Local News from WIKY

Gov. Pence signs INDY Motor Speedway bill

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 5:06pm
Gov. Mike Pence signs legislation that provides financial assistance to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The action comes as the pace picks-up for this year's Indy 500. The speedway is best known for top Indy Car, Nascar and motorcycle racing events. Pence says the $100-million will provide for needed upgrades for a business that has has contributed to the life of our state for more than a century, enhancing the global reputation of Indiana.

Historic Preservation Month tours coming up in Evansville

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:47pm
Recognition of Historic Preservation Month continues in Evansville next week with walking tours of neighborhoods. They'll begin with a tour of Akin Park's 20th century Bungalows and Prairie style homes Tuesday night. A tour of the Lincolnshire Historic District begins Wednesday night at in front of St. Benedict Cathedral. The neighborhood featuers Evansville's finest 20th Century Georgian and Tudor Revival homes. And people will walk through Blackford's Grove, departing from Patchwork Central Friday night.

Preservation awards presented during Historic Preservation Month reception

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:46pm
A business -- new to Newburgh this year -- wins an Historic Preservation Award. Historic Newburgh Incorporated Executive Director Carol Schaefer notes during a Preservation Month program that #3 Market Street had stood empty for a couple of years. The building has held a number of businesses for more than 100 years. It was the meeting place of Roman Catholics in Newburgh. Cliff and Andrea Whitehead developed House of White bridal boutique in the ornate building.

Kids to be kept close to books this summer

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:43pm
With the end of the school year about three weeks away, teachers and the Department of Education are laying groundwork to keep students reading over the summer. State school superintendent Glenda Ritz returned to Crooked Creek Elementary School, where she was media specialist before being elected superintendent, to sell students on the importance of reading. The Department of Education will try to encourage students by making 3,000 titles available for free on its website. read more

I-69 corridor wetlands getting protection

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:42pm
The State of Indiana says efforts are ongoing to preserve the environment during a major construction project in southwest Indiana. The Indiana Department of Transportation is restoring more than 4,000 acres of wetlands, streams and forests in Greene and Monroe counties during the Interstate 69 project. 

Airports get a reprieve

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:41pm
Owensboro, Paducah, Bloomington and other small airports that were to be closed in June because of the sequester get a new lease on life. Tranportanton Secretary Ray LaHood says there's enough money to keep the 149 towers open until the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30th. LaHood says the legislation allows the FAA to transfer funds to end employee furloughs and keep the 149 low activity contract towers originally slated for closure in June open for now.

Attorney Scott Wylie wins national award

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:39pm
Evansville Bar Association President-elect Scott Wylie is awarded the Tanya Neiman Pro Bono Professional of the Year Award by the National Association of Pro Bono Professionals. The award was presented at the American Bar Association Equal Justice Conference.  Wylie is the Executive Director of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation, helps administer the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana and currently serves on the Indiana Pro Bono Commission. read more

Pence signs voucher bill

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 10:06am
Governor Pence has signed the law expanding Indiana‘s private-school voucher program. Pence says the program will strengthen public schools, not hurt them. Opponents disagree.

Henderson marina proposed

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 10:04am
Boaters may soon have a new place to park their boats and to enter and exit the Ohio River. A businessman is proposing a marina just upstream from Henderson's former Station One power plant at Fifth and Water streets, near the CSX railroad bridge. Butch Branson submitted the proposal to the city as part of his $100,000 bid for a vacant lot at Second and Water streets, where he proposes a two-story building with condos and business space. Branson says the projects would require an investment of $3 to $5 million.

Car-deer crash kills man, injures child

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 10:02am
A man is dead and a little girl is injured after a crash involving two vehicles and a deer in western Kentucky. A Daviess County sheriff's deputy says it happened at about 9:30 Thursday night on Highway 431 near W. Petit Road. A deer entered the roadway, was hit by a northbound vehicle, and then a southbound vehicle driven by 32-year-old Brad Critchelow of Utica. The deer went through Critchelow's windshield. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. A five-year-old old girl in his backseat had minor injuries.