Local News

Federal jurors have ruled in favor of Marsh Supermarkets and ordered former CEO Don Marsh to pay $2.2 million in damages. RTV6 reports the decision came down late Friday night in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis. The supermarket chain had sued Don Marsh alleging he used the company as his personal checkbook. Company officials had accused the 75-year-old of using millions of dollars to finance trips and buy expensive gifts for loved ones and friends.

The Evansville campus of the IU School of Medicine and partner organizations release a study favoring Downtown Evansville as the site for an academic health science education and research facility. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says it has tremendous potential. He says it would do more for the region than the Ford Center or new Downtown Hotel. He promised support from the city in finding a suitable location for a $35-million 100,000 square foot central campus building in the Downown. Tripp Umbach delivered a study saying it could create thousands of medical jobs over the next 25 years.

The University of Evansville is very encouraged by the results of a survey of its 2012 graduating class. University President Dr. Thomas Kazee says 92 percent are employed or in graduate school. Of those employed full-time, median salary is $42,500. The survey also shows that of the almost 600 graduates, almost one-third of those not currently in graduate school indicated they plan to pursue grad school within the next three years.

Five people were arrested last night and early this morning by Indiana State Police conducting DUI saturation patrols in Knox and Vanderburgh Counties. Arrested were 21-year old Dalton Ireland, 31-year old Laura Smith, 23-year old Samantha Monsen, 50-year old Thomas Dye, and 22-year old Emmanuel Messer. All five are currently being held on bond.

The cold weather last month led people to stay inside and relax in the warmth. Casino Aztar's general manager says this caused revenue to drop. Compared to the same period last year, Aztar had 10 percent fewer visitors and 6 percent less revenue this year. The weather impacted other area casinos too, including the French Lick Casino in Southern Indiana and Harrah's Casino in Metropolis, Illinois.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley in Evansville has a new leader. Jeremy Evans has been appointed Executive Director effective February 25th. He is a 10-year veteran of working in the national headquarters of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia of America in Evansville. He developed a personal connection with the organization when his daughter was flown to Riley Hospital in Indy for an extended stay there. The local Ronald McDonald House serves an average of 1,000 families every year with an average 8-day length of stay.   

The Oaks Golf and Tennis Club in the Oak Meadow subdivision has closed it's doors. Employees were given pink slips and the golf course on Browning Road ceased operations in the last week. New owners came in last year and tried to energize the membership-only facility with a grand opening and special pricing packages. The course originally opened for play in the early 1970's

Even before the most recent wave of concern over mass murders using semi-automatic firearms, Indiana State Police were saying "no" much more often to requests for gun permits. Figures show the ISP nearly doubled the number of denials in the past four years. They said "no" more than 2,000 times in 2012, compared to about 1,000 times in 2009. Commander of Firearms Lt. Mike Rogers says state police are checking applications even more carefully now that they are arriving in increasing numbers.

Authorities in White County are investigating a double murder. Police were called to a home in Monticello early this morning after receiving a 911 call about a possible stabbing. When they arrived they found 41-year old Michelle Haskins and her daughter, 7-year old Jillian Haskins, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Michelle was able to call police before succumbing to her injuries. Officers arrested her son, 20-year old David Rodenbarger and charged him with murder. Authorities say they are still investigating.

An accident early this morning resulted in injury. Indiana State Police say 22-year-old Aaron Ripple of Cynthiana failed to follow a curve and drove off the roadway into a field, where his vehicle rolled at least twice. Ripple was taken to Deaconess Hospital for a head injury. Tropper Chris Dyer says alochol and speed contributed to the accident.