Evansville Man Arrested after Resisting and Battering Trooper during Traffic Stop
Gibson County: Sunday night, September 24, at approximately 10:35 p.m., Trooper Hurley stopped the driver of a 1995 Buick on US 41 near CR 350 North for having a defective taillight and expired registration. The driver was identified as Austin Ricks, 25, of Evansville. Â Trooper Hurley detected signs of impairment and detected an odor of cannabis inside the vehicle. During field sobriety tests, Ricks resisted, and a physical confrontation ensued. Ricks was taken into custody after being tased by Trooper Hurley. Ricks was treated at the scene and transported to Gibson General Hospital in Princeton where he was treated, released, and then transported to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Trooper Hurley received minor injuries during the confrontation and did not require medical treatment.
Toxicology results are pending.
Arrested and Charges:
Austin Ricks, 25, Evansville, IN
- Battery on a Police Officer, Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“IS IT TRUE” SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
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 in a rational and responsible way.
IS IT TRUE that over the last several decades the City of Evansville Employees Healthcare Insurance has continually posted a severe deficit each year? Â …it looks like it’s time for newly elected members of the City Council to vote to hire a new Employee Health Insurance broker in order to find a long-term solution to create an affordable City of Evansville Employee Healthcare Insurance plan?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if any local Democrats will host a “Democrats for Rascher†fundraising event for Mayoral candidate Natalie Rascher (R)?
IS IT TRUE that we are told by a couple of political movers and shakers that we will be seeing at least four (4) new faces on the 2024 Evansville City Council?
IS IT TRUE that we are told the voters all over America are in the mindset to get rid of the tax and spend politicians?
IS IT TRUE that over 1400 Democrats crossed over to vote in the local Republican primary election?
IS IT TRUE that many people are extremely pleased with the way that Steve Hammer promotes and represents United States Senator Mike Braun of Indiana?
IS IT TRUE we are told that the practice of not posting unrecorded accounts payable in a timely manner was to come to an end starting January 1, 2020? Â …starting back in 2020 Finra and the SEC required cities with populations greater than 100k to submit the year-end financial report to the State Board of Accounts by using the accrual method of accounting? Â ..we wonder if the Evansville City Controller and County Auditors are in compliance with State law?
IS IT TRUE that the City-County Observer newspaper is a proud supporter of our first responders and members of our law enforcement?
IS IT TRUE that the best-known secret at the Civic Center is that during the last several years the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities has loaned the City of Evansville many millions of dollars in cash advances to help the city with cash shortfalls/
IS IT TRUE that it has been estimated that when the downtown Evansville Medical Schools is built it will create over 3,700 good jobs by 2022?  …that it was also promised that once the Medical School was built, around  2,000 nursing students from IVY TECH?  …given these positive jobs and enrollment projections, the political types invested around $40 million dollars on capital bonds to build a downtown hotel. …that Evansville’s political leaders selected an out-of-town private contractor to construct a hotel?
IS IT TRUE that hotels do not bring people a city people bring hotels?
AGENDA OF EVANSVILLE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 25 MEETING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
09-25-2023 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
09-11-2023 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2023-17 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/9/2023 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller F-2023-17 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2023-35 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3512 Career Ave Owner: Briar Pointe Development, LLC Requested Change: M2 to R4 Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC R-2023-35 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2023-36 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3646 Career Ave Owner:Briar Pointe Development, LLC Requested Change: M2 to R4 Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC R-2023-36 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-18 An Ordinance to Vacate a 15’ X 20’ Public Utility Easement Located Near the Southwest Corner of Lot 25 in The Promenade Section 7, Phase I, Being at the Northeast Corner of the Intersection Formed by Vogel Road and Vision Court having a Common Address of 1229 Vision Ct Sponsor(s): Trockman Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 9/25/2023 Notify: Bret Sermersheim, Morley G-2023-18 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2023-25 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 114, 116 & 120 E Delaware St and Part of 110 E Delaware St Owner:John F Maier Requested Change: R2 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Bret Sermersheim, Morley R-2023-25 Amended Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2023-27 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1821 Buchanan Rd Owner:Tim Smith Requested Change: M2 to R1 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Tim Smith R-2023-27 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2023-28 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 4407 & 4319 Broadway Ave Owner:Fasttrack Enterprises, LLC Requested Change: R1 & C1 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC R-2023-28 Amended Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2023-27 A Confirmatory Resolution of the Evansville City Council Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property and Installation of New Equipment 111/119 West Division Street, Evansville, IN (The Van Arkel Group dba The Lloyd Self Storage LLC) Sponsor(s): Trockman, Beane, Burton Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 9/25/2023 Notify: Matt Schriefer, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership C-2023-27 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, October 9, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
Attorney General Todd Rokita and team fight to keep Southport cop’s killer behind bars
This week, Attorney General Todd Rokita’s appeals team continued their fight to ensure the killer of a Southport police officer remains in prison for at least a half-century.
“Anyone who murders someone, especially a police officer, must be kept off our streets,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Our team is committed to honoring the legacy of Lt. Aaron Allan by ensuring justice is done.â€
On July 27, 2017, Lt. Allan stopped to assist a man who crashed his car on Indianapolis’ southside. As the officer reached in to help the motorist — Jason Dane Brown — Brown shot him 11 times. Witnesses told investigators that Brown continued to fire his weapon even as Lt. Allan attempted to crawl away. At the time of his death, Lt. Allan was 38. Lt. Allan’s father attended this week’s oral arguments on behalf of the fallen officer’s family.
The killer is appealing his conviction, claiming the state failed to prove its case against him. On Sept. 19, Attorney General Rokita’s team argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals that Brown’s conviction rests on rock-solid evidence. Brown received a 58-year sentence, with 55 to be served inside the Department of Correction.
Attorney General Rokita thanked Deputy Attorney General Courtney Staton for arguing on behalf of the appeals team.
“We expect justice to prevail,†Attorney General Rokita said. “We will never forget Lt. Allan’s heroism, and we will continue supporting his brothers and sisters in blue who continue selflessly serving Hoosiers.â€
USI Women’s Basketball Announces 2023-24 Non-Conference schedule
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball released its 2023-24 non-conference schedule, beginning November 6 with a home matchup against Wright State University. USI will host 16 home dates at Screaming Eagles Arena this year.
The November 6 home game against Wright State starts a three-game homestand to tip off the season for USI. Southern Indiana will also face Oakland City University on November 12 and Northern Illinois University on November 16. The Screaming Eagles’ home schedule also includes a December 1 game against Murray State University. USI’s non-conference home slate concludes with another three-game homestand, featuring matchups against Eastern Michigan University on December 9, University of Cincinnati on December 17, and Brescia University (Ky.) on December 22.
“We have put together another non-conference schedule that I think our fans will be very excited about,” USI Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Stein said. “With a three-game homestand to start the season, and seven home games outside of the Ohio Valley Conference, our fans should have some great opportunities to see our team play early and often!”
The Eagles will travel for three challenging road games during the non-conference season. USI will travel for the first time on November 20 to the University of Missouri, which is followed by a November 26 game at Purdue University. Southern Indiana’s final road contest during the non-conference season is December 6 at Saint Louis University.
“The schedule will be extremely tough again, which we hope will prepare us for Ohio Valley Conference play at the end of December,” Stein added. “We are excited to play against great teams, including some power-five opponents. It’s not too often we have a chance to host a Big 12 Conference team inside Screaming Eagles Arena like Cincinnati on December 17!”
As announced previously, the home portion of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule features Tennessee State University (January 4), Tennessee Tech University (January 6), the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (January 18), Morehead State University (January 19), Western Illinois University (January 25), Eastern Illinois University (February 8), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (February 10), Lindenwood University (February 29), and Southeast Missouri State University (March 2).
This year’s conference road slate includes stops at Southeast Missouri (December 29), Lindenwood (December 31), SIUE (January 11), Tennessee Tech (February 1), Tennessee State (February 3), University of Tennessee at Martin (February 15), Little Rock (February 17), Morehead State (February 20), and Western Illinois (February 24).
In the history of the USI Women’s Basketball program, the Eagles are 74-75 all-time against the 2023-24 schedule (3-2 vs. Wright State; 26-11 vs. Oakland City; 0-1 vs. Northern Illinois; 1-4 vs. Murray State; 2-4 vs. Saint Louis; 1-0 vs. Eastern Michigan; 0-1 vs. Cincinnati; 3-3 vs. Brescia (Ky.); 2-12 vs. Southeast Missouri; 6-0 vs. Lindenwood; 1-1 vs. Tennessee State; 0-2 vs. Tennessee Tech; 27-25 vs. SIUE; 0-2 vs. Little Rock; 1-1 vs. Morehead State; 1-0 vs. Western Illinois; 0-4 vs. Eastern Illinois; 0-2 vs. UT Martin).
Giulia Cardona earns second Player of the Week Award of 2023
Junior is national leader in kills and points
ST. LOUIS– For the second time this season and third instance in her career, University of Evansville junior Giulia Cardona was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on Monday.
Cardona had an unbelievable weekend that saw her average an unfathomable 8.86 kills per set while hitting .329 as the Purple Aces opened their league slate. Cardona had 62 kills in seven sets, including a new career-high of 36 at Belmont.
Her 36-kill performance versus the Bruins was the most in a 4-set match in 2023 and tied for the most in a match this season in the NCAA. She added 2.71 digs per set along with two blocks and an ace. In the weekend opener at Murray State, Cardona recorded 26 kills while hitting .277. She picked up eight digs and a block.
On Saturday, she took things to a new level, setting her career mark with 36 kills at Belmont while finishing the match hitting .370. Cardona picked up 11 more digs and a block.
Averaging an unfathomable 8.86 kills in the last two matches, Cardona improved her season average to a NCAA-best 5.84 kills per set. With 6.63 points per set, Cardona is also tops in the nation.
Explore Indiana this Fall
This weekend officially kicks off the fall season. Our state offers many ways to enjoy the fall weather and explore the outdoors by way of festivals, orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and events at Indiana State Parks. Here are some resources to help you and your loved ones make the most of the season.Â
- Visit Indiana lists events across the state and provides regional information on local attractions. To learn more, click here. 
- Indiana Festivals details festivals across the state, including the famous Covered Bridge Festival from Oct. 13 – 22. Click here to learn more.
- The Indiana Recreation Guide details outdoor recreation sites in our state, including state parks and events at those locations through the end of the year. Click here to download the guide.
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers a mobile app for users to view state park property information and maps. Click here to download the app. 
- The Indiana Department of Transportation offers the Trafficwise mobile app for users to receive statewide up-to-date information on Indiana roads. Click here to download the app. Â
