Afternoon News: Thursday January 5th 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News:

A Posey County man declared his candidacy in the race for the next mayor of Mt. Vernon on Wednesday. Steve Loehr filed paperwork to begin his campaign in his run for the city's next mayor. Loehr says he's a life-long resident of Posey County, who retired after 42 years with GE/SABIC, where he led several projects. Loehr says he maintains his involvement with the community in various capacities, like volunteering for the Special Olympics and St. Matthew Church.

The Mt. Vernon Police Department is taking applications for Lateral Police Officer. The Mount Vernon Common Council approved a Lateral Police Officer hiring bonus of $10,000. This bonus is paid in $5,000 increments at the end of year 1 and at the end of year 3 (in addition to the lateral pay of $50,656). If you are a full time, Indiana Tier I Certified Officer from a state, county, or local municipality, you may be eligible for this bonus. Check out the Mt. Vernon Police Department website for more details.

If you have no police experience, that’s OK. The department is also accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. The starting pay for officers is $48,656. A $2,000 increase is given at the end of the probationary year. Additional benefits include shift differential of $1,000 and $2,000 for afternoon shift and night shift, respectively, a yearly uniform allowance of $1,000, longevity pay, vacation days, sick days, personal days, life insurance, options for health, vision, and dental insurance as well as enrollment into the Indiana Public Employee's Retirement Fund. Applications for Police Officer are due by February 3^rd, 2023.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church-MAGIC After-School Program recently received a $3,000 grant from the Posey County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Giving Grant Program. In celebration of Posey County Community Foundation’s 30th Anniversary, the Celebrating 30 Years of Giving Grant Program allows advisory board members to recommend $3,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by Jane Koch and will provide general support to the MAGIC After-School Program. The MAGIC After-School Program was established in 2005 with the objective of helping and reinforcing children’s academic and social achievements. The program is open to students in grades third thru sixth, that reside in Northern Posey County. The mission of the MAGIC Program (Making A Gigantic Improvement in Choices), is to improve the lives of the students by teaching them the value of good choices in life. For more information about funding opportunities through the Posey County Community Foundation, contact Amy Smith who is the Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact.

Indiana schools would see a 6% funding boost next year under state spending plans announced yesterday by Gov. Eric Holcomb. The Republican governor’s plan would give K-12 schools their largest funding increase in more than a decade even amid worries about an expected slowdown in the growth of state tax collections. The extra money comes with the goal of boosting the statewide average teacher pay by about $3,000 to at least $60,000 a year. Holcomb’s proposal comes as the Republican-dominated Legislature is set to start its 2023 session on Monday, with its primary business being the adoption of a new two-year state budget. The governor’s proposals also include eliminating textbook fees for public school students by directing $160 million toward local schools to cover that cost. Indiana is among a handful of states still allowing textbook fees, with Democrats and many education advocates long criticizing them as an unfair extra cost to families. Other spending proposals include $300 million over the next two years to bolster local public health programs. The state now directs about $7 million a year to county health departments, which are primarily funded by local taxes.

The Indiana Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that will likely have a big impact on Hoosiers trying to go green. The case involves CenterPoint Energy’s proposed plan on how it bills a customer who uses solar panels or other methods to produce electricity. At times many consumers with such devices produce more energy than they use. That energy goes back into the grid and utilities pay consumers for it. CenterPoint says it wants to pay customers near wholesale prices for the excess electricity. Several groups filed suit saying the price should be closer to the higher retail price of electricity. The state supreme court says in its ruling there is nothing wrong with CenterPoint’s plan, and it meets all requirements of Indiana law. The new rules would only affect new users, while consumers already on the plan would remain at a higher rate.

A popular Evansville pizza restaurant is ready to welcome pizza lovers back after closing for renovations. Azzip Pizza's flagship store on Pearl Drive was closed as they worked on interior improvements. Some of the new offerings involve a second make line for online orders, increased seating, along with a more modern look. They originally planned to reopen sometime during the end of 2022, but the owner wanted to make sure changes were done right and not rushed. Azzip Pizza has four locations across Evansville.

Sports:

- North Posey Girls Basketball is at home this evening taking on Tecumseh. The JV game is at 5:30 PM and the Varsity game will follow around 7:00 PM. Lady Vikings Varsity Basketball is 5-4 on the year. 

- USI Women's Basketball (7-6, 1-1) plays at Morehead State at 4:00 PM.

- USI Men's Basketball (8-7, 1-1) also travels to Morehead State tonight at 6:00 PM. 

- In other Men's College Basketball...#1 Purdue (13-1) heads to #24 Ohio State at 6:00 PM. #15 IU (10-3) is on the road to battle Iowa at 8:00 PM. Hear that game on 106.7 FM WMVI. WKU (8-5) is at North Texas at 8:00 PM.