The annual Green River Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year breakfast will be held on Wednesday March, 13th at the American Red Cross, 29 S. Stockwell Road, (SW corner of Stockwell and Lloyd Expressway). The breakfast will start at 7 AM with the ceremony beginning at 7:30 AM. Speakers will include: Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Fire Chief Mike Connelly and FFOY Co-Chair & Fire Chaplain John Lefler, who will emcee the event.

The guest speaker will be Green River Kiwanian Joe Miller who will give us insight on growing up with a father who was an EFD Firefighter for 32 yrs.

Three of “Evansville’s Bravest” were nominated for this year’s award. This year’s nominees are (in alphabetical order): Lieutenant Brandon Barnard, Inspector Mike Doran, and Investigator Richard Howard.

The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library has unveiled a new online image gallery, Evansville in WWII Digital Collection, viewable by visiting evpl.org/WWII. Photos of the Evansville shipyard construction and work crews, boat christenings, broom raisings, and more pictures of local interest are featured, as well as company newsletters from the time and war bond posters.

In 2012, the EVPL collaborated with the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science and the University of Southern Indiana to bring the public thousands of images. The EVPL received a grant for nearly $17,000 from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library, to make this project possible.

In conjunction with the launch of the new online collection, Central Library will host a WWII Speaker Series in March and April. All speaking events will take place at 6:30 pm in the Browning Events Room. Dates and speakers are as follows:
• March 7 – Mike Linderman, Angel Mounds: WPA work force at Angel Mounds
• March 12 – Tom Lonnberg, Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science: Evansville Shipyard
• March 20 – Dr. Heidi Strobel, University of Evansville: “Harmony of the Homefront: Homegrown Rosie the Riveters”
• April 2 – Jennifer Greene, University of Southern Indiana: Evansville in WWII Digital Collection
• April 11 – Harold Morgan, local author: Local workers in Evansville war industries
• April 23 – Lauren Weingart, digital preservationist: Defense work in Evansville and the African American experience in Evansville.

For more information about the Evansville in WWII Digital Collection or the speaker series, call 428-8218 or visit evpl.org

Evansville Police arrested 57 year old LINDA MEREDITH on theft charges after she stole several items from the Clarion Inn on HWY 41.
MEREDITH was asked to leave the hotel for violating the no smoking policy. After MEREDITH left, a house keeper entered her room and found several items had been taken. Some of the items included all of the towels and wash cloths, the bath mat, a coffee maker and pot, soap dish, candles, glasses, and coffee mugs. The ice bucket and lid were also gone. MEREDITH also entered the dining area and took several dishes and silverware. The total value of the items was almost $1,000.
MEREDITH was arrested when she returned to the hotel several hours after the theft. Some of the items were found in her car, but most were not recovered. MEREDITH was arrested and charged with theft.

MEREDITH was arrested at the Casino Aztar Hotel on February 28th when she stole $1200 worth of items from the gift shop and charged items to her room with VISA gift card that only had a balance of 5 cents on it.

Zach Stuard
CCO Staff Writer

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

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