Local News: Thursday, February 15, 2018

Heritage Tail Put on Hold Over High Bids

HUNTINGBURG — It’s bck to the drawing board for planners of the Fourth Street Heritage Trail project in Huntingburg after bids came in $800,000 above estimates.

The project’s designer and engineer this week recommended the common council reject the two bids it received for the project.

One big came in at $4.3 million, the other at $4.6 million.  Planners originally estimated it would cost $3 and a half million.

Officials say pushing the project to 2019 will not have an impact on the state funding the city is getting to help cover the cost of the project.

The city has until 2020 to complete the project, in order to receive those state transportation funds.

A public meeting which was already on the books will still take place this evening at 5:30 at Huntingburg City Hall.

There, officials will discuss possible design changes and update the timeline for the proposed Stellar beautification project.

Birdseye Teen Arrested, Accused of Assaulting School Employee

BIRDSEYE — A Birdseye teen was arrested Tuesday after police say he assaulted an employee at Forest Park High School.

Police reports show 18-year-old Adam Anders, Jr. was caught with cigarettes inside the school, forcing the teen to become out of control and allegedly assaulting a member of school staff.

He left the school before officers arrived.  But when police caught up with him on Main Street, he began screaming and lunging at a responding officer, according to arrest reports.

He was eventually taken in to custody and charged with two counts of battery on law enforcement and one count of battery, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.

Officials tell us no one was hurt in the assault.

Man Admits to Rape and Murder of 1-Year-Old, Sentenced to 60 Years

SPENCER — Kyle Parker, who admitted to kidnapping, raping and murdering a 1-year-old in nearby Owen County last March, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Prosecutors originally wanted life without parole for Parker, but prosecutors knew their case wasn’t a slam dunk, so they agreed to take a plea deal.

Under the terms of the plea deal, the sex crimes were thrown out, meaning Parker will not have to register as a sex offender upon his release.

This, despite the fact he admitted to raping the toddler in his car before killing her with his bare hands.

Jasper Man to Run For State Representative

JASPER — A Jasper native has announced he’s running for state representative from district 63 in the upcoming primary.  That covers parts of Dubois and surrounding counties.

Dennis Tedrow is currently employed by Masterbrand.

In a statement, he says, “Local government provides us with the most powerful of offices in our free world; for it is with local action and leadership that we truly see our families and neighbors prosper.”

He’s already talking about issues, like fixing our infrastructure and better funding for schools.

Tedrow is also concerned about the growing opioid epidemic.

He says in pro-cannabis states like Colorado, opioid overdose deaths have dropped 25 to 50 percent.

He says tax revenues have gone to schools, infrastructure and drug prevention programs, adding, should Indiana take the same approach, he would attempt to reduce the tax burden on lower and middle class Hoosiers.

Two Democrats Drop Out of 8th District House Race

AREA WIDE — Two men running for congress out of the 8th district are dropping out.

Ron Drake and James Johnson, both Democrats, announced this week they will no longer seek the House seat, leaving lone Democrat William Tanoos to go head-to-head with the winner of the GOP primary.

Republicans Richard Moss and Rachel Covington have announced they are running to unseat congressman Larry Bucshon, who is also running for re-election.

The 8th district includes Dubois, Daviess, Warrick, Martin, Perry, Owen, Pike, and Spencer Counties locally.

Area Bank Honored For Ethical Business Practices

EVANSVILLE — Old National Bank is being recognized as a global leader in ethical business practices, this from our media partner, Matt Crane with the Dubois County Free Press.

Evansville-based Old National is only one of four honorees in the banking industry to make the Ethisphere Institute list of companies who operate with purpose and incorporate integrity into their ecosystems.

This is the 7th consecutive year the company has made the list.

Worldwide, only 135 companies were recognized.

The Ethisphere Institute bills itself as a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices covering 57 industries spanning 23 countries around the world.