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Indiana Broadband Speed Test

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For broadband funding to be allocated to Hoosier communities who need it most, the Indiana Broadband Office needs data to accurately reflect gaps in broadband connectivity throughout the state. One of the best ways to acquire this data is to encourage Hoosiers to conduct internet speed tests, which measure upload and download speeds while using the internet connection on a device.

There are multiple broadband funding programs that collect speed test data. By conducting a speed test you can help IBO ensure accurate data, identify underserved areas and get funding faster.

It’s easy to get started by visiting ConnectingIndiana.com.

Indiana Broadband Office

Todd Rokita distributes 2023 payments to Indiana communities after major opioid settlements  

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Attorney General Rokita credits success to teamwork with local governments as Indiana disperses over $18 million  

Attorney General Todd Rokita has successfully brought together every Indiana city, town and county to participate in a historic $508 million settlement that will bring massive relief to Hoosiers struggling with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic.  

“Indiana will now receive a huge amount in opioid settlements – the second largest in Indiana history,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Over $18 million will be distributed to Hoosiers as a result of big pharma’s opioid push. This is just one of the many payments yet to come, which will be followed by more payouts to help prevent future addiction and aid those with current addictions.” 

Achieving the participation of all 648 political subdivisions in Indiana — i.e., cities, towns, and counties — required overcoming several obstacles. The most significant impediment came from outside attorneys who initially convinced several individual communities to pursue their own litigation rather than opt into the statewide settlement.  

And later, once those same private attorneys conceded the best course was to join the statewide settlement, some of them insisted on building into the disbursement plan greater windfalls for themselves.  

“Many Hoosiers have sadly lost their lives or loved ones due to overdoses,” Attorney General Rokita said. “In an attempt to make billions of dollars for themselves, they deceptively marketed drugs like OxyContin, which highly contributed to the nationwide opioid epidemic. Considering the damage done to families throughout Indiana, I am relieved to finally see some bit of justice served.” 

The settlement funds will support local law enforcement efforts, drug task forces, regional treatment hubs, and early intervention and crisis support, among other important programs.  

The settlement framework continues to be a 50-50 split between the state and local governments.  

Thirty percent of the settlement funds with “no strings attached” is split evenly between local communities and the state. That 30 percent can be used however local communities and the state choose to use them.   

The other 70 percent is designated for opioid abatement efforts in local communities. State leaders decide exactly how to allocate half that amount — or 35 percent of the total. And this year’s legislation now ensures that local governments decide exactly how to allocate the other half of that total.  

“Local government is closest to the people and most aware of community needs,” Attorney General Rokita said. “So that’s where the best decisions can be made regarding exactly how to spend these funds. Just as I did as Secretary of State and in Congress, I will continue to trust the wisdom of local leaders.”  

Vincennes University Board of Trustees approves Red Skelton Museum expansion, swears in new Trustee

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JASPER, Ind., August 24, 2023 – The Vincennes University Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Aug. 23, voted to accept a generous gift commitment of $4 million from Lothian Skelton, the widow of famous comedian and beloved Vincennes native Red Skelton. The donation will fund an expansion of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy located in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on the Vincennes Campus.

The VU Board of Trustees Finance and Revenue Committee recommended approval of the gift and the 7,200-square-foot expansion. The full board then voted to approve the donation from Lothian Skelton during the meeting at the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Manufacturing on the VU Jasper Campus. The proposed addition will feature gallery and event space. It will give the museum additional space to showcase Red Skelton’s artwork. The addition will also include a serving kitchen and more room for archives. A ceremonial groundbreaking is slated tentatively for October.

“We are profoundly grateful to Mrs. Lothian Skelton for her generous gift,” VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said. “This will be a very nice addition to the University’s facilities as well as a nice addition for the community, and it is a great way to further celebrate Red Skelton and expand on the museum’s collections and display areas.”

In additional business, President Johnson introduced Special Assistant to the President

for Enrollment Management Gary Swegan to the Board. Swegan brings a tremendous background to VU. He has more than 30 years of admissions and enrollment management experience and retired as associate vice president of enrollment management at Youngstown State University in Ohio in 2019.

A highlight of Swegan’s presentation to the Board was an optimistic outlook on student enrollment at VU. Distance Education enrollment and enrollment at the Aviation Technology Center and American Sign Language campuses in Indianapolis were higher in the first week of Fall Semester 2023 than last fall.

“Measuring from covid forward, we are starting to see a rebound,” Swegan said.

The Board also heard stellar enrollment news from VU Jasper Assistant Vice President and Dean Christian Blome. VUJ’s Career Advancement Partnership (CAP) program, an impressive workforce development initiative with local manufacturing companies, has a record number of students enrolled.

This fall semester’s enrollment of 46 students is the largest number in program history, according to Blome. Students in the CAP program learn high-demand technical maintenance skills with paid internships while enrolled at VU Jasper as full-time

students earning associate degrees.

The Board also heard presentations by Vice President for Government and Legal Affairs Tony Hahn, Business and Industry Manager John Tooley, and Director of Assessment Matt Groneman.

The meeting began with new Trustee and South Knox School Corporation Superintendent Jeff Cochren’s swearing-in ceremony. Cochren replaces former South Knox superintendent Tim Grove on the Board.

“On behalf of all the trustees and Vincennes University, it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Trustee Jeff Cochren to the Board,” VU Board of Trustees Chairman John Stachura said. “His dedication and remarkable accomplishments as an educator reflect our shared commitment to fostering academic excellence, nurturing innovation, and empowering the next generation of leaders. The Board is confident he will play a pivotal role in advancing Vincennes University’s mission and will leave an excellent mark on the Board and University.”

Cochren was named the superintendent of South Knox schools in June. He previously served as principal and assistant principal of Heritage Hills High School. Before those positions, Cochren was an assistant principal and athletic director at Eastern Greene High School. He also served as a business teacher and varsity girls’ basketball coach for Mount Vernon High School. He was employed in the corporate world as a safety and environmental manager early in his career. Cochren earned an education specialist degree from Indiana State University. He earned a master’s degree in Teaching and a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Oakland City University. Cochren serves on multiple boards and associations, including the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 36 years. The couple has three daughters and three grandsons. Cochren comes from a family of educators. His late father, Dr. Dick Cochren, was a superintendent for multiple school corporations, including Southwest Dubois County.

“I extend my appreciation to Vincennes University and the esteemed members of the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve and contribute,” Jeff Cochren said. “Your dedication to shaping the future of education is inspiring, and I’m honored to be part of this exceptional Board. Thank you for this privilege.”

Attorney General Todd Rokita steps in to protect tenants from Muncie landlord’s alleged misconduct

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Attorney General Todd Rokita and his team have successfully secured an agreement from a Muncie real estate company to refund consumers a total of $35,000 and to cease allegedly unfair and deceptive practices.

“Week after week, we devote significant time and energy to protecting Hoosiers who rent their homes,” Attorney General Rokita said. “People living in apartments and other rental properties deserve fair treatment and peace of mind. That’s why we work so hard to hold landlords accountable for following the law.”

An investigation by Attorney General Rokita’s Homeowner Protection Unit determined that Middletown Property Management LLC and Middletown Property Group LLC have been using the unregistered trade name “BSU Rentals” — which could confuse consumers by suggesting an association with Ball State University

Tenants also complained of other alleged violations, including:

  • invasions of their privacy without proper notice;
  • use of a deceptive redecoration fee in place of a security deposit; and
  • repeated failures to deliver units to tenants in a safe, clean and livable condition in compliance with Indiana law.

Under an agreement obtained by Attorney General Rokita’s team, the Middletown companies have committed to do the following:

  • issue credits and refunds to consumers totaling $35,000 as well as a payment to reimburse the Homeowner Protection Unit for $10,000 in investigative costs;
  • cease the use of the BSU Rentals unregistered trade name on all marketing materials;
  • make affirmative changes to all current and future residential leases requiring reasonable notice prior to entry of leased units by these companies or their agents;
  • cease the use of a “redecoration fee,” which had the effect of charging tenants for a preexisting legal duty to deliver leased units in a safe, clean and livable condition;
  • remove “as-is” language from all the companies’ leases and agree to abide by the landlord obligations found in Ind. Code § 32-31-8-5; and
  • participate in compliance monitoring requiring the companies to issue quarterly reports to the Homeowner Protection Unit for a compliance period of two years running from Sept. 1, 2023 to June 1, 2025.

Although the Homeowner Protection Unit’s investigation uncovered issues that needed to be addressed, Attorney General Rokita said, the companies have expressed a commitment to resolve tenants’ concerns going forward.

“I would like to thank these respondents and their counsel, Brent Embry, for their cooperation and professionalism in resolving this dispute,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Our office is going to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rental marketplace is free from unfair and deceptive trade practices. At the same time, when businesses commit to do things better, we will always give them the opportunity to make things right.”

Attorney General Rokita also thanked his Homeowner Protection Unit for their diligent work on this case. Investigator Natalie Christie conducted the inquiry into this matter, and Deputy Attorney General Kelsey McKnight provided legal support. Section Chief Chase Haller and Assistant Section Chief Timothy Weber lead the Homeowner Protection Unit.

The mission of the Homeowner Protection Unit is to protect the rights of all individuals involved in the housing market — including tenants, homeowners and aspiring homeowners — by investigating and redressing deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending and violations of relevant state and federal laws.

Eagles stay in town to face Purple Aces

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (1-2) will head across the city of Evansville to battle the University of Evansville (1-1) on Tuesday at Meeks Family Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. The Screaming Eagles look to reverse their fortunes from last year’s 3-0 loss to the Purple Aces.

Game Coverage
Information about USI Volleyball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on USIScreamingEagles.com.

Tickets
For more information about ticket prices, follow this link.

Screaming Eagles Headlines:
Eagles show promise. The Screaming Eagles went 1-2 at the Indiana Invitational, defeating Radford University in sweeping fashion. USI has already matched their win total from last season when the Eagles went 1-28.

Aucoin gets first win. Newly hired head coach Jeffrey Aucoin earned his first-ever head coaching win on Friday against Radford. Prior to USI, Aucoin spent 10 seasons at Harvard University as an assistant coach.

Consistent Starts. In just three matches, senior Leah Anderson has racked up 10 or more kills while junior Carly Sobieralski has totaled 20 or more assists in the same number of matches. Junior Abby Weber has the same number of aces (7) as sets played.

OVC Leaderboard. USI ranks second in digs per set (15.60) and opponent service aces per set (0.80) within the conference. The Eagles also stand fourth in aces per set (1.60), fifth in assists per set (10.30), and sixth in multiple categories including kills per set (10.80) and opponent hitting percentage (.189).

OVC Leaders. Junior Abby Weber leads the conference with one service ace per set while senior Leah Anderson is third best in kills per set (4.10). Junior Carly Sobieralski is fourth in assists per set (8.60) while sophomore Keira Moore has the seventh most digs per set (3.80).

Team Leaders. Senior Leah Anderson leads the pack in a pair of categories with 41 kills and six blocks. Junior Carly Sobieralski has shown true potential in the passing game, putting up 87 assists. Junior Abby Weber has produced a team-leading seven service aces while sophomore Keira Moore has added 38 digs to the stat line.

You Have To #OVCit. The Eagles are in their second season in NCAA Division I and the OVC. USI is looking for their first conference tournament berth in the DI era, but only the top eight teams make it to the championship.

New Faces. USI has added five newcomers to the roster: Leah Coleman, Ellie Marbet, Mariah Minor, Jillian Moonan, and Maeve Moonan. The Eagles also hired first-year head coach Jeffrey Aucoin as the 13th head coach in program history.

Preseason Poll and All-OVC. Senior Leah Anderson scored enough votes to land herself on the 2023 Preseason All-OVC Team. The Eagles were picked to finish last out of 11 teams within the conference. Anderson has earned preseason honors in back-to-back seasons and is the only player to be on the All-OVC Preseason Team in USI program history.

All-Conference Selection. Senior Leah Anderson nabbed the program’s first-ever All-OVC honor in 2022, securing second-team accolades.

Schedule Forecast. The Eagles’ 2023 campaign will consist of 12 home, 13 away, and four neutral matches. USI will also host a four-team tournament in September. The conference slate will feature nine home and nine away matches including the OVC Championship in late November.

History in Progress. Senior Leah Anderson will look to leave her mark as one of the greatest in USI Volleyball history. She enters the 2023 season ranked No. 3 all-time at USI with 169 career service aces, No. 5 with 1,272 kills, and No. 10 with 1,123 digs. The outside hitter became the 15th player to reach 1,000 kills, the 13th player to reach 1,000 digs, and the fifth player in program history to reach both feats. She has joined an elite group that includes Shannon Wells, Jamie Roth, Danielle Peter, and Leeanne Gross in the 1,000 kills/1,000 digs club.

About Evansville. The Purple Aces have a 1-1 record going into the match after defeating Central Michigan, 3-2. UE finished last season with a 16-19 overall record and an 11-7 MVC record. So far, the Purple Aces have accumulated 93 kills, 90 assists, and 20 aces along with 100 digs and 20 blocks. USI and UE faced off for the first time in the regular season last year when the Purple Aces defeated the Eagles, 3-0, at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. This will be UE’s first home match of the season.

Leading the Purple Aces. Junior Giulia Cardona has racked up 42 kills, 26 digs, and eight aces in eight sets to lead UE. Sophomore Kora Ruff leads the passing game with 63 assists while senior Brooke Springer and junior Madisyn Steele each have nine blocks to lead the Purple Aces at the net.

More Information. For more information about USI Volleyball and Athletics, go to USIScreamingEagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Giulia Cardona named MVC Player of the Week

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Junior honored for second time in her career

ST. LOUIS– University of Evansville junior Giulia Cardona was named the Missouri Valley Player of the Week in an announcement by the league on Monday.  This marks the second time Cardona has been recognized as the league’s Player of the Week.

One of the top offensive players in the nation continued to impress in the first weekend of her junior season.  Highlighted by a career-high 28 kills in the win over Central Michigan, Cardona paces the MVC with an average of 5.25 kills per set.

She added a total of eight service aces, putting her second in the league.  Friday’s opener against preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorite Southeast Missouri State saw Cardona register a match-high 14 kills along with 9 digs, 4 block assists and 2 aces.  Facing a 20-win squad from last season in Central Michigan, Cardona erupted for a career-high 28 kills while hitting .311.  Ten digs gave her a double-double while she added 6 more aces and two block assists.

Vincennes University names new Center for Applied Robotics and Automation Director

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VINCENNES, Ind., August 28, 2023 – Kimberly Wright is the new director of the Vincennes University Center for Applied Robotics and Automation (CARA). In this role, she will lead the largest collaborative robot educational program in the United States.

According to VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, “Vincennes University is incredibly proud that we are at the forefront in the introduction and development of collaborative robotics education and training. Through CARA, and with our steadfast strategic partnerships, innovative curricula, outstanding faculty and staff, and new technologies, Vincennes University is committed to building the future for Indiana’s economy, shaping the workforce that will be needed, and offering tremendous career opportunities for current and future VU graduates. I am eager to begin working with Kimberly as she assumes the important role of CARA Director.”

The one-of-a-kind Center for Applied Robotics and Automation consists of 42 cobots on the Vincennes Campus, Jasper Campus, Gene Haas Training and Education Center in Lebanon, and in Career Center Early Colleges, with K-12 schools. Cobots are robotic automation built to work safely alongside human workers in a shared workspace in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and aviation. A cobot is usually responsible for repetitive, menial tasks, while a human worker completes more complex and thought-intensive tasks. The VU cobot hub was made possible by an $8 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant and in partnership with Carmel, Indiana-based Telamon Robotics.

Wright brings to her new position as CARA director more than 20 years of technical teaching experience and talent development in various settings, including secondary education, dual credit, traditional postsecondary, and adult education in corporate environments.

“I am both honored and excited about my new role,” Wright said. “I look forward to working alongside my VU colleagues, educators, and industry leaders to foster innovation, bridge the gap between academia and industry, and prepare students for the dynamic landscape of automation and robotics. The CARA harmonizes innovation and education and is helping create a workforce prepared to excel in an automated era, steering progress for a brighter Indiana and beyond.”

Wright possesses a passion for VU. Since 2001, she has held a variety of roles with the University. Wright has been involved in numerous workforce development initiatives relating to upskilling and training workers, developing curriculum and partnerships, and managing teams and projects of all sizes.

Previously, Wright contributed to VU’s launch of the first Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics apprenticeship program in the nation as the program’s manager. Since 2020, the program has trained more than 400 apprentices from diverse backgrounds to work as technicians across the United States. Wright is a well-respected former faculty member of the College of Technology. She taught computer-integrated manufacturing and robotics and electronics. Wright also held program coordinator and assessment positions. Additionally, she directed a Project Lead the Way initiative offering innovative learning experiences for five local high schools. She also coordinated the Early College Program at Vincennes Lincoln High School.

She holds two VU degrees, an associate degree in Robotics and a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management. Wright earned a master’s degree in Adult Education and Executive Development from Ball State University.

“We are excited to welcome Kimberly Wright’s exceptional leadership and expertise to this position,” College of Technology Dean Ty Freed said. “She is a proud Vincennes University College of Technology alum and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role. VU is a leader in providing workforces in Indiana and the country with highly skilled professionals who possess the knowledge needed in today’s advanced manufacturing industries. With Kimberly’s guidance, the University will continue strengthening our strong industry and educational partnerships by integrating collaborative robotics and automation processes into their working and learning environments to create a workforce for the present and future.”

According to a recent survey report by Conexus Indiana and the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, 51 percent of Indiana manufacturers expect to adopt cobots in the next five years.

“Vincennes University is committed to empowering individuals and industries with cutting-edge knowledge in cobot and Industry 4.0 technology,” Wright said. “Through education, hands-on exposure, and comprehensive training, the CARA ignites a passion for automation. By offering first-class learning experiences, we are a catalyst for cultivating adept professionals who are driving productivity and reshaping industries.”

 

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.

IS IT TRUE AUGUST 28, 2023

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question
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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.
Reader’s comments in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertising.
IS IT TRUE that a late great professor from the University of Evansville once said, “Come to the revolution all of this $%#! will cease?”…the obsession with fun and game spending is what has led the sheep to this unsustainable abyss?
IS IT TRUE we just received the following email from third-party Mayoral candidate Michael Daugherty?  …that Mr. Daugherty made the following statement: I wanted to provide an update.  I received a personal phone call from Tara Barney, CEO of EREP, in regards to my not receiving an invitation to the Mayoral candidate forum to be held at Bally’s.  I have accepted her apology for the invitation error concerning this event and I am ready to move forward.
I am excited to speak in front of an audience in regard to improving our wonderful city and sharing my vision for a better Evansville.
IS IT TRUE that the City Of Evansville doesn’t have the money to make 9 million dollars worth of repairs on the FORD CENTER?  …that we are told that City leadership has come up with an abstract way of raising funds to renovate the FORD CENTER?  …that in today’s CCO we have posted an article concerning this extremely controversial way of raising 9 million dollars to renovate the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that fiscal conservative and former Evansville City Councilmen Justin Elpers said: “that the Evansville health insurance plan is supposed to be self-funded by employee copays and deductibles, but what we have seen over the last five years is that the self-funded plan is not self-funded,”  …that now Vanderburgh County Commissioner Elpers also commented, “That’s why we see the imbalance in the City’s employee Insurance Plan”? …that the CCO feels that now Vanderburgh County Commissioner Elpers’s comments concerning the above Evansville Employee Healthcare plan are spot on?
IS IT TRUE that we are told that the EVSC officials have authority under the “Temporary Loan Resolution” to draw down millions of dollars in low-interest loans to help defray current operating expenses?  …that we are now told that the practice of EVSC Administration applying for and receiving a “Temporary Loan Warrant” may have been going on for many years?
IS IT TRUE when well-credentialed scientists cannot make prediction better than a dart-flinging monkey, what is an intellectually challenged elected official to do?…the answer is to panic and makes edicts that are then overturned time and again because most politicians are literally in way over their heads?… the official position of seemly of some government officials has gone from “Corona will never come to so please come visit us for a virus-safe holiday” to “wear a mask but we are not going to do anything about it if you don’t”? …the litany of inconsistencies has shaken people’s faith in the ability of government to know right from left or up from down?
IS IT TRUE that one of the most serious impending health crises facing America today is the possibility of the reinsurance of the COVID-19 virus?  …that we hope that the majority of our elected officials and medical experts are prepared for a possible impending health crisis?
IS IT TRUE that we are proud of the success of the Ivy Tech LPN Nursing students because every year they achieve an extremely high pass rate for their LPN State tests? …that we would like to congratulate Ivy Tech-Evansville Administration, faculty, and staff for preparing the LPN student to pass these extremely challenging test?
IS IT TRUE when small-town politicians who preside over an increasing crime rate and a mediocre economy that gets national attention, every politician who rides in parades hearing “Hail to the Chief” in their mind catches “Buttigieg Derangement Syndrome”?…we hope that this political disorder won’t be contagious enough to infect the thinking of a few current local elected officials?
IS IT TRUE that the CCO gives five (5) cheers to the Teamsters  Local 215 for establishing the Taft-Hartley Scholarship Fund?  ..that since 1998 the fund has awarded many millions of dollars in Scholarships to deserving students?
IS IT TRUE that we wonder what the Board Of Directors of the Evansville Museum has done with the multi-million dollar “PICASSO On Glass” painting?
IS IT TRUE that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?  …our current “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that EREP leadership not allowing Libertarian Michael Daugherty to participate in their upcoming Mayoral debates is unacceptable?
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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Courier Warrants

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