Tri-State Cheers, Jeers & Tears

Cheers for Cops Connecting with Kids, who are spending their weekend raising funds for the opportunity to take yet another group of children to Disney World for a trip of their lifetimes. Beginning Friday, Sept. 8, and going through Sunday, Sept. 10, the group led by Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin and EPD Sgt. Jason Cullum are stationed at Bennett Motors at Diamond and Heidelbach in Evansville, selling barbecue and offering free tours of the Dream Car Museum (with all donations going to the fundraiser). The money will be shared with the Media Ministries Food Basket program that will provide 2,000 food baskets to needy families over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some will even climb into the Corvette "that sits high in the sky" to encourage friends to donate. Stop by and be a part of a great program.

Cheers for another step forward near Downtown, with the announcement from Tropicana that its land-based casino will open earlier than scheduled, on Oct. 20. By all accounts, the new facility is a huge upgrade from the riverboat that has been docked on one end of Dress Plaza since 1995. Tropicana also will be moving some of its restaurant space in its current entry building, though Cavanaugh's will remain there. Eventually, the city hopes to move LST 325 from Marina Pointe to the more accessible site where the former Casino Aztar boat now floats.

Tears fall for the family and friends of Rick Slater, well-known by Downtown diners for his work and the bright smile he brought to the family-owned Emge Deli. Rick was only 53 when he suffered a heart attack while driving and crashed his vehicle; his services were Sept. 5 at Browning Funeral Home. He leaves behind his mother, Jan Howell; brother, Lee Slater; son Christopher Slater; daughters Ashley and Renae Slater, and six grandchildren.

Cheers to the news that one of our favorite seasons -- basketball season -- is rapidly approaching, even as football just gets fired up. The University of Evansville announced a schedule that includes a road game at Duke and a home opener on Nov. 10 against Arkansas State, a team that won 20 games last season. The University of Southern Indiana won't wait long to face top competition in the Small College Hall of Fame Classic at the Ford Center, facing Augustana on Nov. 3 and longtime rival Kentucky Wesleyan on Nov. 4. 

Jeers to former and current law enforcement officials who abused the public trust. Former Vanderburgh County jailer Trent Nolan agreed to plead guilty to dealing prescription drugs to work-release inmates and was sentenced to three years, with 14 months to be served in jail. Evansville Police Department Sgt. Robbie Hahn, formerly an assistant police chief, accepted a five-day suspension for actions that won't become public until after the Police Merit Commission hears the case. The vast majority of law enforcement officials earn the public's trust, so it's disappointing when the few fall short.

Cheers for the family of Jorge Ayan Bravo, a Castle High School student who died at age 15, on July 12, 2016, from osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Ayan's family were proud of the positive attitude he maintained during a yearlong battle against the disease, and resolved to honor him with a scholarship for other Castle students whose families have faced the challenges of medical costs. A golf scramble is scheduled to help fund the scholarship.

Cheers for German American Bank, which opened a branch for business in Downtown Evansville, at at Southeast Third and Locust streets. The Jasper, Indiana-based bank bought the building’s first and second floors, a sub-level floor that includes a conference room, and the drive-through and parking area across Southeast Third. The nine-floor building has other professional offices on its upper floors. Its most recent banking tenants were First Security Bank, based in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Integra Bank. German American has shown rapid growth, and it's good to see an investment in our Downtown redevelopment.

Have a cheer, a jeer or a tear to share? Email your thoughts to letters@courierpress.com.