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Harrison County - Saturday, June 1, 2024: A female pedestrian was struck and killed early Saturday morning on I-64 eastbound near the Lanesville exit. 

Around 1:30 Saturday morning, Harrison County authorities requested assistance with a truck versus pedestrian crash on I-64 at the Lanesville exit.  When troopers and officers arrived, they found a deceased female in the roadway between the Lanesville exit and the Crandall/Lanesville Road overpass.

Two semi-trucks were also at the scene.  A maroon 2003 Peterbilt pulling a trailer sat in the grass median on the westbound side of the interstate.  The driver of the Peterbilt advised he swerved and missed a pedestrian in the eastbound lanes but drove off the left side of the roadway and crashed through the cable barrier before coming to rest on the westbound side.  The second truck, a white 2022 Freightliner, stopped in the right-hand emergency lane just east of the overpass.  The Freightliner’s driver stated he was eastbound on I-64 approaching the Lanesville exit and was unable to avoid striking a person in the middle of the righthand lane. After striking the individual, the driver immediately pulled off on the right side of the roadway and stayed at the scene.  

The preliminary investigation reveals that the female pedestrian had recently left a vehicle on the eastbound Lanesville offramp.  For an unknown reason, the victim then walked off toward the interstate before being struck.  

Investigators have not yet positively identified the victim because she had several identifications in her possession from various states, each with differing identities.  However, investigators have obtained information that she was possibly from Columbia.

The interstate remained closed until six Saturday morning while ISP crash scene investigators conducted their on-scene investigation.  The investigation is ongoing.  No drivers have been charged or cited as a result of the investigation.  Toxicology results on the victim are still pending.

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SCOTT/WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ind. — The planned closure on State Road 56 west of Scottsburg has been postponed. The closure was previously scheduled to begin as soon as Monday, June 3, between Mount Road and Finley Firehouse Road. Additional information, including a new closure date, will be provided at a later time.

This project is part of a $2.1 million contract awarded to E&B in January 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the town of Sheridan celebrated the start of construction for phase 1 of the Monon Trail extension in northern Hamilton County today.

The asphalt multi-use trail will be constructed by the town of Sheridan with help from a $2,089,850 Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in April 2022 as part of the third grant round of NLT. “The Monon Trail is well known for making connections between communities across central Indiana,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. 

“The Monon’s excellent connectivity set an early example of ways we’d bring communities together through Next Level Trails, including with the construction of the Monon South Trail in southern Indiana. Next Level Trails has now helped communities build more than 100 new miles of trail–and growing—across Indiana.” 

The new trail will extend 0.75 miles north from the existing Monon Trail at State Road 47. The trail follows the historic railroad corridor north into the town center of Sheridan to 2^nd Street. To the south, the existing Monon Trail extends more than 26 miles and travels through Westfield, Carmel, and Broad Ripple, ultimately terminating at 10^th Street in downtown Indianapolis.  

Phase 2 of the project will work to extend the trail 1.1 miles north to the Hamilton/Boone county line, thus completing the trail within Hamilton County. 

"Funded in large part by a $2 million grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Next Level Trails grant program, this project is a collaborative effort that will bring the Monon into our downtown, where trail users will find our richly unique Main Street lined with storefronts that are seeing new life," said Sheridan Town Council President Silas DeVaney III. "We are confident the completed trail will add to the quality of life for our residents as well as invite people to Sheridan that might not otherwise have a reason to visit our small town.”

As part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections initiative, NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The now $180 million program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. Thirty-four of the 89 NLT projects are complete, totaling more than 100 miles of trail built since the program’s inception. Several projects are under construction, with many more slated to break ground during the next year. 

In December 2023, Gov. Holcomb announced that 14 communities received a combined $31.2 million for 28 miles of new trail as a part of NLT’s fourth round. The grants awarded in the fourth round include seven regional projects and seven local projects. The list of awards, project descriptions, and a map are posted at on.IN.gov/nlt-round-4. 

More information about NLT is at on.IN.gov/NextLevelTrails.

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The eating contest for the Pekin 4th of July is upon us! Here is the information you need to know regarding the event.

The watermelon contest will be held July 4, Immediately following the Prince & Princess Contest (1 p.m.)

The Corn on the Cob contest will be held immediately following the Baby Contest (2:30 p.m.)

1. Participants must be 18 years or older.

2. Participants must sign this liability waiver before participating in each contest.

3. Each participant participating in the watermelon eating contest will receive a dedicated watermelon piece designed by the Pekin Community Betterment.

4.  Each participant participating in the corn on the cob eating contest will receive a predetermined amount of corn.

5. Participants may only use their hands to eat the food.

6. Participants must keep their hands behind their backs until the starting signal is given.

7. The participant who finishes all of their watermelon first or eats the most in 5 minutes will be declared the winner.

8. In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker will be determined by a sudden-death round.

9. The winner will receive a prize determined by the Pekin Community Betterment Organization.