Local News from WIKY

Lawmalers reach new budget which includes money for I-69

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/25/2013 - 5:24pm
Indiana Legislators have reached a deal on a new state budget which gives Governor Pence half the tax cut he asked for. The House and Senate will vote Friday on a deal which includes a five-percent tax cut, phased in over four years. Your tax rate would go down one tenth of a point on your return for 2015, then dip to a final rate of three-point-two-three percent two years later.  Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley says the delay gives the state time to monitor its revenues and spending and gain confidence that the cut is affordable.

Henderson woman endures two break-ins

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/25/2013 - 10:23am
A Henderson woman says she's been the victim of a home invasion twice. Carolyn Boster she was awakened by a loud noise early Wednesday morning. Boster says by the time she got out of bed, the intruder had run through her home and out the back door. She says the suspect apparently stood on a cinder block and climbed through her bathroom window. Her family believes the suspect - who has struck twice - is someone she knows. read more

Rising Wabash threatens Vincennes

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/25/2013 - 10:19am
Indiana‘s oldest city is preparing for rising waters from the Wabash River. Flood gates are being installed in Vincennes and sandbags will be placed around the Knox County city. Heavy rains that fell last week have pushed the Wabash well over flood stage. The National Weather Service says the river is projected to crest in Vincennes on Saturday at about 27 feet. That‘s almost 12 feet above flood stage.

Armed resident stops home invasion

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/25/2013 - 10:17am
Two men face burglary and robbery charges for allegedly breaking into an Evansville home, only to be stopped by an armed resident. Police spokesman Jason Cullum tells WIKY News that 22-year-old Paul Lukac and 24-year-old Justin Henschen kicked in the front door of the house in the 1000 block of Idlewild Wednesday night. read more

Hilgeman given 3 years in prison, must repay Eastern Star $290,000

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 3:37pm
A former officer of the Order of the Eastern Star is given a three year prison sentence and is told she must pay the Eastern Star $290,000. 37-year old Susan Hilgeman of Newburgh had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and forgery. Circuit Judge David Kiely could have sentenced Hilgeman to up to eight years in prison. Hilgeman's mother, 80-year old Marilee Garrison, is be tried July 18th on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft. They were officers of the organization associated with Freemasons. They're accused of embezzling $290,000.

Former Roberts Stadium put to good us

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:48pm
It should help the average teenager do better when behind the wheel. The Vanderburgh Sheriff's department took over what remains of the Roberts Stadium parking lot, for a hands on seminar Tuesday. About 60 kids from 5 local high schools drove cars and golf carts through a number of challenging courses. Sheriff's Chief Deputy Dave Wedding says they donned "impaired driving goggles" and drove a cart through a series of tight turns, often hitting the traffic cones that marked the course. read more

Arbor Day brings....more trees

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:46pm
Arbor Day is celebrated in Evansville, with Mayor Winnecke recognizing the contributions trees make to our environment. He used a proclamation at a downtown Keep Evansville Beautiful celebration to convey that trees need to be well-planned and nurtured. This is the 13th year that Evansville has received a Growth Award from Tree City USA. Last year the city accounted for more than 20,000 trees.

Woman accused of ripping-off not for profit agency

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:36pm
An Evansville woman is accused of stealing money from the Mission Nutrition Meal Program in Gibson County. State Police accuse 51-year old Deborah Wolfe of embezzling more than $13,000 from the program based in Princeton. Wolfe has been the director of the program since its inception in 2010. During the investigation, a detective concluded that Wolfe had used money from the program’s two accounts to make numerous unauthorized purchases for her personal use during 2011 and 2012. read more

Warrick deputies getting semi-automatic weapons

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:22am
The Warrick County Sheriff''s Office is trying to keep up with the bad guys. The department is adding AR-15 semi-automatic rifles to its arsenal. Warrick deputies are undergoing hours of training with the weapons. Sheriff Brett Kruse says just about every patrol unit will carry one.

Drury Inn to be auctioned

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:20am
An Evansville hotel is going on the auction block. The Drury Inn at Highway 41 and Lynch Road is scheduled to be auctioned online Thursday, May 23. The two-hour auction will start at 1 p.m. with an opening bid of nearly $2 million. Drury Inn officials say the hotel will be unencumbered by management and brand, so an investor could run the hotel under a different national franchise.