The next critical phase of the South Main Street Rehabilitation project, spanning from the Blue River bridge to Becks Mill Road is scheduled to start beginning with new water line installation on Monday, August 10. 

This infrastructure improvement continues the scope of work from Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The City of Salem is continuing our partnership with INDOT and maximizing those grant opportunities, according to Mayor Justin Green. 

The first step in Phase 3 is utility upgrades for water and wastewater.
Travel lanes and access to businesses will remain open during construction.

Road work including curb, gutter, and sidewalk will follow.

On Saturday morning, August 8^th, at approximately 12:34 a.m., Indiana State Police and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle crash on East Wyandotte Avenue, just south of Leavenworth.

Arrested and Preliminary Charged was Steven E. Spurling, 34, Marengo, IN on charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death – Level 4 Felony and Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor

Preliminary investigation indicated Spurling was driving a white 2020 Chevrolet Colorado northbound on East Wyandotte Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle left the east side of the roadway and struck a tree.

The passenger, James Spurling, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Crawford County Coroner. Steven Spurling was not injured.

During the investigation, Steven Spurling displayed signs of impairment. He was transported to the Harrison County Hospital for medical clearance and a chemical test. Following the investigation, Steven Spurling was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail, where he is being held on bond.

Authorities have made notifications to the family and autopsy will be scheduled.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.

The investigating Officer was ISP Trooper Elijah Mundy and he was assisted by Trooper Kayla Denk-Mundy, Trooper Levi Hupp, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Crawford County Coroner. 

On July 25^th, 2026, Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were requested by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to begin an investigation after an inmate in the Jackson County Jail was found unresponsive in his jail cell. 

The initial investigation indicated that Jackson County Jail Inmate Richard E. Cox, age 47, Crothersville, Indiana was arrested on July 22^nd, 2026 and had remained incarcerated in the jail until he was found unresponsive in his housing area on July 25^th, 2026. 

Upon finding him unresponsive, jail staff immediately began rendering first aid and contacted local EMS and fire department personnel.  Cox was transported to Schneck Medical Center before being flown to an Indianapolis area hospital for further treatment.  Cox was later pronounced deceased on July 29^th.

The investigation has indicated that Cox was alone in his housing area when he became unresponsive and there is no indication that foul play on the part of any other inmates or jail staff occurred prior to him going unresponsive.

The investigation remains ongoing.  The results of the autopsy and toxicology tests are still pending.