Evansville Courier & Press

Car Hits Man Sitting in Middle of Road

Gordon Hale Jr. had just finished a game of billiards and was driving home Wednesday night when he saw a man sitting with his legs crossed in the middle of Pollack Avenue. Hale swerved his truck, narrowly missing 37-year-old Clyde Hardin Jr. "He was screaming out something as I passed," Hale said. "I had my radio on, and I couldn't understand what he was saying."

Spirit of Giving Upon Us Series: 12 Days of Caring

The Evansville Courier & Press three years ago began its "12 Days of Caring," highlighting people and organizations that needed a little help for the holidays. This year's project kicked off Nov. 27 and then resumed Dec. 4, continuing until Dec. 15, creating a baker's dozen of giving options.

School Musical Puts Everyone in Holiday Spirit

Washington Middle School seemed huge when I attended there in the 1970s and 1980s (Class of '82). Then it was a kindergarten through eighth grade school. Everything about the school seemed big to me, but the biggest part of all was the auditorium. It was cavernous, at least in my memories of it.

Audubon `Birds' Nets $5.6 Million

A rare complete edition of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America" was auctioned Thursday for $5.6 million, ending three years of legal wrangling over a decision by a financially strapped Providence, R.I., library to dispose of its most valuable holding. The 1838 edition of ornithologist Audubon's most famous work went to a person bidding by telephone, said Benedetta Roux, spokeswoman for Christie's auction house. She did not identify the winner.

Churches Work to Break Down Walls

An interdenominational group spoke passionately Thursday night about to the need to reduce the "noise" in churches and break down denominational and racial borders that divide Evansville's Christian community. The forum discussion, "Gospel Noize," brought together mostly African-American pastors to address the disconnect between the Bible and what is coming out of houses of worship.

No Charges to Be Filed in Alleged Rape Case

No charges will be filed against two men accused of raping an Evansville woman last week, Evansville police said Thursday. "It just didn't pan out," spokesman Brian Talsma said. "There was no evidence or anything else to support the accusations she was making."

State Told Shortfall in Budget Gets Worse

Budget experts told lawmakers Wednesday that because of a quirk in local income tax distributions, the state would have $74 million less than expected in tax collections for the current budget cycle. That means a budget shortfall that was once estimated at $130 million in fiscal year 2006, which ends June 30, may end up closer to $200 million, according to reserve statements released Wednesday.

Holiday Happiness

Works Board Mausoleum Policy Revised

One complaint had it, according to Cemeteries Superintendent Jane Peckinpaugh, that one of the city's mausoleums "looked like a flea market" inside. She persuaded the Works Board on Thursday to end by March 1 the practice of placing tables with photographs and collectibles of the deceased in mausoleums at Oak Hill and Locust Hill cemeteries.

Signature School Plans to Transform Old Bank Building Into Science Center

Signature School is about to undertake a major construction project which, by the start of the 2006-07 academic year, will transform a former Main Street bank building into science labs and classrooms. The property is already owned by the Signature School Foundation and is a place where students gather and eat lunch.

Traditional Christmas Theme Wins Card Contest

Nicole Hensley, a seventh-grade student at Harwood Middle School, was chosen the winner of this year's holiday greeting card contest in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp. Nicole's drawing of a Christmas tree in a living room, with Santa Claus' sleigh flying by outside, was chosen the contest winner by Superintendent Bart McCandless.

Library Branches Set for Renovations

Two of Evansville-Vanderburgh's busiest library branches a Red Bank and McCollough a are due for renovations next year. Red Bank in the University Shopping Center complex on the West Side will get fresh paint and new carpeting, the first upgrades since the branch opened in 1991.

Briefs

EVANSVILLE Police probe burglary at scouts' tree lot

Info Line

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Usi Group `Adopts' Tornado Victim's Family

The Nov. 6 tornado shattered Missie Hardin's shoulder and broke her collarbone, and it left her son, Austin, 9, with no sight in his left eye. Worst of all, as Christmas approaches, Hardin is dealing with the loss of her longtime boyfriend, Matt Polk, 38, one of the storm's 24 victims. The tornado ripped apart Hardin's home in Eastbrook Mobile Home Park.

Romain Signs Ok'd Over Neighbors' Objections

Romain Automotive received approval Thursday to put up 11 signs, including an electronic message board, totalling 1,147 feet. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance and a special use permit to allow the signs in a 4-to-2 vote. The measure needed four votes to pass.

Question of the Day Thursday's Online Question

Should the Indiana House of Representatives open its sessions with a prayer? 250 votes cast as of 10 p.m. Thursday

Artwork Fundraiser to Benefit the Blind

The Evansville Association for the Blind has unveiled "The Art of Hope," a fundraiser of framed artwork to benefit the not-for-profit agency. "We've been selling mops for about 50 years. This is our second product line and we're real excited,"said Tom Quirk, committee chairman of the project. "We plan on taking this national, but we're looking for local support first."

Obituaries

Local Obituaries Karl Barkmann

Critics: Kentucky Budget Too Small

Kentucky needs to spend about $1.8 billion more a year a a fourth more than its current budget a to meet education, health care, criminal justice and other social needs, a collection of civic groups argued Thursday. "Kentucky is not adequately investing in the programs and services that can propel our state forward, such as public schools, higher education, health care and more," said the report from the Kentucky Economic Justice Alliance.