The Knox County Commissioners approved the quarterly voucher request for VanGo at their regular meeting Tuesday night. The public transportation system operated by the Y serves hundreds each month within the region.

The discussion turned to other Y services, including ongoing upgrades at the facility. YMCA CEO Dennis Kordes commented that membership is higher than it’s ever been in the Y’s history, and several improvements are underway. Recent additions include new basketball goals, batting cages, and a specialized wall designed to help with hand-eye coordination for children, athletes, and individuals.  It’s all part of an 18-month facility improvement project expected to have a soft opening soon.

On the transportation side, Kordes emphasized the vital role VanGo plays in providing access to medical appointments, shopping, and other essential services, especially for residents without reliable transportation. He said the new fixed route service has added about 100 riders a day, helping reduce missed medical appointments and connecting people to key destinations.  “You want to talk about a service that changes people’s lives every day for the better, and until I kind of pulled the curtain back, I didn’t really, really realize how vital it was.” Kordes commented.  “You take for granted that everybody’s got a car. Not everybody does.”

Commissioners expressed support for VanGo’s operations and the Y’s broader community impact, agreeing that both services fill critical needs.

In other action from Tuesday’s meeting, the Commissioners have given their approval for an unofficial detour route to accommodate a planned closure on State Road 67. The closure, which is expected to start on August 11, will allow for bridge work between Edwardsport and Westphalia and is scheduled to last about 40 days.

To help local traffic navigate around the area, the proposed detour will direct drivers along Farmstead Road, Jones Gap Road, and Freelandville Road.