Local News from WIKY

New fire truck replaces one that crashed

There's a new fire truck in service at the McCutchanville station on N. St. Joe Avenue. Lt. Steve Gibson says it replaces the truck that crashed in February 2011, killing firefighter Jeremy Tighe. Gibson says a plaque honoring Tighe was placed on the new truck.  He says parts of the truck that crashed were put in the new vehicle. Gibson says insurance money covered the cost of the truck.

One killed, two injured in White County crash

A pickup truck collides with a car, claiming the life of a Carmi man and seriously injuring his wife and another man. It happened at about noon Monday on Route 1 at County Road 1325-East, in White County. Authorities say 24-year-old Eric L. Williams of New Harmony was driving the pickup, when he turned left into the path of the car driven by 69-year-old Larry Boehringer of Carmi. Boehringer was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, 69-year-old Lilian Boehringer, was airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville with major injuries.

Police fatally shoot Vincennes man

A Vincennes man was shot and killed following a confrontation with police Monday night. Officers say 42-year-old Ross Darkis refused to drop his weapon when officers arrived at his home on Wilbur St., responding to a domestic situation. Darkis reportedly pointed his gun at officers, who fired several shots, striking Darkis. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. No officers were injured.

Mayor urges city council to keep downtown projects moving

An overflow crowd gathers at the Civic Center to learn more about two major projects for downtown Evansville. The city council conducted a special meeting Monday night on the proposed convention hotel and IU medical school. Mayor Winnecke says state legislators were successful in securing $2 million in planning funds for the health science education and research project in the 2013-15 biennium budget. Meantime, he urged the council to keep the hotel project moving forward. Developers from HCW provided details on the $73 million project.

Students ready to pass ISTEP Test but state fails them

Problems at the state level throw a monkey wrench into the machinery of ISTEP testing around the state. Screens in front of students were freezing-up. School systems throughout Indiana finally gave-up today, Monday Warrick School Supt. Brad Schneider is among educators hoping the problem will be resolved by tomorrow - because the deadline is May 10th. He says it now appears that deadline needs to be extended. Schneider says there's a lot of pressure on students to do well on ISTEP tests. He says the state's "dropping the ball" doesn't help the situation.

City Council to discuss downtown projects

Proposals for a convention hotel and I-U Medical Center will be talked about, when the Evansville City Council hosts a special meeting later today. There have been recent questions about the city's financial ability to help with both downtown projects. The developer of the Hilton Doubletree Hotel plan, that includes apartments, shops, and parking says $37 million in city assistance was included. But Mayor Winnecke has said that negotiations to reduce costs would continue. read more

Century Aluminum - Big Rivers - Kenergy reach deal

There's word that Century Aluminum, Big Rivers, and Kenergy have reached a tentative agreement on a market-priced power framework for the smelter at Hawesville, Kentucky. Century told its employees earlier this month that the plant's operations would be curtailed unless the company could gain access to competitively priced electric power. read more

Highland helps children with special needs play baseball

A cheerleading league for children with special needs is inspiring a local man to create another activity for these youth. Highland Baseball Club Vice President David Fisher is working to develop a Challenger Division baseball league for children with mental or physical challenges ages 4 through 18, or up 21 if they are still in high school. Club President Matt Pokorney says the league will have no costs or fees, and it will provide all of the uniforms and equipment for participants.

Indiana schools receive help to upgrade security

Schools will receive financial help to upgrade security under a bill on its way to Governor Pence.  The House and Senate gave overwhelming approval to a bill setting aside 10-million dollars in matching grants to help schools to hire security officers, conduct threat assessments, or make physical improvements to security. Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who supported the bill, says it will produce "safer schools and a greater appreciation for law enforcement." 

Newburgh woman died of multiple medication toxicity

A toxicology report shows a Newburgh woman, who died at Evansville's Hampton Inn last month had lethal levels of prescription drugs in her system. And Coroner Annie Groves says 47-year-old Robin Frank died due to repository failure caused by "multiple medication toxicity." Groves says the death was an accidental overdose. Frank’s husband was questioned after he took his wife’s body out of the hotel on a luggage cart. But, investigators say no foul play was suspected and no criminal charges have been pursued.