The annexation of part of Knight Township will be taking place soon. This became official when a group remonstrating against the annexation dropped their lawsuit.

The proposed annexation area is bordered by Morgan Avenue to the north, the Lloyd Expressway to the south, the Vanderburgh County line to the east and Royal Avenue to the west. As per Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel the annexation is good news for the city of Evansville and the residents in the annexed area who will now benefit from city services.

Knight annexation official

Evansville's first significant annexation in 20 years became official Tuesday when a group remonstrating against the plan to bring a heavily commercial area of Knight Township into the city limits dropped their lawsuit.

The Eastside Taxpayer Annexation Group accepted an offer from the city to phase in property taxes over a three-year period. The city also will provide $300,000 in traffic signal and street illumination improvements.

"This is good news for residents in the annexed area who will now benefit from city services, and good for city residents who should see city tax rates go down," Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel said in a statement. "This annexation also allows the boundaries of the city to expand with the tremendous economic growth we are experiencing in Vanderburgh County."

The proposed annexation area is bordered by Morgan Avenue to the north, the Lloyd Expressway to the south, the Vanderburgh County line to the east and Royal Avenue to the west.

The 1,514-acre tract includes the Burkhardt Road commercial district of 1,379 residents. The city would extend fire and police services to the area, which would consume the bulk of the $572,148 projected in annual operating expenses to provide all city services.

The city is forecast to receive $2,176,428 in annual property tax revenue from the area.

Currently, fire and police services are provided by the Knight Township Volunteer Fire Department and Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department.

Michael Schopmeyer, who represented the Eastside Taxpayer Annexation Group, said in a statement that the property tax phase-in will save property owners $4.2 million.

"While this taxpayers group accepted this settlement, many expressed their detest for the city having stated that this annexation might not result in any tax increases for these taxpayers and their businesses," he said.

Schopmeyer has said property owners in the affected area will experience a property tax increase by as much as 30 percent.

Weinzapfel has disputed that estimate, saying any increases will be offset by House Bill 1001, Gov. Mitch Daniels' property tax reform legislation. The legislation caps property tax liabilities in 2009 at 1.5 percent of assessed value for homeowners, 2.5 percent for agricultural properties and 3.5 percent for commercial properties. Those caps will decrease by half of 1 percent in 2010.

"Our small family business, along with others in this area, made some of the region's largest capital investments to create the fastest-growing and most attractive commercial centers in the region," Tom Dersch, one of the remonstrators, said in a statement.

"Such investments were made based upon budgets set to lower county, not city, tax rates. As developers and taxpayers, we paid for the roads, landscaped larger green spaces and installed the water and sewer improvements, all at substantial personal cost. Those investments enabled this area to prosper as an impressive gateway.

"It seems plainly unfair for the city to now come in after the fact and impose on us 40 percent or more in new future property taxes without adding any better police, fire, road maintenance or other essential services. Growing small businesses, not the government, should be our focus. As new city taxpayers, we will remain vigilant in seeing that after annexation the city serves this area sufficiently to justify this huge tax increase."

Weinzapfel also wants to annex a more northern section of Knight Township and land on the city's West Side that includes a heavily commercial area west of Red Bank Road. Both of the fiscal plans for those annexations include the construction of fire stations. Each would cost $1.6 million, according to the plan.

The last major area annexed by the city was commercial and industrial land south of Lynch Road and east of U.S. 41 in 1988.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/dec/30/knight-annexation-official/

Here we have some good news on Evansville’s Donut Bank. Saveur Magazine has selected the Donut Bank among the 12 best in the Nation. We congratulate the Donut Bank on this award and wish them all the best in 2009.

Saveur: Donut Bank one of 12 top doughnut makers in the country

Saveur Magazine has tasted doughnuts across the United States a deemed the creations of Donut Bank Bakery & Coffee Shop among the top 12 best in the country.

According to their Web site, Saveur says:

"Over the past month, we sampled nearly 100 kinds of doughnut from across the country; those from ... 12 shops and purveyors range in shape, size, color, flavor, and texture and consistently stood out in taste."

Here is what Saveur said about the Donut Bank:

"A family-owned business since 1967, Donut Bank has eight locations throughout Southern Indiana; its popularity is likely due to the fact that brothers Joe, Ben, and Chris Kempf come from a long line of bakers who take doughnut making very seriously.

"Drawing on traditional German baking techniques, Donut Bank hand-cuts and glazes its doughnuts in a process that takes three hours for a single batch. Notable varieties include the chocolate iced long john, a rectangular yeast doughnut topped with chocolate glaze, and the famous honey-dipped glazed doughnut."

Donut Bank is touting its new status in signs at all locations.

Others selected are shops in New York, California, Rhode Island, Washington, South Dakota and Massachusetts. To read about other donuts deemed the country's best, see the article by clicking here.

People in Evansville won't be able to keep their Christmas trees up long if they want to take part in the annual Christmas tree recycling program.
Holiday Recycling Day is January 3rd.
Vanderburgh County residents will be allowed to bring their trees to the Civic Center that day and volunteers will grind the trees into mulch.
Anyone who wants the mulch is invited to take it.
The program is free to the public.

Source: http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=46721

The University of Southern Indiana has been designated as an institution of community engagement by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university was recognized in both categories: “curricular engagement” and “outreach and partnerships.” It was one of 119 public and private colleges and universities nationwide to receive the designation. Purdue University, Indiana State University and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis also hold the national distinction.

The University of Southern Indiana is one of 119 public and private colleges and universities nationwide to receive classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an institution of community engagement. USI was recognized in both categories: “curricular engagement” and “outreach and partnerships.” One hundred and forty-seven institutions applied for the classification. USI, Purdue University, Indiana State University, and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis are the Indiana institutions that hold the national distinction.

Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at USI, said, “This is national recognition of the outstanding work of USI faculty, staff, and students in connecting the learning environment on campus with southwestern Indiana. It affirms that USI takes seriously its mission to support education, social, and economic growth, and civic and cultural awareness in southwestern Indiana.”

Service to the region and the state is an important component of USI’s mission. The University’s outreach programs include the Center for Applied Research, which mobilizes the resources of the University to help regional businesses and organizations thrive; Connect with Southern Indiana, a citizenship-building program open to Indiana residents from nine counties; heritage tourism through Historic Southern Indiana and Historic New Harmony; the Southern Indiana Japanese School, a Saturday program for children of Japanese employees of area corporations; an annual summer season of plays at the New Harmony Theatre; the annual RopeWalk Writers Retreat; and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art. USI is the education partner for Innovation Pointe, Evansville’s certified technology park headquarters, and offers classes there.

USI President H. Ray Hoops has twice established a President’s Task Force on Workforce and Economic Development to examine the University’s leadership and responsiveness in regional economic development. The 2007 Presidential Task Force found that USI has made measurable progress in implementing the recommendations of its first Task Force in 2000. Recommendations included continuing development of co-op and internship opportunities; increasing noncredit and workforce training offerings; developing Connect with Southern Indiana, a regional leadership program; and offering alternate delivery of programs through distance education. Of the 13 suggested academic programs in the 2000 report, only one has yet to be implemented.

USI links outreach to curriculum through its Service Learning program. Recent examples include an evaluation of Habitat of Humanity of Evansville performed by faculty and students from the departments of Social Work, Physical Education, Sociology, and Economics; a business plan for the Old Courthouse completed by students in a Legal and Social Environment of Business course; and a Seminar in Advertising student-designed campaign for SparK12, a new organization created to increase retention among high school students. In Individual Taxation Practicum, students serve the community by preparing federal and state individual tax returns.

Faculty members offer scholarship as community outreach. Dr. Glenna Bower, assistant professor of education, led a team in developing an after-school intervention program and DVD addressing childhood obesity. Economics professors Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar and Dr. Timothy Schibik prepared the I-69 Community Development Study to help guide planning efforts for Oakland City, Petersburg, and Washington, Indiana, to address the consequences of the new interstate. Through USI’s Office of Institutional Research, a research team, led by Dr. Katherine Draughon, produced a report for the Department of Parks and Recreation to elicit opinions from residents regarding u city-operated parks and recreation facilities.

Bennett said the classification will help the University continue to serve the region. “The importance of this recognition will be evident as the University seeks grant funding, recruits new faculty and staff, and continues to build on its strong reputation for accountability in public higher education,” she said.

The University of Southern Indiana is a comprehensive public university in Evansville, Indiana. Approximately 10,000 students are enrolled in academic programs in business, education and human services, liberal arts, nursing and health professions, and science and engineering. Selected graduate degree programs serve persons in professional and technical studies. More information is available on the Web at www.usi.edu.

Source: University of Southern Indiana

Boys & Girls Club gets $100,000

The Boys & Girls Club is receiving $100,000 from the Old National Bank Foundation to put toward he construction of a new building.

With the donation, the club now has $4.4 million for the building, which is being constructed at 700 Bellemeade Ave. Its goal is to raise $5 million.

“The Old National Bank Foundation is proud to support this project, and we encourage the entire community to join in helping the Boys & Girls Club achieve their $5 million goal,” said Bob Jones, Old National president and chief executive officer.

The Boys & Girls Club plans to start moving into the new building in May 2009 and open it later that month or in early June. Around 4,300 children live within a mile of the new site and the club expects to see a large increase in the use of its services.

Once finished, the Boys & Girls Club will move out of its current building at 716 W. Illinois St. Berry Plastics plans to expand its headquarters onto that site.

“We are grateful for the Old National Bank Foundation’s generosity,” said Ron Ryan, the executive director of the club. “This size of a project does not happen very often, and it takes gifts like this to make it a reality.”

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/dec/22/22web-BoysClub/?ebj=1/

International Baccalaureate program gains speed

Cross-country runner Hannah Fox likened her experience in Signature School's International Baccalaureate program to a grueling race.

The early stages were painful. Fox admitted she nearly quit a few times and would ask herself, "What am I doing here?"

Now a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, Fox is happy she persevered and made it to the International Baccalaureate finish line.

As with a long race, "You look back at it and are proud of what you accomplished."

Both Bosse High School and Signature School began offering International Baccalaureate curricula three years ago, and they awarded their first IB diplomas in May.

Only 18 Indiana high schools have the two-year program. It also is offered by Apollo High School in Owensboro, Ky.

IB's "core" components consist of extended essay, theory of knowledge and creativity, action and service.

Students study six subjects — language; second language; individuals and societies; experimental science; the arts; and math and computer science — but choose three to study at extended hours.

IB coordinators at Bosse and Signature said the program's goal is to help craft a well-rounded student. Fox, who is considering a pre-med study program at Washington University, said that was her experience.

She said European history, for example, wasn't a strong subject for her. But the program forced her to challenge herself.

"It took me to another level in my high school experience," Fox said.

Bryce Buente, a 2008 Bosse graduate, completed the IB curriculum and led his graduating class with a 4.0 grade-point average. He's now a pre-med student at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

Like other IB graduates, Buente earned 16 college credits through the IB program and learned about the rigors of college work, said his mother, Charlene Buente.

"They do a lot of class discussion and a tremendous amount of writing," Charlene Buente said.

More American high schools, including some that serve high numbers of impoverished students, are being drawn to IB because of its international focus and emphasis on critical thinking.

When Bosse and Signature were approved as IB schools three years ago, they became only the eighth and ninth Indiana schools to offer the program. The number since has doubled.

Bosse awarded seven IB diplomas in May. It currently has 12 IB candidates. A few students are commuting to Bosse from other districts because of the program's availability, coordinator Amy Bonenberger said. Forty-five more students are in an IB preparatory academy at Bosse.

The program is affecting all Bosse students who sign up for an IB course, and not only those who are on IB diploma paths, Bonenberger said.

She noted that the state, in a reflection of IB's growing popularity, is covering the cost of IB testing fees in a financial assistance grant that used to include only Advanced Placement fee assistance.

"That helps keep IB from being an elitist program," Bonenberger said.

Signature IB coordinator Shannon Hughes said it's impossible for a school to inflate student IB scores because much of the grading is done externally.

"On the math portfolio, I grade them, but I have to send off a sample (to the world IB organization). So my grading is graded."

At Signature, a charter high school that seeks high academic achievers, 10 IB diplomas were awarded at May's commencement.

The school has 12 IB candidates for graduation in the spring.

"We're so proud of all of them for having attempted the diploma at all and having stuck with it," Hughes said. "(Graduates have) credentials which are respected by universities around the world."

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/Dec/28/international-baccalaureate-program-gains-speed/

Continued positive news for Evansville. According to Marilee Fowler, director of The Evansville Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, tourism is up 13% for Evansville. This is good news.

Evansville Tourism Not Hurt By Economy

EVANSVILLE - Despite the soft economy, Evansville officials say tourism is not being hurt one bit.

The Evansville Convention & Visitor's Bureau says business was up 13% this year. Director Marilee Fowler says the city hosted 155 meetings, conventions, sporting events and reunions in 2008. Fowler says Evansville hotel stays & rates were up as well.

She says 2009 is looking optimistic despite the recession. The CVB has a record number of groups with signed contracts for the coming year.

Source: http://www.abc25.com/dsp_story.cfm?storyid=10335&RequestTimeout=500

We thought it would not hurt to go over winter weather safety preparedness since we will have a significant ice storm this evening.

We hope all our readers will stay safe.

The motto is: Be Prepared. Act Now. Stay safe!

Taking Emergency Action Series – Winter Weather

Winters in Indiana can be beautiful. But they can also cause blizzards, heavy snows, ice storms, freezing rain, and sleet, as well as causing injuries and damage to your home.

In case of extreme winter weather:

Are you inside?

Stay inside! Do not make unnecessary trips outside.

Stay informed. Your first line of defense is to stay informed of local weather conditions.

Use proper safeguards when using fireplaces, space heaters, etc., to prevent accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

When you do not have heat, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels under doors, and cover windows.

Are you outside?

Wear layers of loose-fitting clothing instead of a single thick layer. Wear mittens instead of gloves.

Avoid exposure from extreme cold by covering your head and mouth. Stay dry.

Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling snow, as this can cause heart attacks.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, including numbness drowsiness, shivering, stumbling, slurred speech, and a pale appearance.

Drive cautiously. If you do not have anti-lock brakes, pump brakes gently; do not slam on your brakes. Keep your car winterized.

If stuck while driving, stay in your car. Start the car and use heater for ten minutes every hour. Open windows slightly for ventilation. Leave dome light on when engine is running.

Do not wait! Prepare for winter:

Insulate pipes that are exposed to the cold and remove garden houses from outside faucets.

Let faucets drip during subzero conditions (if pipes freeze easily) or if instructed by the water company. Be able to shut off water lines.

Install insulation and weather stripping.

Check battery-powered equipment, heating fuel, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Winterize your car, maintain a full tank of gas, and keep moisture out of the tank. Keep an emergency kit in your car to help you stay warm, visible, and alive if trapped.

Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security

This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself section. In real estate there is not only the notion that the locations is important but also curb appeal. This article explains in easy terms how to spruce up the front yard.

A well-designed front yard welcomes friends and increases property value. Here's how to make it happen

It really is possible to create a front yard that says everything you want it to ... and it's easier than you think.

Establish a theme

Plunking plants in the ground without consideration for how they will look next to each other, or without considering the soil and lighting environment they prefer, is guaranteed to give your garden a choppy look and plants that will not thrive. (One of the least attractive yards I've seen had tall palm trees panted next to several pine trees and a handful of rose bushes. Yikes!) It helps to pick a theme - Mediterranean, tropical, alpine, herbs, butterfly-friendly - that suits the architecture of your home and the sun exposure of your yard.

Develop a color scheme

Some color combinations clash, too many colors can give your yard a cluttered look, and not having enough blooming color can make your yard boring. Go monochromatic - select one color and its variations, such as purple, and blend lilac, pale purple and eggplant-colored flowers together. Or go with an analogous scheme, in which you plant related colors, such as yellows, golds, oranges and reds to give your yard a harmonious feel. A complementary scheme, one in which you select colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as purple and yellow, will give your yard a more dynamic look.

De-clutter the front porch

Keep your entry simple and inviting. Stash kid's toys and gardening supplies; remove spent potted plants and make sure your welcome mat is fresh.

Pitch scraggly, unhealthy or overgrown plants

Most everyone I know is reluctant to release plants that need to be put out of their misery. Brown leaves, misshapen limbs, and sparse foliage do not add beauty to your landscape. Overgrown junipers and yews planted 35 years ago can dominate your yard and give it a dated look. Remove offenders and replace with appropriate plantings. Group or cluster plants, with the tallest toward the rear and those of lesser height in front. Leave a little space between groupings and plant a ground cover to unite them.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/dec/16/well-designed-front-yard-welcomes-friends-and-incr/

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2008/12/04/best-high-schools-top-charter-schools.html

We thought it would not hurt to go over winter weather safety preparedness since we will have a significant ice storm this evening. We hope all our readers will stay safe.

The motto is: Be Prepared. Act Now. Stay safe!

Taking Emergency Action Series – Winter Weather

Winters in Indiana can be beautiful. But they can also cause blizzards, heavy snows, ice storms, freezing rain, and sleet, as well as causing injuries and damage to your home.

In case of extreme winter weather:

Are you inside?

Stay inside! Do not make unnecessary trips outside.

Stay informed. Your first line of defense is to stay informed of local weather conditions.

Use proper safeguards when using fireplaces, space heaters, etc., to prevent accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

When you do not have heat, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels under doors, and cover windows.

Are you outside?

Wear layers of loose-fitting clothing instead of a single thick layer. Wear mittens instead of gloves.

Avoid exposure from extreme cold by covering your head and mouth. Stay dry.

Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling snow, as this can cause heart attacks.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, including numbness drowsiness, shivering, stumbling, slurred speech, and a pale appearance.

Drive cautiously. If you do not have anti-lock brakes, pump brakes gently; do not slam on your brakes. Keep your car winterized.

If stuck while driving, stay in your car. Start the car and use heater for ten minutes every hour. Open windows slightly for ventilation. Leave dome light on when engine is running.

Do not wait! Prepare for winter:

Insulate pipes that are exposed to the cold and remove garden houses from outside faucets.

Let faucets drip during subzero conditions (if pipes freeze easily) or if instructed by the water company. Be able to shut off water lines.

Install insulation and weather stripping.

Check battery-powered equipment, heating fuel, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Winterize your car, maintain a full tank of gas, and keep moisture out of the tank. Keep an emergency kit in your car to help you stay warm, visible, and alive if trapped.

Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security

There is some good news on the economic front. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana has secured an order to 15,000 Sequoia SUVs going to the Middle East. This is the first large scale order for Toyota which has not originated from the United State or Mexico.

We congratulate Toyota for this order and wish very one at Toyota all the best for 2009.

Global Economy: Toyota Indiana selling in the Middle East. There is no going back.

If any among us still doubt the global nature of our economy today, let them get into their buggy, signal to their horse and ride on home. Indeed, a business deal announced last week leaves no question for anyone that we are linked to business and industry around the world, and there is no going back.

We are talking about the announcement that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana is going to sell 15,000 Sequoia SUVs manufactured in Princeton, Ind., to car dealerships in the Middle East.

In today's economy, that is just plain good news. But it demonstrates, as well, the scope of world business today.

Look at it this way. At a factory located in rural Indiana, but owned by a Japanese company, thousands of SUVs were assembled by mainly Hoosier workers.

And now, as a result of the deal, the SUVs will be shipped overseas to auto dealers in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.

Karen Dillon, Toyota's manager of public affairs and purchasing, said that the first shipment is on the way via boat, and two more shipments will be required. The order totaled between $650,000 and $750 million for Toyota.

It is its first major order outside of the United States and Mexico, Dillon said, but it hopes it is not the last.

"Our overall goal for this type of export is to establish a global supply system to meet the changing demand for our vehicles," she said.

To satisfy the needs of buyers in the Middle East, Toyota had to build the big Sequoias to withstand sandy conditions. Dillion said it required only slight modifications.

We thought this story was remarkable in and of itself, but we would note that the news broke the same day we received a letter to the editor — one we did not published — critical of the fact that Toyotas are being manufactured in Indiana by a company owned by one of our enemies in World War II.

Folks, that is history.

We honor as often as possible our soldiers who fought bravely and won that war, and we will never forget.

But, as is often the case, our long- ago enemies are now close allies who join with us as willing partners in this new global economy.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/Dec/15/global-economy-the-issue-toyota-indiana-selling/

In our continued effort to keep our readers informed on safety issues at home, this article reflects the dangers when sharing electricity from one home to the other via extension cords. Although it is not illegal Vectren and the Fire Department strongly advise not to do so. As it stands, during the winter time space heaters are the number one cause of fires and the risk is even grater when the space heater is powered from the house next door.

Click here to learn more.

A joint collaboration between Historic Southern Indiana and the University of Southern Indiana has received a $ 10,000.00 grant from the Artisan Trail Development. There are seven other communities in Indiana that have received a grant. We congratulate the University of Southern Indiana for this award.

Click here to read more about this collaboration on the Indiana Business website.

Yesterday we reported on the expansion of the headquarter of Berry Plastics. Today we can report on a ground breaking ceremony at Mead Johnson. Mead Johnson will construct a new research center with an estimated cost of $ 26.2 million. This latest expansion will solidify Mead Johnson's position in Evansville and will help local commercial constructions companies. We applaud Mead Johnson for this decision and whish them all the best in 2009.

To read the full story, go to http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/dec/03/03web-MeadJohnson/.

We have news that Berry Plastics will expand its headquarters in Evansville. The latest of many expansions will be in the tune of $21 million. The expansion will create 250 new jobs whilst retaining 212 other jobs. We applaud Berry Plastics for this move and wish them all the best for 2009.

To read the full article, go to http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=32836.