Evansville Courier & Press

Commissioners Vote to Change 11 Polling Places [Corrected 08/25/05]

Over the objections of a leading Democrat and the county's Democratic surveyor, Vanderburgh County's Republican commissioners on Tuesday voted to change several voting districts and polling places. The plan shifts 11 polling places to comply with federal legislation intended to guarantee access to voting machines for the disabled, splits three precincts that are too large to comply with state law and merges 16 precincts into eight.

Server Picked for Utility Post [Corrected 08/30/05]

Evansville state Sen. Greg Server will resign his Senate seat to take an Indianapolis-based utility regulatory job. Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Server's appointment Tuesday afternoon and Server said he will sell his Evansville house and move to Indianapolis to begin work as soon as possible.

Hospital Execs Named Deaconess Fills Two Top Positions

Deaconess Health System has named a new president and CEO of Deaconess Hospital as well as a CEO of Deaconess Gateway Hospital, the 116-bed acute-care facility under construction at Indiana 164 and the Lloyd Expressway. Harry L. Smith Jr. will assume the role of Deaconess Hospital president and CEO in October, filling the position vacated by Linda White when she was promoted to president and CEO of Deaconess Health System late last year.

Hostettler Decries Divorce

Rep. John Hostettler told area clergy that divorce on demand is as dangerous as gay marriage, and pastors' actions will be key to strengthening all Indiana families. Speaking to an Indiana Family Institute program of about 25 people Tuesday at Crossroads Christian Church, the six-term Republican from Blairsville, Ind., said a greater emphasis of faith in public policy and partnerships with local churches could be the solutions.

Athletic Director Comes to Student's Rescue

Larry Cochren has handled school cafeteria duty long enough to know that seeing students running to find a teacher is not a good sign. So when he saw students eating lunch in Bosse High School's cafeteria Monday suddenly doing just that, "I headed in that direction." He thought it could be a "little scuffle."

This Train's Got the Disappearing Railroad Blues

John Schroder likes to tell the story of how he grew up on one side of the train tracks in Lincoln City, Ind., and Abe Lincoln grew up on the other -- not at the same time, of course. He also likes to tell the story of the first time he took his wife, Nancy, to visit his mother in Lincoln City and forgot to warn her about the trains rattling through town in the middle of the night.

Ue Freshman Ranks Swell

The University of Evansville's freshman enrollment this year hit its highest point in nine years when the school welcomed 670 first- year students to its ranks. That's 35 more freshmen than last year's class, and 110 more than two years ago. It's also about where officials want to be in enrollment, said Tom Bear, UE's vice president for enrollment management.

Unit's Return Will Be Feted

Indiana Army National Guard soldiers who quietly were phased back to Evansville from Afghanistan will gather for a homecoming ceremony Saturday. The 37 members of Detachment 1, Company A, of the Columbus, Ind.- based 113th Support Battalion of the 76th Infantry Brigade started coming home in July and are all home now, said Sgt. Louis Dauphin, the platoon sergeant for the Evansville-based detachment.

City Is Looking for Giant Trees

Got a favorite big tree? You could make it a champion. Evansville's Tree Advisory Board now has a Big Tree Committee taking nominations for local trees that are the largest native trees of their species in Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Nomination deadline is Dec. 31.

Riverfront Fun

Prosecutor Says Defendant Tormented Disabled Woman by Torturing, Killing Cat Man Pleads Guilty to Animal Abuse

A man who tormented a disabled woman by killing her pet kitten is "a chronic alcoholic," his attorney said. Thomas L. Head admitted in court Tuesday that he killed a young cat after torturing it last year. "He wrung its neck, swung it over his head and threw it against a telephone pole," Vanderburgh County Deputy Prosecutor Donita Farr said.

County Council Oks Expansion of Dental Help

Most of the details still have to be worked out, but the Vanderburgh County Council unanimously approved a proposal Tuesday to expand access to dental care for indigent persons. As part of its budget request for 2006, the county Health Department had asked for $100,000 in startup costs for a dental clinic plus $285,000 in operating funds. That proposal included funding for a full-time dentist, hygienist and two other employees.

You Lose My Sympathy On Second Trip to Decrepit Jail

Few columns generate more telephone calls and e-mails than those I write about the ancient, overcrowded Vanderburgh County Jail, one of the most primitive lockups you'll see in this day and age. Most recently I talked with an inmate who was squeezed into the suicide-watch cell with 14 other men.

Evansville

Briefs

Washington, Ind. Ex-bank employee accused of embezzling

Info Line

If you have a brief question about the news, use a Touch-Tone phone to call: (812) 464-7466

Question of the Day Tuesday's Online Question

Does the war on terror compare to World Wars I and II? 270 votes cast as of 10 p.m. Tuesday

California Company Buys Cancer Centers

A California-based company has purchased Evansville Cancer Center and its regional offices in Jasper, Ind., and Henderson, Ky. The Evansville Cancer Center and Vantage Oncology Inc. of El Segunda, Calif., made the announcement Tuesday. In addition, Vantage will provide billing and support services for cancer centers in Princeton, Ind., Harrisburg, Ill., and Middletown, Ohio.

Woman Found Fatally Stabbed Next to Town's Police Station

An elderly Dawson Springs woman collapsed and died of multiple stab wounds outside the town's Fire Department early Tuesday, apparently after being assaulted at her nearby residence. Billie M. Cochrane, 73, lived in a mobile home about 50 yards behind City Hall. Dawson Springs police officers discovered her lying outside the closed doors of the Fire Department shortly after 3 a.m. The door to the police station was only a few feet away.

Obituaries

Local Obituaries Harold Barnett Jr.