INCOME TAX - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory to Actual Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory to Actual Tax Expense:
Federal Statutory Income Tax at 21%	$ 54,439	$ 53,692	$ 50,566
Tax-exempt Interest Income	(18,193)	(19,349)	(16,200)
Stock Compensation	(228)	(214)	(20)
Earnings on Life Insurance	(1,753)	(2,344)	(1,468)
Tax Credits	(331)	(414)	(354)
State Tax	1,171	2,494	2,697
Other	341	(280)	38
Income Tax Expense	$ 35,446	$ 33,585	$ 35,259
Effective Tax Rate	13.70%	13.10%	14.60%