Local News from WIKY

Hilgeman given 3 years in prison, must repay Eastern Star $290,000

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 3:37pm
A former officer of the Order of the Eastern Star is given a three year prison sentence and is told she must pay the Eastern Star $290,000. 37-year old Susan Hilgeman of Newburgh had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and forgery. Circuit Judge David Kiely could have sentenced Hilgeman to up to eight years in prison. Hilgeman's mother, 80-year old Marilee Garrison, is be tried July 18th on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft. They were officers of the organization associated with Freemasons. They're accused of embezzling $290,000.

Former Roberts Stadium put to good us

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:48pm
It should help the average teenager do better when behind the wheel. The Vanderburgh Sheriff's department took over what remains of the Roberts Stadium parking lot, for a hands on seminar Tuesday. About 60 kids from 5 local high schools drove cars and golf carts through a number of challenging courses. Sheriff's Chief Deputy Dave Wedding says they donned "impaired driving goggles" and drove a cart through a series of tight turns, often hitting the traffic cones that marked the course. read more

Arbor Day brings....more trees

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:46pm
Arbor Day is celebrated in Evansville, with Mayor Winnecke recognizing the contributions trees make to our environment. He used a proclamation at a downtown Keep Evansville Beautiful celebration to convey that trees need to be well-planned and nurtured. This is the 13th year that Evansville has received a Growth Award from Tree City USA. Last year the city accounted for more than 20,000 trees.

Woman accused of ripping-off not for profit agency

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 5:36pm
An Evansville woman is accused of stealing money from the Mission Nutrition Meal Program in Gibson County. State Police accuse 51-year old Deborah Wolfe of embezzling more than $13,000 from the program based in Princeton. Wolfe has been the director of the program since its inception in 2010. During the investigation, a detective concluded that Wolfe had used money from the program’s two accounts to make numerous unauthorized purchases for her personal use during 2011 and 2012. read more

Warrick deputies getting semi-automatic weapons

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:22am
The Warrick County Sheriff''s Office is trying to keep up with the bad guys. The department is adding AR-15 semi-automatic rifles to its arsenal. Warrick deputies are undergoing hours of training with the weapons. Sheriff Brett Kruse says just about every patrol unit will carry one.

Drury Inn to be auctioned

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:20am
An Evansville hotel is going on the auction block. The Drury Inn at Highway 41 and Lynch Road is scheduled to be auctioned online Thursday, May 23. The two-hour auction will start at 1 p.m. with an opening bid of nearly $2 million. Drury Inn officials say the hotel will be unencumbered by management and brand, so an investor could run the hotel under a different national franchise.

City Council delays decision on fire gear washers

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:19am
The Evansville City Council has postponed funding new, heavy duty equipment-washers in city firehouses. The City Council voted 6-2 Monday night to delay action on a $155,000 appropriation to buy the equipment. Some members, including firefighter Al Linsday, say they want more information on the plan.

EVSC hires new security officer

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:16am
A former Evansville Police officer is now in charge of security at local public schools. The EVSC board has hired Gregory Fleck to replace Gerald Summers, who has held the position since 2003. The 51-year-old Fleck recently retired from a 22-year career with the EPD. His responsibilities at the EVSC include evaluating security programs, coordinating an alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention program, and coordinating efforts to promote pedestrian, school bus, and traffic safety.

I-69 bridge between Evansville and Henderson likely to require tolls

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:58pm
If and when a new bridge is built across the Ohio River linking I-164 at Evansville with the Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway you can probably expect to pay tolls to use it. That's what Congressman Larry Buschon tells WIKY News. He says the tolls would be needed to help pay for the project. And Buschon says he's pleased that the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Bloomington has finally added I-69 to its infrastructure plan. He says should that speed-up the process of completing the expressway between Evansville and Indianapolis.

Taking Back the Night this Thursday

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:56pm
They're getting ready to "take back the night."  The Albion Fellows Bacon Center holds the annual program this Thursday night, starting with registration at 6 p.m. at Casino Aztar. Marchers will proceed from the Aztar Events Plaza to the Four Freedoms Monument and back to Aztar Plaza. They'll participate in a candlelight ceremony, and a celebration of survivor strength, followed by a speak-out against sexual violence. Organizer Christina Wicks says 938 people utilized services from the Sexual Assault Program at the Bacon Center last year.