Use caution and farewell
If you have not driven on the new Indigo road going in and out of Hillsboro you should — it is beautiful.
Residents have waited a long time for a road that is the major thoroughfare to and from Hillsboro to be smooth, without chuckholes or bumps.
We've endured several patching jobs that did not last and were dangerous and a nuisance.
Now, we can proudly say, the road leading to Hillsboro is smooth sailing.
Residents are able to travel on the road from Hillsboro to U.S.-50 when construction is completed on U.S.-50.
Last week, I rode with Kansas State Trooper Mike Ottensmeier. He told me during his night shift duty, he has seen motorists driving south on Indigo to U.S.-50 drive in the ditch to go around the barricades to get onto the highway.
Ottensmeier said signs coming from Hillsboro on Indigo clearly state: Road closed 13 miles ahead, local traffic only and Highway 50 access closed.
Motorists are putting themselves and others in danger when they try to access U.S.-50 from Indigo. Ottensmeier said if motorists are found driving the barricades, they will be ticketed. Fines could go as high as $120.
He said even though he knows it may be an inconvenience right now, violating the law is dangerous and drivers are not using common sense.
Also, I heard from a resident of the community that the barricades were moved apart to allow vehicles to pass through onto the highway.
Again, not smart. With the one-lane traffic on the highway, motorists are putting themselves as well as others at risk for a potentially dangerous accident to happen.
Let's try to be patient and wait until the construction is finished. We've waited this long — what's two more weeks!
Then we'll be able to travel on both roads and ride in comfort on some smooth surfaces.
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This is my last editorial. I will be leaving the Star-Journal after nine years. Because of the impending sale of Boeing Commercial, our family had to look at other employment options for my husband and me.
I will definitely miss working for Hoch Publishing. Donna, Bill, Joan, Eric, and crew from all three newspapers have been very supportive of me through the years. They have instructed me in the ways of writing like a journalist — something I still struggle with at times. But, it's getting a little easier to understand as I read the AP style book.
The friendships I have made with subscribers, customers, advertisers, and local business personnel will be sorely missed.
I will especially miss those who just came in to say "hello" or to "shoot the breeze for a few minutes."
Thanks, Ruby H., Alice K., Gib K., Doug F., Carrie G.., Becky W., the chamber luncheon gang, and many others. I will miss our times together.
Farewell for now and God Bless.
— Cathy Davis
