35 years ago today, Clinton County and surrounding areas were hit with an Ice Storm of epic proportions. Five years ago, WILO did a special on the ice storm on Party Line with Russ Kaspar owner and GM of W-I-L-O and EMA Director Darrell Sanders and then Party Line host Kevin Kieth. Listen to the conversation below.

Watch the YouTube Video Below

Brought to you by: Jerry’s Body Shop, “Making Your Fender Bender Just A Memory – Call Jerry’s at 659-3319 For Your Towing And Body Repair Needs!”  

Schools: 

The following schools are on a 2 hour delay;

Carroll Consolidated School Corp.

Clinton Central Schools

Eastern Howard Schools

Kokomo School Corporation

Northwestern Schools-Howard Co

St. Joan of Arc & Patrick School-Kokomo

Taylor Community Schools

Tipton Community Schools; Alt K/Pre-school

Tri-Central Community Schools

Western School Corporation

Community:

Greentown Public Library opening 2 hours late

The Red Barn Summer Theatre in Frankfort will present the musical comedy “Xanadu,” based on the cult classic movie of the same name, beginning tonight, July 10 for two weekends, sponsored by Encompass Credit Union.

Beginning tonight, “Xanadu” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing on July 11 and July 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on July 13 at 2 p.m. Shows will continue on July 16, July 17, July 18 and July 19 at 7:30 p.m. with two matinees set for Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m. to round out the season. Tickets for “Xanadu” may be purchased at redbarntheatre.net or by contacting the Box Office at 765-659-1657.

“Xanadu” is a musical comedy that features memorable songs by Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, such as “Evil Woman” and “All Over the World,” as well as timeless ballads by Olivia Newton John’s producer and songwriter John Farrar, such as “Suddenly” and “Have You Never Been Mellow.”

A hilarious and nostalgic look back at the eighties, “Xanadu” is the story of a Greek muse named Kira, played by Cassidy May Benullo, who leaves Mount Olympus to inspire a struggling sidewalk artist named Sonny Malone, played by Ben Brickner, to create the world’s first roller disco. Through humorous plot points, mischievous sabotage and romantic happenstances, Sonny and Kira must overcome all odds for a chance at love.

As Kira, in her Australian persona, begins to develop forbidden love for Sonny, a mortal, through natural means or possibly by nefarious actions, her sisters and fellow muses must come together to help bring her dream of inspiring a mortal to create art a reality while also navigating the forbidden love being fostered and deter Kira from partaking in the forbidden act of creating art herself.

When connections of past and present collide, Kira is placed in another difficult situation where she realizes that she may have committed similar mistakes with Sonny as she did with a previous mortal to which she sought to inspire, but Sonny proves different. In the end, Kira finally understands the true meaning of Xanadu as it has been foretold.

Red Barn Artistic Director Michael Taylor directs the show, music direction is by Dena Seifert and sound design is by Jeremy Mang. “Xanadu” was written by Douglas Carter Bean with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.

The production also features Matthew Reich as Danny McGuire, Kiara Wood as Melpomene and Kody Horrocks as Calliope. Also in the the cast is Madi Myers, Lizzie Kurth, Isabelle Schilling, Johnny Doty, Luke McLaughlin, Eli Grasham, Kaileen Barreto, Maddie Allen, Ellie Perez and Anna Cari-Taylor.

“Xanadu” will hit the stage tonight, Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing on July 11 and July 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on July 13 at 2 p.m. Shows will continue on July 16, July 17, July 18 and July 19 at 7:30 p.m. with two matinees set for Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m. to round out the season. Tickets for “Xanadu” may be purchased at redbarntheatre.net or by contacting the Box Office at 765-659-1657.

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The Red Barn Summer Theatre is set to premiere its rendition of “The Cottage” by Sandy Rustin, a side-splitting farce that follows three couples as they navigate tumultuous affairs, familial rivalries and secrets within their beloved cottage owned by the mother of two of the leading men tonight, Wednesday, June 25.

“The Cottage” will kick off showtimes tonight at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 26, Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 29. The show moves into its second week on Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 3 at 7 p.m. with no show set for Friday, July 4. The show picks back up Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. and rounds out with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on July 6. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.

“The Cottage” closed on Broadway in 2023, and the Red Barn stands as the first venue to offer the show in the Midwest where laughter is expected to fill the rafters of the Barn. “The Cottage” portrays the story of Sylvia and Beau, who leave their spouses once a year for a romantic rendezvous in an English country cottage owned by Beau’s mother. While Sylvia dreams of a life together with Beau, he does not share the romantic attraction that she possesses, causing complications to arise as deception continues to compound as secrets are revealed.

When both Sylvia’s and Beau’s spouses arrive unexpectedly at the cottage, at least for Beau, humor ensues as secrets are revealed, relationships are challenged and new, insightful wisdom is shared by an unlikely source. The show is packed with hilarious twists, bold physical comedy and a conclusion that will prove satisfying to all audiences. With audience interaction thrown into the midst, “The Cottage” will keep audience members on their toes as they realize that anything can happen within the cottage.

Red Barn Artistic Director Michael Taylor will take the stage as Beau alongside Chicago-based actress Katherine Abel as Sylvia. Kiara Wood portrays Marjorie, Beau’s wife, Kody Horrocks returns to the stage to play Dierdre, Ben Brickner will play Richard and Matthew Reich portrays Clarke, Sylvia’s husband.

“The Cottage” has been directed by Red Barn veteran Luke McLaughlin, the Associate Artistic Director. For the opening night performance tonight, Wednesday, June 25, NHK Seating of America will feature Frankfort native Gibson Wells on the Heather’s Flowers Music Stage outside of the Red Barn venue. Gibson will perform from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and the Cellar will offer adult refreshments during his set. The Pump will also offer cold drinks and a variety of snacks, including Zachary’s Candy and Glover’s Ice Cream that have been added this year.

“The Cottage” will kick off showtimes tonight, Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 26, Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 29. The show moves into its second week on Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 3 at 7 p.m. with no show set for Friday, July 4. The show picks back up Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. and rounds out with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on July 6. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.

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Clinton County, Howard County, Tipton County and Hamilton County remain under a travel advisory this evening according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

According to the department, a travel advisory acts as “the lowest level of local travel advisory, means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.”

Community members should remain aware of road conditions throughout the night in the affected counties due to instances of possible standing water.

Red Barn Summer Theatre is set to kick off its 57th season in Frankfort tonight, June 11 with a presentation of Ken Ludwig’s hilarious comedy “Leading Ladies” with shows continuing for two weeks.

The show is set to hit the stage tonight, Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 12, Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 15. The show continues next week on Wednesday, June 18, Thursday, June 19, Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 22 at 2 p.m. to round out the first performance of the season at the Red Barn Summer Theatre at 2120 E. County Road 150 S. in Frankfort. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.

“Leading Ladies,” written by Ken Ludwig and designed and directed by Red Barn Artistic Director Michael Taylor, takes place in 1958 when two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearian actors discover that an aging woman is nearing the end of her life and seeking her two long-lost English nephews whom she will leave a considerable fortune for in her passing. The two actors spark a scheme to deceive the family members of the woman upon hearing news of her passing, which was sparked by the incompetence of the local doctor. The duo discovering that the woman is still alive is only one of the setbacks for the initial plan to portray her long-lost relatives, Max and Steve, as they soon discover that the relatives are not nephews but rather nieces, Maxine and Stephanie.

The struggling actors forge on as they realize that the dollar to their name cannot even purchase them two eggs in the states, taking up the mantle of impersonating the two women and wooing the family on a journey to secure the fortune that will be left to them in the will. However, while the two actors enact their deception, love proves to be a feat that even seasoned actors cannot overcome as they attempt to balance their portrayals of the two nieces with the insertion of their true selves within the story.

With suspicions rising regarding their true identities, consistent issues arising from their need to insert themselves into the story and true love being threatened by other suitors, Leo and Jack find themselves amidst constant antics as they attempt to maintain their cover and strike gold.

Red Barn veterans Luke McLaughlin and Xander Hann portray the deceptive actors, Jack and Leo, and are supported by Kaileen Barreto, Madi Myers, Eli Grasham, Jackae Johnson, Aaron Moon and Kenney Troutman who portray the remaining members of the family and cast.

Taylor commented prior to the show that based upon feedback received from attendees in previous seasons, the cast and crew elected to showcase three comedies this year, with the final show aligning with the musical structure seen in previous years, as a means for community members to relax after a long day and laugh together at the antics on the stage.

The show is set to hit the stage tonight, Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 12, Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 15. The show continues next week on Wednesday, June 18, Thursday, June 19, Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 22 at 2 p.m. to round off the first performance of the season at the Red Barn Summer Theatre at 2120 E. County Road 150 S. in Frankfort. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.

Shows will continue throughout the summer with “The Cottage” by Sandy Rustin hitting the stage on June 25 and “Xanadu” hitting the stage on July 10.

“Leading Ladies” is sponsored by The Farmers Bank. Opening Night festivities are courtesy of NHK Seating of America. This Season’s sponsor is Bailey Trucking. The Red Barn Summer Theatre was founded in 1968 by Martin and Carol Ann Henderson.

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The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for 39 counties, including Clinton, Carroll and Boone, from 3:59 p.m. today, May 16 through 11 p.m. tonight.

A tornado watch indicates that weather conditions and patterns may have the ability to produce a tornado, but a tornado has not yet been confirmed in the area. A tornado warning indicates that conditions have been confirmed or a tornado has reached the ground in an area and community members should immediately take shelter to avoid harm from the tornado.

Community members are encouraged to remain weather aware and stay tuned in to local weather reports and be ready to shelter in a basement or in a windowless room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

Alongside the tornado watch, community members should be aware of high winds and possible severe thunderstorms during the watch timeframe.

The watch has been issued for Clinton, Carroll, Boone, Bartholomew, Decatur, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Rush, Shelby, Tipton, Delaware, Henry, Randolph, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Jennings, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Martin, Sullivan, Clay, Fountain, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren counties.

Tornados, the Ice Storm of ‘91, Blizzards in ‘77 and ‘78, damaging straight line winds, first responders, EMA, Weather forecasters and storm chasers, an author on the Palm Sunday Tornado, WILO “war stories”, it all converges at the Frankfort Library starting tomorrow, Friday May 9th at 3:30 PM in the Skanta Theatre.

Check out the information below and discover and revisit what Indiana weather can do, and more importantly, what we, as a community of caring people, can do about it.

You’ll see pictures, videos, recordings, paper clippings, stories told from people who were actually “there” behind a microphone, behind the forecast releases or reporting first hand on twisters and other weather events as they ripped through our county.

May at the Frankfort Community Public Library (FCPL) will be filled with programs and activities revolving around the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS) traveling exhibit “Indiana Disasters.” The exhibit, made possible by Kroger, covers a variety of natural and manmade disasters as well as how Indiana communities remember them. Images, newspaper articles, illustrations, and survivors’ accounts will be on display to show how Hoosiers persevered in the face of disaster. Guests will also see newspaper coverage of local disasters provided by FCPL’s genealogy staff along with information on a few historical tragedies from the Purdue University Archives.

Special activities to mark the exhibit’s opening will be held in conjunction with the Friends of the Frankfort Library’s Annual Meeting on May 9. The exhibit will be on display through May 30.

Schedule of Events for May 9

3:30 p.m.—Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame writer, author, and Purdue University historian, John Norberg will discuss how Purdue’s early tragedies transformed the university by helping students find strength in one another while leading the way as one of the safest colleges in the United States. Books will be available to purchase.

4:30–8 p.m.—Educational/Vendor Booths for all ages

4:30 p.m.—Russ Kaspar of WILO and Shan Sheridan will present historical extreme weather radio recordings and video footage collected throughout many years of reporting. Kaspar and Sheridan will also showcase memorabilia and artifacts that have been used in weather forecasting and broadcasting.

5:30 p.m.—Award-winning author Janis Thornton will discuss the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes. Audience members will have an opportunity to share personal stories as well. Books will be available to purchase.

6:15–6:30 p.m.—Friends Annual Meeting

6:30 p.m.—Sam Lashley of the National Weather Service will share his experiences covering the weather as well as changes in meteorological technology. He will also discuss historical weather events, including the 1965 and 1974 tornado outbreaks and the 1978 blizzard.

7:15 p.m.—Indiana Storm Chasers will share exciting video footage and photos from live storm chasing as well as engaging life-saving weather information.

This event is made possible by our generous sponsors:
Primary Sponsors: Industrial Federal Credit Union and VFW POST #1110 & Auxiliary
Co-Sponsors: Encompass Credit Union and Wampler’s Disposal Service & Recycling
General Sponsors: Advanced Computer & Communication Systems and Gangwer Powers Insurance.

Visit the library events calendar at myfcpl.org/calendar for additional weather-related programs during the month of May. For more information, contact Mindy Emswiller at (765) 654-8746, ext. 1125 or memswiller@myfcpl.org.

Center Stage Community Theatre is currently in its last few days of rehearsal before “A Lacey Summer” by Marsha Grant hits the stage for audiences this Friday, May 9 with three weekends of shows for audiences to enjoy.

“A Lacey Summer” will premiere this Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Center Stage Community Theatre at 604 Powell St. in Lebanon. Shows will continues on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m., continuing for three weekends at the same times through Sunday, May 25. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased for $18 through MainGate or by calling the Theatre at 765-894-5587.

Directed by seasoned actor and director Richelle Lutz, “A Lacey Summer” follows the story of three elderly aunts as they invite their teenage niece into their home for the summer while her father visits Japan. The three aunts, under the authority of Bess, attempt to welcome their niece, Mattie, into their home following the request of their brother, whom they had lost contact with after a spat that led to him holding a grudge that may not be repairable. As Mattie denotes as she sets the tone for the play, her entire world was bound to change as she grew to understand the family she never truly knew.

Do you remember how you felt about things when you were a kid? Well, do you? I don’t. Not really. How I felt about things wasn’t important until my mother died. I was thirteen, and for the next three years all I did was feel awful. Then something happened to change all that. I discovered my father’s family. No big deal? Well, if you’re dumped on three crazy old-maid aunts in no-whereville, South Carolina… dumped for two whole months… Feeling awful changed to horrible, the most horrible time in my entire life.

Immediately upon Mattie’s arrival, a battle of wills, north against south, youthful rebellion against traditional ways, sparks between the various actors, but Mattie was soon to discover that reconnecting with her lost relatives, despite their old-fashioned ways, offers the security and sense of belonging that she has desperately sought for many years.

Through the suggestions of Mattie, the aunts develop new connections with the modern world and connect further with their long-time neighbor Mr. Cavanaugh, burying disputes from ages past, and through Mattie’s friendship with Mr. Cavanaugh’s grandson Andy, the two attempt to continue the introduction of newfangled technology and more into the lives of the Lacey aunts, leading to a climax that threatens to undo the progress that had occurred over the length of the summer. However, while Mattie attempted to continue making changes, she soon realized that she changed most of all.

The show takes a turn from the traditional comedic farces that have become expected of Center Stage, allowing audiences to enjoy a full-length story with numerous twists, turns, tears, connections and turbulence that all culminate to showcase a perfect snapshot of the importance of family.

Lutz commented that the production was chosen as a means to introduce audiences to a heartfelt story with a takeaway for all audience members by the end of the night, and Lutz highlighted the production’s set, stating that the furniture pieces, decorations and more truly built the atmosphere of the home while the sectioned stage provides multiple settings for the story to progress without disruption.

Cast:

Bess Lacey – Cynthia Duncan

Rose Lacey – Mary Ferguson

Vi Lacey – Joyce Pendleton

Mattie Lacey – Hannah Banks

Mr. Cavanaugh – Brian Nichols

Andy – Jason McDonald

For cast biographies, visit centerstagecommunitytheatre.com/cast-bios.

Through the Center Stage rendition of “A Lacey Summer,” Brian Nichols is reprising his role as Mr. Cavanaugh, and Richelle Lutz is transitioning from her role as one of the aunts to director of the show after the pair joined the cast of the show at Epilogue Players in Indianapolis under the direction of Marsha Grant herself in 2019.

“A Lacey Summer” will premiere this Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Center Stage Community Theatre at 604 Powell St. in Lebanon. Shows will continues on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m., continuing for three weekends at the same times through Sunday, May 25. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased for $18 through MainGate or by calling the Theatre at 765-894-5587. Senior and student discounts may be available.

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Frankfort Hot Dog Alumnus and Hot Dog Hall of Fame inductee Jodi Skiles has launched her campaign to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society following her nomination as a “Visionary of the Year” in 2025.

Skiles has assumed numerous roles across the region, primarily focusing on her role as a pediatric doctor of hematology and oncology at Riley’s Children’s Hospital. As a result of her dedicated work with the youth in the state as they face some of the most difficult times of their lives, Skiles has been nominated as an LLS Visionary of the Year, and she has been tasked with raising funds for the organization as part of her visionary campaign.

Skiles commented that her team is seeking to raise $50,000 for the organization by May 9th, and she encouraged Clinton County residents to consider supporting the organization to further bolster its resources while researching for a cure as well as support her visionary campaign.

Donations for Skiles’ campaign may be completed at llsvisionaries.org.

Skiles released a statement regarding her nomination and the donation campaign:

Visionaries look to the future–and see infinite possibility.

They challenge the status quo–and make the impossible possible.

They boldly imagine a better world–and lead the charge to create it.

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on this same vision–of a better world–one without blood cancers.

On behalf of my patients, I am proud to be participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Visionaries of the Year campaign in an effort to make the largest impact possible for LLS’s mission.

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients.  This is the pillar that is the focus of my personal campaign because this is the mission that most directly impacts my work and my patients.  I have numerous patients who have won their battle with leukemia & lymphoma thanks to research that has been funded in part by LLS.  I am so thankful for all of the treatments that my patients have access to and every dollar donated gets us one step closer to cure!

• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.  This mission has directly provided support to my patients whose lives have been financially impacted by cancer.

• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.  Advocacy efforts have accelerated access to treatment for children.

Skiles’ campaign aligns with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s dedication to #cancelbloodcancer, where the various visionaries and organization team members strive to one day see a world without the presence of blood cancer.

Donations for Skiles’ campaign may be completed at llsvisionaries.org.

Listen to Jodi Skiles’ interview on WILO’s Party Line below, live on-air every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on WILO 96.9 FM, 1570 AM and Boone’s Best 102.7 FM. WILO’s Party Line is also streamed live and archived on HoosierlandTV.com.