WFML Max News:
03/10/2010
BI STATE AUTHORITY EXTENDS LEASE WITH VU
VU NEWSCENTER AND DLC MEDIA
Members of the Bi-State Airport Authority extended it's lease agreement with Vincennes University for another year.
The University's flight aviation program operates out of the Mid-America Air Center.
Airport Manager Kurt Schwartz says the board renewed V-U's lease agreement to run through June 3oth, 2011.
Schwartz says there were no increases in rent charged to the University for renting space at the airport.
Schwartz also reported that Lawrence County E-911 has installed new street signs at the airport for emergency purposes.
The Airport's drinking water is also being tested.
Schwartz says officials are checking for high levels of lead, cooper and organic chemicals. So far, the test results have been negative.
03/10/2010
BLOOD DRIVES TO RECOGNIZE MIRACLE MAN
VU NEWSCENTER AND DLC MEDIA
A Knox County Family is looking to "pay it forward" by hosting two blood drives--after what some may say is a miraculous recovery for Joe Holscher.
Holscher was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on February 26th on State Road 550.
He was lifelined to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville with a one-tenth of a percent chance of survival.
A team of 22 doctors, nurses and staff worked during an emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding and remove his spleen.
During the surgery--Holscher received 18 units of blood...and has received more since then.
Holscher is being called a Miracle Man by his medical team--as he is now in a rehabilitation facility where he is walking on his own.
The "pay it forward" blood drives will be held on April 6th from 8am to 1pm at the Knights of Columbus in Vincennes...and on April 12th from 2 until 7pm at the Blue jean center in Monroe City.
03/10/2010
CHECKING THE TUESDAY ARREST LOG
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
Vincennes Police arrested 70-year-old Leroy Williams on Tuesday.
Officers saw a truck fail to use a turn signal at 4th and Broadway and stopped the vehicle. The officer smelled alcohol and tested Williams who had a point-one-two blood alcohol content. Williams was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and lodged in the Knox County Jail.
A woman was charged after allegedly stealing from the Huck's store on Washington Avenue.
At 2-am today (Wednesday), 29-year-old Crystal O'Hara was charged after an employee said she hid items in her clothing. She was arrested for theft and taken to the Knox County Jail on a five thousand dollar bond.
An Edwardsport man was arrested Tuesday at the Knox County Courthouse. 36-yer-old Mickeal E. Cummings was found to be wanted on a warrant and taken to the Knox County Jail.
03/10/2010
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
Vincennes firemen were called to Hart Street at 2:30 this morning for a vehicle fire.
The vehicle owned by Avon Litaker was fully engulfed when firemen arrived. There were no injuries. Firemen were on the scene for about a half hour.
03/10/2010
GREENE COUNTY COUNTEFEIT MONEY INVESTIGATION
DLC MEDIA
Police are on the lookout for a couple caught on a video surveillance camera trying to pass a counterfeit bill to an alert cashier who spotted the fake.
Greene County Sheriff's Detective George Dallaire is warning cashiers and merchants to pay attention to their bills coming in and be aware the suspects might try to use the bills in other locations.
Saturday morning around 8:30 a Greene County Deputy was sent to Hasler's Junction at the intersection of US 231 and State Road 58 south of Bloomfield. A white male, accompanied by a white female, attempted to make a purchase with a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. The clerk reported that the bill did not feel right and when she turned to have it examined by another person the man and worman left the store and drove away in a car described as a white Grand Prix type vehicle.
03/10/2010
NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED FOR TILLERY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A not guilty plea has been made for an Indiana Department of Workforce Development auditor charged with attempted murder after authorities say he fired a shotgun inside an agency office.
Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel says a judge set bond at $400,000 Tuesday for 60-year-old Edgar Tillery of Portage.
Police say Tillery became upset Friday during a job review, retrieved a shotgun from his car, and fired two shots inside the office in Portage. No one was hurt.
Court documents say Tillery told police officers that faulty ammunition prevented him from firing more shots. Investigators reported finding unspent shells near the doors through which his 16 co-workers fled.
Tillery's next court appearance was scheduled for May 11. A message seeking comment was left for defense attorney Matthew Soliday.
03/10/2010
LAWMAKERS CLOSE TO DEAL ON SCHOOL FUNDING
ASSOCIATED PRESS
State lawmakers are close to reaching a deal on a bill that would provide schools with more funding flexibility in the wake of $300 million budget cuts.
Key negotiators on both sides of the aisle have apparently agreed on the major parts of the legislation, including a provision that would prompt education officials to create a program to improve elementary students‘ reading skills. The bill will likely include language to allow a school district to transfer 5 percent of the amount it taxes each year for building projects to its general fund as long as the additional money is spent on classroom expenses. Districts also would be allowed to transfer up to 10 percent if workers give up pay raises that aren‘t tied to experience or additional degrees.
03/10/2010
TEXTING AND DRIVING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN UNVEILED
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A new campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving was unveiled at the statehouse Tuesday.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, AT&T President George Fleetwood and Senator Thomas Wyss say the campaign will be aimed at all Indiana drivers with a special focus on teens.
The public awareness campaign will consist of true stories and the final text messages sent before a driver was killed.
The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation in 2009 prohibiting drivers under the age of 18 from texting and driving. The message emphasizes that any motorist can be distracted by texting, not just teens.
Research has found that nearly 6 thousand people die annually in crashes involving distracted drivers.
03/09/2010
PUBLIC COMMENT ON STORM WATER UTILITY CONTINUES THURSDAY
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
The Vincennes City council will hold a special meeting on Thursday to continue it's discussion of proposed Storm Water Utility Legislation.
The meeting will be held at 5pm in the City Council Chambers.
The proposed ordinance remained tabled during Monday night's Council meeting.
If approved, the ordinance would impose a four, eight or ten dollar monthly utility fee to homeowners in the city limits. Businesses would be assessed a monthly rate of about 8 dollars per 28-hundred square feet of impervious area on the property.
There is concern in the community of what the added monthly bill will mean for businesses and homeowners. But Mayor Al Baldwin says its necessary to fund work that needs to be done on the city's aging storm water system--along with work that the city is expecting to be federally mandated by the Army Corp of Engineers concerning the levee system. If such work is mandated--but isn't completed--the Vincennes Levee System could lose it's certification and residents and businesses would be forced to buy flood insurance for protection.
Council Members have said that they want to be sure they have studied the subject at length before voting on the legislation.
Again--a special meeting concerning the propsed storm water utility will be held on Thursday at 5pm at City hall.
03/09/2010
SCHOOL BOARD HOLDS ANOTHER HEARING ON BUDGET PROPOSALS
VU NEWSCENTER AND DLC MEDIA
Parents and Teachers alike asked members of the Vincennes School Board last night that whatever budget cuts they plan to make, that they do so with the least amount of impact on students.
The School Board held a second public hearing last night to give individuals a chance to speak out on some of the options presented at a meeting presented three weeks ago.
Many remain opposed to the elementary school reconfiguration plan put forth by school officials.
School Board Member Brian Thais says they've held several meetings with teachers and building principals.
He says whatever plan they come up with will still need to be tweaked and added to as time goes on.
The School Corporation is looking to cut it's budget by nearly 790-thousand dollars due to a shortfall in state revenue.
03/09/2010
MONDAY NIGHT ACCIDENT INJURES TWO
DLC MEDIA
Nearly 80 residences were without power after an accident on South Sixth Street Road at 11:20 Monday night.
According to reports...a vehicle hit a power pole and flipped over five miles south of Vincennes. The car caught fire after the accident.
Jefferey Campbell was a passenger in the vehicle and suffered head and chest injuries and was transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, while the driver, Fallon Nyhof was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.
Power was restored early this morning by Duke Energy workers.
03/09/2010
VU NEWSCENTER AND DLC MEDIA
The South Knox School Corporation is still awaiting it's final 2010 Budget from the Department of Local Government and Finance--but is expecting a 200-thousand dollar loss when compared to 2009. Superintendent Brad Case says he expects to find out by the end of the month what the exact dollar amount will be--but says that it is definitely "workable." Case says they've had six retirements this year--the latest being accepted is High School Principal Harry Nolting. Case says the retirements bring a savings to the corporation but may not be enough.
Case says they will be looking into the possiblity of using capital project funds to pay for utilities this summer--something the legislature is currently considering to allow. The concern over the budget also has the school corporation looking to transfer money from the debt service and transportation funds to the rainy day fund to pay for the current construction projects at the elementary school.
A special meeting tentatively set for March 30th concern the tranferring and appropriation of almost 500-thousand dollars to pay for the relocation of the Kindergarten playground and the construction of two new special ed classrooms. The playground relocation project is underway--but is running a little behind due to weather. It was set to be complete by the end of this month.The two new classrooms are scheduled to be ready for use by the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.
In personnel--Zach Able was hired as a Middle School Math Teacher--Scott Hanwood as a Social Studies & health teacher and Bea Evans and Jenna Branch as Elementary teachers.
03/09/2010
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
Van Go transportation of Knox County has received a grant for 465-thousand dollars to build an office space and maintenance area next to the Betty J. McCormick Senior Center.
Spokeswoman Nola Davis says the federal stimulus money comes from the America Recovery Act passed by Congress.
Davis says part of the stimulus money will be used to add 16 additional parking spaces and 2-bus shelters at the senior center where passengers can wait to be picked up.
Davis says not many people are aware that Van Go is a public transportation system. She says in addition to picking up senior citizens, they also transport students and the general public. Last year, Van Go provided over 82-thousand, 500 rides in Knox County.
Right now they operate 16-vans with six more on the way.
03/09/2010
VU NEWSCENTER AND DLC MEDIA
Vincennes Police arrested Alicia Hussey at 2nd and Minneapolis Monday afternoon. Upon further investigation it was found that Hussey had a suspended license with a Prior Conviction. She was transported to the Knox County jail without incident
03/09/2010
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SHELBURN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
A Sullivan County man faces 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
Gregory Hale admitted he killed Jennifer Peaks in a mobile home near Paxton last summer. He told the court that he then knocked over a candle inside the trailer and let it burn. Hale also admitted to stealing a truck belonging to Peaks' father then drove it to the Greene-Sullivan State Forest where he set it on fire.
Hale was sentenced to 45 years in prison for murder. He was also sentenced to nine years on two arson charges. The sentences will run concurrently and Hale was given credit for 259 days served.
03/09/2010
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE AT STATEHOUSE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Negotiations on some major issues have resumed in the Indiana General Assembly after a meltdown occurred last week.
Republicans who control the Senate offered a compromise Monday on legislation that would delay increases in taxes that businesses pay into the state's unemployment insurance fund. They include some job creation provisions sought by
Democrats who control the House, but they rejected the new proposal.
Senate Republicans and House Democrats were still trying Monday to reach deals on other issues, including giving schools funding flexibility to help offset $300 million in cuts for general operating expenses.
03/09/2010
STATE POLICE WARN AGAINST PHONE SCAMS
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
The Indiana State Police reminds all Hoosiers to ensure they verify phone and door to door solicitors who are collecting funds for charitable organizations.
Sgt. Todd Ringle with the Evansville State Police post says State Police and many other police agencies across the state have received complaints from residents and businesses concerning solicitors who implied they have an association with the State Police or other police agencies.
The Complainants have reported they were asked to tape the donation to the door of their home or business for collection later in the day.
Ringle says If an individual claims to be with a specific law enforcement agency, request a name and number of an official within that agency who can verify the solicitor’s status
You should also verify the name of the organization to include their address, phone number and the identity of the caller or the person at your door step
03/08/2010
HEART ATTACK MAY HAVE CAUSED CRASH
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSROOM
A Vincennes Man was killed in a single vehicle accident in Steen Township Sunday Morning.
Knox County Coroner Donnie Halter says 52-year-old Randy Lancaster was traveling on Nimnicht Road when he apparently suffered a heart attack causing him to lose control of his vehicle and run off the roadway striking a utility pole.
Halter pronounced Lancaster dead at the scene. An autopsy was performed at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Halter says they are waiting to get the test results back before listing the official cause of death.
03/08/2010
COMMISSIONERS HIRE A REASSESSMENT CONTRACT SUPERVISOR
VU NEWSCENTER
The Knox County Commissioners have hired a supervisor to oversee the county's reassessment process.
Virginia Whipple with G & A Assessment Professionals was the unanimous choice and in fact was the only firm to submit a bid for the work.
Commission member Kevin Meyers says he wasn't sure if the this was the right direction the county should go. But after meeting with Whipple and reading her resume feels confident that she's the right person for the job.
Whipple has been involved with reassessment at the local level as Deputy Assessor in Deacatur, Indiana and is a level 3 certified reassessor.
Knox County would pay her 400-dollars a day, plus expenses including mileage and lodging.
Whipple's hiring is stil contingent on getting approval from the Knox County Council.
The Commissioners is expected to have a company in place to do the general reassessing by April 15th.
