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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, October 17, 2012.

Lucas Ash Burglary –Class C Felony
Theft – Class D Felony

Dustin Biggs Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance – Class B Felony
Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor

Amanda Goodman Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class A Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine – Class B Felony
Theft – Class D Felony
False Informing – Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor (Two Counts)
(Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

Charles Hardy Possession of Methamphetamine – Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
(Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

James Hogan Burglary – Class C Felony
Theft – Class D Felony
Failure of a Sex Offender to Possess Identification – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony)
Habitual Offender Enhancement

Shannon Jackson Forger y – Class C Felony
Theft – Class D Felony

Samantha Murphy Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury – Class D Felony

Brandon Robertson Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class A Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine – Class B Felony
Theft – Class D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A 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

American People Deserve the Facts, by Bill Galston & Mark McKinnon

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“What you’re saying is just not true,” Barack Obama told his opponent in Tuesday night’s presidential debate. “It’s absolutely true,” Mitt Romney replied.

If the two candidates — and the parties they lead — can’t agree on the facts, then how can they have a productive debate about solutions?

Neither party is being upfront with the American people about the choices we face.

Take fiscal policy. The parties can’t even agree on the realities of our balance sheet. When leaders in Washington debate the federal budget, they routinely use different baselines, projections and assumptions. This makes deciphering the facts very difficult, if not impossible, for the American people.

To quote an old Scottish writer, many Washington leaders “use statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts — for support rather than for illumination.”

To hear some on the right tell it, you’d think our deficit is driven primarily by moochers, government waste, and shiftless bureaucrats. On the left, many seem to think rich tax dodgers are the ones busting our books.

But these culprits — however egregious they may be — are relatively small potatoes. The real causes of our deficit aren’t those “other people” gaming the system. It’s all of us. It’s tax cuts that we can no longer afford and spending programs that are growing far faster than our ability to pay for them.

The American people deserve to know what’s really happening with our nation’s finances, and Congress should be able to work off the same set of numbers. That’s where No Labels comes in. No Labels is a movement of Democrats, Republicans and independents united behind a simple proposition: We want our government to stop fighting and start fixing. The group’s “Different Opinions, but the Same Facts” proposal would be a big step in that direction. Here’s how it works:

Every year, a nonpartisan leader, such as the comptroller general, would deliver a televised fiscal update in person to a joint session of Congress. The president, vice president, all Cabinet members, and members of Congress would attend. Our leaders would be asked to affirm — in writing — that they accept the same set of facts. These facts would not be Democratic, Republican, or independent. Just correct.

This is one No Labels proposal to make Congress and the presidency work. We also have two action plans to do just that also, our “Make Congress Work!” action plan and our “Make the Presidency Work!” action plan. Central to each is the simple idea that if elected officials are going to work across the aisle, they need to agree on some basic realities.

A generation ago, the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan declared that while every man is entitled to his own opinions, he isn’t entitled to his own facts. He was right then. He’s still right today. And unless we act accordingly, we can’t hope to solve our country’s problems.

Source: Real Clear Politics

IS IT TRUE October 18, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE October 18, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the word in the street is that a search committee to recommend a new city council attorney will be appointed by City Council President Connie Robinson?…the makeup of that search committee according to well placed CCO Moles will be Council members Jonathan Weaver, Conor O’ Daniel, and President Robinson herself?…the choice of Councilman Weaver is puzzling as he should not serve on this committee because he was one of the members of the City Council who was involved in the Maingate Bar fiasco that nearly cost Al Lindsey his day job due to backroom bi-partisan whisper campaigning?…Council members Missy Mosby and Weaver lost the battle with fire merit commission hearing case that could have resulted in Councilman Lindsay being fired from Fire Department?…Attorney Scott Danks represented Al Lindsey against the allegations that were set into motion by Mosby and Weaver?…it is the opinion of the CCO that Councilman Weaver could not be an objective member of the search committee in considering Scott Danks as the next Evansville City Council attorney?

IS IT TRUE that the minimum payments from Earthcare Energy that the Winnecke Administration snuck a $200,000 loan to in a back door manner without even telling the City Council remain current?…that Earthcare still owes the City of Evansville about $186,000?…the CCO has been made aware that the link to the website for Earthcare Energy is no longer working?… there is also recent confirmation that other businesses that were doing about the same thing are not producing or selling the Langson devices either?…it was not just the numbskulls of Evansville that got sucked into this either?…the President of the United States Barack Obama flew in on Air Force One to tout the future of greatness associated with this technology along with Solyndra, EnerOne, and recently A123 Systems?…that should be a lesson that politicians of any level are the kiss of death to a commercial venture with technical content and that there is no office high enough to be immune for being “Earthcared”?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO was the first to publish a letter from the Office of 8th District Congressman Larry Buschon that addressed the ways in which federal grants will be effected in the event that Evansville and Vanderburgh County are merged in the November referendum?…this is an issue that was clearly communicated by the supporters of unification and the consolidation committee to be a NON-ISSUE from day one and over and over in public forums?…after that it appears like there is an impact after all and that in the short term that the impact is definitive and negative to the tune of $180,000 per year?…we have not seen any headlines about this hidden cost of consolidation?…it also seems as though former DMD Director Tom Barnett warned of this in 2011?…this is just another example of the incomplete nature of the consolidation plan that is being voted on in November?…that proponents counter that there are other competitive opportunities that are only available if consolidation passes but there are no numbers or timelines that have been disclosed?…that consolidation seems to be coming down to the question of “trust us, it will be better yet our plan shows little improvement and bars us from picking the low hanging fruit for 10 years” vs. “the City of Evansville is a fiscal mess and is not ready to merge with anything”?…this will be the choice facing voters this year?…the YES position sounds very much like the HOPE AND CHANGE rhetoric from 2008 compete with a team that got “EARTHCARED” ready to take us “FORWARD”?

Eagles will host “Kick for the Cure” game Sunday

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The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team enters the final stretch of the regular season and is looking to lock down a spot in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, beginning with a road match Friday at McKendree University and a home match Sunday against Bellarmine University. Kick-off Friday at McKendree is 5 p.m., while the start time Sunday at Strassweg Field versus Bellarmine is 2:30 p.m.

The Screaming Eagles’ match against Bellarmine also is Senior Day and their “Kick for the Cure” game. USI will don pink jerseys and shoelaces to promote awareness of breast cancer. All proceeds from the game will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Eagles (8-5-1, 7-4-1 GLVC) are only one win away from locking down a GLVC Tournament berth for the fourth-straight year. USI swept the first two matches of the three-game road swing with 1-0 victories over Drury University and Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Freshman forward Madi Vellky (Dublin, Ohio) lead the way for the Eagles by scoring both game-winning goals. Vellky has a team-best three game-winning goals and ranks second on the team with 11 points on five goals and one assist.

For the season, senior forward Susan Ellsperman (Newburgh, Indiana) continues to lead the Eagles this season with 17 points on six goals and five assists. She is tied for the seventh in the GLVC in goals and assists.

The Bearcats of McKendree (7-4-2, 6-4-2 GLVC) are up first for the Eagles this week and the final stop on the three-match road swing. McKendree, which is not eligible for the GLV C Tournament this year, is 2-1-1 in the last four matches after losing to Rockhurst University and tying William Jewell College last week.

The eight-game series between USI and McKendree has been evenly split, 4-4-0. The Bearcats won the last meeting between the two schools, 2-0, in Lebanon, Illinois, in 2010.

The Knights of Bellarmine (9-2-2, 7-2-2 GLVC) begin their week with a make-up match against the University of Missouri-St. Louis Tuesday. Bellarmine has been tough to beat in its last nine matches, posting a record of 6-1-2.

USI trails Bellarmine in the all-time series, 9-6-2, with the Knights taking command the last few seasons and posting a record of 5-0-2 over the Eagles.

The Eagles will honor its three seniors – Ellsperman; defender Jessica Gates (Crown Point, Indiana); and midfielder Paige Nuelle (St. Louis, Missouri) – prior to their match on Sunday against Bellarmine.

Source: USI.edu

Menopause the Musical Receives “Very Warm” Reception in Evansville

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Evansville, IN – Judging from the waves of laughter emanating from inside the Victory Theatre on Tuesday
and Wednesday nights, Menopause the Musical was a roaring success in Evansville. The long-running touring
show made a two night stop at the Victory on October 16th and 17th.

The show features a cast of four women, all of a “certain age,” who meet while shopping for lingerie at
Bloomingdale’s and spend 90 minutes belting out parodies of popular music from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The lyrics
are given a humorous twist, with their subjects becoming hot flashes, body image, family issues, sex, and more.
The largely female audience showed their enthusiastic appreciation as they identified with the various
predicaments addressed by cast members Sandra Benton (Professional Woman), Megan Cavanagh (Earth
Mother), Pattie Gardner (Soap Star) and Sandy DeWoody (Iowa Housewife).

“The acoustics and atmosphere in this historic theatre really showcase musical productions such as this one,”
stated Victory Theatre General Manager Ben Bolander. “I’m excited about our plans to provide a diverse
selection of entertainment options that will bring even more area residents to downtown Evansville.”

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

AG Zoeller accepting nominations for outstanding victim advocates

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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller looks to recognize outstanding victim advocates across the state through the second annual Hoosier Hearts Award for Distinguished Advocacy.

Zoeller said as October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month it’s important to highlight advocates’ behind-the-scenes efforts that give confidence and voices to crime victim survivors. Advocates can nominate their peers by visiting www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/hoosierhearts/ and must submit the form by Dec. 31.

“Advocates and volunteers work tirelessly, and often without recognition, to listen and help victims’ whose voices might otherwise go unheard,” Zoeller said. “It is the hope of my office that the Hoosier Hearts Award continues to underscore advocates’ outstanding efforts and help to encourage others to serve in their communities.”

The Attorney General created three award categories to help recognize shelter volunteers and staff on an annual basis:

Career Advocate: This individual has made a career-long commitment to helping victims and advocacy for sexual assault victims and their families; Volunteer Advocate: As advocacy centers often have limited resources, an outstanding volunteer demonstrates a strong commitment to helping with everyday tasks which range from sorting donations to even some victim assistance; and Rookie of the Year: A new advocate to the field can bring different ideas, a refreshing perspective to a career of service or can go above and beyond to help those in need.

In April, the Hoosier Hearts Awards were presented to Heather Woloshen, Career Advocate; and Bill Rothrock Volunteer Advocate. Both award recipients work for the Hoosier Hills Prisoners and Community Together (PACT) which service area includes Washington, Orange, Harrison, Crawford, Scott and Lawrence counties.

Zoeller said winners will be announced during a formal ceremony in the spring at the Indiana Statehouse during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week.

Congressman Buschon’s Letter Outlines how Consolidation Could Change Community Development Block Grants

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Congressman Larry Buschon
Indiana 8th Congressional District

Congress of the United States
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC

August 31, 2012

Bruce Ungetheim
2037 Fleener Road
Evansville, IN 47725

Dear Bruce,
I apologize for the delay in sending you this information. I recently spoke to both
representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and also
Evansville’s, Department of Metropolitan Development regarding funding through the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

As you may know, funding for CDBG programs has been drastically reduced in the last 10
years. In 2001, the CDBG program was funded at $4.399 billion. This fell to $3.303 billion in
2011. In Indiana specifically, CDBG funds went from $75.28 million in fiscal year (FY) 2010 to
$59.84 million in FY 2012. For FY 2011, the average grant nationwide was $1.9 million. One
of the factors contributing to the decline.in funds for localities is the increasing number of
recipients. In 2000, there were 1018 individual recipients while that number grew to 1167 in
2011. Evansville has seen a reduction in funds the last two years of $527,000 and $295,000
respectively. Both BUD and DMD agree that funding will most likely decrease again next year
regardless of the potential city-county merger.

CDBG funding is based on three criteria; growth lag, poverty, and housing
conditions. According to HUD, the growth lag is more pronounced for a combined area.
HUD estimates (and it is important to note that this is an estimate and not a formal assessment)
that Evansville would go from receiving $2.39 million to $2.05 million while at the same time
see an increase in the HOME program of over $60,000. Ultimately, the reduction would be in
line with reductions from the previous two years, especially when factoring in the additional
HOME funds.

Although some funding from CDBG could decline, there are other areas where a combined
Evansville-Vanderburgh County would be able to offset the loss ofCDBG federal funds through
other grants or program funding. We are working to identify those opportunities where a
combined entity would be eligible for greater funds through more advantageous formulas.

A great example is the Sustainable Communities Initiative where Evansville has already been
awarded over $3 million. One of the most significant factors in receiving this grant is local and
regional cohesion, which would increase with a combined Evansville- Vanderburgh County
area. Other grant opportunities include both formula and competitive varieties. The formula
grants include Urbanized Area Formula Program (transit), New Freedom Program (disability
assistance) and the Job Access and Reverse Commuter Program (transportation for welfare
recipients looking for work). Formula Programs include those for Bus and Bus Facilities, Clean
Fuel Grants, Major Capital Investments, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.Sincerely,

Steven L. Reeves
District Director

Vectren Asserts that Rockport SNG Plant will cost ratepayers over $1 Billion

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Proposed Rockport SNG plant expected to cost natural gas users more than $1 billion; Vectren, others battle to protect customers

Evansville, Ind. – The proposed substitute natural gas (SNG) plant in Rockport, Ind., which is being developed by Indiana Gasification, an affiliate of New York-based holding company Leucadia Corporation, is estimated, based upon current natural gas prices, to cost the State of Indiana nearly $1.1 billion in its first eight years of operation. These costs will be passed on by the State and will be borne by Hoosier natural gas customers, including the 680,000 customers served by Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana (Vectren), as well as the natural gas customers of most of the other gas utilities in Indiana.

As proposed, the developers of the SNG plant, which is designed to convert coal to pipeline-quality natural gas, reached a deal with the State of Indiana in 2011 via the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) to buy all of the plant’s manufactured gas and then resell it into the open market. Under a 30-year agreement, if the manufactured gas does not sell in the open market at a price above the contract price that is projected to escalate each year for the contract period, then Indiana’s natural gas customers, including those of Vectren, will see a charge on their monthly natural gas bills to make up the shortfall. The SNG plant developers have provided a projected average SNG price discounted to 2008 dollars over the entire contract term, but they have refused to publicly say what the actual price of the manufactured gas will be each year. In the event the plant’s manufactured gas beats the current market price, customers would share in that gain.

“The concept of this plant originated at a time, in 2006, when natural gas prices were at record highs and there were national fears that we were going to run out of natural gas,” said Mike Roeder, vice president of corporate communications and government affairs. “Since 2009, the available supply and price of natural gas has changed dramatically. Thanks to the emergence of shale gas, our nation’s natural gas supply has grown to record levels, which has caused the price of natural gas to hover near record lows. More importantly, multiple independent forecasts conclude that prices are likely to remain low for the next two decades and beyond. Given the current and projected market price for natural gas is now substantially lower than the SNG plant’s projected contract price for the manufactured gas, the project no longer makes economic sense, especially when Hoosier natural gas customers carry the risk to absorb the state’s gas market losses throughout the 30-year contract term.”

The plant alone is expected to cost nearly $3 billion to build, and the developers of the SNG plant are now seeking a federal loan guarantee, similar to the one provided to Solyndra, the bankrupt solar panel manufacturer, to help with construction of the plant and a 440-mile pipeline to transport the plant’s carbon dioxide output, the cost of which is not yet public.

The state legislature required that Indiana Gasification guarantee savings for customers before the plant could go forward. Indiana Gasification has publicly said that the requirement that they provide a guarantee only means they promise they will make a commitment and not that they actually fulfill their commitment. In furtherance of their “promise,” Indiana Gasification has proposed to fund an account of $150 million. Given the forecasted low price of natural gas and the fact that Indiana gas customers are allocated 100 percent of the market losses the State incurs, this account will likely be exhausted within about the first year of the SNG plant’s operation after which customers will start to see a new line item charge on their bill to ensure the losses are refunded to the State of Indiana that will then make the developer whole. It is expected that the developer will make a profit even if the State loses money.

Based on the expected losses from the State’s resale of the SNG in the first eight years:
• a Vectren residential customer would likely pay an additional $375 on their gas bills to cover these losses;
• an average size small business customer would likely pay up to an additional $2,000 on their bills; and
• a small industrial customer would likely pay up to an additional $250,000 on their bills.

“Put simply, this is a tax on all natural gas customers,” Roeder said. “Using today’s gas futures prices from the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX prices), we can purchase gas many years into the future below the expected SNG price.”

Other similar projects around the country are being abandoned due to the fundamental change that has occurred in the natural gas marketplace. Proposed SNG plants in Illinois and Mississippi have experienced setbacks and some have even been cancelled. As an example, Leucadia, which had planned to develop an Illinois plant, abandoned it after the state rejected a proposed law that would have required gas utilities and their customers to take the output from the plant. (Click here for that news article.)

“We continue working on behalf of all natural gas users in a court proceeding where we are challenging the contract between Indiana Gasification and the IFA,” added Roeder. “Predictably, the project has received state environmental permits, but the project has many more hurdles to clear, including the federal loan guarantee that puts additional risk on all taxpayers. Given the current state of the natural gas marketplace, this project is contrary to market forces, would cost Hoosiers billions, will hurt future economic development activity in the state, and, as currently structured, makes no sense to proceed with at this time.”

Although the plant received state regulatory approval to move forward last fall, Vectren, consumer advocates, environmental organizations and other natural gas utilities in the state continue to work on behalf of Hoosiers to ensure they are protected from bearing these costs. These groups, including Vectren, have also appealed the contract’s approval to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Among issues under consideration by the court include:
• what customers – residential, commercial and/or industrial – are affected and subject to the IFA’s losses;
• whether the contract approved by the IURC complies with state law;
• when the customer savings guarantee must take place, if at all; and
• how the savings guarantee will be achieved.

Indiana Gasification and the IFA have requested oral argument before the Indiana Court of Appeals. All parties are now awaiting dates to be set.

About Vectren

Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren’s energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren’s nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services, energy services, coal mining and energy marketing. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.

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 Tuesday, October 16, 2012.

Shabiha Abbas Criminal Confinement – Class D Felony
Intimidation – Class D Felony
Domestic Battery – Class A Misdemeanor

Dustin Biggs Possession with Intent to Deal in a Controlled Substance – Class B Felony
Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor

Robert Branson Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of .15 or More – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)

Bryan Harvey Residential Entry – Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor

Demarco Hawkins Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Class D Felony

Shannon Jackson Forgery – Class C Felony
Theft – Class D Felony

Laura Kissel Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug – Class D Felony

Tara McKnight Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class B Felony
Neglect of a Dependent – Class C Felony

Stephanie Oshodi Theft – Class D Felony

Bristen Pride Dealing in Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)

Michael Sigler Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony
(Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

Teisha Thompson Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class B Felony

Jason Woolems Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class B Felony
Neglect of a Dependent – Class C Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement – Class D Felony (Two Counts)
Criminal Recklessness – Class A Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving – Class B Misdemeanor
Criminal Recklessness – 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