evansville Courier & Press 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards and Casino Aztar was presented with four awards! Blush Ultralounge received a Gold Award for Best Place for a Martini and Cavanaugh’s received a Gold Award for Best Place for a Steak. Hoosiers Lounge was selected as the Platinum Award winner for Best Place to Hear Live Music and Le Merigot was selected as the Platinum Award winner for Best Local Hotel.

Casino Player Magazine readers awarded Casino Aztar with 14 “Best of Gaming” Awards! Hoosier’s Lounge received Second Place for Best Bar/Lounge and Cavanaugh’s received Second Place for Best Seafood. In addition, Casino Aztar received 12 Third Place Awards: Best Casino, Best Rooms, Best Suites, Casino Where You Feel Luckiest, Best Reel Slots, Best Video Slots, Best Video Poker, Best Roulette, Best Live Poker, Blush – Best Nightclub, Cavanaugh’s – Best Steakhouse, and Temptations – Best Buffet.

BEST DEALS AND COUPONS

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Best Deals and Coupons

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Bosse District Schools Collect Toys, Money for Shriner’s Patients

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Bosse District Schools Collect Toys, Money for Shriner’s Patients

Thanks to the Shriner’s, thousands of children receive care every year from a network of hospitals throughout the United States. One of those hospitals – Shriner’s Hospital for Children – St. Louis – focuses on orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases in children from birth to age 16. To help make those children’s stays a little more comfortable, six Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation schools have come together to collect toys that will be donated to the hospital.

All six schools in the Bosse High School district have joined forces as a commUNITY to support the Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis. Each school – Bosse High School, Washing Middle School, Lodge Community School, Glenwood Leadership Academy, and Dexter and Harper elementary schools – are collecting new toys that will be donated to children from birth to 16 years of age who are receiving medical treatment at Shriner’s.

On Friday, September 14, the schools will “join hands” and celebrate with local Shriner’s at a Carnival that will take place at Bosse High School’s practice field located just outside Enlow Field at 5 p.m. The carnival will take place immediately before Bosse’s Homecoming Football game against Memorial beginning at 7 p.m. The carnival, which is free and open to the public, will include Shriner’s clowns, pony rides, games, cotton candy, snow cones and more. At halftime, the Bosse district schools will come together and present the donated toys to local Shriner’s.

Individuals wishing to donate new toys can drop them off at any Bosse High School district school (Bosse, Glenwood, Lodge, Washington, Dexter, or Harper) or bring them to the game on Sept. 14. Monetary donations also are being accepted and can be dropped off, mailed to any Bosse High School district school, or brought to the game.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

This feature is sponsored by Chris Walsh For Vanderburgh County Clerk. Chris Walsh is a veteran county administrator that strongly supports our local law enforcement professionals . Chris Walsh is a candidate that possess a non-partisan attitude with a consumer friendly demeanor. Chris also stands against unification of city and county governments.

This ad paid for by the committiee to elect Walsh Clerk.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

Evansville, IN – Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, September 06, 2012.

Simon Barnes Operating a Vehicle as an Habitual Traffic Violator – Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana -Class A Misdemeanor

Lazaro Correa Possession of Cocaine – Class D Felony
Causing Serious Bodily Injury When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class
D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor

William Frederick Dealing in a Narcotic Drug – Class B Felony
Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance – Class C Felony
Dealing in Marijuana – Class D Felony; Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A
Misdemeanor

Andrew Houchin Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman – Class C Felony

Darrin Powell Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Class A
Misdemeanor

Joseph Vanderveer Operating a Vehicle as an Habitual Traffic Violator – Class D Felony

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Carly Settles at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at csettles@vanderburghgov.org.

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
SENTENCE CHART

Class Range
Murder 45-65 Years
Class A Felony 20-50 Years
Class B Felony 6-20 Years
Class C Felony 2-8 Years
Class D Felony ½ – 3 Years
Class A Misdemeanor 0-1 Year
Class B Misdemeanor 0-180 Days
Class C Misdemeanor 0-60 Days

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

This feature is sponsored by Chris Walsh For Vanderburgh County Clerk. Chris Walsh is a veteran county administrator that strongly supports our local law enforcement professionals . Chris Walsh is a candidate that possess a non-partisan attitude with a consumer friendly demeanor. Chris also stands against unification of city and county governments.

This ad paid for by the committiee to elect Walsh Clerk.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

Evansville, IN – Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, September 05, 2012.

Jeffrey Bryant Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Driving While Suspended – Class A Misdemeanor

Timothy Cantu Neglect of a Dependent –Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana –Class A Misdemeanor
Public Intoxication – Class B Misdemeanor

Christopher Flax Unlawful Possession or use of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon –Class B
Felony
Dealing in Marijuana – Class C Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony (Four Counts)

Zettie Fox Dealing in Cocaine – Class A Felony
Possession of Cocaine – Class B Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor

Lawrence Hester Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life – Class C Felony

Chevette Hillard Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person with a Passenger
Less Than 18 Years of Age – Class D Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated –Class C Misdemeanor
False Informing –Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License – Class C Misdemeanor
Bryan Houston Theft – Class D Felony

Michael Kneice Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony
Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug – Class D Felony
Visiting a Common Nuisance – Class B Misdemeanor

Michael Orr Possession of Marijuana –Class D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Class D Felony

Michael Payne Residential Entry – Class D Felony
Battery – Class B Misdemeanor

Nicholas Phillips Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor

Elizabeth Schuler Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person with a Passenger
Less Than 18 Years of Age – Class D Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class A Misdemeanor

Graham Sheldon Theft – Class D Felony
Driving While License Suspended – Class A Misdemeanor
Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility – Class A Misdemeanor

Curtis Shore Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury – Class C Felony

Miley Smith Intimidation – Class D Felony

Charles Staton Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug – Class D Felony

James Underwood Residential Entry –Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury –Class A Misdemeanor (Two Counts)

Triston Whitlock Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Driving While Suspended – Class A Misdemeanor

Evan Wietecha Dealing in Marijuana – Class C Felony

Mark Wills Possession of Paraphernalia –Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Public Intoxication – Class B Misdemeanor

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Carly Settles at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at csettles@vanderburghgov.org.

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
SENTENCE CHART

Class Range
Murder 45-65 Years
Class A Felony 20-50 Years
Class B Felony 6-20 Years
Class C Felony 2-8 Years
Class D Felony ½ – 3 Years
Class A Misdemeanor 0-1 Year
Class B Misdemeanor 0-180 Days
Class C Misdemeanor 0-60 Days

IS IT TRUE Part 2 September 7, 2012

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IS IT TRUE Part 2 September 7, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the CCO was given two post cards that were recently mailed out to thousands of Vanderburgh County voters?…that these post cards were funded by the ‘YES-UNIFICATION” committee for Vanderburgh County? …that these post cards were mailed from Indianapolis supporting both the printing industry and the US Post Office from Indianapolis and not EVANSVILLE or VANDERBURGH COUNTY as they should have been?…one post card had past and present elected Democratic officials and the other post card had past and present elected Republican officials pictures printed on it?…that the real political bombshell is that neither post card had the “Union Bug” logo printed on it?…that this is the first image of former Mayor Weinzapfel. Sheriff Eric Williams, and former City Councilman Curt John outside of high school yearbooks that some people have ever seen that did not have the “Union Bug” on it?…we wonder if these Democrats all of whom supported Republican Lloyd Winnecke for Mayor may be changing their party affiliation to Republican and abandoning local labor unions?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing strong rumors within the Mole Nation that if “UNIFICATION” passes then all contracts signed by the city and county with area unions could be declared null and void? …we hope someone with the knowledge and authority would come forward and clear up this rumor once and for all?…the unions the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County need to get their legal eagles on this situation?…that as of late, the City of Evansville has been fumbling its legal contracts and in particular the one with Earthcare Energy that is much more loosey goosey than is comfortable>

IS IT TRUE that speaking of Earthcare Energy the City County Observer has verified that just like clockwork a check for the interest on the $200,000 loan made to Earthcare without so much as notifying the Evansville City Council in the amount of $380.37 arrived right on time just like the other interest payments have since the City of Evansville aborted the deal?…that makes 6 months of making payments on time by Earthcare Energy to the City of Evansville?…this whole Earthcare Energy situation may be off of everyone’s radar right now but this time bomb will be back?…that the last press release posted to the Earthcare Energy website was on April 16, 2012?

IS IT TRUE almost 400,000 people dropped out of the labor force, just gave up” looking for work in August?… for each one-tenth of one percent improvement in the unemployment rate, 184,000 Americans had to become quitters?…quitting could mean going on disability, going into the grey market (read: getting paid cash for odd jobs), doing something illicit, or begging?…whatever they’re doing instead of working or looking for legitimate jobs, 368,000 Americans gave up on participating in the economy in August alone?…we wonder what would it take to make someone just give up entirely?…that’s what hundreds of thousands of your fellow Americans went through last month?…if you think about it if anyone tries to tell you a drop in the headline rate is anything but more evidence of an ongoing national disgrace?

City Councilman O’Daniel Speaks Out for Human Relations Commission

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By: Conor O’Daniel
September 6, 2012

Over the past month, some in our community have expressed their displeasure with our funding of the Human Relations Commission. At first, I thought this was a fringe group of citizens who wanted to be heard, but that over time those voices would fade. Those voices brought out several to our meetings to support the HRC and its Executive Director Diane Clements. On August 7th, at the joint council budget hearings, Mrs. Clements explained to the public, and both the city and county council, what the HRC does and what its continued financial needs are. The majority of the city council listened and offered continued support for their mission. The two county council members who remained did the same. Now, one month later new grumblings have surfaced from the County Commissioners, namely Marsha Abell. She has proposed a 20% cut in the county’s portion of the budget.

I can no longer sit back and watch this continue.

The Human Relations Commission is needed today like never before. They provide education to the ignorant. They provide a voice to the voiceless. They provide hope to the aggrieved and empower those who have suffered at the hands of discrimination. Many of those who have come before us have fought for our freedoms and I mean all of our freedoms. They have unlocked the doors of success and have walked through. Along the way, and in the words of First Lady Obama, those trailblazers have offered a helping hand so others could walk through those same doors of opportunity. Now, we see some want to shut the door to prevent success and opportunity and deprive many of us who look different, believe different and love different from the same freedoms they possess. If the county does not believe in protecting all of citizens from the evils of discrimination and fully funding their portion of the HRC budget, then I call on the Mayor to increase the amount of funding in the budget from the City of Evansville to ensure the HRC will be whole in 2013 and in future years.

Currently, there exist interlocal agreements on funding a number of departments that serve city and county interests. Those agreements provide an arbitrary percent of contribution from the city and the county. As to the HRC, the city contributes 87% and the county only 13%. The proposed budget by Commissioner Abell would reduce the contribution to approximately 10% of the HRC budget which is in violation of the interlocal agreement. Since it appears the county executive branch does not believe they are bound to agreement, I believe it is time to readdress these agreements and change the allocation of responsibility in a number of departments. After considering state statutes and comments of trusted colleagues, I propose immediate action in three departments: HRC, EMA and Weights and Measures.

I call on the Mayor and Council to fully fund the HRC at 100% of the approved budget. This will prevent rogue commissioners from defunding or putting a squeeze on this necessary department. As to Emergency Management and Weights and Measures, I must commend the work that the current directors and staff perform each and every day. They are a vital asset to our community as a whole which is why the Indiana legislature mandates in counties of our size that the county maintain these departments. See I.C. 24-6-3-3, I.C. 10-14-3-17(b). Since, the State of Indiana charges the county with this obligation; I cannot fathom why the city is also contributing to their budget. City folks pay county taxes too. As such, the current interlocal agreement provides an equal split in the budget to fund the EMA and a 45%/55% split on Weights and Measures. I propose opting out of the interlocal agreement with respect to these two departments because they are county responsibility. The city would not pay half of the $404,444 EMA budget or 45% of the $368,847 Weights and Measures budget. After adding back in the amount to fully fund HRC, the taxpayers of Evansville would save over $318,000 which could be used to upgrade public safety equipment, upgrade our parks department and even help sustain a rainy day fund. If you don’t believe this can be done, I encourage you to look to the City of Kokomo, whose Mayor just did exactly this with respect to EMA and Weights and Measures in his 2013 budget much to the dismay of the county officials.

Let us be bold. Let us take a stand. Let us change the way. Let us lead.

Conor O’Daniel
City Council At-Large

IS IT TRUE September 7, 2012

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IS IT TRUE September 7, 2012

IS IT TRUE the bids to demolish Roberts Stadium are all in now and that in addition to learning that the lowest base bid is $958,750 when both the Weinzapfel Administration and the Winnecke Administration had budgeted $200,000 for this with a straight face?…the range of the other four bids were from $1.1 Million to $2.7 Million?…one of the lame excuses to explain away this increase in price is that the City held an auction of the stuff in the stadium that sold for a whopping $236,000 less the auctioneers fees?…whoever made that decision should have to cough up the balance of nearly $500,000 for gross incompetence?…that now the Mayor’s office and the minions are all saying that they are not surprised that the estimates are 400% higher than they had budgeted for?…this is as ridiculous as pulling into a drive up window at McDonalds and expressing no surprise if a hamburger is $25?

IS IT TRUE it is becoming painfully obvious that this administration has absolutely no comprehension of how to deal with money or manage contractors?…these clowns do not even have a clue where the additional money will be coming from but they do shrug their shoulders and acknowledge that “its gotta come from some place”?…that this gross oversight is just one more reason to sell Roberts Stadium at public auction to the highest bidder and forget about the $8 Million dog and skateboard park that the City government wants to build on the Roberts Stadium site?…the next thing we will be hearing is that the dog and skateboard park will be $40 Million because these people know less about arithmetic than Bill Clinton chided those who ran the public debt up of not knowing?

IS IT TRUE that we are very interested to see the soon to be forthcoming report on the finances of the City of Evansville from Indiana State Board of Accounts?…we are also waiting on baited breath to see just what happens with respect to the IT Audit funding that City Councilman John Friend has been howling to get going on for over a year now?…we have every reason to expect some negative surprises that will make Mayor Weinzapfel’s deal to pay Tom Barnett with a backdoor deal through GAGE look like the work of boy scouts?…the chickens are on the verge of coming home to roost and there is a big flock of chickens?

IS IT TRUE the U.S. economy added 96,000 jobs in August, fewer than the 125,000 gain forecast by economists?…the unemployment rate, obtained by a separate survey of U.S. households, fell to 8.1% from 8.3% as the number of people looking for jobs shrank?…private companies accounted for all of the growth in payrolls, adding 103,000 jobs?…payroll numbers for the prior two months were revised lower: July payrolls rose 141,000 compared with the initially reported 163,000, while June’s gain was 45,000 instead of 64,000?…by the end of the day today we will all endure the spinsters on both sides telling us these numbers say whatever serves them best?…that these numbers are better than a punch in the nose but not as good as a slice of bread?…there is nothing here in these numbers to celebrate over or to panic over?…that unemployment officially dropping because a bunch of people either gave up looking for work out of frustration or found a way to get on disability is not really a drop at all, it is a statistic and little else?

IS IT TRUE the service sector was the best performer, adding 28,000 in August and by 298,000 over the past 12 months?… the high wage high value added manufacturing sector showed a loss of 15,000 jobs last month?…we are in the final migration to a tri-modal society as predicted by Robert Reich in his 1991 book “The Work of Nations” with the only jobs in America are 1) government employees, 2) service industry low skill workers, and 3) symbolic analysts who manipulate symbols and numbers?…that while it makes sense to assume that you can’t offshore your pool guy, it also begs the question of how many pool guys, landscapers, and yogurt cup fillers are needed and more importantly how can a nation of low skill low paid service workers support a government that is currently consuming 25% of the national GDP?

IS IT TRUE that on a bright note, local candidate for office Terry White was spotted on national TV and the Democrat National Convention this week

U.S. Attorney Presents City of Evansville with Nearly $400,000 to Prevent Domestic Violence

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EVANSVILLE – The federal Safe Havens Program provides an opportunity for

communities to support the supervised visitation and safe exchange of children in situations
involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Studies
have shown that the risk of violence is often greater for victims of domestic violence and their
children after separation from an abusive situation, especially when the victim does not have a
safe place to comply with court-ordered visitation or shared custody of children.

To combat this problem, and on behalf of the Safe Havens Program, Joseph H. Hogsett,
the United States Attorney, today presented Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the City of Evansville
with a check for $397,221 to assist local victims of domestic violence. These funds will bolster
critical community efforts to provide supervised visitation and safe exchange services in the
Evansville area.

“Instances of domestic violence aren’t just terrible personal tragedies – they adversely
affect this entire community,” Hogsett said. “That’s why I am so encouraged to see a true team
effort here in Evansville to address this scourge, from city leadership, to law enforcement, to
social services and the courts.”

Even after separation, batterers often use visitation and exchange of children as an
opportunity to inflict additional emotional, physical, and psychological abuse on victims and
their children. Visitation and exchange services reduce these opportunities for violence, and
allow for a structured, secure exchange of children as part of shared custody or visitation orders.
Services provided through the program reflect the dynamics of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault and stalking; the impact of domestic violence on children; and the
importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions.

The City of Evansville will partner with the Vanderburgh County Superior Court and a
number of local social service agencies to launch this three-year program, which will develop and
implement supervised visitation and safe exchanges of children by and between parents in
situations involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and/or
stalking.

Participating shelters named within the award notice include the Albion Fellows Bacon
Center, the YWCA, Holly’s House, and the Parenting Time Center. In addition to providing
supervised visitation and safe exchange services, specific activities during this stage will include
developing a referral system, increasing communication with the local court, and creating a
training program for center staff and community service providers.

For more on the Safe Havens Program: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/safehaven_desc.htm

Hermann, Zoeller Join Forces to Put Retailers on Notice About Sale of Illegal Synthetic Drugs

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana retailers can expect a formal notice and warning from state and local officials that continued synthetic drug sales could cost them their business.

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann joined Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today to help launch a statewide initiative aimed at getting synthetic drugs like “bath salts” and “spice” off retailers’ shelves. According to a new state law, retail merchants – like smoke shops and convenience stores – caught selling the drugs will face penalties including the loss of their retail merchant certificate of business for one year.

“This synthetic drug enforcement initiative is intended to send a strong message to businesses who continue to sell synthetic drugs despite the law and the risks to the public,” Zoeller said. “Law enforcement and health officials agree that the danger of having these drugs in the open marketplace and available to the public is significant. It is our responsibility to use the resources available to prevent these unregulated and illegal drugs from being available on the shelves at the corner store.”

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Department of Revenue, Indiana Board of Pharmacy and Indiana Sheriffs Association partnered on the to issue a legal notice to all Indiana retailers.

Zoeller said this statewide notice details the penalties and consequences for legal violations in relation to synthetic drug production and distribution. The document also emphasizes that retailers’ reliance on packaging representations, supplier representations and lab reports are done at their own risk.

“These products have no legitimate use.” Prosecutor Hermann said, “They are being sold over the counter for human consumption without any regulation or oversight. Their effects are unpredictable and dangerous. By partnering with Attorney General Zoeller and his office, we are sending the message that our community will not tolerate the distribution of these drugs. Through our combined efforts, we will be pursuing all available remedies to halt the sale of these products.”

Synthetic drugs are made to mirror the highs associated with marijuana or cocaine, but sold openly under the guise of “plant food,” “bath salts,” “potpourri,” “incense” or “spice.” While the packaging is labeled not for human consumption the products are often taken orally, inhaled or injected. These drugs can cause dangerously high body temperatures, racing heart rates, high blood pressure, and permanent organ damage, and the psychotic effect of these substances can last for several days.

The Attorney General’s Office is also asking retailers to sign a “Synthetic Drug Community Protection Agreement” to stop selling the illegal products and relinquish related inventory to the Drug Enforcement Administration. If the agreement is violated, the document will be used to establish the owner’s knowledge of and intent to violate applicable Indiana and federal law.

State legislators added bath salts and more than 60 other substances this year to the list of banned synthetic drugs. Zoeller said criminals alter the chemical make-up of the drugs to include substances not on the list to skirt the law. To help combat this problem the Indiana Board of Pharmacy now has rulemaking authority to add any substances that have been listed by other states or the federal government.

In June, Zoeller hosted an inter-state summit in Evansville to tackle the growing threat of synthetic drugs and small-batch methamphetamine production. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement authorities, public health experts and other prosecutors’ offices from both states participated in the meeting. Zoeller said this statewide initiative was developed during that meeting and he plans to continue building partnerships with other prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement groups across the state.

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