End Of Watch

Fallen Heroes

Hero Down: Illinois State Trooper Ryan Albin Killed By Semi

By Cowgirl On June 29, 2017 0

Trooper Ryan Albin Killed

Farmer City, IL – Illinois State Trooper Ryan Albin was killed in a traffic crash on Wednesday, June 28, according to The Chicago Tribune.

The incident occurred about 3:10 PM on I-74, in the westbound lanes near milepost 155, which is near Farmer City, about 25 miles northwest of Champaign.  Trooper Albin was on patrol and involved in a crash with a semitrailer truck.  According to Fox2now,  the driver of the second vehicle, a truck, and a passenger, were not injured.

According to The Pantagraph, “preliminary investigation showed both vehicles were in slowed/stopped westbound traffic approaching a merge area ahead of a construction zone when the crash occurred”.

Trooper Albin was airlifted by a medical helicopter to a local hospital, where he died about 8:45 PM  The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

In a Facebook post, The Illinois State Police said:

“Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Leo P. Schmitz regretfully announces that ISP Trooper Ryan Albin, star number 5718, was tragically killed on June 28, 2017, while on patrol.

On June 28, 2017, at approximately 3:10 p.m. Trooper Albin was involved in a crash on I-74 near Farmer City. Trooper Albin sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash. At approximately 8:45pm on the same day, Trooper Albin succumbed to his injuries.

“Our hearts are heavy with grief as we mourn the loss of Trooper Albin,” stated Director Schmitz. “I extend my deepest sympathy to Trooper Albin’s family, friends, and co-workers. I pray that those who cared for and loved him find the strength they need during this most difficult time. No further words can express the pain and loss we are all feeling.”

Trooper Albin joined the ISP on January 8, 2006. He was assigned to District 6 in Pontiac as a canine officer. Trooper Albin’s canine partner, “Biko,” was in the rear of the squad car at the time of the crash. Biko was transported to a local veterinarian’s office and appears to have sustained only minor injuries.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Illinois State Trooper Ryan Albin, both blood and blue.  Godspeed, sir, we will take the watch from here.  Thank you for your service.

Trooper Albin, your life mattered.

Source: https://bluelivesmatter.blue/illinois-state-trooper-ryan-albin/

Thursday Doors – Going Postal

This week, due to vision issues, I decided to find doors that are near to home that are, FUN, INTERESTING, and DOORS. And did not require driving to find them…

 

The two doors I am highlighting this week are Mailbox Doors. They are hinged entryways, so meet the definition of a door! Interesting, in that they were originally plain and boring featureless constructions. Following the application of brightly colored paint in various patterns, they are now interesting AND fun! (Painting courtesy of my sister-in-law & mother-in-law…)

Thursday Doors is a weekly event for those who send, receive, or ignore snail mail in all its valuations. We are aptly postmarked by Norm of the Great White North, and you can find Him HERE .  At the bottom of his page you will see a blue rectangular box with a postage-free frog. Click on this cute feller to see more doors throughout the world!!

The Mother Road – Decertified

June 27, 1985 – US Route 66 was officially “decertified” on this date by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and all signs denoting the route ordered to be taken down.

Historic US 66 sign south of Springfield, IL

US Route 66 was originally designated in 1926, and eventually stretched 2200 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. The meandering route through the western American wilderness was first laid out in 1857 by U.S. Navy Lieutenant Edward Beale at the head of a caravan of camels. It took until the early 20th century for road building technology to advance to the level whereby a paved surface of 4″ of Portland Cement could be poured consistently, economically, and continuously. The State Of Illinois passed a resolution to begin paving the Illinois route from Chicago, through Springfield, to St. Louis, Missouri in March of 1921. Specifications for the quality and thickness of the Portland Cement surface placed on top of the previous mud/dirt and or gravel road were based on research conducted in the vicinity of Bates, Illinois (a few miles west of the State Capital, Springfield). The resulting specifications became the standard for road paving nationwide in the early 1920s. The engineers and scientists responsible for the Bates Highway tests were housed in the Bates Motel when they were on-site. (No reports of mummified mommies were ever made… think Alfred Hitchcock)

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Current Site of Bates Motel, on Old Rte. 54, Bates, IL.

The reliance of the growing private motoring public and the commercial truck-transport industry on the US Route system significantly interconnected the entirety of the continental United States on a grand scale. By the 1950s, further transportation research and development lead to the birth of the US Interstate infrastructure. This saw the construction of new, high-speed, 4-lane, controlled access highways that diverted around, over, or through cities and towns without the need for traffic to slow down or stop.

Rte 66 dead-ended south of Springfield, IL

Although Route 66 was decertified, it is estimated by the National Historic Route 66 Federation, drivers can still use 85 percent of old Route 66. Springfield, Illinois still promotes its connection to Route 66 in a big way…

 

Historic US 66 sign in Chicago, IL

Thursday Doors – Bit o’ Déjà vu

I did not get my Thursday Doors homework completed these past two weeks; no valid excuses either! Just apologies…. So, to make up for it, I am not only giving you a little bit of variety in doors this week, but they also fall in two of my favorite Door Categories: On the Water, and Lighthouses! WooHoo!

The Mrs & I took a spin around the lake (Lake Springfield, Illinois) on her boat at the beginning of the week. The weather was pleasant, and the skies were clear. Perfect!

So, we first came across this On The Water Door in a small cove I don’t ever remember exploring before…

Such an inviting boat house! And on a hot day, stepping out the door between the two bays would be a refreshing splash! There is the additional door to the house from the patio just to the right as well for a multi-door photo!!

The Next Door pic is the entry door to a super cute little Lighthouse in the same cove as the first doors. So that is the Second Lighthouse I am now aware of on Lake Springfield…

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My last offering is of a little shed with double front doors. I am enamored with the color of the building, and the striking accent color of the trim and hinges!

The downside to finding all these great doors??? I am now trying to figure out where I can build their twins on our yard! and when I will have time to build them. and how I can afford all of them!!

Thursday Doors is a weekly homework assignment for the sea-faring as well as land-lubbers alike. We are aptly tutored by Norm of the Great White North, and you can find Him HERE .  At the bottom of his page you will see a blue rectangular box with a land & sea lubbing frog. Click on this cute feller to see more doors throughout the world!!