Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

'Coal to Gas' Touted As Future State Ratepayers Shielded, Proponents Say

INDIANAPOLIS - Opponents warn that climate change legislation under consideration in Congress could cripple Southwestern Indiana's coal industry and send energy bills soaring. But they say a proposed coal-to-gas plant is evidence that on its own, the state can begin to reduce its carbon footprint without pummeling Hoosier ratepayers in the process.

A Serious Game of Catch-Up As Fields Are Drying Out, Farmers Putting in a Full Day

Randy Greenwell was out the door Wednesday at 3 a.m. "It's work, work and more work," said the 46-year-old farmer who crops 12,000 acres in Union, Henderson and Webster counties in Kentucky.

Mcgaha Guilty of Murder Drug Deal Cited in Victim's Death

A 23-year-old Evansville man was found guilty Thursday of killing Brandon Michael Stock in December. Curtis McGaha was convicted of murder in Vanderburgh Circuit Court after a four-day jury trial. Sentencing is set for June 15.

Memorial Weekend Looks Good

Partly sunny skies for ballgames, barbecues and Indy 500 festivities; temperatures toasty enough for pools, water parks and watercraft rental; even gas prices $1.37 lower than a year ago. All in all, the three-day Memorial Day weekend looks good.

Help Us Celebrate Amazing Tri-State Women

Another school year wraps up, and I'm no longer the mother of a first-grader. In the fall, Caroline will be in second grade. It seems it was just yesterday that we took her to her first day of kindergarten and joined the other parents for a "Boohoo Breakfast." While there are times it seems she's growing up too quickly and I wonder what she'll decide to be, I think she's in an environment that will serve her well as she makes those choices.

Local Happenings

Evansville Treasurer's office

Ivy Tech Growth Outpaces Budget State Fiscal Woes Squeeze College

Although Indiana's budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 remains a question mark, Ivy Tech Community College likely will not receive what it needs to meet increasing student demand, a college official said Thursday. Statewide, Ivy Tech enrollment is rising by nearly 20 percent while all other public higher education institutions in Indiana are seeing annual growth in single digits, said Jeff Terp, Ivy Tech vice president for engagement.

Ready to Take the Reins Former Assistant to Lead North Posey Schools

The day after Todd Camp accepted the North Posey School District superintendent position, his cell phone was flooded with calls from friends and family members, congratulating him and wishing him well. "I probably used up all the minutes on my cell phone that day," Camp said.

Vested Interest in Force Firm Says Thanks with Protective Vests

When two people suspected of causing an anhydrous ammonia leak at a West Side co-op were arrested this month, officials at DSM Engineering Plastics hung their mug shots inside the business to let staff members know they'd been caught. The plastic company's American headquarters sits just northeast of the co-op, near St. Joseph Avenue and Mill Road, and several employees inhaled the dangerous fumes during the April 24 incident.

Ignored Stop Sign Leads to Dui Arrest

An alleged drunken driver led police on a chase Thursday morning that ended when officers drew their weapons, according to an Evansville Police Department probable cause affidavit. Michael J. Shepard, 33, faces charges of resisting law enforcement and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. An intoxication test revealed Shepard had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11, police said.

Briefs

MADISONVILLE, Ky. W. Kentucky group

Obituaries

Local Charles H. Forester

Briefs

evansville Police seek man

Treatment Facility Eyes Aug. Opening Work Begins On Brentwood Meadows

Construction has begun on Brentwood Meadows, Newburgh's newest business. Located on Roslin Road, it will be a treatment facility for people with addiction, substance abuse and psychiatric issues, said the agency's vice president Dean Saling said.

Hung Jury Spares Ex-Soldier Death for Iraq Murders

PADUCAH, Ky. - An ex-soldier convicted of raping and killing an Iraqi teen and murdering her family was spared the death penalty Thursday and will serve a life sentence after jurors couldn't agree unanimously on a punishment for a crime the defense blamed partly on combat stress and a lack of military leadership. After an afternoon of card playing, sex talk and drinking Iraqi whiskey, Pfc. Steven Dale Green, 24, of Midland, Texas, and three other soldiers in March 2006 went to the home of 14-...

Grill Caters to Boating Crowd

Evansville's newest drive-in restaurant doesn't have carhops. It's not on Green River Road. It's not even on land. This weekend, OV Water Sports - which rents Wave-runners and pontoons to the public at Marina Pointe off Waterworks Road - will open OV Water Sports Grill for boaters.