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).

2013‐14 BIG TEN MEN’S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

DECEMBER

31 Ohio State at Purdue 1 p.m. ESPN2

Indiana at Illinois 3 p.m. ESPN2

Michigan State at Penn State 5 p.m. TBA

Nebraska at Iowa 7 p.m. TBA

JANUARY

2 Wisconsin at Northwestern 7 p.m. ESPN2

Michigan at Minnesota 7 p.m. TBA

4 Nebraska at Ohio State Noon TBA

Michigan State at Indiana 2 p.m. CBS

Penn State at Illinois 2:15 p.m. TBA

5 Iowa at Wisconsin 7:30 p.m. TBA

Purdue at Minnesota TBD TBA

Northwestern at Michigan TBD TBA

7 Ohio State at Michigan State 9 p.m. ESPN

8 Minnesota at Penn State 7 p.m. TBA

Illinois at Wisconsin 9 p.m. TBA

9 Michigan at Nebraska Noon ESPN/ESPN2

Northwestern at Iowa 9 p.m. ESPNU

11 Indiana at Penn State Noon TBA

Minnesota at Michigan State 2:15 p.m. TBA

12 Nebraska at Purdue Noon/4:30 p.m. TBA

Iowa at Ohio State 1/4:30 p.m. CBS

Illinois at Northwestern 7:30 p.m. TBA

14 Wisconsin at Indiana 7 p.m. ESPN

Penn State at Michigan 8 p.m. TBA

15 Michigan State at Northwestern 7 p.m. TBA

Purdue at Illinois 9 p.m. TBA

16 Ohio State at Minnesota 9 p.m. ESPN2

18 Northwestern at Indiana 2:30 p.m. TBA

Michigan at Wisconsin 6 p.m. ESPN

Penn State at Purdue 7 p.m. ESPNU

Michigan State at Illinois 8 p.m. TBA

19 Minnesota at Iowa 1 p.m. TBA

20 Ohio State at Nebraska 7 p.m. TBA

21 Indiana at Michigan State 7 p.m. ESPN

Purdue at Northwestern 9 p.m. TBA

22 Iowa at Michigan 7 p.m. TBA

Wisconsin at Minnesota 9 p.m. TBA

23 Illinois at Ohio State 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

Nebraska at Penn State 8 p.m. ESPNU

25 Iowa at Northwestern Noon TBA

Wisconsin at Purdue 5 p.m. TBA

Michigan at Michigan State 7 p.m. ESPN

26 Illinois at Indiana 3 p.m. TBA

Minnesota at Nebraska 6 p.m. TBA

28 Michigan State at Iowa 7 p.m. ESPN

29 Penn State at Ohio State 7 p.m. TBA

Northwestern at Wisconsin 9 p.m. TBA

30 Indiana at Nebraska 8:15 p.m. TBA

Purdue at Michigan 9 p.m. ESPN/ESPN

FEBRUARY

1 Ohio State at Wisconsin Noon ESPN/ESPN2

Northwestern at Minnesota 2 p.m. TBA

Iowa at Illinois 7:30 p.m. TBA

2 Purdue at Penn State 11:30 a.m. TBA

Michigan at Indiana 1 p.m. CBS

4 Ohio State at Iowa 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

Wisconsin at Illinois 9 p.m. TBA

5 Nebraska at Michigan 6:30 p.m. TBA

Minnesota at Purdue 8:30 p.m. TBA

6 Penn State at Michigan State 9 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

8 Nebraska at Northwestern 1 p.m. ESPNU

Michigan at Iowa 2 p.m. ESPN

Purdue at Ohio State 6 p.m. TBA

Indiana at Minnesota 8:15 p.m. TBA

9 Michigan State at Wisconsin 1 p.m. CBS

Illinois at Penn State 4:15 p.m. TBA

11 Michigan at Ohio State 9 p.m. ESPN

12 Penn State at Indiana 7 p.m. TBA

Illinois at Nebraska 9 p.m. TBA

13 Northwestern at Michigan State 7 p.m. TBA

Minnesota at Wisconsin 9 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

15 Iowa at Penn State 1 p.m. ESPNU

Indiana at Purdue 4 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

Ohio State at Illinois 8 p.m. TBA

16 Wisconsin at Michigan 1 p.m. CBS

Nebraska at Michigan State 3 p.m. TBA

Minnesota at Northwestern 6 p.m. TBA

18 Iowa at Indiana 9 p.m. ESPN

19 Northwestern at Ohio State 7 p.m. TBA

Illinois at Minnesota 9 p.m. TBA

20 Michigan State at Purdue 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

Penn State at Nebraska 7 p.m. ESPNU

22 Wisconsin at Iowa Noon ESPN/ESPN2

Minnesota at Ohio State 6/8 p.m. TBA

22 or 23 Indiana at Northwestern TBD TBA

23 Michigan State at Michigan Noon/6 p.m. TBA

Purdue at Nebraska Noon/4:15 p.m. TBA

25 Iowa at Minnesota 7 p.m. TBA

Indiana at Wisconsin 9 p.m. ESPN

26 Michigan at Purdue 7 p.m. TBA

Nebraska at Illinois 9 p.m. TBA

27 Ohio State at Penn State 7 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

MARCH

1 Illinois at Michigan State 2 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

Northwestern at Nebraska 5 p.m. ESPNU

Minnesota at Michigan 6 p.m. TBA

1 or 2 Purdue at Iowa TBD TBA

2 Wisconsin at Penn State Noon/4 p.m. TBA

Ohio State at Indiana Noon/4 p.m. TBA

4 Michigan at Illinois 7 p.m. ESPN

5 Nebraska at Indiana 7 p.m. TBA

Purdue at Wisconsin 9 p.m. TBA

6 Penn State at Northwestern 7 p.m. ESPNU

Iowa at Michigan State 9 p.m. ESPN/ESPN2

8 Indiana at Michigan 6 p.m. ESPN

8 or 9 Illinois at Iowa TBD TBA

Northwestern at Purdue TBD TBA

Penn State at Minnesota TBD TBA

9 Michigan State at Ohio State Noon/4:30 p.m. TBA

Wisconsin at Nebraska 5:15/7:30 p.m. TBA

13 Big Ten Tournament Game #1 Noon TBA

Big Ten Tournament Game #2 2:30 p.m. TBA

Big Ten Tournament Game #3 6:30 p.m. ESPN2

Big Ten Tournament Game #4 9 p.m. ESPN2

14 Big Ten Tournament Game #5 Noon ESPN

Big Ten Tournament Game #6 2:30 p.m. ESPN

Big Ten Tournament Game #7 6:30 p.m. TBA

Big Ten Tournament Game #8 9 p.m. TBA

15 Big Ten Tournament Semifinal #1 1:40 p.m. CBS

Big Ten Tournament Semifinal #2 4 p.m. CBS

16 Big Ten Tournament Championship 4 p.m. CBS

McDonald’s wings are entering the world of fast food.

The food giant plans to begin rolling out the “Mighty Wings” on Sept. 9 and have them in all U.S. stores by Sept. 24, according to Bloomberg.

NBC news reports, the bone-in chicken wings are expected to stay in stores through November

The wings will be flavored with chili pepper and cayenne, Bloomberg reports, and will come with a variety of sauces. They will be sold in packs of three, five or 10 pieces with prices starting at $2.99.

Governor Mike Pence honored the dozens of men and women who rescued a six-year old Illinois boy from a collapsed sand dune last month.

Nathan Woessner  (WAYZ-ner) was buried alive when he fell into a 11-foot-deep sand hole on Mount Baldy at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  At a ceremony Wednesday in Michigan City, Pence says the rescuers never stopped looking for Nathan.

He compared the determined rescue workers to a shepherd in the Bible who never gave up on looking for one lost sheep.  The Governor says the first responders are special, because they never gave up and never lost hope even after Nathan’s lifeless body was pulled from the hole.

Even Nathan’s family believes Jesus was with their little boy helping rescuers on the day they brought him home.  The first responders were also honored in another ceremony at the event center at Blue Chip Casino.

Almost seven decades after he lost it, a 92-year-old Indiana Marine has his World War Two dog tag back thanks to a garden tiller.  Jahue (JAY-hue) Mundy was among the Marines who invaded Iwo Jima and helped secure Okinawa and other islands in the Pacific.  When he was sent to China after the war he lost his dog tag shortly before it was time for him to come home.

“I think when I lost it was when I was putting some stuff in some packages to send to my wife.

In June, while doing some work in his mother‘s garden in Mooreland – not far from where Mundy grew up, Delbert Adkins saw something in the dirt.  He says it had United States Marine Corps on it, so he knew right then it was a dog tag.  Adkins gave it to his wife, Pam, who tracked Mundy to his current home in Roanoke, Virginia.

The Adkins family mailed the dog tag to Mundy, and on Wednesday, they met in person for the first time at the home of Mundy‘s son on the north side of Indianapolis.

For Mundy, the returned dog tag brought back a lot of memories, good and bad, from the war.  Mundy says his son will keep his dog tag, just as he keeps the Purple Heart Mundy earned when he was wounded during the war.

An Evansville man is behind bars after over 15-hundred marijuana plants were found at his home Wednesday.

Indiana State Police say 50-year-old Mark Alan Hunt was arrested after they received an anonymous tip that marijuana was being grown at his home.  When driving by the home, troopers spotted marijuana plants over six feet tall in the back yard.

Acting on a search warrant, officials from State Police, the Indiana National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the U-S Forest Service Law Enforcement Division and the Warrick County Sheriff‘s Office found over 15-hundred marijuana plants and over 300 grams of marijuana packaged and ready for delivery.

State Police say the plants had a street value of about one-point-five million dollars.  Hunt faces felony charges of cultivating marijuana, dealing marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana.  He‘s being held without bond in the Vanderburgh County Jail.