Local News from WIKY

Feds clamping down on pharmacy robbers

Indiana - in 2012 - had more pharmacy robberies than any state in the union. That's what U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett tells reporters during a news conference this afternoon in Evansville. Hogsett says federal officials are taking additional steps to clamp-down on robberies at pharmacies.

Dome work underway at Museum

You might notice something unusual next to the Evansville Museum: A three-story tall inflated balloon. The museum's science director, Mitch Luman, tells WIKY News it's part of the construction of a new theater. Construction workers will put concrete around the inflated dome. It's being done by a company out of Idaho called Dome Technology. The museum renovation is scheduled to wrap up early next year.

Trockman to push Congress on air travel access

A disabled Evansville man will soon take his campaign for better access to air travel to Washington D.C. A motocross accident in 2006 left Ben Trockman in a wheelchair and he became a national representative for Easter Seals. But because no airlines are equipped to handle his motorized wheelchair, his trips take days on the road. Trockman says he can get into his car in "15 seconds" and he says there's "no reason that airlines can't be as accessible as vehicles." 

Council questions Smart City plan

The plan to create a fiber optic network for reading water meters in Evansville and Vanderburgh County attracts a lot of questions from City Council members. The proposal now calls for the replacement of meters more than five years old. Newer ones would be equipped with automated reading devices. Council members questioned claims of how the program would save money and over time, pay for itself. If there aren't savings and increased revenue, the vendor, Johnson Controls would pay the difference.

Shriners promise a great air show July 4th

Even though the cornerstone of this year's Hadi ShrinersFest...the Blue Angels won't be there...many acts will be in the skies over Dress Plaza, during the day and at night. Shriner Steve Eberhart says some of the other flying teams are now working together to put together a stunning opener. Eberhart also says a dozen aircraft will perform before and after the 4th of July fireworks. $5 buttons will only be required on Saturday and Sunday. 12 and under get in free. The festival is July 3rd through 7th.

City Hall heading for the mall

City Hall goes to the mall two times this year. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says he held a Traveling City Hall session at Eastland Mall last year, and it was a great success. Winnecke and his department heads will meet the public at the mall Saturday May 18th and Saturday Sept. 28th. Eastland Mall Manager Sean Ferguson says merchants will contribute $200 worth of gift cards for random drawings.  

Debbie Hartz wins top state award

A local school teacher, Deborah Hartz, is named Hoosier Educator of the Year.  Hartz is a Lead Coach in Innovative and Alternative Models with the EVSC.  Criteria for the award includes Professional Practice, Advocacy for the Profession, Community Engagement, Leadership in Professional Development and Attention to Diversity. Debbie Hartz has taught for EVSC for 36 years in a variety of positions and is active in the Evansville Teachers Association.

One stabbed, one arrested

A man is being treated at Deaconess, while another is arrested after a stabbing in Evansville. Police responded to a report of a fight in the 500 block of East Riverside Drive, just before 10:00 Tuesday night. Roy Blackman was stabbed in the back a number of times, then treated and released. Police say Blackman was stabbed during an argument with 55-year-old Carl Moody, who was arrested and faces a charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

Lynch-Burkhardt crash kills woman

A crash on the East Side has claimed a life. Authorities say 57-year-old Robin Gail Norris of Evansville died after Tuesday's crash at Burkhardt and Lynch roads. Christopher Meunier of Newburgh told police that he didn't see the red light at the intersection, and his vehicle crashed into Norris' car, which then hit a third car. Norris later died at St. Mary's Medical Center. Her passenger was also taken to St. Mary's, while the driver of the third vehicle was transported to Deaconess. read more

Firefighters battle fire and ditch

It was a long night for German Township firefighters. They were called to a report of flames in the woods off Kuebler Road just before midnight Wednesday. When they arrived, they found an abandoned house and nearby wooded area on fire in the 8200 block of Schaeffer Road. One of the fire trucks got stuck in a ditch off the driveway, hampering firefighters efforts to put out the fire. They managed to extinguish the flames and nobody was hurt. The fire truck was pulled out of the ditch just before 5:00 a.m. No word on how the fire started.