State Fair reports nine-year attendance high

By ANDREW ADAMS
Capitol News Illinois
aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com

The Illinois State Fair – a multi-million annual agriculture festival in Springfield – reported a nine-year attendance record this year.

The state Department of Agriculture, which hosts the fair each year, reported on Tuesday that about 708,000 people attended the fair, an 11 percent increase from 2022.  

Department officials attributed the increase to good weather, renovations of fairgrounds facilities and a discounted admission fee for one of the fair days.

“When you’ve got to compete with a handheld device, you’ve got to up your game in terms of entertainment,” State Fair Manger Rebecca Clark told Capitol News Illinois.

Clark also said a new promotion – dropping the adult admission fee from $10 to $2 for one day – helped raise attendance for that day by roughly 27,000 people compared to the previous year, a 57 percent increase.

“The 2023 fair also greatly benefited from new promotions and big attractions aimed at bringing visitors to the fairgrounds mid-week to capitalize on discount admission days,” Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II said in a news release.

Costello and Clark also credited recently completed renovations at the multi-purpose arena, one of the fair’s venues, for bringing people to the fair. This year, the arena hosted a monster truck rally, a demolition derby, a tractor pull event and a rodeo.

The $8.6 million renovation was completed earlier this year. It was funded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital program and is part of a broader $58.1 million plan for fairgrounds infrastructure projects.

The Department of Agriculture said they expect to work on other upgrades and renovations to the fairgrounds in the coming months, including $9.5 million for road construction, $11.9 million for heating and cooling system upgrades and $4.6 million for roof replacements.

In addition to one-time capital funding, the state has increased the amount budgeted for state fairs for four of the past five years. In both this year’s and last year’s state budget, lawmakers allocated $6.9 million for fair operations, a 25 percent increase from 2018’s allotment.

State officials were quick to celebrate the fair’s increased attendance, with Gov. JB Pritzker in a news release highlighting the “shattered attendance records,” but estimating the size of state fair crowds can be tricky.

The figures reported by the state represent several factors, rather than the number of tickets sold or a complete count of visitors. 

“Attendance is determined based on the number of tickets purchased and turned in at the gates,” Clark said in a statement. “In addition, a formula provides multipliers, based on national averages, to count visitors who cannot be tracked by a ticket due to the fair’s various free admission days.”

The department says this calculation method, which was adopted in 2015, is an industry standard. The change in the counting method contributed to attendance estimates dropping by roughly half the year it was introduced.

In 2014, the last year under its old crowd estimation method, the state reported 845,000 attendees, about 200,000 more than its figure for 2023. In 2002, the state estimated 1.2 million people came to the Springfield fair, according to state news releases.

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Gov. JB Pritzker, organizers of the Illinois State Fair and others cut the ribbon at the main gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds last month. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

DEDICATION CEREMONY PLANNED FOR TERRY L. BRUCE WEST RICHLAND CENTER

Noble, Ill.  --  The West Richland Center will be formally renamed and dedicated in honor of former Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Chief Executive Officer Terry Bruce during a ceremony on September 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Bruce served as IECC’s CEO for 23 years, retiring in 2019. The Board of Trustees issued a proclamation in June dedicating the West Richland Center to honor Bruce’s legacy. “I was very surprised,” said Bruce. “It was not something I had ever thought about, but I’m very honored.”

Dr. G. Andrew Fischer served as the Board Chairman during part of Bruce’s tenure as CEO. “Terry Bruce was a fantastic CEO, statesman, and leader in our communities.  Illinois Eastern Community Colleges was so very blessed to have him at the helm for so many years.  Mr. Bruce's vision and aspirations for the district were always such a driving force.  Terry had a way of envisioning a concept or idea and bringing it to fruition in such a way that benefitted everyone involved.”

Fischer and current Board Chairman Gary Carter agree that one of those concepts was the West Richland Center.  “The West Richland Center is something that he had a great vision for,” said Carter. “He saw how the facility could be used to strengthen our communities with workforce education. He saw how that could be a key function of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges.”

The Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center currently houses programs for welding, cosmetology, and unmanned aerial vehicles as well as IECC’s Business and Industry division, which provides workforce training and development opportunities for employers within the District and across the state.

In addition to dedicating the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center on September 29, the day will also mark a grand opening ceremony for the Small Business Development Center located in the building. IECC’s SBDC is a part of a network of similar facilities throughout the state. They provide training and technical assistance to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on his legacy at IECC, Bruce remains humble. “I was a conductor. I was fortunate that we had a lot of good people working at IECC while I was there. We did a lot to make IECC financially secure. I am also proud of all of the students that we helped educate in my time.”

Lane restrictions planned for I-69 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for I-69 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, September 18, crews will begin restricting northbound lanes of I-69 in Gibson County to one lane of traffic. Lane restrictions will occur just over four miles north of State Road 64. These restrictions will allow for bridge deck overlay operations.

Restrictions will begin in the driving lanes. As the project progresses restrictions will move to the passing lanes as needed. Work is expected to last through the first week of October, depending on the weather.

Mt. Carmel native supports versatile missions at U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Bledsoe, a native of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3.

Bledsoe joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Bledsoe serves as an aviation structural mechanic.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country while learning something new and different,” said Bledsoe. "The Navy has also allowed me to see the world simultaneously."

Bledsoe attended Mt. Carmel High School and graduated in 1995.

Skills and values similar to those found in Mt. Carmel are similar to those required to succeed in the military.

“I come from a small town where everybody knows everyone,” said Bledsoe. "That helped me to know what it means to understand people on a personal level. A sense of family is important in the Navy when yours is always so far away."

These lessons have helped Bledsoe while serving with the Navy.

Members of HSC 3 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.

As a member of the Navy, Bledsoe is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy supports national defense by patrolling the waters around our country and the world,” said Bledsoe. “We do this to ensure those that would do harm to others and their way of life, never get that chance.”

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Bledsoe and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“My proudest achievement in the Navy is not so much of a personal accomplishment, but the accomplishments of my junior sailors,” said Bledsoe. "When I am asked to pin a sailor to the next rank, to me, it is the highest form of recognition I can receive. To me, that sailor is saying, “Thank you for your guidance, leadership and mentoring that helped me get here.” I have pinned seven sailors to their next rank, and every time is rewarding for me."

As Bledsoe and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“My service gives me a sense of pride and patriotism,” said Bledsoe. "Serving has given me the opportunity to learn things I would never have known about without the Navy. It also means that I have an extended family that grows all the time and friends from all different walks of life that I would have never made had I not chosen to join the Navy."

Bledsoe is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to my mother, Melba Allen, for all her guidance and support,” said Bledsoe. "When I'm not sure what I want to do, she is always there to give me guidance and encouragement to keep me going."

“My grandfather, Bledsoe, was an officer in the Air Force and my grandfather, Ivy, enlisted in the Army,” added Bledsoe. "He was a two-time Purple Heart recipient and received a Bronze Star for valor. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. I know he was proud of my service and he gave me his Bronze Star before he passed away. I also have two cousins who served and still serve, and my oldest niece is a petty officer second class in the Navy as well.”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Jordan Jennings, Navy Office of Community Outreach

2023 MCHS Homecoming Court

Voting for the Queen will be done via Google Classroom on Wednesday and Thursday
Dress Up Days:
Monday: Jersey Day
Tuesday: Neon Day
Wednesday Ken and Barbie Day
Thursday: Movie Character Day
Friday: Maroon and Gold Day

The game is at 7:00 on Friday, September 22 and the coronation will be at halftime

Homecoming Dance is Saturday, September 23 from 7:00 to 9:30 $5 admission at the Anderson Building

Senior Queen Candidates. R to L Front: Chandler Cusick, Macy Mandrell, Piper Belt, Shelby Mayhue. Back Row: Jaxon Browning, Noah Alka, Levi Beesley, Jesse Hinderliter

Homecoming Court. Front Row L to R. Sophomore Tenley Davis, Queen Cand Chandler Cusick, Queen Cand Macy Mandrell, Queen Cand Piper Belt, Queen Cand Shelby Mayhue, Junior Avery Swift, Freshmen Riley Hershey. Back Row: Robert King, Jaxon Browning, Noah Alka, Levi Beesley, Jesse Hinderliter, Luke Hipsher. (Missing Jayden Pettyjohn who was volunteer firemen)

ILLINOIS EASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGES CELEBRATE CONSTITUTION DAY

Olney, Ill.  --  Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will observe Constitution Day on Monday, September 18, 2023 (www.iecc.edu/usa).  The IECC colleges will observe Constitution Day with a variety of activities and resources to promote the study of the Constitution.

The IECC colleges will be participating with various events:

FCC - Frontier Community College
Frontier Community College will have a Constitution display in the Learning Resource Center.  Constitution booklets will be available for students.  The Constitution text will be played on a loop on the monitors throughout the campus all morning.

LTC - Lincoln Trail College
Eagleton Library will have a Constitution window display with free U.S. Constitution booklets for students.  The local DAR will host a luncheon in the Lincoln Room featuring guest speaker, Mr. Mark Hill.  Representatives will be on campus registering voters or updating their registration. Information on mail in voting and ballots or absentee ballots will be distributed. We will have Constitution trivia on our campus TVs, leading up to September 18th, and provide a small prize.

OCC - Olney Central College
Olney Central College will celebrate Constitution Day on Monday, September 18, 2023.  A Constitution Day exhibit will be on display in the Anderson Library, and free booklets of the Constitution will be available to students.  “Creating the Constitution” will be played on monitors in the Library gallery and the hallways of the campus.
WVC - Wabash Valley College

Wabash Valley College educates students and the community with a Constitution Day display prominently featured in the Learning Resource Center.  Copies of the U.S. Constitution booklet will be available to students and WVC-TV will telecast a reading of the preamble.

To learn more about the Constitution visit: The National Constitution Center at www.constitutioncenter.org, Fascinating Facts at www.constitutionfacts.com, or Constitution Day at www.ConstitutionDay.com.

STATE POLICE ENCOURAGE SAFE DRIVING DURING HARVEST SEASON

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reminding motorists and farmers about traffic safety as Illinois enters the fall harvest season.  Agriculture is one of the leading industries in Illinois and farmers across the state will be moving equipment along roadways during the harvest season, which typically begins in early September and can last into November. 

 As farmers are traveling between fields, ISP is reminding motorists and farmers alike to share the road to help reduce crashes involving tractors, implements, and other farm equipment.  ISP encourages motorists to follow these safe driving tips during harvest season: 

• Share the road and be patient.  Allow extra travel time during harvest season.

• Don't pass until it's safe and legal to do so.  It is illegal to pass at intersections and in no-passing zones.  Improper passing can be deadly. 

• Use extra caution around tractors and slow-moving vehicles.  Farm equipment is easily recognized by the orange, slow moving vehicle triangle emblem on the back.  Most are also equipped with flashing yellow lights to warn motorists.

• Adjust to a greater following distance to increase sight lines when following behind wide, slow moving vehicles.

 ISP also encourages farmers to do their part by following these safe driving tips:

• Take time to wipe off reflectors, flashing lights, and any other warning devices on equipment before entering the roadway.  Equipment covered with dust/mud/debris from the field and can make warning devices difficult to see.

• Understand motorist sight lines are reduced around large pieces of equipment and look for opportunities to move as far right as possible.

• Pay attention for traffic backing up while traveling between fields and look for opportunities to ease them.  When possible, move off of the roadway to allow extensive back-ups time to clear.

• When possible, reduce width of combines by removing the harvesting heads. 

• Remember, farm machinery cannot be driven or towed on controlled access highways.  To learn more about controlled access highway restrictions, click this link.

By sharing the road and making safety a priority, motorists and farmers can work together to ensure a safe fall harvest. 

Pursuit leads to arrest of wanted Owensville man

On September 10, 2023, at 10:51 p.m. Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister was running radar on State Road 65 north of Owensville when he clocked a Maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding into town.  Officer Leister turned on the vehicle and it attempted to flee from him into a bean field.  The driver who was later identified as 56 year old Kenneth Windsor exited the vehicle and then fled on foot from Officer Leister.  After a brief foot pursuit Mr. Windsor was taken into custody, and informed Officer Leister the reason that he fled was due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest.  During a search incident to a lawful arrest Marijuana, Methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia were discovered.  At the conclusion of his investigation Officer Leister transported Mr. Windsor to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement Fleeing, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia.  He is being held without bond on an outstanding Felony warrant for Invasion Of Privacy.  Mr. Windsor was also issued a citation for speeding and driving while suspended. 
 
Assisting Officer Leister in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett and Wyatt Hunt of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.  Also assisting was Indiana State Trooper Kyle Otolski.
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Road closure planned for State Road 56

DUBOIS COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 56 in Dubois County.

Beginning on or around Thursday, September 28, crews will close State Road 56 in Dubois County near French Lick. This closure will occur between State Road 545 and State Road 145. While closed, crews will perform chip and seal operations to the roadway. These operations are utilized to help extend the life of the road. Work is expected to last through the first week of October, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this project is State Road 145 to State Road 164 to State Road 545. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

Lane restrictions planned for I-69

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for I-69 in Vanderburgh County.

Beginning on or around Friday, September 15, crews will begin lane restrictions on I-69 in Vanderburgh County near Evansville. These restrictions will occur near the I-69 and U.S. 41 interchange. Both north and south bound driving lanes will be impacted by restrictions during this project. Restrictions will occur between the Weinbach Avenue bridge and the U.S. 41. These restrictions will allow crews to perform lighting installation near the roadway.

This project is expected to last through the end of October, depending on the weather.