Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

Budget Squeezes Tri-State Boy Hospitals Forced to Cut Surgeries

The recession has caught up with some Shriners hospitals for children and, in at least one case, a 2-month-old Tri-State boy has been affected by the belt-tightening. The boy's family requested surgery be done at the Chicago Shriners Hospital for Children to correct their son's cleft palate.

Efficiency the Word On Budgets Finance Chiefs Prepare to Cut

Short a few million bucks because of statewide property tax caps and a local homestead credit they likely will give back, city and county officials will be looking for efficiencies when they craft their 2010 budgets this summer. New local-option income taxes, apparently, will not be on the table.

Grievance Follows 'Demotion' Fire Official Alleges Retaliation

A veteran Evansville firefighter who vocally opposed the hiring of new Fire Chief Keith Jarboe has filed a grievance after a change in position that he says is in retaliation for his stance. Charles Hertzberger, an Evansville Fire Department battalion chief, has served as the head of the inspection division since 2004.

Lifts That Kids Can Depend On Shriners Deliver Them for Healing

As a Hadi Funster dressed like a clown, 19-year-old Chris Kempf easily brings smiles to children's faces. But children's reactions to him as a volunteer driver on trips to Shriners hospitals can be much more profound and deeply felt.

Local Happenings

CITY WEEK Here is a list of city government meetings for this week:

Would Central Air Have Cooled Ardor of 1776?

We've just celebrated the 233rd anniversary of our nation's declaration of independence from England. By this time then, a few days after their momentous vote and having boldly signed their names to a treasonous document, I'm sure the members of the Continental Congress were still debating, still congratulating each other and still wondering what was to come as they prepared to exit steamy Philadelphia for the arduous treks back to their homes to report fully to state assemblies and to neighb...

Refugees Found New Life Journeys Took Them From Vietnam to U.S.

JASPER, Ind. - Thousands of suppliers and customers from around the world walk through the doors of Kimball International facilities in Jasper every year, but it's unlikely their journeys to the United States were anywhere near as arduous as those of Peter Nguyen and Cody Dieu. Nguyen, 53, and Dieu, 38, are refugees from the ravages of the Vietnam War. They are test engineers for a California company who periodically visit Kimball Electronics to train employees on how to test products.

S. Ind. Weighing Its 'Win' Budget Extras Seen As Not Enough

INDIANAPOLIS - Even though their votes indicate they would deny it, early winners in Indiana's new budget just might be the Southwestern Indiana delegation. The prize came in funding for extra items the lawmakers had been lobbying for in the past six months.

Highways and Byways a Weekly Photographic Report 'I Want It Really, Really Short'

"I want it really, really short," the youngster instructed. "How about we leave you some bangs?" Speicher asked.

Man Shot, Said He Tried to Break Up Fight

A 29-year-old Evansville man was shot once during a fight Sunday morning in the 700 block of East Gum Street, police said. Jonathan M. Harrison was taken to Deaconess Hospital for injuries not believed to be life-threatening, said Evansville Police Department Assistant Chief Rob Hahn.

Tax Exemption May Have Military Members Planting Roots in Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Home to two Army bases and thousands of soldiers, Kentucky is looking to entice more troops to become full- time residents by exempting them from the state's income tax. State lawmakers last month approved an income tax exemption for members of the active duty military beginning January 2010. It's a nod to soldiers' service to the country, and a shot at boosting the state's economy.

University's Parking Getting Green Footprint Goal of Overhaul Is Making Ky. Campus Environmentally Friendly

BOWLING GREEN, Ky - Western Kentucky University is taking its parking lots green. The university is working on multiple projects to add parking spots across campus and make them environmentally friendly.

Obituaries

local Warren Gene France

Blaze Blamed On Fireworks

A fire that gutted a home in Henderson County, Ky., was caused by improperly discarded fireworks, officials with the Baskett Volunteer Fire Department said Sunday. The blaze sparked about 11:15 p.m. Saturday at 1015 S. Forest Oak.

Briefs

Evansville Man held on charges of burglary and theft

Man Arrested After Firing Shotgun

An Evansville man fired a shotgun outside an apartment complex and reloaded when police first told him to drop the weapon, according to a probable cause affidavit. Patrick J. Martin, 36, was being held Sunday in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness with a weapon. Bond was set at $1,000 cash.

Police Say Man Confesses to Robbery

Authorities used a fingerprint left behind by an armed robbery suspect Sunday morning to track him down at his apartment about a block away. Dagen James Fairchild-Lueck, 19, was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond on a preliminary charge of armed robbery, a class B felony. An initial court appearance is scheduled for today.

Shriner Passes On Golf, Garden to Get Kids Around

At age 76, Jack Benjamin describes himself as a decent golfer. "Using my TaylorMade r5, I hit the ball as far or farther now than before," he said. "I could be playing golf three or four times a week.