Local News Headlines

Coroner says Jessica Tice tied from wounds to head and arm

The Gibson County Coroner's office releases the name of the mother who was shot to death outside a resaurant after celebrating her son's graduation from middle school. She was Jessica Tice. An autopsy determined Tice was shot twice - once in the side of the head and once in an arm. 31-year old Jason Perry of Princeton is being held without bond facing a charge of murder.

The shooting happened at about noon Wednesday. The couple's 13-year old son had just graduated from middle school, and was with his mom at the time.

 

Man jailed in connection with life threatening injuries to baby

A Henderson man is arrested after his 7-month old son is admitted to Saint Mary's Medical Center, for treatment of what police say are life-threatening injuries. James Andrew Blackston was jailed on a 1st Degree Assault Charge. Henderson investigators say they believe Blackston's actions caused the injuries to the infant. The child has since been transferred to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, where his condition is not being released.

 

St. Mary's to restructure and cut jobs

Changes are coming to St. Mary's Medical Center and the restructuring will result in a reduction in employed and contracted associates across the system. President and CEO Tim Flesch announced the restructuring Thursday afternoon. He says it will begin July 1st. He did not say how many persons would be released. Flesch says changes in the healthcare industry have put providers across the country under increasing economic and competitive pressure. He cites decreasing reimbursement and the Affordable Care Act's mandated reduction in payments as challenges that hospitals are facing.

 

Three new businesses to open downtown

Two downstairs bars and a hibachi restaurant are planning to open in downtown Evansville. One of the bars, The Vault, has applied for a liquor license at the old Little Cheers location. The other bar, called Babel, plans to open in another below-street location in the 300 block of Main Street. And Zuki, a hibachi restaurant with one location on Green River Road, is opening a second location in the old Fitness Zone building on Main.

 

Evv man facing child porn charges

State Police arrest an Evansville man accused of possessing and sharing images of child pornography. Troopers and detectives from the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested 46-year-old Jonathan Henderson after executing a search warrant at his apartment in the 5000 block of East Sycamore. Henderson faces one count of Child Exploitation and five counts of Possession of Child Porn.

 

Water line break creates gusher

It looked like a geyser in northern Vanderburgh County. Crews responded to a large water line break at the intersection of Oak Hill and Millersburg roads Wednesday night. They found water shooting into the air, going over the nearby Church of the Harvest. No word on whether a boil advisory will be issued.

 

Sen. Donnelly supports Farm Bill before Senate

Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) says he's satisfied with a bipartisan, 5-year farm bill that the Senate will begin debating this week. The Indiana Democrat told WIKY and other media outlets that the measure includes significant cuts in food stamps, as part of an effort to get the deficit under control, and help the nutrition program function more effectively.

 

C.J.s Bus becoming mobile command post

C.J.’s Bus is no-more. The renovated place for kids to gather after disasters in their area is being rebuilt into a mobile command post to be used by hospitals. Assets connected to the bus have also been transferred to the St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation. The bus was created by Kathryn Martin in memory of her son, 2 year old C.J. Martin, who was among 25 victims of the Nov. 6, 2005 tornado that hit the Tri-State. The bus had helped kids cope in Henryville, Indiana, Sellersburg, Indiana and Tuscaloosa, Alabama following tornadoes. Keith Kahre at St.

 

Warren re-hired for another 3 years

The Evansville Convention and Visitors Board has extended the contract of Bureau Director Bob Warren by three years. Board President John Montrastelle tells WIKY News that Warren has accomplished a lot in his first two, including new policies and a new "transparent "budget. Montrastelle also says Warren will lead the Bureau on important new projects like the convention hotel and a new baseball-softball complex. Monstrastelle say the bureau is negotiating with a property owner on a possible site for the complex.

 

Architects looking at possible Med Center sites

An architectural firm is looking around downtown Evansville to find suitable locations for a proposed IU medical school. The Redevelopment Commission has approved a $10,000 contract with VPS Architecture. The company's Sarah Schuler told the commission that the work will consist of design studies, and some work is already done. IU is considering an Evansville site where medical students can complete all four years of their studies while having residency opportunities at area hospitals and other medical facilities. A local two-year program is currently offered at USI.