Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

Early Voting an Option for Primary

Vanderburgh County elections officials are acting now to prevent the Democratic presidential nomination battle from swelling voter turnout to unmanageable levels on May 6. County Clerk Susan Kirk announced Tuesday that the county will launch early voting on April 14 and end it on May 2. During that period, any registered voter in the county may vote from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. weekdays at Oaklyn, North Park or Central libraries.

Evsc Report Card Shows Progress Ten of 35 Schools Showed 2007 Improvement

The Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp. doubled the number of schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress, a standard of improvement required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, for 2007. Ten of the EVSC's 35 schools made progress - nine elementary schools and one middle school. It was the first time in four years the EVSC did not show a decline in progress. Five EVSC schools showed improvement in 2006, nine in 2005 and 13 in 2004.

Police Recruit Finally Gets Her Shot After Putting Her On Hold, Department Calls

Boonville native Libby McKinney's path to becoming an Evansville Police Department officer has been something of a roller-coaster ride. Initially, the 25-year-old was told she had been hired and would be among the 16 recruits sworn in at a ceremony this week.

Memories of Yesteryear Carry a Price

A few days ago, Staff Writer Garret Mathews used this space to share his and readers' remembrances of the cost of things back in the good ol' days of the 1950s and '60s. A lot of people recalled small things that cost only a nickel or a dime or cars for only a few hundred dollars or articles of clothing for a couple of bucks.

Fine Particulate Matter Might Be in Good Shape Here

While the Evansville area may soon be out of compliance with ozone pollution regulations again, it could find itself back on the good side of federal standards for another kind of air pollution - fine particulate matter. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will conduct a public hearing on fine particulate matter at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the McCollough Branch of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library.

Flurry of Campaign Activity Obama has Office Here; Clinton Looking

A whirlwind of activity in the Democratic presidential campaign in Evansville and other parts of the state picked up strength Tuesday with announcements from Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaigns. Obama aides disclosed the Illinois senator's Evansville headquarters will open Saturday morning in anticipation of Indiana's May 6 primary. The grand opening at the former Rogers Jewelers building at 330 Main St. is set for 10 a.m.

More Rainfall Forecast Could Slow Drop of Floodwaters

As much as three more inches of rain is forecast for the Evansville area by early next week, according to the National Weather Service. Amounts ranging from five to 10 inches recorded throughout the Tri-State region last week brought flash flooding on smaller streams and put the region's rivers out of their banks.

Rescued Man Then Arrested

A man, living in a home surrounded by floodwaters, was rescued by a boat Tuesday after he ran out of drinking water. Ryan D. Sanders, 30, called 911 around 4 p.m. Tuesday to report he had depleted the supply of drinking water at a house at 8620 Shore Road. He decided to stay there after the Ohio River had overflowed its banks and surrounded the structure.

School's Out; Games On Keeping Active at the Library On Spring Break

Day two of spring break in Evansville brought more than a dozen children and their tired-looking parents and grandparents to the North Park Branch Library for video games. Anova McCamish sat down on a chair and watched as her grandson, 7- year-old Dale McCamish, played Wii bowling.

Briefs

CLINTON, Ky. Kentucky murder case should have jury soon

Louisiana Barge Company, 3 Workers Convicted in Spill Near Mount Vernon

A Louisiana barge company and three workers have been convicted by a federal jury of spilling a cancer-causing chemical into the Ohio River and not notifying the Coast Guard. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office, that incident began somewhere on the

U.S. 41 North Lane Will Close Last Week's Rain Cited As Factor

Northbound traffic on the U.S. 41 strip in Henderson, Ky., will be restricted to one lane beginning this morning near Audubon State Park as state highway crews begin roadbank stabilization work. The lane closure will be subject to weather conditions, said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd.

Warrick Wants to Round Up Incoming Pupils

Warrick County parents who plan to send their children to kindergarten this fall are encouraged to attend "Kindergarten Round- up" in April. The roundup will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 3 at the school the child will attend. At that time, preliminary enrollment also will take place. Parents will need to bring a certified birth certificate with them. Additional information regarding immunizations and general health will be collected when school begins.

Obituaries

LOCAL Mary E. Boyd

Law On Adult Literature Could Be Challenged

INDIANAPOLIS - An Indiana law that requires businesses selling sexually explicit materials to register with the secretary of state could face a legal challenge, a national group of booksellers says. American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression President Chris Finan said the group plans to ask the Media Coalition, a New York-based group that defends First Amendment rights, to take legal action to overturn the law that was signed last week by Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Political Signs May Go Up Any Time

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. - Political candidates in Mount Vernon now can use signs to advertise for voters whenever they want. The city's Common Council voted unanimously Monday evening to remove what had been deemed an unenforceable provision of a zoning ordinance that limited the display of political signs to no more than 45 days before and seven days after an election.

Focus On Home Schooling Convention Will Feature Nationally Known Speaker

A former pastor and nationally known speaker will be the featured presenter during Southwestern Indiana Home Educators' 14th annual Homeschool Convention April 4-5 at Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville. Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries is the keynote speaker for the convention. His sessions will be titled "Dream Big," "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" and "The Power of Being Real."

Ky. Looking at Eyewitness Identification Reform Headline

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Herman May spent more than 13 years in prison after a woman identified him as her attacker in a sexual assault. The identification in 1988 came even though the 17-year-old May had bright reddish-orange hair and looked little like the tall, thin, dark-haired man in his mid-20s identified as the attacker. May was convicted of rape in 1989 and sentenced to 40 years in prison - until DNA evidence showed in 2002 he didn't commit the crime.

Soldier to Miss Funeral Family Says He Can't Come Home [Corrected 04/ 02/08]

Brian Baumeyer was hoping that his older brother, Sgt. Brandon Baumeyer on active duty with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, would be given leave to make it to their father's funeral on Friday. Tim Baumeyer, 43, died Sunday evening from sarcoidosis, a disorder that causes inflammation and tiny lumps of cells in various organs.