A special flag raising ceremony to officially kick off the state’s 200th anniversary will be held in Mt. Carmel on Monday, December 4th at noon at the county courthouse. A specially-designed bicentennial flag will be unfurled for the first time, and the program will include dignitaries, speeches, and music as well. The program is being coordinated by Bicentennial liaison Claudia Dant and County Clerk Janet Will.
Possible Fatigued Driving Results in Crash
Putnam County—Early this morning at 1:45, Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to a semi crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 45 mile marker. The crash resulted in one injury.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer, driven by 20-year-old Eddie Yako Khammi of Warren, Michigan, was westbound on I-70 near the 45mm, when he veered into median impacting several trees. Troopers believe Khammi fell asleep resulting in loss of control.
Eddie Y. Khammi was transported to Putnam County Hospital for a possible fractured leg.
The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Austin Fowler. Assisting were Trooper David Cox Jr., Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County EMS, Cloverdale Fire/Rescue, and Curtis Wrecker Service.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE URGES SAFE DRIVING DURING BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is generally one of the busiest travel holiday periods of the year. As millions of travelers take to Illinois roadways to celebrate Thanksgiving, Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, reminds motorists to drive safely.
Drivers can do their part to ensure they, and their passengers, experience safe travels. Simply keeping your eyes on the road, watching your speed, buckling your seatbelt, and refraining from driving after consuming alcoholic beverages can reduce your chances of being involved in a traffic crash.
The ISP will be doing our part to help keep the roadways safe from dangerous drivers. Troopers will be on the watch for drivers exceeding speed limits and those who choose to drive distracted. Along with regular patrols, we will also have additional patrols out to help remove intoxicated drivers from Illinois roadways. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving.
The ISP is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation and other law enforcement agencies to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. The Click It or Ticket campaign officially started on November 17th. The goal of this high-visibility effort is to reduce motor vehicle crashes and resulting injuries and fatalities. Stepped-up patrols and seat belt enforcement zones will be seen throughout the state through November 27th.
“During the holiday driving period we expect a large volume of traffic on the roadways,” stated District 19 Commander, Captain Ristvedt. “As a result, we will be increasing patrols to watch for motorists who may be driving in an unsafe manner. A special emphasis will be placed on identifying drivers committing any of the Fatal Four moving violations: DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving,” he continued.
Our goal is to ensure safe travels for you and your loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. If you find yourself behind the wheel, please watch the road and your speed, buckle up, and do not drive impaired.
Wabash County Tax News
The Wabash County Treasurer has already made her first tax distribution to various agencies based on real estate taxes already paid. Beverly McBride said her office released $6,440,737.31 on November 9th, just days after the first due date of November 3rd. She told commissioners Monday that those agencies have been urged to have their levy requests for next year file with her office by December 22nd.
With several days to go before the second due date of December 1st, around 76-percent of real estate tax money due the county has been received. Wabash County Treasurer Beverly McBride said her office has collected $8,354,333.86 to date, leaving just $2,633,902.28 left to collect. The next due date is December 1st, plus a 1-point-5 percent penalty will be assessed on any first installment money still out there.
Mt. Carmel City Council To Set Meeting Times For 2018
It looks like the Mt. Carmel City Council will continue to meet every other Monday at 5pm in 2018. At Monday’s council meeting, city clerk Rudy Witsman said the meeting times and dates would need to be approved at their next meeting in two weeks. Commissioner Eric Ikemire said he was interested in starting the meeting 30 minutes earlier at 4:30 but found out other commissioners wouldn’t be able to make that start time. The council appeared to be in agreement to keep the start time at 5pm. An official vote will come next month.
Preparation is Key: ‘Winter Weather - Get it Together'
As bitter cold creeps into Illinois, the state's frontline weather responders remind motorists that preparation can help take the bite out of winter this season. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway encourage motorists to prepare for wintry driving conditions and remember: "Winter Weather - Get it Together."
"Winter weather can be unpredictable in Illinois, but preparation today will make a safer tomorrow," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. "Drivers should start easing into those winter driving behaviors now. Our snow-and-ice teams are ready, as always, to make this a safe, successful winter driving season."
Throughout the winter, especially during adverse conditions, motorists should practice basic winter driving skills and build extra time into their schedules. As part of the "Winter Weather - Get it Together" campaign, all travelers are encouraged to follow these simple rules and tips during the coming months:
• Always wear a seat belt. It's the law in Illinois.
• Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking all are required in winter driving conditions.
• Drop it and drive. Put down the handheld devices - it, too, is the law in Illinois.
• Don't crowd the plow. A snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see
them, but they may not see you.
• Avoid using cruise control in snow and ice.
• Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
• Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make a
trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Consider taking public transportation if it is an option.
• Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable
food and a first-aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency.
• Follow Scott's Law. Slow down and move over for stopped emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles.
• For a list of suggested maintenance for your car, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's winter driving website.
• For more winter driving tips, check out this short IDOT video.
"Winter weather causes extremely dangerous driving with black ice and white out conditions," said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. "Plan ahead by checking your windshield wipers, vehicle fluid levels, proper tire inflation and tread depth. Remember to avoid unnecessary lane changes and as always, reduce your speed and increase following distances. Don't crowd the plow. Give them room to work. A snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you."
Before leaving the house, drivers are encouraged to check GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on winter road conditions, weather radars, road and bridge closures and other traffic-related information. The site was recently redesigned in a mobile-friendly format providing a more convenient way to access important information quickly. The winter road conditions map gives travelers the ability to zoom in to their location, travel route or destination and get real-time road conditions. At any time, motorists can check travel conditions by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or 1-800-TOLL-FYI.
"Winter weather can make driving challenging for our customers, so our priorities are to keep the roads clear and provide roadway information to help drivers safely reach their destinations," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. "In return, we ask our customers to protect themselves and our workers by slowing down and increasing their distance from other vehicles, particularly during storms and severe weather."
For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have more than 1,700 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from Springfield to the tip of South America and back. Last year, IDOT spread almost 305,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are at capacity, with more than 550,000 tons on hand. Four hundred brand-new snow plows are ready to be deployed throughout the state. The new trucks are more energy efficient and will reduce air pollution.
The Illinois Tollway is prepared to deploy its fleet of 196 snowplows for winter storms and has stockpiled more than 87,000 tons of salt to keep its 294-mile system of five tollways clear and safe for its 1.6 million daily drivers.
MCHS Alumni Foundation Makes $4,000 Donation
This morning, the MCHS Alumni Foundation donated $4,000 to assist with the recent renovation of the boys' and girls' locker rooms. The Foundation is working with the High School on another upcoming renovation that will be announced in the spring.
Boil Order For Parts Of Mt. Carmel
A boil order is in effect until further notice for all residents on Janeway and Meadowbrook Drive in Mt. Carmel due to a water main leak.
Borden man dies after hunting accident
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a Borden man was fatally injured while deer hunting yesterday evening. The victim, Thomas Zimmerman (58), of Borden, was hunting on private property in southern Harrison County near Elizabeth when the incident occurred.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers were notified, along with other responders, after Zimmerman was located unresponsive by other members of his hunting group. Zimmerman was hunting from an elevated ladder type tree stand. Because of his position in the stand, Indiana Conservation Officers and the other responders had to utilize a rope and pulley system to lower Zimmerman to the ground.
Zimmerman died due to a close range gunshot wound to the head. No foul play is suspected. The investigation is ongoing pending findings on toxicology and other tests.
Assisting agencies included the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Harrison County EMS, Harrison County Coroner, and Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Indiana Conservation Officers urge everyone hunting from an elevated stand to always use a safety life-line while hunting, check their equipment before each use, and provide a hunt plan and location to someone in case of emergencies.
Railroad Crossing Repair to Close SR 168 in Fort Branch
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a closure on State Road 168 for a railroad crossing repair.
Beginning on or around Monday, December 4, railroad crews will close S.R. 168 to repair the railroad crossing between Main Street and West Street. The road will officially be closed from U.S. 41 to S.R. 65, however local traffic will have access. During the project, the road will be closed around the clock. Work is expected to last about five days depending upon weather conditions.
The official detour for this route uses S.R. 68, S.R. 65, and U.S. 41. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
