Local News from WIKY

Concerns about west side development

Dozens of West Siders fill most of the seats at the Vanderburgh County Commission meeting. Group spokesman Stan Blaszczyk told commissioners they're worried about the adverse effects of Majestic Place, a planned mixed-use development along University Parkway. He also said residents realize they can't stop development along the parkway. Blaszczyk forwarded a list of questions about Majestic Place, and future development on the west side to the commission. read more

Appeals court hears Bradford case

The Indiana Court of Appeals is considering an appeal from former Evansville Police Officer Patrick Bradford. Attorneys presented their cases Tuesday in Indianapolis, with Bradford's attorney saying new scientific evidence raises questions about the timing of a fire in Tammy Lohr's home in 1992. Bradford was convicted of stabbing Lohr to death and setting the fire.

Arrest warrant issued for former firefighter

Police are looking for former McCutchanville firefighter Chad Becker. He faces a felony theft charge for allegedly stealing money from a scholarship fund set up in honor of deceased colleague, Jeremy Tighe. He died in February 2012, when the firetruck he was riding in crashed on St. Joe Avenue. The 30-year-old Becker was chairman of the scholarship fund, and another member discovered money was missing from it. It's believed Becker has left the area.

Winnecke delivers State of City with help from Twitter

Accomplishments and challenges. That's what Mayor Lloyd Winnecke spoke about during his State of the City Address Tuesday. Among the challenges, treating wastewater to meet a federal mandate. As for accomplishments, Winnecke touted the planned cloverleaf at the Lloyd and Highway 41 and promised to work with Henderson Mayor Steve Austin to push for an I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Winnecke also touted social media's new role in city government. His speech was Tweeted live.

Police officers training in old North High School building

Evansville Police Officers and Vanderburgh County Sheriff's deputies are spending Spring Break inside the old North High School building, for what's called Active Shooter / Rapid Deployment Training. EPD Assistant Chief Chris Pew says officers are using "Simunition" in the shooting scenarios, which are paint balls. He says it's the first time in several years that police officers and sheriff's deputies have worked together on the training. He says they would likely work together in a real incident, something they hope they don't face.

Man chased by police appears in court

The Evansville man arrested for robbery and leading police on a chase to Posey County appears in court. 32-year old Keith Reiter was wounded when he reached into his car and two EPD officers fired 3 shots. Police say that on Sunday Reiter broke into a home on St. Joe Avenue, held a gun to a man's head, got cash, then used duct tape to tie up the man and an 81-year-old woman. read more

Bradford case back before the courts

Few trials attracted the attention of the entire Tri-State like the one for Evansville Police Officer Patrick Bradford. He was convicted of murder and arson in the death of civilian jailer Tammy Lohr, and his convictions were affirmed on appeal. But Tuesday morning the Court of Appeals again heard from Bradford. He claims that newly-discovered evidence demonstrates his convictions were erroneous. read more

Storm sirens to sound on Wednesday

The storm sirens should be sounding a couple of times Wednesday, and programming will be briefly interrupted on radio and TV. That's part of Indiana's Spring Weather Awareness Campaign from the National Weather Service. It is a good idea to have your plans ready for those times when the sirens wail and you're told there really is a severe storm or tornado approaching. Know where to go at home, school, or work and have food and drink ready. Connect with family and friends and ask about their plans.

Fast Eddy's liquidation starts

Fast Eddy's is all set to be liquidated. The bar and restaurant next to Aztar closed last summer. Curran Miller Auction Realty is hosting the online auction of almost everything that was inside beginning Tuesday morning. That includes restaurant equipment, neon and mirrored signs, bar stools, t-shirts and liquor. There's also a life-sized Elvis statue and giant shoe.