Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

State Reverses Ruling Mcmanus Returns to Death Row

INDIANAPOLIS - An Evansville man convicted of killing his wife and two children is not mentally retarded and therefore is eligible for the death penalty, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The state's highest court overturned a lower-court ruling that had declared Paul M. McManus could not be executed because he met the legal standard for mental retardation.

Flood Lawsuit Victims Want Money If City Wins

Every time it rains, Dottie Murphy gets scared. The 65-year-old Southeast Side resident is still dealing with the consequences of a massive deluge last September that backed storm sewer overflow into her basement.

Dreams Come True Dream Center Moving to Place of Its Own

With a few dozen teenagers sitting on risers before him at Bible Center Cathedral, Gary Jossa is talking about the value of being prepared. At any time, he tells them, a Christian might encounter an opportunity to help another person.

Evansville Region Suffers From Slow Housing Market Local Problem Mirrors Nationwide Statistics

Chad and Susan Fetscher have had to be creative with their finances ever since they moved to a better home before selling their previous home on Evansville's Northeast Side. It has been listed for sale for about 11 months now. Though disappointed that it hasn't sold, the Fetschers say they aren't surprised, given the number of homes on the market.

Newton's Law Explains Gas Prices, Deer Collisions

For most of us, Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion can be found among the usually useless facts learned in school that clutter the corners of our brains. Pretty well everyone knows it, if not by that name. It's usually capsulized as: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Girl's Custody Unclear Temporary Guardians Named

The future of a 6-year-old girl whose mother was killed earlier this month in a truck-pedestrian accident remains uncertain. On June 7, Madison Harms, her mother, Katherine Stucker, 25, and her 4-year- old half brother, David Mallory, were hit by a pickup truck as they crossed Fulton Avenue at Columbia Street. Madison and David remain in St. Mary's Medical Center with serious injuries. Harms' stepgreat-grandfather and great-grandmother, Marvin and Brenda Heldt, were named temporary

City Officials Urging Freedom Festival Commuters to Use Shuttles

With thousands of people ready to converge Downtown for the Freedom Festival starting today, city officials are encouraging commuters to use public transportation. Kent Cutchin, director of the Metropolitan Evansville Transit System, said shuttles will run Friday through Sunday to take people to events at the riverfront and Tri-State Aero.

Students Cheer for New Bicycles Knowing Somebody Cares

When 12-year-old Maylasia Smith's bicycle was stolen two weeks ago, she said she was devastated. So, when she was one of 86 recipients to be chosen to receive free bicycles Wednesday at Ivy Tech, Maylasia was ecstatic. "My mom is going to be so happy," said Maylasia, who attends Howard Roosa Elementary School in Evansville.

Pet Clinic May Lower Euthanasia

Animal enthusiasts say a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic scheduled to open next month should significantly decrease the number of pets euthanized at Evansville shelters. The clinic, which will operate out of the Vanderburgh Humane Society on Millner Industrial Drive, will begin sterilizing animals July 30, executive director Kendall Paul said Wednesday. An Evansville veterinarian will supervise the facility. Paul would not release the veterinarian's name because the contract negotiations aren...

Board Looks at Stadium's Future Consultant Cites Inadequacies, Setbacks

After an hour of reviewing Roberts Stadium's history, making introductions and kicking around ideas for getting public input on the stadium, Rep. Dennis Avery, D-Evansville, finally asked the city's consultant to lay it on the line. Just what, Avery wanted to know, is wrong with the 51-year-old structure?

Currington Cancels Concert at Fairgrounds

Vanderburgh County Fair officials hope to announce today a replacement act for country singer Billy Currington, who has canceled his July 25 fair show because of illness. Currington, known for the songs "Walk a Little Straighter" and "I Got a Feelin'," is canceling all his shows in July because of laryngitis and vocal cord issues, said Jim Weisman, president of the fair board of directors.

Jehovah's Witness Convention to Begin Friday

About 6,000 Jehovah's Witnesses are expected in Evansville this weekend for the first of two consecutive weekends at Roberts Stadium. Followers of the religion will arrive from across the state and region, coinciding with similar conventions around the world.

Briefs

Evansville Factory evacuated after compressor fire

Info Line

f you have a brief question about the news, use a Touch-Tone phone to call: (812) 464-7466 Is Angel Mounds in Warrick County or Vanderburgh County?

Jackhammer Shook Teeth, but Was Soon Conquered

Earlier this month, I told you about operating a jackhammer as a summer job and how lousy I was at it. I just knew the air compressor would lop off toes or get stuck in my midsection and vibrate my internal organs until they all called in sick.

Bad-Check Writers Targeted

Writers of cold checks could be facing additional penalties under a program unveiled Wednesday by Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco. The Bad Check Restitution Program will shift responsibility for collection on bad checks to American Corrective Counseling Service, a private agency.

Obituaries

Karen E. Barney Karen E. Barney, 48, of Evansville, passed away on Monday, June 25, 2007, at her residence.

After Tax Increase, Indiana Tries to Help Smokers Quit

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels and health officials renewed efforts Wednesday to get Indiana's 1.5 million smokers to quit, saying there's never been a better time because the state's cigarette tax goes up by 44 cents per pack next week. Daniels, Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe and Karla Sneegas, executive director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, announced steps to get smokers to kick the habit, including a toll-free hotline staffed by counselors and letters sent t...

Council Rejects Land Plan

The Vanderburgh County Council on Wednesday rejected a recommendation by the County Commissioners to buy nearly 74 acres of heavily wooded state surplus land near the intersection of Waterworks Road and U.S. 41. Located on the east side of U.S. 41 just north of Waterworks Road, the property is divided into two tracts and is priced at $10,000.

Council Asked to Support Property Tax Reform Panel

The president of a local taxpayers watchdog group wants the state to form a bipartisan panel to recommend property tax reforms to lawmakers. David Coker, president of the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association, sought support for his proposal Wednesday from the Vanderburgh County Council.