The U.S. Travel Association announced the recipients of its 2017 Mercury Awards during the 34th annual ESTO conference, held in Minneapolis and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) was awarded best Public Relations Campaign for the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay.

The Mercury Awards recognize U.S. Travel Association members for excellence and creative accomplishment in state destination marketing and promotional programs. One of the judges commented about the torch relay, “This idea was executed superbly. The idea of uniting the entire state and bringing together citizens of every age, race and background to carry a physical object throughout the state is interesting enough, but the partnerships and execution really elevated this campaign.”

“The torch relay was a great opportunity to promote and unify the state by connecting people, communities, and regions,” said Mark Newman, IOTD’s Executive Director. “This award is a tremendous honor. The effort, dedication, and teamwork that went into more than three years of planning was worth the journey.”

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay, developed by IOTD, was one of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration. It was designed to inspire and unify Hoosiers by symbolically “passing the torch” connecting generations to ignite our future. The 37-day relay traveled more than 3,200 miles through all 92 Indiana counties.IOTD is also being honored by the Indiana Historical Society for the Bicentennial Torch Relay. It was chosen as one of the winners in the Outstanding Bicentennial Collaborative Project category. A ceremony will be held in November.

During the five week relay, undergraduate and graduate students from Ball State University worked with IOTD to produce daily videos, photos, articles, and social media related to the relay.  A second team operated out of Muncie and produced a 37-minute documentary titled, “Everlasting Light: The Story of Indiana’s Bicentennial Torch Relay.” Ball State students have received twelve awards for their work on the project.

You can purchase a DVD of the documentary here.

Sheriff Mike Carothers and Jackson County D.A.R.E. officer Jeff Walters are shown presenting two $500.00 scholarships to Crothersville High School graduate Brady Riley.

Brady received the scholarships from the Indiana Sheriff’s Association and from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The 2017 D.A.R.E. program was held on May 22, 2017.

Brady will attend IUS-New Albany to study criminal justice. He is looking forward to a career in law enforcement.

Brady is the son of Suzi and Bobby Riley of Crothersville. 

Washington County Inmate Roster

September 3, 2017

Indiana State Police

Justin Smith, 25, Scottsburg

• Driving While Suspended

Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Jimmy D White, 42, Crothersville

Theft

Amanda White, 22, Crothersville

• Theft

Salem City Police

Anthony R. Adkins, 30, Campbellsburg

• Unknown charge

September 4, 2017

Jesse A. Kio, 39, Salem

• Domestic Battery

A traffic stop for speeding Saturday evening ended with two Indianapolis men in jail on drug and weapons related charges.

Arrested and Charged were:

Corey L. Carter, 32, Indianapolis, IN

– Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

– Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

   Keith L. Williams, 31, Indianapolis, IN

– Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class A Misdemeanor

– Possession of a Firearm without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

– Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

– Warrant, Marion County, OWI – Endangering

At 7:20 PM Saturday, Trooper Ross Johnson was patrolling Interstate 69 at the 76 mile marker (State Road 58), when he observed a black pickup truck traveling south at 105 miles per hour.  Troopers Johnson and Beau Brumett stopped the truck near the 75 mile marker.

While speaking with the driver, 32-year-old Corey Carter, and the passenger, 31-year-old Keith Williams, both of Indianapolis, troopers could smell burnt marijuana.  A search of the truck revealed marijuana and a loaded handgun that was within reach of Williams.  Troopers learned that both items belonged to Williams; however, Williams did not have a valid permit to possess the gun.

Troopers also found that Williams was wanted on an active arrest warrant through Marion County, Indiana for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Carter and Williams were both placed into custody and transported to the Daviess County Jail.  Carter was jailed on reckless driving charges for his speed, as well as maintaining a common nuisance, while Williams was jailed for possessing marijuana, visiting a common nuisance, having a handgun without a valid permit, and on an arrest warrant through Marion County.