RMC Members Reaping Benefits Of Gift Checks

$231,000. That’s the amount of gift checks sold last year by the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee. The gift checks are sold through the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce office and executive director Lesley Hipsher says the gift check program is the biggest incentive for local businesses to join the RMC…

LESLEY HIPSHER GIFT CHECKS 23

 The $231,000 in gift checks sold last year was about $20,000 more than sold in 2022. Hipsher said other communities have similar programs, but none come close to the amount of money generated through the Wabash County gift check program. The gift checks can be purchased in any denomination throughout the year at the Chamber office.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SQUAD CAR STRUCK BY DRIVER ON INTERSTATE 70

MARSHALL – On February 16, 2024, at approximately 5:41 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP trooper’s squad car that was hit by a motorist who failed to move over on Interstate 70 eastbound just west of milepost 151 in Clark County.

 On the above date and time, an ISP Troop 9 trooper’s fully marked squad car was stationary on the right shoulder with its emergency lights activated. The trooper was outside of their vehicle investigating a separate weather-related crash. A red Ford approaching the area, failed to move over, and struck the rear of the ISP squad car. No injuries were reported. The driver of the Ford, 32-year-old Tiffany Paige Henderson of Florissant, MO, was charged with Move Over Law- Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash, and Driving While License Suspended.

 In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over Law-related crashes where eight Troopers sustained injuries. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as “Scott’s Law”.  When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.  A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense.  If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.  Additional information can be found at the following link: https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/340d57cd956c453da2de25af804c268d

INDOT prepared for winter weather, impacts to evening commutes possible

The Indiana Department of Transportation is prepared for a quick burst of snow expected to move across much of Indiana starting late Friday morning and afternoon through the evening hours.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather advisories for most counties from the Lafayette area to the Ohio River. NWS is calling for a range of one-to-four inches of snow across the state, with locally higher amounts possible. Heavier snow is expected along and south of the I-70 corridor.

INDOT will be at a full or partial call out in most areas, with more than 500 trucks treating state highways, interstates and U.S. routes by Friday evening. Crews will remain active for the duration of the snow event and afterward to continue cleanup efforts.

Snow is expected to begin late Friday morning or early afternoon, depending on location, and continue through the evening hours. Warm pavement temperatures may limit roadway impacts to start, but heavy snowfall rates and colder temperatures may result in snow-covered roads, causing difficult travel.

Motorists should closely monitor forecasts and consider travel carefully. Remember to slow down, increase following distance, allow extra time to reach destinations and give plow trucks plenty of room to work.

Check real-time travel conditions and view traffic and snow plow cameras online at 511in.org or via INDOT's TrafficWise app. Regular updates will also be shared on INDOT's social media channels. Check for travel advisories in your area at in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory.

For travelers heading to NBA All-Star festivities in Indianapolis, visit pacers.com/allstar for event-specific "Know Before You Go" information.

Journey Tribute Band Added to Eclipse Celebration Lineup

PRINCETON, IN) - The Journey tribute band, Resurrection, has been added as the opening act for the Gibson County Eclipse Celebration concert on April 7, 2024 at the Gibson County Fairgrounds.  The concert will now be a two-for-one, with Hotel California, the original Eagles tribute, taking the stage following the Resurrection performance.  Resurrection - A Journey Tribute, considered to be 'The Gold Standard' by which all Journey tributes are measured, faithfully recreates the experience of a 1980’s Journey concert. This dynamic band has featured some of Nashville's hottest musicians, many of whom have performed, written, or recorded with the biggest names in the music industry - including Journey and Steve Perry. 

The Journey tribute band performance is being made possible by the City of Princeton while the Hotel California performance is made possible by Toyota Indiana.  The City of Princeton is also sponsoring free fireworks on Friday, April 5th at the Gibson County Fairgrounds.  The Gibson County Eclipse Celebration, April 5 – April 8, will also include a student art and science fair, educational sessions, live local entertainment, carnival rides, vendors and food trucks throughout the weekend culminating with guided viewing of the total eclipse process in real time on Monday, April 8, 2024.

There are two advanced purchase options for the Gibson County Eclipse Celebration. There are $15 reserved seat concert tickets and a $75 VIP Eclipse Package.

The $75 VIP Eclipse Package is an all-access package to the 4-day Eclipse Celebration and includes: eclipse glasses, entrance to the fairgrounds April 5-8, VIP parking, reserved seats for the Sunday night tribute band concert, exclusive access to the VIP Eclipse Lounge on Monday, April 8 during the eclipse with complimentary food and drinks.

To purchase either of these options you can visit www.gogibson.org or if you would rather purchase these tickets in person they are available at the Gibson County Visitors and Tourism Bureau located in the Princeton Train Depot at 702 West Broadway, Princeton, IN.  

General admission concert tickets will be included with the gate entry fee on the day of the concert, Sunday, April 7, for $5 per person. Gates open at 3 pm CT.

Please note: This is an outdoor venue. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the fairgrounds pavilion and reserved seating will not be possible. No refunds will be issued. 

Please visit www.gogibson.org for additional details and information about other eclipse events happening in Gibson County.

The Finish Line is in Sight: I-69 Finish Line releases 2024 Construction Guide

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – I-69 Finish Line released its latest Construction Guide this week, outlining what drivers can expect in 2024 as the country’s newest interstate project is on track to officially open by the end of the year.

Construction has progressed northward since work began in Martinsville in 2019, with substantial completion of mainline pavement up to Southport Road in Marion County. In 2024, crews will continue work along the entire 26-mile corridor, with activity concentrated on the future I-69/I-465 interchange on the southwest side of Indianapolis, I-69 mainline paving north of Southport Road, westbound travel lanes on I-465 between I-65 and I-70 and reconstruction of the I-465 WB bridges over the White River and Harding Street. The remainder of I-69 north of State Road 144 will receive interstate designation when the entire corridor opens to traffic later this year.

“We are excited to see the culmination of years of planning and hard work coming to fruition as we approach the finish line in 2024," said I-69 Finish Line Corridor Project Manager Sarah Rubin. "It will be a big year for our construction teams and we are confident that they are up to the challenge.”

In 2023, milestones included the start of construction at the I-69/I-465 interchange, opening the Smith Valley Road interchange and permanent ramps at Southport Road, and removing the last of 14 traffic signals along SR 37 at Fairview Road, creating free-flow conditions from Evansville to just south of I-465 in Indianapolis.

Additionally, I-465 traffic was shifted to new eastbound pavement and new eastbound bridges were built over Harding Street and the White River. Up to 7,000 workers were active along the corridor during peak construction activity last year, amounting to more than 500,000 hours worked.

Follow progress and get the latest updates as I-69 Finish Line enters the home stretch on the project’s social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram) or by visiting I69FinishLine.com.

Judge Says City Closely Watching Finances

Mayor Joe Judge is promising Mt. Carmel residents he’ll continue to be an advocate of the taxpayer dollar. But  Judge said he and city department heads have to be realistic about the financial condition the city finds itself…

JOE JUDGE WATCHING SPENDING

Since becoming mayor, Judge said the city has yet to enact a full tax levy like most taxing districts have.

Wabash County Ends 2023 With Lowest Jobless Rate In Southern Illinois

2023 ended with Wabash County having the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois. The latest data from the state’s department of employment security show Wabash County ended last year with a 3% jobless rate, which was more than a half a percentage point below the second lowest in White County at 3.6%. Other area rates included Edwards County at 5%; Lawrence at 5.3%; Richland was at 4.1% and Wayne County was at 4.4%. Even though Wabash County’s 3% figure in December was the lowest in southern Illinois, it was still up slightly from the December ’22 mark of 2.7%.

IDES reports in the Olney-Mt. Carmel area, payrolls increased in Government, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Educational and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Other Services, Natural Resources and Mining , Information and Professional and Business Service. Payrolls were unchanged in Construction over-the-year. Payroll employment decreased in the Manufacturing and Financial Activities industries.