Local News from WIKY

49 workers laid-off at Ameriqual

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 10:08am
Federal budget cuts and a drop in military deployments are being blamed for 49 layoffs at Evansville-based AmeriQual. The company makes ready-to-eat meals for the military and humanitarian agencies, as well as commercially packaged items. AmeriQual President Tim Brauer says he's seen “a substantial drop-off in orders” for some military rations. He also says sequestration is partly to blame for the slowdown.

United Way distributing $3.3 million

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 10:07am
The United Way of Southwestern Indiana is distributing $3.3 million among local programs and agencies, following last fall's fund raising campaign. The organization is focusing again this year on education, income, and health. Local United Way President Carol Braden-Clarke says more than 60 volunteers helped choose which not-for-profits would receive a slice of the pie. Among the top recipients: The Red Cross, the Visiting Nurse Association, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Mayor Winnecke wraps-up series of news conference before heading east

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 2:45pm
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke wraps-up a series of news events before heading for one of Evansville's Sister Cities. Hizzoner plans to visit Osnabruck to exchange greetings with officials of the German city. Then it's onto Amsterdam for some personal sight-seeing. He met with reporters Thursday morning to say the preparation of the former Roberts Stadium site for a new 26 acre Roberts Park is proceeding on schedule.

Powdery substance on package at Shoe Carnival Distribution Center

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 1:50pm
Evansville Firefighters and Police - including Crime Scene and Haz-Mat crews - leave the Shoe Carnival Corporate office after checking-over a package received, that had powder on it. The public safety officers were there for about 90 minutes. Police public infomration officer Jason Cullum says they tested the substance and determined it was not toxic or dangerous. The Shoe Carnival building was not evacuated.

Feds clamping down on pharmacy robbers

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 1:49pm
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

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 9:40am
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

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 9:36am
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

Submitted by WIKY News on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 9:34am
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

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 5:56pm
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

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 5:55pm
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.