Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report
Santa Stroll Presented by Riverside Capital Management Group scheduled for Friday, December 15
Travel along Main Street and take photos with the holiday decor and special guests
December 13, 2023: Downtown Evansville is decorated for the holiday season and Friday marks the return of a holiday tradition that started in 2020. On Friday, December 15 from 5 – 7 PM the Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District (EID) will host the 4th annual Santa Stroll Presented by Riverside Capital Management Group Jim Back, CFP® Financial Advisor and Daniel Schweikhart Financial Advisor on Main Street (between Riverside Dr. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.).
Guests will stroll by foot or vehicle along Main Street beginning at Riverside Drive. As they travel, guests will enjoy the EID’s holiday decorations and lighting installations; including the lighted trees along Riverside Drive, the Chandelier Tree (130 Main Street), 12’ nutcrackers and the lighted archway at 2nd & Main, the Heart of Downtown Evansville (212 Main Street at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana), Santa’s Little Helpers Alley (213 Main Street by Evansville Eyecare Associates), the decorated fountain (300 block of Main), an 11′ Snowflake with more than 3,000 lights (300 block of Main Street), the Tunnel of Light featuring more than 13,000 lights (400 block of Main Street), a 10’ lighted tree (500 block of Main), an alley featuring multi-color lights (500 block of Main), and ending at the City of Evansville Christmas Tree (Civic Center).
Costume characters will be located on multiple blocks of Main Street to greet visitors and pose for photos. Free hot cocoa will be served on the 300 Block of Main Street in front of the Innovation Pointe Building (318 Main Street). There will also be a one night only Polar Express themed backdrop installation to capture your holiday memories. Volunteers will distribute free ornaments, crafts, and stickers to children at various lighting installations. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will be stationed on the Ford Center Plaza for brief photo opportunities. As guests leave Main Street, they will see the City of Evansville Christmas Tree.
The event is free to attend and is open to the public. It is a busy time of the year for Santa and all the characters, so please note that the event will end promptly at 7 PM. Shops and restaurants along Main Street and throughout Downtown will be open for business.
“Now in its fourth year, this event debuted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The community reception was overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of cars participating. This year we are providing multiple options for guests, including the ability to join us by foot or vehicle. We look forward to seeing lots of smiling children and families,†says Adam Trinkel, executive director, EID.
Lady Trailblazers ride big second quarter to win in Region 24 opener
INA, Ill. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers opened up Region 24 play Wednesday night on the road against Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill.
The Blazers fell behind early but were able to take the lead back for good with a big second quarter scoring run to pick up the 78-61 victory over the Lady Warriors.
Vincennes got off to a very slow start at Rend Lake, with the Lady Warriors scoring the first nine points of the game and quickly building a 12-2 lead.
VU would answer back with a 10-0 scoring run to even the score at 12-12 before Rend Lake hit a three before the buzzer to end the first quarter holding a 15-12 lead over the Trailblazers.
Vincennes looked to take control of the game to begin the second quarter, hitting three straight threes to use a 9-0 run to take a 21-15 lead.
The Lady Blazers would keep adding on, using some strong defensive pressure to outscore the Lady Warriors 17-1 and take a 40-21 lead.
Rend Lake would look to cut into the VU lead before halftime however, scoring the final even points of the opening half of play to cut the deficit to 44-31 at the break.
The Lady Warriors would look to continue this momentum into the second half, cutting the VU lead down to five points at 48-43 where it would hold for the rest of the third quarter.
Vincennes was left holding a 55-50 advantage over Rend Lake College heading into the final 10 minutes of action.
Rend Lake would continue to cut into the VU lead down to just three early in the fourth quarter at 58-55 before the Lady Blazers would take control of the game back by outscoring the Lady Warriors 17-2 to take a 75-57 lead.
The Lady Blazers would keep this lead and run the clock out as Vincennes finished off a 78-61 victory over Rend Lake to pick up the win in the Region 24 opener.
Vincennes was led offensively by a big double-double by freshman Taylor Guess (Indianapolis, Ind.) who came off the bench to pick up her first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Freshman Destinee Hooks (Indianapolis, Ind.) finished off her night with 14 points and a team-high four steals, while freshman Makyla Tucker (Indianapolis, Ind.) came away with 14 points, three rebounds and three steals off the bench.
Freshman Karina Scott (Noblesville, Ind.) was the fourth VU scorer in double-figures Wednesday night ending with 12 points on four made three-pointers, while dishing out a team-high four assists.
Sophomore Johnai Wimbleduff (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to add eight points and five rebounds and sophomore Katrina Litte (Valmiera, Latvia) ended with six points on two made threes and dishing out four assists.
The Lady Trailblazers will look to keep this momentum going into the weekend when VU heads to Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill. Saturday, Dec. 16 for the first Region 24 basketball doubleheader of the season. Tip-off time for the Lady Blazers is set for 2 p.m. eastern.
VINCENNES BOX SCORE
VINCENNES (78): Destinee Hooks 6-15 1-2 14, Karina Scott 4-14 0-0 12, Katrina Litte 2-2 0-0 6, Brie Miller 2-6 0-1 4, Elikya Baseyila 0-3 2-4 2, Makyla Tucker 6-13 1-2 14, Najra Voloder 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor Guess 6-11 4-5 16, Johnai Wimbleduff 4-5 0-0 8, Maycee Lange 1-7 0-0 2, Team 31-76 8-14 78.
VU (5-7, 1-0) – 12   32  11  23 – 78
Rend Lake – 15   16  19  11 – 61
Three-point goals: VU 8 (Scott 4, Litte 2, Hooks, Tucker). Rebounds: VU 41 (Guess 13). Assists: VU 16 (Scott 4, Litte 4). Steals: VU 13 (Hooks 4). Blocked Shots: VU 5 (Hooks 2, Scott 2). Turnovers: VU 14. Personal Fouls: VU 22. Fouled out: Wimbleduff.
Cardona adds All-American status to list of accomplishments
Junior earns honorable mention accolade
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Giulia Cardona became the first player in University of Evansville volleyball history to earn All-America status as she garnered American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention honors on Wednesday morning.
With the NCAA Final Four on the horizon this weekend, Cardona continues to be the national leader in kills per set (5.34), points per set (6.14) and attacks per set (15.00). Cardona became UE’s first honoree in the 42-year history of the AVCA All-America Teams at the NCAA Division I level. She was the MVC’s lone representative on this year’s list.
“I am happy to see Giulia being recognized on a national level,†Purple Aces head volleyball coach Fernando Morales said. “We were witnesses of what she did night in and night out, but to see those on a national scale realizing this is huge for Giulia and our program.â€
In total, 98 players were honored with 14 being named to first, second and third teams and 56 garnering honorable mention accolades. Earlier in the month, Cardona became Evansville’s first player to garner AVCA All-Region honors.
Cardona was UE’s first Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and was one of the top performers in the MVC and the entire nation. Cardona wrapped up the 2023 campaign with a total of 593 kills, breaking her own UE program mark, which she set in 2022.
She was named the AVCA GameChanger Division I National Player of the Week on October 17 becoming just the second player in league history to earn the accolade. Cardona was a 4-tie MVC Player of the Week and recorded two of the league’s four 20-kill, 20-dig performances in 2023.
This marks just the second time that a Purple Aces female has garnered All-American honors at the Division I level. In 2000, Krista McKendree was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team All-American.
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.
Vanderburgh County Council Meeting DECEMBER 13, 2023
DECEMBER 13, 2023
3:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| 1. | OPENING OF MEETING |
| 2. | ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL |
| 3. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE |
| 4. | INVOCATION |
| 5. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES: |
A. County Council Meeting November 1, 2023
| 6. | PERSONNEL REQUESTS: |
A. Superior Court
1. Request to restructure funding for salaries paid from INDOC grants, Project Income and Community Transition Programs
a. Community Corrections Project Income 11220000
1) Community Corrections Project Income – Electronic Home Detention 11222104
2) Community Corrections Project Income – Treatment Court 11222503
3) Community Corrections Project Income – Work Release 11222505
b. INDOC Work Release Grant 9304/93140000
c. INDOC Treatment Court Grant 9317/93180000
B. LIT Public Safety – Superior Court
1. Request to move Residential Officer 11701370-117022 to 93040000-930458
C. Superior Court – INDOC Grant
1. Request to move Extra Help 93180000-199000 to 25050000-199000
D. Coroner
1. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Deputy Coroners 10001070-107121
E. Assessor
1. Request to fill vacancy for Real Estate Deputy Residential II 10001090-109139
F. Cooperative Extension
1. Request to fill vacancy for (2) PT 4-H Assistants 10001230-123120 and amend hourly pay.
G. Area Plan Commission
1. Request to allow Assistant Director/Planner 10001240-199000 to continue working part-time through March 28, 2024.
H. Public Defender
1. Request to allow advanced step placement for Public Defender 10001420-142168
I. Sheriff
1. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Property Management Clerk 10001050-105157
2. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Clerk 10001050-105170
3. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Paper Servers 10001050-199000 (Extra Help)
4. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Special Deputy 10001050-199100
J. LIT Public Safety—Sheriff
1. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Special Deputy 11701050-199100
K. Misdemeanor Offender
1. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Video Evidence 11750000-199000 (Extra Help)
2. Request to amend hourly pay for PT Booking Clerk 11750000-199000 (Extra Help)
L. Prosecutor
1. Request to fill vacancy for Chief Charging Investigator 10001080-108124
2. Request to fill vacancy for Deputy Prosecutor 10001080-108141
3. Request to fill vacancy for Investigator 10001080-108149
M. Prosecutor IV-D
1. Request to fill vacancy for (2) Enforcement Officer 10001400-140011 and 140029
2. Request to fill vacancy for Receptionist 10001400-140035
N. Prosecutor – Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC)
1. Request to create and fill vacancy for CGIC Analyst 82100000-821001
O. Local Public Health Funds
1. Request to retitle and reclassify Data Analyst I 11610000-116121
P. Health Dept—WIC
1. Request to amend annual salary for these positions:
a. (2) Health Educator/WIC 84030000-840311 and 840312
b. (3) Registered Dietician/Registered Nurse 84030000-840314, 840315 and 840316
c. (2) Intake Clerk 84030000-840319 and 840321
d. WIC Local Agency Director 84030000-840325
2. Request to amend hourly pay for these PT positions 84030000-199000 (Extra Help):
a. PT Breast Feeding Coordinator
b. (2) PT Health Educator
c. PT PRN Clerk
Q. Health Dept—Lactation
1. Request to amend hourly pay for (3) PT Breastfeeding Peer Counselor 84060000-199000 (Extra Help)
R. Health Dept—Evansville Promise Neighborhood
1. Request to create and fill vacancy for (2) Community Health Worker I 84390000-843901 and 843902
S. WITHDRAWN Health Dept-Epidemiology Laboratory
T. Health Dept—Pre to 3 Expansion (State Grant)
1. Request to create and fill vacancy for Data Analyst I 94230000-942301
U. Health Dept—FSSA Hoosier Family First
1. Request to create and fill vacancy for (2) Community Health Worker II 94260000-942601 and 942602
V. Health Dept—Early Learning
1. Request to create and fill vacancy for Public Health Nurse I 94270000-942701
2. Request to create and fill vacancy for Community Health Worker I 94270000-942702
| 7. | PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION REVIEW REQUESTS: |
A. Circuit Court
1. Riding Bailiff/Court Reporter 10001360-136131
B. Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation
1. Receptionist/Secretary 21010000-210165
C. Prosecutor IV-D
1. Enforcement Officer Supervisor 10001400-140012
2. Enforcement Officer Supervisor 10001400-140013
3. Receptionist 10001400-140035
D. Prosecutor IV-D – Incentive Fund
1. Director of Operations 88970000-889716
| 8. | APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: |
A. Auditor
B. Burdette Park
C. Local Roads & Streets
D. Auditor’s Ineligible Homestead
E. Reassessment – Assessor
F. General Fund Reserve
| 9. | REPEALS: |
A. Clerk
| 10. | TRANSFERS: |
A. Clerk
B. Sheriff
C. Coroner
D. Prosecutor
E. Assessor
F. Election Office
G. Area Plan Commission
H. Commissioners
I. Superintendent of County Buildings
J. Jail
K. Circuit Court
L. AMENDED – Superior Court
M. Prosecutor IV-D
N. Old National Events Plaza
O. Legal Aid
P. County Council
Q. Convention & Visitors Bureau
R. Health Department
S. Prosecutor Pre-Trial Diversion
T. Riverboat Commissioners
U. Reassessment – Assessor
V. Reassessment – PTABOA
W. Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation
X. LATE TRANSFER – Burdette Park Y. LATE TRANSFER – Highway Z. LATE TRANSFER – Jail ZA. LATE TRANSFER – Cooperative Extension
| 11. | OLD BUSINESS – None |
| 12. | NEW BUSINESS – None |
| 13. | AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE |
| 14. | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 15. | REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES: |
A. County Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 3, 2024 @3:30 PM
| 16. | ADJOURNMENT |
Todd Rokita and Ken Paxton want to be the conscience of everyone
Todd Rokita and Ken Paxton want to be the conscience of everyone
It appears the moral obliviousness that ails Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is contagious.
John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com
Let’s hope there’s a cure.
Rokita has engaged in a campaign to discourage doctors from providing proper medical care for 10-year-old rape victims. His vendetta against an Indiana obstetrician and gynecologist who performed an abortion for an Ohio girl who had become pregnant after being raped made national news, earned Rokita a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court for violating ethics standards and wasted thousands upon thousands of taxpayer dollars.
The Indiana attorney general presented himself as the defender of the 10-year-old’s rights.
As far as anyone can tell, though, neither the little girl nor her mother ever asked for his help. Nor—again, as far as anyone can tell—did the girl or her mother ever complain about the care the doctor provided.
No, Todd Rokita just assumed he was in a better position to decide what care was best for a little girl who had been raped than the girl herself, her mother or her doctor.
Because he’s Todd Rokita—and they’re not.
It would be reassuring to think Rokita’s moral cluelessness is an isolated incident, but it isn’t.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has decided to go Indiana’s attorney general one better—or, actually, worse.
Rokita tried to discourage doctors from performing abortions for young rape victims, thus compounding the act of violation and forcing children to endure ordeal after ordeal.
Paxton has decided to force a 31-year-old Texas woman with a life-threatening pregnancy to carry the baby to term, even though the child is bound to die either way and continuing the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life.
Paxton did so after the pregnant woman went to court to seek an exemption from Texas’ draconian abortion ban. The court granted the exemption.
It was at that point Paxton opted to insert himself into the process.
He asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene. The court halted the lower court’s order.
Paxton also sent letters to three hospitals, threatening lawsuits if they performed the abortion for the woman.
Because—just like Todd Rokita—Ken Paxton thinks he is in a better position to decide what medical care is right for this poor woman than she or her doctors are.
Because he’s Ken Paxton—and they’re not.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about all of this is that Rokita and Paxton think they have the standing to make moral decisions or issue moral lectures to anyone.
Rokita, of course, has been reprimanded once by the Indiana Supreme Court—and he may yet earn additional disciplinary action from the court. As part of the agreement that produced the reprimand, he acknowledged in an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, that he had violated rules of conduct for attorneys.
Then, in a statement released after the reprimand became public, he said he didn’t really mean it—which has begun another preliminary investigation into his conduct.
This came following another curious episode. The doctor who performed the young rape victim’s abortion sued Rokita, basically just to get him to leave her alone. The judge tossed the suit on technical grounds, but in doing so said Rokita violated confidentiality laws. Rokita responded by trying to overturn the ruling in a case he technically won because the judge hurt his feelings while pointing out an obvious truth.
Let’s also not forget the weird incident that started Rokita’s tenure as attorney general. He had a lucrative job in the private sector that he hoped to continue even after taking office, thus turning being attorney general into a side hustle. He asked the state’s ethics commission for an opinion.
When he received the opinion, he claimed it vindicated him—but he’s fought ever since to keep anyone else from seeing it.
For his part, Paxton has used one delaying tactic after another since 2015 to evade securities fraud charges. Earlier this year, he was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives on corruption charges with nearly three-quarters of his fellow Republicans in the chamber voting against him. He managed to avoid conviction and removal in the Senate, in part because the presence of his wife, a state senator, complicated the task of trying him.
These are the guys who think they have the stature to make moral and family-planning decisions for everyone.
Yeah.
Right.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The views expressed are those of the author only and should not be attributed to Franklin College.
The City-County Observer posted this article without opinion, bias, or editing.