The Evansville City Council votes 6 to 3 to send both of the Advisory Committee recommendations on Hose Houses #10 and #14 to Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. Neither calls for closing them. One recommendation leaves medical squads at both fire stations, while everything else moves to the east side. The other keeps both stations fully staffed, while the situation is examined for a year. The Safety Board would vote on Weinzapfel's choice.
Here's a summary of changes planned for the North High School Attendance District from WIKY. It comes from Superintendent Vince Bertram, via Chief Communications officer Marsha Jackson:
The new North High School is expected to be completed by January 2012. Its principal will remain John Skinner. North Junior High will open in August 2011. Its principal will be Ken Wempe, current principal at Oak Hill Middle School. All of the elementary schools will become K-6, rather than K-5 schools. By making this alteration, all North District students will now have the opportunity to attend the new North Junior High School. Because Scott K-6 will be divided and made into two schools, with a portion of the students attending what will become Oak Hill K-6 in 2011, the dividing lines discerning where Scott and Oak Hill districts begin and end were re-drawn. Hillsdale Road will mark the division of the two districts. Families living north of a line drawn straight across Hillsdale Road and continuing to I-164 and east of 41 will attend Scott Elementary School. Those families living on the west side of 41, currently mapped in the Scott district will attend Scott Elementary. They will have the choice for middle school and high school of continuing in the North District, or moving to the Central District. Families living south of a line drawn straight across Hillsdale Road and continuing to I-164, east of 41, and north of St. George Road, will attend Oak Hill Elementary School. The principal of Scott K-6 will be current principal, Vicki Duncan. The principal at Oak Hill Elementary will be Brent Stevens, current principal of Evans Middle School. Families living in the current Vogel Elementary School district, south of St. George Road, and east of 41, will continue to attend Vogel K-6. Students on the west side of 41 in that district will now attend Evans K-6. The principal at Vogel Elementary will be the current principal, Carl Underwood. In 2011, Howard Roosa Elementary School’s current facility will close, and all students will move to what will become the new Evans K-6. Because Howard Roosa is now an Equity School, this will continue in this new building. As part of the Equity Schools restructuring, the new principal for this school will be Brynn Kardash. Kardash is currently a professional development specialist at Howard Roosa. Delaware Elementary will also become an Equity School. All of the families living in the current Delaware District will remain at Delaware K-6. The principal at Delaware will remain Todd Slagle. Any students living in the North District whose homes are outside the contiguous boundaries of the district will continue to attend at the school they currently attend.
Delaware Elementary School and McGary Middle School will become part of a new pilot program to offer free lunch to children 18 and under on days when the EVSC is not in session due to inclement weather. Spokeswoman Marsha Jackson says it's an effort to ensure students are eating well even when they aren’t in the two schools. Adults can also take advantage of the meals for a cost of $2.25. Lunch at the two schools will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be open anytime the EVSC is closed due to snow or other hazardous weather conditions that impede bus travel. The free lunch will be cancelled if a State of Emergency has been declared for the City of Evansville.
Prosecutors in southern Illinois contend a substitute teacher had sex with a female student. They've charged 35-year-old Sean Tolley of Mount Vernon with criminal sexual assault involving a student between the age of 13 and 18. Tolley's attorney declined to comment on the charges.
A passenger suffers fatal injuries in a crash that critically injured a driver in Hopkins County. It happened Sunday evening on Brown Road near Combs Road. Hopkins County sheriff 's authorities say 17-year old Shain Rich of Madisonville died at Regional Medical Center. The car's driver, 20-year old Christopher Walker of Manitou, was listed in critical condition at St. Mary's Medical Center. Investigator's say Walker's car ran off the road while passing a vehicle, and struck an embankment. Another passenger, 18-year old Courtney Word of Madisonville, was treated for minor injuries and did not require hospital care.
Warrick County Coroner Ron Bacon says 51-year old Kim Douglas Brown died of smoke inhalation in a fire in his home at 5844 Folsomville-Degonia Road. Bacon says smoke is believed to also have killed Brown's dog. The State Fire Marshall's office will help determine what caused Friday night's blaze at Tennyson. The sheriff's office say foul play is not suspected.
Former Republican Congressman John Hostettler doesn't plan on getting out of the way for Dan Coats. Hostettler started a campaign in December to seek the GOP nomination against Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh. Hostettler says he doesn't feel slighted by the recruitment of former Senator Coats by national Republicans.
If you see Vanderburgh County Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke zipping across town March 3rd, here's the reason why. Commissioners announced late last week that they'll hold their annual road hearing at 6:00 that evening at the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center. The only problem is that's the same time that the Republican Party's big fundraiser -- the Lincoln Day Dinner - begins at Cambridge Golf Course, near Interstate 64. Governor Daniels will be speak at the event. Winnecke is the only Republican on the three-member county commission. He says he'll try to attend some of each event.
It wasn't just Super Bowl Sunday. It was also Super Bride Sunday at the Center in Evansville. Some 5,000 people turned-out for the largest annual wedding planning event in the Tri-State. They got help from more than 80 vendors on everything from choosing the right wedding gowns to making arrangements to get the wedding party made-up on the day of the big event. Even the guys got into it - until kick-off time for the Super Bowl approached.
Kentucky State Police arrest a 14-year-old accused of making threatening statements at Union County High School. Police are not saying what the child said. The 14-year-old faces two counts of terroristic threatening. Police took the child to a juvenile detention center in Paducah. The suspect's name is not being released.
Another water main break, another boil advisory. It's in effect for Evansville water customers on Richland Avenue, from North Kentucky to Graffelock, Graffelock from Richland to Homestead, Homestead from Graffelock to Evergreen, and Evergreen from Homestead to Richland. People in that north side neighborhood should boil tap water for at least five minutes before using it for cooking or drinking.
Historic Newburgh Incorporated (HNI) is calling on the public to keep the fireworks going. A number of displays in other cities and towns were eliminated last year because of tight budgets. HNI Executive Director Caitlin Poe says the event is different from others that the group stages. She says the Wine, Arts and Jazz Festival, Ghost Walks, Christmas House Tours and Fiddler Fest pay for themselves through tickets. But she says HNI doesn't want to start charging at the gate to watch the fireworks. Poe says that if HNI doesn't receive donations for this year's Independence Day celebration by March 1st, a change in plans may include not staging the pyrotechnics. You can call 853-2815 to make a donation.
Fireworks Over Newburgh - Photos courtesy of HNI
Officials in Valparaiso, Indiana says the city is pushing ahead with plans to turn off half of its streetlights in a cost-saving move. City Projects Manager Don McGinley says the electricity costs have gone down about one-third on the first section where every other streetlight has been shut off after midnight. He says the city hasn't received complaints about the changes. Work also continues on installing low-energy LED bulbs in city streetlights.
The owner of the Little Nashville Opry in Brown County says she's still waiting on an insurance settlement so she can pay ticket refunds after the arson fire that destroyed the concert hall. Esther Hamilton says she has the information on ticket holders and how much money they are owed. But she says she can't do anything without the insurance money. Authorities say the investigation is continuing into Sept. 19 fire, which started hours after a concert at the 2,000-seat hall.
Twenty persons are arrested and charged in U.S. District Court in Evansville with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dowd says the probe resulted in the discovery of $900,000 in cocaine, on its way from Miami to Evansville, and a smaller amount from Chicago to Evansville. Dowd says 2 persons are still being sought.
Residents of the Jacobsville area will be seeing an increase in activity on their streets next month. EPA Project Manager Mary Tierney says the removal of lead from the soil begins in March. Tierney spoke with residents at Central Library. A much larger clean-up of lead in 12 more Evansville neighborhoods is still in the planning stages.
Final autopsy results confirm what authorities suspected in the death USI basketball player Jeron Lewis. Daviess County coroner Bob Howe says Lewis had an enlarged heart that led to his death. The senior center collapsed during the Jan. 14 game against Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro. The 21-year-old suffered sudden cardiac arrest, brought on by the condition. Lewis’ toxicology screen was positive for marijuana use, but Howe doesn't believe it contributed to his death.
An Indiana Department of Transportation spokeswoman says work on the third phase of Interstate 69 between Evansville and Indianapolis could start by April. INDOT's Cher Goodwin says work on three overpasses is expected to begin by then, and paving of the new section should start this summer. The federal government has given the green light to Section 3 of I-69. The 26 miles will reach from Washington to Crane.
Chandler will be getting a new Water Treatment Plant. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman says almost $4 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant program is en route to the Warrick County town. She days that replacing the water treatment plant will make Chandler a more desirable place to live, work and do business.
You no longer need to leave the convenience of your wireless device to order Holiday World & Splashin' Safari gear. Park President Will Koch says they're hearing what customers want - and that's online shopping. So Koch is launching what he calls HoliShop, online. Through the click of a mouse, you can select the park's caps, shirts, other souvenirs and even fudge. HoliShop also features a pictures of the summertime Mecca in Spencer County. Click HERE to check-out HoliShop
If you have taken - or can take - a picture of a historic building, it may be featured in a traveling exhibit depicting historic structures in 25 southern Indiana counties. Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the exhibit. The deadline is March 1st for professionals, students, and amateurs of all ages. The place photographed must be at least 50 years old. Images may depict structures in any condition from excellent to poor, with or without people. A jury will select 30 photos. Click Here
Fire destroys one house and damages another on Evansville's near-north side. Firefighters were called to 26 West Maryland Street and they could see smoke pouring into the sky as they left nearby hose houses. District Chief Dan Grimm says flames were shooting from the roof. Grimm says nobody was inside the house. The blaze damaged the roof and siding of the house next door at 24 West Maryland. Linda Kenoyer says she was awakened by a knock on the door and saw an orange glow coming from next door. She got out and nobody was injured.
Members of the Tri-State Hoosier Temple present a check for $11,000 to the Red Cross Chapter in Evansville for the Haiti Relief Fund. Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel was on-hand for the check- passing. K.C. Jain is president of the temple. He says people of Indian descent know what it's like to deal with disasters, such as tsunami's, hurricanes and earthquakes. He says their hearts to out to the people of Haiti, and the temple will be making more donations.
The Tri-State Food Bank has enough food to help about half of those who need its assistance. Director Mary Blair says a newly released report, "Hunger in America 2010" shows that during the past four years there's been a 32-percent increase in need. Blair says it shows almost 35-percent of children and 22-percent of seniors need food assistance.
The grandson of Toyota's founder says he'll personally lead a special committee on quality control to rebuild the company's tarnished image. Toyota President Akio Toyoda says
the automaker is still deciding what to do to fix braking problems with the popular Prius gas-electric hybrid. A U.S. safety agency says it has received 124 reports from consumers about the Prius brakes, including four reports of crashes. An investigation focuses on a momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or icy roads. The earlier-announced recall of Toyota vehicles includes the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequioia. The recall comes just months after Toyota issued a larger 4.2 million-vehicle recall because of pedals getting stuck due to insecure floor mats.
Another popular car may have a safety problem. Federal regulators have opened an investigation into complaints that power steering systems in the Chevrolet Cobalt can fail. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says there are more than 1100 complaints about the Cobalt's electric power steering, including reports of eleven accidents and one injury. The review covers more than 900,000 Cobalts in the model years from 2005 to 2009. The Cobalt is made by General Motors.
Honda is sending notices to 646,000 Fit hatchback owners worldwide. It's because of a problem that can allow water to enter the power window mechanism and cause components to overheat. A company spokesman says it involves 2007-2008 models of the Fit, which is sold in other countries as the Jazz and City. One person was killed last year in a vehicle fire caused by the problem. No injuries have been reported in the U.S. Honda warns owners to keep windows up during rain or snow until repairs are made.
Executives in AIG's financial products division are getting $100 million richer, and the White House pay czar calls the bonuses "outrageous.'' However, Kenneth Feinberg said the payments are contractual obligations entered into years ago. And he points out that AIG executives have pledged to repay $39 million out of $45 million in previous bonuses to the U.S. Treasury. The insurance giant was hit hard by Wall Street's meltdown in 2008 and still hasn't repaid all of the $180 billion the government gave to rescue it from financial disaster. Feinberg says he is using whatever leverage he has to get that money returned to the taxpayers. AIG owns Evansville-based American General Financial Services.
Professor Emeritus in Economics from University of Evansville Dr. Ray Arensman doesn't see the jobless picture improving in the immediate future. Arensman delivered his annual economic outlook speech to Evansville Rotarians. Arensman says the jobless rate may remain at or above 10% for the next three years. He said that while there have been small upticks in the economy, "it's too soon to break out the champagne." He predicts a "long, lethargic recovery."
The Evansville Redevelopment Commission takes a step toward creating an Arts Redevelopment Area. Metro Development Director Tom Barnett says the 40-to-50 block area includes the existing arts district. The plan is to develop a Tax Increment Finance District -- or TIF -- that would generate revenue for commercial and residential development in the near-Downtown area.
Evansville's bus system may be on its way to expanding its service. Vanderburgh County Commissioners have agreed to support a request from Mark Rigney of Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment. Rigney says METS could connect larger employers in the county with city residents.
You'll soon have an opportunity to watch the progress on Evansville's new arena without traveling downtown. The Redevelopment Commission has approved a web site and web cam for the project. Project manager John Kish says he hopes to have the web site and the camera up and running in a couple of weeks.
The American Red Cross says it's better prepared for a weather disaster than it was a year ago when a major ice storm toppled trees and branches, and tore down electrical lines. In the two weeks at this time last year, Red Cross chapters in southwest Indiana and northwest Kentucky sheltered more than 1,800 people and served more than 12,000 meals. It also canvassed communities checking on the health and welfare of the public, and coordinated emergency transportation shelters for those living in unsafe conditions. Thousands didn't get electricity or heat back for a month. Evansville Chapter Executive Matt Bertram says perhaps one of the best lessons learned from the Ice Storm of 2009 was that while we don’t face the threat of hurricanes or wildfires or Nor’easters that challenge other parts of our country, we're not immune to crippling disasters and should all be prepared.
Ice Storm 2009 - Photo Courtesy of American Red Cross, Evansville
If you need to travel some distance, and need to know about road conditions for Indiana, Kentucky or Illinois, there are sources for that information. State Police Evansville say you should call 1-800-261-7623 or visit trafficwise.in.gov. The numbers for Kentucky State Police are 511, or 1-866-737-3767. On the Internet visit 511.ky.gov. In Illinois, call 1-800-452-4368 or seek out gettingaroundillinois.com.
Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman wants to make Hoosiers hip to saving money. She says the Indiana Heating and Cooling Program, known as I-Hip, is going into affect. I-HIP provide rebates for the purchase and installation of Energy Star Rated furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners and heat pumps.The rebates range from $150 to $1,000, depending on the technology that's installed. Skillman says says I-HIP will bring the cost of replacing less efficient systems within reach of more Hoosier homeowners.
Princeton lands a $50,000 planning grant to fund a downtown revitalization plan. The federal community development block grant funds will be administered by the Indiana Office of Community Rural Affairs. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman says planning studies are often the first step for communities that want to pursue new economic development opportunities. The plan will evaluate the condition and integrity of existing buildings with consideration to historic significance and provide cost estimates for restoration. It will also outline improvements to sidewalks and street lighting, as well as evaluate streetscaping surrounding the courthouse square.
Indiana continues to deal with the economic downturn by laying off workers. The state Department of Child Services is cutting dozens of jobs as it consolidates financial functions in Indianapolis. An agency spokeswoman it will replace some 160 bookkeepers and clerks across the state. But it will hire more at Indianapolis. Officials say the net reduction of 80 jobs should save the state $2 million a year.
Finding Purdue University resources in any Indiana county is now quick and easy thanks to a new interactive Web site. At the site, found by clicking HERE, you can select any of Indiana's 92 counties to see a list of local resources from Purdue. The Web site highlights Purdue's county-by-county efforts in innovation, economic development, and agricultural and scientific research. Information also includes the number of current students from each county, alumni in the county, businesses that have worked with Purdue TAP in the last year, a summary of Purdue Extension activity in the county, and the closest Purdue College of Technology Statewide program.
Indiana Republican Congressman Steve Buyer won't seek re-election this fall and will leave Congress after 18 years because his wife is ill. Buyer choked back tears today as he stood next to his wife, Joni. He said she had been diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease that killed her sister 21 months ago. The 51-year-old Buyer said he would finish his term representing Indiana's heavily Republican 4th district. He has faced questions in recent months about a private scholarship foundation he created that had raised more than $880,000 since 2003 without awarding any scholarships. He has defended his handling of the foundation.
Todd Corne has had enough. Warrick County's prosecutor since 1994 says he's ready to return to private practice. He received baptism by fire when he moved into the prosecutor's office, leading the state's case in the longest trial in the county's history. He gained convictions against John Stephenson, for killing three persons on a Warrick County rural road. Corne, who is now 43, says he'll support his chief deputy, JoAnn Krantz, who will run for prosecutor on the Republican ticket.
The wife of Gallatin County Illinois Sheriff Raymond Martin is free on bond. Kristina Martin, her husband and stepson are accused in a failed murder-for-hire plot. A judge cut her bond in half, to $500,000 after Martin's attorney argued the original bond amount was excessive for the mother of three.
A Vanderburgh County couple avoids prison time, following guilty pleas to possession of marijuana. 66-year old James and 64-year old Sara Browning went before Superior Court Judge Bob Pigman Thursday. James was director of counseling at USI. He was fired after their arrest in August, when police found 73 plants, valued at more than $40,000 growing on their west side property. Authorities say they also found pot in Browning's USI office.
Newburgh is a step closer to establishing a Riverfront Redevelopment District. It's an economic tool that removes barriers to businesses near riverfronts to securing licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. Plan Commission member Jerry Jackson acknowledges some existing holders of liquor licenses are concerned their licenses value could be depreciated. But he says the opposite has happened in other towns with redevelopment districts.
An Indiana lawmaker says her efforts to set standards for faith-based child care centers has ended, for now. Representative Vanessa Summers chairs the Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee. She proposed legislation that would require faith-based facilities to follow many of the the same laws governing other child care centers in the state. But she's taken it off the table saying she has become the target of a smear campaign by opponents of the bill who accuse her of being an atheist. Summers says even her own pastor has turned against her. The Democrat says she plans to bring the bill back next year during the long legislative session.
Evansville's Fire Advisory Committee ends its work by providing equal support for two recommendations. Neither calls for closing Hose Houses 10 and 14. One would have the stations house only medical units, while the rest of the vehicles, equipment and personnel move to the East Side. The other would keep a full compliment of firefighters and equipment at both stations, while city officials study information for another year before making any changes.
An Indiana House committee advances a bill that would make it illegal to send text messages or e-mails while driving. The House Public Policy Committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the full House. The bill would make such uses of electronic devices while driving a Class C infraction with a possible fine of $500. Nineteen states have outlawed the practice. And the U.S. Transportation Department has prohibited truck and bus drivers from sending text messages on hand-held devices while operating commercial vehicles.
A legislative panel has approved a bill that would make it illegal for Kentuckians to send text messages while driving. The House Transportation Committee passed the measure. It now goes to the full House.
Purdue geologists say vacant coal mines in southwest Indiana could once again generate energy, not from coal, but from the water reservoirs found on their surface, and deep underground. The geologists are studying how to transform old strip and shaft mines into new sources of geothermal power, a process that could conserve energy during peak power-usage times and cut electricity costs. Dr. Terry West says their plan is to find the locations in the state where underground mines and surface mines coincide, as they do in southwest Indiana.
Demolition is underway near downtown Evansville to make way for some new homes. Habit of Evansville spokeswoman Lydia Johnson says the work began Tuesday near Glenwood Middle School. She says 19 Habitat homes will be built, and Habitat hopes to begin construction of Shadewood Place in June. It's part of a larger effort to revitalize the Glenwood neighborhood.
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide the fate of the state law requiring government-issued photo identification for voters. The court said that it would hear an appeal of a lower court ruling last year that overturned the voter ID law because it required those who vote in person to verify their identities but not those who vote by mail. The League of Women Voters argued successfully the law violated the Indiana Constitution by imposing a new requirement on only some voters. The law was passed in 2005 by a Republican-controlled Legislature, and state Democrats lost a challenge to it in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Whirlpool employees get a break, in the form of extended unemployment benefits. That's because the U.S. Labor Department certified the workers as eligible for benefits through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. They'll get extended re-training, a tax credit on health insurance and money to assist them in finding new jobs.
They're known as ShelterBoxes, and four of them that will serve up to 40 Haitians are on their way to the earthquake-ravaged country - thanks to Evansville Rotarians. In a five minute period, about 140 members of the club donated almost $4,000 to pay for the boxes, which are about the size of a work desk. Each box contains a stove that can use just about any fuel, blankets, a ten person tent, water purification tablets for 10 people, tools and eating utensils. Rotary President Marilee Fowler says they'll provide a lifeline to Haitians with no homes. You can learn more about ShelterBoxes by Clicking HERE
Students in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will be making up two days, recently lost to Mother Nature. April 23 and 26 have been chosen as make-up days for the school closings. The dates are the first two scheduled as make-up days on the EVSC calendar. Other potential days include May 7 and May 27.
The local chapter of the Red Cross is hoping you'll open your heart and your pocketbook. Executive Director Matt Bertram says the best way to help earthquake-ravaged people in Haiti is to make a monetary donation, by calling 471-7200 or click HERE
Do you have an opinion about fair housing in Evansville. If so, you can share it by logging onto a survey being conducted by the Department of Metropolitan Development. Input from residents is part of the process of complying with the federal Fair housing Act because the city receives Community Development Block Grants and Emergency Shelter Grants. Click HERE The survey is on the right side of the Web page under the heading "News."
A bill clears the Indiana House, that would allow voters to decide whether to eliminate township trustees and boards. The House voted 54-44 for the bill. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The proposal would allow voters to decide in November whether their township governments should be eliminated and their duties transferred to the county level. Critics say township government is antiquated and expensive, while supporters say it's the form of government closest to the people. Another bill being considered by the Senate would eliminate township boards.
Building closures, attrition and other measures are planned in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, to trim about $8 million dollars from the budget. Among the closures is the current North High School building, which will be shuttered instead of becoming a middle school in the 2010-2011 school year. The School Board approved the cuts on a 7-0 vote, in response to state funding cuts. Five schools that were to become K-through-5 buildings in 2011-12 - Delaware, Scott, Oak Hill, Evans and Vogel - instead will serve grades K-through-6. The new middle school adjacent to the new North High School on U.S. 41 will serve grades 7 and 8, and it will be named North Junior High. Under the previous plan, the school was to serve grades 6-through-8. And the EVSC Administration Building behind the Civic Center is for sale.
If you need to travel some distance, and need to know about road conditions for Indiana, Kentucky or Illinois, there are sources for that information:
State Police Evansville say you should call 1-800-261-7623 or visit trafficwise.in.gov.
Kentucky State Police say their number is 511, or 1-866-737-3767. On the Internet visit 511.ky.gov.
In Illinois, call 1-800-452-4368 or click www.gettingaroundillinois.com
Researchers predict that Indiana's electricity rates will rise over the next four years. The Utility Forecasting Group projects that that the state's overall electricity rates could rise 12 percent by 2013, due to more stringent controls on coal-fired power plants.
A western Kentucky woman will be sentenced in March after pleading guilty to embezzling almost $1.5 million from an Owensboro bank. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Louisville says 40-year-old Laura Potts of Owensboro faces sentencing March 19. Prosecutors say Potts had been taking money from elderly customers' accounts and spending much of it at casinos.
The United Way of southwest Indiana issues a challenge, in hopes of reaching this year's campaign goal. Campaign Chair Linda White says projections indicate that without the new initiative, the effort would finish some $200,000 short of its goal. Donations will be accepted by mail, via the Internet, and at Old National, Fifth-Third, and Integra Bank locations.
An April 5th trial date is set in court for a man facing felony counts in connection with a fatal police pursuit. 18-year old Samuel Manley is charged with reckless homicide, resisting law enforcement resulting in death, and causing death when operating a motor vehicle under the influence. Police were chasing Manley's vehicle when it broadsided a car driven by 29-year old Kyle Parker. The pursuit began at Herndon and Heidelbach when police saw him run a stop sign. Parker died at Deaconess Hospital shortly after the crash.
Would you like to help with the nationwide nose count? Officials are looking for persons to help with next year's census. Local spokeswoman Sandy Appler says census takers are paid $12.15 to $15 per hour. Part time and full time positions are available. You can learn more about becoming a census taker at http://2010census.gov/2010censusjobs/how-to-apply/
Vectren files a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve an increase in electric rates. A typical residential combination gas and electric customer who uses around 900 kilowatt hours per month would experience a monthly bill increase of about $18. The company says decision to file was not one it made lightly, because of the down economy. The Evansville-based firm says it delayed making the request for as long as it reasonably could. But it says that to provide safe, reliable and clean energy, it can no longer delay the request. The IURC will review the case and a decision isn't expected until late 2010. Click HERE for full details
Newburgh takes two steps toward stimulating Downtown development. The Town Council moved toward establishing a Riverfront Redevelopment area that would - among other things - make it easier for businesses near the river secure liquor licenses. Before the job is done, it must win approval of the Plan Commission and the Town Council. The council also approved the selection of Green Three to partner with it in seeking a state grant for a major Downtown Revitalization Project.
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