Indiana governor delivers his final State of the State address
Gov. Eric Holcomb entered the full House chamber Tuesday night, greeted with applause as he shook hands with everyone along the aisle on his way to the podium to deliver his eighth and final State of the State address.
“A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are forâ€â€”Holcomb began with a quote from Grace Hopper, one of the first female admirals of the U.S. Navy, of which Holcomb was once a member.
In his address, Holcomb highlighted the changes in Indiana in the past seven years of his term and his plan for the future.
“I do not plan to safely stay anchored in port for the next 12 months. After all, standing still, is not what we are Indiana for,†Holcomb said.
On top of being a top-10 agricultural state and a leader in plant, animal and life sciences, Indiana was ranked the No. 1 state in which to start a business by Forbes, Holcomb said, saying Indiana is also one of the lowest cost-of-living states.
Holcomb added that Indiana’s GDP has grown by over $150 billion and employment is up by 200,000 jobs while unemployment is at a record low.
For changes in taxes and salary, Indiana’s personal income taxes were cut to 3.05% and military members no longer have to pay taxes on their military income or pensions, which was met with lots of applause from the House and guests.
The audience laughed, followed with hollers and applause, as Holcomb joked about the final year of construction of I-69.
“This is the year—yes, it is finally arriving—when I-69 connects Indianapolis to Evansville,†he said. “INDOT has led the partnership with our private sector partners, and I am so proud to be approaching the final mile of construction after decades of discussion.â€
Holcomb announced the Lilly Endowment will make the single largest grant award in its 86-year history: $250 million to support READI 2.0 projects. These projects include the rehabilitation and restoration of old houses and statewide arts and culture initiatives.
In attendance were consul generals of Japan and Israel. Holcomb thanked them for their long-standing relationships with Indiana.
“A few months back, I attended an event at Indiana’s War Memorial. A young lady introduced herself and shared an observation that immediately rang true,†Holcomb said. She said the now-old version of the Gold-Star Families’ license plates didn’t convey the full meaning of the sacrifice these Hoosiers made.
The young woman, Lauren Tomikiewicz, lost her husband in a NATO training accident, and she didn’t shy away from helping to redesign the plate. In attendance at the speech were Tomikiewicz and her late husband’s mother. Tomikiewicz held up the new license plate as the audience applauded.
“Let’s continue to live up to the Indiana Model in the legislative session ahead,†Gov Holcomb said while beginning to outline all of the work he still plans to do before his last session is over.
With lots of “we musts,†Holcomb committed to tasks he would like to see through.
He wants to see third-grade reading policies improved as well as preparing students for a “digitally driven world†by requiring computer science classes to be taken to graduate high school.
In addition to teaching, he said expanding Indiana’s child-care workforce is a plan as well.
Near the end, Holcomb paid homage to his dog, Henry, who passed away recently. “A new year brings about reflection and preparation for what’s next. I only wish our buddy Henry was here to do it with us,†he said.He ended his speech with a final joke and sentiment.
“My fellow Hoosiers, even if I live long enough to need a “smart knee†or two, I will regard the privilege of having served as your governor as the honor of a lifetime.â€
City to Raise New Gateway to Jacobsville Tomorrow
City to Raise New Gateway to Jacobsville Tomorrow
January 11, 2024
Mayor Stephanie Terry will join the Department of Metropolitan Development and residents from the Jacobsville neighborhood tomorrow morning to raise a new gateway into Jacobsville.
The arch that once stood at the head of Main Street in Downtown Evansville, which was removed during construction of the Ford Center, will be raised as the new gateway into the Jacobsville neighborhood at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. It will stand at the corner of North Main and Franklin Streets, complete with a new sign that reads, “Welcome to Jacobsville.â€
Once the arch is raised, Mayor Terry will join officials from DMD and residents from Jacobsville in cutting the ribbon on the new neighborhood gateway.
Easterseals announces All Cash Raffle ticket sales are underway to fund therapy
Tickets are now available for the 33rd annual Easterseals All Cash Raffle!
JANUARY11, 2023
The raffle will once again award five cash prizes: a grand prize of $25,000, a second prize of $15,000, a third prize of $5,000 and a fourth and fifth prize of $1,000 each.
Tickets are $50 each or 3 for $100 and a maximum of 5,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available until 5 p.m., March 13, 2024, or until they are sold out. Easterseals encourages supporters to enter early!
 The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center has announced an incentive to encourage ticket sales. For each ticket purchased before 5 p.m. Fri., Feb. 9, the buyer will be entered for a chance to win 10 extra tickets in the raffle drawing. This incentive is the best offer of the raffle sales period; incentives will NOT get better!
 To purchase tickets:
- Call 812.437.2600 to pay directly from a checking or savings account, or with a debit card. (NO credit cards.)
- Buy in person at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, 3701 Bellemeade, Evansville, Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm, using cash, check, or debit card. (NO credit cards)
- Print and mail an order form available at www.EastersealsRehabCenter.com with check.
On Fri., March 15, all sold tickets will be entered in the Easterseals All Cash Raffle drawing at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center to determine the winners. The drawing is not open to the public.
Sponsors of this year’s “ALL CASH Raffle†are Kemper CPA Group, ABC 25/CW 7,
Tools 4 Teaching, 99.5 WKDQ, MY 105.3, 103 GBF, KISS 106, News Talk 1280 AM, 92.5 WBKR, 1490 AM/99.1 WOMI. The
Indiana Raffle License Number for this event is #002228.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY TREASURER DOTTIE THOMAS FILES FOR OPEN VANDERBURGH COUNTYCLERK SEAT
EVANSVILLE — Vanderburgh County Treasurer Dottie Thomas filed to run for Vanderburgh County clerk this morning at the Civic Center.Â
The County Clerk’s office is as the record keeper for the County Court, collecting child support payments, filing fees, fines, and bail bond monies. The Clerk also serves as the Chief Elections Officer for the County and is responsible for recruiting and training poll workers and tabulating election results.Â
“Over the last 22 years and 36 elections (including primaries), I have served as a poll worker, a recruiter, a trainer, and a troubleshooter helping to safeguard Vanderburgh County’s election integrity. It is immensely important that the individual serving as County Clerk is experienced and dedicated to providing extraordinary government service. If elected, that will be my commitment to you,†says Thomas.
Although eligible to run for a second term as Treasurer, Thomas explained that “While I am proud of the strides we’ve made in the Treasurer’s Office over the last four years, I believe using the lessons learned through my decade of experience working for prior Clerk’s is the best way for me to serve our community.â€Â
Thomas will continue to serve as Vanderburgh County Treasurer throughout her campaign and maintain her position as the 2024 President of the Indiana State Treasurer’s Association.
With single-digit temperatures forecasted, CenterPoint Energy provides tips to save energy and stay safe while keeping warm
Evansville – Jan. 10, 2024 – Over the coming days, significantly colder temperatures are expected in southwestern Indiana with forecasts in single digits. CenterPoint Energy is reminding customers about simple energy-saving and safety steps to help them lower heating bills, while continuing to stay safe and warm this winter. Â
Customers who believe they may have trouble paying their heating bills this winter should contact CenterPoint Energy to set up a payment arrangement. Customers can also find out if they are eligible for energy assistance programs to help pay their bills. To learn more, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.Â
 Energy-saving TipsÂ
 ·        Make sure your heating system is operating safely and efficiently. An annual inspection and tune-up by a qualified technician are recommended. Â
 ·        Change or clean your furnace filter regularly. This helps maximize your furnace’s efficiency and life.Â
 ·        Turn down your thermostat. By lowering your thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night or when you’re away for at least eight hours, you can potentially save 10% on your heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, you can have your heating system work around your schedule.  Â
 ·        Keep warm air in and cold air out of your home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. You can also roll up towels and push them against the bottom of the door’s interior to help prevent heat loss. Close fireplace dampers when not in use, so you don’t lose heat. Â
 ·        Close window coverings and blinds. This will help insulate against the cold air outside. Â
 ·        Circulate warm air with your ceiling fans. Set your ceiling fans to turn clockwise slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to your living levels. Â
 To learn more about energy-saving tips, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/EnergySavingTips. Â
 Safety Tips Â
  Natural Gas  Â
·        Use space heaters safely. Make sure your space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating. Â
 ·        Test your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don’t last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Â
 ·        Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If you suspect you could have CO poisoning, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911. Â
 ·        Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak.
If you smell the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location, and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376. Don’t use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location, or do anything that could cause a spark. Â
 Â
 Electric Â
·        Never use an electricity generator inside your home or any other building. Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows, and vents.
 ·        Do not go near downed power lines or fallen wires.
Always assume downed lines/wires are live and potentially dangerous if
contacted. Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines or fallen wires. Keep your distance from objects touching downed lines (tree limbs, vehicles, fences, etc.). Â
 ·        If someone is actively being shocked due to contact with a power line, do not try to rescue them.
Instead, call 911 immediately. Â
 ·        Report downed power lines to 800-227-1376. Â
 Â
USI earns All-Steinway School Distinction
After a long journey tracing back to 2015, the University of Southern Indiana has earned an All-Steinway School distinction. The University now has 10 Steinway & Sons pianos, housed in the Wenger Practice Rooms on the lower level of the Arts Center; the Hamilton Music Studio and Topper Practice Room, both located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center; the USI Performance Center; and the second floor reading room in David L. Rice Library.
With the opening of the USI Performance Center in 2015, which included a Steinway & Sons grand piano, the USI Foundation petitioned Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, USI’s third President, to approve the initiative of becoming an All-Steinway School, “a school that demonstrates a full commitment to excellence by providing its students and faculties with the best instruments possible for the study of music.â€
Because the University needed an infrastructure for piano practice for its students, private gifts from generous donors to the USI Foundation were used to purchase six pianos for the Wenger Practice Rooms, and covered the cost of the renovation of the lower level of the USI Arts Center where the Wenger Practice Rooms are located.
In April 2019, the six Steinway pianos were delivered and placed in the Wenger Practice Rooms and USI was well on its way to becoming an All-Steinway School.
Although Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI President, approved the initiative soon after his appointment in 2018, he wanted to know more about Steinway & Sons and its prestigious distinction.
The USI Foundation already had committed to underwriting a trip to New York City for the USI Chamber Choir, which was scheduled to perform in Carnegie Hall in May 2019. As part of that trip, Rochon and Mrs. Rochon; Dr. James Beeby, former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Andrea Gentry, Director of University Development; Daniel Craig, Associate Professor of Music; Thomas Drury, Instructor in Music; and Robert Klingbeil, USI’s Steinway representative, toured the New York Steinway & Sons factory in Queens, New York. The entire group was convinced of the importance of having this type of quality for USI students and faculty.
As the process of becoming an All-Steinway School moved forward, three additional Steinway pianos were ordered to replace older pianos on campus. Of the three new Steinways, two were placed in the Liberal Arts Center’s Hamilton Music Studio for choir practice, one in Craig’s vocal lessons studio and the third in the David L. Rice Library second floor reading room to accompany performances in that space.
By summer 2023, USI and the Dr. Philip H. Hagemann Department of Performing Arts, Music and Theater were in a position for the USI Foundation to formally seek the All-Steinway School Distinction. “USI has a long tradition of musical excellence, and this designation is a good step forward as we look to the future of our programming,†said Dr. Del Doughty, Dean of USI’s College of Liberal Arts.
Steinway & Sons will present the official All-Steinway School plaque to the University in spring 2024. New York officials from Steinway & Sons will join the leadership team of its piano gallery in Nashville, Tennessee and representatives from USI, for the occasion.
“I’m very encouraged by this development and am grateful for the generosity of the people of this community who helped to make this happen,†said Craig. “I’m thankful to the USI Foundation and to the donors who want to see music thrive at USI.â€
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