The U.S. Drought Monitor Map has more than 30-percent of the state in abnormally dry conditions.
The majority of the effected counties are in the central third of the state with a few counties in northwest Indiana.
The state’s corn and soybean yield could be affected by the recent hot dry weather, but not near to the extent as last year’s record drought.
Kyle Busch continued Joe Gibbs Racing’s domination at 1.5-mile speedways, winning Sunday night’s AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Gibbs cars have won five of the six races on 1.5-mile speedways this season. That’s key with half of the 10 Chase races on such tracks.
Busch’s victory, his fourth of the season, also clinched a top-10 spot in the Chase. Others who clinched top-10 spots in the Chase on Sunday were Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. They join Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer, who had previously clinched. Kasey Kahne secured at least a Wild Card with his two victories this season.
That leaves five Chase spots to be determined this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. NASCAR states that 10 drivers are eligible for those remaining Chase spots.
Kurt Busch heads into Richmond in 10th place in the points – the final automatic spot for the Chase. He earned that spot with a fourth-place finish Sunday night.
“It was just a battle, just a battle all night,’’ said Kurt Busch, who went from 10th to second in one lap on a restart. “The car was not a great car. We missed it, but we’ll take it.’’
Jeff Gordon is 11th in the season standings, six points behind Kurt Busch.
“The track changed quite a bit and we just couldn’t battle up front there forthe lead and for the win like I thought we could have,’’ said Gordon, who finished sixth.
Martin Truex Jr. finished third and heads into Richmond holding the second and final Wild Card spot. He leads Ryan Newman by five points for that spot.
Truex held on to a Wild Card spot with a gritty run, driving with a fractured right wrist.
“It was pretty tough there for a while, just hanging on to the car with my wrist,’‘ Truex said. “It hurt pretty bad there for a while. Just glad we were able to put together a decent night.’’
Defending series champion Brad Keselowski’s struggles continued. He finished 35th after his engine blew late in the race. He fell to 15th in the standings. Keselowski is 28 points out of 10th place. He likely needs a win and even that might not be enough to make the Chase.
“Kind of seems how our year has gone, anything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong,’’ crew chief Paul Wolfe said.
Kyle Busch can relate to those struggles, missing the Chase last year at Richmond.
There are no such worries after he led the final 36 laps to win Sunday.
“I’ll be frank … the last probably four races or five races besides Watkins Glen, we probably weren’t racing to par’’ Kyle Busch said. “Tonight it didn’t look like it was either and then we turned it around and had a great night. That’s what I’m most impressed about.’’
Kyle Busch admitted he wasn’t happy about the car early in the race and was vocal about it.
“We had a lot to overcome,’’ Kyle Busch said. “Dave and these guys stuck with me for as bad as I may have been talking. For as tight as it was and then as loose as it was and just trying to make our way through the field, the green-flag runs that we got, they’re always my best friends.’’
They also helped Joey Logano. He overcame a loose left rear wheel that forced him to make an unscheduled pit stop about a third of the way through the race to finish second. It’s his sixth consecutive top-10 finish and moved him to eighth in the points, improving his chances of making his first Chase.
“This team is super strong and it looks like we’re hitting our stride at the right time right here,’’ Logano said.
Others didn’t have it as well. Clint Bowyer blew an engine while leading. Points leader Jimmie Johnson’s car was damaged in an incident on a restart less than 35 laps into the race. He later spun trying to avoid Jeff Burton as Burton slowed to pit. Denny Hamlin’s frustrations continued. His team changed engines before the race, forcing him to start at the rear and he suffered engine issues in the race. He also spun after being hit from behind by Paul Menard.
The Indianapolis Colts today claimed tight end Jack Doyle off waivers (Tennessee), waived running back Kerwynn Williams and signed six players to its practice squad, including, OLB-Daniel Adongo, C-Thomas Austin, QB-Chandler Harnish, TE-Dominique Jones, LB-Josh McNary and CB-Sheldon Price.
Doyle, 6-6, 258 pounds, is an Indianapolis native who spent his prep years at Cathedral High School and then attended Western Kentucky University. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2013. In four collegiate seasons, Doyle totaled 162 receptions for 1,769 yards and eight touchdowns in 42 games. He finished his career ranked second on WKU’s all-time receptions list. As a senior last season, Doyle set a career-high with five touchdowns en route to being named a First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection.
Doyle earned three letters in football at Cathedral and was a Special Selection All-State, Associated Press Honorable Mention All-State and an Indianapolis Star Honorable Mention All-City selection. As a senior, he compiled 21 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns as the Fighting Irish won the 2006 state championship.
Williams was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. At Utah State, he finished seventh in school history with 2,515 rushing yards on 382 carries. He also totaled 22 rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns. Williams’ 6.6 yards per carry average ranks fifth in school annals and his 22 rushing touchdowns rank seventh all-time.
Adongo was originally signed by the Colts on July 25, 2013. Prior to joining the Colts, he played for the Southern Kings of Super 15 Rugby, the highest level of pro rugby in the world.
Austin was originally signed by the Colts as a free agent on August 1, 2013. He has appeared in seven career games (one start) with the Carolina Panthers (2012) and Houston Texans (2011).
Harnish was selected by the Colts in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was inactive for the first five games of the regular season last year before being signed to the practice squad on October 18, 2012.
Jones was originally signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2012. In four games (one start) last season, he caught one pass for eight yards.
McNary was originally signed by the Colts as a free agent on April 11, 2013. At Army, he totaled 195 tackles (117 solo), 49.0 tackles for loss, 28.0 sacks, nine passes defensed, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games played.
Price was originally signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2013. At UCLA, he competed in 47 games (45 starts) and registered 157 tackles (123 solo), five interceptions, two forced fumbles and 21 passes defensed.
The Indiana State Police is urging the media to report the accurate context of accused murderer David Camm’s employment.
Camm is on trial for the third time after two convictions were turned over on appeal.
He’s accused of killing his wife and children in Georgetown, Indiana in September of 2000.
The state police in a news release say a majority of media outlets reporting on the Camm trial frequently introduce the news story as “Former Indiana State Trooper David Camm. They say that statement can lead some people to believe the reason Camm is a former trooper is because of his alleged crime.
However, the state police informs the public that Camm resigned as a state trooper four months before the murders. The release goes on to say that the murders and devastation to the families and friends of the victims is the story and should be the focus and where Camm worked four months prior to the murders has no bearing on the crimes.
A Scott County man was arrested on a variety of charges after police found drugs in a home.
Matthew Anderson, 28, of Austin was arrested Tuesday on charges of dealing in methamphetamine, dealing in heroin, dealing in a controlled substance, criminal recklessness with a firearm and maintaining a common nuisance, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.
He was booked into the Scott County Jail at 12:07 a.m. Wednesday.
Jessica Tash, 24, of Lexington also was arrested on a charge of visiting a common nuisance. She was booked into the jail at 12:12 a.m. Wednesday and was released at 11:48 a.m. Wednesday after posting bond.
Police reported the search of the residence turned up what was described as a “significant amount” of cash, two ounces of crystal methamphetamine, numerous prescription narcotics, and paraphernalia related to the use and dealing of heroin, methamphetamine and controlled substances.
Officers with the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Indiana State Police and Austin Police Department assisted.
The Second Annual Indiana Sheriff’s Association Open Bass Tournament will be held September 21 at the Newton Stewart South Ramp on Patoka Lake.
All proceeds from the tournament will go to ISA Youth Leadership Camps, ISA scholarship program for students pursuing a degree in law enforcement and to the ISA Fallen Officers’ Fund which benefits families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
This year’s tournament is in memory of late Sheriff Robert “Buck” Stogsdill of Brown County.
The tourney will kick off at 7:30 a.m. on September 21. The cost to enter is $125 per team. Coffee and donuts will be available in the shelter house prior to take-off. A meal will be served during the weigh-in and awards presentation. Many prizes will be awarded at the event.
For tournament information, contact Keith Kelley with Winding Waters Bassmasters at (812) 392-2889 or (812) 592-2069.
The longest-serving Republican in the Indiana House is resigning.
New Haven Representative Phyllis Pond says she‘ll step down in October to deal with pulmonary fibrosis. Pond used an oxygen tank during this year‘s legislatie session but maintained near-perfect attendance. She‘d already announced she wouldn‘t run for reelection next year,
Pond was first elected in 1978 — only former Speaker Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) has been in the House longer. The former kindergarten teacher in the East Allen County Schools was instrumental in passing the Prime Time law limiting class sizes in Indiana.
Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) says he accepted Pond‘s resignation “with a heavy heart.” He calls Pond a larger-than-life presence and an “invaluable” leader on education policy.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) calls Pond “an amazing public servant.”
Pond made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 1989 after Dan Coats was appointed to the Senate.
Pond‘s resignation is effective October 15. Allen and DeKalb County precinct leaders will caucus to choose a replacement by November 14, a week before the House reconvenes.
Now that we have landed probes on Mars, a team from NASA wants to send one our much warmer “twin planet.”
The idea would be to put a rover on Venus, but instead of a battery, the Venus rover would be powered by a sail. Dr. Brian Murphy with Butler University‘s Holcomb Observatory says that‘s possible because the atmospheric pressure on Venus is equivalent to 3,000 feet below sea level on Earth.
Spacecraft from the U.S. and the former Soviet Union have landed on Venus before, but they haven‘t survived for long since the surface temperature is 900 degrees. Still, Murphy says we have designed components for jet engines and other items to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time, so a Venus landing craft shouldn‘t be a problem.
Studying Venus is not important in that humans could ever inhabit the planet, but scientists say there is much to learn from an environment which, millions of years ago, may have been similar to Earth‘s.
“We do believe it once had oceans, but those oceans evaporated and created a runaway greenhouse effect. That‘s what raised the temperature and put it in the state it is today,” said Murphy.
First Families of Floyd County, Indiana, will celebrate its premiere on Thursday, October 3, in the Strassweg Auditorium of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library.
The public is invited to visit between 3 and 7 PM to meet re-enactors of early Floyd County citizens and view vintage artifact displays and a county history timeline.
First Families certificates will be awarded at 7 PM to persons who have proved direct lineage to an ancestor living in Floyd County prior to December 31, 1840.
Light refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the Southern Indiana Genealogical Society and the Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana Room of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library.
Make plans for the family to attend an enjoyable and educational evening of Floyd County history. For more information, please call 812-949-3527 or visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~insigs/nextmeet.htm.
INDIANAPOLIS – A community-based decision has been made for Indianapolis to enter the NFL’s bid process for Super Bowl LII in 2018. The 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee board of directors unanimously voted to pursue Super Bowl LII earlier this week after gathering input from community partners.
“The collaboration that went into the 2012 Super Bowl and the success of the event has generated tremendous community support to pursue the 2018 event,” said Allison Melangton, Indiana Sports Corp president and formerly the president/CEO of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee. “After doing our due diligence on the 2018 bid landscape, the Super Bowl Host Committee board has enthusiastically decided to move forward with a 2018 bid.”
As the first step in the process, the NFL was officially notified today of Indianapolis’ intent to bid. The NFL will review the list of cities that have officially submitted their candidacy in the coming months. In October, the NFL will announce a shortened list of finalists that will be invited to formally bid. The bid includes an in-depth response to the requirements for the event and a presentation at the May 2014 NFL Owners Meeting. The 32 NFL owners will vote on the host city for the 2018 Super Bowl at that meeting in May 2014.
Melangton will chair the 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee board of directors throughout the community’s bid to host Super Bowl LII. Indiana Sports Corp will lead the bid effort. Mark Miles, the chair of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, will join Governor Mike Pence, Mayor Greg Ballard and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Bid Committee.
The 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee officers also include Vice-Chair Cathy Langham (President, Langham Logistics), Vice-Chair David Lewis (Vice President of Global Taxes / Assistant Treasurer, Eli Lilly & Company), Treasurer Derrick Burks (Managing Partner, Ernst and Young), and Secretary Rafael Sanchez (Partner, Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP).
For 10 days in early 2012, Indianapolis welcomed the world to a community-wide celebration leading into Super Bowl XLVI. Fans reveled in unprecedented activities capped by an exciting game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 5. The Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, 21-17.
“From 1.1 million people enjoying the Super Bowl Village to youth initiatives that reached all 92 Indiana counties to the operational success in and around Lucas Oil Stadium, we exceeded our goals for Super Bowl XLVI,” said Miles, chair of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. “As the effort moves forward with the 2018 Super Bowl bid, I have every confidence that it will once again be a community-based endeavor with ideas and excitement coming from throughout our great state.”
The economic impact study for Super Bowl XLVI, researched and completed by Rockport Analytics, concluded that the Indianapolis metro area experienced a significant economic boost as a result of 10 days of visitor activity. The report highlights include total gross expenditures of $384 million, resulting in a direct economic impact from Super Bowl XLVI of $176 million. It also is impressive that estimated Super Bowl-related spending that originated from outside of the Indianapolis metro area was estimated at $342 million. Approximately 84 cents of every dollar spent for Super Bowl XLVI was retained in Indianapolis. Total tax receipts came in at $88.6 million, including $24.9 million at the state level and $21 million at the local level.
“Super Bowl XLVI was a monumental success from the international spotlight to the economic benefits throughout the state,” said Governor Pence. “We’ve shown multiple times that Indiana can hold world-class sporting events and we look forward to the chance to host a Super Bowl for a second time.”
“We’ve been able to quantify the economic returns from Super Bowl XLVI, but what excites many of us about a potential Super Bowl LII in Indianapolis is the heightened civic pride, opportunities to brand our city on an international stage, and the ability to leverage the excitement of the Super Bowl to continue to do great things in our community,” said Mayor Ballard.
“The Indianapolis Colts are fully behind this bid to bring the Super Bowl back to Indianapolis in 2018,” said Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. “The 2012 Super Bowl was an overwhelming success, and our franchise is ready to assist as our community prepares another quality bid to host the NFL’s biggest celebration.”
Future Super Bowl host cities already determined include Super Bowl XLVIII in New York/New Jersey (2014), Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix/Glendale (2015), Super Bowl L in San Francisco/Santa Clara (2016), and Super Bowl LI in Houston (2017).
