Local News from WIKY

Fertilizer plant plans advance in Posey County

A second big step in as many days toward development of a multi-billion dollar fertilizer plant near Mount Vernon. The Posey County Council voted unanimously Wednesay morning to reissue $1.3 billion in bonds to help finance the project. Gov. Mike Pence announced Tuesday that while the state would not get involved in the project, it would not prevent the county from pursuing it. read more

3 GOP leaders quitting

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb and two other party officials are leaving their leadership positions. Holcomb and Becky Skillman will vacate their posts after the party's annual summer dinner July 9th. Holcomb issued a statement noting there's no election this year in Indiana and he's been contemplating for some time the next steps in his career. Justin Garrett is leaving to take a private sector jobthis week. Holcomb was a top political adviser to former Gov. Mitch Daniels. read more

Best Buy recalling notebook batteries

Best Buy is recalling replacement batteries for MacBook Pro computers because they may pose a risk of fire.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there have been 13 reports that the battery caught fire. Best Buy is voluntarily recalling 5,100 ATG lithium-ion replacement batteries used in the notebook computers. They were sold online or shipped to customers through its Geek Squad services from September of 2008 through June of 2012.

Beef recall announced

The Ag department says almost 23,000 pounds of meat is being recalled because of possible e. coli contamination. Bacteria was found in a routine inspection at the National Beef Packing plant in Liberal Kansas. No illnesses have been reported. read more

Progress on hotel, old post office

Evansville Metro Development Director Phillip Hooper says the city wants to have a development contract on the convention hotel project signed by the end of this month. He also told the Redelopment Commission that progress is being made on exterior renovations to the Old Post Office in downtown Evansville. But he says interior work is still on hold. The General Services Administration plans to move its current office from the federal building to the second and third floors of the historic Post Office.

St. Mary's gets specific on job cuts

St. Mary's Medical Center is being more specific about plans to reduce its workforce. It says 61 full-time positions will be eliminated, as well as a dozen part-time jobs. Some of the St. Mary's employees have already been told that they'll be released.

11-year old girl dies in Interstate-64 crash

The multi-vehicle accident on I-64 Monday afternoon has claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl.  Katy Lewis was killed and her parents, Katherin and Brian Lewis and Katy's sister Cynthia remain hospitalized at St. Mary's Medical Center. They were in a car involved in the crash, that happened after semis collided. The crash closed the westbound lanes of the interstate near Highway-41 for several hours. Brian Lewis suffered leg injuries. No information is being released on Katherin or Cynthia Lewis’ injuries. The Lewis family lives near Princeton.

Jury finds Jeffrey Weisheit guilty

The jury deliberates only briefly, then finds a Vanderburgh County man guilty of murder and arson. Jeffrey Weisheit was accused of setting the fire that killed 8-year old Alyssa and 5-year old Caleb Lynch in their home about two years ago. The trial was held in Jeffersonville. In closing arguments, Prosecutor Gary Schutte said that when faced with the evidence, Weisheit told investigators, "stuff happens." Schutte says that indicated how cold Weisheit is. read more

State to allow fertilizer plant to proceed despite some concerns

The state of Indiana officially ends its role in financing the Midwest Fertilizer Plant project, turning it over to local officials. Gov. Mike Pence says the state still hasn't been able to verify whether the Fatima Group has delivered on its  promise to replace their current fertilizer in Pakistan with a formula less susceptible to misuse by hostile forces in the region. Posey officials have already approved the issuance and sale of $1.3 billion in bonds to help finance the plant.

Probe to begin into gunfire exchange that leaves man dead

Indiana State Police will soon begin an in-depth analysis of just what happend yesterday afternoon outside a gun shop at Montgomery in Daviess County. Captain Dave Bursten of the state police says they are gratified that Trooper Jerrod Lents has already been released from Deaconess Hospital after being shot in the mid-section and in extremity. And he offers condolences to the family of  60-year-old James Jones of Shoals, who shot Bursten - and who Bursten then shot to death. read more