A major road project impacting Salem is well past the halfway point, said Mayor Justin Green.

However, a few more months of construction remain and Green is asking for motorists’ continued patience during this time.

“I know it is a headache to deal with maneuvering around road and lane closures while construction is underway,” said Green. “However, it’s important that everyone continue doing so for the safety of all involved.”

Green recently negotiated with the Indiana Department of Transportation to open a section of the road from Main and Hackberry Streets up to Shelby Street. 

That section of the road will receive a final coat of asphalt when the entire project is completed as well as striping, but with the sections open, it allows local traffic to maneuver more freely.

Signs are up warning that large trucks are not to use this local access.

The $13.2 million Indiana State Department of Transportation reconstruction project is being completed by Milestone Contractors LP. It involves both utility relocations and road reconstruction.

The project began in March 2022 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023. 

This portion of the project involves utility relocations followed by reconstruction work.

Nearly 1.5 miles of SR 56 is being reconstructed in sections between SR 60 and SR 135. 

“This is a major and much-needed project,” said Mayor Green. “I truly appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the local business community and residents while construction continues. This will be a great improvement for our city.”

Washington County Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt said Elijah Engleking, 37, Crandal, Indiana, entered a plea agreement on drug-related charges that will be served in the Indiana Department of Corrections. 

Engleking, who was arrested in 2021 by the Salem Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Department, pled guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, burglary, and theft and has been sentenced to 15 years to be served concurrently. 

“Drug crimes are not victimless,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “They have a rippling effect on all layers of our community and often go hand in hand with specific victim crimes such as burglary and theft.”  

Engleking was sentenced in March at the Washington County Superior Court after pleading guilty to a Level 2 felony charge of dealing in methamphetamine, a Class 5 charge of burglary, and a Class 6 charge of theft to be served concurrently.   

Engleking was arrested in July 2021 when deputies responded to a report of burglary earlier in the day.

The vehicle involved in the burglary was located and the deputy followed the vehicle until it pulled into a nearby driveway.

Engleking exited the vehicle and was patted down, he had a scale with white powder residue in his back pants pocket.

While searching the vehicle drug paraphernalia was found and clear glass containers of brown powder substance and white crystal substance.

He was found with 35 grams of Methamphetamine and 12 grams of Heroin.

Engleking was sentenced to 15 years to serve in the IDOC. He has agreed to pay $8,024.72 in restitution to the victims. These restitution payments will be made through the office of the Washington County Clerk-Criminal Division. 

“We commend the officers involved and appreciate the work we can do together to keep these dangerous drugs out of our community,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “We take each case seriously and thank the Washington County officers for their role in bringing this case to resolution.” 

According to a message received by WSLM earlier this morning, last night Salem School Corporation received an email about a possible bomb threat.

Multiple school districts around Central and Southern Indiana are reporting threats this morning and have closed school for the day or told students to remain home for remote learning.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office in Jefferson County, Indiana, another bomb threat against the Madison Consolidated School System was reported early Friday morning.

The message from the Salem Schools read:

“Late last night, we received an email containing a bomb threat east and west [Washington Schools] did not receive a threat… Our local and state police were notified. Our buildings and grounds have been searched. We also believe the threat is not credible however, out of an abundance of caution, Salem Community Schools will not be in session today, April 14.”

Also this morning, the Indiana State Police was made aware of an email message sent to several dozen Indiana schools threatening the use of explosive devices that had allegedly been planted on various school campuses.

“We immediately allocated all intelligence resources to investigate the validity of the threat, to include communication with the Department of Education, our local, county, and federal law enforcement partners,” the ISP release stated. “At this time no suspicious or explosive devices have been found in any of our schools. The investigation into the origin of this threat is ongoing.”

Out of an abundance of caution, troopers throughout the state have been in communication with their local schools to offer assistance and resources.

School corporations are working with their local law enforcement to make the best decision about their operations today.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said, “The safety of our children will always be a top priority, the Indiana State Police will continue to offer any and all resources we have to schools to ensure safety for our students.”

The Salem Schools Administration is reviewing policies after a 4th grader brought a large knife to Bradie M. Shrum Elementary School on March 9, according to Board Attorney Tom Scifres. 

In a statement released today, Scifres wrote:

Gov. Holcomb, INDOT award more than $133 million through Community Crossings grant program

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces northbound and southbound lane closures on I-65 from MM 64 to MM 68, between Walesboro and Columbus.

Starting tonight, April 12, crews will begin work performing pavement corrections and removing sections of the temporary barrier wall. Nightly operations are expected to begin at 9 p.m. and last until 6 a.m., seven days a week, and be completed by the end of April. 

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