191st Pekin 4th of July will kick off this weekend as the area celebrates the Oldest Continuous Fourth of July Celebration in the Nation. 

Friday, July 2 nd

10:00 a.m. til Dark- Flea Market, Food Vendor, and Ride Set-Up and Inspections

Saturday, July 3rd

8:00a.m. – 3 on 3 Basketball Registration- George Browning, Coordinator
9:00 a.m. – 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament begins at the Basketball Court
4:00 p.m. til after FIREWORKS- Food Court Opens
4:00 p.m. til after FIREWORKS- Flea Market Opens
4:00 p.m. til after FIREWORKS- Bluegrass Rides, Games
4:00 p.m. til 6:00 p.m. – Baby Contest Registration by the Pekin Park Stage
4:00 p.m. til 6:00 p.m. – Spin-A-Round Sound by the Pekin Park Stage
5:00 p.m. til 8:00 p.m. – Borden Lions Club Fish Dinner at Pekin Park Shelter House
6:00 p.m. – Hells Half Acres by the Pekin Park Stage
7:00 p.m. til 10:00 p.m. – Wax Factory and Full Contact Karaoke on the Pekin Park Stage
10:00 p.m. – FIREWORKS by Straight Shooters at the Pekin Park

Sunday, July 4th

1:00p.m til 9:00p.m. – Food Court Opens
1:00p.m. til 9:00p.m. – Flea Market Opens
1:00p.m. til 9:00p.m. – Bluegrass Rides, Games
1:00 p.m. til 3:00 p.m. – Borden Lions Club Fish Dinner at the Pekin Park Shelter House
1:00 p.m. til 3:00 p.m. – Baby Contest Registration by the Pekin Park Stage
1:00 p.m. til 3:00 p.m. – Troy and Melanie Smith on the Pekin Park Stage
3:30 p.m. – Pekin 4th of July Baby Contest- Darlene Hall, Coordinator
5:00 p.m. til 9:00 p.m.– Spin-A-Round Sound by the Pekin Park Stage

Monday, July 5th

8:00 a.m. – Parade line-up at Eastern High School Parking Lot
10:00 a.m. – PARADE- Tisha Coles, Coordinator with Family and Friends
Theme- 2021- “A Magical 4th of July”
Honorary Grand Marshall- 1 st Lieutenant Scot Wayne Ames Jr.
After Parade til 3:00p.m. – Borden Lions Club Fish Dinner at the Pekin Park Shelter
House
After Parade til 5:00 p.m. – Food Court Open
After Parade til 5:00 p.m. – Flea Market Open
After Parade til 5:00 p.m. – Bluegrass Rides, Games
Immediately after Parade- Invocation by Jeremy Goen- Pekin Church of Christ Minister

Presentation of “Colors”- Pekin American Legion Post 203
Star-Spangled Banner

Pledge of Allegiance- Pekin American Legion Post 203

Reading of the Preamble of Declaration of Independence
2021 Eastern High School Valedictorian- Trevor Hagan

Back Home Again in Indiana

Welcome Patrons- Taylor Humphrey, Pekin Community
Betterment President

Honorary Grand Marshall Induction
12:30 p.m. – Dollars for Scholars of Eastern High School Ray Ramsey and Terry Thixton

1:00 p.m. – Prince and Princess Contest on the Pekin Park Stage- Darlene Hall, Coordinator

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Brian Elmore and Big Steel Train on the Pekin Park Stage

4:00 p.m. – Queen Contest- Darlene Hall, Coordinator

5:00 p.m. – 2021 Queen Crowning Announcement

Special Thanks and Closing by Taylor Humphrey, President PCBO 2021

It’s that time of the year again where everyone is looking forward to celebrating Independence Day!  Enjoying the summer weather, having a backyard BBQ, spending time with family and friends, and using fireworks are all some of the best ways to celebrate. 

The State Police wants everyone to remain safe this July 4th, and safely handling fireworks is a priority.

Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post would like to provide when using fireworks to celebrate this July 4th:

• Never let children handle, play with, or light any fireworks.
• Never aim, point, or throw fireworks at another person.
• Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.
• Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• Steer clear of others setting off fireworks. They can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
• Do not attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.
• Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework.
• After a firework has finished burning, douse it with plenty of water before throwing it away to prevent starting a trash fire.
• Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.
• Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by fireworks sounds.
• Use fireworks outdoors, never indoors. 

Become more familiar with the state fireworks laws in Indiana. Throughout the year it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but this may be limited further by local ordinances. 

• On state holidays it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to midnight, but this may be limited further by local ordinances.
• The times on the following dates are protected in Indiana for consumer use of fireworks and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:
  • June 29 to July 3: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;
  • July 4: from 10 a.m. to midnight;
  • July 5 to July 9: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset; and
  • December 31: from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Fireworks can only be purchased by persons 18 years of age or older.
• Fireworks use is limited to personal property, the property of someone who has approved the use of fireworks or a location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks. 

Please be sure to check local ordinances for any fireworks limitations that might exist in your area.

The Indiana State Police hopes that these few safety tips help you enjoy your 4th of July by safely celebrating with fireworks.  

The investigation into the officer-involved shooting early Sunday morning continues, however, investigators have released the following information.

Early Sunday morning Sergeant Lukas Nibarger, a seven-year veteran with the Columbus Police Department, responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Grove Parkway to investigate a suspicious person on the property.

Upon arriving at the residence, he encountered a man later identified as Jacob Dale Rice, 38, Columbus, IN.

Rice ignored the officers’ verbal commands and attempted to flee on foot.

Sgt. Nibarger chased Rice into the back yard of the residence where he again gave verbal commands in an attempt to detain Rice.

Investigators believe Rice fired one round from a firearm towards Sgt. Nibarger.

Sgt. Nibarger was not struck and was able to return fire with his department-issued handgun striking Rice one time.

Sgt. Nibarger called for an ambulance, which arrived within minutes and was able to provide medical attention to Rice.

Rice was transported to the Columbus Municipal Airport where a medical helicopter was waiting to transport him to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Rice remains in the hospital and is still listed as being in critical condition.

The investigation revealed Rice had stolen the firearm used in the shooting from a car in the Columbus area before his interaction with Sgt. Nibarger.

Investigators do not believe Rice was able to make entry into the residence before being confronted by Sgt. Nibarger.

The investigation is still ongoing. The Indiana State Police will forward their report to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor when completed.   

A 40-Year-old Mt. Vernon Man was arrested this afternoon for resisting law enforcement after a brief chase and hiding from police in a barn in rural Vanderburgh County.

Arrested and Charged was Joseph Davis, 40, Mt. Vernon, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Two outstanding warrants (Vanderburgh County)

This afternoon at approximately 12:30p, Sergeant Kylen Compton was patrolling SR 66 near Destroy Road when he attempted to stop the driver of a 1997 Ford F-150 for traveling east on SR 66 at 78 mph.

The driver, who was later identified as Davis, failed to stop and continued north on SR 65 reaching speeds of nearly 90 mph before turning west on #6 School Road.

Davis eventually turned into a driveway in the 6000 block of #6 School Road, drove through a yard, and then stopped near Neu Road where he exited his truck and fled into a wooded area.

Troopers searched the area for approximately 90 minutes before they found Davis hiding in a barn loft under insulation.

Davis was transported to Deaconess Midtown by an ambulance where he was treated and released for heat exhaustion.

Further investigation revealed Davis had two outstanding warrants out of Vanderburgh County.

Davis is currently being held without bond in the Vanderburgh County Jail.

Arresting Officer: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Trooper Ross Rafferty, Trooper Tyler Widner, Sergeant Kevin Ellison, Trooper Daltyn Backes, and Senior Trooper Michael Finney

Milestone Contractors, L.P. plans to implement full closures along S.R. 129 starting this week in Switzerland County to perform subgrade stabilization work as part of an $11 million full-depth pavement reclamation contract that began earlier this year. 

The road closed to thru traffic between Pleasant and Vevay in April, but local access has been maintained for residents in the area. During upcoming work, sections of S.R. 129 will be closed to all traffic for work to take place across both lanes of the highway. Closures are scheduled as follows, but may change based on weather and other factors:

• Wednesday, June 30 to Friday, July 2 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.): S.R. 129 closed to all traffic between Glen Roberts Road and Martin Road
• Tuesday, July 6 to Saturday, July 10 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.): S.R. 129 closed to all traffic between Glen Roberts Road and Martin Road
• Monday, July 12 to Saturday, July 17 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.): S.R. 129 closed to all traffic between Bursot Road and Long Run Road
• Monday, July 19 to Saturday, July 24 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.): S.R. 129 closed  to all traffic between Bursot Road and Long Run Road

The contract is currently expected to be complete by late September. The official detour will continue to follow S.R. 56 and S.R. 250.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to close two bridges on S.R. 135 near Palmyra for deck overlay projects. Each bridge will close over separate weekends, from Thursday evening to Monday morning.

The first closure is planned at Bear Creek, approximately four miles north of U.S. 150. The closure is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, and reopen by 5 a.m. the following Monday.

The second closure is planned at South Fork Blue River, approximately five and one-half miles north of U.S. 150. The closure is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, and reopen by 5 a.m. the following Monday. Traffic will be rerouted along U.S. 150 and S.R. 56 during both closures.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near all construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to close S.R. 60 at the Salem Bypass on Tuesday, July 6, to continue construction on a $2 million roundabout project that began earlier this year.

State Road 60 is expected to remain closed through late August with an official detour route of I-65 to S.R. 56.

A design change along with weather delays have pushed the completion of Salem’s roundabout at the bypass to late August, according to Natalie Garrett, INDOT Public Relations Director, Southeast District. 

Construction was halted for over a week recently while design changes were made. 

Garrett said design changes were made to the splitter islands on each approach leg of the roundabout to make them mountable.

Garrett said “mountable” means that the elevation of the curb is lowered so the back wheels of trucks and other large vehicles can travel over the curb if needed.

The interior island was already designed to be mountable, she said. 

The detour for the Salem Bypass will continue to follow U.S. 150 to S.R. 56.

There are several other local routes to get further down SR 60 – including Martinsburg Road and Shorts Corner Road as well as taking 160 to Henryville to I-65.

The project will upgrade the existing two-way stop intersection to a single-lane roundabout with 12-foot truck aprons, which aims to enhance safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes at this location.

The contract also includes full-depth pavement replacement, guardrail work, and intersection lighting.

The contract was awarded last fall and the new intersection is now scheduled to open in late August following design changes to the splitter islands on each leg of the roundabout.

Additional construction activity may take place later in the year with minimal interruptions to traffic. 

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.