At their meeting on Monday night, the Vandalia City Council approved road closures for several upcoming events. The City Council approved the street closures in downtown for the Harvest Festival, which is next weekend, the VCHS homecoming parade and the Vandalia Lion’s Club Halloween Parade in October and for Olde Tyme Christmas which is in November. Getting to approve the street closures is a positive on one hand because there was some concern by some groups that the downtown building collapse could lead to the events having to be moved—but the cleanup now that the buildings are on the ground should be completed in time for the events. Meanwhile, Mayor Gottman says he is going to ask for a “slow” order from CSX Railroad for each of these events—to slow down trains coming thru town during these times. And, Gottman says he is going to put in writing a request to permanently slow the trains coming thru Vandalia. Gottman says the trains coming thru town are traveling at 55 to 60 miles per hour, and sometimes up to 70 miles per hour. This year’s Halloween Parade will mark the one year anniversary of the tragic train-vehicle accident that claimed the life of 35 year old Crystal Anna and three of her children.