Local News from WIKY

70s & 80s Boogie Nights part of Tropicana kick-off

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 12:50pm
The general manager of Tropicana Evansville says it's spent more than $19 million dollars, upgrading it's big facility since emerging from bankruptcy in 2010. During a Friday news conference called to celebrate the name change from Casino Aztar, Shaw told a large crowd in it's remodeled main hotel lobby that the spending continues in 2013. This fall, Shaw says a "Boogie Nights" franchise will open in the former Stoney's night club space. It's billed as "the ultimate 70's and 80's dance club. A new bar and grill, called "The Sports Book" will also be opening.

Weather looks picture perfect for 2013 Ohio River Sweep

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 12:33pm
It looks like the weatherman is cooperating for the annual Ohio River Sweep. Now all that's needed are thousands of volunteer to clean-up the shores of the Ohio River and its tributaries. read more

Underground Railroad play in Newburgh a sell-out

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 11:52am
The first play in Historic Newburgh Incorporated's 2013 season is sold out. It offers a Father's Day weekend opportunity for both bonding and education between adults and children. The Rivers Institute at Hanover College is presenting Nothing Stops this Train, a play about the Underground Railroad. Historic Newburgh Executive Director Carol Schaefer says it's an opportunity to begin discussions of southwestern Indiana's role in the rescue of African American slaves from the south. Tickets sold-out Friday afternoon.

Weisheit trial breaking for weekend

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 10:10am
A second juror is removed from the trial of Jeffrey Weisheit, the man accused of arson and murder in the deaths of his girlfriend's two young children in Vanderburgh County. A court official says the juror was removed after writing his wife a letter thanking her for cookies. The defense had filed a motion for a mistrial Thursday, after a relative handed another juror a note, but the judge replaced the juror with an alternate. read more

Scare at post office ends peacefully

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 10:07am
Authorities have given the all-clear at the post office on S. Green River Road. Police were called to the facility in Lawndale just before 7:30 Friday morning, when postal workers found a suspicious package on a scale. They evacuated the building, police sent in a robot, and firefighters stood by as a precaution. But they say everything was okay, and the box was empty.

Shyler's still closed

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 10:05am
If you're craving Shyler's Barbecue, you'll have to wait at least another six months. Fire damaged the restaurant on Green River Road in December, and owner J.B. Simmons says he's still waiting for a settlement with his insurance company. Simmons says he's planning a major renovation of the restaurant. Shyler's filed for bankruptcy in 2011.

Weinzapfel off sidelines to respond to city council criticism

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 5:38pm
Former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel says that City Councilman John Friend's "focus" has brought all progress in Evansville to a grinding halt. Weinzapfel sent a letter to media outlets that's aimed at setting the record straight and warning that without "positive" leaders, the city will "descend into mediocrity." Weinzapfel sharply disagrees with Councilman Friend's assertion that the Winnecke Administration "inherited a mess" regarding city finances. Weinzapfel says the combined cash balances and general fund increased 180 percent during his eight years as mayor.

License branches closed Saturday

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 5:27pm
All branches of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be closed this Saturday. Officials say the Indiana Office of Technology will complete a major project for the state‘s computer system. The my BMV.com website will also be affected and will not be available for use starting at 6 a.m. Saturday morning. When the techies are done, hopefully later in the day Saturday, the site will again be available for use.

Pence gives state school board a new look

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 5:26pm
Governor Pence has replaced four members of the State Board of Education. Six of the 11 board seats were up for reappointment. Pence kept two Mitch Daniels appointees but replaced four others with his own. One of the board‘s first tasks will be to reassess whether Indiana should withdraw from the Common Core curriculum standards. Pence says he didn‘t look for members on one side of that issue or the other.

Operation Dry Water targets drunken boat drivers

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 4:47pm
Indiana Conservation Officers will join a national campaign aimed at creating heightened public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Operation Dry Water is scheduled for June 28-30, just before the Fourth of July. It's a nationwide education and enforcement initiative developed by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. The annual campaign has shown success since it was launched in 2009.