Local News from WIKY

Storms miss Evansville area

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 10:10am
The weather stayed calm in the Evansville area overnight. First Alert meteorologist Byron Douglas says severe storms stayed north of the Tri-State. Byron says the front that created the storms is bringing windy conditions to our area. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect.

Mayor's fitness program looks to pools

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 4:31pm
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says “Summer of Swimming” will be the focus of the Energize Evansville monthly “Fitness in the Park” program during June, July and August. The first in a series of three free pool exercise sessions is this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hartke Pool, featuring water Aerobics with YMCA Instructors. Participants may join any of the four, 30 minute segments. They'll be on water aerobics, Latin dance, aqua boot camp and shallow-and-deep water cool downs. All fitness levels are invited, and participants can go at their own pace.

Fire deaths rising rapidly in Indiana

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 4:25pm
More Hoosiers have already died in fires this year than in all of 2012. Fires have claimed 55 lives this year. That‘s nine more than last year, and 12 more than in 2011. The surge is partly the result of a run of eight fires which killed 24 people. State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson says the grim total underlines the need to have a working smoke detector. But he says officials can't enter houses to see if they have one. Greeson is seeking a $300,000 grant to make smoke detectors available free across the state.

S. Baptists renew resistance to gays in BSA

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 4:23pm
The Southern Baptist Convention again approves a resolution stating opposition to allowing gays in the Boy Scouts. But the language is softer than in the past. The resolution approved Wednesday also expressed disappointment with the Boy Scouts of America's new policy allowing gay Scouts. The resolution also calls on the Boy Scouts to remove executive and board leaders who tried to allow gays as both members and leaders without consulting the many religious groups that sponsor Scout troops. But it does not recommend that Southern Baptists drop ties with he Scouts.

Grand jury indicts Henderson man following alleged explosives threat

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 4:22pm
A Henderson man faces a charge of terroristic threatening after he was overhead at a drive-in restaurant saying he wanted to set-off explosives at Henderson County High School. 20-year old Brian Mathis who lives in the 400 block of South Ingram Street was indicted by a Henderson County Grand Jury. Mathis reportedly explained in the threat in April that he wanted to protect a young sister who he thought was being bullied at the high school. A girl sitting near Mathis at the restaurant took a picture of him with her smart phone and helped police investigate the theft.

Posey jail crowded

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 10:18am
Posey County authorities are pleased that they've arrested dozens of drug suspects in recent years, but it does create at least one problem: a crowded jail. Sheriff Greg Oeth tells WIKY and 14 News the Posey County Jail's capacity is 62, but he has renovated conference rooms to house inmates and has put cots in holding cells to hold as many as 70. The sheriff says a study to assess the jail's needs and current budget is underway. He plans to ask county officials for more money to keep the jail running.

Select Specialty Hospital investigated

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 10:16am
State officials confirm that a medical facility that was raided in Evansville last year is under the microscope. The Indiana Attorney General's Office tells WIKY and 14 News that it's medicaid fraud unit is conducting an investigation into Select Specialty Hospital. A lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court last year by three former employees. Among their claims was certain patient treatment decisions were made not out of medical necessity but for financial gain. read more

Casino Aztar now Tropicana Evansville

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 10:15am
Out with the old, in with the new. Signs are going up around the local casino, re-branding Casino Aztar as Tropicana Evansville. Officials will celebrate the new owner Friday morning with an event that includes showgirls and oversized novelty dice. General Manager Ward Shaw and Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke are expected to toss the big dice, as part of the celebration. There will also be an announcement about the former Stoney's nightclub, which has been sitting vacant.

Heat, humidity, and storms on tap

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 10:13am
Today might be a good day to take a dip in the swimming pool. First Alert meteorologist Byron Douglas says Tuesday was the hottest day of the year, so far, with a high of 88. But he says we'll top that today with the mercury reaching the low-to-mid 90s, and the heat index topping 100. Byron says he can't rule out strong storms this afternoon and tonight, especially north of Evansville. The mini-heat wave should end Wednesday, with temperatures about ten degrees cooler.

Second day of testimony complete in capital murder trial

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 6:03pm
Another day of testimony in the murder and arson trial of Jeffrey Weisheit is complete. Police who chased Weisheit from a house where Lisa Lynch's children suffered a fiery death say Weisheit threw a knife at law enforcement after they used stop sticks to blow-out the tires on the vehicle. Defense attorney Mike McDaniel said officers tased Weisheit and he suffered brain damage in the confrontation. The prosecution said Weisheit duct taped 5 year old Caleb Lynch. McDaniel submitted that Weisheit was in a depressive state and duct taped Caleb so he could escape.