FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – A beloved Christmas tradition in southern Illinois is celebrating 45 years this holiday season.

Organizers say Candy Cane Lane is a unique and completely free Christmas display that brings holiday magic to life!

Committee members say 2025 is the biggest year ever for Candy Cane Lane, which now features over 100,000 sparkling lights, more than 500 characters, and 90 incredible scenes inspired by Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and many more.

Candy Cane Lane began in 1980 and was created by Mr. Tim Murphy. Murphy was an inspiring art teacher in West Frankfort whose creativity and holiday spirit touched countless lives, according to committee members.

Over the years, Tim’s many art students helped his vision grow brighter and bigger.

In 2019, Candy Cane Lane was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, gaining national recognition for its charm and artistry.

Tim Murphy passed away in 2020 from complications with COVID-19; his dear friends, Iris and Bobby Kohzadi, vowed to keep his legacy.

A dedicated Candy Cane Lane committee was formed, and the holiday attraction is now a licensed nonprofit organization.

Leaders say they continue to expand and enhance Candy Cane Lane each year, ensuring that Tim Murphy’s spirit of joy, community, and creativity lives on for generations to come.

The non-profit is run strictly off of donations, which also help fund a scholarship program at Frankfort Community High School.

Candy Cane Lane is located at the West Frankfort Community Park at 1100 E. Cleveland Street, and is open nightly through December 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to donate to Candy Cane Lane, visit their Facebook page.

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INDIANAPOLIS — Beer was spilled all over Interstate 65 northbound on the south side of Indianapolis late Sunday afternoon.

The beer was spilled when a semi and an SUV became involved in a crash near mile marker 109, which is located near the area where I-65 and Raymond Street converge.

The Indiana Department of Transportation sent a notification about the crash around 4:52 p.m. That notification indicated that all lanes of the interstate had been closed in the aftermath of the crash.

Indiana State Police confirmed that troopers found objects scattered all over the road when they arrived at the scene. They later determined that those objects were beer cans.

INDOT sent a maintenance crew to the scene to help police get the interstate cleaned up. ISP confirmed that medics also responded to the crash scene, though they did not transport any of the individuals involved in the crash.

I-65 northbound was closed at mile marker 109 until about 6:04 p.m., according to INDOT. That means the roadway was closed for a little over an hour as crews worked to clean up the crash scene.

ISP diverted traffic off of I-65 and onto Raymond Street while troopers cleaned up and investigated the crash. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Class of 2027 prospect Jaxx DeJean, the younger brother of former Iowa football star Cooper DeJean, has committed to the Hawkeyes.

Jaxx DeJean made the announcement via social media on Dec. 21.

DeJean, listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, committed to Iowa as a tight end.

DeJean is a 3-star prospect and the fifth-ranked player in the state of Iowa’s 2027 high school class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

As a junior at OABCIG, DeJean showed versatility offensively. He led the team with 36 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns. DeJean also passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, DeJean recorded 18.5 total tackles and three interceptions.

DeJean was named honorable mention All-Iowa by the Des Moines Register.

The Odebolt product earned offers from UNLV, Kansas State, Michigan, UAB and Iowa.

DeJean has become a well-known last name in the Hawkeye and NFL communities.

Cooper DeJean became an Iowa legend in three seasons with the Hawkeyes, starring as a defensive back and punt returner. As a junior, DeJean was Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year.

DeJean’s story rose to new heights once he got to the NFL. He somewhat surprisingly slipped to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but was scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles, which ultimately proved beneficial for both sides. As a rookie, DeJean picked off a pass from megastar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX to help the Eagles take down the Chiefs.