Tuesday afternoon, at approximately 4:00 pm, the Indiana State Police was called to a five vehicle personal injury crash on I-65 Southbound near the 48 mile marker in Jackson County, Indiana. 

One driver was flown to a Louisville hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley indicated that traffic on I-65 Southbound was backed up due to an earlier vehicle fire on I-65 Southbound near the 41 mile marker.  Despite troopers sitting at the rear of the traffic backup with emergency lights displayed, a 1998 Kenworth tractor-trailer being driven by Ch arles W. Burton, age 28, Tell City, Indiana did not slow for the stopped traffic. 

Burton’s vehicle struck the rear of a 2015 Ford van being driven by Michael E. Kleitz, age 38, New Albany, Indiana.  The collision forced Kleitz’ vehicle off the roadway where it overturned.  Burton’s vehicle continued southbound where it struck the rear of a 2012 Kenworth tractor-trailer being driven by Darrel R. Ashby, age 66, Lebanon, Virginia.  The force of the collision forced Ashby’s vehicle into the rear of a 2017 Mack tractor-trailer being driven by Victor Jones, age 54, Clarksville, Tennessee. Jones’ vehicle was then pushed into a 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer being driven by Larry S. Grover, age 50, Harrison, Michigan.

Burton was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated from his vehicle by the Seymour Fire Department.  He was then flown to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky for treatment of serious injuries.  All other drivers involved in the crash were treated and released at the scene.

Southbound lanes of I-65 were shut down for nearly three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing.

Trp. Holley was assisted by numerous other troopers with the Indiana State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, PHI Medical Helicopter, and 31 Wrecker Service.

The Washington County Farmers-Merchants Fair will begin this year with a lamb barbecue and open class sheep show on Saturday, June 3. 

The weigh-in for open class will be from 8:30a to 10a at the fairgrounds.

A lamb barbecue with fajitas will begin at 11a, followed by the open sheep show at 12:30p. 

DOWNLOAD A DIGITAL COPY OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR BOOK HERE – Fair Program 2017(1)

Also, moving the Queen contest and Teen Pageant to the Salem Middle School will leave the grandstands empty on Monday and Tuesday nights. 

Racing will take up the rest of the week at the grandstand, on a newly renovated track – thanks to Steve and Misty Leonard. 

The Leonard’s took over operation of the track back in the spring and have been working to get it ready for the first event – the Truck and Tractor pull on Saturday, June 10. 

Wednesday night of the fair will feature racing beginning at 7p, a mini-car derby on Thursday night, mud bogs on Friday and the all-famous demo derby on Saturday night. 

There will be lots of free entertainment at the top of the hill and themed days during the morning hours, including Senior Citizens Day on Tuesday, Kids’ Day on Wednesday and the 4-H Jamboree of Fun on Friday. 

Here is the complete schedule of the 2017 Washington County Farmers and Merchants Fair:

Saturday, June 3 

• 8:30-10a – Weigh-in Open Sheep
• 11a-4p – Lamb BBQ-Fajitas
• 12:30p – Open Sheep Show

Saturday, June 10

• Morning – Open Dairy Show, Southern Indiana (Black and White Show)
• 6:30p – Truck and Tractor Pull (Driver’s Meeting 6p)

Sunday, June 11

• 4p – 4-H Horse and Pony Show

Friday, June 16 

• 5-8p – 4-H Project Check In – Non-Perishable 4-H Project Check-In and Open Judging

Saturday, June 17 

• 8:30-Noon – Enter Open Class Non-Perishable Entries in Exhibit Hall, which include: Antiques, Art, Canning, Family Stitchery and Crafts, Photography, Scrapbooking and Woodworking. 
• 9a-Noon – All mini-4-H Judging; Perishable Regular 4-H project check-in/open judging of Foods, Garden, Crops, Floriculture, Cake Decorating and Microwave).
• 1:00 p.m. — Baby Contest at Bradie Shrum School (Registration at 12:00 p.m.) Theme: “The Wonderful World of Food & Family” Entry Fee: $6.00; Admission: $4.00
• 1-3p – 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Check-in

Sunday, June 18

• Afternoon 3:00 p.m. — Fair Parade “The Wonderful World of Food & Family”
• (Registration starts at 12:00 p.m.)
• Evening 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. — 4-H Building Open House
• 5:00 p.m. — 4-H & Open Class Poultry Show
• 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. — 4-H Livestock Check-in

Monday, June 19

• 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. — 4-H Livestock Check-in
• 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Enter Open Class Perishable Entries at Exhibit Hall: Baking, Farm Products, Floriculture, Garden Products, Gourds
• 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. — Beef BBQ by Wash. Co. Cattlemen’s Association
• 6:00 p.m. — Brady Amusements Open
• 6:00 p.m. — Open Class Exhibit Hall & Commercial Buildings Open
• 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Sheep Show
• 8:00 p.m. — Free Entertainment: Brian Hutson, Gospel Singer, sponsored by the West Washington County Fellowship of Christian Churches.
• Salem Middle School: 8:00 p.m. — Queen Pageant Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00

Tuesday, June 20

• 8:00 a.m. — Cinnamon Rolls & Drinks by Washington County Sheep Association
• 10:00 a.m. — Senior Citizens Program Begins at Shelter House 10:00 a.m. — 4-H Goat Show
• 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Lamb BBQ/Fajitas by Washington County Sheep Association Evening
• 5:00 p.m. — 4-H Dairy Beef Show followed by 4-H County Born & Raised Beef Show
• 7:00 p.m. — Free Entertainment: Scott Greeson
• Salem Middle School: 8:00 p.m. — Teen Pageant Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00

Wednesday, June 21

• “Kids’ Day” – 10 a.m. – “Smoke Free” Sponsored by Mid-Southern Savings Bank
• 8:00 a.m. — 4-H Swine Show
• 10:00 a.m. — Kid’s Day Activities Begin
• 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — Beef BBQ by Washington County Cattlemen’s Association
• 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Brady Amusements Open Evening
• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. — Beef BBQ by Washington County Cattlemen’s Association
• 7:00 p.m. — 4-H Night and Fashion Revue Judging (at the Show Barn)
• 7:30 p.m. — Free Entertainment: BMX Bicycles
• At the Grandstand: 7:00 p.m. — Races; Hornets, Pure Stocks, Modifi eds, MMSA Sprints, Mini Stocks/Pro-Trucks Track Gates open 4:00 p.m.; Driver’s Meeting 6:00 p.m.; Hot Laps 6:30 p.m. Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00; Pit Passes $30.00

Thursday, June 22

• 10:00 a.m. — 4-H Dairy Show
• 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. — Pork BBQ by Wash. Co. Pork Producers Evening
• 5:00 p.m. — 4-H Beef Show
• 7:00 p.m. — Free Entertainment: “Classic Country”
• At the Grandstand: 7:00 p.m. — Mini Car Derby with Power Wheels Prior Inspection starts at 5:00 p.m. Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00; Pit Passes $20.00; Car & Driver $50.00

Friday, June 23

• 9:00 a.m. — Color Me Green Dash
• 10:00 a.m. — 4-H Jamboree of Fun Evening
• 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. — Pork BBQ by Wash. Co. Pork Producers
• 6:00 p.m. — Ag Hall of Fame Dinner (held in livestock barn). Tickets required (812-883-4601). All farmers and agri-business men and women invited.
• 7:00 p.m. — 4-H Supreme Showmanship followed by Parade of Grand Champions
• 7:30 p.m. — Free Entertainment: Greg Rhodes
• 11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — 4-H Livestock (Non-Auction/NonMarket) Released (NO EARLY RELEASE)
• At the Grandstand: 7:00 p.m. — Mud Bogs (Tech Time 4-6 p.m.) Washington County Only Class added Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00; Pit Passes $20.00

Saturday, June 24

• 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. — 4-H Livestock (Non-Auction/Non-Market) Released
• 9:30 a.m. — 4-H Livestock Auction Evening After
• 4:00 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. – All Species Barn Clean-Up 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Dog Exhibition
• 6:00 p.m. — Free Entertainment: “Sparkles & Spurs”
• 6:00 p.m. — 4-H Project Release
• At the Grandstand: 7:00 p.m. — Demolition Derby Inspection starts at 3:00 p.m.; Registration starts at 5:00 p.m. Admission: Adults $7.00; Children 6-12 $4.00; Pit Passes $20.00; Car & Driver $50.00 Participant and Helpers only in pit area

Sunday, June 25

• 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. — Commercial Exhibits Released
• 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. — Release All Open Class Exhibits. Open Class Premium Money also awarded at this time. Fair Association cannot be responsible for exhibits left after this time.

Monday, June 26

• 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. — Projects Released

Saturday, July 8

• 9:00 a.m. — Open Class & Approved Quarter Horse Show

Two Louisville women and their dog were located and transported to safety after a 4-hour search operation. 

Today the first five of 17 concerts were announced that will be part of the Chevrolet Silverado Free Stage headline entertainment at the 2017 Indiana State Fair, which will take place August 4-20. Each night of the fair features a concert that is free with paid fair admission.

The first five shows announced today include:

• George Thorogood and The Destroyers – Friday, August 4
• Yacht Rock Revival Tour 2017 – Thursday, August 10 featuring Robbie Dupree, Player’s Peter Beckett, Matthew Wilder, and Elliot Lurie from Looking Glass backed by the Yacht Rock Revue band.
• Blue October – Friday, August 11
• Patti LaBelle – Thursday, August 17
• Kiefer Sutherland – Friday, August 18

Additional Free Stage Shows will be announced soon

Online ticket sales are available now at a discounted rate of $8 plus convenience fee on the Indiana State Fair website. Tickets can also be purchased at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum Box Office during regular business hours at the discounted rate. Tickets purchased at the gate are $12.

Purchase of an Indiana State Fair ticket allows for general admission to the Chevrolet Silverado Free Stage concert seating area. No seats can be reserved unless otherwise specified. For more information please visit our website.

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ABOUT GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS

GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS, with more than 40 years of touring and recording; 15 million albums sold; and 8,000 live shows, has amassed a catalog of hits that includes “Who Do You Love,” “I Drink Alone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Move It On Over,” “Get A Haircut,” and the anthemic “Bad To The Bone.”  The band has released 16 studio albums – including six Gold and two Platinum discs – but it’s their powerhouse live performances that have made GT&D legendary. George will also be releasing his first-ever solo album on Rounder Records on August 4 titled PARTY OF ONE, featuring 14 stripped down, raw, in studio recordings.

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ABOUT YACHT ROCK REVIVAL

Yacht Rock Revival is a tour that consists of hit-makers from the past. Featured special guests in 2017 include: Robbie Dupree (Steal Away), Matthew Wilder (Break My Stride), Player featuring Peter Beckett (Baby Come Back) and Looking Glass featuring Elliot Lurie (Brandy, You’re a Fine Girl). All backed by the Yacht Rock Revue band, www.yachtrockrevue.com

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ABOUT BLUE OCTOBER

Blue October is a modern rock band originally from Texas known for shimmering rock songs and haunting lyrics. The band was formed in 1995 and currently consists of Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals, guitar), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin), and Matt Noveskey (bass guitar). The band has had eight Top 40 singles over their past seven studio albums and is best known for their platinum singles “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean” from their 2006 platinum album Foiled.  The Texas four-piece makes a triumphant return with Sway (Up/Down Records), the band’s first album in two years. They’ve returned strong with a revitalized energy and a positive outlook.

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ABOUT PATTI LABELLE
Commonly referred to as the “Godmother of Soul”, Patti LaBelle (born Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards) has had a career spanning more than 50 years and has sold more than 50 million albums. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class.  Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that LaBelle is known and revered for. It’s a small wonder that she has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but at 73 years old, LaBelle is also an author, actress, and entrepreneur. In addition to her successful career as an entertainer and entrepreneur, LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is just as legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives. 

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ABOUT KIEFER SUTHERLAND

Legendary actor Kiefer Sutherland (51) released his Americana-tinged debut album “Down In A Hole” in 2016. A professional actor for over thirty years, Sutherland has starred in movies like ‘Stand By Me’, ‘The Lost Boys’, ‘Young Guns’, Flatliners’, ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘A Time to Kill’, and most recently, a western called ‘Forsaken,’ as well as the TV series ‘24.’ In 2002, Sutherland, with his music partner and best friend Jude Cole, began a small record label called Ironworks. The goal of this label was to record local musicians and distribute their music at a time when the music industry was going through a monumental shift. In early 2015 Sutherland played Cole two songs he had written and wanted to record as demos for other artists to record. Cole responded positively to the songs and the album grew organically from those recordings. Their collaboration resulted in Sutherland’s album: ‘Down In A Hole’.

Although there were no flood waters standing on Water Street in Salem, US Senator Joe Donnelly could see the results of the recent flooding. 

From the pictures collected for him as he met in City Hall on Memorial Day with local leaders to the muddy marks on the sides of buildings along the West Fork of Blue River and Brock Creek in Salem, Donnelly got a first hand look at what Salem residents went through when parts of Salem flooded on May 19. 

“We’ve started working with state and federal agencies, said Salem Community Development Director Greg Fitzloff. “This was a 1000 year plus flood. Water came up 14 feet in 12 minutes.”

“I was with the Vice-President [Mike Pence] last Tuesday night at his house,” Donnelly said Monday evening. “I said, ‘We’ve got something serious to talk about in Salem.’ He’s concerned. I said I would bring him back a report of what’s going on. I talked to the Vice President’s Chief of Staff and said this is ‘Job One’for us back home. He said let us know what we need to do.”

Donnelly and his staff toured the flooded area on Main Street, Water Street and Elizabeth Streets with members of the Salem City Council. 

“One of the issues we’re having is…there are multiple jurisdictional disputes going on,” said Fitzloff, remarking about dealing with multiple state and federal agencies. 

Fitzloff said the USDA has provided its first assessment in cleaning up 3000 feet along the West Fork of Blue River. 

“They will give the city $45,000,’ he told Donnelly. “The Washington County Health Department estimate is $1.25 million. That’s a concern we’ve got.”

Fitzloff said the USDA has rules on what they can and can’t do regarding the creek and the bank, said Fitzloff.

He said USDA can’t clean up the plastic.

“We suggested going in and cutting the branches but the DNR says no because some of it might end up in the creek,” Fitzloff explained. “We suggested we could clear cut the treesbut the US Fish and Wildlife says no, noting it’s summer and we’re in the midst of brown bat nesting season.”

Fitzloff said the Small Business Administration will be coming to Salem this week. 

“The SBA will have to come in and do their business by business assessment,” said Fitloff. “As much as everybody wants to understand the process. It’s going to be another 30 days before we even have the assessments done. At which time people can start to make decisions. Problem is we’re going to go down and see the businesses and they’re going to be out of business.”

Donnelly said he would will share the information and status of the cleanup efforts with the Mike Pence’s office Tuesday morning.

“Hopefully we can get some answers,” Donnelly said. “I can’t promise what the answers are. If there are three agencies that need to work better together, we’ll see what we can do. Let us start working with the different agencies…see if we can get some common sense answers.”