Local News from WIKY

KY schools can earn grant for raising dropout age

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 04/13/2013 - 10:17am
Kentucky school districts can earn a $10,000 grant, if they are one of the first 57 school districts to raise their dropout age from 16 to 18. Kentucky education commissioner Terry Holliday says the money is already in the department's budget. Kentucky's legislature passed a bill this year that allows local districts to decide if they want to raise the age, but a provision states once 55 percent of districts make the decision to increase the age, then the change will be made statewide within four years.

Tony Berkley faces additional charges

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 5:28pm
New charges are brought against a man who is already charged with murder in the deaths of his daughter and her boyfriend. Tony Berkley Sr. is charged additionally with one count of sexual abuse of a victim under 12 years of age  one count of unlawful transaction with a minor -- an illegal sex act with a person under 18 years of age. Berkley was earlier accused of chasing 21-year-old Jerry Goodman Jr. and 18-year-old Melissa Berkley on Ohio County Road in 2012. read more

Local people to raise money for Alzheimer's research

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 5:27pm
What has become one of the worst killers in the United States will be challenged in Evansville Saturday evening. Members and supporters of the Kentucky and Southern Indiana regional Alzheimer's assocation will hold its annual "Making Memories" dinner-fundraiser. The event featuring a "Route 66" and "1950's Diner" theme will be held in the renovated restaurant at the Old Post Office building at 7 p.m. Money raised will benefit the families of Alzheimer's and provide suppport for research into the incurable disease.

Aztar buys former Fast Eddy's

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 9:45am
Casino Aztar has purchased the former Fast Eddy’s restaurant on Riverside Drive, across from the casino. General Manager Ward Shaw says Aztar is considering its options for the site. He's not saying whether Aztar plans to keep the building or to tear it down, but he says it has not been well-maintained. It's been vacant since Fast Eddy’s closed last June.

Police: Evansville woman drunk in wrong-way crash

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 9:44am
An Evansville woman is recovering from a wrong-way crash on I-70 between Terre Haute and Indianapolis. State Police say 57-year-old Pamela Goedde had a blood-alcohol level of .24 -- three times the legal limit -- when she drove on the wrong side of the highway and crashed into a semi Thursday night. She was taken to an Indianapolis hospital with head and leg injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. The truck driver wasn't hurt. Five other vehicles swerved off the highway to avoid Goedde's car.

Area Plan recommends Majestic Place project

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 9:41am
A planned commercial and residential development near USI passes its first test. Area Plan voted 7-to-4 to recommend rezoning about 200 acres of land along the University Parkway. That's despite opposition from residents in that area. And now, USI wants to be involved in a master plan for the area. The proposal now goes to Vanderburgh County Commissioners for their vote. Commission President Marsha Abell authored a letter saying Perry Township needs the development, and that the University Parkway is not a "glorified driveway" for USI.

Drug testing for welfare recipients approved with protection for kids

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 5:36pm
The Indiana Senate approves a bill requiring drug-testing for welfare recipients. Supporters say it will help them because they won't lose benefits if they pass the test. But opponents say testing welfare recipients hasn't worked in other states and is expensive for taxpayers. An amendment adopted Tuesday provides that benefits for children would continue to be paid to another family member or guardian if a parent flunks the test. The House passed a similar bill in February.

Woman in positions of trust accused of theft

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 5:35pm
A probable cause affidavit accuses a Gibson County woman of taking thousands of dollars from a parent-teacher organization and a Cub Scout pack. 28-year old Deanna Merrifield-Fox faces two counts of theft for allegedly taking $3,800 from Cub Scout Pack No. 222 and $1,700 from the Lowell Elementary School PTO. Police investigators say she was the the treasurer of the PTO and leader of the scout pack and at the time that the funds were unaccounted for. Investigators say Merrifield-Fox admitted she misused at least $2,000.

Coast Guard to rule in fracking case

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 5:31pm
Kentucky residents and environmentalists are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Coast Guard on a proposal that would allow fracking waste to be shipped on the Ohio River. Sasha White is an organizer with the group called "Appalachia Resist!" They are protesting plans, which they consider dangerous and unneeded. Greenhunter Water owns a fracking facility in Ohio and wants to ship up to a half million gallons of water per load down the river. Greenhunter says shipping by barge is more efficient and safer than shipping the waste by truck.

Chief Billy Bolin loses hair to support Det. Schroer

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 5:29pm
Evansville's police chief is nearly bald for a cause. Billy Bolin followed through on a promise to have his head shaved at an Evansville school as part of the "Shavin' for Schroer" fundraiser. Bolin helped raise $1500 for the Schroer family after speaking to kids at  West Terrace School about leadership and following your dreams. He sat on what was called the "hot seat" and several students stepped-up to shave Chief Bolin's head. The event was fun for the kids and for Chief Bolin.