By State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem)

Indiana is celebrating 200 years of statehood this year with a variety of events and exhibitions to commemorate this historic Hoosier milestone. The most noteworthy event is a 3,200-mile statewide torch relay that begins in Corydon and travels through all of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Corydon, the state’s first capital, holds a special place in Indiana’s history books. It is home to the Constitution Elm, which oversaw the drafting of our state’s constitution, the first capitol building, and a battleground of one of only a few Civil War battles fought in the North.

Senate District 47 has the honor of kicking off this relay on Sept. 9 with festivities starting at 9 a.m. The relay will begin at 11 a.m. in Corydon on the Harrison County Courthouse square. This event is a great opportunity for all Hoosier families to celebrate Indiana’s history, witness the first torch lighting, and hear from Gov. Mike Pence.

The Torch Relay will continue through Indiana’s southern counties for the first few days of the relay, eventually making its way up through the central and northern parts of the state.

The Relay will conclude with a celebration at the Robert D. Orr Plaza on the Statehouse grounds on Oct. 15 in Indianapolis from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the Indiana Torch Relay, visit www.in.gov/ibc or download the IN Torch Relay app for iPhone or Android.

I hope you will join me in celebrating this momentous milestone in Indiana’s history.

At approximately 2:05 am, a 2004 Freightliner semi, pulling a Great Dane semi trailer loaded with microwave popcorn, was traveling south on Interstate #65 just south of Exit #29, (Scottsburg).

While driving, the operator of the semi-tractor, Jarel D. Watson, 25, from Portage, IN, allegedly fell asleep and drove off the roadway into the median, causing the semi-tractor and trailer to flip on it’s side, blocking both southbound lanes.

The driver, Jarel D. Watson, was transported to the Scott County Memorial Hospital complaining of pain.

Interstate #65 South was closed at Exit #29, (Scottsburg), for approximately 4.5 hours.

Right now, the far right driving lane is open but, it is expected to close for a short period of time so the semi-tractor and trailer can be removed from the roadway.

All traffic is being re-routed off of Exit #29, (Scottsburg), and routed south on U. S. #31.

Assisting Agencies-Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Scott County E.M.S.

The 5th annual ISA Sherriff Robert “Buck” Stogsdill Open Bass Tournament will be held September 17th at Patoka Lake, Newton Stewart South Ramp, in Dubois County.

All proceeds go to families of police officers killed in the line of duty, ISA Youth Leadership Camps, and Scholarship Programs for students pursuing a degree in law enforcement.

The Bass Tournament is in memory of the late Robert “Buck” Stogsdill, former Sheriff of Brown County.

Take off is at 7:30 am. The cost is $125.00 per team. Coffee and Doughnuts will be available at the shelter house in the morning. This includes Big Bass! A nice meal will be included during the weigh-in and awards presentation. There will prizes that include many outdoor items for fishermen.

For more information, contact Tournament Director Keith Kelly at (812) 392-2889, or (812) 592-2069, or ISA Executive Director Steve Luce at(800) 622-4779, or (317) 356-3633.