Total Eclipse, Liberty Theater, Stellar Pathways, and more highlighted 2024.
Now that the year is coming to an end, it’s time to reflect on some of the events that received the most clicks in 2024.
Stories listed below are based on the magnitude, how long it remained in the headlines and the number of views the story received.
The stories are listed in no particular order.
Total Solar Eclipse Passes Through Eagle Country
Photo by Justis White, Eagle Country 99.3.
A total solar eclipse arced across the heart of Indiana on Monday, April 8.
It was the first total solar eclipse since 2017 and the last until August 2044.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun’s bright face — the photosphere — briefly revealing our star’s outer atmosphere: the shimmering corona, or “crown.”
The path of totality ran through cities and towns such as Batesville, Brookville, Milan, Osgood, St. Leon, and Versailles. The occasion was marked with several events across the regional including the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce's Party in the Dark at the Ripley County Fairgrounds.
See photos and videos from our coverage below.
Cancellation of Link 101 Project
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced in May that the project would not move forward.
A combination of higher than anticipated construction costs, low projected travel benefits, and public feedback sessions that overwhelmingly supported a more moderate approach led to the decision to forgo a broader new-terrain project.
Instead, INDOT will prioritize preservation of local corridor assets in line with public feedback.
A group named Stop Link 101 mobilized in opposition to the highway by signing petitions, submitting public comments, and displaying yard signs throughout the area.
The group opposed a State Road 101 extension from Markland Dam to U.S. 50 because of its potential impact on the natural habitat of local wildlife, the natural landscape, and farmland.
The funds allocated to Link 101 will be reprioritized statewide, including in southeastern Indiana.
Opening of Whiskey City's Liberty Theater
Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3
Built 1893, the Liberty Theater is a Historic Landmark and originally a German music theater called Liedertafel Hall, meaning “song table”. Converted for movies in 1921 and later named The Liberty Theater during WWII, her stage was dormant for 50 years.
A $4.75 million-dollar project started in late 2023, and the theater re-opened in September with a show featuring country music artist Kelsey Waldon.
The project included a complete overhaul with extensive renovations spearheaded by new owner Dan McCabe.
Aside from hosting live music, the site includes a draft beer, bourbon and whiskey bar plus regular brunches and special events.
Visit https://whiskeycityslibertytheater.com/ to see a list of upcoming events.
Legendary Radio Personality Jim Scott Passes Away at 81; LHS Unveils Jim Scott Broadcast Studio
Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
Jim Scott spent nearly 50 years on Cincinnati radio.
He passed away in June at the age of 81 after a battle with ALS.
Scott was diagnosed with the disease in Spring of 2022, and according to his wife, Donna, he "continued to spark joy in everyone he met" despite battling the non-curable disease.
In August, Lawrenceburg High School unveiled the Jim Scott Broadcasting Studio.
The studio is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including professional-grade cameras, lighting equipment, a green screen, microphones, and computers for video editing.
Students are using the studio to produce video content for in-studio and on-location projects, as well as podcasts. In addition, the school’s new broadcasting program allows students the opportunity to broadcast school events, cover sports games, deliver morning announcements, and complete special projects.
Rising Sun Police Department Closes
The Rising Sun Police Department officially closed its doors in early March.
City Council and County Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize an inter-local agreement the previous month to close the PD and transfer all law enforcement duties within the county and City of Rising Sun to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office.
The agreement was for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025 and 2026. At that point, if all is going well the agreement would automatically renew. However, the City or the County reserves the right to terminate the agreement with six months notice.
As the sole law enforcement entity, the City will provide the County with a portion of the funding necessary for the Sheriff to provide protection throughout all of Ohio County.
All guns, supplies, and related police equipment currently in possession of the RSPD were transferred to the Sheriff's Office.
As for the PD building, there is a clause in the agreement that allows the City to take back the building if a decision is made to re-establish the PD.
"As the City is not required to operate a police department, the County, the Sheriff, and the City all believe that the most efficient manner that will provide the highest level of law enforcement protection to the citizens of Ohio County is for the Sheriff's Office to be the only law enforcement agency in the county," reads a portion of the resolution.
Rising Star Casino Parent Company Plans to Relocate Gaming License
Ohio County and the City of Rising Sun were notified in August of plans to relocate Rising Star Casino's gaming license.
According to City Councilwoman Lisa Hewitt-Williams, Full House Resorts, Inc., the parent company of Gaming Entertainment LLC, notified local officials their preliminary plans to relocate the Rising Star Casino gaming license to the City of New Haven in the Fort Wayne area.
So far this year, Rising Star has been the least profitable casino of the 13 statewide. According to the Indiana Gaming Commission, Rising Star Casino has averaged $3.2 million in taxable adjusted gross revenue per month.
Earlier this month at the Pre-Legislative Luncheon, State Senator Randy Maxwell explained that the northeastern portion of the state has no gaming and is being hurt by Hoosiers traveling out of state to casinos in Ohio and Michigan. A casino in the Fort Wayne area could help that portion of the state and the overall state revenue due to a bigger population of people in that area.
"I have met with representatives of the casino, county council and city council, the mayor, commissioners in Ohio County. They are working on negotiating a development agreement to protect their revenue for at least 20 years. I was specifically put on the Public Policy committee this year to represent my constituents to make sure that I hopefully have a little bit of say in how that goes, to make sure the people of Rising Sun are protected," said Maxwell.
St. Elizabeth Dearborn Cancer Center Brings Comprehensive Cancer Care to SEI
Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3
The long-awaited St. Elizabeth Dearborn Cancer Center opened in April.
The Cancer Center offers many state-of-the-art technologies, including on-site radiation oncology to treat a broad range of cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, and colon.
The oncology wing is located on the first floor, along with two mammography rooms, one ultrasound room, and multiple breast health and radiation therapy exam rooms. According to Terri Bogan, Nurse and Site Director, radiation oncology has not been provided in the area in over 10 years due to the investment amount. The service is being brought to the area thanks to the contributions of area municipalities and individual donors.
The new facility also includes a LINAC treatment vault, CT scan and PET CT scan for the most up-to-date imaging. On-site supportive services include financial counselors, specialized nurse navigators, nutritionists, a clinical research office, social services and much more.
Doug Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center tells Eagle Country 99.3 that the new facility will give patients what they want and need, which is "all cancer care in one building."
On the second floor are 24 infusion bays (4 private, 20 semi-private) including several with a view, dedicated pharmacy, and 12 medical oncology exam rooms.
The third floor is currently shell space that is capable of build out.
One Dearborn County Named Stellar Pathways Designated Community
Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
One Dearborn County was named a Stellar Pathways Community in December.
In becoming a Stellar Community, millions of dollars in set aside funding is now secured for Dearborn County to fuel projects in Greendale, Dillsboro, and Bright, among other investments.
The transformational investments proposed for Stellar Pathways include revitalization of Greendale’s southern Ridge Avenue neighborhood, a renaissance for Dillsboro’s downtown, enhancements and gathering spaces at Bright Meadows Park, downtown infill housing, new senior housing, community health workers, historic preservation, and a thriving local food system.
South Ripley Named a Cognia District of Distinction
Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.
A celebration was held in November to recognize the amazing accomplishments of the South Ripley Community School Corporation.
Administrators, teachers, school board members, and other South Ripley Schools employees were joined by Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, Congresswoman Erin Houchin, State Senator Jean Leising, and State Representative Alex Zimmerman, among others, for a Cognia District of Distinction Celebration.
The honor was earned based on the results of the rigorous Cognia Engagement Review Process in the 2023-24 school year. South Ripley would end up being one of only 11 school districts globally to receive the designation.
At South Ripley, their list of accomplishments is long, but a few specific accomplishments from this past year were highlighted on Monday. Those accomplishments include having the highest I-LEARN English/Language Arts passing rate in southeast Indiana, highest I-LEARN Math passing rate in southeast Indiana, highest I-READ-3 passing rate in southeast Indiana (98.4 %), second highest 3rd Grade Math passing percentage of all public school corporations in Indiana, and highest 4th Grade Math passing percentage of all public school corporations in Indiana.
South Ripley Educator Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley (left) presents Katie Lanter with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Photo by Josh Myers, WIKI Country 95.3.
South Ripley Junior High School 7th grade Reading teacher Katie Lanter was surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in December.
The award, hailed as the “Oscar of Teaching,” recognizes educators for instructional excellence, professional leadership, engagement with the community, and potential for even greater contributions to the healthy development of children.
"This is entirely unexpected, but I am very, very honored," said Lanter. "It has been an honor to work with our fabulous administrators and of course my teams that I've been a part of. Obviously, South Ripley Junior High School has a very special place in my heart. And all these wonderful teachers I've been around, it could have been any one of you. And thank you to my students."
Of the three million teachers across the country, the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-25 tour honors up to 45 educators coast to coast. Each honoree will receive an all expenses paid trip to LA in April.
"You are one of the best in the country. I could not be more proud of you. Great teachers change lives. We are so glad you are a teacher, and right here in Indiana," said Dr. Katie Jenner.
Logan Lawrence Honored as Lawrenceburg Citizen of the Year
The 8th annual Cruisin' to a Cure for ALS Car Show was a record-breaking event.
Organizer Logan Lawrence and his team of volunteers raised $53,200 for the ALS Association, breaking the show record by far. In total, the event has raised $263,000 to support ALS medical research and aiding patients with financial aid.
At Lawrenceburg Fall Fest, Lawrence was named the City of Lawrenceburg's 2024 Citizen of the Year.
"It was a pretty cool honor to be awarded the City of Lawrenceburg Citizen of the Year. A huge thank you to Mayor Mollaun, council, and all the City of Lawrenceburg staff for everything they do for the community and the Annual Cruisin to a Cure for ALS to make it what it is. On top of that we got to meet and listen to Walker Montgomery and Dillon Carmichael perform," said Lawrence in a Facebook post.
The 9th annual Cruisin to a Cure for ALS is set for Sunday, May 4 in downtown Lawrenceburg.
Group of NKY Educators Purchase Million Dollar Winning Powerball Ticket
Shutterstock photo.
A million-dollar Powerball ticket was purchased in January.
Thirty teachers known as “The Jones 30” hit the Match 5 after purchasing the ticket at Kroger in Hebron.
The win was a long time coming for the group that has been playing the Powerball for 14 years, selecting the same numbers over and over again.
Of the 30 winners, 13 are employed at Jones Middle School, where the group was formed over a decade ago. The others are either retired or work in other Boone County schools and neighboring districts.
Had the Jones 30 hit the 6th number for the Powerball, they would have won $164 million dollars.
Chemical Leak in Cleves
It was a Monday in November when a chlorine gas leak was reported at Cleves Waterworks on Kilby Road
The chlorine gas leak was contained to the immediate area of the water treatment facility, according to Whitewater Township Fire.
For safety reasons, Kilby Road was closed between Suspension Bridge Road and U.S. 50 to allow emergency crews to operate safely. The Greater Cincinnati HAZMAT Team was called in to assist with containing the leak.
The investigation revealed the leak was caused by a malfunctioning 150-pound chlorine tank.
Gov. Holcomb Directs Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of President Carter
Indiana's 2024 State Graduation Rate Highest on Record
Vehicle Break-ins Being Investigated in Ohio County
Kentucky Department for Public Health Reports Human Death from Rabies
LHS Grad Makes Dean's List at Vincennes University
Rising Sun Regional Foundation Awards $297,636 in New Grants
