Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

Chief Moves Past Parents to Future Keith Jarboe Joins City Management Team

The first time he was asked to apply to the Evansville Fire Department, Keith Jarboe turned down the opportunity. Fresh out of the Navy and looking for a career to support his wife and 1-year-old son, the 24-year-old Jarboe instead took a position in the boiler room at a local steam generating plant.

Churches Aim Prayer to Comfort Victim's Son

The day after his father was killed brutally in a West Iowa Street apartment last month, Jay Burns returned to the scene of the crime to collect a few of his dad's possessions. It was difficult to be there and see the signs of the attack, Burns said. Police believe two men struck 50-year-old Charles Burns Jr. repeatedly in the head with a crowbar, killing him while he slept. Both suspects are facing a murder charge.

High Court Sent Fund Appeal Indiana Challenges Chrysler Asset Sale

WASHINGTON - Three Indiana state pension and construction funds want the Supreme Court to block Chrysler's sale to Fiat so they can pursue an appeal in hopes of getting a better deal. Also filing emergency papers at the high court Sunday were lawyers representing consumer groups and individuals with product- related lawsuits.

Superfund Cleanup Swells Lead, Arsenic Found Across City; Decade of Work Expected

Enough lead and arsenic contaminates the soil of Evansville's older neighborhoods to keep cleanup crews busy for years to come. Hazardous dust, soot and smoke from Evansville's industrial past blanketed a much larger area of the city than just the near-North Side neighborhood near where it originated.

Funding Aimed at Illinois Museums, Playgrounds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Soon, everyone who renews an Illinois driver's license could help pay for a baseball museum or a new church roof. Pop open a beer and you may fund improvements at a gated lakefront community. Buy a bottle of iced tea and you'll help celebrate Irish heritage. Illinois lawmakers have approved a massive public works program funded by new taxes and fees. Most of the money will go to roads, bridges and schools, but officials set aside $500 million to spend however they please o...

Chimney Swifts Gone, Now I Miss Backyard Bats

I'm concerned about the bats that I usually see swooping and flitting around the house and over the yard on summer evenings. There's always been two or three or sometimes, maybe, four, and I haven't seen them this year. I'm concerned they might not have survived the winter.

Local Happenings

Evansville Bridge work to snarl traffic on Lloyd

Highways and Byways a Weekly Photographic Report Dog Days of Spring

"I think I'm about the most waved-at person in town," Jerry Applewhite said as he stood at the helm of his stainless steel hot dog stand in Carmi, Ill. "My wife (Dena) and I run this," he said. "People love it. They're amazed by the cart. Its got a big-city feel. New York's got nothing on us now."

Fire Damages East Side Home Police, Firefighters Say Conditions Suspicious

Authorities on Sunday were investigating a fire that caused heavy damage to a home on Evansville's East Side. It happened just after 4:15 p.m. at 870 S. Spring St.

K-12 Funding Angers Dems Say Too Much Comes From Feds

SUMMARY: In this week's political notebook: Sparks are flying ahead of this week's special budget session, Evan Bayh gets a challenger, Indiana's top Libertarian is leaving the state and more. @01-Byline Name:ERIC BRADNER

Evansville Man Shot in Hand During Alleged Robbery Try

A 21-year-old Evansville man was shot in the hand Sunday afternoon as he wrestled with a man he was trying to rob, authorities said. Bassil Mohammad Kamali was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail after being checked out at Deaconess Hospital for a minor gunshot wound to his left ring finger.

Passenger Dies Hours After Driver Was Arrested

A 60-year-old woman who was a passenger in a vehicle that was wrecked by an alleged drunken driver

Beshear Says Time for Ky. Gambling Vote Is Now

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Different Kentucky lawmakers have tried and failed over the years to maneuver legislation legalizing additional gambling - either on slots at race tracks or full blown casinos - through the General Assembly. Gov. Steve Beshear, who based his campaign for governor on the issue, already stumbled once on expanded gambling during his first session as governor. Now, Beshear's going to use a special session later this month to try again.

Obituaries

local Robert 'Bob' G. Goodge

Blaze Destroys North Side Home

Discarded ashes from an outdoor fire pit likely sparked a blaze that destroyed a home on Evansville's North Side on Sunday morning, authorities said. It happened about 7:15 a.m. at 8405 Northfield Drive in a residential community near U.S. 41 and Mount Pleasant Road.

Church 'Cluster' has Center City Mission

A group of churches has come together this spring to offer support to families in the Evansville area. The group is called the Center City Church Cluster. It is dedicated to ministry to and with people in urban areas of Evansville. The Rev. Patrick Jackson of the Fairlawn United Methodist Church - who helped organize the group - said they desire to "work beyond geographic area and denominational lines," adding they are in a very supportive group of

'Horrible Conditions' Lead to Neglect Arrest

An Evansville woman was arrested on allegations of child neglect after authorities found her two small children living in conditions one officer called among the worst he had ever witnessed. Heather S. Wade, 26, was being held Sunday in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $1,500 cash bond. She is facing two counts of child neglect.