Evansville Courier & Press (2007-Current)

Battery Maker's Plan Electrifies State Officials

INDIANAPOLIS - State officials' vision of Indiana becoming the hub of a blossoming electric-vehicle industry inched closer to reality Thursday when EnerDel, a rapidly growing lithium battery maker, announced plans to expand. It was the latest in a growing line of companies - four in the last month - that produce parts for electric vehicles to commit to planting roots in the state.

Ono Passo Reading Initiative in Trouble Key Lawmakers Clashing On Cost [Corrected 03/25/10]

INDIANAPOLIS - Two of Indiana's leading policymakers are scrambling to rescue legislation that would require schools to hold back third-graders who struggle to read. But quibbles with a key lawmaker over the cost of the proposal remained unresolved Thursday.

Key to an Improved Lock River-Widening Project Would Speed Traffic Across Dam

A proposed modification of the Ohio River at the J.T. Myers Lock & Dam in Posey County may call attention to the need to fund long- planned improvements and maintenance work there. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the work is needed to make room for an extension of the dam's auxiliary lock. A draft report from the Corps says it will not have significant environmental impact.

Youth Mentors Across Area Get Special Thanks

Youth mentors from across the Tri-State were thanked Thursday during the celebration of national Thank Your Mentor Day. Volunteers with Experience Corps, a national organization connecting people at least 55 years old with at-risk students that is run locally by the Carver Community Organization, were thanked by students and administrators at Carver's Education Experiment Zone at the C.K. Newsome Center.

Close Calls Make Me Wonder: Owhat If I Knew?O

I was thinking about the plane that landed in the Hudson River. We sometimes are so busy with our daily lives that we donOt consider the fact that this could be our last day or even moment of life. What would I have done if I knew it was my time? Some things that come to mind are probably the same thoughts most of us would have.

Local Happenings

Newburgh Letters sent to help get Delta Queen back on river

Sparks Fly On Metering Amendment Carry-Over Credit Lost for Surplus Power

INDIANAPOLIS - Momentum behind net metering legislation remains strong in the Indiana General Assembly, but developments Thursday indicate work remains to be done if state lawmakers are to agree on the bill this year. Expanding Indiana's current net metering law would mean more utility customers who install their own renewable energy sources could be credited for the power they pump back onto the grid.

Usi Launches Shuttle Free Ride Guarantees Students a Parking Space

The University of Southern Indiana is using a former Walmart parking lot near the school to help alleviate the normal on-campus parking problems experienced as students return to class at the beginning of each semester. Two chartered coaches will make the approximately two-mile run every 15 minutes between the campus and the former Walmart parking lot along University Drive between Rosenberger Avenue and Red Bank Road. The satellite lot has a shelter for waiting riders.

Volunteer Flood Floors Mcdonald House Leader

Executive Director Kathy Scheller had no set expectations for volunteers when Evansville's Ronald McDonald House welcomed its first families Monday. "We are extremely grateful to our community for all of their unbelievable support as we launch this new charity to serve the Tri- State," said Scheller, who noted that the house, located on the St. Mary's Medical Center campus on Washington Avenue, already has 151 volunteers and counting.

Theme Park Sends Casting Call for Ball, Dancers

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. N Holiday World & SplashinO Safari is casting for several dozen singers, dancers, actors and musicians for the 2010 season, including four who would be part of a new Ocover bandO called The Beachcombers being added to this yearOs lineup. The quartet will perform hits by the Beach Boys, The Beatles and Jimmy Buffett. Besides Beachcomber concerts, the theme park will have country, contemporary Christian and pop music shows.

Briefs

Warrick County, Ind. Pence to headline

Obituaries

local Lucille E. (Schutte) Altstadt

Ky. Democrats Keep Gambling Off Ballot

FRANKFORT, Ky. N Senate Democrats killed legislation Thursday that would have allowed voters a say in any proposal that would expand gambling in Kentucky. The measure needed 23 votes on the Senate floor to pass. It got only 21, all from Republicans.

Park Looter Hit with Jail, Restitution Plundereros Damage to Cypress Creek Refuge Estimated at $150,000

CREAL SPRINGS, Ill. N A Union County man has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail and pay more than $150,000 in restitution for looting a Native American archaeological site in Southern Illinois. Leslie Jones, 50, of Creal Springs, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges he removed thousands of historical artifacts from the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Union County.

Briefs

Spencer County, Ind. Pickup driver dies

Another Big-Time Battle No. 1 Hatchets Go to Princeton

Last year Princeton High SchoolOs boysO basketball team traveled to defending Class 3A state champion Washington and won, just another step on the path to an undefeated dream of a season. Tonight the defending champion Tigers host the Hatchets at 7:30 with survival in the Big Eight Conference title chase on the line.

No Better Start - Ever Usios 17-0 Record Sets School Mark

INDIANAPOLIS N If the rigors of the past week hadnOt been enough for the University of Southern Indiana menOs basketball team to handle, Indianapolis certainly gave the Eagles another challenge to endure in their first game since the death of senior Jeron Lewis last Thursday. That just made their impromptu trip into the stands all the more special after a hard-fought 78-70 win at Indianapolis.

Painter Shuffle Helping Boilers

Matt Painter knows major lineup changes at this point in the basketball season can be a risky move. But the Purdue University coach had to do something Tuesday night to shake up his squad after the momentum from the BoilermakersO 14- 0 start was erased by a three-game losing skid, including the wasting of a career scoring night by Robbie Hummel in a home game against Ohio State a week earlier.

Aces Fall at Isu

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. N Indiana State turned 29 University of Evansville turnovers into 33 points and used a 9-1 run after halftime to grab control Thursday night en route to a 55-31 womenOs basketball victory. ISU scored nine of the first 10 points of the second half in the Missouri Valley Conference game to take a double-digit lead. OWe just got outmuscled tonight,O said UE coach Misty Murphy.

Errors Hurt Eagles

INDIANAPOLIS N The University of Southern Indiana womenOs basketball team had shown how far it had come this season through 18 games; in game No. 19 on Thursday, it saw whatOs left to reach the top of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Eagles lost 74-64 at No. 3 and league-leading Indianapolis in a game it never led.