Local News from WIKY

State support of Posey fertilizer plant withdrawn

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:56am
Concerns over security involving a Pakistani firm convince Gov. Mike Pence to reverse the state's support of a planned fertilizer plant in Posey County. The Daniels administration had committed to backing bonds for the proposed $1.3 billion dollar plant.  Then came national news media reports disclosing that the Fatima group's fertilizers were being used to make bombs that targeted U.S. soldiers. The Pence administration launched a four-month study that concluded with the announcement by Pence that it would not back the bonds needed to finance the plant.

Schools locked down after inmate walks away

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:11am
A Henderson county inmate walks away from a work detail, prompting Henderson County School officials to order a modified lockdown of seven public schools. Police say Nicholas Christian was working at the jail garden and walked away. He's a white man, about 5 foot 7, 170 pounds with brown hair. Christian was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt and was seen along Henderson's riverfront. He was being held on a contempt of court charge and is considered non-violent. read more

Inmate missing in Henderson, schools locked down

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 10:13am
Two Henderson schools are placed on precautionary lockdown as police search for a missing inmate. Henderson Police say Nicholas Christian was working at the jail's garden when he walked away Friday morning. Police say he is a non-violent offender, but Jefferson Elementary and Riverview preschool went into lockdown as a precaution. Christian was being held on a Contempt of Court charge. read more

Showplace South to stay open

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 10:06am
Showplace Cinemas South has avoided the wrecking ball. Showplace owner Paul Stieler tells the Evansville Courier and Press that he will invest a half-million dollars in the second-run theater at Hebron and Powell, instead of tearing it down. Stieler had planned to demolish the building and sell the site, but changed his mind after receiving many calls from upset movie-goers and only one offer for the property. The renovations will include digital upgrades and new seats, and the facility will stay open during the renovations. 

Veterans Memorial Parkway project featured in videos and stills

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 5:55pm
A video featuring City Engineer Patrick Keepes explaining the reasons for an emergency repair project on Veterans Memorial Parkway and the scope of the work is available for viewing on Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s YouTube channel. read more

Police place more charges against man involved in stand-off and beating of woman

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 4:43pm
Charges are piling-up against the man who was involved in a four-hour standoff with Evansville Police. 33-year old John Cannon is charged additionally with Receiving Stolen Property. The charge was added after police determined that an AR-15 rifle that was recovered after the standoff  was reported stolen from an Evansville home in March of 2012. After Cannon was flushed out of a house with tear gas, he faced a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

8th Annual HNI Wine Art and Jazz Fest Friday and Saturday

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 4:23pm
The thousands of people who attend the Historic Newburgh Incorporated Wine Art and Jazz Festival http://www.historicnewburgh.org/?q=node/117 each year are hoping the weatherman comes through. The event starts at 6:30 Friday with what's known as "The Soiree." It includes wine from more than a dozen Indiana vintners and lots of art and live music both Friday night and Saturday. Tickets are available for The Soiree by calling 853-2815.

Area code "overlay" favored over "geographic split"

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:59pm
We may be punching-in more numbers in the future. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is recommending the all-services overlay option for implementing a new telephone area code. It would overlay the 812 area code, because the 812 exchange will run-out out of numbers by 2015. We'd be required to include 812 or the new overlay number in all local calls. The new code would be used for new phones and services beginning in late 2014 or 2015. Calls that are local before a new area code is added would remain local afterward.

GOP trying end run on Keystone XL Pipeline project

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:56pm
Republican Congressman Larry Buschon of Newburgh is supporting legislation that would make an end-run around President Obama on the Keystone XL Pipeline project. He testified at a committee hearing on the bill. Buschon says President Obama has been studying the Keystone Pipeline longer than World War II lasted - and it's time to move the project forward.

Former ECA treasurer at Castle HS accused of embezzling funds

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:41pm
A preliminary State Board of Accounts audit concludes a retired treasurer at Castle High School embezzled nearly $140,000 from the school. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has frozen the accounts of 55-year old Rebecca McKee. Those accounts include her house, car, and any bank and retirement accounts that she may have. The audit by the State Board of Accounts says McKee failed to deposit about $82,000 in cash collections she received. It also says says she took 24 unauthorized reimbursements totaling about $15,000.