Today (Wednesday, January 7) is the first day to declare candidacy for a major political party primary nomination in Indiana. 

Although some candidates have declared their candidacy in parades and on social media, it’s not official until they sign up at the clerk’s office. 

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, filings begin this morning at 8:00 am and run through Noon on February 6th.

Early in-person voting starts on Tuesday, April 7th and continues until Noon on May 4th. 

Hours are to be determined, said Rockey. 

“We are currently accepting requests for absentee ballots by mail,” she said. “Actual ballot packets will start being sent out on Friday, March 20th.”

Today is also the first day an independent or minor party candidate may file a petition of nomination with a county voter registration office for the general election for verification of petition signatures.

Those who would like to declare their  intent to be a write-in candidate for the general election can also sign up for that today. 

The Clerk’s office is located in the Washington County Justice Center, 801 South Jackson Street, Salem, IN. The Clerk’s number is 812-883-5748.

Offices to be filled this year include: 

County Offices

• Prosecuting Attorney, 42nd Circuit
• County Auditor
• County Recorder
• County Sheriff
• County Assessor
• County Commissioner, District 2
• County Council, District 1
• County Council, District 2
• County Council, District 3
• County Council, District 4
• Brown Township Trustee
• Brown Twp. Board Member (3)
• Franklin Township Trustee
• Franklin Twp. Board Member (3)
• Gibson Township Trustee
• Gibson Twp. Board Member (3)
• Howard Township Trustee
• Howard Twp. Board Member (3)
• Jackson Township Trustee
• Jackson Twp. Board Member (3)
• Jefferson Township Trustee
• Jefferson Twp. Board Member (3)
• Madison Township Trustee
• Madison Twp. Board Member (3)
• Monroe Township Trustee
• Monroe Twp. Board Member (3)
• Pierce Township Trustee
• Pierce Twp. Board Member (3)
• Polk Township Trustee
• Polk Twp. Board Member (3)
• Posey Township Trustee
• Posey Twp. Board Member (3)
• Vernon Township Trustee
• Vernon Twp. Board Member (3)
• Washington Township Trustee
• Washington Twp. Board Member (3)
• Republican State Convention Delegates
• Democratic State Convention Delegates

The deadline to file to run as a candidate in the primary is Friday, February 6 by noon and those people will have until Friday, February 13  by noon, to file a withdrawal of candidacy for the primary election. 

WSLM will host a political forum sometime in April to educate the voters on the candidates. 

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 5. 

Sheriff Scott Maples Jr is deeply proud to announce that Assistant Chief Mark Grube has graduated as a member of the 296th session of the FBI National Academy.

The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on December 11th, 2025.

Assistant Chief Grube is the 2nd officer in the Sheriff’s Office’s history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than 1 percent of law enforcement officers are nominated and selected to attend the program. His journey began over five years ago and included rigorous background checks, academic requirements, and a lengthy selection process.

Assistant Chief Grube is proud to be one of two hundred and fifty-four law enforcement officers who graduated as part of the 296th session of the academy, which consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia.

The class also included representatives from law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, members of four military organizations, and two representatives from federal civilian organizations. Assistant Chief Grube’s academic achievements were also complemented by 11 weeks of intense physical training, which culminated in the completion of the
grueling “Yellow Brick Road” 6.1-mile run and obstacle course, earning the Assistant Chief the prestigious Yellow Brick and a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia, which accredits all National Academy courses offered.

“It was an absolute honor to be part of FBI National Academy Session 296,” said Grube. “I trained, learned, and formed lifelong partnerships with the most incredible law enforcement executives in the world.”

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. In the final challenge, Assistant Chief Grube earned his prestigious yellow brick by completing the 6.2-mile yellow brick road run and obstacle course.

A total of 56,688 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

“Assistant Chief Grube’s graduation from the FBI National Academy is not just a personal
achievement but a milestone for our agency,” said Sheriff Maples. “His dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence reflect the very best of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and his success strengthens our entire community.”

Assistant Chief Mark Grube is a graduate of Jeffersonville High School and attended Oakland City University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Additionally, he earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Louisville, achieving a stellar 3.96 GPA.

Assistant Chief Grube is also a graduate of the 151st session of the University of Louisville’s Prestigious Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course.

Grube began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2006 as a corrections officer. He is currently assigned as Assistant Chief and oversees the Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Corrections, and Criminal Investigations Divisions. His previous assignments include patrol, detective, corporal, captain, major, K-9 Officer, field training officer, river patrol, aviation unit, corrections supervisor, corrections detective, jail commander, patrol supervisor, and commander of the operations division.

A Seymour man was struck and killed while walking in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 late Sunday night.

Just after 11:25 p.m., the driver of a southbound bobtail Volvo semi-tractor reported to 911 that he believed he had struck a pedestrian walking along the fog line near mile marker 35, just north of Austin, Indiana.

The driver immediately pulled to the shoulder and contacted authorities. Deputies from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area and began searching for a possible victim, but initially located no one.

A short time later, as deputies continued their search, a southbound Ford Escape struck the pedestrian as he walked northbound in the driving lane approximately one-half mile north of the initial contact location.

The driver of the passenger vehicle immediately stopped and notified 911. Deputies responded to this second crash scene, and troopers from the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post were then requested to the scene.

First responders transported the pedestrian, identified as Bryce Allen Sheaffer, 35, of Seymour, to Scott Memorial Hospital in Scottsburg, where he was pronounced deceased. Trooper Tate Rolfing, a crash reconstructionist with the Indiana State Police, responded to the scene and conducted the investigation.

Preliminary findings indicate the semi-tractor grazed Sheaffer initially.

Sheaffer continued walking northbound against traffic and entered the driving lane, where he was struck by the passenger vehicle several minutes later.

Neither alcohol nor drugs is suspected as a factor with either driver. Southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for the investigation until approximately 4 a.m. Monday.

The family of the deceased has been notified.

This crash remains under investigation by the Indiana State Police.