Local News from WIKY

Governor signs kid umpire/referee bill

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:51am
Not many 13-year olds can say they helped change a state law. But Matthew Burkhart of Newburgh can. He believed the state's ban on anyone under 14 working as a referee, umpire or official for youth athletic programs was just wrong. He and his parents convinced State Representatives Suzanne Crouch and Ron Bacon to co-sponsor the bill. Vaneta Becker guided it through the Senate. And it has been signed into law by Governor Pence. It amends Indiana's child labor laws to allow Hoosiers under age 14 to work as officials in youth athletic programs.

Aztar earnings up

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:48am
Casino Aztar was the only one of Indiana's 11 casinos to see increases in both attendance and revenue last month. The Indiana Gaming Commission says the Evansville casino topped 105,000 admissions in March, up seven-tenths of a percent from the same period last year. Aztar also earned $10.9 million in revenue, an increase of 1.4 percent over a year ago.

West side residents return to County Commission meeting

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 9:47am
A big crowd of west siders again turns out for the Vanderburgh County Commission meeting. They repeated a request for a comprehensive development plan for the area around University Parkway. Stan Blaszczyk asked commissioners to respond to their questions and discuss the future re-zoning of the area. Commission President Marsha Abell has told the group that zoning decisions have to first go through the Area Plan Commission, which recommends what to do before Commissioners vote.

The Blue Angel blues return - but not the F18 Hornets

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 4:21pm
The Blue Angels won't be coming to Evansville. A spokesman says the Navy flying team is canceling its entire 2013 season as a result of the sequester ordered by Congress. Public Information Officer Lt. Aaron Kaleil says it's one of many steps the Navy is taking to ensure resources are in place to support forces operating now, and those training to relieve them. read more

Somebody bugging Sen. McConnell?

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 4:18pm
The FBI is asked to look into whether Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign headquarters was bugged. The request was made after a conversation of a private campaign meeting surfaced in "Mother Jones" a liberal-leaning magazine. McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton says his staff is working with the FBI because of what he called "Watergate-style tactics" to bug the office. He says a recording device was placed in McConnell's office without consent. read more

Henderson bank robbed

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 4:17pm
Another bank robbery in Henderson - this one at the Independence Bank on South Green near Washington. Police say a tall man with a thin build and dark hair pulled-off the heist shortly before 4 Tuesday afternoon. Tellers say he was wearing a shirt, blue jeans and a ball cap. And police suspect he's the same guy that held-up the Fifth Third on Green Street last week. It's not known if a weapon was used in today's bank robbery.

Lowery appointed to ERC

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 8:19am
The Evansville City Council has appointed a local businesswoman to fill the seat of former Redevelopment Commission member Jay Carter.  The council voted unanimously to appoint Pat Lowery. She's the vice president of finance at Evansville Surgery Center, and has a background in accounting and business. Lowery will replace Carter, who resigned after being indicted on money laundering charges.

Woman killed in fall from truck

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 8:17am
A woman is killed when she falls out of a Fed-Ex truck in Perry County. Indiana State Police say the truck was traveling on Leopold Road, just east of Lavender Road, and a passenger, 54-year-old Debra Harris of Velpin, was riding unrestrained. Police say Harris fell out of the truck as it rounded a curve. She was flown to Perry County Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Fire destroys Vanderburgh County home

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 8:16am
Officials are trying to determine the cause of a stubborn fire that destroyed a large, two-story home in northern Vanderburgh County. McCutchanville firefighters were dispatched to the house at 10,304 Old State Road at about 5:25 Monday afternoon, and saw flames shooting from the house. They called for a second alarm, and units from several agencies responded, but they couldn't save the house. Early on, firefighters were ordered out of the house because of fears of a collapse. read more

Ridgeway gift largest ever to UE

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 11:09am
It's the largest gift in the history of the University of Evansville. The donation was announced during a news conference today on the east side campus. The $39 million comes from the late Dr. William Ridgeway. Administrators say $5 million has already been dedicated an endowment for Faculty Excellence. The remainder will be handled by a trust at Old National Bank and be distributed to projects related to a long-term vision statement. Previous gifts from Ridgeway resulted in the new student union being named in his honor.