Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

'We May Never Know' Deaths Leave Pain, Questions

The two-car caravan pulled out of Petersburg bright and early Tuesday. Amanda Lee was behind the wheel of the first car, followed closely by her brother, Michael. Both vehicles were full of teenagers, all of them friends and music fans. They were headed to Noblesville, Ind., for a full day at the Vans Warped Tour, a rock concert series that features dozens of bands.

Air Conditioners Losing Their Cool

Already more than an hour and a half past his normal quitting time, air conditioning repairman Kevin Boehm wasn't finished with his first overtime job Wednesday evening when his cell phone beeped and his day grew even longer. Another call from another suddenly scorched customer meant at least a couple more hours on the job for Boehm, a service technician with J.E. Shekell in Evansville.

French Lick Forcing Aztar to Up Its Ante Adding Entertainment Could Win Back Gamblers

Casino Aztar's plans for a Downtown theater are taking shape as the riverfront entertainment complex faces competitive threats on several fronts, including a casino in French Lick, Ind., and the potential for legalized gambling in Kentucky, experts say. Maureen Keenan, Casino Aztar's general manager, declined to comment Wednesday on the planned 1,046-seat theater, which was approved Tuesday by the city's Redevelopment Commission. She said details would be released later.

Paving Project Months From End of Road

Steamrollers will be a familiar sight on Evansville streets over the next several months as the city completes its annual paving project. Work began in late spring and is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, said City Engineer Pat Keepes. The project is split into two contracts, the first at a cost of $725,000 for milling and overlay - in which old asphalt is removed and replaced - and a second at $445,996 for straight overlay, Keepes said.

Indiana State Fair First to Ban Trans Fat Oil How Can Deep-Fried Twinkies, Onion Blooms Become Less Unhealthy?

No one would ever confuse the deep-fried Twinkies or corn fritters served at the Indiana State Fair with health food. But at least this year they won't be cooked in artery-clogging trans fat oil. Indiana is the first state to ban trans fat cooking oils at its fair, an annual toast to farm life and fun that opened Wednesday.

Russian Submarine Program May Be Resurfacing

A new cold war of sorts has broken out over the vast deposits of oil believed hidden below the Arctic Ocean's sea floor. In an audacious stunt last week, a Russian submarine maneuvered more than six miles beneath the North Pole ice cap. The sub planted a titanium capsule with the tri-colored Russian flag, declaring the ocean floor and all its contents to be the property of Russia. The U.S. and Canada, who also have polar claims, were not amused. We will leave it to geologists and economists t...

Truck Hits Cars On Lloyd Expressway

A truck driver accused of leaving the scene of a multiple-car accident Tuesday afternoon on the Lloyd Expressway told police he did so because he was disoriented after hitting his head in the wreck, officials said. Kenneth R. Hopper, 57, was arrested on preliminary misdemeanor charges of reckless operation of a commercial vehicle after police caught up with him nearly three miles from the accident scene.

Winternheimer Mourned

Kevin Winternheimer, an assistant city attorney for Evansville, a former candidate for state senate and a longtime municipal adviser, died Tuesday night after a battle with liver and pancreatic cancer. Winternheimer, 52, a Democrat, served as legal adviser through four city administrations, both Democratic and Republican. In 2006, he ran in the Democratic primary to fill the seat vacated by former state Sen. Larry Lutz.

New Units Ready to Rent Jacobsville Jubilation

A lot of people worked to add Jacobsville II Apartments to Evansville's stock of affordable housing, and they came together Wednesday to celebrate. Business leaders, city officials and affordable housing advocates showed up at the 35-unit, $3.7 million apartment complex on former Evansville Stock Yard property to celebrate the grand opening of a complex that many said fills a void.

Stepdad to Serve Six Years Gets Plea Deal in Shooting Case

As he was led by a sheriff's deputy into the courtroom for his sentencing hearing, David Anderson raised his handcuffed wrists to his mouth and blew a kiss to a large group of supporters in the first two rows. Originally charged with attempted murder for firing a gun at his adult stepson, Anderson was about to be sentenced to serve time on a lesser charge.

Campaign Violations Alleged

Accusations of distributing campaign material without disclaimers will be at the top of the agenda when the Vanderburgh County Election Board meets Friday. The Election Board's meeting will be devoted to hearing Democratic Party accusations against Andrew Smith, a Republican running for an at-large seat on the Evansville City Council.

Man to Serve 4 Years in Theft From Church

An Evansville man accused of stealing gift cards from his church will serve four years in prison. Michael J. Shepard, 31, of 823 Douglas Drive, was convicted of burglary, a Class C felony, and theft, a Class D felony, on Wednesday.

Natural Gas Line Severed by Mower Was Clearly Marked, Vectren Says

A gas line broken by a mowing crew on Tuesday was clearly marked, according to a Vectren spokesman. Emergency crews worked Tuesday afternoon to stop the leaking 4- inch gas line in the 7900 block of New Harmony Road, after it was broken by a Vanderburgh County Highway Department mowing crew using a tractor outfitted with a large blade.

Library's Used-Book Sale Is This Weekend

The annual Friends of the Public Library used-book sale will be held Saturday and Sunday. The sale is the primary fundraiser for the group, said its president, Eric Weyer. He said the sale usually grosses about $22,000.

Mosquito Festival Not Seedy Enough for New Yorker

I'm taking in last weekend's Mosquito Fest in tiny Zoar, Ind. Food, crafts, Wiffle ball and fresh air that's the perfect blend of funnel cakes and newly trimmed grass. It's great.

Obituaries

Local Obituaries Eddie G. Byford Sr.

Ky. Education Board Elects New Chairman

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky Board of Education elected a new chairman Wednesday, replacing the man who oversaw a failed search for a new education commissioner this summer. The board elected Wilburn Joe Brothers of Elizabethtown during its annual consideration for chairman. Brothers replaces Keith Travis, who had served on the board for a decade, including the last three years as chairman.

Convicted Molester Will Serve 28 Years

An Evansville man with a previous conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor will serve 28 years in prison for a new child molesting conviction. Larry A. Lisanby Jr., 28, previously pleaded guilty to Class A felony child molesting and failure to register as a sex offender, a Class D felony.

Chandler Fire Damages Vacant House

CHANDLER, Ind. - The utilities were turned off but someone still may have been using a house that burned early Wednesday morning in Chandler. Firefighters from four Warrick County fire departments spent more than an hour putting out a house fire at 100 W. Washington St. The fire was reported at 6:32 a.m. and was out by 8.

Two Sisters Die Minutes Apart From Injuries in Monday Night Crash

Two sisters died Wednesday - six minutes apart - of injuries they suffered in a crash Monday night on Kentucky 351 near the old Hebbardsville school in Henderson County, Ky. According to the Vanderburgh County coroner's office, 17-year- old Sarah Durbin, who was a senior at Henderson County High School, died at 12:52 p.m. and her 14-year-old sister, Nina, an eighth- grader at North Middle School, died at 12:58 p.m., both at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville.