Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

1891 Bridge Gets Face-Lift Marchand Span to Become Scenic Overlook

A project to transform a historical bridge into a scenic overlook on the Ohio River has begun. Construction crews are restoring the Joan Marchand Bridge along Ohio Street between Fulton and Wabash avenues. The project, scheduled to be completed by October, will provide an area where pedestrians and cyclists can view the Ohio River and Pigeon Creek.

Father Held in Baby's Suffocation Death

The parents of a 6-month-old Evansville boy who suffocated last month while sleeping on a couch with them have been charged with neglect of a dependent causing death, a class A felony. Darik S. Morell Sr., the father of Darik S. Morell Jr., was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail late Wednesday night. His bond was set at $50,000.

Federal Money Debated Gop Push for Stimulus Inclusion in Indiana Budget Gains Support

INDIANAPOLIS - As a Senate panel set in motion Thursday a GOP budget proposal to boost education spending by relying on federal stimulus money, the spending plan was met with a mostly warm reception from Democrats and education officials. But tempering that reception were concerns over whether the plan does enough to create jobs and whether it will hurt schools once stimulus funding is gone in two years.

Mt. Vernon Ethanol Plant Work to Resume Continuing Despite Bankruptcy Filing

Work will continue on an ethanol plant under construction in Mount Vernon, Ind., even though the company building it declared bankruptcy this week. That's what Jody Peacock, director of public affairs for the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, said. The Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon is where Aventine Renewable Energy has been building an ethanol plant since 2007.

Briefs

Evansville Shooting draws

Lash La Rue Gave 'Minuet in G' a Whippin'

A guy sent me a note about Lash La Rue, the late cowboy actor, and how he taught Harrison Ford how to use the bullwhip for the Indiana Jones movies. I remembered a Madisonville, Ky., man of my acquaintance who knew La Rue, the B western star who died in 1996 at the age of 79. Joe Melton loves cowboy movies - the older the better - and has a cabinet full of tapes and DVDs. He also has hundreds of photographs of the stars, some of whom he met during festivals.

Local Happenings

EVANSVILLE City, county offices closed for Good Friday

Bond Increased for Baby's Parents Set at $100,000 in Abigail's Death

The parents of 4-month-old Abigail Johnson appeared for initial hearings Thursday morning in Vanderburgh Superior Court. Superior Court Judge Wayne Trockman accepted the recommendation of prosecutors and raised the bond for David L. Johnson Jr., 23, and Lori Record, 21, to $100,000 each. Both had been held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Lifting Easter Spirits Families Collect Meal Boxes at Mission

For volunteers at the Evansville Rescue Mission, Easter "'tis the season" to be giving. Members of local churches, schools and other volunteers handed out more than 250 holiday hams and a box of other foods to families in need Thursday in the shelter's parking lot.

Palin to Visit Centre Overflow Early Vip Reception Also Added to Lineup

Big donors, VIPs and those who could afford to shell out for corporate sponsorships won't be the only ones who will see Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the flesh at Thursday's Vanderburgh County Right to Life spring banquet. The folks in the cheap seats will be able to see Palin in person, too.

Police Allege Invasion Was Staged

A reported home invasion and robbery late last month was actually a setup perpetrated in part by two of the women who lived in the house, police documents allege. Felony warrants were issued Wednesday for 27-year-old Nicole R. Jarrell, 18-year-old Sarah B. Brown, 29-year-old Nathan File and 30- year-old Nicholas Mobley. By Thursday afternoon, all but File had been booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of armed robbery, a class B felony.

Senator Pulls Indy Board Bailout Proposal Was Hooked to Bill On Tax Usage in Evansville

INDIANAPOLIS - Evansville taxpayers likely won't be called upon to participate in a bailout of the struggling group that runs professional sports stadiums in Indianapolis. Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, has withdrawn his proposal to double the state's alcohol tax, in addition to other remedies, to help the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board recover from a $47 million deficit.

Obituaries

local Velma Jeanne (Nichols) Bailey

Briefs

Evansville Boy wasn't beaten, may be charged

Holiday World Adds Honors for Safety, Menu

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari is accustomed to winning awards for its wooden roller coasters and for being the nation's cleanest and friendliest amusement attraction. But Southwestern Indiana's top tourism draw has been given the thumbs up for safety and food, too.