Local News Headlines

11-year old girl dies in Interstate-64 crash

The multi-vehicle accident on I-64 Monday afternoon has claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl.  Katy Lewis was killed and her parents, Katherin and Brian Lewis and Katy's sister Cynthia remain hospitalized at St. Mary's Medical Center. They were in a car involved in the crash, that happened after semis collided. The crash closed the westbound lanes of the interstate near Highway-41 for several hours. Brian Lewis suffered leg injuries. No information is being released on Katherin or Cynthia Lewis’ injuries. The Lewis family lives near Princeton.

 

Jury finds Jeffrey Weisheit guilty

The jury deliberates only briefly, then finds a Vanderburgh County man guilty of murder and arson. Jeffrey Weisheit was accused of setting the fire that killed 8-year old Alyssa and 5-year old Caleb Lynch in their home about two years ago. The trial was held in Jeffersonville. In closing arguments, Prosecutor Gary Schutte said that when faced with the evidence, Weisheit told investigators, "stuff happens." Schutte says that indicated how cold Weisheit is.

 

State to allow fertilizer plant to proceed despite some concerns

The state of Indiana officially ends its role in financing the Midwest Fertilizer Plant project, turning it over to local officials. Gov. Mike Pence says the state still hasn't been able to verify whether the Fatima Group has delivered on its  promise to replace their current fertilizer in Pakistan with a formula less susceptible to misuse by hostile forces in the region. Posey officials have already approved the issuance and sale of $1.3 billion in bonds to help finance the plant.

 

Probe to begin into gunfire exchange that leaves man dead

Indiana State Police will soon begin an in-depth analysis of just what happend yesterday afternoon outside a gun shop at Montgomery in Daviess County. Captain Dave Bursten of the state police says they are gratified that Trooper Jerrod Lents has already been released from Deaconess Hospital after being shot in the mid-section and in extremity. And he offers condolences to the family of  60-year-old James Jones of Shoals, who shot Bursten - and who Bursten then shot to death.

 

Progress on convention hotel reported

Evansville Metro Development Director Phillip Hooper says the city is still negotiating an agreement on the convention hotel project, and he hopes to have a deal done by the end of this month. Hooper also told the Redelopment Commission today that progress is being made on exterior renovations to the Old Post Office in downtown Evansville. But he says interior work is still on hold. The General Services Administration plans to move its current office from the federal building to the second and third floors of the historic Post Office. 

 

Robbery suspect turns himself in

Evansville police have an easy time arresting a man suspected of robbing a convenience store. The Kangaroo Express on South Kentucky was robbed early Tuesday by a man with a shirt over his head who implied he had a weapon, and demanded cash. The clerk handed over about $70. Police say 36-year old John R. Long flagged down an officer driving on East Riverside more than an hour later, and reportedly told him he had robbed a store.

 

Meth lab dismantled, suspect arrested

A complaint about an odor leads Evansville Police to a meth lab in the Jacobsville neighborhood. Officers were called to 302 East Tennessee at about 11:00 Monday night. They say they found a small meth lab inside the house, dismantled it, and also found meth-making ingredients. 42-year old Jay Wayne Hayes was taken into custody, and charged with manufacturing meth.

 

Trooper out of hospital after fatal gun battle

An Indiana State Trooper is out of the hospital and an attempted robbery suspect is dead after a gun battle in Daviess County. It happened Monday afternoon at the Black Oak Armaments gun shop in Montgomery. Captain Dave Bursten says Trooper Jerrod Lentz exchanged gunfire with 60-year-old James Jones of Shoals. Jones was killed, and Lents was flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, where he was treated and released. Governor Pence says he was "relieved" to learn that Lents' injuries were not life-threatening.

 

Heatlh Dept. to begin spraying to kill mosquitoes

Rain and hot weather mean one thing to mosquitoes, and they mean a very different thing for the Vanderburgh County Health Department. It will begin spraying to kill larvae starting on Wednesday. The first targeted area is bounded by Seasons Ridge Blvd, Pollack Ave, Capella Ave., I-164, and Covert Ave. If weather conditions prevent spraying on Wednesday, they'll begin spraying on the next available day. The department urges you to avoid being outside around dusk or dawn,and use insect repellant when you are outside.

 

Weisheit testifies in her murder trial

An Evansville man being tried on two counts of murder and one count of arson testifies in his own defense Monday. Jeffery Weisheit had been advised by counsel not to take the witness stand. He said he duct taped a dish towl in Caleb Lynch's mouth and duct taped his arms behind his back. Weisheit said he did it before the fire later that later destroyed the home, because the 5-year old had been acting up. Caleb and his 8-year old sister Alyssa were killed in the inferno.