Local News from WIKY

Former Gov. Otis Bowen dies

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 9:08am
Governor Mike Pence is directing flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff to honor former Governor Otis "Doc" Bowen. He died over the weekend at 95. The former small town doctor served two terms as governor, from 1973 to 1981. President Reagan chose Bowen to head-up the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1985, as the Reagan administration faced criticism over its response to the AIDS epidemic. Bowen addressed the issue squarely and the criticism subsided. read more

Van hits house; Occupants safe

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 9:05am
A van crashes into a house on Evansville's West Side, and the driver is arrested for drunken driving. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office says 53-year-old Larry Joe Sanders of Evansville lost control of the van on a curve, and crashed into the home of Keith Vonderahe at 2814 Harmony Way  Sunday afternoon. Investigators say the van slammed into a bedroom shared by Vonderahe's two young daughters, but luckily, nobody was in the room. Members of the family had just returned home before the crash.

Man shot outside Walmart; Suspect arrested

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 9:01am
One man is in the hospital and another is in jail after a shooting outside the East Side Walmart. Evansville Police say a dispute between the occupants of two vehicles on the Lloyd led to the gunfire just before 9:00 Sunday night. Spokesman Jason Cullum says 30-year-old Travon Burns got out of his car and was heading toward the door of Walmart when somebody in the other car got out and shot him in the back. Police later arrested 24-year-old Isaiah Green at an apartment in the Arbors at Eastland. He faces preliminary charges of attempted murder and criminal recklessness.

Illinois casinos could hurt Indiana budget

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 9:11am
The potential for new Illinois casinos is threatening to throw the Indiana spending and tax cut plan out of balance. The Illinois Senate voted Wednesday for a Senate Bill permitting new casinos in Chicago, the south suburbs and three other cities; slot machines at horse racing tracks and the two Chicago airports; and a reduction in casino tax rates. The gaming plan, which now goes to the House, is strongly backed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has pledged to give schools all the revenue from the Chicago casino.

USI Board of Trustees makes plans for the future

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 05/04/2013 - 9:11am
The University of Southern Indiana's Board of Trustees makes plans for the next two school years.  Yesterday, the Board learned more about the state's new two-year budget and other outcomes of the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.  Trustees determined the university's operating appropriation will increase by about 5% during the 2014 fiscal year.  USI is also alotting funds for dual credit priority courses, full-time faculty support, and renovations and repairs.  The school will hold a public hearing the week of May 20th to talk about tuition and fees for 2013 through 2015.<

Reality of easily obtainable guns a counterpoint to NRA party in Houston

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:46pm
As NRA members celebrate victories against background checks and limits on large magazine assault rifles at their national convention in Texas, police are dealing with the reality of gun violence in Evansville neighborhoods. Officers made several arrests Thursday during a detail designed to address the problem. Members of the EPD Crime Prevention Unit, the Gang Unit, and the Narcotics Joint Task Force were assigned to specific neighborhoods based on the number of gun related complaints. The calls included shootings, shots fired, and person with a gun complaints.

Wind feeds fire near Robards

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:44pm
A wind-whipped field fire is fought by volunteers from several western Kentucky fire departments. They asked the state of Kentucky to close one lane of the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway near Robards so that their fire units would have a place to stage. Winds gusting to almost 30 miles an hour helped the fire spread over more than a mile of land and threatened some farm buildings in the area.

Evansvile in good company in celebrating Indiana Bicentennial

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:41pm
Evansville is among four Indiana communities chosen to host community conversations to help Hoosiers better understand their past and prepare for the state's Bicentennial in 2016. A University of Southern Indiana program will examine the city's history and work with groups to revitalize center city neighborhoods. Among groups taking part in the effort are the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, the Indiana Historical Society, and Indiana Landmarks.

Public helps police snap crime spree

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:38pm
Evansville Police are crediting help from the public in solving a rash of east side burglaries. Spokesman Jason Cullum says police have made 14 arrests during an on-going investigation. He says the arrests were made possible by residents who were looking out for their neighbors and alerting police to suspicious activity. Investigators used crime scene evidence and interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects to solve many of the cases. read more

New Indiana abortion pill law may clash with U.S. Constitution

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 2:34pm
An IU Law Professor says the new bill signed into law by Governor Pence regarding abortion pills will run into trouble. The bill puts extra standards requirements on facilities that offer the abortion pill but not surgical abortions. David Orentlicher with the IU McKinney School of Law says if states can show that the building and equipment standards serve a legitimate medical purpose, that‘s okay. read more