Local News from WIKY

Owensboro hotel robbed at gunpoint

Police tracked down and arrested the man suspected of robbing the Hampton Inn in Owensboro. Police say the desk clerk told them a man with a rifle came in about 1:30 Thursday morning and demanded money. Police used a K-9 unit to find and arrest 25-year-old Mark Butler of Owensboro. He's in the Daviess County jail on charges of first degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

No Powerball winner yet

There was no Powerball jackpot winner Wednesday night. There were $1 million winners in both Indiana and Kentucky. A convenience store on the south side of Indianapolis had a million dollar winner. The Kentucky winning ticket matched all five numbers, but not the powerball. It was bought in Ashland, in eastern Kentucky. Officials now estimate Saturday's jackpot at $475 million.

Tear gas ends four-hour standoff

Evansville Police used tear gas to end a four-hour standoff. It started late Wednesday afternoon when officers tried to serve a felony warrant to 33-year-old John Cannon. SWAT members and negotiators were called to the scene in the 1400 block of S. Grand. Eventually, Cannon climbed into a crawlspace to get away from the tear gas and surrendered to officers. read more

Flash Flood Warning issued for Knox, Daviess

Heavy rain north of Evansville has prompted the weather service to issue a Flash Flood Warning for Knox and Daviess counties. It's in effect until 3:30 Thursday afternoon, Evansville time. First Alert meteorologist Byron Douglas is not expecting the kind of deadly storms that hit Texas Wednesday night, but he says we could see some strong ones.

We Are Evansville shirts to go on sale

Are you ready to tell the world that you're offended by the suggestion that Evansville is a "miserable city?"  If so, you can purchase We Are Evansville t-shirts this Saturday from 10 to noon at the CK Newsome Community Center. The Evansville Parks Foundation will be selling them for $5 for youth and adult sizes, except adult 3XL. They cost $7. All proceeds benefit the city parks and playgrounds. 

"Fitness in the Park" goes to State Hospital Park Saturday

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s “Fitness in the Park” program will join Pushups for Charity Saturday morning from 9 to 11 at Evansville State Hospital Park. They'll raise money for services to aid wounded military veterans. Registration opens at 8:30.  Pushups for Charity begins a short time later, followed by an exercise boot camp, a family fun walk-run, Box-Fit, Yoga and Zumba. The event is organized locally by Custom Fit Personnel Training and Bob’s Gym. read more

Minimized preschool education coming to Indiana

For the first time, Indiana will earmark some state funding for preschool next school year -- but not as much as advocates had hoped for. Indiana will offer four-million dollars over the next two years to preschools to give more pupils an early start. House Republicans had proposed $14 million for a pilot program in five counties to give scholarships directly to low-income students to pay for preschool. read more

Rallies planned to support Boy Scouts ban on gay members and leaders

An organization called "On My Honor" is staging rallies Friday in support of the Boy Scouts of America ban on gay members and leaders. The group is a coalition of parents, scout leaders, donors, Eagle Scouts and others.  They oppose the compromise being considered by the National Boy Scout Council to allow openly gay Scouts while keeping the ban in place for scout leaders. A Boy Scout backer from Kokomo, Jeff Britton, says homosexuality is immoral. He also predicts an exodus of members if the resolution is adopted.

Dog shooting upsets Patoka residents

Some residents in Patoka are seeking justice for a dog that was shot and killed when it entered a man's yard. Some neighbors have posted signs on their homes in memory of Jack, the McGrew family's young, white pit bull, who they say wasn't threatening anybody. Children were also nearby when the dog as shot last week. The Gibson County Prosecutor's Office is considering charges of criminal recklessness and animal cruelty.

Owensboro man faces 1,100 child porn charges

A man arrested on charges of child exploitation goes to court...and hears his bond set at $50,000 cash. 25-year old James Christopher Payne of Owensboro was charged with almost 1,200 counts of child porn after police served a warrant at his house. The arrest capped an undercover investigation into possession of images of child sexual exploitation. Detectives sent what's being described as evidence to the Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for processing. Payne was told to return to court May 22nd for a preliminary hearing.