Local News from WIKY

Police fatally shoot Vincennes man

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 10:24am
A Vincennes man was shot and killed following a confrontation with police Monday night. Officers say 42-year-old Ross Darkis refused to drop his weapon when officers arrived at his home on Wilbur St., responding to a domestic situation. Darkis reportedly pointed his gun at officers, who fired several shots, striking Darkis. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. No officers were injured.

Mayor urges city council to keep downtown projects moving

Submitted by WIKY News on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 10:21am
An overflow crowd gathers at the Civic Center to learn more about two major projects for downtown Evansville. The city council conducted a special meeting Monday night on the proposed convention hotel and IU medical school. Mayor Winnecke says state legislators were successful in securing $2 million in planning funds for the health science education and research project in the 2013-15 biennium budget. Meantime, he urged the council to keep the hotel project moving forward. Developers from HCW provided details on the $73 million project.

Students ready to pass ISTEP Test but state fails them

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 3:08pm
Problems at the state level throw a monkey wrench into the machinery of ISTEP testing around the state. Screens in front of students were freezing-up. School systems throughout Indiana finally gave-up today, Monday Warrick School Supt. Brad Schneider is among educators hoping the problem will be resolved by tomorrow - because the deadline is May 10th. He says it now appears that deadline needs to be extended. Schneider says there's a lot of pressure on students to do well on ISTEP tests. He says the state's "dropping the ball" doesn't help the situation.

City Council to discuss downtown projects

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 10:27am
Proposals for a convention hotel and I-U Medical Center will be talked about, when the Evansville City Council hosts a special meeting later today. There have been recent questions about the city's financial ability to help with both downtown projects. The developer of the Hilton Doubletree Hotel plan, that includes apartments, shops, and parking says $37 million in city assistance was included. But Mayor Winnecke has said that negotiations to reduce costs would continue. read more

Century Aluminum - Big Rivers - Kenergy reach deal

Submitted by WIKY News on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 10:25am
There's word that Century Aluminum, Big Rivers, and Kenergy have reached a tentative agreement on a market-priced power framework for the smelter at Hawesville, Kentucky. Century told its employees earlier this month that the plant's operations would be curtailed unless the company could gain access to competitively priced electric power. read more

Highland helps children with special needs play baseball

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 04/27/2013 - 9:09am
A cheerleading league for children with special needs is inspiring a local man to create another activity for these youth. Highland Baseball Club Vice President David Fisher is working to develop a Challenger Division baseball league for children with mental or physical challenges ages 4 through 18, or up 21 if they are still in high school. Club President Matt Pokorney says the league will have no costs or fees, and it will provide all of the uniforms and equipment for participants.

Indiana schools receive help to upgrade security

Submitted by WIKY News on Sat, 04/27/2013 - 8:07am
Schools will receive financial help to upgrade security under a bill on its way to Governor Pence.  The House and Senate gave overwhelming approval to a bill setting aside 10-million dollars in matching grants to help schools to hire security officers, conduct threat assessments, or make physical improvements to security. Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who supported the bill, says it will produce "safer schools and a greater appreciation for law enforcement." 

Newburgh woman died of multiple medication toxicity

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/26/2013 - 1:58pm
A toxicology report shows a Newburgh woman, who died at Evansville's Hampton Inn last month had lethal levels of prescription drugs in her system. And Coroner Annie Groves says 47-year-old Robin Frank died due to repository failure caused by "multiple medication toxicity." Groves says the death was an accidental overdose. Frank’s husband was questioned after he took his wife’s body out of the hotel on a luggage cart. But, investigators say no foul play was suspected and no criminal charges have been pursued.

Young Owensboro woman dies in vehicle crash

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/26/2013 - 1:28pm
The Daviess County coroner releases the name of the young woman who was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Owensboro. She's 18-year old Kimberly Williams of Wilder Drive in Owensboro. It happened early Friday morning on Frederica Street, near the Martin Luther King Junior Loop. Investigators say Williams was driving north when she crossed the center line into the southbound lane and slammed into another another vehicle. Her vehicle went down an embankment, overturned into a ditch and was submerged in water.

Cotter enters Alford plea in Henderson

Submitted by WIKY News on Fri, 04/26/2013 - 1:27pm
A former assistant soccer coach at Henderson County High School enters a plea in the shooting death of his wife. 37-year old Steven Cotter entered an Alford plea to second-degree manslaughter. It means he's not admitting guilt, but believes the evidence strongly indicates guilt. 38-year old Michelle Cotter was shot and killed at their home almost a year ago, on what was the last day of the 2011-2012 school year. Arriving police officers say Steven Cotter was also in the home and was armed.