Illinois State Police are warning of a dust storm on I-72 between mileposts 80 – 85.  This is impacting I-72 travel in both directions, motorists speed and visibility are severely diminished.  Take your time and get to where you need to go.  GIve yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination and remember conditions can change rapidly.  

Update:  We are now being told that I-72 is closed for that section of highway. We will provide updates when they are released. 

The Taylorville City Council gathered for a regular meeting on Monday, April 15th, at 7:00 p.m. The topics discussed included motions to approve road closures for the Memorial Day Service, the Taylorville Fire Department receiving funds from the BDD, and the status of the bent flag pole at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Alderman, Randy Mitchelson spoke on the bent flag pole, stating that he believes the pole should be moved to a new location and preserved as a historical monument. No motion was made and Mayor Barry says he looks to continue the conversion in upcoming meetings.

The Taylorville Fire Department Trustees gave a presentation to the City of Keys for the new Pierce Freightliner Dryside Tanker fire truck, passing off the keys to Mayor Bruce Barry.

Under ordinances, the GSI Group was approved for a time extension to install and make a functioning subject solar energy facility. Limiting cigarette and tobacco licenses to 20 and increasing fines to $750 carried unanimously. The Taylorville Fire Department was approved to receive $107,000 from BDD for needed repairs on their building. Road closures were approved for Cherokee Street going south to Gandy Street, to Second and First Streets on Monday, May 27th, for the Memorial Day Service from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Taylorville Girls Track Team was honored as athletes Emma Althoff, Ella Goodman, Ava Odam, Olivia Woodward, Alyssa Andreatta, Sydney Lowis, Lyla Repscher, and Liliella Vail accepted the mayor's proclamation to mark April 15th, 2024 as 2024 Taylorville High School Girls Track Team day. 

The City Attorney, Rocci Romano, and Mayor Bruce Barry gave their reports. Mayor Barry gave updates on golf cart regulations and city property.

All members of the board were present except for Kathy Driskell and omnibus votes were all approved for previous meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

The next Taylorville City Council meeting is set for May 6th.
 

An Assumption man accused of 20 counts of child pornography under the age of 13 will have to stay in jail until his trial. Nicholas Vaughn was in Christian County Court on Monday afternoon and detention was found appropriate. After arguments were heard, and release was denied, Vaughn waived arraignment, pleaded not guilty, and demanded trial by jury.  He also asked for time to hire private counsel. A request for the public defender was denied after a look at Vaughn's financial circumstances. Vaughn's first appearance with counsel will be on April 22nd, at 10 AM. 

A growing business in Pana is also finding success in its partner stores in Decatur and Lincoln. Dali Bliss Boutique is located at 39 South Locust Street in Pana and Owner, Jody Suey says she is excited to bring more local shopping options to the community. Suey explains that the Decatur location is a salon and boutique which is where she got her start five years ago.

Suey gives the breakdown of the three locations, saying that the Pana store is the result of good timing and Jody’s husband being a native of Pana.

Suey looks to bring more events to the Pana location. Thursday, April 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., nurses will be on hand providing services like permanent jewelry and lip filler.

Starting a business was scary at first, says Suey. She says she started with only a salon where she was the sole operator, which grew into a multiple-store operation in 2019.

Dali Bliss in Decatur is located at 159 West Main Street in Decatur, in Lincoln, 604 Broadway Street suite 2, and in Pana, 39 South Locust Street.

Check them out online at dalibliss.com.

Jody Suey appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show, live from the lobby of Peoples Bank and Trust in Downtown Pana.

Altamont Police Department is investigating after a body was found in water in Altamont on Sunday.  Effingham County Dive Team, Sheriff's Office, and Coroner's Office investigated a body that was found in a pond just south of Interstate-70 in the 100 block of South Frontage Street in Altamont around 7 PM. The identity of the man is being withheld, pending notification of the family. The investigation is being led by the Altamont Police Department.

Route 185 has closed a portion of the road between Hillsboro and Coffeen, after a sinkhole opened up in a field nearby.  According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the sinkhole has shut down a portion of Route 185 for an indefinite amount of time. The road is closed while a geotechnical consultant evaluates the situation.  The sinkhole has slightly increased, making the area unsafe for travel.  

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced two separate road construction projects that will be taking place in both Effingham and Mt. Zion.  In Effingham, construction of the turn lanes on Fayette Avenue through the Raney Street intersection in Effingham begins today. This closure is part of the Fayette Ave reconstruction project. 

Resurfacing on Illinois 121 through Mount Zion, from U.S. 36 to the south limits of Mount Zion, will also resume today. The upgraded traffic signals and sidewalk ramps included in this $11.9 million project have been completed, with the milling, resurfacing and striping remaining. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction with traffic control signs, arrow boards and barricades directing traffic. Benefits from this project include a smoother driving surface and safer intersections. The project is expected to be completed by mid-June.

In Effingham, through April 29, Fayette Avenue you will not be allowed to turn left onto Raney Street, but one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on Fayette Avenue through the intersection. Only right turns onto Fayette Avenue from Raney Street will be allowed, and through traffic is prohibited. The northbound traffic on Raney Street wanting to turn left will be detoured utilizing Grove Avenue and Henrietta Street. Eastbound traffic wanting to access the Speedway gas station will use their east entrance. Signs and message boards will be posted to direct traffic during this partial closure.

If you are traveling through the area you can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. You are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges, and 762 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 7 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict7 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com, which you can find on www.taylorvilledailynews.com.