VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
SENATORS BRAUN, MANCHIN INTRODUCE TYLER’S LAW TO DIRECT EMERGENCY ROOMS TO SCREEN FOR FENTANYL
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Joe Manchin introduced Tyler’s Law, a bill directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide hospitals with guidance on how emergency rooms can implement fentanyl testing in their routine drug screens.
The bill is named for Tyler Shamash, a teenager who lost his life to a fentanyl overdose in part because — unbeknownst to the physician — he was not tested for fentanyl upon being checked into the emergency room. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are the leading cause of drug overdose deaths, with almost 70 percent of all overdose deaths last year being related to fentanyl.
“Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths, devastating communities all over the United States. Passing Tyler’s Law is imperative, so emergency rooms across the nation are directed to screen for fentanyl and we can put a stop to these preventable deaths.†— Sen. Braun
“In the last year, more than 109,000 Americans and 1,490 West Virginians died from drug related overdoses. It’s heartbreaking to lose so many lives to this devastating epidemic and Congress must take comprehensive, meaningful action to address the crisis. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Braun to direct emergency rooms to screen for fentanyl in their patients, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense step to combat drug overdose deaths.†— Sen. Manchin
Currently, many drug screenings in emergency rooms only test for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP) – but not fentanyl. Since fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, it does not show up on most rapid drug screenings. Adding fentanyl to routine drug screenings in emergency rooms could prevent many fentanyl-related deaths, which increased 97-fold in the United States from 1999-2021, according to HHS. U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA), Bob Latta (R-OH) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The bill would direct the Secretary of HHS to:
Complete a study to determine how frequently emergency rooms are currently testing for fentanyl when patients come in for an overdose, as well as the associated costs and benefits/risks, and
Issue guidance to hospitals on implementing fentanyl testing in emergency rooms.
Indiana National Guard soldiers, airmen exempt from state income tax
INDIANAPOLIS – As tax season approaches, Hoosier National Guardsmen, which number approximately 12,000 troops, will no longer pay state income tax starting with their 2023 tax returns.
In April, the Indiana legislature passed the military exemption bill, House Bill 1034, and on May 1, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb signed it into law.
“By completely phasing out state taxes on military veteran retirement in 2022 and eliminating the state income tax for Hoosier Guardsmen in 2023, Indiana continues to demonstrate our state’s enduring appreciation for the exemplary women and men who serve our local communities, state and nation in the Indiana National Guard,†Gov. Holcomb said.
The tax exemption applies to all Hoosier Guardsmen, which includes traditional members, military technicians and full-time National Guard soldiers and airmen.
“I’m grateful for Gov. Holcomb’s and the legislature’s meaningful support for Hoosier Guardsmen through this exemption from state income tax,” said Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, Indiana’s adjutant general. “Soldiers and airmen in our many uniquely rewarding careers will enjoy the additional benefit of keeping more of what they earn while serving our state and nation.”
According to the Indiana Department of Revenue, a member of the National Guard is allowed a deduction from adjusted gross income for wages earned as a result of the member’s military service, including service for National Guard state active-duty missions and federalized overseas missions.
The exemption also includes wages earned as a dual-status military technician. A dual-status technician is one who works full-time for the National Guard and must serve in the National Guard for that employment.
Exemptions do not apply for non dual-status technicians or independent military contractors. Exemptions also do not apply for wages earned from employment outside of military service.
Military personnel are required to file an Indiana income tax return if their gross income exceeds their exemptions. Income from all sources, both military and non-military, excluding military combat zone compensation, should be reported on the Indiana resident return, Form IT-40, even if the income is deducted in full for Indiana tax purposes.
Attorney General Todd Rokita announces $700 million settlement with Google over Play Store misconduct
Attorney General Todd Rokita today announced a $700 million agreement with Google in a lawsuit over Google’s anticompetitive conduct with the Google Play Store.
“When companies unlawfully monopolize markets, they cause real harm to Hoosiers,†Attorney General Rokita said. “They rob consumers of the ability to choose from a wider array of product options that would otherwise be available, and they artificially inflate the prices of the choices that remain available. This settlement demonstrates our commitment to protect consumers and hold companies accountable.â€
A bipartisan group of 53 attorneys general sued Google in 2021 alleging that Google unlawfully monopolized the markets for Android app distribution and in-app payment processing. Specifically, the states claimed that Google signed anticompetitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, induced key app developers who might have launched rival app stores, and created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices.
The states announced a settlement in principle on Sept. 5, 2023, and today released the finalized terms of that deal.
Google will pay $630 million in restitution, minus costs and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive practices. Google will pay the states an additional $70 million in penalties.
People eligible for restitution do not have to submit a claim. They will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo, or they can elect to receive a check or ACH transfer. More details about that process will be forthcoming.
The agreement also requires Google to reform its business practices in the following ways:
- Give all developers the ability to allow users to pay through in-app billing systems other than Google Play Billing for at least five years.
- Allow developers to offer cheaper prices for their apps and in-app products for consumers who use alternative, non-Google billing systems for at least five years.
- Permit developers to steer consumers toward alternative, non-Google billing systems by advertising cheaper prices within their apps themselves for at least five years.
- Not enter contracts that require the Play Store to be the exclusive, pre-loaded app store on a device or home screen for at least five years.
- Allow the installation of third-party apps on Android phones from outside the Google Play Store for at least seven years.
- Revise and reduce the warnings that appear on an Android device if a user attempts to download a third-party app from outside the Google Play Store for at least 5 years.
- Maintain Android system support for third-party app stores, including allowing automatic updates, for four years.
- Not require developers to launch their app catalogs on the Play Store at the same time as they launch on other app stores for at least four years.
- Submit compliance reports to an independent monitor who will ensure that Google is not continuing its anticompetitive conduct for at least 5 years.
For much of this case, the attorneys general litigated alongside Epic Games and Match, two major app developers. Match announced a separate settlement earlier this year, while Epic Games took its case to trial. Early last week, a jury unanimously found that Google’s anticompetitive conduct violated federal antitrust laws.
Attorneys general from all 50 states participated in this lawsuit — along with attorneys general from the District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
.
UE women’s basketball alum Alspaugh a 2024 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary honoree
The Indianapolis native played for the Purple Aces from 1999-2003
NEW CASTLE, Ind. – University of Evansville women’s basketball alum Jenna (Hayes) Alspaugh has been named one of 18 players to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 2024 Silver Anniversary team.
A 2003 alum of the Purple Aces women’s basketball team, Jenna (Hayes) Alspaugh was announced to the 2024 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary team. The Silver Anniversary team recognizes players with outstanding accomplishments as a senior high school basketball player 25 years ago. As a senior at Roncalli High School, Alspaugh was named a 1999 Indiana All-Star and earned national recognition as a member of the 1999 AP second-team All-State and a 1999 USA Today honorable mention.
Alspaugh played for the Purple Aces from 1999 to 2003 under Head Coaches Kathi Bennett and Tricia Cullop. She currently is second in career blocks among all UE players and 12th in Missouri Valley Conference history with 163 blocks. On the offensive side of the ball, Alspaugh set an Evansville single-season record for field goal percentage at 59.6% during the 2000-2001 season. She is currently third all-time in Aces history for field goal percentage finishing her career at 53.6% on the floor.
The Indianapolis native was also recognized regularly for her work in the classroom. Ending her academic career with a 3.82 GPA in sports management, Alspaugh earned two MVC All-Academic recognitions. She was also named to the 2003 CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-District in District Five. Another national recognition for Alspaugh during her time with the Aces was as a regional nominee for the 2003 NCAA Woman of the Year.
Alspaugh currently resides in southern Indiana after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Evansville. She currently works for Eli Lily as the Senior Director of Market Research on Diabetes and Obesity.
UE Softball announces 2024 schedule
The season opens on February 9
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the calendar turning to 2024 in the coming weeks, University of Evansville head softball coach Mat Mundell has announced the upcoming spring schedule.
Friday, February 9 will mark the opening day for the Purple Aces as they will be in Elon, N.C. for the Elon Softball Classic. A big test awaits UE out of the gate when they face Miami Ohio. The RedHawks are the defending Mid-American Conference Champions and won two games in the NCAA Regionals. Miami won 39 games a season ago. Opening weekend will see the Aces face Kent State on two occasions, Elon and a rematch versus Miami.
Evansville’s home tournament will be held on Feb. 17-18 at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James & Dorothy Cooper Stadium. Miami Ohio and Austin Peay will be the opponents with the Aces facing both teams twice. Another road trip is set for the 23rd-25th when UE travels to Monroe, La. for the Best on the Bayou Tournament. The opposition that weekend includes Northwestern State, Syracuse, Sam Houston, and UL Monroe.
March begins with the Low Country Classic in Charleston, S.C. Running from March 1-3, the tournament includes Buffalo, College of Charleston and Wofford, who is playing its inaugural season of softball. On March 6, UE returns home for a doubleheader against Lindenwood before making the short trip to Louisville for the Bellarmine Tournament. Evansville faces the Knights in three games along with one contest versus St. Bonaventure.
Missouri Valley Conference play opens with home games versus Indiana State on March 12 and 13. The Sycamores tied for 4th in the league last season and won 32 games. In its first-weekend conference series, the Aces play host to Valparaiso from the 15th to the 17th. SIU Edwardsville comes to town on the 19th for a single game.
In its first league road trip, the Aces head to Belmont for the weekend of the 22nd and head back home to complete the month with a home series versus UIC. USI will mark the final non-conference opponent of the regular season. The Aces host the Screaming Eagles on April 3. Two MVC road series are up next when UE travels to Drake (April 5-7) and Southern Illinois (April 12-24).
Murray State comes to Evansville for a 3-game series running from the 19th through the 21st. In their first season in the Valley, the Racers tied for fourth and won a total of 33 games. On April 24, the Aces head to Terre Haute for a single game at Indiana State before playing their final home weekend, welcoming Missouri State. The Bears finished second in the conference last year, going 21-6 against league opposition. Senior weekend is set for April 26-28.
Regular-season play wraps up with a road series at Illinois State from May 3-5. Normal, Ill. will also be the site of the 2024 MVC Championship from May 8-11.
IDEM awards $541,245 in Community Recycling Grants
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today announced the recipients of the agency’s Community Recycling Grant Program. IDEM awarded $541,245.00 to 15 applicants.
“Community recycling grants provide direct investments that make recycling more accessible to Hoosiers. Historically, these grants have provided new equipment for recycling operators and improved local collection programs,†said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “These grants will make a significant impact on community recycling efforts across Indiana.â€
The grants are available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana. Here is the list of recipients and the amounts they were awarded:
- Brown County Solid Waste Management District $8,363
- City of Nappanee $100,000
- Clark County Solid Waste $12,173
- Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District $68,667
- Floyd County Solid Waste Management District $25,125
- GardenQuest INC. $1,994
- Henry County Solid Waste Management District $8,363
- Indianapolis Airport Authority $100,000
- Indianapolis Museum of Art, Inc. $34,793
- Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District $3,000
- Marshall County Solid Waste $18,844
- Purdue University Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability $10,108
- Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County $100,000
- Shelby County Recycling District $22,954
- Sullivan County Recycling Center $26,861
This grant funding is intended to create successful, cost-effective programs. Applicants must demonstrate a positive environmental impact within the project service area, an increase in waste diversion as a result of the project and show the sustainability of the project. For additional information, please contact 800-988-7901 or crgp@idem.IN.gov.
Grants are funded through IDEM’s Solid Waste Management Fund. Funds come from the solid waste management fee (IC 13-20-22-1). The fee consists of $0.50 per ton charge on solid waste for final disposal at Indiana municipal solid waste landfills and incinerators. None of the funding comes from tax dollars.
Polancic’s contract purchased by Brewers
EVANSVILLE, Ind. –Evansville Otters closer Jake Polancic has had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers, the team announced Tuesday morning.
Polancic, a native of Langley, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, stands 6’3†and was a strong force on the back end of the Otters’ bullpen in 2023. In the 2023 season, he earned 17 saves in 32 games, striking out 48 and walking just 18. He carried a 2.16 ERA in 2023, good for second best on the team.
“Jake has put in the work to get to this moment,†Evansville Field Manager Andy McCauley said. “We are all incredibly proud of him for reaching this next step in his career. We look forward to seeing him work his way up the affiliation next season.â€
In 2022, Polancic served as the team’s set-up man in front of former Otters’ closer Logan Sawyer. His ERA in 2022 was a 2.66 and he recorded 71 strikeouts in 47 innings of work.
Prior to the 2022 season with Evansville, Polancic spent the 2021 season with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association. Before 2021, Polancic spent four seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization after being drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft.
During the 2023 season, Polancic was named to the Baseball Canada roster for the WBSC Americas Pan Am Games Qualifiers in Buenos Aires, Argentina from June 16-21. He appeared once in the qualifiers, striking out three in his 1.1 innings.