Do you want to see what 4-H is all about? Come to the Extension Office on Tuesday, January 14th to the 4-H Club Ice Cream Social from 5-7 p.m.

You will get ice cream, visit the different clubs we have to offer and get plenty of toppings for your ice cream as you visit. We will also have computers available that night to enroll in 4-H.

Regular 4H is open to anyone currently enrolled in grades 3-12. Anyone who is currently in Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade is eligible to join Mini 4H.

To enroll in 4-H online, go to https://in.4honline.com. If you have been enrolled in the past, simply log in with your username or password and re-enroll.

If this is your first time, you may create a profile and enroll. Regular 4-H is $20 and Mini 4-H is $5.

This can be paid online with a credit card or in the Extension Office with cash or check.

For further information concerning 4H or for assistance enrolling, call Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601, stop by their office located on the lower level of the Washington County Government Building at 806 Martinsburg Road in Salem, or email mcbrough@purdue.edu.

Wednesday was the first day to file for candidacy in the upcoming May 5 Primary election.

Four candidates filed to seek their party nomination to run in the fall election. 

Washington County Clerk

Stephanie Rockey – Republican

Washington County Treasurer

Shirley Batt – Democrat

Washington County Commissioner – District 1

Phil Marshall – Republican 

Washington County Commissioner – District 3

Rick Roberts – Republican 

Local candidates will file with the county clerk’s office in the Washington County Justice Center. 

Filing will remain open until 12:00 pm local time on Friday, February 7, 2020.

Candidates encouraged to file documents early, may file until noon, February 7

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey became the first Washington County candidate to file to run in the upcoming 2020 Primary election.

She will seek the Republican nomination in the May 5 Primary to run in the fall election for county clerk. 

Candidates seeking public office this year may begin filing their declarations of candidacy for the 2020 Primary Election today –  Wednesday, January 8.

Candidates for federal or state office will file with the Secretary of State or the Indiana Election Division.

Local candidates will file with the county clerk’s office.

Filing will remain open until 12:00 pm local time on Friday, February 7, 2020.

A candidate seeking nomination by a major political party may file, as well as independent or minor party candidates and state convention delegates.

Candidates for President or Governor may begin filing petitions of nomination with county voter registration offices for verification of petition signatures.

“Free elections sit at the foundation of our republic, and I congratulate those individuals who have made the decision to run for public office,” said Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “I encourage all candidates to pay careful attention to the policies and deadlines set forth by the laws of our state, and to file the appropriate documents sooner rather than later to avoid unnecessary mistakes and ensure an easy and efficient process for all parties involved.”

The Secretary of State’s Office is located in Room 201 of the Indiana Statehouse, 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. The Election Division is located in Room E-204 of the Indiana Government Center, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. Offices are open from 8:00am-4:30pm EST.

Further information can be found at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm

An Indiana State Police investigation has led to a former New Castle Police Officer being summoned into court later this month to face a charge of Misdemeanor Criminal Recklessness.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on August 19, 2019, around 1:30 a.m. while the man was working as a New Castle Police Lieutenant.

On August 19^th, 2019, just before 1:30 a.m. two New Castle Officers were patrolling in the area of 12^th and Woodward St. in New Castle when they noticed a suspicious man walking west on 12^th St. As the officers got out of their car to speak with the man, he fled on foot.

The officers pursued on foot and caught up with the man in the area of 10^th St. and Thornburg St. where the fleeing man surrendered.  As the officers were approaching the man to handcuff him, then New Castle Officer Lt. Aaron Strong, age 42, arrived on the scene and allegedly began striking the man with his expandable baton as the man lay on the ground.

The original arresting officers took the man to Henry Community Hospital to be checked out before taking him to jail for Resisting Law Enforcement, Fleeing. 

The two arresting officers then reported the incident immediately to New Castle Police Department Supervisors, who immediately requested the Indiana State Police to conduct an investigation. 

When the investigation was completed it was turned over to Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs in September, who then referred the case to Special Prosecutor Rodney Cummings. Cummings filed the charge on Aaron Strong late yesterday afternoon.

Tuesday morning, at approximately 6:30, am, the Indiana State Police, North Vernon Police Department, and Jennings County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash just north of North Vernon that claimed the life of a Ripley County, Indiana man. 

The initial investigation by Trooper Matthew Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a maroon Ford Taurus being driven by Justin M. Rangel, age 26, Osgood, Indiana was traveling eastbound on the US 50 Bypass, just east of State Road 3.  For an unknown reason, Rangel’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound 2013 Mack truck pulling a loaded trailer, being driven by Todd E. Lennartz, age 49, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

The vehicles collided nearly head-on in the westbound lane of US 50.  Both vehicles then skidded into the eastbound lane where they came to a stop.  Rangel sustained fatal injuries in the crash.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.  Lennartz was transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Toxicology results on both drivers are pending at this time.  The investigation is ongoing.

US 50 was closed just east of State Road 3 for nearly four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

Justin Rangel’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the North Vernon Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, North Vernon Fire Department, Jennings County EMS, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, 31 Wrecker Service, and Lee’s Wrecker Service.

Salem Mayor Justin Green has made his appointments for the new year. 

Salem’s new chief of police is Tim Miller. Former chief Joey Wheeler has retired. 

Assistant Police Chief is Ronnie Mays. 

Salem Fire Chief remains Tom Day along with Assistant Chief Mike Mead.

Dale Jonas is the Cemetery Sexton. 

Tom Voyles will remain Superintendent of the Street Department.

Eric Tussey is the Animal Control Officer. 

Russell Brown will remain as Superintendent of the Water Department.

Troy Watts is the Waste Waster Superintendent.

Ronnie Voyles will continue as the City’s Building Commissioner.

Brande Abbott will remain as City Parks and Recreation Director. 

Due to a vacancy at the Senior Citizens Center due to Gayle Napier winning a seat on the City Council, Naomi Ray will take over as director.