The long-anticipated project to replace the Cherry Street bridge in Mt. Carmel will be sent to bid soon. And when the project finally begins, traffic from Route 1 north of Mt. Carmel will be re-routed starting at Poor Farm Road and continue to the Four Corners intersection on the Friendsville Blacktop. At the city’s request, truck traffic will not be allowed to detour onto the highly residential Park Road. Before the work on the bridge starts and the detour begins, the intersection at Four Corners will need to be improved including a wider turning radius installed along with flashing stop signs to improve safety there.
IRMA Rep Urges State To Use Unemployment Funds To Pay Debt
None of the more than $8 billion the state of Illinois got from federal taxpayers is going to the state’s unemployment debt some have projected to be nearly that much. Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s Rob Karr said the interest could be up to $60 million if the debt isn’t paid off. If federal funds aren’t used to pay the debt, Karr said there’ll likely be tax increases on employers, benefit reductions or both.
16 Killed, 90 Shot During Holiday Weekend Violence In Chicago
Sixteen people were killed among the 90 that were shot over the holiday weekend in Chicago. But there were also shootings in other parts of the state, including in Springfield at a mall and at a party. Community activists across the state are looking to stem the violence with summertime programs to keep youths off the streets.
President Making First Visit To Illinois Since Taking Office
President Joe Biden will be making his first stop in Illinois since taking office. According to the White House, Biden will be in suburban Crystal Lake on Wednesday to talk about the American Families Plan, which includes $1.8 trillion in investments and tax credits for families and children over 10 years old. The White House has yet to announce a time for the president's Illinois visit on Wednesday.
Illinois State Upping Ante On Getting Students Vaccinated
As Illinois colleges get vaccination plans in order for the fall semester, one school is taking it a step further.
Illinois State University in Normal will be offering $1,000 scholarships to 100 students who submit proof of vaccination before the first week of class on August 16.
“We felt the incentive program, specially targeted toward students, is going to be helpful in providing them some extra incentive to get vaccinated,” said Eric Jome, director of media relations at ISU.
An additional 75 students will win $100 in “flex dollars” which will be added to their Redbird ID card account to spend on things like food on campus.
Like ISU, Southern Illinois University is not requiring students to be vaccinated to attend classes.
“Students who do not have proof of vaccination will be required to participate in regular on-campus testing programs,” said Jome.
Northern Illinois University reversed an earlier decision and will now require students to be vaccinated. In May, the school announced it was voluntary, but in June, officials changed university policy.
“The science continues to show that the vaccines are safe and effective in not only protecting against COVID-19 but in reducing its severity and limiting its transmission,” NIU President Lisa Freeman said in a statement. “The benefits to our student's health and well-being, as well as the communities in which they live, learn and work are clear and warrant that we take this action.”
Several 4-year Illinois colleges have announced that all returning students to campus would be required to be vaccinated, including Eastern Illinois University, Loyola University, Northwestern University, and all three campuses at the University of Illinois.
Vaccines are not a new concept on college campuses. It is commonplace to see vaccine mandates for diseases such as measles and tetanus to attend school.
According to the American College Health Association, more than 300 universities will require students to be vaccinated before returning to campus this fall.
Road Closure Scheduled for SR 165 Near Poseyville
POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a complete closure on State Road 165 near Poseyville for a culvert pipe replacement.
Beginning on or around Monday, July 12, INDOT maintenance crews will close S.R. 165, just south of the Poseyville city limits. The operation requires a full pavement cut for excavation and replacement of a drainage culvert.
Work is scheduled to last for about a day depending upon weather conditions. Typically, crews will begin the project after morning peak traffic hours and will complete the process before the evening peak traffic hours. Once workers fill the pavement cut, fill material is compacted under normal traffic conditions and resurfaced following compaction.
Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure, but all through traffic should use the official detour following S.R. 66, S.R. 69 and S.R. 68. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
Disregarding a Stop Sign Results in a Single Fatal Accident
UPDATE: Sullivan County Coroner’s Office has identified the individual that was involved in the accident at State Road 159 and County Road 350 South on July 6, 2021, in Sullivan County. The individual has been positively identified as:
Michael (Doug) Bailey
Age: 68
Robinson, Illinois
Sullivan County - The Indiana State Police are investigating a crash between a semi tractor-trailer and pickup on July 6, 2021, at the junction of State Road 159 and County Road 350 South, that claimed the life of one individual.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Polly Blackburn indicated that at approximately 11:49 a.m., a 2015 Ford pickup truck was attempting to go east bound from County Road 350 South across State Road 159. The driver of the pickup truck failed to observe a 2020 Volvo semi tractor-trailer that was traveling northbound on State Road 159, driven by Joseph W. Daniels, age 45, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois. Daniels applied his brakes and attempted an evasive driving maneuver but was unable to avoid the collision. The force of the collision caused the pickup truck to go off the roadway on the west side of State Road 159, rolling on the driver’s side and coming to a final stop. The semi tractor-trailer traveled off the roadway on the east side of State Road 159, jack-knifing and coming to a final stop.
ISP has confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck is deceased, however positive identification of the driver is not yet available. Once positive identification has been made, the driver's name will be released.
Daniels was transported to Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The accident is being reconstructed by the Evansville State Police reconstruction team.
Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor of the accident.
Assisting Agencies: Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Union Volunteer Fire Department, Linton Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana Department of Transportation. Sullivan City Fire Department, Sullivan County Coroner's Office and Eddington’s Wrecker Service.
Changes For Today's Rotary Corn Day
You’ll notice some changes to this year’s Rotary Corn Day that will be serving between 11am and 1pm in a drive-thru only event at the Mabel Courter Youth Center.
Rotary past-president Joe Judge says the first change is caused by the spiraling cost of chicken…
The second change deals with the amount of corn you’ll receive…
Tickets will be available today for $12 each.
WSJD File Photo
What's Legal In Illinois Fireworks Wise? ISP Says Not Much
You’ve no doubt heard and seen a lot of fireworks over the past several days and will hear a lot more today and tonight. But, what’s legal in Illinois? Illinois State Police trooper Josh Robinson was our guest on Friday’s Morning Show and he says most everything you see and hear is illegal…
Last week, MCPD Chief Mike McWilliams issued these guidelines:
The Mt. Carmel Police Department would like to remind residents who choose to use fireworks over the 4th of July weekend to cease the activity by 10 pm. Repeated complaints could result in enforcement action by MCPD. Additionally, a few safety tips to follow include:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
Never light them indoors
Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Never use illegal fireworks
Finally, MCPD wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. Additional officers will be out on the 4th to help ensure this happens.
Commissioners Proceed With Caution Regarding Airport Privatization
Should the city of Mt. Carmel enter into a 50 year agreement to privitize the city’s airport, which is located in Lawrence County? That’s the question facing the city council after hearing a lengthy presentation Monday evening from Brent Parrott of Skytrain Aviation. Parrott owns Skytrain with Jake Brian and the two have been at the last two council meetings trying to convince local leaders that turning the airport over to their company for the next 50 years would benefit Mt. Carmel by improving economic development opportunities. But finance commissioner Eric Ikemire was far from convinced following Parrott’s 45-minute sales pitch…
Ikemire said the idea of privatizing the airport has generated the biggest amount of negative feedback of any topic in his 6 years on the council. Despite a push from Parrott for the council to approve the deal Monday, Mayor Joe Judge and commissioners said the information would be taken under advisement for further consideration and it would be revisited at the next city council meeting on July 12th.
Skytrain Aviation’s Brent Parrott makes his pitch to the City Council Monday evening.
