Local News Headlines

Minimized preschool education coming to Indiana

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 5:20pm
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For the first time, Indiana will earmark some state funding for preschool next school year -- but not as much as advocates had hoped for. Indiana will offer four-million dollars over the next two years to preschools to give more pupils an early start. House Republicans had proposed $14 million for a pilot program in five counties to give scholarships directly to low-income students to pay for preschool.

 

John Whinrey wins coveted Rotary Civic Award

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 4:42pm
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The latest in a long succession of Rotary Civic Award winners is named by the Rotary Club of Evansville. Civic Award Committee Chairman Tom Austerman noted John Whinrey's leadership of the Yucatan Project, which is sending needed medical supplies to the Tizamen District - one of the poorest areas on the continent. One spin-off of Whinrey's work was the City of Evansville and Tizamen signing a sister-city relationship that includes cultural exchanges as well as support for the region in the Yucatan.

 

Beer sales battle hits courts

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 4:21pm
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Indiana convenience stores are suing the state for the right to sell cold beer. Under current law, only carryout stores can sell beer cold. A complaint in the US District Court filed by the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, a statewide trade association, challenges that law. Indiana is the only state in the country that regulates beer sales based on temperature. A 2012 proposal to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell cold beer as long as that beer is made in Indiana died in the legislature.

 

UE engineering students step-up to help Rehab Center clients

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 4:19pm
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A mechanical engineering project at the University of Evansville will help the Easter Seals Rehab Center and its clients. The UE Wheelchair Aquatic Team donated a special chair that will get people in and out of the center's salt water therapy pool. Team leader Kenneth Kaufman says it was a lengthy, but worthwhile project. Materials for the chair cost about $23,000. Much of which had to be raised by the students. Kaufman says he and the other students feel good about helping the community.

 

Volunteer fire department gets federal help

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 5:54pm
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The Newburgh Volunteer Fire Department is awarded two federal grants totaling $74,000. The grants are through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Program. Some of the funds will be used to update the department's personal protective equipment used by firefighters.The department is currently operating with fire turn-out gear that is no longer compliant with safety standards.

 

Former doctor being investigated by state

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 5:52pm
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A former Gibson County doctor is being investigated by the Indiana Attorney General‘s office. Officials charge Dr. Christopher May with having had inappropriate sexual relationships with one of his patients and also writing her fake prescriptions. A hearing date has not been set.

 

Union County softball team released from hospitals after crash

Submitted by Serena Jones on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 10:23am
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Most of the Union County girls’ softball team involved in a bus crash yesterday are released from hospitals.  Out of 28 people on the bus, 25 went to hospitals, and just one teammate remains hospitalized.  She is expected to be released Monday.  Athletic director for the Union County School District says the most severe injury was a broken leg.  Kentucky State Police have not determined what caused the bus to run off the shoulder of the road before crashing.

 

Indiana State Police go after unsafe drivers

Submitted by Serena Jones on Sat, 05/11/2013 - 9:17am
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Indiana State Police say they‘re going after aggressive drivers. Starting tomorrow, troopers will be participating in a campaign to reduce the number of crashes involving semis and passenger cars. Troopers will be looking for vehicles who drive dangerously around semi trucks and other commercial motor vehicles. Some of the violations troopers will be looking for include: unsafe lane changes, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely and aggressive driving.

 

Preservation awards presented during Historic Preservation Month reception

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:46pm
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A business -- new to Newburgh this year -- wins an Historic Preservation Award. Historic Newburgh Incorporated Executive Director Carol Schaefer notes during a Preservation Month program that #3 Market Street had stood empty for a couple of years. The building has held a number of businesses for more than 100 years. It was the meeting place of Roman Catholics in Newburgh. Cliff and Andrea Whitehead developed House of White bridal boutique in the ornate building.

 

Kids to be kept close to books this summer

Submitted by Randy Wheeler on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:43pm
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With the end of the school year about three weeks away, teachers and the Department of Education are laying groundwork to keep students reading over the summer. State school superintendent Glenda Ritz returned to Crooked Creek Elementary School, where she was media specialist before being elected superintendent, to sell students on the importance of reading. The Department of Education will try to encourage students by making 3,000 titles available for free on its website.