Statement By Vanderburgh County Commission President Cheryl Musgrave On The Retirement Of Commissioner Ben Should
 January 24, 2024Â
I would like to extend my warmest wishes to Ben Shoulders as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.Â
Over the past seven years, it has been a privilege to work alongside Commissioner Shoulders on numerous projects that have significantly enhanced our community. From the planning and construction of transformative trails to the reconstruction of roadways, our collaborative efforts have truly made a lasting impact. Notably, the initiative to bring fiber broadband to every property in the unincorporated county stands as a groundbreaking achievement, setting a national standard for connectivity and progress.Â
Commissioner Shoulders’ leadership was instrumental in driving these initiatives forward. While his resignation from elected service marks the end of an era, it also signifies the beginning of a new and promising journey for Commissioner Shoulders and his family.Â
Thank you, Commissioner Shoulders, for your years of service and for the contributions you have made to our community. Your legacy of leadership and progress will endure, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.Â
Cheryl Musgrave, PresidentÂ
Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh CountyÂ
Tony Ricketts Graduates From NADA Academy
D Patrick, is pleased to announce that Tony Ricketts, General Manager, recently graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy on January 12, 2024, Ricketts completed a rigorous, year-long educational program focusing on six disciplines essential to successful management and leadership in the retail automobile industry.
“This is a major commitment to our customers and our dealership,†says Ray Farabaugh. President “Our employees meet the highest ethical standards in the industry, and our customers will benefit significantly from Tony’s knowledge, skills, and passion for excellence. He has worked diligently for this, and we could not be prouder to have him on our team.
NADA Academy prepares current and future dealership leaders to maximize each department’s efficiency while examining how new technology and innovations reshape the industry. Academy classes are taught by industry experts in state-of-the-art classrooms and live online, with hands-on practical applications in each area of the dealership. Students develop an end-to-end view of business and dealership operations.
Academy students also spend a day on Capitol Hill to meet with a member of Congress to gain insight into the lawmaking process, the importance of dealer fly-ins to Washington, D.C., and why inviting members of Congress to visit their stores can ultimately benefit dealers, their employees, and their customers.
The National Automobile Dealers Association represents over 16,000 franchised new-car dealers representing 32,500 franchises nationwide, their employees, and their customers. NADA Academy has prepared more than 12,000 auto retail professionals for good-paying, high-quality careers since its inception in 1978.
Help raise awareness of SNAP fraud
Skimming of Electronic Benefit Transfer and Hoosier Works Benefit cards is on the rise and the Family and Social Services Administration would like your assistance to help protect SNAP benefits and combat SNAP fraud by card skimming, card cloning and other similar methods, which can include text messages. The FSSA Division of Family Resources will not send a text message stating that a benefits card has been locked and asking the recipient to call a number.
Fraud will not be tolerated as SNAP benefit theft victimizes Hoosiers who rely on these benefits to feed their families.
We are asking our partners to please to share the outreach materials information below on your social media channels to help raise awareness of SNAP fraud by card skimming, card cloning and other similar methods.
Outreach materials
- Flyer
- Social media posts
- X and Facebook
- Image
- Message: Skimming of EBT and Hoosier Works Benefit cards is on the rise! Learn how to protect your card and benefits here:Â https://on.in.gov/iel3z
- Instagram
- Image
- Message: Skimming of EBT and Hoosier Works Benefit cards is on the rise! Here are some tips to keep your cards safe.
- X and Facebook
BRAUN/SINEMA INTRODUCE HIRE VETERANS ACT
Senator Braun & Senator Sinema are introducing a bill to help hire more veterans in federal land management
WASHINGTON — Today, Senators Mike Braun and Kyrsten Sinema introduced the Hire Veterans Act which would create a five-year pilot program to strengthen the pipeline for veterans seeking skilled labor opportunities within federal land management agencies. Over the course of the past decade, federal agencies have routinely suffered from staffing shortages.
Notably, in April 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had 5,300 fewer employees than it did in January 2017. Additionally, in 2021 the Department of the Interior (DOI) cited approximately 5,000 firefighter openings nationwide.
“As Hoosier veterans transition to civilian employment we must ensure that we have programs in place to help these veterans get hired. The Hire Veterans Act creates a pilot program to ease this transition by matching qualified veterans with open career opportunities in federal land management agencies.†— Sen. Braun
“After years of service and sacrifice, Arizona veterans deserve access to strong careers where they can continue building the future they want for themselves and their families.†— Sen. Sinema
“On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion is proud to support the Hire Veterans Act. By encouraging hiring practices that provide employment opportunities for veterans in critical land management roles, Hire Veterans Act will ensure more of our nation’s veterans are able to build fulfilling careers following their service to our nation.†— Chairman John Bowen Sr., American Legion’s Veterans’ Employment and Education Commission
“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has always recognized the inherent value of including the military community in the management of our public lands and water. These men and women possess evident personal values and a strength of character that led them to place the needs of their country higher than their instinct for self-preservation. Not only will this pilot program find acceptable candidates across the military community for these roles but it will identify multiple exceptional candidates who will lead the conservation conversation on public lands for decades to come. Thank you, Senators Braun, and Sinema, for putting pen to paper in support of this legislation that will help recognize the tremendous asset our military community members can be to our public lands and waters.â€Â – Trevor Hubbs, Armed Forces Initiative Coordinator, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Endorsements: Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
USI Romain College of Business to host Azzip Pizza co-CEO Andy Niemeier
The University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business will present “Ready for Change: Adapting to the Marketplace and Lessons Learned in Azzip’s Journey†with Andy Niemeier, co-CEO of Azzip Pizza at noon Wednesday, February 28. The presentation will take place in the Business and Engineering Center, BE0035, and is open to the public at no charge.
Azzip Pizza is an 11-unit, fast-casual pizza restaurant that was founded and based on Evansville’s west side. Azzip was recently recognized as the #1 Menu Innovator by Pizza Marketplace in 2023. Neimeier shares the co-CEO role of Azzip Pizza with his brother Brad.
Niemeier earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He was also selected to the Evansville Rotary Club’s 20 under 40 list in 2022.
USI plays WIU Thursday on ESPNU Fans encouraged to whiteout Screaming Eagles Arena​​​​​​​
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball concludes its longest homestand of the season by hosting Western Illinois University Thursday at 8 p.m. in Screaming Eagles Arena. The game will air live on ESPNU (Astound 368; Dish 141; DirectTV 206).
Â
To showcase USI’s #ScreaglePride, a White Out Night will be held for both ends of Thursday’s OVC doubleheader, leading off with USI Women’s Basketball (also against Western Illinois) at 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white apparel to whiteout Screaming Eagles Arena!
Â
Fans also can track your Eagles all season by visiting the schedule on USIScreamingEagles.com for links to follow all of the action on the ESPN+, ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com), and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com/).
Â
USI (5-15, 2-5 OVC) has lost its last four games, including last week’s losses to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 77-75, and Morehead State University, 81-70. Junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) led the way for the USI with 29.0 points per game in the two losses.
Â
Junior forward Jack Mielke (Downers Grove, Illinois) followed last week with 12.5 points per game.
Â
Hernandez leads the team through 20 games with 16.3 points per game, which ranks sixth overall in the OVC. Junior guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) follows with 12.7 points and a team-best 9.1 rebounds per outing, while posting a team-high eight double-doubles.
Â
WIU (12-7, 5-1 OVC) suffered its first loss in OVC play, falling to Tennessee State University, 58-57, at home Saturday. The Leathernecks saw its nine-game winning streak snapped, but they have won 10 of the last 12 games dating back to December.
Â
WIU leads the all-time series with USI, 3-1, after defeating the Screaming Eagles last season, 86-78, in Macomb, Illinois. The first three meetings between USI and WIU date back to a pair of games in 1977 and one in 1981 (NCAA Division II Regional contest).
Â
Vincennes University Education Department receives grant to host another Story Walk for local kids
VINCENNES, Ind., January 24, 2024 – Vincennes University Education majors and faculty will once again create an immersive literacy experience this spring, which combines the joy of reading with the beauty of nature.
Through the support of a generous $4,500 grant from the Knox County Community Foundation, VU will host a Story Walk for Knox County elementary school students and their families for a second straight year. Participants will embark on a scenic journey through designated pathways, encountering storybook pages strategically placed along the walking route. This innovative approach aims to foster a love for reading while promoting physical activity and engagement with the great outdoors.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Knox County Community Foundation for recognizing the value of promoting literacy in a unique and impactful way,†Education Associate Professor Lisa Miller said.
The grant will help purchase books, supplies, and materials needed for all activities and games for enrichment activities for the Story Walk.
The April 2023 Story Walk hosted by VU students at Kimmell Park was a huge success. They brought the illustrated children’s book “Mossy†by Jan Brett to life and immersed local children in the world of a unique turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on its back. After reading the story, the children enjoyed fun interactive activities and craft stations designed by VU students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Education, such as petting a live turtle, creating mini terrariums to take home, building habitats for turtles, painting flower pots, and playing fun games. To further promote reading, children went home with free books. In addition to Education students, the Story Walk featured VU Theatre Arts majors in costumes and sweet treats baked by VU Culinary Arts majors. VU Conservation Law Enforcement majors also exhibited animal pelts and antlers.
Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report
