WAMW LOCAL NEWS
03/10/2010
UTILITY OFFICE TRYING TO MAKE THINGS EASIER
DLC MEDIA
Washington Municipal Utilities are trying to make it more convenient for you to pay your bill.
According to Utility Office Manager Anita Ash, a drop-box has been installed at the eastside business office at 2100 Memorial Drive for after hours payments. The drop-box is located on the south side of the building near the front door.
Unlike the City Hall drop box-- the eastside box is not handicap accessible. Payments placed in either box after 8:30-am will not be credited to the customer's account until the next day.
03/10/2010
ON THE DAVIESS COUNTY ARREST LOG.......
DLC MEDIA
24 year old David Parish Junior of Washington was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and public intoxication-prohibited, Bond was set at 5-thousand dollars.
51 year old Gail Lynn Pruitt of Washington was arrested on a petition to revoke a suspended sentence for possession of marijuana and a petition to revoke a suspended sentence for the purchase of more than 3 grams of precursors in a week. Bond was set at 15-thousand dollars.
25 year old Eric Matthew Bureau of Holland, Indiana was arrested for resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, operating a vehicle while never receiving a license, casting rays or spotlight while in possession of a firearm and hunting from a motorized conveyance. Bond was set at 5-thousand dollars.
52 year old Robert Ryan Thurman of Plainville was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of point one-five or more and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person. Bond was set at 4-thousand dollars.
This morning's jail population is 201.
03/10/2010
LOOGOOTEE COUPLE CHARGED IN JASPER THEFT
DLC MEDIA
A Loogootee man and woman were arrested by Jasper City police on Saturday after receiving a call from Rural King in Jasper.
An employee of the store reported that a man had taken several items without paying for them. Employees attempted to detain 43-year-old Robert E. Taylor of Loogootee but he escaped on foot. Officers located Taylor traveling on the railroad tracks at 12th Avenue. He was accompanied by 35-year-old Shelia Taylor.
It was determined that shelia J. Taylor had several items that were stolen from Rural King in her posession. Robert Taylor was also in possession of items stolen from Rural King. the two were lodged in the Dubois County Security Center.
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
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
MONDAY ROBBERY STILL BEING INVESTIGATED
DLC MEDIA
Police in Jasper continue to look for a man who allegedly robbed a cash advance store at gunpoint Monday evening.
According to police, the robbery happened around 5:45 p.m. at the Advance America in the Jasper Wal-Mart Shopping Center. Police say an employee reported a white male in his 50's or 60's walked into the store and robbed her at gunpoint. The suspect was about five-ten with a medium build, and had gray hair. Police report the suspect was seen wearing a black jacket with "Jasper Wildcats" on it and large black sunglasses.
If you have any information that can help find the robber, call the Jasper City Police department at (812) 482-2255.
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
MAYOR SAYS CITY CONTINUES TO CHIP AWAY AT RUN DOWN AND CLUTTERED PROPERTIES
DLC MEDIA
The city of Washington approved two more demolitions of structures Monday night.
The properties affected are located at 309 Northwest 11th and 15-West Pearl Street.
Mayor Larry Haag says the city will continue to chip away at dilapidated property. At 309 Northwest 11th --a bid from Rex Gress and Sons was approved for removal of the home. On Pearl Street, the project will be re-bid due to asbestos being found at the home.
Meanwhile, at 308 Vine Street, property owners were handling that clean up with about fifty percent of it completed. Also at 304 Vine Street the property owners removed a trailer that the city had planned to remove.
03/09/2010
CITY HOLDS FIRST READING ON CITY SEWER RATE INCREASE
DLC MEDIA
The Washington City Council held first reading of an ordinance amending sewer rates for city sewer customers.
Sue Hace with London and Witty--the firm that conducted a sewer rate study---explained again that the city is looking at a little over 24 million dollar federally mandated combined sewer overflow project. Nine million dollars in grant money will help pay for the project along with an over 15 million dollar loan from the state revolving loan fund at a reduced interest rate.
The ordinance raises the sewer rate in two phases. The first phase would take effect immediately and consists of a 9.7 percent increase from nearly 33 dollar per-month for an average use of five thousand gallons to almost 36 dollars per month. The second phase would come in January 2012 and would raise rates again to over 43 dollars on five thousand gallons of average use.
The amended rate ordinance must go through more readings before being voted upon.
03/09/2010
HEART ATTACK MAY HAVE CAUSED CRASH
DLC MEDIA AND VU NEWSCENTER
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.
03/09/2010
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
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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
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COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS ROAD LOAD LIMITS AND ROAD BONDS
DLC MEDIA
After two weeks, the Daviess County Commissioners have lifted a 10 ton load limit on county roads.
President of the Commissioners Tony Wichman says sometime in the near future the county will re-visit their load limit policy by setting up a meeting with area coal and truck companies. He says the meeting will help spell out the load limit policy to area industry and possibly set up truck routes in the event of future load limits.
Wichman says this is the worst freeze and thaw year in over 20 years which is why the limit was in effect for so long and why the commissioners had to crack down on violators by issuing citations when necessary. He says nearly 25 years ago, roads were so damaged that they were downgraded from paved to gravel roads. Due to money contraints, some of those roads still remain gravel to this day.
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The Daviess County Highway Supervisor Larry McClin asked the county commissioners on Monday about re-visiting their road bonding policy.
President of the County Commissioners, Tony Wichman, says that currently the bonding policy only affects coal companies, but with the I69 construction, the county will be looking at adding trucks used for construction as well as coal hauling.
Wichman says the new bonds would be at a rate that is current and not at prices that are 10 to 20 years old. Wichman adds the new bonds would not affect current road bonds and won't be grandfathered in or made retroactive.
03/08/2010
PRO LIFERS CONDUCT HEALTHCARE REFORM SURVEY
NETWORK INDIANA
A national pro-life women's political organization released results from a poll of Indiana voters Friday.
The Susan B. Anthony list conducted the poll among voters in the state's eighth and ninth congressional districts. Their poll showed almost two thirds of the voters surveyed would not support Democrat incumbents Brad Ellsworth or Baron hill in November if the congressmen voted for a pro-abortion healthcare bill. The survey was conducted by the Polling Company, Inc.
Former Colorado Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave heads the Susan B. Anthony list. She says the organization has spent over a million dollars over the past six months, targeting Midwest congressional districts represented by pro-life Democrats.
