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Former Clark County Sheriff Arrested on 15 Felony Charges

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(Clark County, IN)-As a result of this ongoing criminal investigation by the Indiana State Police Field Investigations, Detectives provided updated information and evidence to Special Prosecutor Richard J. Hertel, who filed for additional criminal charges against Jamey Noel, and for criminal charges against his wife, Misty Noel.

This morning, both Jamey and Misty Noel appeared in the Clark County Circuit Court with their family and legal representation.  After being presented with the criminal charges, Misty Noel turned herself into the custody of the Clark County Detention Center where she was booked in before being transported to the Scott County Detention Center for incarceration.  She is going to be held without bond until her initial court appearance on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Misty Noel is being charged with the following:

  • Five (5) counts of Theft (over $50,000), Level 5 Felonies
  • Five (5) counts of Tax Evasion, Level 6 Felonies

In addition to the original 15 criminal charges levied against Jamey Noel back on November 8, 2023, he is additionally being charged with the following:

  • Five (5) counts of Theft (over $50,000), Level 5 Felonies
  • Five (5) counts of Tax Evasion, Level 6 Felonies

He remains out on bond.

At this time, there is no further information available for public release.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Illegal Narcotics/Gun Conversion Devices Arrests

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 Investigators with the Vanderburgh County Crime Gun Intelligence Center have been conducting an ongoing investigation into illegal possession, manufacturing, and distribution of Machine Gun Conversion Devices (MCD’s). These devices are components used to convert Glock-style pistols and some rifles into fully automatic weapons. These devices are commonly manufactured in clandestine operations using a 3D Printer. 

On January 31st, this investigation led detectives to Antonio Carey and Marquel Payne. Investigators conducted two traffic stops that occurred simultaneously involving Carey and Payne. Carey was the passenger inside of a U-Haul vehicle. A judicially signed search warrant was obtained for the U-Haul. Numerous items including a 3D printed suppressor, 9 mm ammunition, and unfinished MCD parts were located inside of the U-Haul. 

Investigators also obtained judicially signed search warrants for two addresses that were associated with Carey and Payne. Additional MCD’s were located during the searches along with methamphetamine, marijuana, and a 9mm Ghost Gun that was outfitted with an MCD. A ghost gun is a home-made gun that is unregulated, untraceable, and anyone can buy without a background check. In total, close to 90 Machine Gun Conversion Devices were located and collected by investigators. 

Both subjects were prohibited from lawfully owning and carrying a firearm due to their criminal history. Carey was arrested on charges including Possession of Firearm by a Domestic Batterer, Dealing Methamphetamine, and Possession of Marijuana. Payne was arrested on charges including Possession of a Machine Gun (multiple counts), Possession of Firearm by a Domestic Batterer, and Operating a Vehicle without a License. 

The Vanderburgh County Crime Gun Intelligence Center encompasses multiple agencies including the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Street Crimes Unit, Evansville-Vanderburgh County Joint Drug Task Force, and the ATF. A lot of time, dedication, and teamwork went into this investigation which yielded firearms, illegal Machine Gun Conversion Devices, and illegal narcotics. 

Toumi and Cuff post career highs in win over UIC

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Toumi and Cuff post career highs in win over UIC

 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Yacine Toumi and Tanner Cuff recorded career scoring highs while Ben Humrichous made his return for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team in a 77-60 victory over UIC on Wednesday night at the Ford Center.

Toumi led the Purple Aces with 22 points and 7 rebounds in the victory.  He connected on 8 of his 10 field goal tries.  Cuff posted 16 points, two better than his top scoring output of the season.  After missing the last three games, Humrichous was back on the floor and tallied 15 points and four assists.  Isaiah Rivera led four double digit scorers for the Flames with 15 points.

“I’m proud of our guys for the job they did tonight.  UIC is a very good team and we knew it would be a tough game.  We did a good job of limiting their production in the paint and holding them below their average from outside,” UE head coach David Ragland exclaimed.  “We had production across the entire lineup tonight and did a great job of regrouping when they made a run.”

Three-pointers were falling in the early moments as UIC took a 6-0 lead and connected on their first three outside attempts to take an 11-6 advantage.  Gage Bobe got the Purple Aces rolling with a triple, but hot shooting by the Flames saw a 5-of-6 start culminate in a 13-6 advantage just four minutes into the game.

UIC took its largest lead of the period at the 12:53 mark when another 3-pointer pushed the lead to 20-11.  That is the point where Evansville took control on both ends.  After the Flames connected on four of their first five 3-point tries, the Aces held them to just 1-of-11 over the final 12 minutes of the half.  Offensively, UE outscored UIC by a 26-10 margin over the remainder of the half to hold a 7-point lead at the break.

With 9:06 remaining in the half, a basket by Humrichous capped an 11-3 run that got UE within one.  Tanner Cuff got the job done during that rally, scoring seven points in a row.  After the Flames connected on a field goal to retake a 25-22 advantage, Evansville countered with a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the game.  Humrichous got it started with a 3-point play before Cuff posted consecutive baskets to break a 25-25 tie.

Toumi’s third field goal of the night broke a 29-29 tie inside the final three minutes and opened an 8-1 run to end the half.  Antonio Thomas recorded the final four points, including a drive down the lane at the buzzer to solidify a 37-30 lead at the break.

Evansville’s lead remained at seven points (45-38) with 14:44 remaining, but a 4-minute 8-0 stretch by UIC saw them retake a 46-45 lead.  Their defense held UE to 0-for-4 from the field while forcing a turnover.  Cuff put an end to the drought with his sixth make of the night.  His shot opened a 14-2 run that gave Evansville its largest lead of the game at 59-48 as the contest entered its final seven minutes.

Ben Humrichous finished the run in exciting fashion, drilling back-to-back triples to push the lead into double figures for the first time.  Kenny Strawbridge Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:40 left on the clock to push the lead to 16 before UE took a 19-point lead in the final minute on its way to a 77-60 triumph.

UE’s offense was clicking, hitting 51.1% of its attempts while limiting the Flames to 35.9%.  The Aces finished with a 37-33 edge on the boards.  On Saturday, Evansville returns to the road, facing Valparaiso in a 3 p.m. contest.

 

Dixon’s double-double leads No. 6 Blazers to 20th win of the season

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CENTRALIA, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers moved up in this week’s NJCAA Division I National rankings to No. 6 this week.

The Blazers hit the road for their only game of the week Wednesday night, heading to Centralia to take on Kaskaskia College.

The Blazers looked to get the ball into the block all night and were able to pull away in the second half for a 72-52 victory over the Blue Devils.

The game began as a back-and-forth affair, with VU grabbing an early 11-7 lead before the Blue Devils answered back to take a 17-15 lead with just under 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

Vincennes then answered back with a 9-2 scoring run to take a 24-19 lead before the Blue Devils came back to cut the deficit down to one at 26-25.

The Blazers were able to close out the first half strong however, building their largest lead of the half at 33-26 and taking a 37-32 lead into the locker room at the halftime break.

VU looked to create some space on the scoreboard early in the second half and opened the final 20-minute period on a 14-4 scoring run to lead 51-36.

After Kaskaskia cut the VU lead back down to nine, the Blazers would later answer with eight unanswered to take a 66-48 lead.

The Blazers then looked to take some air out of the ball and keep the clock moving and were able to keep the defensive pressure to not allow the Blue Devils a late comeback.

VU scored the final two buckets of the game to finish out the 72-52 victory over Kaskaskia College, VU’s 20th win of the season.

Vincennes allowed just 20 points in the second half Wednesday night and only allowed five second half field goals against the Blue Devils.

“It was a combination of both ends of the floor in that second half,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “We were more methodical with the ball in the second half and didn’t get the turnovers. We moved the ball and swung it. Then they start to break down inside and they get in foul trouble. They get tired of trying to fight that thing. Then we did a better job of moving it and getting sealed inside.”

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Upcoming CIT Training at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital

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*Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, and Vanderburgh County CIT

Steering Committee Collaborate with Southwestern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for 40-Hour

CIT Training School-The Evansville Police Department, in partnership with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s

Office and the Southwestern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, is proud to announce the commencement of a

40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training school. This training will take place February 5th through

February 9th from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Evansville Manor Annex (3700

Washington Ave.).

CIT training is a vital program that equips law enforcement professionals with specialized skills to

effectively respond to crisis situations involving mental health issues. The comprehensive curriculum covers

recognizing signs of mental illness, trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, and procedures for

emergency detentions. CIT is instrumental in fostering collaboration between law enforcement, mental health

professionals, and the community, promoting a compassionate and effective approach to crisis intervention.

The Evansville Police Department is devoted to public safety, actively fostering positive relationships within

the community. Through a community-oriented policing approach, the department partners with residents to

ensure the safety and security of Evansville’s population, meeting the diverse needs of its citizens. By

prioritizing open communication, shared responsibility, and a strong partnership with the community, the

department aims to create a safer and more interconnected community for all.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to upholding public safety and providing professional

law enforcement services to the residents of Vanderburgh County. Through community engagement and

proactive policing strategies, VCSO aims to create a secure and thriving environment.

The Southwestern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy is committed to delivering comprehensive and

specialized training programs to law enforcement professionals. By promoting continuous learning and skill

development, the academy contributes to the excellence and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies

SEN. BRAUN CELEBRATES STATEHOUSE RES TO IMPOSE CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS THROUGH CONVENTION OF STATES

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WASHINGTON – Senator Braun released the following statement after the Indiana House of Representatives approved a resolution endorsing a Convention of States to be held to add a Congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Senator Mike Braun signed the Term Limits Pledge before being elected to the Senate, and introduced the bill in the Senate to limit Senators and Congressmen to 2 terms and 3 terms, respectively.

Senator Mike Braun has called for a Convention of States to pass constitutional amendments for Congressional term limits and a balanced budget. Braun authored an amendment in 2022 that would direct the Archivist of the United States to collect petitions from states and send an official message to Congress to call a Convention of States when 34 states – the two-thirds required by the Constitution – had passed petitions, citing that career politicians have relied on the lack of a formal system for these petitions to avoid term limits and spending accountability that would likely result from a Convention of States.

“The American people want term limits in Congress. I signed the Term Limits Pledge and introduced the bill to term limit Senators and House Reps in the U.S. Senate, and I applaud the Indiana House of Representatives for taking strong action on this solution that Hoosiers from all 92 counties tell me we need.” – SENATOR MIKE BRAUN

Article V of the Constitution lays out the two processes for amending the Constitution: through Congress, or through a Convention of States.

A Convention of States is not a “Constitutional Convention” like the one convened in 1787 to write the U.S. Constitution: amendments need to be passed by the Convention of States and then ratified by three-quarters (38) of all states.

Some commentators have incorrectly claimed that a Convention of States would become a “free-for-all” after convening. Indiana’s resolution, authored by Rep. Dave Hall, specifically calls for a Convention of States for applying term limits to Congress. Nineteen states have passed Convention of States resolutions calling for a Convention explicitly to “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials,” with 7 states having passed this resolution in one chamber but awaiting action in the other, and 16 further states considering this resolution.

A Convention of States, convened under the authority of Article V of the Constitution, passing amendments ratified by 38 out of 50 states, would be exactly how the Constitution is supposed to work.

And considering that any constitutional amendments passed by a Convention of States would also need to be ratified by 38 states, measures with overwhelming support among the public and state legislatures but limited support among career politicians in Washington, D.C. – like term limits for Congress and a balanced budget – are the likely candidates for successful amendments.

Term limits for Congress is perhaps the most popular political idea in the United States, with support crossing all party and demographic lines: “A 2021 poll conducted for U.S. Term Limits, which advocates for congressional term limits, found that of 1,000 “general election voters nationwide,” 80% said they would “strongly” or “somewhat” approve of a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms.” (Congressional Research Service, 2023)

Holding a Convention of States for these amendments is extremely popular. In July 2022, an opinion poll by Trafalgar found that 65% of likely voters would support a Convention of States to propose amendments focusing on term limits for Congress, federal spending restraints, and limiting the federal government to its constitutionally-mandated authority. The party breakdown on the poll meant that 81% of Republicans, 63% of independents, and 50% of Democrats want a Convention of States for these purposes.

CenterPoint Energy Foundation accepting grant applications

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Emphasizing commitment to community vitality and education, the Foundation welcomes applications through Feb. 16 

Houston – Jan. 31, 2024 – The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications for its first 2024 grant cycle through Feb. 16.  

Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the Foundation strives to be a catalyst in communities it serves by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to build vibrancy in those communities.  

 

The Foundation awards grants to eligible organizations and programs supporting community vitality and education. Priority consideration is given to programs serving low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities. 

 

“As we reflect on the impact of the Foundation’s funding in 2023, we are filled with renewed enthusiasm to continue building meaningful partnerships with our community stakeholders,” said Alicia Dixon, director of community relations at CenterPoint Energy. “Our focus remains on investing in initiatives which enhance lives today and lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow. We invite eligible organizations to apply for a grant during our first cycle of funding for 2024.” 

 

In 2023, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation’s commitment to community engagement and development was demonstrated through significant contributions, including more than 90,000 volunteer hours and the awarding of $14.8 million in grants across Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas.

 

Highlighting the scope and impact of this support through the Foundation’s six-state footprint, some of the most notable projects of 2023 include: 

 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Indiana): In partnership with the State of Indiana, the Foundation provided a $725,000 grant to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library into four new counties and continued support for eight other counties. As a result of the Foundation’s donations, more than 164,000 books were distributed in 2023.  

 

No Student Left Behind: Mentorship and STEM Career Guidance (Louisiana): The “No Student Left Behind” project is designed to provide mentorship activities, increasing awareness of post-secondary and career opportunities to under-resourced populations. The Foundation awarded a $30,000 grant to the project, which also has a long-term goal of increasing retention and completion rates and higher overall grade point averages of student participants.  “No Student Left Behind” will also inform participants of opportunities in STEM education as well as introduce foundational engineering and technology principles to middle and high school youths.  

 

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative (Minnesota): Bimosedaa, which means “Let’s Walk Together,” is an affordable housing project created in partnership with the Red Lake Nation and a $100,000 grant from the Foundation. This project will offer housing as well as culturally tailored services for Native Americans in Minneapolis. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is proud to support such an important project with the goal of reducing homelessness among the Native American population. 

 

Pascagoula Streetscape Improvement (Mississippi): In partnership with the city of Pascagoula, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation provided a $40,000 grant to the Streetscape Improvement project. This project will add walking paths, landscaping and lighting to continue to bring businesses and the community together. 

 

OH Taste (Ohio): The Foundation provided a $200,000 grant to 6888 Kitchen Incubator. The food business incubator, set to open in the historic Arcade of Dayton Ohio, is dedicated to providing training, business support resources and commercial kitchen space for under-resourced food entrepreneurs, which are identified as those who are socially disadvantaged or who have limited resources. 

 

Houston Habitat for Humanity (Texas): In partnership with community residents and nonprofit partners, Houston Habitat for Humanity is transforming 127 acres in northeast Houston into a mixed-use community. This project will include 468 affordable single-family homes and up to 500 multi-family units for individuals and families at all stages of life. The Foundation provided a $150,000 grant to support a public park within the neighborhood. 

For a closer look at how the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is making a difference in the communities it serves and for information on how to apply, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation. 

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