Local News from WIKY

Illinois casinos could hurt Indiana budget

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 9:11am
The potential for new Illinois casinos is threatening to throw the Indiana spending and tax cut plan out of balance. The Illinois Senate voted Wednesday for a Senate Bill permitting new casinos in Chicago, the south suburbs and three other cities; slot machines at horse racing tracks and the two Chicago airports; and a reduction in casino tax rates. The gaming plan, which now goes to the House, is strongly backed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has pledged to give schools all the revenue from the Chicago casino.

USI Board of Trustees makes plans for the future

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 9:11am
The University of Southern Indiana's Board of Trustees makes plans for the next two school years.  Yesterday, the Board learned more about the state's new two-year budget and other outcomes of the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.  Trustees determined the university's operating appropriation will increase by about 5% during the 2014 fiscal year.  USI is also alotting funds for dual credit priority courses, full-time faculty support, and renovations and repairs.  The school will hold a public hearing the week of May 20th to talk about tuition and fees for 2013 through 2015.<

Reality of easily obtainable guns a counterpoint to NRA party in Houston

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:46pm
As NRA members celebrate victories against background checks and limits on large magazine assault rifles at their national convention in Texas, police are dealing with the reality of gun violence in Evansville neighborhoods. Officers made several arrests Thursday during a detail designed to address the problem. Members of the EPD Crime Prevention Unit, the Gang Unit, and the Narcotics Joint Task Force were assigned to specific neighborhoods based on the number of gun related complaints. The calls included shootings, shots fired, and person with a gun complaints.

Wind feeds fire near Robards

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:44pm
A wind-whipped field fire is fought by volunteers from several western Kentucky fire departments. They asked the state of Kentucky to close one lane of the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway near Robards so that their fire units would have a place to stage. Winds gusting to almost 30 miles an hour helped the fire spread over more than a mile of land and threatened some farm buildings in the area.

Evansvile in good company in celebrating Indiana Bicentennial

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:41pm
Evansville is among four Indiana communities chosen to host community conversations to help Hoosiers better understand their past and prepare for the state's Bicentennial in 2016. A University of Southern Indiana program will examine the city's history and work with groups to revitalize center city neighborhoods. Among groups taking part in the effort are the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, the Indiana Historical Society, and Indiana Landmarks.

Public helps police snap crime spree

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:38pm
Evansville Police are crediting help from the public in solving a rash of east side burglaries. Spokesman Jason Cullum says police have made 14 arrests during an on-going investigation. He says the arrests were made possible by residents who were looking out for their neighbors and alerting police to suspicious activity. Investigators used crime scene evidence and interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects to solve many of the cases. read more

New Indiana abortion pill law may clash with U.S. Constitution

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:34pm
An IU Law Professor says the new bill signed into law by Governor Pence regarding abortion pills will run into trouble. The bill puts extra standards requirements on facilities that offer the abortion pill but not surgical abortions. David Orentlicher with the IU McKinney School of Law says if states can show that the building and equipment standards serve a legitimate medical purpose, that‘s okay. read more

Kids withi disabilities Catchin' with Capin

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:31pm
Gone fishin'.... That's what a lot of special needs kids did Friday at the Dunn Hospitality Lake behind Cracker Barrel on Evansville's east side. The annual event was organized by Kyle Capin, a Harrison High School graduate, who started the program to give friends with special needs the kind of experiences he has fishing. The first year of the program included 30 students from Harrison. Last year it drew nearly 200 to the lake -- fishing poles in hand. He calls the event "Catchin' with Capin."

Evv man accused of beating baby

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 10:11am
An Evansville man babysitting his sister-in-law's 13-month-old child is accused of seriously injuring the baby. 25-year-old Scott Wayne Devers faces charges of battery and child neglect following the incident at 2505 Indian Bend. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office says Devers told officers that the baby had fallen from a bunk bed, but medical personnel at Deaconess Hospital said some of the bruising was in the shape of an adult hand. They found severe bruising and swelling to the child's forehead and mouth, as well as bruising to the back, legs, and face.

49 workers laid-off at Ameriqual

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 10:08am
Federal budget cuts and a drop in military deployments are being blamed for 49 layoffs at Evansville-based AmeriQual. The company makes ready-to-eat meals for the military and humanitarian agencies, as well as commercially packaged items. AmeriQual President Tim Brauer says he's seen “a substantial drop-off in orders” for some military rations. He also says sequestration is partly to blame for the slowdown.