ECLIPSE: Traffic picking up as hour approaches

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A quick look around town during the noon hour Monday revealed that something was different in Greencastle.

The approaching total solar eclipse -- set to hit Greencastle at 3:05 p.m. -- brought an increase of traffic to the county that began picking up in the morning.

Sheriff Jerrod Baugh reported shortly before noon that traffic remained "manageable" on U.S. 231 as of shortly before noon. He noted an increase in out-of-state plates.

Cpl. Scott Ducker, the department public information officer, noted that traffic had increased on State Road 243, but not too badly. He noted that traffic U.S. 40 remained mild.

Ducker did note that Cloverdale, in the immediate proximity of Interstate 70, was seeing an increase in traffic just after noon.

Around Greencastle, the increase in vehicle and foot traffic was noticeable. Crowds appeared to remain sparse in free viewing lots around the city.

While local forecasts called for cloud cover, the clouds through early afternoon remained high and whispy, which should only slightly impede viewing.