Yesterday (Monday) afternoon, despite the rain, 148 people came into the Washington County Clerk’s office to vote early in the 2020 General Election. 

According to Clerk Stephanie Rockey, only 39 people voted early on Oct. 19, 2018, and even on Oct. 19, 2016 – during a Presidential election – only 52 people voted early. 

Faced with a pandemic, social media conspiracy theories and another Presidential election, voters are turning out in droves to make sure their vote counts. 

She said 2,315 returned ballots have been processed Monday, Oct. 19 (out of 19,436 registered voters) with 14 days left until Election Day. 

That’s 11.91 percent of the county has already cast a ballot. 

“We’ve been way up,” said Rockey, during a call-in interview on WSLM’s Coffee Club Tuesday morning. “I’m excited. It’s a bit chaotic. I’m competitive and I like numbers. I’m glad people are exercising their right to vote. It will be interesting to see what the numbers will be. I’ve had to order more ballots!”

She that included mail-in, walk-in early votes, and email ballots from the military and those overseas.

Rockey said at the end of election day 2016, there had been 2,219 absentee ballots cast. 

“We still have a couple of weeks to go,” said Rockey. “We still have until Noon on Nov. 2 for walk-ins and noon on Election Day to receive ballots by mail.”

Rockey said the public has had a lot of concerns. 

“A lot of people are coming in expressing their concerns,” she said. “It’s not a new process. It’s no different. But now it’s overlayed with the anxiety of a pandemic and a lot of misinformation.”

Social media has people worked up over the possibility of mail-in votes not being counted or being lost among other issues. 

“We had a major rush all across the State of Indiana with people who requested a ballot by mail, received it and because of false information, thought it wouldn’t be counted,” said Rockey. “They wanted to surrender the ballots and come in and vote. That’s against the law in Indiana.”

Rockey said voters could not surrender a perfectly good ballot before election day unless it was lost, defective or spoiled.

“Some voters figured out the loophole and would spoil it and then bring it to us,” she said. “If everyone who got an absentee ballot did that, it would cost Washington County a little over $21,000.”

Rockey takes the job seriously and said she works overtime trying to ensure the integrity of the election results. 

“We have so many checks and balances…it’s almost like Fort Knox,” said Rockey. 

Recently all voting machines and ballots were certified during a public test. 

She said absentee ballots will be counted and results will be reported closely with in-person votes on Nov. 3. 

“I will not leave here until all the results are in the state system,” she said. 

As in the spring primary, the public will not be allowed at the justice center to hear election results. 

To accommodate that, WSLM will again be present to receive the real-time votes tabulated by precinct to report live on WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM as well as social media. 

In-depth reporting of results will be available later on wslmradio.com and reported on Wednesday, Nov. 4. 

For all in-person voting – whether early or on Election Day, Rockey said the election process was adhering to the CDC guidelines for Covid-19.

“We have all the PPE in place and will be cleaning machines between voters,” she said. 

Rockey said early voters will come in the main entrance to the Justice Center, get their temperatures taken, be asked a couple of questions and then directed to the Election and Voter Services Office. 

“There’s not a long wait,” she said. “Masks are required. We do honor the governor’s mandate. We are trying to keep everyone safe. We are attached to the jail and we have a population there to be concerned with. Also the courts. We have to stay safe as much as possible to keep it all going.”

Early Voting Times

October 20th – October 30th

• 8am – 4pm, closed 12-1 for lunch.

Saturdays, October 24th and 31st

• 8am – 3pm, Not closed for lunch

Monday, November 2nd

• 8am-noon

Nov. 3 Voting Locations

Some polling locations have merged to help with the effects of the pandemic.

• Salem 1-4: Salem Armory, 1100 N Shelby Street, Salem
• Washington 1-4: Washington County Fairgrounds, 118 N. Fair Street, Salem
• Brown & Vernon: Community Building, 125 S. Sycamore Street, Campbellsburg
• Franklin: Franklin Twp. Firehouse, 7047 E. SR 160, Salem
• Gibson: Gibson Twp. Firehouse, 571 N. State Road 39, Little York
• Howard:  Howard Twp. Firehouse, 5279 S. Becks Mill Road, Salem
• Jackson: Jackson Twp. Firehouse, 4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Road, Pekin
• Jefferson & Monroe: Monroe Twp. Firehouse, 8496 N. State Road 135, Vallonia
• Madison: Madison Twp. Firehouse 130 Church Street, Campbellsburg
• Pierce & Polk: Pekin Park Community Bldg, 340 S. Park Street, Pekin
• Posey:  Fellowship Baptist Mission Center (formally Bearcat Civic Center) 9271 W. US Hwy 150, Hardinsburg

The Indiana Department of Transportation’s project to build a roundabout on Salem’s southside continues to move forward with a Jeffersonville company has been awarded a $2.1 million contract to build the project in 2021.

According to, Natalie Garrett INDOT Public Relations Director, Southeast District, E&B Paving Inc. was awarded the bid for $2,119,869.69 in September.

This is about $300,000 under the $2.4 million estimated by engineers earlier this year. 

Other bids turned in were:

• Dave Omara Contractor Inc., North Vernon, IN – $2,689,327
• Mac Construction and Excavating, New Albany, IN – $2,355,000
• Ragle, Inc, Newburgh, In – $2,396,395.30
• Milestone Contractors LP, Bloomington, IN – $2,413,500

“We will know more about the contractor’s schedule and phasing once a pre-construction conference is held,” she said. “It’s anticipated that the Bypass/SR 135 will close first, then the entire intersection (Bypass and SR 60) will close to construct the central island in the center of the roundabout.”

Garrett said the project is expected to be complete in one construction season.

Phased construction is proposed with detours as follow:

• Salem Bypass / S.R. 135 will be closed first to construct most of the improvements
• Entire intersection will then be closed to complete work on S.R. 60 and central island
• Salem Bypass / S.R. 135 official truck detour will utilize S.R. 150 and S.R. 56 through the Town of Paoli
• Approximately 25 additional miles
• S.R. 135 local traffic will continue to utilize Old S.R. 135 through the City of Salem
• S.R. 60 official detour will utilize I-65 and S.R. 56
• Approximately 11 additional miles
• S.R. 60 local detour will utilize Old S.R. 60, S. Paynter Lane, and E. Botts Lane

The existing two-way stop intersection will be converted to a single-lane roundabout, which aims to enhance safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes at this location. 

The proposed project includes replacing the pavement to full depth (as needed), building new approach legs leading into the roundabout.

Existing guardrails along the south side of the intersection and a portion of the existing guardrail along the north side of S.R. 60 to the east of Salem Bypass will be removed and not replaced.

New guardrail end treatments will be installed. The project proposal also includes intersection lighting.

Closures will be necessary on the Salem Bypass and S.R. 60 next year while work is in progress.

Access will be maintained to all businesses and residences along those routes.

The project was proposed earlier this year at a public hearing held at Salem City Hall where local residents and officials were invited to view plans and documents associated with the project, in addition to sharing comments during an official comment session.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabout intersections have proven to reduce fatal and injury crashes by 82 percent and eliminate vehicle conflict points within a stop-controlled intersection by 75 percent — from 32 conflict points to eight.

Roundabouts also encourage slower vehicle speeds and allow more efficient traffic flow, according to FHA. 

Garrett said INDOT and the contractor will work with local businesses and residents as much as possible during construction.

Specific concerns can be sent to the customer service team at 855-INDOT4U (463-6848) or indot4u.com.

Garrett said any concerns will be relayed to the project team to be addressed.

New guidance was released today from the Indiana High School Athletic Association for winter sports – including girls and boys high school basketball with up to 500 fans in attendance.

The guidance was also presented for gymnastics, swimming and diving as well as wrestling. 

According to the IHSAA guidance, spectators should always observe social distancing and wear mask/face coverings. 

According to Jason Wille, Sports Information Director of the IHSAA, the plan was presented to the Indiana State Health Department and approved. 

The 2019 Class 3A State Runners Up Salem Lady Lions are set to open their season on Nov. 6 at Clarksville. 

Their first conference game would be at Eastern High School on Nov. 20. 

The Lady Musketeers are set to open their season against Borden on Nov. 6. 

The Lady Senators will face Linton-Stockon in their season opener on Nov. 7. 

Locally, boys basketball will open play in the annual Thanksgiving game between Salem and West Washington in Brooks Memorial Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 25. 

The Eastern Musketeers open play with Borden’s boys’ team on Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

WSLM will broadcast the games on 97.9 FM and 1220 AM as well as stream them online. 

The IHSAA said fans at ballgames would be allowed at the discretion of the host school with guidance from local health officials and in accordance with the governor’s stage 5.

IHSAA noted on its website this afternoon that organizers of events with more than 500 people in attendance will be required to submit a plan to the local health department that outlines measures to mitigate COVID-19. 

The National Federation of State High School Associations along with the IHSAA posted recommendations that were listed today at IHSAA.org.

Pre-game Protocol (2019-2021 NFHS Officials Manual, page 16, 1.8)

• Limit attendees to the referee and the head coach from each team with each coach standing on the center circle on each side of the division line.
• All individuals maintain a social distance of 6 feet or greater at the center circle.
• Suspend handshakes prior to and following the Pre-game Conference.

Team Benches (NFHS Rule 1-13-1)

• Limit the number of bench personnel to observe social distancing of 6 feet or greater.
• Place team benches opposite the spectator seating.
• Additional chairs or rows may be added to allow bench personnel to observe social distancing of 6 feet or greater.
• Create separation between the team bench and the spectator seating behind the bench.
• Limit contact between players when substituting.
• Personnel not in the game should adhere to any required local/state face-covering requirements.

Officials Table (NFHS Rule 2-1-3)

• The host should sanitize the table before the game and at half time.
• Place officials table sufficiently away from the sideline to allow for additional space for substitutes.
• Limit seats at the table to essential personnel which includes home team scorer and timer with a recommended distance of 6 feet or greater between individuals. Other
  personnel (visiting scorer, statisticians, media, etc.) may not be deemed essential personnel and consider an alternate location for them.
• Table personnel should adhere to any required local/state face covering requirements.
• Pre and Post Game Ceremony
• Suspend the pre-game introduction handshakes.
• Suspend post-game protocol of shaking hands.

Basketball Rules Interpretations – Equipment and Accessories

• Balls given to officials in the locker room, where it is sanitized as recommended by the ball manufacturer and not used for warm-ups.
• The host school should ensure that the ball is sanitized during time-outs and between quarters.
• Sanitizer should be provided by the host team at the table.
• Cloth face coverings are permissible for players.

Officials Uniform and Equipment

• Long-sleeved shirts are permissible.
• Officials should not be required to wear jackets during pre-game court/player observation.
• Electronic whistles are permissible (supplies are limited).
• Choose a whistle whose tone will carry inside.
• Cloth face coverings are permissible.
• Gloves are permissible.

Other Considerations

• The official may stand 6 feet or greater away from the player making the throw-in and bounce
• the ball to that player on a frontcourt throw-in.
• The lead official shall stand on the end line and bounce the ball to the free-throw shooter

Cloth Face Coverings

Per the State of Indiana’s order, face masks have been mandated for all not engaged in strenuous activity. Participants not competing, Coaching staff members, officials table personnel, and spectators should wear a mask at all times.

Considerations for Coaches

• Communicate guidelines in a clear manner to student-athletes and parents.
• Conduct workouts in “pods” of the same student-athletes always training and rotating together in practice to ensure more limited exposure if someone develops an infection.
• Keep accurate records of those student-athletes and staff who attend each practice in case contact tracing is needed.

Considerations for Parents

Make sure student-athlete and immediate household members are free from illness before participating in practice and competition, if there is doubt stay home!

• Provide personal items for student-athlete and clearly label items.

Friday night at approximately 6:35 PM EST, the Indiana State Police and the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department responded to a vehicle vs. utility tractor crash in northern Dubois County.

The crash occurred on County Road 675 North, west of Portersville Rd near the address of 4288 West 675 North. Preliminary investigation shows that at the time of the crash, Ruth A. Meyer, 60, of Jasper, was operating her lawnmower when she entered the roadway from the south into the path of a black 1996 Chrysler LHS driven by Joann T. Voelkel, 62, who was traveling west on County Road 675 North.

Voelkel was unable to avoid collision and struck the utility tractor. Ruth A. Meyer was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the crash.

A preliminary investigation shows that alcohol or drugs did not contribute to this crash. The crash is still under investigation by the Indiana State Police.