Morning News: Friday January 6th 2023

Posey County Radio News and Sports

News: 

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced all his plans this week for the 2023 Next Level Agenda. Public health, education, workforce, community development, and economic development were the main topics he addressed in the agenda. His public health plans focused on more money for county officials, enhanced mental health services, and more funding for substance abuse programs. His education initiatives include a proposed $1.17 billion investment in K-12 tuition support, an incentive program to raise IREAD grades, prohibiting textbook fees, and teacher pay raises. Lori Young of the Evansville Teachers’ Association said the proposed raise from the current average salary of $56,600 a year to $60,000 a year is “a step in the right direction.” Young said she hopes it will help Indiana begin to compete with neighboring states. His community development plans involve doubling state funds to regional food banks, more money to Next Level Trails and $500 million more for READI grants. Evansville Regional Economic Partnership CEO Tara Barney said those funds have helped the area in the past.

The Indiana Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that will likely have a big impact on Hoosiers trying to go green. The case involves CenterPoint Energy’s proposed plan on how it bills a customer who uses solar panels or other methods to produce electricity. At times many consumers with such devices produce more energy than they use. That energy goes back into the grid and utilities pay consumers for it. CenterPoint says it wants to pay customers near wholesale prices for the excess electricity. Several groups filed suit saying the price should be closer to the higher retail price of electricity. The state supreme court says in its ruling there is nothing wrong with CenterPoint’s plan, and it meets all requirements of Indiana law. The new rules would only affect new users, while consumers already on the plan would remain at a higher rate.

An Evansville murder suspect appeared in court for the first time yesterday. 21-year-old Brandon Schaefer appeared in court for his initial hearing after being accused of shooting and killing 49-year-old Todd Roll. The state added a felony firearm enhancement against Schaefer. If Schaefer is convicted, he would face a maximum sentencing of 65 years in prison. His minimum sentence would be 45 years if found guilty. Authorities said that Schaefer killed Roll behind the Showplace Cinemas theatre on New Year's Day. They said he admitted to the killing despite not knowing Roll and said he had been thinking about killing someone for a while. During Schaefer's hearing Thursday, the victim's family was in attendance. Schaefer will be appointed a lawyer and will appear in court for his next hearing on February 16^th at 9:00 AM.

A pair of projects in Evansville will have drivers looking for alternative routes. According to the Evansville Water Sewer Utility (EWSU) one of those projects is happening on Lincoln Avenue. EWSU says it will close Lincoln Ave to through traffic between Green River Road, and Outer Lincoln Avenue starting January 9. The closure is expected to last about 60 days. The closure will allow for a new water line to be installed. Meanwhile, another project on the city's west side. According to EWSU, the northbound lane on Mesker Park Drive will be closed from Bement to Wimberg. That project is also slated to begin January 9 and wrap up in about 2 months. That project is for the installation of a new water main.

A popular Evansville pizza restaurant is ready to welcome pizza lovers back after closing for renovations. Azzip Pizza's flagship store on Pearl Drive was closed as they worked on interior improvements. Some of the new offerings involve a second make line for online orders, increased seating, along with a more modern look. They originally planned to reopen sometime during the end of 2022, but the owner wanted to make sure changes were done right and not rushed. Azzip Pizza has four locations across Evansville.

Sports: 

- North Posey Girls Basketball lost at home against Tecumseh, 48-45. The Lady Vikings are now 5-5 on the season. 

- USI Women's Basketball (7-7, 1-2) dropped an OVC game at Morehead State, 64-61. Meredith Raley had 18 points for USI. 

- USI Men's Basketball (8-8, 1-2) also fell at OVC foe Morehead State, 84-80. Isaiah Swope poured in 25 points and Jacob Polakovich had 10 points and 14 reboubds for the Screaming Eagles. 

- Other Men's College Basketball scores last night included #1 Purdue (14-1, 3-1) winning 71-69 at #24 Ohio State. #15 IU (10-4, 1-2) lost at Iowa, 91-89. WKU (8-6, 0-3) stumbled at home against North Texas, 70-66.