Breaking News: Vanderburgh County Commission Proposes Overhaul of Site Review Process
Vanderburgh County Commission Proposes Overhaul of Site Review Process
AUGUST 30, 2023
Evansville, IN – The Vanderburgh County Commission announces an important step towards modernizing and enhancing our local business environment. The Commission held a First Reading of proposed changes to the Site Review process, a vital component of the country’s regulatory framework for new business.
The proposed updates aim to bring Site Review processes up to date, ensuring greater efficiency, rapid permitting, and promoting a conducive atmosphere for economic growth. Initially introduced approximately 30 years ago to organize the permitting procedure for new businesses, the Site Review process has lost focus and introduced delays. The need for improved efficiency has been brought to the Commissioner’s attention by major stakeholders in the building industry. Â
The primary objectives of the proposed overhaul are two-fold: first, to streamline the process by reducing the number of business circumstances subject to Site Review, and second, to establish clear building permit review timeframes.
The first objective seeks to limit Site Review to business with a new or expanded building footprint or seeking a rezoning from one classification to another. Currently, virtually any business change of ownership or “use†triggers the Site Review process.
The second key objective is the introduction of a permit review timeframe. Under this framework, permit applications submitted to permitting authorities allow regulators 12 business days to respond. If no response is received within this timeframe, the application is deemed approved. It is important to note that this timeframe has already been established in state law, and the ordinance change ensures alignment with existing state regulations.
The Vanderburgh County Commission believes that these updates to the Site Review ordinance will contribute significantly to the county’s continued economic growth and sustainability. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and providing clear timelines, the county aims to attract new businesses, encourage local entrepreneurship, and ultimately foster a thriving business ecosystem.
The Commission extends its gratitude to the community for its ongoing support and input in shaping these revisions. The proposed changes reflect a collaborative effort to ensure that Vanderburgh County remains a leader in progress and innovation.
The first reading of the proposed overhaul of the Site Review process was voted on unanimously at the August 29, 2023, meeting of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners. Â
The Area Plan Commission is statutorily required to hold a hearing within 60 days, providing an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to engage in discussions and contribute valuable insights. The Vanderburgh County Commission looks forward to a constructive dialogue and is committed to a smooth transition that benefits both the business community and our residents.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands statewide
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 29, 2023) — Following action from the General Assembly and governor, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding statewide, said State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville).Â
The expansion comes thanks in part to Senate Bill 340, which Becker authored during the 2023 legislative session to establish the Indiana Imagination Library.Â
The program gives children from birth to the age of five monthly access to free age-appropriate books, regardless of their income level. The Imagination Library mails over 2.4 million books each month to enrolled children. Â
“It is of the utmost importance for children to have access to books at home, even before they begin elementary school,†Becker said. “Research shows most of a child’s brain development occurs between the time of birth and age five.â€Â
The Indiana State Library will coordinate the program and provide the state’s match to organizations or individuals interested in becoming local program partners.Â
“I am thrilled to see the program continue to make great strides in Indiana since I helped advocate for the establishment of the program in our state at the beginning of this year,” Becker said. “I look forward to watching the positive impact it will have on more of our youngest Hoosiers.” Â
Currently, the Imagination Library is available in 54 counties.Â
Attorney General Todd Rokita lights up Chinese e-cigarette companiesÂ
Attorney General Todd Rokita backs parents concerned with the use of disposable e-cigarettes intentionally marketed to minors in a letter sent to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. Â
“Our great Hoosier parents have a hard enough time raising their children these days with the increase of negative outside influences,†Attorney General Rokita said. “We need to push back against companies that don’t care about our children’s health or their future success.â€
Over 2.5 million middle and high school students nationwide have used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, and 25% use e-cigarettes daily. In Indiana, 1 in 10 high school students and 1 in 30 middle school students reported current tobacco product use with e-cigarettes being the most used by minors.
In the United States, Puff, Elf Bar, and Breeze Smoke remain the most popular brands of illegal disposable e-cigarettes.
These products come in “child-friendly†flavors such as Blue Razz Ice, Strawberry Cream, and Bubble Gang Sour Apple Berry—and they are highly obtainable to America’s youth at local convenience stores, via TikTok, and on various easily accessible websites.
In fact, Chinese disposable e-cigarette manufacturers, such as Elf Bar, directly market their products to our youth on TikTok. The hashtag “#ElfBar†recently passed 2.1 billion views on the platform.
Last October, the Chinese government banned flavored vaping products for its own citizens. Much like the use of Tik-Tok, what China considers too detrimental for its own youth, they do not bat an eye at the absolute exploitation of American consumers, especially our youth.
“My office is constantly working to protect common sense Hoosiers and their children, as they are the most vulnerable among our community,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Whether it’s TikTok or e-cigarettes, our future generation should not be inundated with toxic products sent to us from China.â€
The number of different types of e-cigarette devices sold in the U.S. has nearly tripled to over 9,000 since 2020. This rise is almost entirely driven by unauthorized disposable vapes from China.
The Office of the Attorney General has received multiple reports regarding the dangers of fentanyl, some of which are tied to e-cigarettes and similar products. The threat of fentanyl is not confined to illicit pills. Several reports suggest that illegal, disposable, and flavored e-cigarettes made in China and unlawfully sold to consumers in America may be laced with fentanyl.
“The impact on our future generation is currently risky, and it will turn out to be absolutely dire if we don’t take action now,†Attorney General Rokita said. Â
Ivy Tech Community College Named to 2023 Forbes America’s Best State Employers
Ivy Tech Community College Named to 2023 Forbes America’s Best State Employers
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the second year, Ivy Tech Community College was named in the annual Forbes America’s Best State Employers.
Along with market research company Statista, Forbes’ rankings identify the companies positively rated by their employees on a variety of criteria, including the safety of work environment, fairness of compensation, opportunities for advancement, openness to telecommuting, and likelihood to recommend their employer to others. The final list ranks the 1,392 employers that received the greatest number of recommendations in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Indiana’s list includes 73 employers, but only six institutions of higher education. Only seven community colleges nationally made the list.
“I am pleased that Ivy Tech has been recognized by Forbes for the second straight year,†Dr. Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech President said. “We understand our colleagues are our ambassadors to the communities we serve with their incredible commitment to student success and the mission of the college. We continue to focus on making Ivy Tech a great place to work to attract the best and brightest.â€
Ivy Tech has over 6,300 employees; about half of those are full-time. You can see the full Forbes list at https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/?sh=4c7768161983.
UE Graduate Recognized for Theatre Contributions Nationwide
UE Graduate Recognized for Theatre Contributions Nationwide
AUGUST 39, 2023
EVANSVILLE, IND. (08/28/2023) Lizzie Tredinnick ’18 will always remember her time at the University of Evansville (UE). The theatre design major knew that UE was the place to call home for her college years from the moment she stepped on campus.
“I really enjoyed the area and liked how easily accessible campus was,” said Tredinnick. “I remember having my interview in Chicago with the late John David Lutz and Sharla Cowden and just remember I got a good feeling from both of them, the connections they had were extremely important.”
Originally born in Minneapolis, Tredinnick spent most of her childhood in Madison, Wisconsin. She said Evansville’s name came up numerous times when she was looking around at institutions to study at.
“I knew I was looking for a smaller school that did not have a theatre graduate program, and my mother who has many connections to the theatre world had asked around what is a small school with a good reputation, and Evansville came up quite a few times and after doing several tours of schools, I really liked the vibe of Evansville,” said Tredinnick.
During her time at UE, Tredinnick was focused on advancing her academic and her real-world experiences. She held several internships including with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.
After graduation, her work would take her to New York City, where she helped in various roles working for the Hello, Dolly! Production.
“UE connections helped me get there,” explained Tredinnick. She continued to pursue her dreams and eventually began working for Evergreene Architectual Arts by focusing on removing latex boring paints to reveal original finishes at the downtown Chicago Cultural Center.
“It was a fun contrast to work on something that will be there for years and years,” she said.
Eventually, Tredinnick landed a gig working as a painter in the scene shop at the Santa Fe Opera. She is currently swapping between that job and as an Assistant Scenic Artist with the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis. She started at the CTC in 2022, which remains the flagship theatre for young audiences in North America.
Tredinnick said she loves the work she does because it makes an impact on not only her life, but the lives of those around her.
“It’s nice to be able to create something that goes on stage and tells the story, I enjoy being a part of that story,” said Tredinnick. “Having a hand in the setting is awesome for the kids that see it and follow along and are interacting by asking questions and going home and asking questions and learning about the world around them, that’s really something I love.”
That transformation of a set is something Tredinnick said makes each day unique.
“I love it because you can fully transform something into something that looks different and really cool, it’s like having a magic wand in the shape of the paintbrush and I have a lot of fun strategizing the best way to make this happen and make it look like something that is different,” Tredinnick said.
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.
Home of the Purple Aces, UE offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton College, a Victorian manor located in the countryside of the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.
View Online: http://evansville.meritpages.com/news/UE-Graduate-Recognized-for-Theatre-Contributions-Nationwide/37689
UE Professor, Young & Established Secure Additional Funding to Fight Food Insecurity
EVANSVILLE, IND. (08/29/2023) Increased state funding has been secured to combat food insecurity in Evansville and Vanderburgh County, thanks to the collaborative efforts of a professor from the University of Evansville (UE) and a local non-profit organization.
UE’s Director of the Institute for Public Health and Associate Professor Dr. Su Jin Jeong along with Young & Established (Y&E), was able to secure an additional $50,000 in funding from The Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant through the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH.)
The funds will further support Y&E’s work regarding food insecurity and food equity in the greater Evansville area. This funding would provide additional means to address the problems related to food deserts and child hunger among the population that Y&E serves daily.
This grant is in addition to the previous Health Issues and Challenges grant awarded in March.
The funds will allow Y&E to utilize a total of $500,000 to help the community. Dr. Jeong, as the Director for the Institute for Public Health, serves as the technical grant assistant on this project.
“Food insecurity is still a major issue in Vanderburgh County, and with the increase in funding, Y&E and the Institute for Public Health will be able to further reach those in the population who are still struggling to feed their families,” said Dr. Jeong. “We are hopeful that our collaborative efforts will be effective in making a major impact for our community and are excited for the positive change that we may be able to see happen for those in need.”
USI on the road for a pair this weekend to visit #9 Akron Monday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer hits the road for a pair over the Labor Day weekend, travelling to play the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Friday and #9 University of Akron on Labor Day. Game time Friday at Green Bay at noon, while kick off Monday at Akron is set for 7 p.m.
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Links to follow the Screaming Eagles on the road can be found at USIScreamingEagles.com. USI’s matchup at Green Bay and Akron will be streamed on ESPN+ and FloSports, respectively.
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Following the two-game road series, the Eagles start their longest homestand of the season with four-straight at Strassweg Field. The homestand starts September 9 with a match-up against crosstown-rival University of Evansville.
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The remainder of the homestand includes Belmont University September 12; Northern Kentucky University September 19; and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville September 28. The USI match with former GLVC-rival SIUE will be the first meeting between the two programs since the Cougars departed for Division II in 2007. Â
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USI Men’s Soccer Week 2 Notes:
USI stumbled in home opener:Â USI stumbled in the home opener, 2-0, to Mercer University. The Bears outshot the Screaming Eagles, 15-10, but USI held a slim 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
USI fell in 1st match of 2023: USI lost its opening match of the season, losing at Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis, 3-1.
First goals of the season: USI junior defender Sam Benoist posted the Eagles’ first goal of the season, finding the back of the net in the second half versus IUPUI.
Green Bay in 2023:Â The University of Wisconsin Green Bay is 1-1-0 to start the 2023 campaign. The Phoenix started the year with a loss to the University of Memphis, 2-0, but bounced back to defeat Western Illinois University, 1-0.
USI vs. Green Bay:Â The Eagles are 1-2-0 all-time against Green Bay after losing a 3-1 decision last season at Strassweg Field. USI took the first meeting on the road in 1980, 1-0, but lost the second matchup, 1-0, at a neutral site in 1992 at the Quincy University Tournament.
Akron in 2023: The University of Akron is 2-0-0 to start the 2023 campaign. The Zips, who are ranked ninth nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll, opened the year with a 6-0 win over Niagara University and a 1-0 win over #7 University of Vermont.
USI vs. Akron:Â USI and Akron will be meeting for the first time in the history of the men’s soccer programs on Labor Day.
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