Local News from WIKY

EVSC hires new security officer

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:16am
A former Evansville Police officer is now in charge of security at local public schools. The EVSC board has hired Gregory Fleck to replace Gerald Summers, who has held the position since 2003. The 51-year-old Fleck recently retired from a 22-year career with the EPD. His responsibilities at the EVSC include evaluating security programs, coordinating an alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention program, and coordinating efforts to promote pedestrian, school bus, and traffic safety.

I-69 bridge between Evansville and Henderson likely to require tolls

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:58pm
If and when a new bridge is built across the Ohio River linking I-164 at Evansville with the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway you can probably expect to pay tolls to use it. That's what Congressman Larry Buschon tells WIKY News. He says the tolls would be needed to help pay for the project. And Buschon says he's pleased that the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Bloomington has finally added I-69 to its infrastructure plan. He says should that speed-up the process of completing the expressway between Evansville and Indianapolis.

Taking Back the Night this Thursday

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:56pm
They're getting ready to "take back the night."  The Albion Fellows Bacon Center holds the annual program this Thursday night, starting with registration at 6 p.m. at Casino Aztar. Marchers will proceed from the Aztar Events Plaza to the Four Freedoms Monument and back to Aztar Plaza. They'll participate in a candlelight ceremony, and a celebration of survivor strength, followed by a speak-out against sexual violence. Organizer Christina Wicks says 938 people utilized services from the Sexual Assault Program at the Bacon Center last year.

Number of killed kids up

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:54pm
The number of Indiana children who died from abuse or neglect has increased. The Department of Child Services say many of the deaths involved social issues that the department can‘t control. There were 40 deaths from abuse or neglect in 2011, which is up from 25 the previous year. It‘s the first year of a statewide hotline to report abuse and neglect. Nearly half the deaths from abuse were children under a year old.

Purdue racism? "Never mind."

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:53pm
Police have determined the possible racial bias case at Purdue was actually part of an educational seminar. Police investigated after the words "white supremacy" were found on a mirror inside the Black Cultural Center. Police found an instructor conducting an interactive seminar wrote the words on a sticky note attached to the mirror during a discussion.

Blue Bridge work underway

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 10:08am
The work to prepare the Owensboro Blue Bridge for cleaning and painting has begun. Transportation Cabinet Spokesman Keith Todd says the project's contractor got it underway Sunday night, and the bridge will likely be closed to traffic Sunday through Thursday, from 8 at night until 5 in the morning. Crews are installing rigging, that's needed for securing containment tarps, that will go up before the cleaning and painting begins in mid-March. The bridge will then be closed 24-7 until about mid-November.

Man arrested for allegedly threatening Henderson HS

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 10:05am
A young man has been arrested on terroristic threatening charges, after he allegedly made statements about using explosives at Henderson County High School. Extra security is being provided at the school after 20-year-old Brenden Mathis was arrested. Henderson Police say a witness overheard a conversation and took a photo of Mathis telling a juvenile how he could use explosives at the school. The witness then contacted police and provided officers with a photo of Mathis. The Henderson County School District assures parents that the school is safe.

Chicago power outages raise gas prices

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 04/20/2013 - 11:19am
  Gas prices have seen a spike in Indiana over the last few days, and one expert says it‘s due to problems in Chicago. Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy.com says massive power outages in that area forced the shutdown of refineries and pipelines that carry gasoline through Indiana. DeHann says it‘s hard to say when prices will settle back down, but says it won‘t happen until traders regain confidence in the market.

Evansville Police have confidence in security cooperations

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 04/20/2013 - 8:23am
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, Evansville's Police Department is paying attention to how Massachusetts organized the large-scale public lockdown. Sergeant Jason Cullum says he is confidence the department could work with local, state, and federal agencies if a similar serious event occurred in Evansville. Cullum says law enforcement officials stay already updated on the best ways to improve event security, by doing an annual review of security and giving daily briefings to officers working events.

Fertilizer plant explosion in Texas raises doubts

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/19/2013 - 6:10pm
Congressman Larry Buschon tells WIKY News that he supports the decison of Gov. Mike Pence to proceed cautiously on the proposed fertilizer plant at Mount Vernon. Buschon says questions must be answered about the involvement of Fatima, a Pakistani company, as a major part of the project. And Buschon is concerned about safety, following the blast that killed several persons and left 60 unaccounted for --and probably dead -- at West, Texas. Valley Watch President John Blair raises questions about the safety of the Mount Vernon project, and a similar undertaking at Rockport.