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Gov. Holcomb, Adjutant Gen. Dale Lyles visit Indiana National Guard soldiers in Kenya ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

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INDIANAPOLIS- Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles returned to Indianapolis Friday evening concluding a visit to Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Kenya where they shared a Thanksgiving meal with Hoosier National Guard soldiers.

“These are men and women who will spend close to a year living in a foreign country, thousands of miles away from home and celebrate the upcoming holidays away from those who love them most,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It was an honor to share a meal with them and take a moment to learn more about their mission at hand and about the loved ones waiting for their safe return.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Holcomb met with members of the Indiana National Guard’s Airborne Company who are stationed in the Horn of Africa region on a counterterrorism mission. He shared a holiday meal with the soldiers, spent additional time on the base and received an update on the Mission Overview.

The more than 100 citizen-soldiers are headquartered in Seymour and are on a joint assignment between Indiana and Oklahoma National Guardsmen and women.

“Hoosier Guardsmen serving at Camp Simba right now are focused on the mission, supporting regional security and freedom in Kenya,” said Maj. Gen. Lyles. “I’m grateful for their professionalism and the governor’s visit, which provided a morale boost to the soldiers who will be apart from their loved ones during the holidays.”

In Nairobi, the governor met with Deputy Chief of Mission Marc Dillard on Thursday to discuss opportunities to strengthen relationships in education, trade and government to help build a mutually sustainable partnership with common goals.

Operation Enduring Freedom has been ongoing in the Horn of Africa since 2002. Hoosier Guardsmen continuing the mission are scheduled to return home to Indiana next year.

Indiana State Police Increasing Patrols during Thanksgiving Travel

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Indiana State Police will be joining law enforcement agencies from across the state to make sure everyone gets to their holiday destination safely.

“This holiday season, we expect to see a lot of traffic on the roads. Please make smart decisions by not mixing drinking and driving,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Be proactive and plan for a sober driver.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2021, 190 people throughout the nation died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the holiday travel period ranging from the day before thanksgiving to the Monday following Thanksgiving. 

NHTSA data shows there are more motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities during holiday periods due to increased travel time, more alcohol usage, and excessive driving speed. 

Troopers will be on the roads on high alert for impaired drivers. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber or Lyft. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. 

By working together, we can save lives and make sure there are no empty places at the Thanksgiving table this year.  

PBR RETURNS TO THE FORD CENTER ON MAY 25, 2024!

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PBR PressRelease

VU Bowling claims 19th place at McKendree Match Games

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Vincennes University bowling team faced another tough tournament over the weekend with the Tier 1 McKendree Match Games hosted by McKendree University in Illinois.

The two-day tournament consisted of five traditional games followed by 20 baker games Saturday and Sunday.

The Trailblazers were led over the weekend by freshman Cayden Russell (Noblesville, Ind.) who finished with a score of 978 over his five traditional games, for a team-high average of 195.6 pins per game to place 39th overall out of 223 bowlers.

Junior Brighton Lucas (Salem, Ill.) finished just behind Russell, ending his five games with a total score of 974, including a team-leading 233 in his first game and an average of 194.8 pins per game to take 41st overall.

Freshman Dakota Waskom (Louisville, Ky.) was the third VU bowler to compete in all five games, finishing with a tournament score of 864 for an average of 172.8 per game and an 85th overall finish.

Freshman Kannon King (Salem, Ill.) was the next VU finisher, ending with a total of 682 over four games and an average score of 170.5 per game.

Freshman Nicholas Gregg (Salem, Ill.) ended his traditional games with a total score of 668 over four games, for an average of 167 per game.

Freshman Jon Starr (Centralia, Ill.) rounded out the VU scoring for the tournament, finishing with a 171 and a 209 in his two games for a combined score of 380 and a 190 average per game.

The Trailblazers as a team finished the traditional games with a score of 4,546 and closed out the 20 baker games with a combined score of 3,435 for an overall tournament score of 7,981, good for 19th place overall out of 27 teams competing.

Vincennes will look to head into the holiday break on a high note with their second American Heartland Bowling Association (AHBA) tournament of the season, Saturday, Dec. 2 at Thunderbowl Lanes in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Trailblazers will then return to the lanes in 2024 with the Kegel-ISBPIA Midwest Classic Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14 in Addison, Ill.

VINCENNES RESULTS

VU (19th) – 902, 849, 837, 960, 998 – 4,546.

Baker – 115, 160, 127, 147, 184, 149, 180, 169, 138, 184, 192, 222, 174, 177, 184, 179, 212, 164, 194, 184 – 3,435. Tournament total – 7,981.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Cayden Russell (39) – 190, 190, 169, 213, 216 – 978

Brighton Lucas (41) – 233, 170, 192, 209, 170 – 974

Dakota Waskom (85) – 130, 144, 174, 207, 209 – 864

Kannon King (136) – 168, 147, 173, x, 194 – 682

Nicholas Gregg (139) – 181, 198, 129, 160, x – 668

Jon Starr (184) – x, x, x, 171, 209 – 380

Congressman Jim Baird and State Representative Beau Baird Visit South Putnam High School for Veterans Day Convocation

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Greencastle, IN – Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) and State Representative Beau Baird (HD-44) visited South Putnam High School in Greencastle in observance of Veterans Day and to speak with students about the meaning of service. The two leaders addressed the school to help the students better understand our government and how they can have a positive impact on their community.

“Introducing the next generation to the principles of service can be just as impactful as my official responsibilities in Congress,” said Congressman Jim Baird. “Inspiring our students to become informed citizens will strengthen our communities and encourage them to make informed choices about the future. I’d like to thank the entire South Putnam High School community for hosting us, and I appreciate the students for their participation.”

“I can tell you from experience that our students are ready and willing to take up leadership positions, but it is our responsibility to show them the way,” said State Rep. Beau Baird. “It’s crucial that our students understand how to interface with our government so they can make positive change and become effective leaders in the future.”

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Officer Involved Shooting Update 7801 Bussing Dr. (Evansville Regional Airport)

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 On November 18th, at 12:22 a.m., Evansville Central Dispatch received a call from the Evansville Regional Airport for a disorderly subject inside the lobby. A second call to dispatch asked that officers “step it up” because the male had escalated his behavior, was threatening airport personnel, and had an approximate 4-inch knife. The male was also using the knife to tear up furniture. Members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Evansville Police Department arrived on scene. They encountered the adult male suspect in the lobby area inside the airport and he was holding a knife. No one else was in the immediate area at that time. 

The suspect was later identified as 24-year-old Pierre Robson Barthelemy. A Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputy, who is a Negotiator and a CIT Officer, was one of the first to arrive. One of the first responding EPD Officers is also a CIT Officer. That Officer requested on the radio that they needed a less lethal option. 

Barthelemy stated he was upset about his status in Evansville and wanted to go back to his country. The Negotiator asked for Barthelemy’s ID. Barthelemy got out of his chair with knife in hand and threw his ID at law enforcement officials. They ordered him to stop and drop the knife. Barthelemy laughed at officers and told them to shoot him but did sit back down. The Negotiator explained that officers did not want to do that, and just wanted to help him. The Negotiator attempted to gain rapport with Barthelemy and tried to negotiate with him for nearly 15 minutes. 

During negotiations, numerous commands were given for him to drop the knife. Barthelemy continued to yell at the law enforcement officials to just shoot him. Barthelemy never dropped the knife and at one point, he put the tip of the knife to his head and made a stabbing motion. 

The situation escalated when Barthelemy yelled obscenities at the officers, abruptly jumped out of his seat, and moved towards officers with the knife in hand. 

In total, 14 law enforcement officials were on scene at that time. Between EPD, VCSO and ISP, less lethal tools were on scene at that time. Due to Barthelemy abruptly escalating the situation, lethal force and less lethal force were utilized at the same time. Three Evansville Police Officers fired their duty weapons. One Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputy and one Indiana State Police Trooper also fired their weapons. An EPD Officer deployed a Conducted Electrical Weapon (Taser), and two officers fired a less-lethal pepper ball launcher. 

Life-saving measures were quickly rendered to Barthelemy on scene prior to AMR arrival including an officer using a tourniquet. Barthelemy was transported by AMR to a local hospital for treatment. Currently, Barthelemy is still hospitalized and still receiving treatment. No officers or other civilians were injured during the incident. 

Per protocol, all three EPD Officers were taken to the hospital for blood draw and the EPD Peer Support Team was called in to assist the officers. All three officers have been placed on Administrative Leave during the investigation, which is also protocol. 

Although we do not know where Barthelemy was previously living, we do know that he arrived in Evansville on a Greyhound bus on November 8th. Officers had been dispatched to the bus station that day for a complaint against Barthelemy. The driver of the bus called 911 to report that Barthelemy had stolen her bag. When officers arrived at the bus station, Barthelemy was still on scene and was in possession of the bus driver’s bag. Barthelemy was arrested for Theft and taken to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center that day. 

Barthelemy bonded out and was released from the VCCC on November 9th. Later that same day, around 11:00 p.m., employees from a local shelter for women and children called 911 because Barthelemy was trying to get into the shelter and refused to leave. When the officers arrived, Barthelemy was on the property and was told that he was barred from the property and needed to leave. 

Regarding the incident at the Evansville Regional Airport, Barthelemy is facing charges of Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Deadly Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, and Criminal Mischief. There could potentially be other charges as well. Once Barthelemy is medically released, he will be arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center. 

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public – 2023-11-20

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Courier Warrants – 2023-11-20

“IS IT TRUE NoVEMBER 20, 2023

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address rationally and responsibly.

City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.

We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, or insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertiser.

IS IT TRUE that we have been told by several people in the know that the “TERRY FOR MAYOR” transition team has been selected and moving forward in an extremely cautious manner?

IS IT TRUE that we are glad to hear that the transition is moving forward cautiously because it is a well-known fact that Evansville has serious financial challenges and should that be addressed cautiously?

IS IT TRUE we’re hearing that there may be a little pushback concerning a FORENSIC AUDIT?

IS IT TRHE that we are told by several well-regarded business people that the rumor Evansville has over a Billion dollars in bonds indebtedness may be sport on? … that they are also concerned about how many hundreds of millions of dollars will it cost to finish the massive water and sewer project throughout Evansville and build the new multi-million dollar Sewer Treatment Plant and how we are going to get the money to pay for it?

IS IT TRUE that the City is also facing many millions of dollars worth of financial obligations regarding sidewalks and street repairs, upgrading of our city parks, City Department equipment upgrades, and finding an affordable employee Healthcare plan to name a few additional financial challenges for the incoming Mayor to address?

IS IT TRUE that local governments face structural challenges in their finances because their spending obligations often far outstrip their revenues?

IS IT TRUE that local governments are faced with a serious financial crisis due to the accumulation of long-term debts?

IS IT TRUE that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, local governments across the country face the formidable task of committing resources to rising healthcare needs while maintaining services their communities expect, including schools, parks, and libraries?

IS IT TRUE that the only ways that local government can pay for its mounting debt is to make severe budget cuts, raise property taxes, or borrow money from local banks?

IS IT TRUE that when local governments struggle, states also pay a price because of lost jobs, reduced tax collections, and diminished services?

IS IT TRUE that during the last City Council meeting (the week after the city election) every current Council member went on public record to oppose the proposed Center Point Energy rate increase?  …that during the recent City election, not one current member of the Evansville Council publicly opposed the proposed Center Point Energy rate increase? …that this type of political posturing is what is commonly known as  “Political Vacillation”?

IS IT TRUE that members of our current City Council recently approved a 9 million dollar loan to update the Ford Center by using the naming rights of city streets as collateral to purchase “Lease/Rental Revenue Bonds” from a local bank?  …we wonder how many city streets have been sold and how much money has the City collected from the sale of the naming rights of our city streets?  … many people feel that the above method to get the money to finance a 9 million dollar loan to make renovations at the Ford Center using the naming of streets as collateral is not only questionable but downright embarrassing?

IS IT TRUE that it is incumbent upon us to remind our City and County officials that Revenue Bonds are rated based on the revenue they generate to make principal and interest payments and based on any assets pledged to secure the bonds? …that Corporations are judged on their ability to generate earnings, while a state or local municipality may also issue a general obligation bond, which is backed by the taxing power of the municipality.
IS IT TRUE that it is seldom that the federal government does something that accomplishes exactly what it was meant to at the price that was advertised?…it is also true that most government programs exist perpetually even after they have accomplished what was intended?…there are even laws on the books that should have been canceled or rescinded years ago for obsolescence?…one local community in their zeal to be like the federal government still has a law on the books forbidding the riding of a stud bull in front of a church on Sunday morning?
IS IT TRUE that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?  …our current “Readers Poll” question is:  HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT MAYOR ELECT STEPHANIE TERRY IS GOING TO DO?
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