Pictured (left to right) are Rush County Sheriff Allan Rice, Bob Johns, Jerry Sitton, Ron Jarman, Jane Smiley, Chuck Kemker, Paul Wilkinson, David Willkie, Kristina Marshall and Mark Bacon.

 

At the March 23 Rush County Commissioners meeting, the Rush County United Fund presented a donation check to the Commissioners in the amount of $1,000 for the preservation of the five covered bridges in use on the roads in Rush County. The funds were a portion of the proceeds from the 2021 Willkie Days “Five in 50” Covered Bridge Bicycle Ride. This successful ride was made possible with the help and tremendous support of Rush County, the city of Rushville and numerous volunteers throughout the county. David Willkie thanked the Rush County Commissioners which allowed the ride to use county roads and bridges; the Rush County Highway Department headed by Highway Superintendent Jerry Sitton for power sweeping the loose gravel off of the roads; Rush County Sheriff’s Department headed by Sheriff Allan Rice for leading off the ride and stopping traffic at major intersections, and Emergency Management Agency Director Chuck Kemker for coordinating the timing of the ride and all other agencies within the county.

The bike ride goes through Milroy, Moscow, Gowdy, Homer and Arlington as well as over the five covered bridges of Rush County. There are shorter 12 and 24 mile routes available.

Proceeds from the ride benefit the Rush County United Fund which distributes its funds to local charities and for the preservation of the Rush County covered bridges.