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Duke Energy officials have added six percent to the construction cost of its Edwardsport coal-gasification plant. Both design modifications, and growth of project scope, will add another 150-million dollars to the two-point-three-five billion dollar price tag. Duke made the adjustment as part of a semi-annual cost update before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Duke officials say a detailed, revised cost estimate will be released in March. The new estimate will examine future cost projections for labor, engineering, procurement, and plant start-up.

The cost adjustment could cause a revised request for an electric rate increase. Duke Energy currently expects an 18-percent average rate increase between now and 2013. A new estimated rate based on the increased project cost will be released in March.

Knox Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley has set a December fourth hearing date in the case of 46 year-old Kerry Thomas. Thomas is accused of possessing an explosive device with intent to kill in a plot to blow up the Pike County Courthouse.

Judge Crowley accepted a Special Judgeship in the case, after Pike Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Biesterveld stepped down from the case. The hearing will be held that day in Knox Superior Court One.

Thomas is currently being held without bond in the Pike County Jail.

Vincennes City Police have released more information on a robbery that happened Monday at a Vigo Street location.

City Police were called to a domestic fight at 1409 1/2 Vigo. Upon the officers' arrival, 21 year-old Timothy DeMoura fled from the location, and was eventually captured near the 13-hundred block of Church Street.

Upon further investigation, the victim told police DeMoura had held her against her will in the apartment. Police also found her belongings-- including money, identification, a cell phone, and a part to her car-- in his possession without her permission. Authorities also claim he battered the victim, and later at the jail, intimidated an officer.

DeMoura is charged with robbery, domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, criminal confinement, intimidation, and disorderly conduct. He is being held without bond in Knox County Jail.

Duke Energy's coal-fired Gibson Generating Station is considered the fourth-dirtiest power plant in the United States. The plant was listed in a rundown of the dirtiest power plants in the nation by Washington, D-C based "Environment America." The Gibson generating station was ranked fourth for the amount of carbon dioxide the group claims the plant releases into the atmosphere.

The report also ranks the state of Indiana fourth in most releases of carbon dioxide. Indiana trails Texas, Ohio and Florida in the rankings. The entire study is based on E-P-A data released in 2007.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a theft reported yesterday at 27 West Eberwine.

City police responded to a call from Gary Clymer. Clymer told police he was moving from the West Eberwine location when someone stole a suit and a wedding dress from the location. Both the suit and dress have an estimated value of around 12-hundred dollars. Police say there was no forced entry into the residence.

City Police are still seeking clues in the case.

Good Samaritan Hospital has announced a five and a quarter percent increase in rates for 2010 to help finance next year's budget. G-S-H Chief Financial Officer Rob McLin calls the increase on a par with increases for hospitals across the state.

McLin says some cost controls will join the rate increase for next year. McLin also blames reduced federal reimbursement in part for a need to increase rates.

As we first reported last week, a further five percent decrease in Medicaid reimbursement has put added budget pressure on Good Samaritan Hospital.

Knox County Chamber of Commerce president Marc McNeece is optimistic about this year's Christmas shopping season. Merchants all across Knox County are preparing for Christmas shoppers to hit stores starting this weekend.

McNeece also urges people to stay home and buy their gifts from their friends and neighbors this season.

Merchants in Vincennes, Bicknell, and throughout Knox County hope you will keep the Christmas green at home this year.

Vincennes City Fire crews estimate yesterday's fire at the Days' Inn may have caused up to 100-thousand dollars in damage. The blaze originated in one of the ground floor rooms at the Days' Inn; the fire left 30 year-old Ralph Pace dead, and two others suffering from smoke inhalation. As of early this morning, the two men's names have still not been released. However, officials did say the two men are listed in critical but stable condition in Indianapolis' Wishard Hospital.

City Fire Chief Mike Lankford praised a short-staffed Vincennes Fire Department for rescuing people from nearby hotel rooms. Lankford has also not released a cause for the fire, due to an ongoing investigation by insurance adjustors.

At this point, Lankford has not ruled out any causes for yesterday's hotel fire.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is continuing his warning that no budget is safe from budget cuts, due to lower than expected state revenues. So far this year, state funding is down 310 million dollars from expected levels.

Even with the budget problems, Battles believes there is a silver lining in the current economic gloom. However, Battles knows all state agencies are sweating out potential cuts in their budgets.

The budget is also expected to be a main topic of discussion during the short Legislative session starting January fifth.

The Vincennes City Council has passed on first reading a bill to re-form the Vincennes Historic Review Board. The bill, as presented, would create a five-person board, with each member serving three-year terms. The new rule would also limit each member to serving no more than two terms on the H-R-B. The members would be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of City Council. Finally, the measure requires the Mayor approve professionals in architectural history, planning, and historic preservation, if possible.

Councilman Don Kirk then introduced amendments to the proposal. Kirk-- who was a member of the old H-R-B-- requested staggered terms of one year and two years for two of the members. Kirk also requests a seven-member Board, with at least one member from the Vincennes City Council; he also requested that at least 50 percent of the Board be residents of the Historic District.

Kirk handed the amendments to Council for consideration last night. He says the amendments come from recent public dialogue. However, Kirk decided to hold off public debate on the amendments until next month's Council session.

The original H-R-B realigment passed on first reading five-two, with Kirk and Councilman Mark Hill voting against it.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is seeking a part of 250-million dollars for a "Race to the Top" federal grant. The grant will go to states who submit plans to improve their individual states' education programs.

Dr. Bennett notes if Indiana receives part of the federal money, the state's focus would be on results-- and not on programs.

The state's application for the "Race to the Top" grant is due by mid-January.

Bicknell City Police arrested a Bicknell woman last night following a disturbance at a Washington Street location.

Around eight last night, Bicknell officials found 23 year-old Nicole Southgate allegedly causing the disturbance at the location. Southgate is charged with disorderly conduct; she was booked into Knox County Jail on three-thousand dollars bond.

The Vincennes City Council has approved on first reading the elected officials' salaries for this year. The salaries for the Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer, and City Council members will stay at last year's levels. The elected-official salary ordinance will be up for final passage at Council's next session on Monday, December 14th.

In other business, Council approved two financial transfers. The two transfers were for a total of 18-hundred 80 dollars; both went into the City's Computers and Servers account.

Finally, in a traditional motion, Council members agreed to consider a move of its December 28th session to 12 noon. The Council will decide at its December 14th session whether or not to move its December 28th claims-approval session to 12 noon, or to hold it at six that evening.

Indiana Conservation officers has reported a hunting accident in northern Knox County near Twin Washouts Road.

Conservation officials say 19 year-old John Richardson the Third was hunting with 19 year-old Christopher Garrett. Both men were from Bicknell. Conservation officers report Garrett saw what he thought was a deer in the tree line around 150 yards away, and fired his shotgun. The deer slug struck Garrett just below the rib cage. Garrett was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Richardson apparently had changed positions without Garrett's knowledge. Richardson was also wearing a hunters' orange cap; low light and distance may have been a factor in the accidental shooting. The incident is still under investigation.

A large crowd of Courthouse workers packed the Commissioners' room late yesterday afternoon to discuss a perceived payroll problem. The workers were concerned about a potential problems with dividing their salaries up over 27 two-week pay periods in 2010, over the 26 pay periods in 2009. The 27th pay period is due to a pay date of January first, 2010.

Courthouse employees made various suggestions-- including a one-time additional bonus to cover the 27th pay period. Some Council members agreed to consider the possible bonus, if they can find the funds somewhere in the 2010 budget.

Council members agreed to take the matter under advisement. The Knox County Council may hold a joint work session with the Knox County Commissioners in the near future to discuss the issue.

The Vincennes Board of Works heard a discussion yesterday on ways to improve Maranatha Lane. The privately-owned lane is occupied in part by Perk-a-Lawn Gardens.

Perk-a-Lawn representative Mike Perkins asked if the City could take control of the road, and improve it. City officials told Perkins they could not take control of it, since it did not meet the City's legal specifications.

City officials recommended for Perkins to discuss road improvements with various businesses who adjoin Maranatha Lane from the front or the back. The back of various fast-food and other businesses which front Sixth Street also connect with Maranatha Lane in the back; Perk-a-Lawn Gardens and Culligan Water Conditioning are the only businesses that connect with Maranatha Lane from the front.

In other business, the Board of Works approved a request for Higher Bound Ministries to use the Riverfront Pavilion on April ninth and tenth of next year. The group will use the Pavilion for its annual 30-Hour Famine.

Finally, the Board allowed two banners to be hung for the Vincennes Community Christmas Light Display. Board members approved City officials to negotiate with petitioner Junior Fisher for the banner's hang times; Fisher did not atend yesterday's session.

The person killed in a fire that struck the Vincennes Days Inn this morning has been identified as 30 year-old Ralph Pace of Indianapolis.  Pace was found in the room where the fire started.  Two other victims suffered smoke inhalation; their names have not been identified, but officials say they are in critical but stable condition at Indianapolis' Wishard Hospital.  Vincennes Police officer Doug Lowe also suffered a slight injury from the fire; he received six stitches after suffering a cut to his left hand.

The fire started around two-20 in a first-floor room in the rear part of the Days' Inn.  Vincennes City firemen brought the fire under control within 30 minutes of arrival.  Firemen also resuced ten other people from the fire scene this morning.

Vincennes City firemen and the Indiana Fire Marshal's office are still investigating the incident.  No fire cause has been released at this time.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is not ruling out educational budget cuts for K-12 programs. Governor Mitch Daniels has announced education could be a future target for some reductions.

Bennett reminds everyone education cuts may be forthcoming-- but that they haven't happened yet. Bennett reminds everyone the dire straits of the state's budget would cause the education reduction.

Bennett discussed the budget-cutting possibility in a recent conference call with the state's school district superintendents.

The down economy is on the mind of Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles. Battles feels the issue will get top billing among a host of issues to be considered in January's short Legislative session.

Battles also feels the property tax cap amendment will be a priority. Battles says taxpayers need to be aware of what the caps will do to their pocketbooks.

Legislators got a jump start on the session last week with Organization Day. The actual start of the short Legislative session will be on January fifth.

Current state budget problems have caused an indefinite delay for a road-widening project in Princeton.

Indiana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cher Goodwin stated the planned 12-million dollar widening for Broadway Street has been indefinitely shelved. Goodwin said the plan is not an urgent priority, given the current reduced state revenues.

The plan had been approved earlier as part of Governor Mitch Daniels' "Major Moves" program. However, Goodwin says the project may be delayed now by at least a decade-- and there are no definite plans in place for the road widening at this time.

Broadway Street throughout Princeton is also part of State Road 64.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Council will hold its annual Drug Toss on December third at Vincennes University. The R-S-V-P will join with the Knox County Solid Waste District in collecting expired medication.

Vicki Reeves is part of the R-S-V-P Advisory Council. She recommends anyone with questions about expired medication to check first with their pharmacist.

Both R-S-V-P and Knox County Solid Waste Management officials advise against flushing old medications or throwing them away. Instead, they recommend bringing the medicine to the December third Drug Toss to ensure proper disposal.

Many area residents are still suffering from an outbreak of H-1-N-1 flu. The virus is striking the area with a vengeance, as it is the rest of the nation, but experts say the virus' grip is loosening some in recent days.

Vincennes doctor Alan Stewart says the H-1-N-1 virus a different strain of flu than any other before it.

Medical experts remind everyone to use preventive medicine to avoid the flu. The preventive measures include frequent hand-washing, or use of a hand sanitizer.

Indiana Farm Bureau president, and Edwardsport resident, Don Villwock has been re-elected to another term as the group's leader. This coming year will be Villwock's fifth as I-F-B president.

Villwock stated his pleasure of being re-elected as president of the Indiana Farm Bureau. He feels he will be an effective group leader into 2010.

Villwock won the election for a fifth term by holding off a challenge from Indiana Farm Bureau District Five director Donnie Lawson.

The town of Monroe City has been awarded a 600-thousand dollar FOCUS Fund grant for a stormwater rehabilitation project. The stormwater project will help the town's drainage, and help it fulfill Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.

Monroe City's FOCUS grant was among the top grants given by Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman. The grant is part of just over 11 and a half million dollars in state funds awarded in the latest FOCUS grant round.

A formal ceremony for the grant award will happen December 14th at two p-m. The ceremony will be held at the Indiana Statehouse.

Area unemployment rates have stayed below the state average for all counties throughout southwest Indiana. The October 2009 statewide unemployment average was listed at nine-point-four percent.

Daviess County has the state's lowest unemployment rate, at five and a half percent. Dubois County is third most employed at six-point one percent. Gibson County is fifth in employment at six-point six percent, Martin County is sixth at six-point eight percent, and Knox County is seventh-- also at six-point-eight percent.

Other unemployment rates for the area include Pike County at seven and a half percent, Greene County at seven-point six percent, and Sullivan County at nine percent.

Vincennes City Police remind everyone to clear their cars off Main Street starting this afternoon. The clearance is to prepare for the annual Lighted Christmas Parade this evening at six-30 on Main Street.

City officers remind everyone parking will be prohibited on Main Street between First and Tenth Streets starting this afternoon at four-30. Also, parking will be prohibited starting at four-30 today from First and Main to First and Shelby streets. The First Street area will be needed to stage the entries for the parade. The parade itself will travel straight up Main Street from First to Tenth Streets.

All cars on the affected areas of Main Street or First Street after four-30 today will be towed at the owner's expense. The spots will be open again starting tomorrow.

Vincennes City Police took a 16 year-old boy into custody yesterday afternoon at Lincoln High School, after claiming the boy was dealing drugs.

Police reported the arrest just after three-45 yesterday afternoon. The boy was taken to the Southwest Indiana Regional Youth Village upon being taken into custody. Officials expect to file the drug-dealing charge as a juvenile count.

The Indiana Department of Transportation discussed its 2010 construction projects yesterday at its Vincennes district headquarters. The projects include the first work on the extension of I-69 from Indianapolis to Evansville. Yesterday's public session was a chance for the public to review the plans, and offer their opinions to improve the projects dealing with their areas of concern.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin reminds everyone the projects for INDOT's Vincennes district covers a wide area.

Anyone who missed yesterday's session, but wants to review the plans, may do so through INDOT's Website at www.in.gov-slash-indot.

The Knox County Sheriff's Department held a school shooter training session yesterday with officials from all three Knox County public schools. The meetings concern future use of school facilities to train against any possible attack against the schoools.

Knox County Sheriffs' Department SWAT team leader Mike Fisher mentions the County's SWAT teams will do school-shooter exercises at different times throughout the year.

Yesterday's meeting was designed to get the schools' input in coordinating assistance in case of a school-shooter style attack.

The annual Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice "Light up a Life" campaign will light up the evening of December third. The annual event will happen at the Hospice House at Ninth and Bayou Streets in Vincennes.

Connie Gray works with the Good Samaritan Hospice. She mentions the December third event is the only time each year Hospice will request funding from the general public.

The ceremony itself will begin that evening at six-30. It will feature the lighting of candles to honor or remember the submitted names of various loved ones.

Good Samaritan Hospital president Matt Bailey has painted a bleak picture from a recent state action to reduce Medicaid reimbursement. Due to continuing budget problems, the State of Indiana has reduced its Medicaid payout to hospitals by five percent.

In a written statement, Bailey said the cuts demonstrate a substantial hardship on hospitals to provide the services communities have grown to expect. He also feels the cuts have the potential to affect the Hospital's ability to serve the community.

Further, Bailey expects the Hospital to make difficult decisions in the days ahead, since it is seeing more patients who don't have the ability to pay for care.

Finally, Bailey expressed the fact that Medicaid reimbursement is less than the the cost of the services provided by the Hospital. He also expects the gap in reimbursement to be passed on to those with private insurance.

The Vincennes Utility Services Board received an update on a recent water study by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The IDEM report showed no violations-- but did bring up various issues about aging water facilities causing problems later.

In other business, the U-S-B heard a progress report on the Old Terre Haute Road sanitary lift station, and sewer upgrade. Officials expect the station to be ready for use by the start of December.

Finally, Vincennes Water Utilities general manager Kirk Bouchie reported a 100-percent participation in the United Way's annual fund-raising campaign. This marks the fifth straight year for 100-percent participation by Vincennes Water Utilities employees.

The Lawrence County Board has approved a proposed tax levy ballot initiative for both Lawrence County school corporations. The proposed levy would charge a one-percent added county sales tax for all general purchases in Lawrence County.

Projected revenue would total around 490-thousand dollars for Lawrenceville Unit 20 schools, and 405-thousand dollars for Red Hill Unit 10 schools. The Red Hill portion would go directly to property tax relief; the annual relief would average 156 dollars per year for Red Hill property holders. The Lawrenceville part would be directed mainly toward constructing a new or remodeled high school in the next few years. The money would also replace a property-tax increase ballot for Lawrenceville Unit 20 voters.

The County Board was required to vote for the resolution, to place it on the ballot. Even with the requirement, both Larry Stoltz and Kerry Emmons voted against the measure.

The sales tax resolution will be decided by Lawrence County voters during the February second primary election.

The Lawrence County Illinois Board has approved a four and a half million dollar budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The budget will require an over two-point-one-six million dollar tax levy from Lawrence County taxpayers.

The new levy is a 50-dollar increase per one-thousand dollars in assessed property value for Lawrence County taxpayers. The higher levy is to cover increases in the Lawrence County tort fund, and to charges in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

In a public hearing before yesterday's Board session, Board chair Chuck Gillespie called for arrangements to keep the County within its budget. Gillespie called for a meeting with the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital to discuss its line-item, and called for possible future cuts in the General Fund.

The budget measure passed five-two, with both Larry Gray and Pat Spidel voting against the presented budget. The presented tax levy passed unanimously.

A name change is coming for the some banking and insurance companies in Vincennes. First American Bank, Smith and Bell Insurance, and Knox County Insurance will now be re-named with the German-American brand. The three companies have been under the German-American umbrella since the Jasper-based company acquired them in 1999, but had kept their names until now.

The move is part of German-American's move to place all its area subsidiaries under the same name. The various locations will receive new signage and communications materials in the next few months to mark their new identity.

Interested parties in the Ford Road project will join together for a construction meeting on Monday, November 23rd. The session will be held at the Vincennes Township Fire Department headquarters at Hart Street and Kimmel Road. The meeting will discuss the overall construction schedule, project goals, and safety.

Anyone from the public interested in the Ford Road project is encouraged to attend the session.

The Vincennes district office of the Indiana Department of Transportation says major work will start on I-69 in southwest Indiana early next year.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin says the work will start first in Daviess County with overpass constuction in February, and main road construction in April.

Information on the I-69 project-- or any other 2010 construction projects-- will be available Thursday morning at INDOT's Vincennes District headquarters. Goodwin says INDOT representatives will have input for anyone interested in any INDOT project in 2010.

More information on the public session is available by calling INDOT'S Vincennes District office at 882-8330.

Bicknell's downtown merchants will join together soon to determine the future of the city's downtown. The group will use a 50-thousand dollar planning grant to form an idea, and apply for a potential 500-thousand dollar grant to put the final idea into place.

Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger says Bicknell merchants are seeking the right ideas to improve the City.

Bicknell City officials and merchants are working with the Southern Indiana Development Commission to obtain and use the grants for the City's improvement.

The Knox County Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring an annual Small Business seminar on December second. The seminar will be held that evening from six to eight p-m at Vincennes City Hall.

Knox County Chamber of Commerce president Marc McNeece says the seminar is a good chance to learn more about starting a small business.

Early registration is 15 dollars for the seminar; registration within a week of the seminar will be 25 dollars. More information is available by contacting the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center at (812) 425-7232.

Week Two of Vincennes' four-week leaf collection begins again today across the city. Today's pickup will take place from Main to Hart Streets from Culbertson Boulevard to Sixth Street. Also, leaf collection will happen from Weed Lane to the Forest Hills area, along with one last collection day in the Eastgate area.

Tomorrow, the collection area includes the area from Main Street to Hart Street between Seventh and Eleventh streets. Also, Weed Lane, the Burnett Heights, and Forest Hills area will get leaf pickup service tomorrow.

All leaf pickup will happen each day from seven a-m to three p-m in the targeted areas. All leaves must be raked 12 to 18 inches from the curb; they may be placed there anytime from the day before pickup, up to the time of pickup. No leaf piles with limbs mixed in will be collected.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes woman yesterday following discovery of a burglary at two Second Street locations.

Authorities were called to a medical call in a car on the lot of Oasis Christian Fellowship at Second and Saint Clair. The victim was found to be 21 year-old Talia DeJarnett; she was found with evidence from an earlier burglary at Tan-Fastic on her lap. She was also found to be possessing a controlled substance on the scene. Police also learned of a burglary at Parish's Pizza.

Search warrants turned up evidence of both burglaries at DeJarnett's apartment, and at the apartment of Louie Davis. Both DeJarnett and Davis are charged with burglary and reckless possession of stolen property. Davis also faces one count of possession of marijuana, while DeJarnett's added charge is for possession of a controlled substance.

Both DeJarnett and Davis were booked into Knox County Jail.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is awating a possible measure to bring fairness to a mandatory re-drawing of Indiana's maps. The maps are required to be re-drawn every ten years, following a federal census.

Battles knows a new redistricting mandate would help enhance the State Constitution's requirements. Battles likes the idea of a non-partisan map-drawing measure. However, he wants the finer points of any plan to match the overall non-partisan objective.

Battles also believes there is some time to get the right re-districting plan in place. He believes any plan would not go into effect until the required re-districting in 2021.

Christmas bells will start ringing at various Knox County stores this Friday, thanks to the Salvation Army's kettle campaign. The campaign in Knox County is seeking 90-thousand dollars this year to help those in need this season.

Salvation Army commander Justin Windell says starting the bells before Thanksgiving gives them a chance to ease into the Christmas season.

With Friday's kettle kickoff, Salvation Army representatives will continue ringing the bells through December 23rd.

The lighted Christmas Parade won't the the only thing lighting up this year's Christmas Stroll. The American Cancer Society will also sell luminaries as part of a display on the block of Patrick Henry Square that evening.

The luminaries will be sold in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one, friend, or associate. Also, the luminaries sold during the Relay for Life in May of this year will be on display during and after the Christmas Parade. The luminaries were not lit during the Relay for Life, since the Relay was moved indoors this year.

Anyone interested in purchasing a Christmas Stroll luminary may contact any Relay for Life team member, or contacting Shirley Rose at 882-5162.

Bicknell City and Indiana State Police arrested a Bicknell man after he allegedly stalked a Bicknell Police officer.

Officers arrested 44 year-old Gordon Auberry after gathering evidence of the alleged stalking incident. Auberry was stopped at Third and Main in Bicknell; police also claim Auberry forcibly resisted custody at the arrest location.

Auberry is being held without bond at the Knox County Jail.

The Lawrenceville City Council has agreed to give the City's non-union employees a three percent raise for the next fiscal year. The raise is good through April 30th, 2010, and is retro-active back to May first of this year.

In other financial business, Council members passed the 2009-2010 tax levy. The new levy will stay the same as the most recent levy-- at 399-thousand, 900 dollars. The stable levy means taxpayers will pay the same tax rate for the coming levy as they do for the current one.

Lawrenceville City Council also closed part of an alley to allow for their new parking garage. The alley is the north part of a north-south throughway near Albright Motors.

Finally, Council approved tear-down of two houses, and bids toward tearing down a third. The two houses to come down are at 1705 13th Street, and 1605 8th Street. The bids are for a planned demolition of the structure at 1606 Tenth Street.

Some county health departments across the area are now distributing H-1-N-1 vaccine to its at-risk citizens.

In Knox County, the vaccine is available to target groups-- including pregnant women, healthcare and emergency providers, children from six months to young adults up to 24, and adults 25 to 64 with chronic health problems. The H-1-N-1 vaccine will be available to the target groups for walk-ins only at the Knox County Health Department.

In Daviess County, the vaccine will be available in clinics only to the target populations mentioned in Knox County. In Martin County, Dr. Kerr has some seasonal flu vaccine for his patients. Also, the H-1-N-1 vaccine will be available in clinics to seniors with health conditions only. In both Knox and Daviess Counties, season flu vaccine is availble only to children under the age of three.

In Pike County, no seasonal flu vaccine is available. Once it comes in, people will be placed on a waiting list for the vaccine. Also in Pike County, the H-1-N-1 vaccine will be available during clinics only.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is receiving the public's opinions on a coming Statewide Transportation Improvement program. The draft plan will be available for public view in this area this coming Thursday at INDOT's headquarters on U-s 41 just south of Vincennes. The program is required by federal law to draft a statewide transportation improvement program over the next four fiscal years.

In addition to the Thursday viewing in Vincennes, the document may be viewed at INDOT's web site. Also, public comments will be accepted online at indot-dot-in-dot-gov.

The Vincennes-based Thursday Church will have its Thanks for Giving dinner and canned food drive this Monday. The dinner will be that day from eleven to one-30 at the Thursday Church on Main Street.

Admission is seven dollars. More information is available by contacting the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department.

Organizers of the annual Muster on the Wabash have their sights set on a special celebration in 2011. That year's Muster will be part of a celebration of Harrison's actual march to the Battle of Tippecanoe near Lafayette in early November of 1811.

Knox County historian Richard Day reminds everyone the actual Muster's bicentennial is getting closer. George Rogers Clark National Park superintendent Dale Phillips is helping head up the remembrances. Day knows Phillips has worked with counties up and down the Wabash corridor between Vincennes and Lafayette to honor the 200th year anniversary of Harrison's march to Tippecanoe.

Right now, the 2011 celebration is set to start in late September, and continue through the early November anniversary of the Battle of Tippecanoe near Lafayette.

Lawrence County Illinois Sheriff's deputies are investigating a death following a fire near Lawrenceville.

Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies, and Lawrence-Allison Fire units, responded to a report of a mobile home and shed on fire in the Nob Hill Addition. During the response, crews found the body of 72 year-old Joe Miller in the mobile home. Miller was pronounced dead on the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Shannon Steffey.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal, and Lawrence County Coroner's office are investigating the death. An autopsy is scheduled for later today; the manner and cause of death are pending at this time.

The Knox County Treasurer's office has shifted its focus from collecting property tax payments to processing them. Knox County Treasurer Cendy Joslin and her deputies spent yesterday, and will spend today, processing mailed-in tax statements and payments.

The 2008 taxes payable 2009 were due in one lump sum this year, due to problems with re-assessment. Next year, the 2009 taxes payable 2010 will be back on a regular scheduled. Joslin states no one is happier than her to have the regular schedule back in place.

Next year's property tax payments are set up for a traditional May tenth-November tenth rotation.

The latest Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Enforcement Blitz starts today across Indiana. Indiana State Police, along with various local and county law enforcement agencies, will launch the Safe Family Travel enforcement blitz.

The Vincennes City Police will take part in the increased enforcement. Officer Bryan Bible is heading up the City Police efforts; he knows the Department's participation in past blitzes has been successful.

The Safe Family Travel effort will combine high-visibility seat belt and impaired driving patrols from today through Sunday, November 29th. Indiana State Police and other agencies will work overtime hours in the day and evening to ensure safe driving over the holiday season.

The police overtime will be funded by a federal grant provided by the National Transportation Safety Administration.

Knox County Council president Tim Ellerman is seeking a local solution for assessment in Knox County. Ellerman feels area assessment experts can better find out the true value of the County's property than someone in Indianapolis. Ellerman believes using area consultants can help lower property taxes.

The call for local assessment experts comes as the state prepares for another re-assessment next year. Ellerman wants the experts to work through the next few months to do a one-time true assessment of County property.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin is continuing his search for ways to prepare for major budget cuts next year. City officials are preparing for an over one-million dollar reduction in the budget for 2010.

One idea the City is considering is a move of Police dispatch to the Knox County E-911 center. Baldwin says the transition is easier said than done.

Baldwin wants the transition in place by the end of the year. However, he would not be surprised if the move takes longer than expected.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles expects a bottoming out of the current economic decline in the next year. The downturn has also affected state support for local government. Battles doesn't expect any more direct cuts from state government to local government bodies.

Local governments' budgets were affected this year, and will be again next year, due to decreased property tax revenue. The revenues have decreased due to property tax caps put in place by House Bill 10-01.

Vincennes City firemen responded to a house fire this morning at a Sixth Street residence.

Firemen responded to 617 North Sixth Street, Apartment 1 around one-45 this morning. The residence is occupied by Bill Mauer, and is owned by Tom Smith Rentals.

Fire crews reported the blaze started near a fireplace; they were able to contain the fire to the living room. The fire did an estimated 20-thousand dollars in damage. The affected apartment is part of a three-apartment structure; all residents living in the building were accounted for. No one was injured in the fire.

Fire investigators will start searching for a cause later today. Firemen have determined the blaze was accidental.

A Bicknell man was killed and another was injured in a one-vehicle crash reported Tuesday night in Spencer County.

23 year-old Jeremy Hallett was killed when he was thrown from his vehicle following the crash. The truck was driven by Matthew Laue of Bicknell. Authorities report Laue was turning from U-S 231 onto State Road 66 when he lost control of his vehicle. Police also claim Laue overcorrected, and flipped his vehicle, leading to Hallett's ejection from the truck.

Laue was taken to an Owensboro, Kentucky hospital for treatment. No other information has been released.

A former president of the Vincennes University Board of Trustees is now the first African-American to head the Indiana State Bar Association.

Rod Morgan received the presidency during the group's recent annual meeting. In his speech before the Association, Morgan said the long-term growth of the Association depends on its diversity and inclusiveness.

In addition to being a former V-U Board president, Morgan is a retired judge-advocate general, and as a legal advisor to various political and military leaders.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes man yesterday following a traffic stop in the 15-hundred block of McKinley Avenue.

Just after four p-m, police halted the vehicle occupied by Tyler Boger. During the stop, authorities found Boger wanted in connection with an earlier incident yesterday at a Bicknell residence.

Boger is charged with one felony count of intimidation. He was booked into the Knox County Jail on ten-thousand dollars bond.

Duke Energy has announced a planned outage affecting around 100 households early tomorrow morning.

The customers affected will be in a four-block radius around 14th and Ritterskamp; some businesses on Sixth Street will also be affected. The outage will start around three a-m tomorrow, and last around three to four hours. Duke crews will use the outage time to replace four utility poles in the area.

People using electrically-powered medical equipment should make appropriate arrangements in advance of the outage.

An ongoing disagreement over membership on the Knox County Community Corrections Board affected some votes on a request last night by the Knox County Commissioners.

The Commissioners requested a six-year, over 400-thousand dollar loan to purchase three trucks for the Knox County Highway Department. A move to allow County Council attorney Kerry Currier to draw up a loan ordinance passed four-three, with Tim Ellerman, David Culp, and Emily Heineke voting against the measure. All three voting against the motion cited the Board dispute as their reason to vote against it.

Ellerman, Culp, and Heineke, along with Councilman Bob Lechner, pointed to the Board's current makeup as a problem. The concerned Councilmen say they want the Commissioners to work toward a Board makeup that fits State requirements. The Community Corrections program is a partnership between Knox and Pike Counties.

In his comments, Commissioner Kevin Meyer told Council he is waiting to speak with the Pike County Commissioners about the Board issue. Meyer told Council he feels Pike County should have a voice in the matter, but some Council members believe that Knox County can make the appointments independent of Pike County's consent.

In addition to the truck purchase concerns, Council coontinues to freeze any added County spending for Community Corrections, until the matter is resolved.

The Vincennes City Council's Legislative Review Committee agreed unanimously yesterday to amend the current Historic Review Board ordinance. The recommended changes include reducing the board membership from seven to five, and allowing all Vincennes City residents to be eligible to join the Historic Review Board. The recommendations must be approved by the full Vincennes City Council to take effect.

Some interested area residents spoke against the recommended move from seven H-R-B members to five. However, Committee chair Duane Chattin doesn't see the reduction as a problem.

Councilman Mark Hill is one of those opposed to a five-person board. He feels seven is the right number to avoid too much power in too few hands.

The members of the re-formed Historic Review Board will be appointed by Mayor Al Baldwin, subject to approval by Council.

The Vincennes American Legion remembered veterans last night in a ceremony at Legion headquarters. The annual ceremony is a reminder of the sacrifices of living and deceased veterans throughout Knox County.

Sam Sievers helped with last night's Legion ceremony. Sievers says the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas brings the soldiers' sacrifice back to the forefront. The American Legion veterans will take the Veterans' Day message to students across the county today. Sievers mentions the aim of today's student presentations is to help the next generation keep the peace.

Other Veterans' Day activities were also conducted yesterday, including a remembrance at Vincennes University.

The Vincennes City Council Legislative Review Committee reviewed various options for adjustment of the Historic Review Board yesterday. The Board is currently suspended, due to a selection technicality.

The Committee recommended some changes-- including a reduction of the seven-member board to five, and an allowance of all City residents to become Board members.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin has been one of those seeking changes to the H-R-B ordinance. Mayor Baldwin wants the amended ordinance to reflect what he feels is the H-R-B's original purpose. The Mayor is also calling for the ordinance to be changed but not overhauled.

The amended ordinance is now ready for presentation by the Legislative Review Committee to the full City Council.

The Knox County Council has approved the spending of 12-thousand dollars for a new County Veterans' Affairs van. Knox County Council attorney Kerry Currier said the money will be spent as part of the national Volunteer Transfer Network. The agreement will come before the Knox County Commissioners for signing on Monday night; the Commissioners also support the move to join the network.

Currier told Council the funding would be approved by the State of Indiana when they join the network. The joining is dependent on the Commissioners' approval on Monday night.

In other business, Council approved twelve-thousand dollars for the Knox County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Mike Morris requested the funds for added care of the sick at the Jail; Morris believes the twelve-thousand added dollars will help him get through the rest of the year.

The Vincennes Community School Board has approved a study that could change the face of the local school district. Superintendent Doug Rose received permission to deliver a report addressing the redistricting of elementary school boundries based on enrollment projections and consider the closing of Washington Elementary School. Rose also received permission to develop a report addressing reductions in teaching and support staff and administrators based on the redistricting and the closing of Washington school. Rose says the financial situation for the local schools is not good a changes must take place.

Washington Elementary School has only 125 students and Rose says that enrollment system-wide has dropped 14 of the last 15 years an average of 43 students per year and that the staff remains about the same as fifteen years ago. The report will be discussed by the Board during its February meeting.

The City of Vincennes has signed a contract with the Army Corps of Engineers to do the first study of the City Levee. City officials are trying to prove both the City Levee and the nearby Brevoort Levee give Vincennes adequate flood protection to hold down city residents' flood insurance rates.

Vincennes Water Utilities general manager Kirk Bouchie says the contract for the first study is in the City's hands. Bouchie is also glad the first study will start soon.

The Army Corps of Engineers' study will lead to a second, more extensive study later. The studies will determine the city's ability to handle a major flood.

The South Knox School Board has approved site plans for both a relocation of playground equipment, and plans for construction of a special education classroom.

Contracts will be awarded for the playground relocation on February eleventh, with the award for the construction to happen in March. The entire relocation and construction will be in place by the fall of 2011.

The entire project will cost around 800-thousand dollars. South Knox Superintendent Brad Case says much of the project funding is already in place.

Around 525-thousand dollars of the final total will come from the Corporation's Rainy Day Fund, with the rest provided by various account transfers.

The Vincennes School Board has approved a study that will address elementary school redistricting, the closing of Washington Elementary, and the reduction in teachers, staff, and administrators. The schools need about 10% budget surplus each year, but that cushion has dropped to about 6 percent and will continue to drop based on tax revenues and enrollment. The study will be sent to board members two weeks prior to the February School Board meeting. Member Aaron Bauer says that nothing has been decided, but that the board must make tough decisions based on the needs of students.

Superintendent Rose told the School Board last night that student enrollment has dropped an average of 43 student per year 14 of the last 15 years, but staff has stayed at virtually the same numbers during that time.

The Bicknell City Council has signed contracts for a 50-thousand dollar downtown revitalization planning grant. The feasibility grant will assist downtown merchants in setting a common theme for revitalizing downtown Bicknell. Copies of the accepted grant were accepted by both the City of Bicknell, and by the Southern Indiana Development Commission.

Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger says the first grant is a pre-requisite for receiving a possible 500-thousand dollar construction grant. If the city receives the larger amount, it would help them put the requested theme in place.

Bicknell officials will meet with merchants to decide on a common theme soon. Mayor Flickinger reports the meeting will happen when they get the contract back from the state.

The Vincennes Board of Works has tenatively agreed to a plan to block the alleys intersecting Main Street for the annual Vincennes Christmas Parade on November 20th. The lighted event will start that evening at six p-m.

The Board agreed to the request made by Downtown Merchants' Association president Mark Kratzner. The request was accepted depending on approval by the City Police, fire, and street crews.

Also, the Board approved a Handicapped Parking sign for Barbara Elder. The parking sign will be located near Elder's residence at 1007 Seminary.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles feels education may come under the budget cutting knife soon. Governor Daniels told a group of state school superintendents education may suffer some cuts, due to decreasing budget revenues.

Battles says he understands the need to make some cuts in education. However, Battles warns against cutting vital educational programs.

Specific cuts to education have not yet been defined by state budget officials.

Indiana State Police arrested two Bruceville residents over the weekend following a meth lab-related discovery.

Troopers were called after a property owner discovered a vehicle near an L-P tank on his property. The tank contained annhydrous ammonia. Police determined the vehicle belonged to 39 year-old Danny Pritchard of Bruceville.

State Police determined Pritchard and 39 year-old Jodi Shepherd were across the street from Pritchard's Holmes Street residence. Authorities also found meth-making chemicals, a small amount of methamphetamine, several guns, and drug paraphernalia at the location.

Both Pritchard and Shepherd are charged with meth-making, possession of methamphetamine with firearms, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of paraphernalia. Pritchard is also charged with possession of a Schedule Two and a Schedule Four controlled substance.

Both Pritchard and Shepherd are being held on 25-thousand dollars bond at Knox County Jail.

Area Congressmen voted down party lines for a national health care option. The bill was passed over the weekend in the House by a 220-215 vote. Eighth District Congressman Brad Ellsworth joined many Democrats in passing the bill, while Illinois Republican John Shimkus joined Republicans in voting against it.

Ellsworth has not yet commented in his vote for the bill. However, before voting for the bill, in the time leading up to the weekend vote, he had expressed concerns about the bill meeting his criteria for a federal health-care option. Ellsworth's concerns before the vote included a prevention of federal dollar use for abortions; a reduction of long-term health care costs for families, businesses, and governments; an increase of choices for consumers; and a prevention of any addition to the deficit.

In his comments, Shimkus blasted the bill for weakening private health care coverage, and for setting the stage for a single-payer healthcare option in the future.

The debate on the health-care bill now moves to the U-S Senate.

Several groups will meet today and tonight at locations across Knox County.

The Vincennes Board of Works will gather at four this afternoon at City Hall. The Board will review a light agenda during this afternoon's session.

At six tonight, the Vincennes City Council will meet at City Hall. Council will consider an amendment to the current Vincennes zoning ordinance on first reading at tonight's meeting.

Three groups are scheduled to meet tonight at seven. The Vincennes Community School Board will gather at seven tonight at Riley Elementary School. Among the group's action items is a Corporation financial analysis by School Superintendent Doug Rose. Other decision items include items concerning Inman Field, a transfer tuition policy recommendation, and a second claims docket. The South Knox School Board will also meet at seven; among their items is approval of conceptual drawings for new construction at South Knox Elementary School. Finally, the Bicknell City Council will meet at seven tonight as well at Bicknell City Hall.

All the sessions are open to the public.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles says he understands state spending regulations following another dip in state revenues. Indiana's tax collections were down for the fourth straight month; the revenue was off by another 46 million dollars in the month of October. Among the actions the Governor announced is a ten-percent reduction in spending in all state budgets, voluntary un-paid leave offered for employees the rest of the fiscal year, and delay of state capital projects.

Battles says with lower revenues, the Governor is doing the right thing. However, Battles hopes the Governor won't cut funding in strategic state areas.

The Governor's move also saves over one billion dollars in state reserves. Budget officials say without cuts, the state would have depleted its reserve in August of 2010.

The inaugural Holiday Market will start today at the Riverfront Pavilion at Second and Busseron in Vincennes. The market will offer various items each Saturday through both the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Shirley Rose is helping get the Holiday Market going. She gives the reason behind starting the Holiday Market. Rose also mentions the Holiday Market will be different from the traditional Farmers' Market.

The Holiday Market will also offer a festive place for people to meet during the holiday seasons.

The annual Muster on the Wabash will start today and run through Sunday at Fort Knox Two. The event will continue from nine to five today, and from ten to four tomorrow, at the site near Ouabache Trails Park.

Bruce Beasley is helping head up the annual Muster on the Wabash. Beasley knows the annual event is a chance for attenders to step back in time.

Events include a re-enacted skirmish between the fort's defenders and Indians; a re-enactment of the debate between William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh; and various military demonstrations. Also, food, crafts, and historic demonstrations will be available for the public to review.

Indiana State Police arrestd two Monroe City residents after finding a meth lab at their residence yesterday afternoon.

Troopers responded to the residence occupied by 38 year-old Troy Daffron and 31 year-old Miranda Daffron. State Police found the lab at 106 East Eleventh Street in Monroe City. Following the discovery, authorities charged both Daffrons with meth-making.

Both Troy and Miranda Daffron were booked into Knox County Jail on 25-thousand dollars bond.

A boil order for the City of Bicknell has been lifted. The water in the city of Bicknell has tested as safe, and is no longer subject to boiling.

The boil order was put in place on Tuesday, due to a water main break at State Road 67 and Alexander Street. A construction crew struck the main, causing the break and the boil requirement.

The boil order's lifting is for all Bicknell Water consumers in Bicknell, Johnstown, and Ragsdale.

Two people were injured and power was affected this morning following a one-vehicle accident on State Road 58 near Westphalia.

Around two-15 a-m, an eastbound pickup truck left the road, and knocked down a WIN Energy power pole. The accident affected the pole, and three transformers. State Road 58 was closed two miles west of Westphalia for three and a half hours.

The two people injured in the accident have not been identified.

The Indiana Department of Transportation continues with plans to "fast-track" Interstate 69's development in this area. INDOT plans to finish the interstate extension from Evansville to Crane within the next three years.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin assures everyone the "fast-track" option is still in the works. However, Goodwin is realistic about the chances for hindrances to the fast-track development. She is also optimistic about developing alternate plans to keep the construction on the fast track.

The first small part of the interstate-- from State Road 57 to State Road 68-- is already in place.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is seeking area residents' input for a new hybrid registration system. The hybrid system is being designed to improve efficiency in delivering welfare services.

The system had contracted with IBM for the services, but Governor Mitch Daniels cancelled the IBM contract on October 15th. The replacement system will take successful elements of the old system, and fuse them with the good parts of the former IBM system.

Suggestions will be accepted by E-mail to hybridinput-at-f-s-s-a-dot-gov. They may also be mailed to the Family and Social Services Administation office in Indianapolis.

Good Samaritan Hospital has joined an effort to reduce re-admissions for Medicare patients. The Hospital is joining with Health Care Excel to reduce the re-hospitalization rate.

G-S-H is already below the national rate. The national re-admission rate for Medicare patients is just under 18 percent; the Hospital stands just below eleven percent. The topic is being focused on by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

G-S-H president Matt Bailey praises the effort to reduce re-admissions, become more budget conscious, and provide the best care for Medicare patients. The Hospital is empowering itself by giving out educational tools to the public. The tools include medication safety information, personal health records, and questions to ask upon patient discharge.

The Knox County Salvation Army is preparing its traditional red kettles for the coming Christmas season. Knox County Salvation Army commander Justin Windell knows the Christmas season is their busiest time of year.

This year's Christmas fund-raising goal is 90-thousand dollars. The goal is down from last year, since the group did not make their goal a year ago. Windell says even though they scaled back the goal, the need for their services is not scaled back.

The kettles will be put out at various Knox County businesses starting November 20th. They will stay out until December 23rd. The red kettles, along with an annual Salvation Army mail appeal, will be the major holiday fund-raisers for the Knox County Salvation Army.

The Knox County Community Foundation is accepting applications for the annual Lilly Endowment Scholarships. Two Knox County seniors will receive the four-year, full-ride scholarships from the Lilly Endowment.

K-C-C-F director Kathy Rinsch says the program has had a history of scholarship success since its start in 1998.

In addition to the two Lilly winners, the K-C-C-F will give the two alternate Lilly scholars a one-time, 15-hundred dollar scholarship. Applications for the Lilly awards must be submitted by January twelfth.

The final stages of work continues on U-S 41 just north of Vincennes. One lane of traffic is now open in both directions on 41 from Vincennes to Camp Arthur Road. Indiana Department of Transportation officials expect the entire roadway to re-open by the end of the year.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin credits highway work crews for keeping the project on target-- despite a wet construction season.

The expected four-lane re-opening of 41 by the end of the year would be months ahead of the original schedule.

Vincennes City Police are investigating a theft from the site of the new Clark Middle School.

City Police say an unknown person stole a gas saw, an air compressor, and a grinder from the site. The tools had an estimated overall value around two-thousand dollars.

Police are still seeking suspects in the case.

Pike County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Pike County man after bomb-making supplies were found in his basement. 46 year-old Kerry Thomas was jailed after authorities found the supplies at his Petersburg residence. Thomas is charged with possession of an explosive device with intent to kill; he is being held without bond in the Pike County Jail.

The supplies were found during a search related to the death of Patrick King of Winslow; King was reported missing in November of 1995. Investigators say nothing was found related to King's death. However, Pike County Sheriff's deputies say two people told them Thomas planned to blow up a courtroom if he was convicted of criminal confinenment and battery charges. The confinement and battery counts were filed separate from the ongoing investigation of King's disappearance.

The battery and confinement trial was scheduled to begin this coming Wednesday in Pike County.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin has announced the start of re-paving on part of Second Street will begin this coming Tuesday, weather permitting. The re-paving of Second Street will happen from Executive Boulevard southward to Niblack Boulevard.

City Street crews strongly encourage traffic to avoid using that stretch of Second Street to allow for quicker re-paving. Vincennes City officials have not set a completion date yet for the re-paving project.

The presentation of the Lincoln High School play "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" has been delayed due to cast illness. L-H-S theater director Mark Snyder is shooting for new presentation dates of January 14th through 16th.

Anyone with questions should contact Snyder by calling Vincennes Lincoln High School at 882-8480.

Vincennes City Police continue seeking clues into the robbery of a pizza deliveryman Tuesday morning at 314 Locust Street.

Authorities say three men were allegedly involved in the robbery of a Papa John's delivery person around 12:40 a-m. Police say no weapons were used in the incident. Two people were arrested near the scene, but officers say the two arrests were un-related to the robbery.

Anyone with information on the pizza delivery robbery should contact City Police at 882-1630.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles expects a constitutional amendment on property tax caps to come before the Legislature in January. The move is part of Governor Mitch Daniels' continuing effort to make the current tax caps current.

Battles believes the caps will be THE discussion item of next year's General Assembly. Battles also says he has mis-givings in voting for the amendment as it stands now.

The proposed State amendment must pass both chambers of the Legislature next year to continue forward in the process.

The City of Bicknell remains under a boil order today, following a water main break at State Road 67 and Alexandria Street.

Bicknell City officials report a construction unit dug through a water main, and caused the break at the intersection. The accident happened around twelve-ten yesterday afternoon, and affected traffic on State Road 67 throughout the rest of the afternoon. The break was repaired, and water restored, later in the day.

Water customers in Bicknell, Johnstown, and Ragsdale are reminded to boil their water for at least five minutes before using it. The order will remain in place until further notice.

A Ragsdale man will serve a 16-year prison term after receiving his sentence in Knox Circuit Court.

A Circuit Court jury convicted 51 year-old Richard Stewart of meth-making, meth possession, and maintaining a common nuisance. The verdict was delivered on August 28th; the jury found Stewart performed the illegal actions on February 26th. Stewart was arrested after Knox County Sheriff's deputies found a working lab at his Ragsdale residence.

Circuit Court judge Sherri Gregg sentenced Stewart to a 16 year-term. Stewart was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and two years probation on the meth-making charge. He also received two-year prison terms for meth possession and maintaining a common nuisance. The last two sentences will be served at the same time as the meth-making sentence.

Knox County Treasurer Cendy Joslin reminds everyone of one-time changes to this year's Knox County property tax statements.

This year's property tax bill is completely on the "A" ticket. The "B" ticket is zeroed out for everyone, since the 2008 payable 2009 taxes are due at one time. The "C" ticket is the land-owner's copy; it will be stamped "paid," and used as a receipt.

The Treasurer's office is on the first floor of the Knox County Courthouse, with open hours from eight to four weekdays. The Treasurer's office will also be open from eight to noon on Saturday, November seventh.

Joslin also reminds everyone taxes are due in by Tuesday, November tenth. Any taxes submitted or postmarked after November tenth will be charged a late fee.

Vincennes City Police are actively investigating an overnight robbery at 314 Locust Street.

City police say a Papa John's pizza delivery person was robbed of an unknown amount of money just after midnight. Officers say no weapons were used in the incident.

Around twelve-40 this morning, police arrested 25 year-old Tyler Seals near the robbery scene. Seals is charged on a warrant for possession of methamphetamine; he was booked into Knox County Jail on 50-thousand dollars bond. However, police say he was not involved in the robbery. One person was questioned in connection to the robbery, but has not been arrested. Another person is still at large at this time.

Anyone with information about the robbery should contact City Police at 882-1630.

William Henry Harrison's march to the Battle of Tippecanoe will be remembered this weekend, as part of the annual "Muster on the Wabash." The Muster will happen this Saturday and Sunday at Fort Knox Two near Ouabache Trails Park, just north of Vincennes.

Bruce Beasley is helping head up this year's Muster on the Wabash. He says some of the re-enactors at May's Vincennes Rendezvous will return for this month's Muster.

This will be the eleventh annual Muster on the Wabash. The event will be held from nine a-m to five p-m Saturday, and ten a-m to four p-m on Sunday.

Workers in various Knox County government departments took part in health screenings yesterday at the Knox County Courthouse. The screenings were conducted by Evansville-based Welborn Health Services.

The screenings included tests on cholesterol, blood sugar, body-mass index, and blood pressure levels. Welborn's Marsha Gross says they will counsel particpants individually after reviewing each set of numbers.

County officials hope the health screening will lead to a long-term savings on the County's health insurance.

Vincennes City Police responded to a burglary reported this morning in the former Vectren building at 609 Busseron Street. The burglary was reported just after five this morning.

City Police say an unknown person broke out a bottom back window, and stole a power washer, chain saw, leaf blower, and a circular saw. The building has been used for storage since Vectren ended its usage of the structure.

Police are still seeking suspects in the case.

The Vincennes Street Department will start its leaf pickup a week from today across the city. The pickup will start Monday, November ninth, in the area from Willow Street to Main Street from South Second to South Seventh Streets, along with the Eastgate area. The Eastgate area includes streets off Old Bruceville and Old Wheatland Roads, and areas off Old U-S 50 within the city limits.

Other areas will be targeted throughout the City from November ninth to December fourth. All leaves are to be piled 12 to 18 inches from the curb. They may be left there starting the day before scheduled pickup. No piles will be collected, if limbs are mixed with the leaves. Also, Street crews request no vehicles be parked in target leaf collection areas between seven a-m and three p-m on the day of pickup.

More information is available by calling the Vincennes City Street Department at 885-2520.

CSX has closed two Vincennes crossings for rail replacement. The two affected crossings are the two located closest to the intersection of Second Street and Niblack Boulevard.

The crossings will stay closed at least through the rest of today. Drivers are reminded to be aware of the closing.

Downtown Vincennes is gearing up for the holiday season with the start of November. Downtown Christmas lights are already up and lit and decorations are up in many stores. A number of holiday Open Houses are scheduled for this weekend.

Another November holiday event is the annual Christmas Parade; the lighted evening event will happen on Main Street on Friday, November 20th. Liz Clinkenbeard, of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, says they are still receiving entries for the lighted parade.

The November 20th parade is part of the annual Vincennes Christmas Stroll on November 20th and 21st in downtown Vincennes.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is among those preaching patience in receiving the H-1-N-1 vaccine this year. Local and state officials are targeting high-risk groups for vaccination at this time, due to late-arriving supplies.

Battles says local and state health officials alike have done well to do the best with what they have. Battles also urges all health officials to continue targeting high-risk groups with vaccine first. He also hopes supplies will go to those in need as soon as possible.

Currently, the Knox County Health Department is targeting children and pregnant women for vaccination.

The Vincennes Lincoln Pride of the Green marching band is preparing for the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow to participate in the I-S-S-M-A State Marching Band finals. The Pride of the Green will perform tomorrow at 1:05 pm in the Class C championships.

Bill Marsh heads up Lincoln's Pride of the Green. Lincoln's band and believes the band's success is all about the show-- and not about the state placing.

Last night the band performed it's State Finals show - "Go Green" before a crowd at Alice Arena and honored 25 seniors in the group. Tomorrow's performance will be broadcast on WZDM Wisdom 92.1 FM and online at WZDM dot Com beginning at 1 pm.

The Pride of the Green will find out their state placing with the Class "C" awards presentation around 3:35 tomorrow afternoon in Indianapolis. The awards will also be on WZDM and WZDM dot com.

A-T-and-T phone service was affected during part of the day yesterday due to a statewide trunking problem. The problem affected 9-1-1 service in Knox and Daviess Counties. It also affected phone service for A-T-and-T customers statewide. All phone and 9-1-1 service was restored to area consumers early yesterday afternoon.

Service interruptions were reported in both Greene and Pike Counties as well. However, both Greene and Pike County central dispatch officials reported no 9-1-1 service disruption from the trunking outage.

All other area counties reported no interruption of 9-1-1 service from the A-T-and-T problem.

Officials with C-S-X report a closing of the Old Terre Haute Road crossing near Ford's Sawmill today. The crossing has been closed to allow crews to lay new rail at and near the crossing. The crossing is scheduled to re-open sometime during the day today, weather permitting.

Drivers are encouraged to remember to avoid the affected crossing until it is re-opened.

The Knox County Convention and Visitors' Bureau is taking applications for tourism mini-grants at this time. The grants will provide up to one-thousand dollars for the production of Knox County tourism.

Eligible events are those that bring out-ot-town guests to Knox County, and who encourage those guests to make overnight stays. The overnight stay regulation is required, since the C-V-B is funded in Innkeepers' Tax dollars paid by visitors at local lodging facilities. Also, the mini-grant funding comes from the same tax revenue.

The grant application deadline is set for December seventh. More information is available by contacting the C-V-B at 886-0400, or by collecting an application at 779 South Sixth Street.

Vincennes Township Fire Chief Tim Smith reminds all residents to change their smoke detector batteries when they change their clocks this weekend. This weekend marks the time when clocks will fall back one hour, from Daylight time to Standard time.

Smith reminds everyone to change their smoke detector batteries at least once each year. Statistics show 80 percent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The peak time for fire fatalities is between eleven p-m and seven a-m, when most families are sleeping.

Firefighters across the area also remind you to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors routinely, to ensure they are working.

More information on fire safety is available by calling the Vincennes Township Fire Department at 882-4261.

Vincennes City Police are looking into an act of vandalism reported this morning at Snider's Body Shop on Saint Clair.

The vandalism was reported around four-30 a-m. Authorities say four or five cars at the repair shop were damaged.

No other information has been released on the incident at this time.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes man yesterday following a robbery investigation at 1419 College Avenue.

Authorities arrested 26 year-old Jedediah Bransford after learning he had allegedly taken a purse by force from a victim at the residence. Police say Bransford did not use a weapon in the robbery.

Bransford is charged with robbery in the case. He was booked into Knox County Jail on ten-thousand dollars bond.

A Bicknell man has pled guilty but mentally ill to one count of child molesting in Knox Superior Court One. 29 year-old Bobby Chadd admitted to the molestation in a July 23rd, 2006 incident with an underage girl. The incident took place at a residence in Bicknell.

In a submitted plea agreement, both sides agreed to argue sentencing at a hearing on November 30th. The plea deal also allows for a 15-year maximum sentence.

The plea change halted a planned trial in Chadd's case. The trial was set for yesterday in Knox Superior Court One.

Progress continues toward completion of Duke Energy's two-point-three billion dollar power plant at Edwardsport. The coal-gasification facility is set for completion in 2012.

Knox County Development Corporation director Gary Gentry knows the site is abuzz with activity. Gentry also details the work that has changed the landscape of the area just south of Edwardsport.

The new facility will replace the current power plant just to the construction site's north, along the White River.

The economic forecast for Knox County is still guardedly optimistic-- according to Knox County Chamber of Commerce president Marc McNeece. McNeece is praising a move by Schott Industries to expand in Vincennes by around 150 jobs; however, he is not convinced consumer confidence is all the way back. McNeece does praise the new Schott jobs as good paying positions that will help Vincennes and Knox County.

The expansion will make a clear armor for military all-terrain vehicles. The units will shipped out for use in Afghanistan.

The Vincennes Board of Works has delayed a decision on a request to move a series of lighted Christmas trees from Patrick Henry Square to Main Street.

Vincennes Downtown Merchants' Association president Mark Kratzner wants to place two six-foot trees at Second and Main, and at Sixth and Main. He also wants to place smaller trees near light posts on each block of Main Street between Second and Sixth.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin delayed the issue until he can discuss it with Vincennes Street Department superintendent Bryce Anderson. Mayor Baldwin also wants to discuss the trees' placement with the City's insurance carrier, to determine potential liability.

In other business, the Board approved a banner hanging for the eighth annual First Christian Church Coney Supper. Finally, the Board gave its approval for the annual Christmas Stroll Parade of Lights on Friday, November 20th. The parade will come up Main Street from First to Tenth Streets. After the parade, all units are encouraged to proceed unlighted to Busseron Street to return to their downtown starting point.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man overnight on a three-count warrant from Knox Superior Court One.

Just before eleven p-m, Sheriff's deputies served the warrant on 59 year-old Steve Carson at his residence on Reel Avenue in Vincennes. Carson is charged with one count each of dealing in a Schedule Two, Schedule Three, and Schedule Five controlled substance. No other details of the warrant are available at this time.

Carson was booked into Knox County Jail on a 25-thousand dollar cash-only bond.

The Vincennes City Council heard an address last night about preservation of the City's Historic Review Board. The Board was recently vacated, due to a technicality concerning Board members' confirmation.

Alan Snyder is asking for the Board's restoration as soon as possible. Snyder warns the City would lose its soul if it lost its Historic District.

Mayor Baldwin is pledging to bring back a re-formed Board who will meet the original ordinance's goals and requirements. Neither Baldwin nor Council say they are even considering a repeal of the act estabilishing the Historic Review Board.

The Vincennes Board of Works has approved an administrative services contract for an Office of Community in Rural Affairs grant received by the City. The new OCRA grant covers the remaining money spent by the City of Vincennes in the summer of 2008 for disaster recovery. The grant total of just over 15-thousand dollars will be used for street improvement, sewer facility repairs, and debris removal. It also pays for S-I-D-C's 15-hundred dollar grant administration fee.

The grant's coverage amount means the City has had its cleanup costs completely covered. The remaining cleanup was covered with an earlier grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Vincennes City Council gave honorary citizenship last night to a group of students from Vincennes, France. The French delegation's Council visit is part of a "sister cities" student trip from France to Vincennes, Indiana.

Christine Hammard is a teacher with the French group. She states the trip goes beyond the students' English comprehension.

This is Hammard's second trip to the city; she also visited with the last French group to visit Vincennes two years ago.

The Vincennes, France delegation also invited Mayor Al Baldwin and City Council to join them at a "Sister Cities Festival in France. The festival is tenatively set for December of 2010.

The Vincennes City Council heard a request last night for restored vacation time for two City departments. Both the Vincennes City Police Department,and City Fire Department, are seeking restoration of vacation time to pre-2006 levels. A measure passed by City Council in 2005 took some vacation days from anyone hired after January first, 2006.

Vincennes City Police officer Jeremy Rasico called it a matter of fairness-- and not a matter of finance. David Bohmeier represented the Vincennes City Fireman's union at last night's session. In backing the vacation adjustment, he called the issue a source of heat for some firemen.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin and Council members were supportive of the men's comments. They suggested the issue come before Council's Public Safety Committee for review.

The Vincennes Board of Works has delayed a decision on a request to move a series of lighted Christmas trees from Patrick Henry Square to Main Street.

Vincennes Downtown Merchants' Association president Mark Kratzner wants to place two six-foot trees at Second and Main, and at Sixth and Main. He also wants to place smaller trees near light posts on each block of Main Street between Second and Sixth.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin delayed the issue until he can discuss it with Vincennes Street Department superintendent Bryce Anderson. Mayor Baldwin also wants to discuss the trees' placement with the City's insurance carrier, to determine potential liability.

In other business, the Board approved a banner hanging for the eighth annual First Christian Church Coney Supper. Finally, the Board gave its approval for the annual Christmas Stroll Parade of Lights on Friday, November 20th. The parade will come up Main Street from First to Tenth Streets. After the parade, all units are encouraged to proceed unlighted to Busseron Street to return to their

downtown starting point.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes woman over the weekend for shoplifting at a city store.

City authorities were called to the Dollar General on 8th Street. They found and arrested Debra Livingston for theft.

Livingston was booked into Knox County Jail on five-thousand dollars bond.

The Vincennes Lincoln "Pride of the Green" are heading to Lucas Oil Stadium, after their top five placing in Saturday's I-S-S-M-A competition in Plainfield. The band will hit the field for the state finals at one-oh-five p-m this Saturday.

The band will also perform their State Finals show this Thursday night at Inman Field. The Vincennes command performance will start at seven-30. Vincennes Lincoln band members and leaders encourage the public to come out and support the "Pride of the Green" both Thursday night, and at the State Finals.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is encouraging caution in a fast-tracking of Interstate 69. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has pledged the Evansville-to-Crane part of the interstate will be operational by 2012, and within its 700-million dollar budget.

Battles says he is glad I-69 is on the fast track-- but he also urges caution while cutting costs. Battles also warns the state not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish in fast-tracking I-69 through southwest Indiana.

I-69 is being constructed from Evansville northeast to near the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. From Crane the extension will use the existing State Road 37 to connect with I-465 on the southwest side of Indianapolis.

Vincennes Parks Department superintendent Steve Beamon and his staff are transitioning toward the oncoming winter months. Parks Department personnel are readying Gregg Park for its annual Christmas decorations.

Beamon says despite the change of seasons, actually more people are using City parks for exercise now than in the summer. Beamon also knows maintenance projects change with the cooler weather.

The annual pole decorations of the light poles at Gregg Park will also start soon. More information on the annual Parks tradition is available by calling the City Parks Department at 882-1140.

The Vincennes City Board of Public Works and the Vincennes City Council will meet this afternoon and tonight at City Hall.

The Board of Works will hear this afternoon from Greg Jones of the Southern Indiana Development Commission. Jones will request approval of an administrative contract for the City's Disaster One Recovery Grant Application. Other scheduled business includes permission to use Main Street for the annual Vincennes Christmas Stroll Parade; a request to move Christmas tree decorations from Patrick Henry Square to Main Street; and a request to hang a banner for the First Christian coney supper. The Board of Works session begins at four p-m today.

Vincennes City Council will meet tonight at six in City Hall. Council will consider approval of the 2010 budget, along with a re-submission of a City golf cart ordinance, and a transfer of funds in Mayor Al Baldwin's office. In other scheduled business, Council will consider an appointment to the Urban Enterprise Board, and City Police officer Jeremy Rasico will address Council about employee vacation time.

INDOT is placing the southwest extension of I-69 on a construction fast track from Evansville to NSWC Crane. The new-ground route will run from Evansville northeast to Bloomington; the interstate will then use State Road 37 to I-465 in Indianapolis.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin also relays a speedy future timetable for the southern half of the I-69 extension. Goodwin believes the extension between Evansville and Crane will be in place by 2012.

The move was promised earlier this week by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Governor Daniels also pledged to keep the cost of the Evansville-to-Crane stretch within its 700-million dollar budget.

Vincennes University officials broke ground yesterday on its new Gibson County Advanced Manufacturing Center. The center will be located on U-S 41 at Coal Mine Road just south of Fort Branch in southern Gibson County.

Among those attending the groundbreaking was Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles. Battles says he and many other people helped shepherd the plan from idea to reality. Battles also knows the building at first will have a narrow industrial objective.

University officials hope the building can be completed and operational as early as next year.

A total of around 100 people particpated yesterday in the annual Knox County United Way Day of Caring. The day was an effort to help United Way agencies and other individuals with projects they could not complete on their own.

The Day of Caring was moved from October 15th to yesterday. Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski says volunteer numbers yesterday were similar to those who signed up for October 15th. Murawski also knows year-round United Way volunteer projects save the United Way hundreds of thousands of dollars in labor cost.

Besides the Day of Caring, other United Way community works last year included the 4-Communities projects, and assistance for June 2008 flood victims.

Three separate property damage accidents caused downed poles and power outages in Vincennes and Bicknell yesterday..

Duke Energy reports the first outage occurred early yesterday morning, when a car struck a power pole, and damaged a transformer. The power was restored around three hours later.

A second accident was reported along Old Wheatland Road, when a second car ran into a power pole, and downed a crossarm. That accident caused an outage that lasted for around 40 minutes. Around a thousand people were affected by both outages yesterday in Vincennes.

The third outage happened in Bicknell when a third car hit a power pole, and broke a crossarm. The third outage affected 36 Bicknell customers for just under two hours.

The three accidents bring to four the number of accident-related outages in Knox County since Thursday. The first came when a car crashed into a WIN Energy power pole on Jackson Road near Fritchton.

The Vincennes/Knox County Convention and Visitors' Bureau will host an art reception from one to three this afternoon at the downtown branch of Vincennes' Old National Bank. The bank branch is located at 20 North Third Street. The reception in part will sell portraits of Shawnee Indian chief Tecumseh. The prints are numbered and signed by artist Jerry Baum. The proceeds will help fund an ongoing sculpture of Tecumseh; the nearly-completed sculpture will be dedicated Saturday afternoon. The Tecumseh sculpture is being crafted just west of the intersection of First and Hart Streets.

The sculpture site will be along the proposed Heritage Trail that will run from Vincennes University to George Rogers Clark National Park.

Duke Energy has delayed its planned power outage for south central Vincennes to tomorrow morning, due to weather concerns.

Duke will now shut off power to the affected area on Saturday starting at seven a-m. Electricity is scheduled to return there early Saturday afternoon.

The planned power outage will still happen between 15th and Main to the north, and 24th Street to the south. Duke Energy customers on Jerry, Duke, Lake, Wilbur, Julius and Buntin Streets, and on Coal Chute Road, Hunter Court, and Ollie Pickering Drive, will be affected.

The outage will affect around 475 households. Anyone with electric-powered medical equipment should make appropriate arrangements in advance of tomorrow's outage.

Indiana State Police arrested two Oaktown residents following a meth lab discovery at 11741 North Old U-S 41.

Troopers responded to the residence occupied by 41 year-old Christopher Bement and 38 year-old Tracy Kennedy. Authorities found a working meth lab inside the location, but found no one was home. Around an hour later, both homeowners returned to the location, and were arrested in connection to the meth lab.

Bement and Kennedy are both charged with meth-making, and maintaining a common nuisance. Bement also faces a charge of meth possession, after Jail officials found almost three grams of meth on his person during processing.

Both Bement and Kennedy were booked into Knox County Jail on 25-thousand dollars bond.

The Knox County Health Department has begun some distribution of the H-1-N-1 vaccine. Department officials say a very few doses of vaccine are in the county, due to a delay in the vaccine's manufacturing.

Due to the delay, the Knox County Health Department will not be holding public vaccinations or school vaccine clinics yet. The current vaccine doses will be given to small number of individuals in the highest risk groups. The risk groups include pregnant women, and health workers who work with H-1-N-1 patients.

Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health remind everyone more doses will be coming in the coming weeks. State Health officials say eventually, there will be enough H-1-N-1 vaccine for every one who wants it.

The Vincennes Utility Services Board have agreed to repair a series of leaks in a sanitary sewer lift station on Old Decker Road. Utility staff and engineers are assessing repair, replacement, or rehabilitation options for the lift station. The station serves the industrial park on Old Decker Road, and the Vincennes Industrial Park on U-S 41 south of Vincennes.

Early estimates say the repair could cost as much as 100-thousand dollars to complete. No timetable has been set yet for the lift station repairs.

Indiana State Police arrested four Vincennes residents following a stop at the B-P station on Shirley Drive in Vincennes.

A State Police trooper located 39 year-old Anna Mullens at the location. Mullens was found to have an outstanding warrant for failure to appear out of Vanderburgh County, and was arrested on the warrant. A further search found 18 year-old Dylan Thompson and his nine month-old son in Mullens' truck. The child was inside the pickup without a safety seat; Thompson was also found with a small amount of marijuana in the truck. A second passenger, 22 year-old John Roe, was found with a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession.

State Police then investigated Thompson and Roe's residence at 813 North Seventh. Their investigation turned up small amounts of meth, marijuana, paraphernalia, and three guns. Roe, Thompson, and Thompson's girlfriend, a 17 year-old female, are charged with possession of methamphetamine with firearms, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Thompson and his girlfriend are also charged with neglect of a dependent. At this time, all the charges against the female are juvenile counts.

Roe and Thompson were booked into Knox County Jail; the 17 year-old was taken to the Southwest Indiana Regional Youth Village. The nine-month old child was taken into

protective custody.

An auto wreck near Fritchton left some residents without power this morning.

The wreck was reported just before three this morning on Jackson Road near Overhead Road in eastern Knox County. Authorities report the car drove off the road, and broke a WIN Energy power pole into two pieces. The car was described as a red 1988 Pontiac Firebird; the driver left the scene, and is still at large at this time.

WIN Energy crews arrived at the scene just after four this morning to restore power to the affected residences.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man this morning following a meth lab discovery near Old Terre Haute Road.

Just after one a-m, authorities stopped a moped driven by Bill Heuby. During the stop, Sheriff's officials found Heuby wanted on a warrant for escaping from the Knox County Work-Release Center. A further investigation turned up a nearby meth lab that authorities say belonged to Heuby.

Heuby is charged with meth-making and with the escape warrant. He is being held without bond in Knox County Jail.

Daviess County remains by far the most-employed county in Indiana, with an unemployment rate at four-point-nine percent. The county's preliminary September unemployment rate is seven-tenths of a percent below the second-most employed county, Monroe County.

Martin County is fourth-most employed, while Knox County is fifth in employment, with a rate of six-point-six percent. Gibson County stands sixth in employment, with Greene County eleventh.

Statewide, Indiana' unemployment rate saw a signifcant drop-- to nine-point-two percent, after months of double-digit unemployment rates.

The Knox County United Way has reached 42 percent of its 300-thousand goal, with just over a week left in its fall campaign. The actual amount raised so far totals just over 125-thousand dollars.

Knox County United Way executive director Bob Murawski points to two large campaigns exceeding last year's numbers as a positive sign. However, he said he will not compare this year's numbers to years past.

The United Way fall campaign ends on November first. Murawski reminds everyone the campaign may end that day-- but the fund-raising doesn't.

The Knox County United Way will receive a good amount of their funding this winter, and in the spring of 2010.

The Salvation Army is preparing donated coats and shoes for distribution starting next week. The coats and shoes were collected during the annual Coats for Kids Porch Day held Tuesday at the Brevoort House.

Salvation Army Captain Justin Windell tells us this week is spent preparing the items for distribution. Windell also credits Grundman's for volunteering their services as part of the shoe fitting.

Grundman's will work with the Salvation Army at least next week to fit the donated shoes with the feet of kids in need.

Residents in part of south-central Vincennes will have a power outage starting at seven a-m this Friday. The project includes replacing some aging utility poles. The work is scheduled for completion in the early afternoon on Friday.

The affected area runs from 15th and Main on the north, to South 24th Street in the south. The affected streets include Jerry, Duke, Lake, Wilbur, Julius, and Buntin. Also affected will be Coal Chute Road, Hunter Court, and Ollie Pickering Drive.

The date was chosen to coincide with the fall break for Vincennes schools. The outage will affect around 475 Vincennes customers.

The Knox County Public Library has approved a new H-1-N-1 policy to prepare for a possible pandemic. Library Executive Director Emily Bunyan has received authority to close the Library if a school corporation closes due to a flu outbreak.

Also, the Board passed a motion clarifying a return to work policy. Under the new policy, anyone returning to work after taking one or two sick days will discuss with their supervisor if they are well enough to return. Anyone taking three or more sick days must have a doctor's clearance to return to work.

The Vincennes City Council Budget and Finance Committee decided yesterday to recommend freezing the 2010 budget at 2009 levels. The move confirms the earlier wishes of Budget and Finance Committee Chair Don Kirk. Vincennes City Council will consider approving the 2010 budget at its session Monday night.

Budget and Finance Commitee members also discussed possible cuts in 2010, placing the budget below the 2009 numbers. Kirk says they will have a better budget picture in December. Kirk also states they have been borrowing from other funds to keep the City operational, until the year's tax draw comes in December.

The delay in yearly property tax payments to November caused the City to wait until December to get its 2009 tax draw.

A good amount of coats, shoes, and food items were turned in yesterday during the annual Coats for Kids Porch Day. The day was held on the front porch of the Brevoort House in Vincennes.

The coats and shoes will be distributed by the Knox County Salvation Army. Salvation Army Captain Justin Windell knows the donated coats will help families with growing kids. Windell also reminds everyone local shoe fitting expert Grundman's will help fit the shoes with the right kids.

Non-perishable food items were also collected yesterday. The food is being donated to the Vincennes Food Pantry to help families in need for the coming holiday season.

Schott North America president Gerry Fine officially announced plans yesterday to expand Schott's Vincennes facility. The expansion will handle manufacturing of Schott's DiamondView transparent windows. The window manufacturing continues a 40-year partnership between Schott and America's defense industry.

Fine states the company will make a seven-point-two million dollar overall investment in the expansion, along with an addition of 145 jobs to the workforce. Fine is also happy the new windows will keep soldiers safe in an overseas hot spot.

Schott is making the windows in partnership with the Oshkosh Corporation.

Schott has received over two-point three million dollars in tax credits for its Vincennes expansion. The credits came from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. A further tax abatement may be considered later by the City of Vincennes; the abatement would be requested by the Knox County Development Corporation.

Governor Mitch Daniels came to Vincennes yesterday to praise Schott Industries for bringing a high-tech product to Vincennes. The seven-point-two million dollar expansion will house a transparent ceramic-glass window for military all-terrain vehicles.

Governor Daniels credited Schott for bringing jobs with staying power to Vincennes.

The expansion will add just under 150 jobs to the Schott workforce at the start. Vincennes officials praise the coming jobs as good-paying positions that will help both the job-holder, and the City's economy.

Vincennes City firemen responded to a fire yesterday afternoon at an apartment at 1520 Main Street.

Around four-45 p-m, the blaze was found in the living room of Apartment 47; the apartment is occupied by Don Dale, and owned by Jack and Brad Dale. Heavy smoke in a second-floor hallway led them to the fire in Dale's apartment; firemen then isolated the blaze to the apartment's living room.

Fire crews put out the fire around ten minutes after arriving. After a short investigation, firefighters ruled the blaze's cause as accidental.

One fireman suffered slight injuries when he fell on a stairway; he was treated on the scene. The apartment itself suffered a reported 20-thousand dollars damage to its structure and contents.

The annual Original Company Radio Stations' Porch Day is underway at the Brevoort House at the corner of Sixth and Busseron in Vincennes. The day allows the public to donate new or gently used coats and shoes to the Salvation Army for donation to those in need. Also, all non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be given to the Vincennes Food Pantry for use by those in need.

The coats will be cleaned and distributed by the Salvation Army in late October. Also, shoe fitters from Grundman's Shoes will help get the right pair of shoes to kids in need.

Porch Day will continue from now until seven p-m on the front porch of the Brevoort House.

Members of the Vincennes Community School Board approved the applications for several grants and heard a report on stimulus funds expected to come from the Federal Government for special education programs. The Board approved a grand application for almost $252 Thousand dollars for a grant to reduce class sizes and fund professional development programs. Also approved was an application for over $19 Thousand dollars for safe and drug free schools. Vigo Elementary School will apply for $10 Thousand dollars for the Veggies for Vigo program - a grant to educate Vigo students on the benefits of eating more fresh vegatables. The School Board also got an update on almost $728 Thousand dollars in Federal Stimulus funds that will come to help education special needs students. About half the money will be used for general fund spending with about $180 thousand dollars doing for technology designed to help special needs children learn. The rest of the money will be allocated to individual schools to address their individual needs.

The North Knox School Board has approved the Corporation's 2010 budget last night at its monthly session. Corporation superintendent Joe Adams says the final budget they passed is similar to this year's Corporation budget. The final approved budget includes the General, Capital Projects, and Bus Replacement funds.

In other business, the Board approved the purchase of a new Special Needs Bus. The purchase was awarded to the Kerlin Bus Company for around 90-thousand dollars.

Finally, the North Knox School Board approved an agreement with PACE Community Action Agency to seek students eligible for the PACE Head Start program. The Board requests anyone who knows of a family in the North Knox area who may be helped by Head Start should call the North Knox Corporation office at 735-4434.

Good Samaritan Hospital has tightened its visitation requirements to avoid the spread of the H-1-N-1 virus. The new guidelines will limit visitors to two per room, and suggest anyone 18 or younger not visit the Hospital. The age limit restriction includes the lobbies and cafeteria.

Also, G-S-H officials ask anyone with flu-like symptoms to avoid visiting the Hospital. Any visitor entering or exiting a room must clean their hands with either soap and water, or use a sanitizer. Finally, public reading materials have been removed from public waiting areas, to decrease any virus transmission.

The guidelines are not just for the public, but also for G-S-H workers. Any employee with flu-like sickness will be encouraged to stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

Hospital officials have not set a time for the H-1-N-1 based visitation enforcement to end. Hospital vice president for Medical Affairs Charles Hedde says the period is determined by the spread of the virus in the area.

The Knox County Commissioners have approved a request to purchase a new statewide mapping system for Knox County. The County will become the 76th of the state's 92 counties to join the statewide system.

Knox County resident Rick Linnenberg worked with state officials to support the mapping in Knox County. Linnenberg explains the mapping will get safety crews to emergency sites quicker. Linnenberg also believes the mapping will speed help from regional forces when they are needed.

An Indiana Department of Homeland Security grant will fund the new system's installation. The grant will be for just over 14-thousand dollars; if the installation is less, the extra money will be available for any other County need.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is scheduled to be in town this morning for an annoucement of a plant expansion for Schott Industries. The announcement is scheduled for ten a-m at the Schott location on Chestnut Street in Vincennes.

As we reported first late last week, Schott officials will manufacture a glass-ceramic armor for military all-terrain vehicles at the Vincennes plant. The expansion will create over 100 new jobs in Vincennes over the next few months.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is among those praising the move. He says job expansions like this will be the key to turning Indiana's economy around. Battles also feels these jobs will bring Vincennes young people back to town.

Other dignitaries expected to attend the ceremony are Schott North America president Gerry Fine, and Vincennes

Mayor Al Baldwin.

Four sessions are on the agenda for tonight across Vincennes and Knox County.

The Vincennes Community School Board will meet tonight at the Corporation's Administrative Center. Among the items of discussion will be an update of the new Clark Middle School project, a report on the Corporation's reception of stimulus funds, and the numbers on the Corporation's attendance this school year.

The North Knox School Board will meet tonight at seven at its Administrative Center. The Board will consider adoption of the 2010 budget, along with a bid award for a special needs school bus, and approval of a collaborative agreement between the Corporation and the PACE Community Action Agency.

The Knox County Commissioners and the Bicknell City Council will also meet tonight at seven. All four sessions are open to the public.

The former owner of Vincennes Steel-- Joe Day-- has passed away at the age of 88. Day passed away on Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Day started as a salesman at Vincennes Steel following his graduation from Purdue University in 1947, and later became both president and company owner. Day retired in 2004-- prior to Vincennes Steel's sale and later name change to Wabash Steel.

He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by two Governors-- Edgar Whitcomb and Otis Bowen-- and a board member of Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes University, the Vincennes Water Department, and the Vincennes YMCA.

Day's funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, October 21st at Goodwin Funeral Home.

THE VINCENNES LINCOLN PRIDE OF THE GREEN HAD ADVANCED TO THE SEMI STATE ROUND OF THE ISSMA MARCHING BAND COMPETITION. THE PRIDE TURNED IN A NICE PERFORMANCE ON SATURDAY AT THE REGIONAL AT INDIANA STATE TO QUALIFY FOR THE CLASS C BAND SEMI STATE AT PLAINFIELD ON SATURDAY. LINCOLN WILL PERFORM AT 3:49 ON SATURDAY. THE GIBSON SOUTHERN BAND WILL ALSO COMPETE AT THE PLAINFIELD CLASS C SEMI STATE ON SATURDAY.

Vincennes University continues to report increased attendance numbers in its current school year. The increased numbers indicate a trend of increasing attendance in recent years at the University.

Christian Bloom works with the V-U Attendance Department. He credits the surging attendance with a surging spirit on campus.Bloom mentions the numbers show a significant increase of around 600 students over last year's attendance.

The increased numbers have also been repeated at the University's campuses in Jasper and Indianapolis, and in V-U's various distance education programs.

The Knox County Sheriff's Department is determined to move forward despite findings from a recently-released audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts. The Board's findings turned up 22-thousand, 816 dollars due from allegedly overpaid vacation time, use of allegedly un-earned compensatory time, and various alleged accounting errors.

Current Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris requested the audit soon after he took office in February.

The errors found in the State Board of Accounts report came before Morris took office. Morris told us the errors the audit turned up have been corrected.

Morris said he will continue to work with the Knox County Council to strengthen the Sheriff's Department's finances.

Members of the Vincennes Historic Review Board appointed by current Mayor Al Baldwin and former Mayor Terry Mooney have been removed from the board. In a letter dated October 14th and delivered yesterday (Friday) to the six Historic Review Board members appointed by the mayor, Baldwin wrote that all had been appointed without City Council approval as required by city statute and that the six appointees positions were declared vacated. Baldwin says that the City Council will review the statute resulting in eventual and probable amendment of the Historic Review Ordinance.

Former members of the Historic Review board include Richard Day, Saundra Lange, Ray Mott, Liz Szink, and Molly McNamara. A resignation letter from Carol Phillips submitted at a recent HRB meeting may or may not have been accepted.

It's unknown at this time when the City Council will review the ordinance, when and if any changes will be proposed, if they will pass, and what property owners within the district can and cannot do to the exterior of their properties now that the Historic Review Board members have be removed from the board.

The Vincennes YMCA invites parents to drop their kids off with them tonight as part of "Parents' Night Out." The next Parents' Night Out will happen from six to nine p-m.

The YMCA's Bill Davis is helping organize the program's activities. He says Parents' Night Out is about giving parents some time to enjoy themselves.

More information on Parents' Night Out is available by contacting the Vincennes YMCA at 895-9622.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man on an escape warrant at the F-I-A plant at the Vincennes Industrial Park.

Just before five p-m, City Police responded to the factory to arrest 57 year-old David Crow. Crow is charged with the escape warrant; no other information is available on the arrest. Crow is being held without bond at the Knox County Jail.

Also, Knox County Sheriff's authorities arrested 41 year-old Karen Sturgeon at a McClure Road location. Sturgeon is charged with one count of false informing; she was booked into Knox County Jail on four-thousand dollars bond.

Residents across the area are encouraged to attend today's Knox County Fall Festival at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Bicknell. The event will feature a wide variety of arts and crafts, fun, games, and entertainment. The Fall Festival will run from nine to four today in Bicknell.

The annual Fall Festival Chili Cookoff will also be held today at the Fairgrounds. Public tasting of the chili will take place this afternoon from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Each chili sampler cup will be available for two dollars.

The public is encouraged to attend today's Knox County Fall Festival.

The Vincennes City Police Department is establishing a permanent fitting station to inspect and secure car seats. The fitting station will be be located at City Police headquarters on Busseron Street.

Parents and caregivers may call the City Police Department at 882-1630 for a seat-checking appointment. Adults will also be given material on property child passenger safety, and car seat installation. A nationally certified safety technician will beon hand to inspect the car seats.

Funding for the safety program is provided by the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving, through the National Highway Transportation Safety Program.

The Lawrenceville City Council has suggested a meeting between City officials and department heads over employee benefits. The request came after Lawrenceville Mayor Brian Straub suggested a merit-based pay raise system for non-union City employees. The raise amount would be based on a yearly performance evaluation, and the amount of money in the City's budget.

Lawrenceville City Councilman Don Goff presented the meeting idea to Mayor Straub. The Mayor agreed that department heads, City employees, and a City bargaining committee should cordially discuss the idea. Council took no action on the merit-based raise idea at last night's session.

The Indiana Supreme Court will name a pro-tem judge to cover cases in the Bicknell City Court. The pro-tem is needed to step in for suspended Bicknell City Judge Andrew Moreland. Moreland and his wife Cindy is charged with five counts of theft in the disappearance of 21-thousand dollars in fees and fines from Bicknell's City Court. Court information alleges the thefts occurred between Moreland's swearing-in on January first, 2008, and June third of this year. Both Morelands will have their initial hearings November third in Knox Superior Court Two.

Supreme Court officials say the Court has taken the pro-tem decision under advisement. All pending cases in the Bicknell City Court will be delayed until a judge pro-tem is named. The Court's appointment will serve until further notice of the Indiana Supreme Court.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes man this morning following a burglary investigation at Community United Methodist Church.

Officers found 37 year-old Ricky Morris at 320 Chicago Avenue yesterday. Morris was arrested on a charge of failure to appear, and was questioned about the burglary at Community United Methodist Church. After interrogation, Morris was charged with breaking into the Community United Methodist Church, along with two other church break-ins.

Police also view Morris as a suspect a string of other church and local business burglaries. The investigation continues; authorities state more arrests in the string of burglaries are possible.

Morris was booked into Knox County Jail following his arrest.

Officials with Schott's Vincennes facility are scheduled to announce a plant expansion on Tuesday at nine a-m. Schott officials say the expansion will make it the production center for a new transparent glass-ceramic armor. The expansion will create more than 100 new jobs over the next few months.

The armor contract is for military all-terrain vehicles to be used in Afghanistan. The glass-ceramic armor Schott is set to make is in demand, since it is lighter and more versatile than other armor materials.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will also be on hand to assist with Schott's announcement. Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin, Schott North America president Gerry Fine, and other dignitaries are also expected for Tuesday's press conference.

Knox County Councilman Tim Ellerman is encouraging all property taxpayers to check their statements carefully for errors. The comment comes during this year's single tax payment period for 2008 taxes payable 2009.

Ellerman knows taxes for many residents have legitimately increased this year. Ellerman says one reason for the rise is the elimination of a business inventory tax.

All those wanting to appeal their property tax amount are reminded to file a formal dispute over their property tax assessment.

The Lawrenceville City Council has approved the annual property tax levy for 2010. The annual levy will charge Lawrenceville City taxpayers just under 400-thousand dollars; the amount is the same as the 2009 levy. The remainder of the just over four million dollar Lawrenceville City budget will be funded by sales tax, grants, and other generation. The annual tax levy passed on first reading last night; it will return for final passage in November.

In other business, the Lawrenceville City Council passed new ordinance amendments on properties with either weeds, or garbage and debris. The amendment allows Lawrenceville officials to place charges against the property, if the City is required to clean up the property as a city nuisance.

Finally, the City of Lawrenceville set its trick or treat hours last night. The trick or treat hours will be held this year in Lawrenceville on Halloween night from six to nine Central Daylight Time.

Bicknell City Judge Andrew Moreland and his wife Cindy will face five counts of theft each in Knox Superior Court Two. Both face the charges after they turned themselves in yesterday at the Knox County Jail. The 45 year-old Moreland has also been suspended from his judgeship by the Indiana Supreme Court.

The Indiana State Police filed charges against both late Tuesday afternoon at the Knox County Prosecutor's office. A two-month State Police investigation claims both 45 year-old Andrew and 38 year-old Cindy Moreland stole 21-thousand dollars in fines and other fees from the Bicknell City Court. The money was found missing in a special audit done by the Indiana State Board of Accounts. The audit also alleges both Morelands had access to the missing money.

Both Andrew and Cindy Moreland bonded out of the Knox County Jail on five-thousand dollars bond. Their initial hearing dates have not been set.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a burglary reported overnight at the Community United Methodist Church at 1548 South Hart Street Road.

Police responded to the church around eleven-15 p-m. Police have not released any other information yet on the burglary.

Vincennes City Police are looking into a burglary reported at the Hog and Dog Barbecue location on Sixth Street.

Police believe the intruder opened a sliding window to gain entry. Authorities report a security camera, change from the cash register, and a set of keys to a nearby shed as missing. Store officials have not reported anything missing from the shed at this time.

Officers are still seeking suspects in the case at this time.

The Knox County League of Women Voters is continuing a study on affordable housing in the county. The League has made that an issue of importance in recent months.

League spokeswoman Bonnie Orvick says the League is seeking affordable housing for low-to-moderate wage earners. Orvick also knows the study is about filling a gap in affordable, well-maintained housing.

The County's League of Women Voters is working with various government groups, along with PACE Community Action Agency, to ensure affordable housing for the community.

The annual Knox County United Way Day of Caring originally set for today has been postponed to Friday, October 23rd. Day of Caring spokeswoman Helen Seirp  explains a cold, wet forecast led to the Day's delay. Seirp also knows the move allows others to get involved in the Day of Caring.

The volunteers will do various jobs across Knox County-- both for United Way-funded agencies, and for private individuals.

The first injectable vaccine has arrived in Knox County to battle the H-1-N-1 virus. However, the amount of vaccine in the county at this point is very limited.

Knox County Health Department spokesman Bob Rees says the first vaccine will go to an exclusive group at at-risk residents. Rees also mentions a specific set of County workers are next in line for the vaccine after pregnant women.

Rees hopes the Health Department can start vaccinating the general public within two weeks.

The Vincennes University Foundation has topped the one-million dollar mark in scholarships awarded to University students. V-U Foundation president Bumper Hostetler announced in the last year, the Foundation awarded nearly one-point-two million dollars to 634 students. The awards include 17 new scholarships awarded in the past year.

The Foundation awarded the scholarships from a base of 35-point-four million dollars in assets this year. Along with scholarships, the Foundation also provided grants for Vincennes University instruction, development, and capital projects.

Foundation members feel they are in great shape to assist countless University students in the future.

The Vincennes Board of Works has re-set "trick or treating" hours in the city this year for five to seven p-m on Friday and Saturday, October 30th and 31st. The hours are the same as they have been in previous years.

In other business, the Board approved a request for a curb cut at 1111 Seminary; approved a use of Culbertson Boulevard for Vincennes' Church of Victory; and allowed a temporary blockage in front of 813 North Eighth. The blockage is part of a move from that location.

The Knox County Council has agreed to donate two-thousand dollars to help replace a Knox County Sheriff's deputy dog. The dog was struck and killed recently in a car accident.

Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris told Council it would take around 15-thousand dollars to purchase and train the new police dog. Counting the Council donation, the Sheriff's Department has the money it needs to make the K-9 purchase. The other six-thousand dollars will be used to train and outfit the new K-9 officer.

After training is complete, the Sheriff's Department will be back to two deputy dogs.

Vincennes Animal Control Department director Terri Barmes is requesting the addition of half a position for her staff at the City's Animal Shelter.

In an address before Council last night, Barmes requested a move of one of the department's spots from part-time to full-time. To pay for the position, Barmes also requested that the department provide vaccinations and other services it does in-house, to the general public. She also feels the full-time position would take some burden off her part-timers. Currently, Barmes told Council her part-timers are working six days a week to help meet the need.

In comments following the request, Council members asked for a breakdown of both the position change, and a revenue and expense projection, for the proposed new Animal Shelter services. They also promised to review the request for possible future submission.

Vincennes City Council has approved one ordinance and delayed action on another during last night's session at City Hall.

The delay was to the City's Golf Cart ordinance. Council's Public Safety Committee recommended a 25 dollar one-time cart inspection fee, with a 12 dollar registration renewal fee each year afterward. The ordinance was taken off the table as a 2008 pending ordinance; it will be re-submitted at the next Council session as a 2009 ordinance.

Also, Council approved a new fee schedule for the City's Animal Shelter. The new schedule keeps adoption fees at 60 dollars per dog, and 45 dollars per cat. The new fee schedule triples the penalties for various infractions, and charges a 25 dollar fee for the drop-off of an owned animal.

Knox County Police arrested a Vincennes man last night after stopping him in a reportedly stolen car.

Around eight-45 last night, authorities stopped a vehicle driven by 39 year-old George Scott the Third. The stop happened on Busseron Street in Vincennes. A routine criminal check found the car Scott was driving was reported stolen out of Tennessee; he was also wanted on a warrant for failure to appear.

Scott is charged with possession of stolen property, along with the failure to appear warrant. He is being held without bond at Knox County Jail.

Vincennes City Council approved its 2010 budget on first reading during last night's Council session at City Hall.

The submitted 2010 budget is being advertised higher than the expected final budget total. Council Budget and Finance Committee chair Don Kirk expects, with a few exceptions, next year's budget will be frozen at this year's levels.

Kirk knew the budget would be adjusted to 2009 levels, and said City officials are ready to make the adjustment.

More adjustments may be necessary. The actual amount of budget cuts will depend on the City's assessed property value for 2010. The 2010 assessment is still being figured.

Hundreds of men streamed out to Good Samaritan Hospital yesterday for the annual Men's Health Tune-Up. The annual men's event took place yesterday from four to seven p-m. Hospital officials say around 700 men showed up for the event, with around 400 taking part in various health screenings.

The most popular event was yesterday's free blood draw. Other features of the Men's Health Tune-Up included food, various sponsor booths, and health-related information directed to men

Old National Bank and the Knox County United Way will present a one-hour "money smart" meeting tonight in downtown Vincennes. The presentation will be held from six to seven p-m at the Old National Bank at 20 North Third Street in downtown Vincennes.

The session will focus on identity theft, credit, and money management. Attenders will be eligible to win a 50-dollar gift card.

Tonight's session is part of the fourth annual "Money Smart Indiana" week. The period of statewide money management emphasis started October tenth, and runs through October 17th.

Vincennes University's Old Post Bookstore has received a 250-thousand dollar grant for a large-scale textbook rental program. The federal grant comes from the U-S Department of Education.

The grant expands a 2007 textbook rental program which provided seven textbooks for the University's core programs. The grant allows the Bookstore to expand the textbook rental program to 40 textbooks in a wider variety of subjects.

V-U officials believe widening the textbook rental will reduce costs for students, and allow more students to stay in college. Rental program participants can save around 70 percent on book fees, and avoid steep rises in textbook costs.

Some area residents have been appointed or re-appointed to various state boards by Governor Mitch Daniels. The Governor announced the appointments yesterday.

The one re-appointment was former Old National Bank executive P-R Sweeney to the Board for the Department of Financial Institutions. Sweeney's new term will run to July first, 2012.

Other Vincennes appointments include Linda Levell (luh-VELL) to the Indiana Arts Commission Board. Levell is a tutor at Vincennes University, and a kindergarten teacher at Vigo Elementary. Also, Betsy Corridan was named as the chair of the Indiana Commission on Women. Corridan is currently director of Kappa Alpha Theta. Both Levell and Corridan's terms expire July first of 2013.

Finally, Petersburg Mayor Jon Craig was named to the Indiana Land Resources Council. His term expires on July first, 2012.

Vincennes City Police are checking a burglary reported yesterday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on North Second Street.

Police found the burglar entered the church by breaking a back window. Church officials reported the theft of 200 dollars in cash; the money is the only thing reported as missing.

Authorities are still seeking suspects in the case.

The South Knox School Board has approved a two-phase project to add new classrooms to South Knox Elementary School. The project will re-locate the current Kindergarten playground, and build two new Special Education classrooms on the current playground site.

South Knox Superintendent Brad Case states rising enrollment made the addition necessary.

The two-phase project will cost around 800-thousand dollars to complete. Case is proud to say the Corporation has the funding to build the addition debt-free.\

Architect Andy Myszak will present the drawings to the School Board on November ninth. Demolition and relocation of the playground will begin immediately, with classroom construction to start June first of next year. South Knox officials expect occupation in the 2011-2012 school year.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles says taxpayers should prepare to feel the pinch of less-than expected property tax relief. The relief is coming from property tax caps requested by Governor Mitch Daniels.

Battles explains the removal of two funding sources has led to the lessening of property tax relief.

Even with the potential lessening of property tax relief, municipal governments are working with dramatically slashed budgets. Municipalities felt the pinch starting with this budget year-- and will see a greater budget hole next year.

The South Knox School Corporation has approved adoption of the advertised 2010 budget. The approved seven-point-seven million dollar budget includes the 2010 general fund and bus replacement fund, and the 2010 through 2012 Capital Projects Fund. The budget will be a three-percent raise over the current budget.

Speaking of this year's budget, South Knox Superintendent Brad Case reported no cuts will be needed in the budget from now through the end of the year. Case says a rise in assessed property values, and state-level funding changes, allowed a lowering of the 2009 tax levy.

Corporation officials will adjust for the 2010 tax levy when they receive their 2010 assessed valuation.

Old National Bank and the Knox County United Way will present a one-hour "money smart" meeting tonight in downtown Vincennes. The presentation will be held from six to seven p-m at the Old National Bank at 20 North Third Street in downtown Vincennes.

The session will focus on identity theft, credit, and money management. Attenders will be eligible to win a 50-dollar gift card.

Tonight's session is part of the fourth annual "Money Smart Indiana" week. The period of statewide money management emphasis started October tenth, and runs through October 17th.

The Vincennes Lincoln Pride of the Green won a second place finish at a weekend band competition in Effingham, Illinois. The band also received top honors for both its percussion division, and its color guard section.

The band took the second place honors despite performing next-to-last. The Pride's performance happened at eight-30 on Saturday night.

The Effingham appearance was a tune-up for this coming weekend's Regional competition. The top bands in the regional at Indiana State University will qualify for the annual I-S-S-M-A Semi-State the next weekend.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles expects more state budget cutting as part of a reduced revenue forecast. The recent revenue recap shows Indiana's actual collections are down millions of dollars from May's forecasted total.

Battles knows some state programs are set for reduction or elimination. However, Governor Daniels has not put any specific programs on the table yet for reduction or elimination.

Vincennes' downtown merchants are looking forward to activities to help boost the bottom line the rest of this year. The October, November, and December time frame marks the most profitable quarter of the year for most businesses.

Knox County Chamber of Commerce president Marc McNeece knows this is also the most festive time of year for downtown Vincennes.

Another downtown Vincennes fourth-quarter activity is November's Christmas Stroll-- and the annual Christmas Stroll Parade. This year's Stroll Parade is on Friday, November 20th; parade entries are now being accepted by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce.

The annual Vincennes Christmas Stroll itself will be held on Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st.

Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Knox County are actively seeking children as part of their program. At this time, no "littles" are on the waiting list for program matches.

Program case manager Barb Toole is actively seeking kids for the program in all four Knox County school corporations. Program spokesman Doug Carroll also reminds everyone they are still seeking "bigs" for the program-- especially "big" men.

More information is available by calling Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Knox County at 886-6479.

The City of Bicknell continues planning for use of its Neighborhood Facilities Grant. The one-point-three million dollar grant will pay for revitalization of a Bicknell neighborhood near Bruceville Avenue.

Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger says the money is now in their hands. Flickinger also gives their first plans for the grant funding to be demolition of houses in the affected neighborhood.

After demolition, the structures will be re-built and occupied. Other improvements will include beautification projects, along with the proposed placement of a mini-park in the grant's target area.

The City of Bicknell is seeking to upgrade its storm sewer system. The City itself has had trouble with its storm sewers heading to its new sewer plant.

Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger says the new plant is working great-- but the storm sewers feeding to the plant aren't. Flickinger is requesting some state help to improve Bicknell's storm sewers in the near future.

The City will seek a state Community Development Block Grant to fund the needed sewer update.

Federal funding has been approved for a Specialty Crops program at the Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center north of Vincennes.

Congress signed-off on the funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill this week and the president is expected to approve it as well. The Center would receive $235,000 for its Specialty Crops Research, Extension, and Teacher Center.

The program is a collaboration between Purdue University and Vincennes University to assist farmers in producing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in southwest Indiana.

Specifically, the funding would be used to increase staffing and upgrade equipment at the Center, resulting in additional educational opportunities for Vincennes students and increased technical assistance to local farmers and processors.

The Vincennes Cub League has re-set its annual Cub League Golf Scramble for a week from today. The golf outing was set for today, but conditions at Vincennes Golf Club caused the scramble to be delayed by a week.

The annual event assists the Cub League's Scholarship Fund. The fund gives the League the financial resources to help some kids who need assistance to meet the League's entry fee. Last year, over ten percent of the players needed the scholarship assistance.

Entries and hole sponsors for the Cub League golf event will be accepted. Anyone interested should call the Cub League at 895-0479.

The PACE Community Action Agency will get involved in their annual "Recycle for Sight" drive starting October 26th. PACE will collect old eyeglasses for repair and re-use for those in need. The glasses will be collected throughout PACE's service area in Knox, Daviess, Greene, and Sullivan counties. Once the glasses are repaired, they will be taken to other countries, where volunteers and medical professionals will give eye exams, and give the glasses free to the participants.

The collection will happen from October 26th through 30th at all PACE locations.

Vincennes Lincoln student Nettie Egel will receive a scholarship as one of three area Students of Integrity. The one-thousand dollar scholarship will be awarded on Thursday, October 15th at the Vectren facility in Evansville.

Egel will be joined by Barr-Reeve's Christian Duncheon and Evansville Bosse's Hannah Cushman in receiving the awards. The three scholarship winners' awards will be payable to the higher education institutions of their choice.

The awards are sponsored by the Tri-State Better Business Bureau. The three winners were selected in recognition of their winning ethics-themed essays.

A group of high school students known as "Youth Inspiring Peers" will head up the second annual "YIP" conference. The conference is set for Monday, October 19th at Vincennes University. The opening ceremony and keynote address is set for the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, with group sessions planned for the V-U Humanities Building.

The Knox County Community Foundation is overseeing the conference. K-C-C-F director Kathy Rinsch says this year's YIP session is aimed at influencing high school freshmen.

This is the second year for the annual YIP conference. Rinsch credits the program's participants for bringing the conference idea to the table.

The keynote speaker for this year's conference is Indianapolis Colts' chaplain Ken Johnson. Breakout session speakers include former baseball player Rick Bender, 13 local and area professionals, and a student-led panel.

Bloomington's Dave O'Mara Construction has received the conditional bid for construction of Ford Road in Vincennes. The Vincennes Redevelopment Commission made the award, pending final approval by United Engineering.

O'Mara Construction was the low bidder, with a bid of just over 917-thousand dollars. O'Mara's bid totaled nearly 35-thousand dollars lower than the second-place bid, submitted by Wabash Utilities. The other bidders included Deig Brothers Construction, Gohmann (GO-man) Construction, and Ragle Construction.

R-D-C chairman Marc McNeece states the winning bid is well within their construction budget. McNeece says the bidding continues a vision the R-D-C has had for five years-- and counting.

Ford Road's completion is scheduled for next spring.

The man responsible for making a wood carving of renowned Indian chief Tecumseh will be at the Farmer's market this Saturday at the Riverfront Pavilion.

Peter Toth is carving the statute from a trunk of black oak near the corner of First and Hart Streets. The Tecumseh likeness is part of Toth's "Whispering Giants" series. After the Tecumseh carving is complete, Toth will have 74 Indian sculptures in place throughout all 50 states. After completing Tecumseh, he will do eight more Indian sculptures across the nation.

Tecumseh's likeness will be part of the city's planned Heritage Trail. The trail will link Vincennes University with the George Rogers Clark National Park. Toth will complete the woodcarving in the next several weeks.

The public is also invited to donate to the Tecumseh project. As part of the fund-raising, artist Jerry Baum will sell limited edition graphite prints of Tecumseh for 100 dollars each tomorrow. The prints will be on display for sale from one to four tomorrow afternoon at the Insight Optometry office at 120 Main Street.

The Vincennes City Council Legislative Review Committee has recommended a new fee structure for the City's Animal Control Department.

The new schedule would triple all fines for violations of the City's Animal Control ordinance. It would also change the animal drop-off fee for private individuals from 30 dollars to 45 dollars per animal, and set a 50 dollar fee for a ten-day quarantine period.

The schedule would also keep adoption fees at 60 dollars for dogs, and 45 dollars for cats. The adoption fees may be waived at the discretion of the Animal Control Department director.

In other business, the Legislative Review Committee discussed penalties for dog bites and dog attacks in Vincennes. One suggestion is to fine dog owners 100 dollars for an un-provoked bite off of his or her property. Under the proposal, a second offense would be a 500 dollar fine, and require the animal to be euthanized.

Other discussion included definitions of "dog bite" and "dog attack," and various required restraints for dogs on a person's property.

The Committee gave the dog bite proposals to Animal

Control Director Terri Barmes for further review.

Good Samaritan Hospital officials have reported the opening of an extension of Good Samaritan Way. The road is located just north of Willow Street; it has now been extended from Sixth to Ninth Streets. The project took around three months to complete.

GSH president Matt Bailey feels the extension makes an easier connection to all areas of the Hospital campus. Bailey also praises the extension's role in easing Hospital access for out-of-town visitors from both Sixth Street and Willow Street. Before the extension, drivers had to travel out of their way to get to various Hospital buildings.

Another project-related convenience is the addition of 26 parking spaces at the corner of Eighth Street and Good Samaritan Way. The new lot will alleviate parking congestion on the Hospital campus.

An Edwardsport woman has had an initial hearing in Knox Superior Court One on a single count of felony battery.

Jill Fox is accused of battery causing severe bodily injury to someone under 14 years of age. The incident allegedly happened September 14th, when police claim Fox struck the victim in the face, causing a broken cheekbone and various bruises. Authorities say the incident occurred at the residence shared by Fox and the victim.

Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley set Fox's trial for February second of 2010; Fox will be represented by attorney Donita Farr.

Two people have had initial hearings on separate meth-related counts in Knox Superior Court One.

51 year-old Willard McKinley is charged with meth dealing in a June eleventh incident at Mr. Muffler in Vincennes. Judge Tim Crowley set his trial date for February second, 2010, and appointed Chris Ramsey to be his defense attorney.

A February second trial date has also been set for Heather McClure, of Bruceville. McClure is charged with five counts-- meth-making, meth possession, marijuana possession, possession of paraphernalia, and maintaining a common nuisance. All the charges are from an August 25th, traffic stop near 16th and Oliphant in Vincennes. The Knox County Prosecutor's office is also asking for her to face an added sentence for being a habitual offender, due to meth-related convictions in May of 2006 and September of 2007.

Knox Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley appointed Jeff Neal has her defense attorney in the case.

Black Beauty's Air Quality Mine Number One near Monroe City is being mandated to clean up its health and safety practices.

Black Beauty is one of ten mines on the M-S-H-A list, and is the only Indiana mine on the list. The rest of the named mines are located in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Missouri.

The M-S-H-A has given Black Beauty, and the other mines on the list, 90 days to come up with corrective plans. If the companies don't comply, they will face more rigorous inspections, and stricter enforcement.

Black Beauty is owned by Peabody Coal. Peabody officials have not commented on the allegations against the Knox County mine.

The Red Cross Old Northwest Territory Chapter is seeking donations to help them with winter emergencies. The donations will help the Red Cross help those with emergencies during the colder months.

Fires are the main emergency requiring Red Cross help in the winter. Chapter director Cheryl Ring-Laakman encourages the public not to discount the needs of individual fire victims.

For more information, or to donate, contact the Red Cross Old Northwest Territory Chapter at 882-2204.

Knox County Health Department officials report a slow start to vaccination against the H-1-N-1 virus. Yesterday was the first day of vaccine distribution by the Health Department.

Health Department officials report some spread of Influenza "A"-- a virus extremely similar to H-1-N-1. At this time, 11 Influenza "A" cases have been reported at Vincennes University, with another reported at the Knox County Work-Release Center. Health Department spokesman Bob Rees says the numbers could have been worse, but for decisive action by Vincennes University.

Currently, the only H-1-N-1 vaccine available is a nasal spray version. The shot version of the H-1-N-1 vaccine is expected next week-- but for now, Rees is glad to have the spray version on hand.

The flu vaccine is free. It is available during regular working hours at the Health Department headquarters at 701 Dubois in Vincennes.

Highway crews are continuing to work toward a full re-opening of U-S 41 north of Vincennes. At this time, the Indiana Department of Transportation hopes all four lanes will re-open to traffic by the end of this year.

INDOT spokeswoman Cher Goodwin reminds everyone minor touch-up issues will remain at the end of the project. Goodwin also notes a strange year of weather so far has not affected construction on the project.

After workers complete resurfacing the southbound lanes, they will re-pave the top layers of northbound U-S 41 before making significant project completion.

Toyota has begun production of its Highlander sport-utility vehicle at its Princeton manufacturing plant.

Spokeswoman Kelly Dillon says Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana plans to celebrate the launch Thursday with small worker celebrations on the shop floor and an afternoon reception for community leaders.

The assembly line in the Toyota West plant underwent a 500-million dollar retooling to handle the midsize Highlander after production of the Tundra full-size pickup was moved to San Antonio, Texas.

Toyota West will continue producing the full-size Sequoia SUV, while the Toyota East plant assembles the Sienna minivan.

The complex employs 42-hundred workers following the recent buyouts of about 400 workers.

Toyota operates 14 plants in North America.

The Vincennes City Council Public Safety Committee has recommended some changes to a proposed Vincennes golf cart ordinance. The Committee-- made up of Council members Mark Hill, Don Kirk, and Jim Streeter-- unanimously agreed to send the recommendations to the full City Council.

The recommended changes include requiring a one-time inspection of all golf carts for 25 dollars. After the first inspection, the carts' permits may be renewed for 12 dollars per year. The ordinance will also be re-submitted as a new 2009 ordinance, rather than under its previous 2008 ordinance number.

The full Council will review the revised ordinance at its next meeting at six p-m on Tuesday, October 13th.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a theft reported yesterday from Nesbitt's Orchard.

City Police report three teenagers reportedly stole some pumpkins from the location. The theft was reported just after six p-m yesterday; witnesses claim the three left the scene in a gray Pontiac. No other information has been released on the incident.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Vincennes City Police at 882-1630.

PACE Community Action Agency is working with area residents to weatherize homes for the winter. As temperatures get colder, energy efficiency becomes more important to keep winter heating bills down.

PACE spokesman Ernest Brewer says both weatherization and education make a different in utility bills.

More weatherization information is availble by contacting the PACE Community Action Agency at 882-7927.

Volunteers are still needed for the Knox County Court Appointed Special Advocate-- or CASA --program. The CASA workers serve as volunteer court officers, watching over children's interests in court cases.

CASA spokeswoman Dena Held says every CASA volunteer is trained to national standards.

All cases involving children are heard in Knox Superior Court One. Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley (KRAW-lee) knows the number of children needing services has increased dramatically in recent years.

More information on CASA is available by calling CASA at 886-4470. The Knox County CASA office is located at 105 Broadway Street in Vincennes.

Knox County Development Corporation director Gary Gentry is viewing talk of an economic recovery with guarded optimism. Some economic forecasters see some financial recovery coming in the future.

Gentry says in Knox County, some areas are showing recovery-- but not all areas. As an example, unemployment fell over one percent last month in Knox County. However, Gentry sees a hidden problem in the lower unemployment rate. Gentry is worried, since the overall number of the continued unemployed applying for insurance dropped dramatically.

Even with the problems, Southwest Indiana is still the most-employed part of the state.

Indiana Conservation officers have recovered the body of a Washington man from Daviess County's Glendale Fish and Wildlife Area.

The body of 84 year-old Robert Osmon was recovered near his watercraft on Dogwood Lake around ten Monday night. The Daviess County Coroner's office reports Osmon died from an accidental drowning. Authorities say Osmon's body was found without a lifejacket.

The discovery ended an eight-hour search for Osmon around Dogwood Lake.

The Vincennes University Board of Trustees has named a renovated recording studio after legendary singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. The studio is located in V-U's Humanities Building on the Vincennes campus. Mellencamp is a Vincennes University alumnus.

V-U president Richard Helton believes it was a natural fit for the studio to be named after Mellencamp.

The only vote against the naming was cast by Trustee R-J Reynolds.

The Vincennes University Board of Trustees appointed J-R Gaynor yesterday to another term as Board Chairman. This is Gaynor's third year as Chairman of the V-U Board.

Following his re-appointment as Board chair, Gaynor urged his fellow trustees to balance educational affordability and quality in the next year-- but Gaynor admits keeping the balance won't be easy.

Gaynor also reminded the Trustees of their annual January retreat. In his comments to the Board, he said a facilitator will work with the trustees to sharpen the Board's goals for 2010.

The Vincennes Community School Board has approved an over $28 million dollar budget for next year. A maximum of just over $8.3 million dollars will be raised with local property taxes and the rest will come from state funds. About $19 million will go to general operating expenses including salaries, just over $4 million dollars will pay on the schools debt, and another $2.5 million will go for other capital spending including maintenance. The School Bus Replacement fund will be much lower than usual because no bus replacements are planned next year. The approved budget must now go before the state Department of Local Government Finance for final approval.

The Knox County Health Department has received its first shipment of H-1-N-1 vaccine at its offices at Good Samaritan Hospital. The vaccine will be available tomorrow from seven a-m to four p-m. The Department itself is best accessed through the entrance at 701 Dubois.

The nasal mist version of the vaccine is the only one available to residents at this time. This form of the vaccine is recommended for healthy, non-pregnant people between the ages of 2 and 49.

A steady stream of taxpayers trickled into the Knox County Treasurer's office yesterday to pay due property taxes for this year. Knox County Treasurer Cendy Joslin said all taxpayers received their property tax statements in the mail either yesterday, or on Saturday.

This year, both the spring and fall tax installments have been lumped together into one payment, due by November tenth. Since the two have been combined, the total statement is on the "A" section of the statement. The "B" statement is marked as zero, since this year's taxes are due in one payment.

All property tax payments are due either in the office or postmarked by four p-m on Tuesday, November tenth. Joslin also reminds everyone the Treasurer's office will be open from eight a-m to noon on Saturday, October 31st and Saturday, November seventh for tax payment.

A Vincennes woman was killed yesterday in a two-vehicle accident on State Road 358 west of Plainville near the Capeheart Bridge.

Daviess County Sheriff's deputies say 26 year-old Jennifer Celeste was a passenger on an A-T-V driven by 27 yar-old Adam Morris. Morris was eastbound on 358 behind the vehicle driven by 44 year-old Scott Crouch. Crouch stopped in the eastbound lane, and was rear-ended by Morris' vehicle. The impact threw Celeste off the back of the Morris A-T-V. Celeste was taken first to Daviess Community Hospital, then airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. She later was pronounced dead at Deaconess Hospital.

Morris and Crouch were both found to be intoxicated on the scene. Both were arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. Both were booked into the Daviess County Security Center.

Indiana State Police arrested a Washington man yesterday following a meth lab discovery at a Wheatland location.

State Police were called to Old U-S 50 and Nimnicht Road yesterday afternoon. On the scene, they found the meth lab in the possession of 47 year-old Jeffrey Gray. Gray is charged with meth-making and visiting a common nuisance.

Three others were also arrested at the meth lab location. Autumn Mehringer, James Coy, and Mark Hopkins were all charged with meth possession.

All four were booked into Knox County Jail. Gray was booked on 25-thousand dollars bond; Mehringer, Coy, and Hopkins were all booked in on 65-hundred dollars bond.

George Rogers Clark National Park Superintendent Dale Phillips celebrated a historic renovation over the weekend. The Memorial was re-opened to the public following a 14-month renovation of the structure's basement. The re-opening was also remembered with a re-opening celebration on Saturday.

Phillips says the work will be a lasting legacy of his time as Superintendent. Phillips also knows the waterproofing is just the first of a set of projects planned for the Clark Memorial.

The funding for the various projects will be added to the Park's federal budget in the years to come.

The Vincennes Education Foundation raised more funds over the weekend to help Vincennes teachers in the classroom. The fund-raiser was the V-E-F's annual fall golf outing at the Vincenes Elks golf course.

V-E-F spokesman Pat Hutchison explains the V-E-F's funds can help teachers. Hutchison also reminds teachers the money is available for their use each year.

The golf outing is joined by the V-E-F's springtime "Night for the Kids" as the group's main fund-raisers.

A long-standing list of Presidential signatures got its latest addition Saturday as part of the re-opening of the Clark Memorial. Sandy Stewart, a staffer for U-S Senator Evan Bayh, presented the signature of President Barack Obama for the ongoing Presidential signature collection.

The collection was started by Curtis Shake, and continued by current Vincennes historian Richard Day. Day says Shake started collecting the signatures in the 1930's and 40's. Later presidents, from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama, have all added their signatures to the document.

The original collection of signatures is being kept at an un-disclosed location. Day says they had displayed the original signatures-- until they determined the original's value.

Day says a copy of the original signatures is located at Tecumseh-Harrison Elementary in Vincennes.

Knox County Development Corporation director Gary Gentry says Whirlpool's manufacturing exit from Evansville won't affect Vincennes' Gemtron plant.

Whirlpool will not completely leave Evansville, though. The company will keep over 200 jobs on the payroll as part of a development center the company will keep in Evansville.

The Vincennes Education Foundation has announced a plan to distribute scholarship money in a different way. The V-E-F will donate their scholarhsips over a two-or four-year period, rather than one up-front payment.

One of the main fund-raisers for the V-E-F is happening today, with its annual Golf outing. The other big V-E-F fund-raiser is the springtime "Night for the Kids."

A Knox Superior Court One jury has found a Vincennes man guilty of both burglary and resisting law enforcement in a May 15th, 2007 illegal entrance at an Oaktown business.

38 year-old Paul Morris was convicted of breaking into the Royster-Clark on Agri-Care Road. Morris was also convicted of resisting law enforcement at the burglary scene.

The jury deliberated around 35 minutes before returning the guilty plea.. Judge Tim Crowley will sentence Morris within 30 days; Morris could face up to 9 years in prison on the two counts.

The Indiana State Department of Health has requested a renewal of an emergency order to abate against Robinson Mobile Home Park. The Department claims earlier inspected violations at the location have not been cleared up.

The first violation was noted on May sixth, when I-S-D-H officials found violations in the mobile home park's sewage disposal system. The inspection claims inadequately treated sewage was seeping above ground. In a court document, Health officials claim follow up inspections on May 21st and August 21st showed no improvement.

I-S-D-H officials are seeking a quick hearing on the emergency order, since they feel the sewage is a health threat. At this time, no hearing on the requested emergency order has been set.

Vincennes University Police arrested a University student following a call to his Morris Hall residence.

Around four yesterday afternoon, University police were called to the room occupied by 19 year-old Cody Abel. Authorities found evidence in the dorm room alleging Abel was involved in dealing in marijuana.

Abel is charged with the felony dealing count. He was booked into Knox County Jail on 65-hundred dollars bond.

Vincennes Lincoln Homecoming activities are planned for today and tonight in downtown Vincennes, and at Inman Field. The activities will start this afternoon, and continue late into the night tonight.

Returning Homecoming classes will have their reunion headquarters at the Riverfront Pavilion at Second and Busseron.

Marc McNeece is also helping with this year's Homecoming. He tells us special provisions are being made for anniversary classes, with tents outside the Pavilion for the anniversary celebrations. This year's anniversary classes are the ones graduating in years ending with "4" or "9".

The Knox County United Way is seeking both volunteers and projects for the coming Day of Caring. The Day of Caring will be held all day on Thursday, October 15th throughout Knox County.

Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski says the outlook of the Day of Caring has expanded beyond just agencies served by the county's United Way. Murawski also knows there is one easy way to either volunteer or submit a project-- that is to call 2-1-1 with the information.

The Day of Caring will begin at eight-30 a-m October 15th at the Riverfront Pavilion in downtown Vincennes.

The Original Company has set October 20th for the annual Coats for Kids Porch Day at the front porch of the Brevoort House. Area residents are encouraged to donate their good used coats for cleaning and distribution by the Knox County Salvation Army. Also this year, good used pairs of shoes are also being accepted for kids in need.

Knox County Salvation Army commander Justin Windell says older kids' coats are in high demand each year. Windell points to an October 29th date for coat and shoe distribution at Salvation Army headquarters.

Porch Day will run from five a-m to seven p-m on October 20th on the front porch of the Brevoort House.

Vincennes drivers are urged to watch out for a 17-ton tree trunk coming through the city today. The trunk will move through Vincennes to its permanent location at First and Hart Streets; it's expected to arrive at the site around one-30 today. The 60-foot black oak trunk will be placed on an iron I-beam atop a large concrete base at the First and Hart site.

Sculptor Peter Toth will be make the trunk into a sculpture of the Shawnee Indian chief Tecumseh. Toth expects to turn the trunk into Tecumseh in around a month.

The grand re-opening of the Clark Memorial at the George Rogers Clark National Park is set for Saturday at two p-m. The location will also be open for tours before and after the dedication.

The re-opening will end nearly 14 months of renovation. Park Superintendent Dale Phillips says tours of the renovated basement will show the improvements-- and more upgrades coming in the future. Phillips also notes some area Congressmen will be represented at Saturday's ceremony.

The renovation included installation of a new waterproof membrane. Park officials are confident the new membrane will last for at least the next century.

Vincennes City Police detectives are reviewing a burglary reported this morning at Parrott Builders at 2801 Washington Avenue. The break-in was reported around two-40 this morning.

No other information has been released on the burglary at this time.

Vincennes City Police arrested an Illinois man yesterday following a disturbance at the Medical Center of Vincennes.

M-C-V staff and doctors called police after a man become disorderly, and used racial slurs against other patients. He also allegedly became unruly when asked to leave. Police claim he became combative and aggressive with them, and was Tasered on the scene. Police also claim the Taser deployment had pierced a cap of a container of gasoline the man was carrying in his shirt pocket. Authorities confiscated the gasoline, and took the man into custody without further incident.

The man was identified as 58 year-old William Collins, of Flat Rock, Illinois. He had previously identified himself to police as Uriah Robison, of Flat Rock. Collins is charged with felony counts of battery by bodily waste and intimidation. He is also charged with resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and false informing.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man overnight on a meth-dealing warrant from Knox Superior Court One.

Around ten p-m, Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle occupied by 51 year-old Willard McKinley, Junior. McKinley was stopped at 13th and Willow; during the stop, authorities found him wanted on the meth-dealing charge. No details of the charge are available.

McKinley is being held without bond in the Knox County Jail.

Chase Ellis will officially start his tenure as Knox County Parks Superintendent tomorrow. Ellis was named earlier this week to the spot by the Knox County Parks Board.

Ellis believes he has been given a good parks system that he hopes to improve. Ellis also praises the current organization and production of Parks Department personnel.

Ellis beat out around 30 other applicants to take the position last held permanently by Shane Cooper.

Thursday begins National Breast Cancer Awareness Month-- a time when all women are encouraged to remember ways to detect early breast cancer.

In recent years, Good Samaritan Hospital, along with Komen for the Cure, has scheduled free or reduced-cost screening mammograms for women in need. G-S-H doctor Dan Pavelka explains the consultation process following the screening mammogram. Dr. Pavelka also explains the screening exams take a weeks-long process and condenses it into a short time.

More information on screening mammograms is available by contacting Good Samaritan Hospital at 882-5220.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a burglary reported yesterday from a Vincennes business.

S and S Construction officials reported someone pried open a lock on their garage at 1639 1/2 Broadway. The suspects then kicked in a door, and stole around 65-hundred dollars worth of tools.

Police are still seeking suspects in the incident.

Pace Community Action Agency has put its new WIC food package in place as of Monday. The new package has been mandated by the federal Institute of Medicine to be in place by October first.

The new package will includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, and choices of brown rice, whole grain tortillas, and canned beans. Other WIC staples-- including fruit juice, milk, cheese, and eggs-- will be lowered. The lower amounts will fit with federal dietary fat guidelines.

WIC is designed for working families at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. A household with a pregnant woman or children under the age of five, and who meets income requirements, is eligible for the WIC program. The income guideline for a family of four is 40-thousand, 793 dollars.

More information is available by contacting Pace C-A-A at 886-0107.

A semi-trailer accident early this morning shut down U-S 50 near Robinson Road.

Around three-30 a-m, officials report the driver of the Schneider National semi was eastbound on U-S 50, when he swerved to avoid striking a deer. The semi then left the roadway, and struck a guardrail. No one was injured in the accident; the semi driver was not identified.

The accident closed U-S 50 in both directions for around 40 minutes. The westbound lanes re-opened around four-10 a-m; full traffic was restored on U-S 50 around five this morning.

Two Knox County communities are among 21 statewide that have received grant funding to help pay for natural disasters in 2008.

The cities of Bicknell and Oaktown will receive 50-thousand dollars each for downtown revitalization master plans. The funds will come from the Community Development Block Grant program.

Other area communities to receive funds include the cities of Washington and Petersburg. Washington will receive 500-thousand dollars for downtown revitalization; Petersburg will get 50-thousand dollars, also for downtown work.

The Vincennes City Council approved on first reading a decision to update the City'a Animal Control ordinance. The ordinance update would increase fee schedules and fines for various actions peformed by the City's Animal Control department. The ordinance also describes a dangerous animal as one who has attacked a person or animal more than once without provocation.

The measure will be considered by the Vincennes Legislative Review Committee. Committee chair Duane Chattin says the pending ordinance is a response to a postal protest.

Chattin believes the Committee can have the measure back for further Council consideration next month.

The Vincennes Historic Review Board voted five-two to deny the demolition of 914 Main Street. Peggy Burlison is requesting the building's tear-down for expansion of a business at 912 Main.

Even though the demolition was denied, the Board noted willingness to consider an alternative proposal. Board member Ray Mott requested a demolition of the newer back two-thirds of the building, and a renovation of the historic front third. Mott feels the proposal would be in the best interest of both parties.

Richard Day and Saundra Lange voted to demolish the whole Main Street structure, with Mott, Don Kirk, Carol Phillips, Molly McNamara, and Liz Szink voting against total demolitions.

A Vincennes man was sentenced yesterday on two unrelated charges in Knox Circuit Court.

32 year-old Robert Lovellette pled guilty to one count each of invasion of privacy, and overpurchase of pseudophedrine. In a submitted plea agreement, Lovellette accepted a sentence of one year in prison on the invasion charge, and 60 days on the over-purchase count. Both sentences were suspended to probation, with credit for time served. Both charges occurred during the first half of 2008.

Knox Circuit Court judge Sherri Gregg accepted both agreements as part of yesterday's sentencing hearing.

The Vincennes Historic Review Board has approved the demolition of the former Burton's Bar building at 901 North Second Street. The former bar will be torn down by Vincennes University to expand an existing parking lot.

Board member Richard Day backed the demolition. He says the structure's current status caused him to approve the demolition. Day also believes the demolition will also serve the community by serving the University.

The vote to tear down the former bar passed five-two, with Molly McNamara and Liz Szink voting against the teardown. Don Kirk, Ray Mott, Carol Phillips, Saundra Lange, and Day voted for the demolition.

The Knox County Parks Board has named Chase Ellis to be its new Superintendent. Ellis moves to the position from a teaching post at Indiana State University; he had served as a professor of Health and Safety at I-S-U. He is also finishing a Masters' degree in Recreation and Sport Management at Indiana State. He is a native of Logan, Utah, and finished his Bachelor's degree at Weber State University before coming to Indiana.

Ellis beat out around 30 other applicants to become the next Knox County Parks Superintendent. He will officially start his duties on Thursday.

The Vincennes Lincoln "Pride of the Green" won its group in the Castle Invitational over the weekend in Newburgh. The Pride took the Class "C" division, along with overall first places in drum major caption, and overall percussion. They also won the Grand Champion Sweepstakes award for the entire day.

The Pride of the Green now head onto the District Contest this week at Jasper. The Pride are aiming toward a good showing at the district competition, and the Regionals in three weeks at Indiana State University at Terre Haute. The Pride will also present their competition show this Friday night as part of Vincennes Lincoln's Homecoming ceremonies.

Vincennes City Police are checking on a burglary reported yesterday from the Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Police say an unknown person pried open a door to the Jefferson Avenue church, and stole a Sony Bravia flat-screen television. The T-V was the only item reported stolen in the burglary.

Authorities have no suspects yet in the incident.

The Knox County United Way is reporting good progress at the beginning of its 2009 campaign. Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski reports the campaign has raised just under 27-thousand, 500 dollars, with many larger companies' fund-raising efforts just starting.

Murawski says the campaign won't start heating up until October. Murawski also knows plans to deduct United Way funds from payroll deductions is also working.

The campaign expects for a better handle on its progress in the later months of this year, and early next year, when more campaign results become available.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a theft complaint made yesterday at the city's Holiday Inn Express.

Police were called to the hotel to investigate an audible car alarm. Authorities found the vehicle had been entered, and spotted a white male walking behind the nearby Lowe's store. When approached, the man ran back across the railroad tracks near Second Street.

Authorities are still seeking the suspicious person. He is described as 6-feet or six-foot-one, 180 to 200 pounds, and wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans. The suspect also dropped a black Mountain Dew Racing ball cap; he was also wearing a green sports hoodie. Police report most of the items reported stolen in the theft have been recovered.

Anyone with more information on the theft, or on the suspect, should call the Vincennes City Police Department at 882-1630.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles spent part of the weekend at a "cap-and-trade" based conference in Indianapolis. The session is designed to sound out ideas for reducing carbon emissions. The potential cap and trade bill would, in part, tighten federal carbon dioxide emission regulations on coal-based electric facilities.

Battles says energy generation was a main discussion topic. The coming coal-gasification plant at Edwardsport was also a main topic of discussion.

The cap and trade legislation is still being considered in Congress.

Vincennes University has the green light to build a new Multi-Cultural center and make two major renovations. The Indiana Budget Committee released just under 14 million dollars for the new renovations yesterday afternoon.

The renovations will happen to the V-U Physical Education Complex, and to Davis Hall. The P-E Complex renovations will be to the pool, H-V-A-C system, flooring, clasrooms, offices, and entrances and exits. The renovation will cost just under eight million dollars-- with five million to be bonded, and the other three million funded with federal stimulus money.

Davis Hall will get replacement of leaky and water-damaged structures. The replacements include four-story glass curtain walls, and various wall coverings. The Davis Hall renovation will cost around 850-thousand dollars. Finally, the Budget Committee allowed five million dollars for the construction of the Multi-Cultural Center. The project will be funded by private donors, and University and Foundation endowments. No location has been set for the Center's construction at this time.

V-U President Richard Helton believe the projects will be profitable for the University and the community-- since they will provide construction jobs in Vincennes.

Vincennes University students now have a new number to call to prevent catching the flu. The recent diagnosis of seven students with Type A influenza led to the flu line's installation.

The information line number is 888-2222. The V-U Health Center will offer information on flu symptoms and treatment, the latest updates on flu shots, and an option to speak to a nurse during business hours. The Health Center's business hours are seven-30 a-m to five-30 p-m each Monday through Thursday, and seven-30 a-m to four-30 p-m each Friday.

Also, V-U has a digital health newsletter directed to University students, parents, and employees. The news letter is available at www.vinu.edu-slash-health office.

Vincennes City Police arrested three Knox County residents yesterday following a reported theft at the Walgreens at Sixth and College.

Police responded to the location just before four p-m. Authorities found 28 year-old Chasity Davis and 26 year-old Tonya Harsha-- both of Vincennes-- and 26 year-old Holly Myers of Bicknell allegedly involved in shoplifting. The stolen property was found in Myers' possession. Further investigation found a controlled substance in Harsha's possession, and Davis allegedly resisted arrest at the scene.

All three were booked into Knox County Jail on 65-hundred dollars bond.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin is continuing his work on 100-year flood protection certification for Vincennes. The certification is an important part of construction and insurance issues for the City of Vincennes.

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently inspecting the levee. Mayor Baldwin says he is still figuring out the Army Corps' assessment of the City's 100-year flood protection status.

In a 1983 ruling, the Army Corps of Engineers determined the Brevoort Levee provided adequate protection to the southern part of Vincennes. The Brevoort Levee joins the City Levee in its protection of Vincennes.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Vincennes man yesterday following an incident at 1157 Oak Street.

Officers responded to the location around five-20 yesterday afternoon. Police found 34 year-old Sean Webster hiding in a bedroom inside the residence; Webster was barred from the location as part of a protective order.

Webster was arrested on a charge of invasion of privacy, and for parole violation. He is being held without bond at the Knox County Jail.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is still awaiting a final ruling on a picture-ID requirement to vote. The Indiana State appellate court has struck down a requirement that all voters must bring picture I-D with them to the polls in Indiana.

Battles reminds everyone the group who challenged the law was the non-partisan League of Women Voters. Backers of the picture I-D law plan an appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court; Governor Daniels believes a federal law upholding a picture I-D requirement will also happen in Indiana. However, Battles feels there is a key difference between the state voting measure and the federal law.

Battles is not for a picture I-D requirement, since he feels every eligible voter should be allowed to vote, regardless of the requirement.

The Knox County Commissioners and County Council met with state finance officials yesterday in a joint session in Knox Circuit Court. Members of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance informed the two boards, and others in attendance, the county is on track for normal property tax billing next year. However, for this year, both tax installments will be due on November tenth.

D-L-G-F spokesman Charles Traylor says he is confident the tax billing will return to a normal schedule next year. The other issue of concern is re-assessment.

Property taxes between now and then will be based on "trending"-- or forecasting a property's assessed value for tax payments.

Nationally-known comedienne Chonda Pierce will appear at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October first. Pierce's performance is part of Vincennes First Baptist Church's "Worship through the Arts" series.

First Baptist Worship Arts director Philip Walthall says Pierce's appearance will be the first of an abbreviated arts series this year.

Pierce is well-known as a women's speaker-- but Walthall explains the evening is not just for the ladies-- it is also for men and the whole family.

Tickets are available through the Red Skelton Center box office, as well as through First Baptist Church in Vincennes.

Vincennes City firemen were called to a kitchen fire yesterday afternoon at 516 Perry Street in Vincennes.

The call came in just after one yesterday afternoon to the apartment occupied by Tom Zimmerman. The fire was out upon firemen's arrival; fire crews stayed on the scene around 20 minutes. The apartment was owned by Don Kirk.

Firemen estimated the damage around five-thousand dollars. The blaze was caused by cooking oil that caught on fire.

Comments, topics, and discussion took top billing during yesterday's Joint Knox County Commisioners and Council session. The two boards were joined by members of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance yesterday.

Many in attendance discussed the coming tax payments, trending, re-assessment, and property tax rates. However, after the meeting ended, Councilman Tim Ellerman contends a lot of words were spoken, without a lot of results. Commissioner Fred Thompson forwarded a re-assessment idea, calling for an independent expert to help with the re-assessment process. Ellerman is willing to get on board with the idea.

Both Council and the Commissioners pledge to forward ideas to meet the current and future financial changes.

The Good Samaritan Hospital Board of Governors approved a slight increase in cost to a brick-repair project. The project improved the brick foundation of Columbian Towers East.

Good Samaritan president Matt Bailey reported the project is complete-- but was slightly over budget. The work cost just over 484-thousand, 500 dollars... around 15-thousand over budget. The Board accepted the slight increase unanimously.

In other business, the Board approved a contract with J-A Thomas for clinical documentation management. J-A Thomas will serve for 18 months, with an option for another 18 months as needed. Good Samaritan Hospital Chief Financial Officer Rob McLin believes the contract will improve the hospital's reception of Medicare reimbursement.

Five more students at Vincennes University have been diagosed with Type "A" influenza over the last week. The five join two students who were originally diagnosed with the flu on September 14th.

The Type A virus is considered a sub-set of the H-1-N-1 virus. Of the five new cases, four are being treated at their homes, and the fifth is being treated at an off-campus apartment. None of the new cases have been admitted to hospitals.

Medical experts say the H-1-N-1 virus will cause illness for five to seven days. Patients are advised to take the same treatment steps they would for any other type of flu. The students are being told to stay at their locations until they have gone 24 hours without a fever.

Vincennes City Police are still working on a search warrant issued overnight at 1407 Dubois.

The warrant was executed around eleven last night; it led to the seizure of 15-hundred dollars cash, methamphetamine, and marijuana. City Police arrested 38 year-old Kathy Williams of Vincennes; Williams is charged with visiting a common nuisance.

The investigation is continuing; police say charges are being filed on the house owner, Charla Foster. City Police have not specified the charges to be filed on Foster at this time, due to the ongoing investigation. Four suspects were also arrested on related charges in Richland, Colorado; the Colorado arrests led to the search at 1407 Dubois.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin is in favor of a new interlocal board to work with the Brevoort Levee. The Board was a suggestion of a Brevoort report released by officials from Banning Engineers.

Baldwin welcomes a dialogue with Knox County on improving the Brevoort Levee. Baldwin also knows a interlocal commission will keep everyone on the same page.

City officials hope the cooperation will help them get the Brevoort Levee certified for 100-year flood plain protection. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing the Brevoort Levee covering Vincennes, as well as the City Levee, for certification.

The Vincennes Redevelopment Commission has approved the final plans for the Ford Road project. The final plans include a change for Ford Road's intersection with Kimmel Road. The new plans include dedicated left-turn and right-turn lanes off Ford Road onto Kimmel Road.

Banning Engineering is working with the R-D-C on the Ford Road project. Banning's John Sprague (SPRAGG) says the change ensures safety of future commerce in the former Goody's building. The project will be advertised on Thursday, and again a week from Thursday. Bids will be opened on Thursday, October eighth. Sprague says at this time, Ford Road is on target for a spring 2010 opening.

The opening of a new Cantwell Marathon location on the coming Ford Road is also on target. The second Cantwell's is set to open around the same time as the new Ford Road.

The Knox County Commissioners received a report last night on a master plan for the Brevoort Levee. The master plan contained various ideas to improve the levee for increased development and protection.

Banning Engineers were commissioned to do the study. Among the main ideas is to form a joint Vincennes/Knox County group to study levee watershed issues. Banning's Jeff Healy feels it is a workable idea. City and county officials also face a different inspection for 100-year flood certification. Healy believes though different, their suggestions can help them with the certification process.

The study also recommended other ideas for improving the Brevoort Levee. The ideas include increasing water storage, adding another pump station on the Wabash River, repairing switches at the current pump house, and raising two-thousand feet of Beal Road in southern Knox County.

Former Vincennes State Representative Troy Woodruff has been selected as Deputy Commissioner for INDOT's Vincennes office. Woodruff will serve as INDOT's Field Operations leader in Vincennes.

Woodruff will be in charge of construction, maintenance, and operation of state highways in the 16-county Vincennes district. He will report to INDOT statewide Deputy Operations Commissioner Michael Cline.

Woodruff was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2004, where he served for one term. He also was a former president of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, and a former regional director for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The Vincennes Community School Corporation has received $162 Thousand dollars in Federal Stimulus grants and expects to receive at least $621 Thousand more dollars which will be used for computers, professional development, and individual projects at the system's elememtary schools. $323 Thousand dollars will be spent on new computers for teachers and an additional computer lab in each elementary school. The five elementary schools will also receive funding ranging from $25 Thousand dollars for Washington Elementary to $65 Thousand dollars for Franklin Elementary. The amounts are based on the enrollment at each school. Stimulus Money will also be used for additional training for teachers in the Positive Behavior Support system of student discipline. The corporation is also expected to receive additional Stimulus Money for Special Education programs.

The Vincennes Community School Board will get nine parcels of ground and associated buildings appraised in an effort to sell the properties. Included in the appraisals will be the current Clark Middle School which will be abandoned next year, the administration building across from Clark on 6th Street, and Adams Collisium. Superintendent Doug Rose told the board he wants to get the properties back on the tax rolls if at all possible. In other action last night the school board held a public hearing on next years proposed budget and approved on first reading a budget based on over $95 million dollars less in assessed property within the district and a lower enrollment than last year which may cause the system to have to cut spending. A total budget of over $28 million dollars, including over $8 million dollars in local tax money will be voted on again on October 5th and then sent to the State for possible approval.

A familiar face has returned to work for a City agency, as former City Engineer Duff Stradner has been hired to work for the Vincennes Redevelopment Commission. Stradner will represent Plainfield-based Banning Engineers as a fee-based R-D-C consultant.

Commission president Marc McNeece says Stradner's experience on the Ford Road project makes him a logical consultant's choice. Stradner himself is glad to help get Ford Road in place.

Stradner will join United Engineering in shepherding the road to its completion next spring.

The First United Methodist Church is preparing to celebrate its 200th year of ministry in the city of Vincennes. The church was originally located at Third and Buntin, before settling in its current location at Fourth and Perry Streets.

First United Methodist pastor John Groves knows the church is a mix of old traditions and new ideas.

Four former pastors will join Pastor Groves to celebrate the 200th anniversary this Sunday morning. The anniversary service will be held at the Church site at Fourth and Perry Streets in Vincennes.

Increasing traffic at the Duke Energy construction site in Edwardsport may lead their Town Council to hire a Town Marshal.

Edwardsport officials may consider the position in the future, if they can fund the start-up costs. No official action has happened yet toward establishing the position.

Indiana State Police arrested two people overnight at a residence near Wheatland.

Troopers responded to a drug-related call at 14239 Patrick Road around ten p-m. The residence was occupied by 49 year-old Michael Snyder and his wife, 45 year-old Susan Snyder. A search of the location turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, and paraphernalia.

Both Snyders are charged with possession of all three illegal substances, as well as maintaining a common nuisance. Both Michael and Susan Snyder were booked into Knox County Jail on 65-hundred dollars bond.

The Vincennes Utility Services Board has approved a potential stormwater utility rate for Vincennes. The final report by engineering firm Hannum, Wagle, and Cline recommended the founding of a stormwater utility. Rate expert Crowe Horvath recommended the new utility charge a six-dollar per month residential fee, with a multiple charged for businesses. The business multiple would be based on an equivalent residential unit of 28-hundred square feet.

Board members accepted the report, and referred the recommendation to Vincennes City Council for action. Council must confirm any utility confirmation, and rate increase, for it to take place.

The annual Knox County Senior Fair will happen today from nine to two at the Vincennes YMCA at 2010 College Avenue. The fair will feature over two dozen vendors offering programs on senior-based programs and services, as well as lifestyle and health care issues.

Lunch will be served at noon, with bingo starting at one p-m. The Senior Fair is entirely free; it is sponsored by the Original Company radio stations.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin reports slow going on the City's Sixth Street overpass project. The project is still in its engineering study phase at this time.

Mayor Baldwin says despite the project's slow speed, it is still moving forward. Baldwin is also optimistic the project can be funded in a coming round of federal stimulus funding.

The City is still using an earlier-approved grant to fund the current engineering study.

Lawrence County District Three representative Jake Middagh has resigned his position on the Lawrence County Board. The Republican represented the community of Bridgeport on the Board.

Middagh delivered his resignation yesterday to both Lawrence County Clerk Terri Linton, and to Board Chair Chuck Gillespie. Middagh resigned from the Board after serving only nine months. Gillespie says one of Middagh's best attibutes was his willingness to learn by attending.

In his resignation letter, Middagh said the position's demands on his time caused his resignation. Even though three years remains in Middagh's term, the new appointment will have to run for election in next year's Illinois election cycle.

The Vincennes Utility Services Board has approved a potential stormwater utility rate for Vincennes. The final report by engineering firm Hannum, Wagle, and Cline recommended the founding of a stormwater utility. Rate expert Crowe Horvath recommended the new utility charge a six-dollar per month residential fee, with a multiple charged for businesses. The business multiple would be based on an equivalent residential unit of 28-hundred square feet.

Board members accepted the report, and referred the recommendation to Vincennes City Council for action. Council must confirm any utility confirmation, and rate increase, for it to take place.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin continues to look into a reported dangerous dog problem in the city. The issue came up when letter carrier representative Al Griffin described in detail a recent pit bull attack on a letter carrier in Vincennes.

Griffin called for a tightening of the City's dog control laws. Mayor Baldwin admits in some places, the laws could be tighter. Baldwin also wants to ensure that any new laws that are passed are inclusive of all dog breeds-- and not just pit bulls.

The current dog control ordinance is being reviewed by City Council's Legislative Review Committee. That committee is chaired by Councilman Duane Chattin.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin continues to look into a reported dangerous dog problem in the city. The issue came up when letter carrier representative Al Griffin described in detail a recent pit bull attack on a letter carrier in Vincennes.

Griffin called for a tightening of the City's dog control laws. Mayor Baldwin admits in some places, the laws could be tighter. Baldwin also wants to ensure that any new laws that are passed are inclusive of all dog breeds-- and not just pit bulls.

The current dog control ordinance is being reviewed by City Council's Legislative Review Committee. That committee is chaired by Councilman Duane Chattin.

The Vincennes Urban Enterprise Zone Board voted to donate toward construction of a statue of legendary Indian chief Tecumseh. The Indian leader was a chief opponent of Indiana Territory Governor William Henry Harrison in Vincennes prior to the War of 1812.

Donna Baum, of the Vincennes chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is seeking funds toward the statue's construction at First and Culbertson. Preliminary work on the black-oak wood statue is already underway.

The U-E-Z approved a one-thousand dollar donation toward the project. Baum hopes to raise the rest of the funds for the statue in the weeks to come. If the funding is in place, the Tecumseh monument would be completed by the end of October.

The North Knox School Board received a sizable donation from the North Knox Alumni Association during last night's School Board session. Officials with the Alumni Association donated 750 dollars for each North Knox elementary school, and North Knox High School, along with 500 dollars for North Knox Junior High. The smaller amount for the Junior High is due to their sharing North Knox East with East Elementary.

In other financial news, the Board approved an application for a High Ability grant. The grant would be for 30-thousand, 790 dollars-- down from 32-thousand dollars for this year.

The North Knox Board also received 50-thousand dollars from the Herbert Pepmeier Trust for North Knox scholarships. The Pepmeier Trust money will be deposited in the North Knox scholarship account.

Finally, the North Knox School Board agreed to inform the State Board of Accounts of future reception of federal stimulus money. The federal funds will cover a salary in the North Knox School Corporation.

The Knox County Library Board has delayed a request to set up guidelines to protect against the H-1-N-1 flu virus. The guidelines were submitted by Library director Emily Bunyan following the diagnosis of two V-U students with the flu strain.

Bunyan feels the preventive set of rules is good preventive medicine.

Among the proposed guidelines is the closing of the Library in case of flu-related school closing. Also, the proposed rules call for use of disinfectant wipes each time someone uses a computer keyboard. Bunyan believes the keyboard disinfection is a good idea.

Bunyan told the Board she would review similar policies at other libraries, and return next month with a revised set of flu-prevention guidelines.

National Association of Letter Carriers spokesman Al Griffin came before Vincennes City Council to request restrictions on pit bulls in the city.

In a speech before City Council last night, Griffin made some requests to change the animal control ordinance. Griffin also contends by nature, pit bulls are dangerous animals.

Griffin told Council members a postal worker was bit by a pit bull during a mail delivery on New Albany Avenue in Vincennes.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin has referred the issue to the Legislative Review Committee. The committee is chaired by Councilman Duane Chattin.

The Bicknell City Council last night gave Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger authority to use an over one-point-three million dollar Neighborhood Improvement Grant. The grant will improve homes, curbs, and appearance of a targeted area just off Bruceville Avenue.

Flickinger says for the most part, the neighbors in the improvement area are all for the work.

The improvement plan will take shape over the next three years. Plans include new housing, improved curbs and sidewalks, and a mini-park in the grant area. Officials say this is part of an overall plan to improve the city of Bicknell.

Duke Energy has decided to drop a plan to close First Street in Westphalia. Duke spokeswoman Angeline Protogere says the electric provider will install the crossing at the intersection after all. Protogere said recent complaints by residents about inconvenience caused them to reconsider closing the road.

A good crowd of Westphalia residents attended a meeting of the Knox County Commissioners a week ago. Those residents in attendance opposed the requested closing of First Street, and asked for the street to remain open as a railroad crossing.

The crossing is part of Duke's plan to build a spur railroad line through northern Knox County. The spur will serve the two-point three billion dollar coal-gasification plant at Edwardsport.

Bids for another part of South Knox's roofing project will be accepted early next month. The South Knox School Board agreed to accept bids for re-roofing on the section over the Home Economics rooms.

The roof bids will be accepted starting in the next few days, and continuing through the bid opening in early October. The winning bid will be awarded at the South Knox board meeting on October twelfth, with work to be done in the fall and early winter.

In other business, South Knox Superintendent Brad Case reported the current enrollment is un-officially up three students, to eleven-hundred 82. The official student count will be made on Friday, September 18th. If the count holds, it would be the fifth time in six years South Knox Schools has recorded an increase in student population. The only down year for attendance at South Knox was in the last school year.

The Vincennes Historic Review Board is considering a demolition of Burton's Bar on North Second Street. The building was recently purchased by Vincennes University; the University wants to tear down the structure for added parking. The H-R-B will tour the structure Wednesday, September 23rd to get firsthand knowledge of the structure. The Board could consider demolition as early as Monday, September 28th.

The Vincennes Lincoln "Pride of the Green" celebrated a good weekend, with an overall fourth place in the Evansville Central Invitational. Lincoln also finished second in the 3A division on the day.

The Pride of the Green also received awards for best drum major caption, best color guard caption, and best percussion caption award in their class. The percussion section also won the Sweepstakes award out of all bands throughout the entire competition.

One person was injured in a car-horse accident on Illinois State Road 250 in Lawrence County near Sumner.

Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies responded to the accident around nine-30 last night. Authorities claim the car driven by 45 year-old Donald Bosely, of Bridgeport, struck a horse operated by 41 year-old Nick McQueen of Mount Carmel. Police claim McQueen became disorderly on the scene and kicked out the window of a squad car. McQueen was taken to Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, then transported to an Evansville hospital with unknown injuries.

Sheriff's deputies also claim Bosely's blood-alcohol registered over point two-oh... well above the legal driving limit. Bosely is charged with Aggravated D-U-I; McQueen is charged with disorderly conduct, criminal damage to state property, and aggravated battery. The horse involved in the accident survived, and left the scene. Authorities are still trying to find the horse involved in the accident.

Various groups will gather for meetings this second Monday of the month across Knox County.

The Vincennes Board of Works will meet this afternoon at four. Among the issues today is a request by the Mayor's office to use on-call City engineering services. Other requests are on the agenda-- including requests to fire a salute gun at Vincennes Lincoln fotball games, to block streets for the annual Chili Cook-Off this Saturday, and to block streets for a planned block party.

At six tonight, the Vincennes City Council will gather at City Hall. Council's agenda includes two new business items-- including a funding request, and a transfer in the Animal Shelter account. Also, Al Griffin, from the National Association of Letter Carriers, will discuss the Animal Control ordinance.

The Bicknell City Council will also meet tonight at seven at Bicknell City Hall. Among the Bicknell Council's items is review of a contract for the city's Neighborhood Facilities Grant.

Also at seven, the South Knox School Board will meet at the South Knox Administration Building. Among its issues, the South Knox Board will hear an enrollment report, and hold its annual hearing on the 2010 budget.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is weighing his options on a proposal to switch the state from Eastern to Central Time. Currently, a predominant part of the state is on Eastern time.

A Carmel-based group is behind the move to switch to Central time. Battles says the group's explanation makes sense. However, Battles is not sure if the issue will be addressed during the coming short Legislative session.

Legislators have been un-willing to consider the issue since the state switched to Daylight time in 2005. Knox and some other area counties went to Central Daylight time in 2005, but switched back to Eastern Daylight time around a year later.

The Bicknell City Council is scheduled to review more information on its Neighborhood Revitalization grant tonight at its session at Bicknell City Hall. The one and half million dollar grant will enhance part of Bicknell near Bruceville Avenue.

Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger explains the contract should be ready for review tonight. The grant money will revitalize housing, and produce other visual enhancements, in the target area.

The inaugural U-S-O canteen show is scheduled for tonight at the Vincennes Fortnightly Club. The show will happen from seven to nine p-m, with 16 acts scheduled to take the stage. The entertainment will pay homage to the soldiers who fought in World War Two.

Chris Ripley is helping put on tonight's show. He calls tonight's event a step back in time. All proceeds from this year's event will go toward the work of the Indiana U-S-O.

The Canteen show is part of an overall re-enactment of World War Two. The re-enactors are remembering the "Greatest Generation" at the Indiana Military Museum on Old Bruceville Road.

Vincennes City Police arrested a Sullivan woman following a burglary reported at 806 Eisenhower Drive.

City Police reported the burglary occurred on Thursday from a Torrence Johnson. Johnson suspected his ex-girlfriend, Kristy Wamsley, was responsible. City Police report that yesterday afternoon, Wamsley admitted to the burglary during questioning at City Police headquarters. Police then recovered all the items stolen in the burglary.

Wamsley is charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit a second burglary, and posession of stolen property. She was booked into Knox County Jail on 25-thousand dollars bond.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will divert traffic on U-S 41 at various times on Tuesday for taking of core samples. The samples will be taken from the southbound lane of 41 near the Southwest Purdue Ag Center north of Vincennes, in the current construction area.

A total of six borings will take place in the southbound lane between ten a-m and two p-m Tuesday. Traffic will be diverted to the northbound lane, and controlled by flagpersons, until the work is completed.

The samples are part of construction work continuing on U-S 41 north of Vincennes. The project has a planned completion date of May 2010.

A Vincennes Lincoln history teacher's lesson on the 9/11 attacks was remembered yesterday as part of a story in the Washington Post. The story appeared as part of the eighth anniversary of the terrorist incident.

The Post story honored Lincoln history teacher Michael Hutchison's use of a 9/11 curriculum as part of his class. The curriculum is an educational D-V-D, textbook, and binder of class handouts. It was made as a tribute to the victims by a brother of a man who died at the World Trade Center during 9/11. He formed the curriculum with two professors in Manhattan, who worked with educational researchers and Hutchison. According to the Post, Hutchison was selected because of his reputation for bring multi-media lessons to his students.

The curriculum required the students to build their own memorial of September eleventh, and to debate the 9/11 attacks as part of a fictional town council. They also were to interview someone older about September eleventh, and write an article based on their interview's remembrances. The Post story also honored the interview done by 18 year-old JaLeah Hedrick; Hedrick interviewed her grandfather Ed Hedrick on his recollections of the 9/11 attack.

The original story was written by Washington Post writer Eli Saslow.

PACE Community Action Agency, through its Head Start and Early Head Start programs, is seeking applications for substitute teachers at all its locations. PACE Head Start locations are available in Knox, Daviess, Greene, and Sullivan counties.

Anyone interested in working as a substitute for Head Start will be offered a training orientation. Any applicants who attend the orientation may receive financial assistance in taking the required physical and drug tests.

More information on becoming a substitute is available by contacting Client Services offices located in Vincennes, Washington, Linton, and Sullivan.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man this morning following a break-in in a maintenance shed at the Vincennes Golf Club.

Around two-20 this morning, a maintenance man called in a suspicious report from the Golf Club. Sheriff's deputies found Ricky Morris inside the structure, and arrested him for illegally entering the building. Authorities say Morris admitted to burglarizing the maintenance structure, as well as to a series of pop machine thefts across Vincennes and Knox County.

At this time, Morris is charged with burglary and theft in the Vincennes Golf Club incident. Other charges in the vending machine thefts may be filed later. Morris was booked into the Knox County Jail.

The Lawrenceville City Council has approved a new Police Contract for its City officers. The contract was hammered out over 18 months; the new contract's start date goes back to May of 2008, and continues through May of 2012.

The new contract provides officers with a three percent raise from May of 2008, and May of this year. The approval means current officers will get a six percent pay raise immediately. The contract gives police a three and a quarter percent increase in May of next year, and in May of 2011. It also provides an additional 15 cents an hour in longevity pay for officers every three years, capping at a dollar-50 an hour after 15 years.

Lawrenceville Mayor Brian Straub also mentioned officers who left the force between May 2008 and today will receive the difference in funding through a pay adjustment. The adjusted amount to be sent to the former officers will be calculated in the next ten days.

The Knox County Council has approved a seven-point-six million dollar county budget for 2010. The budget will be sent to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance for review in November.

The funding for this year's budget was set before hearings began. County Council president Tim Ellerman says the hearings were a matter of filling in the blanks.

The final budget has increased 250-thousand dollars over last year. None of the departments saw increased fundign or salaries; the additional funding was invested into an increase in County health care costs.

Vincennes University has received a supplemental grant for its Mine Safety and Health Compliance Training Program. The over ten-thousand dollar grant will allow a revision of course materials and class outlines. The extra money is designed to ensure consistency of training and delivery from class to class, and instructor to instructor.

The University will use two-thousand dollars in match money to ensure the grant is used toward the program's success. Currently, Indiana's mining industry employs around seven-thousand people-- many of them working in coal mines throughout this area.

Representatives of Vincennes University have donated 21-hundred pounds of pet food and cat litter, and just over 900 dollars, for the Vincennes Animal Shelter. The donation marks the fourth straight year campus representatives have donated cash and supplies for the City's pet shelter.

V-U Residential Life director Dawn Brewer helped head up this year's donation drive. She believes the project sponsorship helps the students get involved with the community.

Vincennes Animal Shelter director Terri Barmes says the donation is appreciated, especially in light of rising animal food costs.

Knox County Council officials say they will discuss a recent assessment contract approval with the County Commissioners. The assessment concerns the Commissioners's approval of a additional contract between the Knox County Assessor's office and Reller Appraisals. The Commissioners approved the contract on Monday, dependent on approval by the Department of Local Government Finance. In reaction, Council froze this year's re-assessment line item, pending discussion of the issue with the Knox County Commissioners.

Councilman Bob Lechner says the freeze is to allow themselves and the Commissioners to get the issue in order. Lechner also believes the freeze was necesary.

Knox County Assessor Ray Loheider told us he was unaware of the frozen account. However, he did say he stands by his offices' re-assessment contracts and practices.

Organizers continue working toward the annual Vincennes Lincoln Homecoming celebration on Friday, October second. The classes' Homecoming celebrations will be held that evening at the Riverfront Pavilion at Second and Busseron Streets in downtown Vincennes.

Other activities include the annual Homecoming Parade around three-45 p-m in downtown Vincennes. The Homecoming game itself will be played at evening at Inman Field, and the annual V-E-F Golf Scramble will be held the next day at the Vincennes Elks golf course.

Vincennes City Council wrapped up hearings last night on an advertised eleven-poin-six-five million dollar budget for 2010. The budget has been cut from an over 12-million dollar amount this year, as Council members wrestle with a second-straight year of cuts caused by reduced property-tax revenues.

City Councilman Don Kirk is the chair of Council's Budget and Finance Committee. He says last year's budget cuts helped Council prepare for this year's budget hearings.

The current budget contains a one and a half percent raise for City employees. However, Kirk says whether or not the raise remains in the budget is still under discussion.

The budget will be considered and approved by City Council in the weeks to come. It will then go for approval by the Department of Local Government Finance before it comes in place for 2010.

Knox County Council members start day 2 of budget hearings today at the Knox County Courthouse. Council members will review department budget requests for another set of departments today, with a final review and budget approval tomorrow.

Council members have set an overall budget total of seven-point-six million dollars for 2010. The budget is up around 250-thousand dollars for next year; Council president Tim Ellerman says even though the budget is up slightly, County departments will see flatlined budgets for next year. Ellerman says the County's budget is weathering the storm caused by reduced revenues from House Bill 10-01.

Full-time county employees will receive an extra two-thousand dollars in health care premium coverage this year. However, the benefit raise was put in the budget in place of regular raises for next year.

The newest member of the Vincennes Police Civil Service Merit Commission was unveiled during yesterday's session at City Police Headquarters. Merit Commission president Ed Thais announced former Good Samaritan Hospital president John Hidde has taken the position. Hidde will replace the late Curt Shake on the Merit Commission.

Hidde did not attend yesterday's session. However, he will be involved with the Commission in September 28th's oral interviews of police applicants, and will be involved in a personnel evaluation executive session earlier that day.

Hidde is the appointment of Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin. He joins Thais and Dale Brockman as members of the City Police Merit Commission.

The Vincennes City Council completed the first day of budget discussions yesterday at City Hall. The heads of five departments-- the Fire Department, the City Inspector's office, Parks and Recreation, Cememtery, and Animal Control-- discussed their budget requests with City Council.

Of the five, the City Fire Department has the biggest budget-- and took the biggest hit from a recent budget reduction. City Fire Chief Mike Lankford says the cuts have forced him to review other ways to save money. Lankford also feels the reduced revenue has caused him to scrutinize his budget.

This afternoon, starting at five p-m, the Mayor's office, Board of Works, Street and Sanitation Department, Police Department, Clerk-Treasurer, and Council budgets will all be reviewed. The reviews will be part of the second and final day of City budget hearings.

The Vincennes Police Merit Commission has approved further testing for both new and potential police officers.

The Commission set promotional testing for current officers for both September 12th and October 10th at City Police headquarters. A total of eight officers will test for Sergeant, with six sergeants testing for lieutenant, three lieutenants testing for captain, and two captains testing for major. In addition, evaluations of each member of the police force will happen with the Merit Commission and City Police Chief Tom Grove. The evaluations will be held in an executive session at one p-m Monday September 28th.

After the current police are evaluated, potential new officers will be tested. The remaining applicants will have their oral interviews at three p-m Monday, September 28th. After the oral interviews, the total applicants' scores will be tallied, and the applicants will be listed in order of possible hiring.

Both the Vincennes City and Knox County Councils have no time to recover from the long weekend-- both groups will start budget hearings today.

County Council will use the next three days to consider budgets from all county departments. Their sessions will be held at the Knox County Courthouse starting this afternoon.

The Vincennes City Council will begin their two days of budget hearings this afternoon. Both groups will be dealing with reduced budgets for 2010, due to the recent passage of tax caps on personal property.

Both sessions are open to the public.

The annual Bicknell Heritage Festival wrapped up yesterday with its highlight event-- the annual Bicknell Labor Day Parade. A good crowd of entries filed down Main Street for the traditional Labor Day celebration.

Bicknell's organizations also benefited from the crowds. Teresa Pahmeier, of Tri-Kappa, feels the six-day festival has improved over the years. Pahmeier also doesn't discount the annual event's impact on community pride.

Despite a rainy Saturday, organizers feel the event overall was a success.

Knox County Development Corporation president Gary Gentry is pointing to northern Knox County as a sign of strength in a down economy. The signs of strength include the coal-gasification electric plant under construction at Edwardsport, and new coal mines at Oaktown.

Gentry mentions a third venture is also seeking a resource in the North Knox area-- coal bed methane gas. Gentry also believes the current project investment in Knox County is as big as any other county in Indiana.

The two-billion dollar plus Duke plant is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is working this fall on two Legislative study committees. Battles is serving with the State Fair legislative committee-- but he calls the Legislative review board more of an oversight committee.

Battles also works with the Energy Regulatory Study Committee. The committee works with the IURC to set regulatory guidelines for energy use across the state.

The study committees will end their work this fall, and report their findings to the next General Assembly session in January.

Indiana State Police arrested a Vincennes man following a stop on Old Wheatland Road.

Around six-30 last night, troopers found evidence that 20 year-old Tommy Todd was dealing in marijuana. Police also found an undisclosed amount of marijuana in Todd's possession.

Todd is charged with both marijuana dealing and marijuana possession. He was booked into Knox County Jail on four-thousand dollars bond.

The annual Labor Day celebration wraps up today in the Crawford County Illinois community of Palestine. Last night wrapped up the 42nd annual Palestine Pioneer Days rodeo series, with the annual "Bull Bash on the Wabash."

Palestine Chamber of Commerce director Jim Clark knows the Labor Day festivities are huge for Palestine's economy. Clark also knows a large amount of rodeo attenders and festival-goers come across the Wabash to attend Pioneer Days in Palestine.

The rodeo arena say a motorcycle exhibition on Friday, with the Bull Bash taking the arena both Saturday night and last night.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Vincennes man last night following an incident on South Sixth Street Road.

Around eight p-m, Sheriff's deputies halted a vehicle driven by 24 year-old Zack Meredith. Authorities found Meredith allegedly in possession of items reported stolen in an earlier incident.

Meredith is charged with receiving stolen property. He was booked into Knox County Jail on 65-hundred dollars cash bond.

Vincennes University will hold its annual Alumni Weekend from Thursday, September 17th through Sunday, September 20th. The weekend will include entertainment, various workshops, a student and family reception, and two annual events-- the annual Chili Cook-Off in downtown Vincennes, and the annual V-U Tube Race. The Tube Race begins that day at noon, with public chili sampling beginning that day at one p-m.

Various entertainment groups will present their shows at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center at various times from Thursday evening through Saturday evening. The final event of the weekend will be a non-denominational worship service on campus at Mariah Creek Chapel. The service will begin Sunday morning, September 20th, at ten-30.

The public is encouraged to join Unversity students and alumni at the coming weekend's activities.

The League of Women Voters will host Vincennes City Inspector Chris Eisenhut at noon Wednesday as part of their "Lunch with the League" series. The monthly series will be held monthly at Zanders' Cafe on Main Street in downtown Vincennes.

The meeting Wednesday will include an update on housing in the City of Vincennes. Other meetings the rest of this year will be held October 14th, and deal with Knox County fiscal issues; and on November 11th, and will cover the role of the Vincennes Historic Review Board.

League co-president Bonnie Orvick says the meeting is designed to inform the citizens of Knox County about their agencies and activities. Attenders are encouraged to purchase their lunch at Zanders' as part of the Lunch with the League.

Power was interrupted this morning for 535 Duke Energy customers in and north of Vincennes in what Duke Energy officials called a planned outage. Duke workers shut off power to the affected areas in a planned replacement of a power pole.

The power was disrupted to the area just before eight-30 this morning. Duke crews returned power to the affected area around nine-20 a-m.

Pike Circuit Court judge Jeffrey Biesterveld has been selected to take over the Executive Inn case. Biesterveld was selected to replace Knox Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley on the case; Crowley stepped down last week following reception of an unsigned letter critical of him personally, and critical of his handling of the case.

Currently, the hotel is closed under a temporary restraining order. The next scheduled hearing is for a permanent restraining order; the hearing is set for December 22nd in Knox Superior Court One.

Officials with the Knox County Salvation Army are preparing for their annual Christmas kettle campaign. The kettles, and adjoining bell-ringers, will starting collecting funds on the day after Thanksgiving, and continuing through the Christmas shopping season.

Salvation Army captain Sarah Windell has also set its overall Christmas goal for this year at 90-thousand dollars.

Volunteers are also encouraged to help the Salvation Army ring the bells this year. More information is available by contacting the Salvation Army at 882-6933.

Knox County Commissioner Kevin Meyer says he understands a decision against a transition proposal at the Knox County Community Corrections Department. Earlier this week, the Community Corrections board rejected a proposal to have the Knox County Sheriff's department oversee a transition in the Department from retiring director Bob Hatton to his successor. The proposal came in a letter signed by both Meyer and fellow Commissioner Fred Thompson.

Meyer says his only reason for signing the letter was to ease the transition between Hatton and whoever succeeds him.

Even though the added oversight request was denied by the Board, Meyer feels the Board's integrity is beyond question.

Hatton's last day as director will be December 31st. The Community Corrections board has until then to name a new Director for the position.

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has given Knox County 30-thousand dollars for a Freelandville wastewater planning study. The County received the funding, since Freelandville is not an incorporated community.

The planning grant will study the feasibility of a wastewater plant for Freelandville. It will also determine the right type of sewer system for the town. Further, it will determine water treatment technologies, and health and safety issues facing the Freelandville area.

The OCRA grant is part of the state's Community Development Block Grant program.

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman gave Vincennes resident Joan Nash the Golden Hoosier Award. Nash joined 19 other Indiana residents in receiving the award yesterday in Indianapolis.

Nash received the award for her eight years of volunteer work with the Retired Seniors and Volunteer Program-- or RSVP. The Golden Hoosier Award is presented annually by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

Carly Mundy was named Queen last night for the 40th annual Bicknell Labor Day Festival. Mundy won the award over eight other young ladies during the Bicknell Queen contest at North Knox Central Elementary. Mundy is the daughter of Bob and Cheryl Mundy.

Jamie Park was named as first runner-up, with Kayla Jones as second runner-up. Third Runner-up was Katelyn Miller, with Eleni Moreland as fourth runner-up. Moreland was also named Miss Congenality, with Tara Lee as Miss Photogenic.

Other award winners last night included Isaiah Mackey as Mini-King, with Josiah Mackey as the Little Prince. Shelby Shaw was the Mini-Queen, with Riley Lemon as Little Princess. Bicknell's Man of the Year was Ron Julian, with Vivian Clayton as Woman of the Year. Finally, Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger will serve as this year's Bicknell Labor Day Parade Grand Marshal.

Noted Vincennes historian Richard Day was honored last night with an Award of Merit by the American Association of State and Local History. Day received the award during a reception yesterday evening at the Old State Bank building in Vincennes.

Day reminds everyone despite the award, his historical work will continue. Day also credits the State Historic Sites-- and the City of Vincennes itself-- for his honor.

Day also feels he is honored to be first among many others helping chart the history of Vincennes.

Proceeds from the annual Women's Try-Athlon will start coming back to the community starting at the end of the year. Knox County Community Foundation officials will use the TRY funding for community grants.

Foundation director Kathy Rinsch says twelve-thousand dollars of Try-Athlon related grant money will go toward recreation-related causes.

Letters of inquiry are being accepted from not-for-profit agencies. Rinsch reminds potential grant recipients of subjects they need to cover in their letter of inquiry.

More information is available by calling the Knox County Community Foundation at 886-0093.

Johnson Township firemen battled a house fire reported to an un-occupied residence in Decker.

Around one-15 this morning, fire crews were called to a residence in the 200-block of Broadway Street in Decker. Firemen reported seeing smoke and flames at the residence; crews stayed on the scene just over two hours. The residence's owner has not yet been determined. Firemen also say all utilities were shut off to the residence.

The house is considered a total loss. Officials are still determining both a cause for the fire, and where the blaze started.

Indiana State Police arrested a Vincennes man yesterday following a traffic stop at Emison and Willow streets.

Around one p-m, troopers halted a vehicle driven by 31 year-old Zachary Polk. During the stop and a related investigation, State Police found Polk allegedly in possession of meth, a controlled substance, paraphernalia, and a police radio. He was also found to be driving while suspended, and wanted on a probation violation warrant.

Polk is being held without bond at the Knox County Jail.

Twenty-three Knox County high school juniors have started their work as the newest members of Youth Leadership Knox County. The class will be introduced to leadership, local government, and community pride issues. The work will include case studies to emphasize, maintain, and improve the community's quality of life.

Students will attend class once a month on the Vincennes University campus, as well as at locations throughout Knox County. The classes will happen throughout the school year, with a graduation ceremony planned for next spring.

Nine of the students are juniors at South Knox High School. Six more attend Vincennes Rivet, with five particpants from North Knox, and three from Vincennes Lincoln.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin expects to fill his vacancy in the City Police Merit Commission next week. Mayor Baldwin says he has a candidate in mind, but wants to solidify the appointment before announcing the person to fill the spot.

The candidate will take the place vacated by the recent death of Curt Shake. Shake's successor will also become the Board's secretary. The Mayor has one of the three appointments for the Merit Commission; the other two come from Vincennes City Council, and from the officers themselves.

Nine young ladies will compete tonight in the annual Bicknell Queen Contest at North Knox Central Elementary. The contest begins tonight at six; it is the traditional kickoff of the annual Bicknell Labor Day Festival.

The crowning of the Bicknell Festival queen is just one of various activities tonight. Other planned announcements include the naming of Bicknell's Little Miss, as well as Bicknell's Man and Woman of the Year. Finally, the Grand Marshal of the annual Bicknell Labor Day Parade will announced during tonight's ceremony.

Starting with tonight's festivities, various events are scheduled throughout Bicknell from now through Labor Day.

Vincennes City Police released information yesterday on a drug bust that led to a Vincennes man's arrest.

Late last week, Vincennes police, along with the Gibson County Sheriff's Department, seized cash and marijuana at a residence occupied by 55 year-old Joe Bottoms. The residence is located at the corner of Ewing Avenue and Montgomery Avenue. Authorities took around nine-thousand dollars in cash, and an un-disclosed amount of marijuana from the residence. After seizing the evidence, authorities arrested Bottoms for Conspiracy to deal Marijuana.

This is not Bottoms' first brush with the law. Authorities say Bottoms has had three prior arrests for marijuana dealing dating back to 1997.

Executive Inn owner Mark Valdes is claiming he has not received a requested list of repairs yet from the City of Vincennes. Valdes claims he has made an official request for the repairs from the City Inspector's office.

Valdes' comment is the latest word in the Executive Inn case, currently pending in Knox Superior Court One. The building remains closed under a temporary restraining order; however, the order allows for repairs to continue to the structure.

Vincennes City Inspector Chris Eisenhut has declined to comment on Valdes' claim, since it is an ongoing legal issue. At this time, the case is scheduled for a permanent injunction hearing on December 22nd in Knox Superior Court One.

Noted Vincennes historian Richard Day will receive an award tonight for his work in preserving Vincennes' history. The American Association for State and Local History is hosting a reception to honor Day at the Old State Bank on Second Street. The reception will start tonight at six-30.

Day is surprised to receive the award. He feels he is a first among many peers when it comes to Vincennes history.

Day will receive the Association's Award of Merit tonight for a lifetime of researching, preserving, and promoting the history of Vincennes. He was nominated for the award by associates at the Vincennes State Historic Sites.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin is continuing his request for Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley to come back onto the Executive Inn case. Judge Crowley has confirmed his intent this week to stay off the case, due to his reception of an un-signed letter attacking the Judge personally and professionally.

Even with the most recent decision, Baldwin wants Judge Crowley to resume his judgeship on the case as soon as possible.

Executive Inn co-owner Mark Valdes has joined Mayor Baldwin in calling for Judge Crowley to stay on the case. Mayor Baldwin forsees a long delay if another judge is required in the case.

Both sides are still being asked to agree on an alternate judge this week. Judge Crowley's decision to step down calls for Knox County Clerk Lisa Clark-Benock to name a new judge for the case, if the two sides can't agree on a judge this week.

A Knox County man has been convicted in Knox Circuit Court on meth-making and meth possession charges. A seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated around four and a half hours before returning the guilty verdict on Richard Stewart. Stewart was convicted of the meth-based counts following an incident February 26th at his Ragsdale residence.

Circuit Court Judge Sherri Gregg set Stewart's sentencing for September 21st. Stewart could receive over 20 years in prison on the meth charges.

Vincennes City Police are reviewing a string of vending machine break-ins reported over the last two weeks. City authorities reported at least 15 vending machines across Vincennes have been the victims of theft.

The latest vending machine break-in was reported around four-30 yesterday afternoon, as the R-C machine at Raben Tire on Willow Street was affected. Police are still seeking suspects in the vending machine incidents.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested 44 year-old Roberta McKinley at her Henry Sievers Road residence yesterday afternoon. McKinley is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident that happened just before two yesterday afternoon. The accident was reported in the 16-hundred block of North Sixth Street; McKinley allegedly left the scene, and was arrested at her Henry Sievers Road residence around four yesterday afternoon.

McKinley is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and with driving while suspended. She was booked into Knox County Jail on four-thousand dollars bond.

Organizers for the annual Knox County Fall Festival in Bicknell are seeking vendors for the coming event. The fourth annual Fall Festival will be at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Bicknell on Saturday, October 17th.

All residents with crafts to sell, or non-profits wishing to set up food booths, are encouraged to participate in this year's Festival.

A flight attendant that was scheduled to be on a plane that crashed into the World Trade Center will speak September 14th at Vincennes' Free Methodist Church. Joyce Oliver will be the special speaker at the monthly Vincennes Area Women's Event that evening.

Tickets for the event are on sale for ten-50 each. More information or ticket purchasing is available by calling 886-5564.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is praising the state for moving on a coming Industrial Training center in Gibson County. The Center was approved two years ago, but funding for the facility has finally been allocated this fall.

The Center will be located on U-S 41 south of the Toyota facility in Gibson County.

Oaktown's Oak Village Nursing Center was one of 17 Indiana nursing facilities with a deficiency-free survey in the second quarter of this year. A total of 141 Indiana nursing centers received their annual surveys between April and June.

A team of three or four professional workers performs detailed inspections of the locations. The surveys last anywhere from four days to two weeks.

Two other southwest Indiana facilities joined Oak Village on the deficiency-free list. The other area centers on the list include the Skilled Care Center at Jasper Memorial Hospital, and the Good Samaritan Society's Shakamak Retirement Community in Jasonville.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested an Oaktown man in Vincennes yesterday on a Pike County warrant for stalking.

County authorities stopped 26 year-old Joe Rodriguez at the corner of Sixth and Barnett. During the stop, they found he was wanted on the Pike County stalking warrant. Rodriguez is being held without bond in Knox County Jail, pending transport to Petersburg to face the stalking charge.

One person was injured following a two-vehicle accident yesterday at Eighth and Barnett Streets in Vincennes. City Police report a bike operated by Mario Matos (MAH-toss) of Vincennes was eastbound on Barnett, when his bike struck the front fender of a car driven by Dale Cameron of Vincennes. Cameron was northbound on Eighth Street when the accident happened.

Police say Matos was thrown off his bike, rolled across the car's hood, and landed on his back. Matos complained of back pain, and was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital. Officers say Matos was wearing a helmet; police mention the helmet saved Matos from any head injuries.

Matos is considered at fault for failing to yield the right of way to the vehicle.

Vincennes City Police are looking into a burglary reported yesterday afternoon at 803 South 15th.

Travis Haines reported the burglary just before three yesterday afternoon. Police are not releasing any other information on the incident at this time, pending further investigation.

The annual Knox County Day of Caring is set for Thursday, October 15th. The Day of Caring will begin with volunteers receiving assignments at the Riverfront Pavilion in Vincennes.

Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski says this year's Day of Caring will be for individual assistance as well as group needs. Murawski also knows a big part of the Day of Caring is to get the word out.

The annual Day of Caring is part of the Knox County United Way's mission of assisting the community.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles blames a continued tough economy for the loss of Whirlpool in Evansville. The company announced on Friday it would shut down its Evansville plant, idling 11-hundred jobs.

Battles says the Whirlpool closing shows times are still tough. Battles also reminds everyone the impact of Whirlpool's closing goes beyond the scope of mere numbers, to the human element, and to the impact on the broader area economy.

Local, state, and federal officials have pledged to help the displaced workers get re-located in other employment. The plant is slated for final closing in mid-2010.

Officials with the Knox County CASA program are seeking volunteers to work through the three Knox County courts. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates; the volunteers are the voice of children in court cases.

CASA director Dena Held says the need for volunteers is as strong in this area as it is in larger communities. Held explains the steps it takes to become a CASA worker.

More information is available by contacting the CASA office at 886-4470.

Knox Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley has removed himself from further action on the Executive Inn case. The move came after an un-signed August 20th letter was circulated. The letter contained attacks on Judge Crowley on a personal and professional level. The attacks are related to the Executive Inn case.

Judge Crowley leaves the Executive Inn case after two and a half years of work. Crowley did mention the recent temporary restraining order he put in place is still in effect, and a December 22nd permanent order is still on the calendar.

Both the City of Vincennes and Executive Inn owners Mark and James Valdes have until next week to agree on a special judge. If the two sides can't agree on a new judge, a judge will be appointed by Knox County Clerk Lisa Clark-Benock. If appointed, the new judge would come from Knox Circuit Court, Knox Superior Court Two, Daviess Circuit Court, Daviess Superior Court, Martin Circuit Court, or Pike Circuit Court.

Vincennes Water Utilities officials say paving work on McKinley Avenue is winding down. The paving is part of installation of a new water retention area along McKinley between 15th Street and Wheeler Road.

Water Utilities workers say there are a few touch-up projects still to be done on the pavement. However, the work will not completely close McKinley Avenue in the future.

Vincennes Water Utilities workers thank the public for their cooperation during the retention area's installation.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says land surveying work may begin as early as Monday on the I-69 extension in Daviess and Greene counties. INDOT officials will work with United Consulting and Certified Engineering from next month through the end of the year.

Surveying crews will locate buildings, trees, driveways, utilities, and property corners along the I-69 route. Property owners will be notified of the survey work when it is scheduled.

The work is part of the extension of I-69. The interstate extension is being built from Evansville northeastward towards Indianapolis. The project is now estimated to cost as much as three billion dollars to build-- well-over the original estimate of one-point-seven billion dollars.

Vincennes Redevelopment Commission president Marc McNeece expects work on Ford Road to begin this fall-- and finish next spring. The R-D-C is overseeing the road's construction between Kimmel Road and Bierhaus Boulevard.

McNeece also promises the work will not affect the Kimmel Crossing Shopping Center during the Christmas shopping season.

McNeece also mentions the new Cantwell's project is scheduled for construction along the same timetable as Ford Road.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies arrested an Oaktown man last night at a residence on Snapp Street in Oaktown.

Authorities were called to 303 Snapp Street just after seven last night, and arrested 33 year-old Shawn Taft. Authorities say they found methamphetamine, marijuana, and paraphernalia in Taft's possession.

Taft is charged was possession of the illegal substances. He was booked into Knox County Jail on three-thousand dollars bond.

Princeton State Senator Lindel Hume has been appointed to a study committee on the school funding formula. The committee is meeting at Hume's reqeust; Hume and other Legislative Democrats are seeking ways to better serve Indiana's schools.

Among Hume's other interim committees is the Sentencing Policy Study Committee, and an interim commttee on Professional Licensing. Recommendations from the committees are often the basis for legislation in the following Legislative session.

The Knox County United Way has set a 300-thousand dollar goal for this year's campaign. The goal is a slight decrease from last year's 305-thousand dollar level; the county's United Way's actual fund-raising last year totaled just over 263-thousand dollars.

United Way director Bob Murawski believes this year's campaign can be successful if they use some un-tapped resources.

The campaign received eight-thousand dollars in Pacesetter funds this morning to help kick off the campaign. The actual county United Way drive will go through November first-- but individual groups' fund-raising may stretch through the rest of the year.

The Knox County Parks Board is continuing its search for its next Superintendent this week. The next step is to interview candidates for the position.

County Parks Department spokeswoman Vicki Harmon tells us the interview process starts tomorrow. Harmon also knows an expanded Superintendent's search has provided many qualified candidates.

Parks Board members hope to name a new Superintendent by the end of October.

Vincennes City leaders are joining federal officials in a continuing inspection of two levees protecting parts of Vincennes. Both the City Levee, and part of the Brevoort Levee, provide flood protection for City residents.

Vincennes Water Utilities general manager Kirk Bouchie knows both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers will thoroughly inspect both levees for soundness. The levee inspection, and repair of problems found in the inspection, is necessary for federal levee certification.

The certification is also needed to lower flood insurance rates for residents living in levee-protected areas.

Good Samaritan Hospital chief financial officer Rob McLin reported an improved outlook for July, over a down month in June.

McLin reported increased net and gross revenue in July, after a decrease the month before. McLin says the numbers for July were about as good as he could expect. McLin also praises the Hospital staff for cutting costs to ease the Hospital budget.

McLin is optimistic the rest of the year will also be profitable for the Hospital, since is coming into the traditionally higher-volume fall and winter months.

A gas leak is being blamed for an explosion and fire that injured a 15 year-old boy last night at his home in the Lawrence County town of Billett.

Denison Township firemen identified the victim as 15 year-old Cody Schick. Preliminary reports show an L-P gas leak affected a water heater, causing the explosion. Schick suffered burns over around a quarter of his body from the explosion; officials say he suffered the severe burns on his back, and from the waist down. Schick was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, then transported to a Cincinnati hospital for more treatment. He is currently in stable condition.

Firemen arrived on the scene around nine-45, and battled the fire for around five hours. The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office is investigating the fire scene. The residence was occupied by the Mike Schick family. Cody Schick was the only family member home at the time of the explosion.

The Vincennes Board of Works approved rental of the Riverfront Pavilion as part of the annual Knox County Day of Caring. The Knox County United Way-sponsored event will happen this year on Thursday, October 15th.

Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski requested the Pavilion's use from seven-30 to ten-30 that morning. The Pavilion will be a clearing-house for volunteers to pick up their work assignments and tools for the task. The Board voted unanimously to allow the Pavilion's use that day.

The Day of Caring allows Knox County United Way volunteers to spend the day helping United Way-sponsored agencies assist the community.

Indiana State Police arrested a Bruceville woman this morning following discovery of a meth lab at 16th and Cavanaugh in Vincennes.

Around two-30 a-m, State Police stopped a vehicle occupied by 30 year-old Heather McClure. During the stop, troopers found a meth lab in the vehicle.

McClure is charged with meth-making; other charges are possible, pending further investigation. McClure was booked into Knox County Jail on 25-thousand dollars bond. State Police have been on the scene this morning dismantling the meth lab.

The City of Vincennes has been approved for 125-thousand dollars in home improvement grant funding for some qualified homes in Vincennes. The funding refers back to a grant the city applied for back in 2007.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin's chief of staff Lori Buehlman announced the persistence of City officials finally paid off. Buehlman also expects the city to use the home improvement grant money by the end of the year.

The grant will be administered by the Southern Indiana Development Commission. Originally, around 20 homes in the Tenth Street area were eligible for repairs for the grant. With the passage of time, the homeowners originally eligible for the grant may have to re-apply to get a share of the home improvement funds.

Pike County Fair Queen Stephanie Flint came in second among 89 contestants yesterday in the annual Indiana State Fair Queen contest. Flint finished first runner up to the new Fair Queen Denae Pyle of northern Indiana's Kosciusko County. Flint's first runner-up status means she will become Fair Queen if Pyle can't fulfill her duties for any reason. This year's Fair Queen selection will reign over next year's Indiana State Fair.

No other southwest Indiana candidates made the final five. Three other southwest Indiana candidates were among the ten finalists-- the area finalists included Dubois County's Laura Messmer, Vanderburgh County's Sarah Orth, and Posey County's Keely Hoehn.

The Queen contest was part of yesterday's final day of this year's Indiana State Fair.

Classes get back in session for the fall semester today at Vincennes University. Students have spent the weekend moving in and getting themselves ready for today's start of classes.

V-U president Dr. Richard Helton says this year, the Administration's efforts are centered not just on getting students on campus-- but on keeping them there. Also, University officials are reaching out to high schoolers in this area as potential University students. Dr. Helton mentions Washington High School is the latest to join the Early College program.

University officials hope a trend of increased numbers continues across all its campuses and programs.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles says the state's budget is forecast to decline in both 2010 and 2011.

The state will go into the next two years with a one billion dollar surplus. However, Battles says that surplus won't turn around a bleak future.

The decreased financial forecasts will cause tighter state budgets for the next two years.

Vincennes University president Richard Helton is praising a recent move to keep tuition increases as low as possible. Students returning to school this weekend will pay an added three and a half percent in tuition this year, and four more percent next year.

Dr. Helton explains even with the increases, V-U's tuition and fees are still the lowest in the state. Helton also believes their tuition increases were justifiable-- and justifiably low.

Many Vincennes University students are moving into residence halls this weekend, to prepare for the start of classes on Monday.

Indiana State Police at Evansville stepped up their enforcement througout the district as part of a saturation patrol overnight. The blitz resulted in several arrests throughout the area.

State Police arrested seven people for operating while intoxicated between nine last night and five this morning. The arrested individuals include 21 year-old Xavier Hardiman, 24 year-old Brittany Campbell, 25 year-old Timothy Wampler, 30 year-old Robert Gomez, Junior; 18 year-old Randall Wollerman the Third, and 27 year-old Travis Lewis. All six are from Vincennes. The seventh OWI arrest was for 61 year-old Thomas Carson, of Bicknell.

The saturation patrol was conducted as part of an overall increased enforcement connected with the coming Labor Day holiday. Police are stepping up patrols this Labor Day season to keep drunk drivers off area roadways.

Southwest Indiana is still among the most employed areas of the state of Indiana. The July unemployment report was released yesterday.

Daviess County is the state's most employed for the month of July, with a five point eight percent unemployment rate-- again a full percentage point lower than the next-lowest county. In this area, Dubois County is fourth most-employed, with Martin County fifth in employment. Both counties' unemployment rate is just over seven percent. Greene County is tenth in employment, with Knox County twelfth. Knox County's unemployment rate is at eight-point three percent for July. Gibson County ranks 20th in employment, with Sullivan County 24th, and Pike County 27th.

Pike County's unemployment rate is the area's highest for July, at nine-point-seven percent; all area counties are still below Indiana's July average of ten point four percent.

Two people are dead following an accident yesterday in northern Knox County.

The accident happened on State Road 67 near the intersection of State Road 358 near Edwardsport. Sheriff's deputies say a vehicle driven by 19 year-old Stephen Postlewaite, of Oblong, went left of center and collided head-on with a southbound vehicle driven by 59 year-old Jerry Summerville, of Lyons.

Postlewaite and a passenger in his vehicle, 38 year-old John Griffin, also from Oblong, were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither one was wearing seatbelts. State Road 67 was shut down for around 90 minutes following the accident.

Police are unsure why Postlewait's vehicle went left of center. A further investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Knox County Sheriff's Department.

State Police arrested two Vincennes residents Friday morning after finding a meth lab in the trunk of their car.

33-year-old Brian Rodgers was pulled over at Scott and Third Streets for failing to signal.

Further investigation revealed Rodgers was a habitual traffic offender and was prohibited by law to drive.

During a search of the vehicle, police found a small amount of methamphetamine and a meth lab in the trunk.

Rodgers and a passenger, 21-year-old Kristina Wise, were arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Rodgers also faces charges including possession of methamphetamine and precursors.

Scott Street was closed between 3rd and 4th Street for about three hours while meth lab was dismantled.

Registrations are now being taken for the annual Bicknell Labor Day Festival queen contest. Registrations are being accepted through August 25th, with the contest to be held on Wednesday, September second at 7 pm. The contest will be held in the cafeteria at North Knox Central Elementary.

Eligible candidates must have a Bicknell address, be single high school students between 14 and 18 years of age, have no children, and have been a Bicknell resident for at least one year. The Bicknell Festival queen will be required to be available for various festival-related events during the Labor Day weekend.

Anyone interested in more information should contact Kelly Donnar at 735-2217.

Vincennes City Police are checking on a series of thefts from vehicles reported this morning in the parking lots of two Vincennes hotels.

Authorities report at least twelve vehicles suffered break-ins this morning. The incidents were reported starting around four a-m at both the Holiday Inn Express and the Quality Inn. At this time, police say those are the only two locations affected by the morning incidents.

City officials are still seeking suspects at this time.

Officials at the Vincennes Farmers' Market invite all residents to Kids' Day at the Market tomorrow. The Farmers' Market is held at the Riverfront Pavilion at Second and Busseron Streets.

Activities Saturday will include games for ages two to ten from nine to noon; the Clowns of Old Vincennes will perform from ten to noon; and the Glitter Girls will be on display starting at ten a-m. Illiana Watermelon Queen Johnna Thompson will be at the Market during the day, and eight year-old Evan Twitty will be singing country music starting at ten-30.

The Farmers' Market itself will be open from eight a-m to one p-m tomorrow.

The South Knox School Board selected Hanover Insurance to supply property and casualty insurance for the Corporation for the next year. The policy will be administered through Smith and Bell Insurance of Vincennes for 84-thousand, 338 dollars for one year. The insurance plan will increase around eight-thousand dollars for the next year.

Also, South Knox Superintendent Brad Case told the Board the first week attendance is up slightly from last year. The attendance was totaled at one-thousand, 184 students-- up five students from last year. The attendance returns to an increase this year, after a decline a year ago. However, the South Knox attendance has risen steadily overall in the last five years.

The Vincennes Utility Services Board expects to vote next month on a stormwater user rate for non-residential landholders. The announcement comes as both engineering firm Hannum Wagle and Cline, and rate expert Crowe Horvath, continue analyzing revenue projects for the property.

Hannum Wagle and Cline will spend the next month finalizing their study-- including elimination of duplicate properties, and review of commercial property which may actually be residential in use.

The actual submitted rate won't be released until the U-S-B meets on September 16th. If the Board approves the rate at the September session, it will be submitted as a first-reading ordinance to Vincennes City Council on September 28th.

The Lawrence County Board has voted 4-2 to get out of the National Flood Insurance Program. Larry Stoltz joined Gene Hays, Jesse Middaugh, and Pat Spidel in voting to leave the NFIP. Kerry Emmons and Ryan Curtis voted to stay in the program.

Hays has been a chief voice to get out of the flood insurance program. He says the self-reliance of families in Lawrence County's flood plain will carry the day. The most significant voice to stay in the N-F-I-P was Paul Yochum, owner of Westport Chrysler-Dodge. Yochum criticized the Board for leaving the national flood program a year after entering the N-F-I-P.

Knox Superior Court One Judge Tim Crowley has ordered the Executive Inn to remain closed. In a ruling released just before the noon hour, Judge Crowley continued the temporary injunction against the Executive Inn, and vacated an order for both lounges and 25 guest rooms to stay open. Also, owners Mark and James Valdes, and their families, are not allowed to stay in the Executive Inn while the order is in effect.

The building itself has been un-sealed-- but only for retrieval of personal belongings, and for building repairs. Also, the City of Vincennes is not allowed to shut off the utilities to the building, except at the owners' request. All Vincennes City or Department of Homeland Security inspectors may also inspect the complex at any reasonable time, pending a permanent injunction hearing.

Judge Crowley has set a permanent injunction hearing for nine a-m on December 22nd in Knox Superior Court One.

The Knox County Library Board approved one additional appropriation and a request to advertise for a second at its monthly meeting yesterday in Vincennes.

The approved request allows the Library to pay 71-thousand dollars toward renovation work. The Board also requested advertising of 185-thousand dollars for expenses; the money would come from the Library's Rainy Day Fund. Library director Emily Bunyan believes the 185-thousand dollar payout, along with some advance tax draws, will keep the Library from having to take out a bank loan. The 185-thousand dollar proposal will come back before the Library Board for a public hearing and potential approval next month.

In other business, Library Director Emily Bunyan unveiled an over one-point-four million dollar budget for next year. The projected budget is a two-percent increase over last year. The budget will be advertised on August 24th and August 31st.

The Vincennes Police Merit Commission accepted two resignations from two City policemen yesterday. The resignation of William Gordon was accepted as of August 14th, and Cory Decker will leave the Department on September second. Gordon did not give a destination in his resignation letter, while Decker will leave the police department to join the Greenfield Police Department.

The Merit Commission also promoted John Hildebrand to Sergeant. Hildebrand will replace former Sergeant Mark DuPire; DuPire resigned from the Vincennes City Police on July 28th.

In other business, Ed Thais was appointed as Merit Commission president, with Dale Brockman as vice-president. The third Merit Commission position is open due to the recent passing of Curt Shake. The position is an appointment of Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin; when the position is filled, the appointment will become the Board Secretary.

Some residents in and just north of Vincennes are without power this morning from a downed power line and pole in that area. The line and pole are down near Old State Road 67; it has been reported a tree down in that area may be responsible for the outage.

The power went out at 7:38 this morning; Duke Energy reports 259 customers lost electricity. Duke Energy and Knox County crews are cleaning up the area at this time.

The Knox County United Way is preparing to kick off its annual campaign a week from today at the monthly Breakfast Bandwagon session. At that time, Knox County United Way officials will announce the annual goal for the coming campaign.

Knox County United Way director Bob Murawski says one of the largest United Way contributors is Good Samaritan Hosiptal. Murawski says the Hospital is already hard at work getting pledge cards to its employees. At this time, Murawski and the county's United Way Board is hammering out the final goal amount. Murawski explains the process toward setting the campaign goal.

The campaign will run from late August through the fall months. Murawski encouraged all Knox County residents to give generously to the Knox County United Way this year.

The transformation of the old Knox County Jail in the current Knox County Work-Release Center was showcased yesterday at the Eighth Street facility.

Work-Release Center director Bob Hatton says the renovation process started just under two years ago. Hatton also mentions the expanded Work-Release center may join the Knox County Jail in making money for the County.

The Work-Release Center is designed to help non-violent inmates serve their sentences, and still keep their jobs in the community.

Knox County taxpayers will have their two property tax installments combined into one payment this year. Knox County Auditor Sharon Duke told the Knox County Commissioners the documents will be out in September, and both installments will be due by November tenth.

Knox County Auditor Sharon Duke believes the consolidation will be more convenient for taxpayers. Duke also blames problems at the state level for the necessary consolidation.

The Commissioners are also considering an extra charge for both debit and credit card payment of taxes. If the Commissioners approve, using the plastic will cost an extra two-point-nine percent. The Commissioners will consider the surcharge during their next meeting on September eighth.

In other business, the Commissioners approved the payment of 20-thousand dollars to settle a lawsuit against the County. The decision came after an executive session last night between the Commissioners and members of the Knox County Council. The agreement is subject to approval of the Knox County Council at its next session in September.

Assessed valuation within the Vincennes Community School District has dropped by 13 percent and that means next years budget will be tight. According to number just released by the state, the local schools will have to adopt its budget in October based on lower values. Superintendent Doug Rose says the change will make budgeting more difficult.

One reason for lower assessed valuation is property tax caps, but school officials are trying to find out why the assessment is so much lower than expected. Work on the budget has been delayed due to delayed information being released by the county and the state. A public hearing on the School Budget for 2010 is tentatively set for September 21st with an adoption scheduled for October 5th.

North Knox Superintendent Joe Adams is reporting a decline in enrollment is steadying in the North Knox School District. Adams reports after one week of school, the full-time enrollment for the School District is down 19 in all grades-- between Kindergarten and twelfth grade.

The number of decreasing students is better than in previous years. Adams says the decline has averaged 40 students per year in the Corporation over the last decade.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is pointing to the 2010 election as crucial for the state's future. Both parties are seeking a majority to ensure control of re-districting scheduled for 2011. The General Assembly is responsible for drawing maps for seats in the Indiana Senate, Indiana House, and Congressional districts.

Battles currently chairs the committee that would handle the re-districting. If the Democrats hold on to the Indiana House in 2010, Battles could hold on to that chairmanship. Battles knows the re-drawn maps will be important because of the traditionally close split of House seats.

Battles believes the Senate redrawing is not as crucial, since Repubicans dominate the chamber 33-17.

Vincennes became one of only ten cities to be a center of discussion of the H-1-N-1 flu virus. The Vincennes discussion took place over the weekend at Vincennes University. The virus, also known as "swine flu," has reached pandemic status around the world.

As we reported first yesterday, a crowd of near 60 gathered to discuss future reaction to the pandemic. Bob Rees is with the Knox County Health Department; he was glad to see a cross-section of community leaders and health officials among the discussion's particpants.

Among the other discussion locations are New York City, Birmingham, Denver, and Lincoln Nebraska. The University of Nebraska is the lead agency in the flu preparation study.

Knox County Chamber of Commerce president Marc McNeece is among the latest to call for action on the Executive Inn. The hotel is currently closed after a court-issued temporary restraining order closed and sealed the Vincennes facility.

McNeece is among those who believes something must be done with the facility. McNeece also reminds everyone this is not the first battle to brighten the Sixth Street entrance to Vincennes.

Both sides in the battle over re-opening the Executive Inn stated their cases on Friday in Knox Superior Court One. Judge Tim Crowley took the arguments under advisement; he said he will release his decision at a later time.

Knox County Auditor Sharon Duke expects the state of Indiana to send the county's property tax rates to her office next week. The state has been assessing the rates for the last several weeks.

After the county gets the rates, various steps must be put in place before the statements are issued. At this time, Duke expects the first installment of property taxes to be due by the end of September. Duke reminds all property taxpayers of a quick turnaround; the second property tax installment will be due as normal on November tenth.

Another school corporation returns to the books today, as the Vincennes Community School Corporation welcomes both teachers and students to the classroom.

With the first day of school comes concerns about school safety. Vincennes Schools Assistant Superintendent Tom Nonte reminds everyone to watch out for kids heading to school.

Students and teachers will report together for the first day of school. In the past, teachers have spent the day before school preparing for the first student day. Nonte wishes the day of preparation was there-- but knows teachers have done their own preparation well beforehand.

City Police will also increase patrols to ensure students' safety and enforce school zone speed limits.

Two more school districts have yet to get back to class. The Vincennes Catholic School District will bring students back tomorrow, with South Knox students to report to school on Tuesday. North Knox students started school earlier this week.

Virginia officials have arrested a North Carolina man in connection with a Vincennes auto theft.

21 year-old David Capel is charged with the theft in the disappearance of a green Ford Contour. The car was reported stolen by Cheryl Bradford on Tuesday; the theft happened in the 500-block of North Third Street in Vincennes.

Capel was arrested during a traffic stop near the town of Galax, Virginia. He is being held in a Virginia jail, awaiting transport to Knox County to face the auto theft charge.

Knox Superior Court One judge Tim Crowley has yet to rule on a request for a temporary restraining order against the owners of the Executive Inn.

The City of Vincennes has officially requested the order in a filing in Knox Superior Court One. The request alleges Executive Inn owners Mark and James Valdes are violating an emergency order to evacuate the building. The emergency evacuation, and sealing of the building, was ordered last week by Vincennes City Inspector Chris Eisenhut. Eisenhut made the move following an inspection of the Executive Inn last week; the inspection turned up several code violations.

Judge Crowley is still reviewing the case. At this time, no hearings on the requested temporary restraining order have been scheduled.

The face of Freddy the Freeloader was unveiled yesterday afternoon on a stamp, as part of a tribute to Red Skelton. The Skelton character's face was part of a set of 20 stamps honoring the pioneers of television.

Around 100 people attended a dedication ceremony of the Red Skelton stamp at the Red Skelton Center in Vincennes. A ceremony honoring the new stamp was hosted by Dr. Phillip Summers. Dr. Summers took a main role is reviving Skelton's legacy following his death in 1997; he says even to this day, people remember Skelton's legacy of laughter. Summers also pledged himself to continue keeping the Red Skelton legacy alive-- now and in the future.

Another major step in preserving the Skelton legacy is the construction of the Red Skelton Museum. Officials hope funding is in place to open the museum in late 2010.

A Vincennes man has been charged with a federal count of possession of a firearm by a felon. U-S District Attorney Timothy Morrison announced the charge against 35 year-old Ronald Jackson.

A federal grand jury claims Jackson possessed a firearm on May 19th, after sustaining six separate felony charges in Florida beween 1991 and 2004. If convicted of the firearms charge, Jackson could face a maximum ten years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine. In addition, federal officials also claim Jackson is an armed career criminal. If he is found by a jury to be an armed career criminal, Jackson would face a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Jackson is being held in prison pending further review of the case by a federal judge in Terre Haute.

A Vincennes man was charged late yesterday afternoon with one count each of arson and burglary in a July 22nd fire at 153 East Swartzel Avenue.

Vincenes City Fire crews claim 19 year-old Robert C. Burton burglarized, and then set fire to, the residence owned by Glen Whitson. The fire was called in during the early-morning hours of Wednesday, July 22nd. The un-occupied residence suffered around 40-thousand dollars in damage. Fire officials also claim a 16 year-old also faces juvenile charges in the incident.

The arson and burglary charges were filed on Burton while he is being held at the Knox County Jail. The arson and burglary counts are the latest charges that Burton faces; he is also charged with resisting law enforcement, intimidation, and battery from a separate incident on July 23rd in Vincennes.

The Vincennes City Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a suspect involved in a high-speed pursuit.

City Police Chief Tom Grove is asking the public's help in finding 31 year-old Joseph Gossett. As we reported first yesterday, Gossett is wanted for an attempted burglary at the First Vincennes Savings Bank A-T-M on Kimmel Road. Police pursued Gossett for around 11 miles, before he escaped from police in a wooded area near Lawrence County Road 1100-North. Gossett is described as 6-1, 180 pounds, with blue eyes.

Police now say Gossett's female companion, 27 year-old Heather Bilskie, was captured in the incident. She is charged with attempted burglary and resisting law enforcement; she was booked into Knox County Jail. Her arrest information was released yesterday afternoon.

Police are seeking Gossett for questioning about the A-T-M break-in; as we also reported first yesterday, he is also wanted for questioning in other reported A-T-M incidents across Vincennes.

Vincennes City Council Budget and Finance Committee chair Don Kirk told Council last night state officials have approved the City's 2009 budget. On the surface, the approval contained minor cuts in a few line items-- but Kirk warns below the surface, there may be more cuts coming. Kirk also advocates careful spending of the City's money for the rest of this year.

Along with the current budget year, departments are preparing for work on next year's budget. Hearings on the 2010 budgets will happen in the weeks to come.

Vincennes City Attorney Dave Miller expects to file a condemnation request on the Executive Inn by early afternoon today.

A surprise inspection by Vincennes City Inspector Chris Eisenhut led to the condemnation request. The inspection turned up several violations at the facility. Eisenhut said un-permitted work at the Executive Inn led to the surprise inspection. Eisenhut is sad to see the old facility go-- but says its current state makes it necessary.

The pending condemnation will also affect a pending carnival. The Vincennes Board of Works agreed to help Brady Amusements find another place to set up its event from August 16th through 22nd. The carnival was set for the Executive Inn lot, but the pending action against the Executive Inn forced the movement.

Illinois State Police have released information on a two-police car accident that happened early this morning on U-S 50.

The police vehicles were from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. They were driven by 28 year-old Brandon Sapp and 34 year-old Dennis York; both men were from Lawrenceville. Both units were supporting a vehicle pursuit that started in Vincennes.

Illinois State Police report the vehicle driven by Sapp pulled over on the shoulder of U-S 50 near Illinois State Road 1. The car driven by York then attempted to pass Sapp's vehicle; Sapp's car swerved to the left, and made contact with York's police unit. The impact caused York's vehicle to travel down an embankment, and hit a tree.

Both men suffered minor injuries. Both were treated at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital.

Vincennes City and Lawrence County Police are still seeking a man allegedly involved in an overnight break-in of a Vincennes A-T-M.

City Police responded to an alarm at First Vincennes Savings Bank just before midnight. Vincennes City Police captain Greg Zeabart tells us they found the vehicle at the bank, and started the pursuit. The pursuit led to the pursued vehicle wrecking; the wreck happened near Lawrence County Road 1100 North-- around five to six miles from the Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport. The pursuit leading to the wreck reached speeds of up to 125 miles per hour on U-S 50 in Lawrence County. The suspect escaped capture, and is at large. City Police say the suspect's name is Joseph R. Gossett; Zeabart says Gossett is also wanted for questioning for some other break-ins.

Gossett is 6-1, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about Gossett's whereabouts should contact Vincennes City Police at 882-1630.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is weighing his options for re-districting following the 2010 elections, if he retains his seat in the Indiana House.

The Indiana State Senate, State House, and Congressional maps are re-drawn every ten years, following the results of the 2010 Census. Battles knows the districts can look bizarre-- but he claims the maps are drawn as they are in the name of fairness.

A recent idea would put the map-drawing into the hands of judicial appointees. But Battles doesn't think even a move like that would effectively leave politics out of redistricting.

Political experts believe both parties will especially target the 2010 election, so they can control the re-districting process.

The Annual Hoosier Cruisers Car show took place yesterday at Gregg Park in Vincennes. This year the show was organized by the City of Vincennes. Best truck was a 1971 GMC owned by Jeff Brown of Jasper. Best Car was a 1930 Ford owned by Bill McCracken of Jasonville. The Best customized vehicle award went to Wesley cone of Vincennes for his 1990 Toyota truck. John and Patty Weis of Evansville were awarded the Best of Show for their 1963 Chevy and Ron Vogler of Jasper won the Mayor's Choice award for his 1948 Chevy Truck. Over ninety cars registered in various categories.

     A group of interested community members spoke with Vincennes City leaders about a renovation of Rainbow Beach. Both Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin and City Parks director Steve Beamon heard from pool backers. A group including Anne Pratt, Nancy Hensel, Laura DeBrock, and Missy Halter addressed the issue with the City leaders.

     Beamon admits the pool will be at the end of its life within five years. He says the next step in improving the pool will require a partnership with the City, engineers, and community members.

     One idea being heavily considered for the facility is keeping 50-meter lap lanes for meets and lap swimming. Beamon says the 50-meter lanes is a unique feature for Rainbow Beach.

     Mayor Baldwin did say any improvement plan will be dependent on help with expenses.

     A Vincennes company will be honored for being among Indiana's 50 outstanding second-stage companies during the Indiana Companies To Watch awards program, which will be held August 27th in Indianapolis.  The company being honored is the AME Group, an information technology consulting firm.  The AME Group provides business and financial consulting services for clients in a variety of businesses. Established in 1985, the AME Group provides solutions including risk management, operational cost control and business systems automation for clients across the country.  The 50 Companies to Watch award ceremony will be held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.  Tickets are available by calling 888-472-3244.

     The Vincennes Redevelopment Commission will meet this morning at City Hall. The nine a.m. meeting will include a report on progress in getting the Ford Road project into the construction stage and a continuing discussion of a request for the Redevelopment Commission to help the Vincennes Urban Enterprise Association project to spruce up a portion of Second Street. The meeting will take place in Council Chambers at Vincennes City Hall.

     Registration for the 2009-2010 school year continues today (Thu.) for students in the Red Hill Unit 10 school district. District-wide registration for all schools and grade levels will take place from four to seven p-m at Red Hill High School in Bridgeport. Those coming to the school should use the north entrance with registration taking place in the cafeteria. A representative from each school will be on hand to register students and answer questions. All registation packets must be completed and submitted and all outstanding fees must be paid before schedules and classroom assignments will be released.

Vincennes native Red Skelton will be honored by the U-S Postal Service on Tuesday, August eleventh. That day, the U-S Postal Service will unveil a stamp honoring his position as one of the pioneers of early television.

The stamp will feature Skelton and 19 other early T-V pioneers in a 20-stamp commemorative set. The Vincennes ceremony will be held at one p-m Tuesday, August eleventh at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center. Former Vincennes University president Dr. Phillip Summers will head the ceremony; Summers is also the chair of the Red Skelton Museum Foundation.

First day issuance cancellation will also be available immediately after the dedication ceremony.

Indiana State Police arrested four people this morning following a traffic stop on U-S 50 near the Old State Road 67 overpass.

Just before one a-m, authorities halted a Dodge pickup truck occupied by four men. State Police did not specify who was driving the vehicle. During the stop, authorities found methamphetamine in all four men's possession.

State Police arrested 46 year-old Frank Christenberry of Washington, 46 year-old Louis Gerbig of Washington, 49 year-old Terry Anderson of Washington, and 39 year-old Aaron Helderman of Wheatland. All four are charged with possession of methampetamine; Helderman is also charged with possession of paraphernalia.

All four men were booked into Knox County Jail on 65-hundred dollars bond.

Cleanup continues across Knox County from a strong storm that hammered the area yesterday. Knox County Emergency Management Agency director John Streeter tells us the storms were strongest in a line from Kimmel Park northward to U-S 50. Streeter reported some minor damage to a few outbuildings and barns from the downed trees. Also, downed trees blocked some roads for a time yesterday afternoon.

Streeter says the storm's severity caught him by surprise.

The top wind speeds from yesterday's storm were estimated between 55 and 60 miles an hour.

Buses representing Vincennes Community and Vincennes Catholic Schools rolled into inspection lines yesterday for an annual School Bus Inspection. The annual exzmination is part of the preparation for the coming school year.

Officials from the Indiana State Police came in to review the buses throughout the day yesterday. State Police bus inspector Roger Cannon is in charge of the Vincennes inspection; he mentions some buses have been shelved for the short term. However, Cannon expects all the bus problems they find will be fixed by the start of school.

The Indiana State Police bus inspection is done to buses in school corporations throughout Indiana. The state review is to ensure children's safety during the school year.

The Vincennes Education Foundation is preparing to help students and teachers head back to school later this month. The Foundation supports both students and teachers' efforts to further education in the Vincennes community.

V-E-F representative Pat Hutchison says one way they support education is with grants to help the Corporation's teachers. Hutchison also invites the public to help them through their annual Homecoming fund-raising golf outing.

The V-E-F's other major fund raiser each year is their springtime "Night For the Kids."

Officials with the Southern Indiana Development Commission have announced the reception of a 500-thousand dollar grant by Sandborn officials on Friday. The 500-thousand dollar grant will help the city's stormwater drainage.

S-I-D-C spokesman Greg Jones says the funding stems from emergency money to help last year's flood victims.

The Sandborn grant is the latest in a long line of improvement grants that have come to Knox County municipalities. Other grants have assisted County municipalities with drainage, water and sewer improvements, and housing rehabilitation.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles continues to warn of funding changes for area public schools in the coming years. The changes are due to reduced state revenues, and a "follow the child" funding formula that favors growing school districts.

Some school districts have tried to reduce force by not filling postions opened by retirement. However, Battles believes under the current funding formula, area public schools will be forced to reduce either their current staffs or their programs.

An earlier lawsuit filed and later dismissed by some state school corporations alleged discrimination against rural schools. Battles says a revival of that suit is possible.

The State of Indiana has reduced funding to many state agencies, due to recently approved property tax caps.

Toyota's assembly plant in Princeton will reach a milestone tomorrow, with the one-millionth Sienna minivan rolling off the assembly line. The Princeton plant began producing the Sienna in January of 2003.

Toyota announced last year it would start building the Highlander mid-size S-U-V in October. The Highlander will replace the plant's Tundra assembly line.

Vincennes Water Utilities will do a stormwater repair job starting tomorrow on Sixth between Main Street and Vigo Street.

The repair will affect the soutbound lane only; traffic will continue on the northbound lane. The repair will affect the block of Sixth Street all day tomorrow; the repair should be completed by Wednesday morning.

Four people were arrested this morning following a high-speed chase through Knox County Indiana and Lawrence County Illinois.

Around two a-m, Knox County Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop a vehicle at the corner of Second and Vigo. Authorities say the attempted stop was due to a warrant on one of the passengers in the vehicle. Also, the car was suspected of being involved in prior drug activity.

The car crossed the Memorial Bridge into Illinois, where Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies took up the chase. The chase ended when the vehicle was stopped at Eleventh and Pine Streets in Lawrenceville.

Three men and a woman were arrested in the incident. At this time, Lawrence County Illinois officials have not released the names or charges on the four individuals arrested. Knox County officials say all four of the arrested individuals were in their early 20's.

All four have been booked into Lawrence County Illinois Jail.

Despite the loss of two major sponsors, the Watermelon Festival will be held all day tomorrow in downtown Vincennes. The annual event brings food, fun, entertainment, and free watermelon to the area in and around Patrick Henry Square.

Both Papa John's and Jack Daniel's had pulled their sponsorships this year. Knox County Chamber of Commerce C-E-O Marc McNeece credited over 30 local sponsors for filling the void, and making this year's Festival a success. As we reported first earlier this week, the local sponsors will be setting up booth space as part of their sponsorship of this year's event.

A large crowd is expected to come out for tomorrow's Watermelon Festival.

An Olney man has been identified as the person struck and killed in an accident early Thursday morning on Old U-S 50 three miles east of Lawrenceville.

Illinois State Police say 35 year-old Timothy Berry jumped into the path of a vehicle driven by 30 year-old Reyanna McGuire of Lawrenceville. McGuire struck Berry; he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he died from injuries he suffered in the accident.

Following the accident, McGuire was charged with driving with a suspended license.

An un-identified person was shot in the leg overnight following an incident at a location near Oaktown. The shooting was reported around midnight at a residence near Horrall Road; emergency officials found the un-named victim suffered a gunshot wound to his leg.

Authorities say a fight between two men led to the shooting. Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris said this morning they have a suspect, but no one has been arrested at this time.

Illinois State Police are investigating a man who died after being struck by a car on U-S 50 near Westport. The man has not been identified; authorities believe the man was disoriented when the accident happened.

State Police have not released any other information on the incident, except to say the case is still under investigation at this time.

Vincennes City Police were called to a bomb threat last night at the Vincennes JC Penney at 610 Niblack Boulevard.

Around eight-50 last night, police were informed that someone had called in the bomb threat to store officials. Officers evacuated the location, and searched the store without finding anything suspicious. Authorities stayed on the scene for around an hour.

Police are still seeking suspects in the case.

A Wheatland-area man died yesterday in a farming accident in a grain bin at the Robinson Grain elevator.

73 year-old Marvin Byrd was cleaning an empty grain bin when his foot got caught in a grain-transfer system. He was pronounced dead on the scene, when emergency officials arrived around twelve-35 yesterday afternoon.

An autopsy found Byrd bled to death from the traumatic injury he suffered to his foot. The Knox County Coroner's office has officially called the death accidental, and said it was caused by mechanical entanglement.

Byrd has been a co-owner of Robinson Grain for the last seven years.

One of three children injured in a recent northern Knox County accident has died.

Seven year-old Alejandro Rosales of Benton Harbor, Michigan, passed away over the weekend at Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital. A second child-- eight year-old Brianna Rosales-- is still in Methodist Hospital, recovering from both back and leg injuries. The third child injured in the accident is 10 year-old Gabriella Rosales; she was treated and released from Good Samaritan Hospital.

The accident happened when a mini-van operated by the children's mother-- 40 year-old Lisa Rosales-- was struck by a truck. Both drivers escaped injury.

One man was injured in an underground accident at the Peabody's Indiana Air Quality Mine south of Vincennes.

Officials say the un-named miner suffered a leg injury. He was taken by helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville for treatment. The accident happened during the day yesterday.

No other information has been released at this time. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.

Good Samaritan Hospital made history yesterday, as Mary Cay Martin became the first female chairperson for the Hospital's Board of Governors.

Martin has been on the GSH Board since 2000; she will serve as the Board's chair for the next two years. She has served the last ten years as the representative of Knox County's first female judge-- Knox Circuit Court Judge Sherri Gregg.

The other Board officers include Fred Thompson as vice-president, and Maridell Sargent as Board secretary.

The City of Vincennes is now under a "zero tolerance" policy in illegal drug use. Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin has passed an administrative mandate that City employees will be free of illegal drugs.

The mandate was announced during yesterday's Board of Works session, with the message passed to all Department heads. The Department leaders will then enforce the new rule in their departments.

In other business, the Board approved a request by Mayor Baldwin's chief of staff Lori Buehlman (BUELL-man). The request is to sell surplus property in the Vincennes Street Department. The surplus equipment includes six push mowers, four pickup trucks, a dump truck, two semi trailers, and other assorted equipment. The surplus items will go on the block in an auction on August tenth.

Indiana State Police arrested a Vincennes man yesterday on meth-dealing and other charges.

Around two-50 ysterday afternoon, State Police served a search warrant at 1813 Wabash Avenue. The search turned up 24 grams of methamphetamine, over ten grams of pseudophedrine, some hydrocodone pills, and a small amount of marijuana.

Troopers arrested 50 year-old Herman Witteried on charges of meth dealing, meth possession over three grams, possession of a Schedule Two controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of precursors. Witteried was booked into Knox County Jail upon his arrest.

Also during the warrant, police arrested 30 year-old Courtney Walker. Walker was found outside the residence; she is charged with an Illinois warrant for meth possession, and a Knox County warrant for probation violation. She is being held without bond at the Knox County Jail.

Vincennes City Fire Chief Mike Lankford is seeking help to fund a new set of breathing apparatus for the City Fire Department. Lankford is asking for the extra money to replace outdated equipment. Lankford is seeking just over 209-thousand dollars to pay for the new apparatus.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin says he understands Lankford's need-- but doesn't know what the city's finances will be like next year. Baldwin will fund the equipment one way or the other-- but he prefers to use grant money for the purchase if possible.

Mayor Baldwin also told Lankford and others all City departments are facing the same crisis caused by reduced funding. The reduced funding is from recently-approved property tax caps.

The Vincennes City Council is considering a re-configuration of a proposed golf cart ordinance. The new ordinance would allow street-legal golf carts to travel on some Vincennes city streets.

Recent state law allows some golf carts on some of Indiana's municipal streets. City Councilman Mark Hill believes it would be prudent to re-introduce a re-worked golf cart bill as a new ordinance.

The next meeting of Vincennes City Council is set for Monday, August tenth.

The recently-ended Knox County Fair is being considered a great success by Fair officials. This year's Knox County Fair was the 200th anniversary of the annual event; various exhibits at the Fair reflected the exhibits of Fairs over the years.

Fair officials credit the cooler-than-usual weather for the good crowds over the event's six-year run. Among the Fair's best nights was Friday night-- with a good amount of people standing in line for midway activities, and larger than normal crowds at various food locations.

Fair officials are in the process of reviewing this year's Fair to prepare for next year's 201st annual Knox County Fair.

Vincennes State Representative Kreg Battles is not hearing as many concerns about the budget as he expected after the recent special session. The session ended with a two-year budget approved in late June, just before the July first start of the state's fiscal year.

Battles says many of his district's constituents understand the steps the state took to meet the current financial crisis. Now the budget crisis passes to county and municipal governments, who will soon create their own budgets. Battles knows the job won't be easy for Indiana's 92 county councils-- or the state's city and town governments.

All municipal and county governments have found their budgets cut due to a passed cap on property taxes. Property taxes are one of the main revenue streams for County and municipal government.

The Knox County United Way is seeking a plan with Knox County banks to encourage responsible use of the Earned Income Tax Credit. The federal E-I-T-C can be used by eligible taxpayers to dramatically increase their tax returns next year.

The United Way-backed program would seek responsible use of the extra tax money. Knox County United Way executive director Bob Murawski says in some cases, the refund could be substantial.

The responsible-refund program is just being discussed at this time. No actual plans for a Knox County branch of the program have been put in place at this time.

Three children were injured-- and two airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital-- following an accident in northern Knox County.

Indiana State Police report a vehicle driven by 40 year-old Lisa Rosales was crossing U-S 41 from Freelandville Road when her mini-van was hit by a truck. The truck was operated by 38 year-old Steven Carnahan of Carlisle.

The three children were all in Rosales' van. An eight year-old girl and a seven year-old boy were airlifted to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital. The boy suffered internal injuries, while the girl had a broken leg, and back injuries. The third victim-- a ten year-old girl-- suffered a broken leg, and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes.

Carnahan was not injured in the accident.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin is asking for a set timetable for the Ford Road project. The Mayor is also asking for speedier action on both engineering and construction of the Ford Road project.

R-D-C officials say the Ford Road project's letting may be moved from the end of the year to the fall. The earlier letting would allow for an accelerated schedule. As part of the quicker process, the next Redevelopment Commission meeting would be held on Thursday, August sixth.

Mayor Baldwin wants the set timetable and quicker process to keep costs down for merchant development. Cantwell Marathon has already stated its willingness to build a new location along Ford Road.

In other business, Mayor Baldwin's chief of staff Lori Buehlman says a new light pole is being shipped for installation on Bierhaus Boulevard. The new pole will replace one that was sheared off in an accident earlier this year.

Some two-thousand residences in the southeast Vincennes area had a surprise power outage last night due to un-scheduled maintenance.

Around seven-30 p-m, Duke Energy shut power off to the residents to do the work. Power was restored to the affected customers after a close-to ten minute outage.

Duke Energy officials apologize for the inconvenience to its affected customers.

A weird summer has affected crowds at Vincennes' Rainbow Beach pool. The most recent summertime twist is recent run of unseasonably cool summer temperatures.

Knox County Parks Department director Steve Beamon says the weird weather has affected crowds at Rainbow Beach.

One positive for Parks officials is Dollar Days. Beamon says the one-dollar admission charge on Tuesdays has made it their best business day.

The summer pool season will close next month when area school corporations start classes.

A statewide award is again being offered for businesses in business for either 50 or 100 years. Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin wants those businesses to register for the Indiana Century or Half-Century Awards.

To qualify, an Indiana business must have been in operation for at least 100 years for the Century Award. For the Half-Century Award, the business must has been in business from 50 to 99 years. The establishment must also have a solid track record of community service.

Two Vincennes businesses won the Half-Century Award last year. Both Progress Laundry and Dry Cleaning, and Vincennes Welding Company, received Half-Century Awards last year.

More information is available by contacting Vincennes City Hall at 882-7285.

The Knox County Library Board has approved a new insurance plan that offers the Library significant savings over the next six months. The savings came with a switch to Principal Insurance, away from current provider Starmark Insurance. The plan will be administered through Vincennes' Kirchoff and Rode insurance agency. The new policy will roughly cut the Library's insurance expense in half.

The new policy starts August first. Under the new plan, eight employees will pay a combined 11-hundred 56 dollars monthly starting August first. The policy also includes an overall five-thousand dollar deductible.

The insurance policy is required, due to Library members no longer being covered by Knox County's insurance policy.

In other business, the Vincennes Fortnightly Club has reported record usage of over a thousand people in the month of June. Library officials say the record usage is due in part to the Summer Reading program.

Finally, the Board received a seven-thousand dollar grant to encourage reading among middle schoolers. The grant will be used in October to promote the writings of

The Knox County United Way is continuing its work toward its Fall campaign. The annual United Way fund-raiser will kick off during next month's Breakfast Bandwagon.

United Way director Bob Murawski mentions their main focus right now is preparing the small things to do the big things starting next month. Last year, the Knox County United Way did not make its goal. Murawski is focusing on improving for the future-- and not dwelling on the past.

The money collected by the Knox County United Way will fund several county non-profit agencies in the next year.

Various animal champions have been crowned this week as part of the annual Knox County Fair. The results are part of the first two days of competition at the Fairgrounds in Bicknell.

In the swine categories, Mallory Butler swept both the Best Bred Barrow and Best Bred Gilt categories. Other grand champions include Hannah Blubaum in Market Litter, Jordan Stagner in Barrow, and Maddi Butler in Gilt. The showmanship champions include Kyli Petty in Junior Showmanship, Derek Keasling in Intermediate Showmanship, and Maddi Butler in Senior Showmanship.

In the Poultry competition, Kristen Downen won Best of Show, with Sam Downen as Reserve Best of Show. Other poultry winners included William Cardinal and Jake Howell.

The Knox County Cat Show winner was Madison Winemiller. Logan Gabhart won the Showmanship and Obedience categories in the Dog Show, with Jessica Mischler winning for Dog Show Agility.

The Knox County Fair runs from now through Saturday.

A study of the 41 and 50 corridors shows potential growth of the two areas related to the coming southwest extension of I-69. The Indianapolis-to-Evansville part of the highway is being built from Evansville northward back toward Indianapolis.

The Bernard-Loughmuller (LOCK-mule-er) group did the study. Bernard-Loughmuller representative Judy Dicus-Thomann states some locations along U-S 50 could be prime development area. Dicus-Thomann also believes I-69 and U-S 50 will be one of the most-used interchanges of the entire I-69 extension.

The first piece of the I-69 extension-- a two mile stretch between I-164 and State Road 68-- in in place. The other new-ground segments will be competed in the years to come. as the new-ground I-69 connects with State Road 37 near Bloomington.

The Knox County Drainage Board has set a September eighth meeting to consider drainage plans for a coming Duke Energy railroad spur. Duke will use the eight-mile line as part of operations of its Edwardsport coal-gasification plant. The coming hearing will allow property owners, and members of some drainage ditch associations, to review the plans.

Duke's Edwardsport plant manager Jack Stultz says the rail line will be used for the proposed plant's operations-- and not its construction.

The coming drainage plan will ensure the rail line won't adversely afect stormwater runoff. Stultz says the drainage hearings have been about what he expected.

The rail line is scheduled for a late 2011 completion, with the plant to be completed in 2012.

The bi-centennial Knox County Fair will open to the public on Monday at the Fairgrounds in Bicknell. The Fair 1809 start date makes it the oldest county fair in Indiana.

Knox County 4-H worker Amanda Bennett-Taylor is working with this year's event. This is her second year to work with the Fair; she says she is a lot more prepared for it now than she was last year. Bennett-Taylor also states many Fair entries have been turned in well before the Fair opens to the public on Monday.

Many other Fair entries will be submitted during the weekend. The first day of 4-H livestock competition will be on Monday, with activities planned all next week. The Knox County Fair will be open to the public from Monday, July 20th to Saturday, July 25th.

Officials with Vincennes-based Generations are once again offering vision screenings for young children. The screenings are part of preparing students to start school, or return to school.

Generations spokeswoman Patti Dreiman says the eye screenings will help find eye problems before they become major problems. Dreiman also notes the program is going to students where they are.

The program is being held at various times at the various locations before school begins. More information is available by contacting Generations at 888-5880. The vision program is sponsored in part by the state group Prevent Blindness Indiana.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration will be in Vincennes next week to process assistance applications. The mobile application station will arrive at Vincennes University on Friday, July 24th from ten a-m to three p-m.

Division of Family Resources staff will answer questions and process applications for cash assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, Hoosier Healthwise, and the Healthy Indiana Plan.

Anyone who can't attend the mobile station's arrival are encouraged to visit th