Evansville Courier & Press

Life in Slow Lane Now Threatened

I'd been looking forward to, maybe, this week getting the bicycle out and, perhaps, getting some of the kinks out of the old knees. Aside from its exercise and therapeutic benefits, biking is a lot of fun.

Hard Luck Eddyville Mall Aims for Rebirth

John Newman says the effect of Eddyville (Ky.) Factory Outlet Mall on the Lyon County community was mind-boggling when it opened in the late 1980s. He recalls once traveling into town on U.S. 62 from Paducah and finding traffic backed up a quarter mile from the town's main intersection. He got out of his car and stood up to get a better look at what was going on.

A Linking of Cultures Mehndi Ceremony Honors Couple On Pending Wedding

At 76, Millie Kunkle has been to a lot of wedding festivities in her life, but none like the event in the Newburgh home of Dr. Abrar and Beena Ali that took place Sunday. Surrounded by a multitude of females, from age 2 months to age 84, Kunkle clapped her hands to festive Pakistani music and then dipped her fingers into a colorful bowl of henna, a dye used to decorate the hands.

And Now White Sox Fans Step Up to the Plate

If you have ever wondered about the power of the Internet, let me offer a piece of evidence about just how strong the electronic tie that binds can be. Step 1: Man writes comparison of experiences at Cubs game and White Sox game.

Central Graduate to Bear Torch

A 2004 Central High School graduate has been named one of 124 people who will carry the Olympic Torch through St. Louis on June 17. Scott Guzzo, son of Robert and Paula Guzzo, will drive his wheelchair about 400 meters (about one-fourth mile) as the torch is carried by celebrities and selected citizens from the Gateway Arch through various neighborhoods and then to Francis Field on the campus of Washington University.

Highways and Byways a Weekly Photographic Report

Salvaged books dry out on splintered pews at the Cedar Street Baptist Church in Marengo, Ind., Thursday afternoon. A tornado that hit the town on May 30 demolished most of the 120-year-old church. Pastor Ed Conway's five days worth of beard stubble offered a clue to how his congregation was dealing with just losing its church. There wasn't time for a razor when there was work to be done.

21st Century Democrats Supporting Jennings' Bid to Take Hostettler's Seat

A group whose goal is to elect more "progressive Democrats" to Congress has put Indiana's 8th District race on its target list. Jon Jennings, a Newburgh resident challenging five-term incumbent Republican John Hostettler of Wadesville, is among 10 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives who have been endorsed by 21st Century Democrats.

15.8 Percent Sewer Rate Increase Would Help Fund Treatment Plant

The Evansville City Council will vote today on whether to grant a 15.8 percent sewer rate increase. The increase would go toward a new sewer plant on the city's North Side, located on U.S. 41 near Pigeon Creek.

As Indiana Loses Farms, Aid Untapped

Indiana has turned away $1.76 million in federal farmland preservation aid over the past two years, even as it loses about 100,000 acres of farmland each year. Since the inception of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program in 1998, no Indiana entities have found the needed money to match the federal funding.

Governor's Office Plans Visits to Western Kentucky Towns

A representative of Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher's office will conduct public meetings in 22 Western Kentucky counties over the next two weeks beginning today. The first is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Muhlenberg County Courthouse at Greenville, followed by a 2 p.m. stop at the Todd County Courthouse at Elkton.

Briefs

MONTICELLO, Ky. Kentucky teenager killed in ATV accident

Kentucky Budget Deal Plagued by `Ifs'

Prospects for a quick legislative session to pass a state budget probably ride on the outcome of a private meeting this week of a select circle of House Democrats. In that meeting, the chairman of the appropriations committee, Rep. Harry Moberly of Richmond, expects to lay out a menu of budget and tax options. His audience will be Speaker Jody Richards and the four other elected leaders of the House Democratic majority. From there, it's a matter of "if."

Roads

Info Line

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Three Fire Departments Battle House Blaze

Several fire departments responded Sunday afternoon to a house fire in German Township, and the fire is now under investigation. German Township Lt. Chris Lemon said a firefighter from another volunteer department first noticed smoke pouring from the house at 8602 Big Cythiana Road.

Student Volunteers Get National Awards

Two area students, both going to Evansville universities this fall, have won major national awards for their volunteer service. Signature High School graduate Emily Kraft, who is going to the University of Southern Indiana, has been honored by Prudential Financial.

Two City Boards to Address Aspects of Proposed North Side Sewer Plant

Here is a look at what's on tap for Evansville's city government this week: Monday

Obituaries

Local Obituaries Donald Geuss

Veteran Garden Columnist, Reporter Fred Sievers Dies

The late Hortense Myers, a legendary UPI Statehouse reporter in Indiana, once said of Fred Sievers that he was the only person she ever met who actually knew a ginkgo tree when he saw one. It was Myers' tribute to an unassuming man who became one of the most acclaimed newspaper reporters and gardening columnists in the history of Evansville journalism.