This morning, at approximately 6:00 am, a Jackson County Deputy’s police SUV was struck by a pickup truck on I-65 Northbound near Crothersville while the deputy was blocking traffic for a tow company that was removing a vehicle from an earlier crash. 

The initial investigation by Trooper David Owsley, Indiana State Police-Versailles, indicated a Jackson County Sheriff’s Department 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe being occupied by Deputy Jordan Hawn, was parked in the right lane of I-65 Northbound near the 37.5-mile marker, near Crothersville, Indiana. 

Deputy Hawn’s vehicle was blocking the right lane of I-65 while a wrecker company was removing a commercial motor vehicle that was involved in a crash earlier in the morning.

Deputy Hawn’s vehicle was then struck from behind by a blue 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, being driven by Evan Elkins, age 25, Louisville, Kentucky. 

The vehicle came to a stop in the right lane of I-65 Northbound.  Elkins’ vehicle entered the median of I-65 and came to a stop. 

Neither Hawn nor Elkins were injured in the collision.

The right lane of I-65 Northbound was closed for most of the morning for crash cleanup and investigation.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected in the crash.  The investigation is ongoing.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The Indiana State Police would like to remind everyone that Indiana law requires motorists to yield to emergency vehicles that have emergency lights activated. 

This law also requires motorists to change lanes or slow for an ambulance, fire trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and tow trucks. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to close the Salem Bypass (S.R. 135 to S.R. 56) on or after Monday, March 29, to begin construction on a $2 million roundabout project at the intersection of S.R. 60 and the bypass in Washington County.

The contract was awarded last fall and the new roundabout is scheduled to open in late July 2021.

The project will upgrade the existing two-way stop intersection to a single-lane roundabout with 12-foot truck aprons, which aims to enhance safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes at this location.

The contract also includes full-depth pavement replacement, guardrail work, and intersection lighting.

Closure time for the bypass is set for 117 days, through late July, with an official detour of U.S. 150 and S.R. 56.

Local access will be maintained for residents and businesses located along this stretch of roadway.

Following the initial closure, the entire intersection will close for work on S.R. 60 and the center island of the roundabout.

This is expected to begin in early June.

Additional construction activity may take place through the fall with minimal interruptions to traffic. 

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free in and near work zones.

All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. 

More project information can be found on the INDOT website.

Tickets on sale now for April 9-11 event at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

PBR (Professional Bull Riders), the first major professional sport in North America to welcome fans back into indoor arenas with new safety protocols in Sioux Falls last July following the COVID-19 related shutdown, will now be the first to offer a professional sporting event at full indoor-arena capacity when its premier series returns to Sioux Falls in April.

The top bull riders and rankest bucking bulls in the league return to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center April 9-11 as the league once again make sports history welcoming back fans in full indoor arena capacity for the Unleash The Beast First PREMIER Bank PREMIER Bankcard Invitational.

Since the onset of the health pandemic, through implementing new protocols and executing the blueprint for a return that was subsequently shared with more than 15 other leagues, PBR has successfully held 31 ticketed fan weekends with 66 individual ticketed events, hosting more than 131,000 fans.

“We’re excited to welcome bull riding back to Sioux Falls,” said South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. “Last summer, PBR proved that we can hold safe and responsible events, and they chose South Dakota for the first major sporting event with fans in the stands in the country. We’re building on the success of that event and proving that South Dakota is a national destination for rodeo.”

PBR along with ASM Global and the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center will continue to create a safe and responsible environment for all fans in attendance.  The event will include the activation of ASM Global’s “Venue Shield”– an advanced environmental hygiene protocol that reduces physical touchpoints increases venue sanitization and cleanliness, and provides various health monitoring guidelines and services. ASM Global, which manages Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, is the world’s leading venue management and services company.

The guidelines and protocols in place at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center will include:

• Mobile ticketing to replace traditional printed tickets.
• Increased reliance on cashless, contactless concessions with prepackaged food available for sale.
• Social distancing guidelines with prominent signage including queuing stickers.
• Temperature testing and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) screening for all staff.
• In addition to CDC screening, PBR staff and athletes will undergo medical testing for COVID-19.

“One of the key milestones for our sport’s safe and responsible return was when fans came back into the arena in Sioux Falls last July through a forward-thinking partnership with ASM Global, the City of Sioux Falls and Gov. Kristi Noem,” said Sean Gleason, Commissioner and CEO of PBR. “We are very excited to return to Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls as we continue to move forward.”

Fan favorites including reigning World Champion Jose Vitor Leme, two-time World Champions J.B. Mauney and Jess Lockwood, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves, 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco, 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis, 2020 Iron Cowboy winner Cole Melancon, Arkansas cowboy Chase Outlaw, South Dakota resident Matt Triplett and many more will be among the riders expected to compete throughout the weekend, all looking for a win to secure their place in the world standings for the 2021 season.

The bull riding action will begin at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 and 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 11.

Tickets for the three-day event can be purchased at the KELOLAND Box Office inside the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, by calling PBR at (800) 732-1727, visiting Ticketmaster.com, or by visiting pbr.com. Prices range from $15 to $110.

A new three-day combo ticket allowing for fans to bundle their weekend purchases and receive 20% off select price levels can be purchased by calling PBR.

Fans can upgrade their ticket purchase by selecting the “Elite Experience” add-on for $75. This elevated experience includes a $10 concession voucher, a question and answer presentation with top bull riders and stock contractors and a souvenir credential, and lanyard.

For an exclusive VIP experience, fans can purchase “PBR Elite Seats” for $350. These tickets offer premium seats closest to the chutes, a $10 concession voucher, a question and answer presentation with some of the top bull riders and stock contractors in the world, a special tour of the bucking chutes with a stock contractor and souvenir credential and lanyard.

The “Elite Experience” and “PBR Elite Seats” can both be purchased by contacting the PBR Customer Service Department at 800-732-1727 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

Additionally, fans can purchase an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with the animal athletes of the PBR by signing up for the “Bull Housing Tour” on Saturday morning April 10.

This limited capacity experience features a discussion with top stock contractors who care for and raise the best bucking bulls in the world as well as a meet and greet with the bovines themselves, the collectible book detailing the historic bulls of the PBR and a souvenir credential and lanyard.

The “Bull Housing Tour” is available for $60 and can be purchased by contacting the PBR Customer Service Department at 800-732-1727 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

PBR fans around the country can take advantage of the Sioux Falls “Travel Package,” a brand new offer for the 2021 event.

This getaway package offers hotel accommodations for two nights (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun), two tickets for all three nights of the competition, three $10 concession vouchers, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the inter-workings of a PBR event, the exciting Saturday morning “Bull Housing Tour,” a welcome tote and a souvenir credential and lanyard. Available for $1,500, the “Travel Package” is built as the ultimate weekend away for two fans and can be purchased by calling PBR.

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:50, Trooper Widner was patrolling in the area of Fulton Avenue near Ohio Street when he stopped the driver of a 2017 Audi for making an unsafe lane movement.

Arrested and Charged was Kelvin Simmons, 29, of Henderson, KY

1. Possession of a Handgun by Serious Violent Felony, Level 4 Felony
2. Possession of Handgun without a License with Prior Conviction, Level 5 Felony
3. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor

Widner also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

When Trooper Widner asked Simmons to step out of his vehicle he immediately rolled up his window and began to search for something in the passenger seat area.

Widner struck the window and ordered Simmons out of the car.

Widner attempted to open the door but it was locked.

After continuing to order Simmons out of the car, Simmons exited his vehicle and was placed in handcuffs without further incident.

After additional officers arrived to assist, a search of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded handgun with armor-piercing rounds under a backpack located on the passenger seat.

Officers also found a small amount of marijuana and another fully loaded magazine. Further investigation revealed Simmons is a serious violent felon and is prohibited from carrying a firearm.

Simmons was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor HydraTech Field Services plans to begin repair work next week on two bridges over I-65 in Scott and Clark Counties. Work will take place simultaneously at both locations listed below. Joint replacement and barrier wall repair is also planned later this spring at the third location on S.R. 3 in Scott County.

S.R. 56 over I-65 – Scott County
Starting on or after Wednesday, March 17, crews will begin repair work on the center pier of S.R. 56 over I-65. This will require inside shoulder closures for both directions of I-65.

Overnight lane closures are expected to begin at the overpass in early May, starting with the right northbound lane. The right southbound lane and entrance ramp from S.R. 56 will close nightly starting in mid-May. Each lane will close at approximately 9 p.m. each night and reopen each morning around 6 a.m.

Youth hunters may apply for reserved turkey hunts during the special youth wild turkey hunting season on DNR properties from March 15-26.

Hunts will occur on April 17-18.

outh hunters who are under age 18 on the day of the hunt are eligible. A limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day in order to improve the quality of hunts for participants.

Find a list of participating DNR properties on this site.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to begin work on or after Monday, March 15, on a small structure pipe lining project on S.R. 56 in Washington County.

The structure is located 0.58 miles west of S.R. 39.

Significant traffic impacts are not expected as crews will be mostly working off the roadway.

However, shoulders will be closed in the area and lane closures with flagging will be possible for the periodic movement of equipment and materials.

The $336,000 contract was awarded in December 2020 and is expected to be complete in early May, weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces closures on State Road 66 between Marengo and Carefree for multiple pipe replacements.

Beginning on or around Monday, March 22, INDOT maintenance crews will begin the process to replace five culvert pipes in separate locations between I-64 and S.R. 64. This work requires a pavement cut across all lanes of traffic and will be done under full road closure. Workers will excavate the old pipe, replace it with a new and fill the cut with fill material. The fill material will be compacted under normal traffic conditions. Crews will come back after it has been compacted and replace the asphalt.

Each pipe will be done individually and only one location will be closed at a time. In most cases, work on a culvert pipe can be completed in one day with minimal disruption to the motoring public. Work begins after morning peak traffic hours and typically ends before afternoon peak traffic hours.

Operations at all five locations are expected to be complete by the end of the week depending upon weather conditions. During the closure, local traffic will have access up to the points of closure. However, through traffic should use the official detour following I-64, S.R. 237 and S.R. 64.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.