(Effingham Co., IL) — The National Transportation Safety Board is revealing its initial report of the deadly ammonia tanker crash last month in Effingham County. The multi-vehicle crash happened September 29th on U.S. Highway 40 near the town of Teutopolis. The NTSB found that the crash was caused by a car trying to pass the truck in a no-passing zone, right as another car was driving the opposite direction. The tanker hit the tow ring of a utility trailer, which tore a hole into the tanker and caused thousands of gallons ammonia to leak out. That resulted in the deaths of five people.
(Springfield, IL) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resource is unveiling the locations where deer can be tested for chronic wasting disease during the 2023-2024 hunting season. CWD is a deadly disease of the central nervous system in deer and elk. Hunters can visit participating vendors, including taxidermists and meat processors, or drop deer heads at self-serve drop-off sites. A list of locations is available online.
(Evansville, IN) — Evansville police have shot and killed a woman. She was shot while armed with a handgun last night and her name has not been released. EPD says they were called just after 6 p.m. about the woman walking toward Caldwell Park with the gun after a domestic disturbance involving her earlier in the afternoon.
(Evansville, IN) — Several buildings in downtown Evansville were evacuated yesterday afternoon due to a gas line break. Evansville Fire Department spokesman Mike Larson says the gas line ruptured during road construction work. The intersection of Second Street and Main was closed for several hours.
(Paducah, KY) — The mayor of Paducah is honoring a local chef. Sarah Bradley has been given the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for her success as an entrepreneur and dedication to the local community. University of Kentucky grad Bradley is owner of the Freight House Restaurant. She has also appeared on several TV shows including the Chopped All Star Winner Showdown which she won. Her restaurant touts an exclusive farm-to-table experience.
(Frankfort, KY) — The invasive Spotted Lanternfly has been found in Kentucky. The large insect of bright colors, stripes and spots is attracted to fruit trees, pines, walnut, poplar and willow trees. The bugs from Asia are known to drain resources from its host by sucking the sap out of the plant. The insects pose a threat to several industry crops such as apples, wine grapes, hops and Christmas Trees. If spotted, submit a photo or the specimen itself to the Entomology Department at the University of Kentucky.