Local News from WIKY

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.

Debbie Hartz wins top state award

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 5:50pm

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

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 10:14am

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

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 10:13am

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

Submitted by WIKY News on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 10:11am

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.

We Are Evansville campaign begins

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 2:18pm

USI Public Relations students are given a big boost by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Old National Bank and Deaconess Hospital in launching a "We Are Evansville" campaign. And the corporations are challenging other businesses to join the campaign in response to a survey that's been construed as being negative about the city. Student Jesse Marks is calling for more community support. He's asking people to help in the making of a video emphasizing postive aspects of the city and its people by emailing pictures to WeAreEvansville@gmail.com.

HNI wins National Main Street certification

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 2:13pm

Historic Newburgh, Inc. is designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. The center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. read more

A second disappointing day involving ISTEP testing

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 1:50pm

Maybe the third time will be charmed... After another morning of frustration for school systems trying to administer ISTEP tests through a computer link with the state of Indiana, Glenda Ritz threw-in the towel this time. She's the Superintendent of Public Instruction who is working under a contract that her predecessor, Tony Bennett, signed with the Rand Corporation to handle the testing. For a second day in a row, Rand's server repeatedly logged-out students trying to answer questions.