Local News from WIKY

Area code "overlay" favored over "geographic split"

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:59pm
We may be punching-in more numbers in the future. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is recommending the all-services overlay option for implementing a new telephone area code. It would overlay the 812 area code, because the 812 exchange will run-out out of numbers by 2015. We'd be required to include 812 or the new overlay number in all local calls. The new code would be used for new phones and services beginning in late 2014 or 2015. Calls that are local before a new area code is added would remain local afterward.

GOP trying end run on Keystone XL Pipeline project

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:56pm
Republican Congressman Larry Buschon of Newburgh is supporting legislation that would make an end-run around President Obama on the Keystone XL Pipeline project. He testified at a committee hearing on the bill. Buschon says President Obama has been studying the Keystone Pipeline longer than World War II lasted - and it's time to move the project forward.

Former ECA treasurer at Castle HS accused of embezzling funds

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:41pm
A preliminary State Board of Accounts audit concludes a retired treasurer at Castle High School embezzled nearly $140,000 from the school. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has frozen the accounts of 55-year old Rebecca McKee. Those accounts include her house, car, and any bank and retirement accounts that she may have. The audit by the State Board of Accounts says McKee failed to deposit about $82,000 in cash collections she received. It also says says she took 24 unauthorized reimbursements totaling about $15,000.

Owensboro hotel robbed at gunpoint

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 10:28am
Police tracked down and arrested the man suspected of robbing the Hampton Inn in Owensboro. Police say the desk clerk told them a man with a rifle came in about 1:30 Thursday morning and demanded money. Police used a K-9 unit to find and arrest 25-year-old Mark Butler of Owensboro. He's in the Daviess County jail on charges of first degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

No Powerball winner yet

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 10:25am
There was no Powerball jackpot winner Wednesday night. There were $1 million winners in both Indiana and Kentucky. A convenience store on the south side of Indianapolis had a million dollar winner. The Kentucky winning ticket matched all five numbers, but not the powerball. It was bought in Ashland, in eastern Kentucky. Officials now estimate Saturday's jackpot at $475 million.

Tear gas ends four-hour standoff

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 10:22am
Evansville Police used tear gas to end a four-hour standoff. It started late Wednesday afternoon when officers tried to serve a felony warrant to 33-year-old John Cannon. SWAT members and negotiators were called to the scene in the 1400 block of S. Grand. Eventually, Cannon climbed into a crawlspace to get away from the tear gas and surrendered to officers. read more

Flash Flood Warning issued for Knox, Daviess

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 10:20am
Heavy rain north of Evansville has prompted the weather service to issue a Flash Flood Warning for Knox and Daviess counties. It's in effect until 3:30 Thursday afternoon, Evansville time. First Alert meteorologist Byron Douglas is not expecting the kind of deadly storms that hit Texas Wednesday night, but he says we could see some strong ones.

We Are Evansville shirts to go on sale

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 5:24pm
Are you ready to tell the world that you're offended by the suggestion that Evansville is a "miserable city?"  If so, you can purchase We Are Evansville t-shirts this Saturday from 10 to noon at the CK Newsome Community Center. The Evansville Parks Foundation will be selling them for $5 for youth and adult sizes, except adult 3XL. They cost $7. All proceeds benefit the city parks and playgrounds. 

"Fitness in the Park" goes to State Hospital Park Saturday

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 5:21pm
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s “Fitness in the Park” program will join Pushups for Charity Saturday morning from 9 to 11 at Evansville State Hospital Park. They'll raise money for services to aid wounded military veterans. Registration opens at 8:30.  Pushups for Charity begins a short time later, followed by an exercise boot camp, a family fun walk-run, Box-Fit, Yoga and Zumba. The event is organized locally by Custom Fit Personnel Training and Bob’s Gym. read more

Minimized preschool education coming to Indiana

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 5:20pm
For the first time, Indiana will earmark some state funding for preschool next school year -- but not as much as advocates had hoped for. Indiana will offer four-million dollars over the next two years to preschools to give more pupils an early start. House Republicans had proposed $14 million for a pilot program in five counties to give scholarships directly to low-income students to pay for preschool. read more