Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors is scheduled to temporarily close S.R. 56 in Salem for road reconstruction work.

This is expected to be the final layer of asphalt and one of the final stages of the project that began in March 2022 and originally scheduled to be completed in November 2023.

On or after Tuesday, October 10, crews will close S.R. 56 between the intersection of S.R. 135 and S.R. 60 in Salem to lay surface mix.

Work is expected to take up to three days, weather permitting.

Access to all properties will be maintained while work is in progress.

The official detour will follow S.R. 135 to U.S. 150 to S.R. 56

The $13.2 million reconstruction project was awarded to Milestone Contractors LP.

The closure first involved the intersection of Main and Hackberry Streets and moved west, where the bridge over Brock Creek was removed and totally rebuilt. 

That section of the road was opened in May to allow traffic through the area up to North Harrison Street. 

About that time, work began moving west to the bridge over Highland Creek. 

In all, about 1.5 miles of roadway, curbs and sidewalks have been reconstructed along with sewer and utility improvements.

INDOT reminds motorists to slow down, use caution and drive distraction-free in and near work zones.

All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on October 4, 2023, at 2:20p EST.  

The national test will consist of testing both WEA and EAS capabilities. 

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. 

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones.  The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset. All wireless phones should receive the message only once. 

• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

Important information about the EAS test:

• The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.

• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

On Friday, September 29, 2023, Tracy and Matthew Davenport, owners of Davenport Extreme Pools and Spas in Louisville, Kentucky, turned themselves into the Floyd County Jail on warrants issued for their arrest following an investigation by a Detective with the Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section.

On September 29, 2023, Both Tracy and Matthew Davenport turned themselves into the Floyd County Jail for the following charges: 

1. Corrupt Business Influence (2 counts) – Level 5 Felony 
2. Theft (3 counts) – Level 5 Felony 
3. Fraud (3 counts) – Level 5 Felony
4. Theft (1 count) – Level 6 Felony 
5. Fraud (1 count) – Level 6 Felony 

Tracy Davenport was released on a $20,000 bond, while Matthew Davenport was released on a $10,000 bond. 

The charges and dollar amounts practically mirror those of the Clark County charges the couple was arrested on earlier last week.  

In July of this year, the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office contacted Detective Tim Denby about an ongoing investigation into Davenport Extreme Pools after discovering additional victims in Clark County.

The cases involved victims paying the Davenports to construct private pools that were never built.

Davenport Extreme Pools filed for bankruptcy shortly after signing contracts and receiving the payments.

Detective Denby assumed the investigation in Clark County but also learned of victims in Floyd County, Indiana.

Detective Denby contacted four separate victims in Floyd County, and in each situation, the victims had paid Davenport Extreme Pools large down payments to construct inground pools.

After completing the Floyd County investigation, Detective Denby determined that, in total, the victims paid almost $246,000 to Davenport Extreme Pools and Spas during 2021 and 2022.

As in the Clark County case, construction work has yet to begin in any of the cases.  

After completing his investigation, Detective Denby turned his findings over to the Floyd County Prosecutor’s Office.

This investigation is ongoing.

Any Indiana resident who believes they may have been a victim associated with this case is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg.  

Today, at approximately 12:50 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash near the intersection of State Road 37 and County Road 900 S., in which a Mitchell, IN, woman died.

The preliminary crash investigation by Master Trooper Detective John Yung revealed that Debra Jean, 64, Mitchell, IN, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet passenger car traveling south on State Road 37 approaching a sweeping curve to the right.

Joseph Dosier was traveling north on State Road 37 rounding the curve to the left.

Dosier was driving a 2020 Peterbilt tractor-trailer.

Jean traveled left of center and struck the left tandem axles of the semi-trailer Joseph Dosier was pulling. Jean’s vehicle then struck a 2023 Peterbilt semi-tractor head-on that Sidney Dosier was driving.

Dosier’s semi slid off the east side of the highway with the trailer blocking the northbound lane. Jean’s vehicle came to rest off the west side of the highway, down an embankment.

The roadway remained closed for several hours while personnel cleared the scene of the vehicles and debris. 

Jean was pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County Coroner. 

Dosier was taken to I.U. Health Bedford Hospital for observations. 

This is an ongoing investigation.

At this time, there is no further information to release.

Alcohol or drugs were not believed to be a factor. Notification to the family of the deceased has been made.

Detective Yung was assisted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Paoli Police Department, and Orange County Rural District Two Fire Department.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department has made an arrest in connection to a string of burglaries at the Red Dot Storage Facilities at 8551 Commerce Park Drive in Sellersburg.

According to Assistant Chief Mark Grube, over the past few weeks there have been multiple burglaries at the Red Dot Storage Facility on Commerce Park Drive. 

A dedicated team at the sheriff’s department has been actively investigating these incidents, Grube said. 

Andrew King, 34, Jeffersonville was identified as a primary suspect and taken into custody for a variety of offenses, including burglary, theft, residential entry and criminal mischief. 

Sheriff Scottie Maples Jr. wishes to commend the tireless efforts of his detectives who have been diligently working on this case.

“Their commitment to the safety and security of our community is unwavering,” said Maples. “During the investigation, detectives recovered a large portion of the stolen property.”

Maples asks the public to continue submitting tips regarding criminal activity in the community. 

“Your vigilance and willingness to help are critical in maintaining our area’s safety and security. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty,” Maples said. 

All roads lead to Salem on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8 for the 148th Old Settlers Days at the Steven’s Museum and John Hay Center. 

Old Settlers Days was first established and held for the community in 1875, to commemorate and honor the pioneers who settled the wilderness lands of the Indiana Territory that would eventually become Washington County.

Admission is free and you can walk the museum grounds to enjoy entertainment, demonstrators and re-enactors and maybe even hear a story or two. Books read during Storytime are written by local authors Savannah Hartsfield, Betty Stanley, Kathy Dye and Melody Graves

There will be kids games with 4-H Youth educator Taylor Chastain and face painting.

Enjoy homemade apple cider, parched corn, a variety of foods and beverages and lots of crafts and tour The Depot and see the World Headquarters of the Monon Society. 

Saturday, October 7, 2023
8:00 am – Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast – Stevens Museum Basement
10:00 am – Festival Opens
National Anthem performed by Heather Ledgerwood accompanied by
West Washington ASL group
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Parched Corn & Apple Cider – Salem Rotary Club
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Art Show – Sponsored by Salem Rotary
 (Salem & Eastern students) Stevens Museum Basement
11:00 am – Storytime in the School house
11:00 am-4:00 pm – Ham and Bean dinner – The Depot
11:30 am – 1:00 pm – Corydon Dulcimers perform – John Hay House
      porch
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Leis Family – John Hay House porch
1:00 pm – Storytime in the School house
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – SHS Guitar Club – John Hay House porch
3:00 pm -Storytime in the School house
4:00 pm – Arts & Craft vendors close for the evening

Free concert @ Amphitheatre (Food & Drink Vendors Open)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Jim Smoak
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Andrew Applegate

Sunday, October 8, 2023
8:00 am – Sunday morning church service – Pastor Rick Main
10:00 am – Festival Opens
National Anthem performed by Heather Ledgerwood accompanied by
West Washington ASL group
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Parched Corn & Apple Cider – Salem Rotary Club
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Art Show – Sponsored by Salem Rotary
 (Salem & Eastern students ) – Stevens Museum Basement
11:00 am – Storytime in the School house
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Ham and Bean dinner – The Depot
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm – SHS Choir Soloist – John Hay House
porch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Gary Brown – John Hay House porch
1:00 pm – Storytime in the School house
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Perry McKnight – John Hay House porch
3:00 pm -Storytime in the School house
4:00 pm -Festival Closes

Food Vendors

• Hayes Lemonade Shake-ups
• Brother B’s Homemade Ice Cream
• 812 BBQ
• Busy B’z Kettle Corn
• Hardinsburg Hwy 150 Blues Cafe
• Mainstreet Concessions
• Mama B’s
• Vance Concessions
• The Cookie Box

Arts & Crafts Vendors 
 

• Big Creek Boutique
• Midwest Threads – Boutique clothing
• Holly Benningfield – Boutique clothing
• Kays Chapel Boutique
• Dawn Boling – Heat pressed items (keychains, cutting boards)
• Savage Boutique – Handmade shirts, crocheted items
• Lisa Brown – Baked Goods
• Donna Creadon – Handmade Jewelry
• Sharon Dennis – Super Patches
• Elizabeth Denton – Candles/Wax Melt
• Rebecca Engler – Beaded pens, bracelets
• Linda Sue Farrell – Herbs, plants
• Florence’s Flowers – Country home creations, dips, embroidery
• Sarah Garvin – goat milk soap
• Linda Ghrist – sterling silver & costume jewelry
• Connie Hodges – Suncatchers
• Gina Hoskins – Baked Good
• Clint Baker – woodworking
• Gerilee Hunt – JBloom Jewelry
• Rochelle Lawson – Scentsy
• Lawson Farms – Pumpkins, mums. Frozen meats
• Janet Moore – Beef Jerky
• Mosier Chiropractic
• Sara & Larry Motsinger – Wooden toys & decor
• Marlena Nantz – Fall wreaths, Indian corn
• Madelyn Nelson – Paparazzi jewelry
• Bailey Richardson -Freeze dried candy, homemade body butter/lip
  balm
• Erika Richardson – Handmade jewelry
• Tara Richey – Decorated tumblers, earrings
• Lara Rogers – Hanging towels, casserole cozies
• Whitney Stroud – Seasonal, monogrammed made to order wreaths

The City of Salem is gearing up for its general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 with a full slate of candidates on both sides as well as two Libertarian candidates.

Voter registration ends at midnight on October 10 while early voting begins at 8a on October 25. 

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, voters can cast their ballots early from 8a-Noon and 1-4p Monday thru Friday at the Election and Voter Services Office at 801 South Jackson Street in Salem, Suite 102.

Other dates to keep in mind include:

• October 28^th and November 4^th– Early Voting Saturdays- 8- Noon
• November 4^th at 10am- Poll worker training- Held in Circuit Court
• November 6^th– Early Voting ends at Noon.
• November 7^th- Election Day! Polls are open 6am-6pm. Salem Armory.

There were only two contested races in the primary — between Republican Incumbent Mayor Justin Green and former Indiana House of Representatives District 73 member J. Michael Davisson, who held the seat for just over a year — and Randy Lee Jr. and Gail Napier for the City Council District 4 seat. 

Lee and Green will face challengers in the fall election. 

While there weren’t any Democratic candidates running in the spring primary, several have been certified and added to the ballot for the fall. 

Green will now be challenged by William “Bill” Ackerman (D) and Tommy Brown III, the first Libertarian candidate for Mayor in Salem’s history. 

Green defeated Ackerman by 572 votes in November 2019. Ackerman later sued Green based on an issue of Green’s residency but lost the legal action and Green was affirmed as Mayor in 2020. 

Incumbent Republican Sally Hattabaugh, City Clerk-Treasurer, is seeking another term and will face Democratic candidate Erin A. Bontrager. 

For City Council, District 1, Republican Incumbent Dan R. Linda will face Democratic challenger Billy Thompson. 

For Council District 3, Republican Primary winner Dylan M. Moore will face Democratic challenger Paul L. Holsapple along with Libertarian Tina Ransom. 

Republican Incumbent Steve Crane, City Council District 3, will face Democratic challenger Mia Leonard. 

Republican candidate for City Council District 4 Randy Lee Jr, who defeated Gail Napier in the spring, will face Democratic challenger Renee L. Mather. 

Roger K. Pennington, Republican candidate for City Council at Large, will face Democratic candidate Julie Morgan Thixton. 

WSLM will provide live coverage of the election returns on November 7. 

The Washinton County Health Department reports that mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been detected within the county.

A positive result came from one of the Testing pools within the city.

Testing pools are set up by a state official yearly to monitor the mosquito population for disease.

We recommend that people take the following precautions:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early morning);
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
• Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home. Even a container as small as a bottle cap can become a mosquito breeding ground, so residents should take the following steps to eliminate potential breeding sites:
• Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.

If you know you have been bitten and experience any type of adverse reaction, it is recommended that you contact your physician as soon as possible.

Brown County State Park, Indiana’s largest, ranks third on New York Travel Guide’s recently published list of its 15 best state parks for fall foliage.

To compile the list, the guide compared more than 600 parks in three categories, including reviews of fall colors, fall photography popularity, and each park’s overall rating.

Last December, Brown County State Park ranked sixth on a list of most beautiful state parks in the country according to a study done by Travel Lens, which also ranked the park 13^th among the country’s “most Instagrammed state parks.” In 2021, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a fixture on various “best of” rankings for its mountain biking trails.

The park comprises nearly 16,000 acres, most of them heavily wooded.

“Come experience and watch the fall colors explode over the rolling hills of southern Indiana’s hardwood forests in Brown County State Park,” said Terry Coleman, director of Indiana State Parks.

More about Brown County State Park is at on.IN.gov/browncountysp.

For ideas of other Indiana state park properties to go for fall colors that might be less populated, see on.IN.gov/stateparks. For those who prefer free entry with fewer amenities for fall foliage viewing, see on.IN.gov/dfwproperties, on.IN.gov/forestry, or on.IN.gov/naturepreserves.