Get in the ZONE tonight with WSLM and local high school sports action!
Tune in for Semi-Final Boys Football Sectional Action with Eastern and West Washington
Eastern vs. Providence
Listen LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and here via Mixlr
West Washington vs. North Daviess
Listen on WSLM 1220 AM and here via Mixlr
On Thursday, October 31st, 2019, Mary Ann McRoberts turned herself into the Dubois County Jail on a warrant issued for Weapon/Instrument Of Violence while Provide False Statement In Purchase On ATF 4473, Level 6 Felony.
On September 30th, 2019 McRoberts went to local business and tried to buy two handguns.
The purchase was denied on a background check.
McRoberts had a prior conviction on her criminal history that prevented her from possessing firearms.
McRoberts provided false information on the 4473 form, which is a felony.
A warrant was issued for her and she turned herself into the Dubois County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
Investigating Officer: Master Trooper Brian LaRoche
Shirley J. Nixon, age 89 of Olive Branch, Mississippi, passed away
Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
Born November 4, 1929 in Salem, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late James and Jossie (Baker) Shull.
Shirley was a 1948 graduate of Salem High School. She retired from the CNA Insurance Company in 1994, was a former employee of the old Charlestown Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam Era, and also was a secretary for the old Dr. Episcopo Medical Office in Salem.
Having commuted from Salem to Louisville for a decade, Shirley moved to Louisville in 1976 to be closer to her work. In 2011, she moved to Olive Branch to be closer to family.
Survivors include:
2 Sons: Mark (Brenda) Nixon of Olive Branch, Mississippi and David (Meg) Nixon of West Lafayette, Indiana; 2 Sisters: Eva Colglazier of Salem and Ann Smith of Indianapolis; 1 Brother: Robert Shull of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
Friends are invited to visit with the family at Dawalt Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 until 8 pm.
A private graveside service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery.
NOTICE OF MEETING
WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
November 5, 2019
Washington County Courthouse
Courtroom
99 Public Square
Salem, IN 47167
Executive Session- 7:30 A.M.
I. C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b) (2) (B) Initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing.
I. C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (9) To discuss job performance evaluation or individual employees. I. C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (7) Discussion of records classified
as confidential by State or Federal Statute. IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A) To receive information concerning an employee’s alleged misconduct.
I. C. 5-14-1.5-6.1-(9) The implementation of security systems. And/ or any other matter subject to executive session stated
in I. C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b) et. seq.
Open Session-9:00 A.M.
Agenda
9:00 – Approval of Claims/Payroll/Minutes
9:10 a.m. – Hoosier Uplands – OOR Grant (Housing)
9:20 a.m. – Hoosier Hills Pact – Office Space
9:30 a.m. – CASA – office space
9:40 a.m. – Bill Bradford – FireEye – secretary of state security system
9:50 a.m. – Christy Karmire – Master Gardeners
10:00 a.m. – Attorney Dustin Howard
10:10 a.m. – Kyra Stephenson
Other Business:
Yesterday evening around 8:51 P.M. at 609 North Dan Patch Drive in Oxford, IN a 911 call was received by the Benton County Dispatch of a female found unresponsive with a Reticulated Python wrapped around her neck.
Medics arrived and attempted life-saving measures on Laura Hurst, 36 of Battle Ground, IN but were unsuccessful.
Of the 140 snakes at the location, approximately 20 belonged to Hurst. She frequents the location approximately 2 times a week.
An autopsy will be performed on Friday which will hopefully give us an official cause of death.
Senior Trooper Detective Josh Edwards is the lead investigator in the case with assistance from the Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County EMS, and the Benton County Coroner’s Office. The case is ongoing.
Washington County Farmers Merchants Fair Board has been working diligently on the new cattle barn project. With a grant through Hoosier Uplands, the Fair Board has come a little bit closer to making this project possible.
Hoosier Uplands awarded the Washington County Fair Board $15,000 in grant money on November 29, 2019, to help with constructing this new building.
Overall, the project is going to cost somewhere near $200,000.00.
As of right now with donations and saving from the fair events over the years, the Fair Board is nearing its goal of that $200,000.00, according to Washington County Fair Board President Seth Purlee.
“We are still looking for sponsors and donors for the projectc” said Purlee. “If there are any businesses, individuals, or others that are interested in helping to support this project, please feel free to contact the Fair Board to make a donation. All donations, big or small, will be on a sponsors’ sign that will hang permanently in the new cattle barns.”
This project will not only help the youth in our community, but it will also help in bringing other events to our fairgrounds, said Purlee.
Centra Credit Union is donating $2,500 to the Washington County Food Bank. This donation is one of 41 grants of $2,500 each to non-profits within the communities Centra serves, totaling more than $100,000 in donations throughout Central and Southern Indiana.
Centra Team Members were asked to nominate the non-profits they feel passionate about supporting, and one non-profit was selected for each branch and department within Centra.
The Team from the Salem branch nominated the Washington County Food Bank.
“Centra Team Members love being able to support the causes they care about through this program, and we are proud to be able to support the communities we serve with these donations,” said Centra Community Involvement Officer Jenni Carr. “We chose to support many local non-profits, along with a few national organizations like the American Red Cross and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.”
The Washington County Food Bank distributes food donations to Washington County residents in need.
“This non-profit works to make our community better and improve the lives of people here at home. It is an honor to be able to support their mission,” Chris Bottorff, Centra Southern Region President and Chief Sales Officer, said.
Selected organizations are currently being notified of the donations with the funds being delivered to the selected non-profits by the end of November.
“These wonderful organizations support a similar mission and serve the local communities where Centra has a presence. Credit Unions were built on the premise of People Helping People, and we are excited to provide support to these causes,” Centra President and CEO Rick Silvers said.
Salem City Council President Justin Green said Wednesday on WSLM’s Coffee Club that Shelby and Fair Streets would receive renovations from a $694,059.75 grant recently received from the Community Crossings Matching Grant program.
Last year and into 2019, West Market Street in Salem was rehabbed thanks to the last Community Crossings grant.
More than $3.7 million was recently awarded to Indiana communities to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG), said State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem).
The CCMG was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016 and aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges.
“Our local leaders work hard to determine how to best invest in our local roads and bridges,” State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) said. “The Community Crossings grant program provides significant funding to help ensure these critical infrastructure projects are completed.”
Davisson said grant funding can be used toward road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements, and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a match of 25% in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50% match.
Since 2017, state road investment is up 50% as Indiana has dedicated $3 billion to road and bridge projects across the state.
Since it was put into place, the program has awarded nearly $500 million in state matching funds for local construction projects.
In Senate District 47, the following communities received grants:
“I’m excited to see so many communities in our area taking advantage of this great opportunity,” Houchin said. “With the help of these grants, these communities will soon benefit from updated roads and bridges, which improve quality of life and the cost of living for Hoosiers.”
Through the CCMG, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1 million when localities invest in road and bridge repairs.
Counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive a 75%/25% match, while counties with populations of at least 50,000 and cities and towns with populations of at least 10,000 receive a 50%/50% match.
Halloween will be safer for children across Indiana thanks to an annual statewide initiative to closely monitor sex offenders and keep them off community streets during the youth-oriented holiday.
Indiana Department of Correction’s Parole Services Division will be participating in Operation Safe Halloween.
Parole staff is working with local law enforcement, probation and community corrections agencies within their community to ensure full compliance and accountability.
On Thursday, paroled sex offenders in each of the state’s ten parole districts must adhere to a special curfew and restrictions during each community’s scheduled trick-or-treat hours. Sex offenders will be required to attend a mandatory meeting, turn in safety plans for the evening, or remain at home and not pass out candy.
As with previous years, sex offenders who remain at their approved residence have been advised to turn off their outside lights during the evening hours, refrain from displaying Halloween decorations, and some will post signs that they are not participating in passing out candy. All sex offenders will also be subject to unannounced home visits and compliance checks.
Director of Parole Services Troy Keith states, “Our parole staff will be diligent in keeping our communities safe. For events such as this, it is important that law enforcement agencies work together to promote public safety. Operation Safe Halloween allows our parole agents to more effectively monitor sex offenders and give parents in our community some peace of mind on what should be a fun family holiday.”
Learn more about Operation Safe Halloween on Indiana State Police’s Road Show video segment HERE. The Roadshow is heard on Sunday mornings at 10a on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM.
Cottontail rabbit season is from Nov. 1, 2019, through Feb. 28, 2020.
There is no equipment or ammunition restrictions for rabbit hunting. A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with 6 to 7 1/2-size shot is recommended.
It is illegal to remove a rabbit from a hole, den or tree hollow with the aid of a ferret or other small animal or other means. Hunter orange clothing requirements must be met while hunting rabbits.
It is illegal to hunt, take or possess swamp rabbits, which are an endangered species in Indiana.
Rabbits can be chased with a dog year-round with a hunting license. Certain restrictions apply on DNR-managed properties.
Hunting hours for rabbits in February on FWAs and at Mississinewa, Patoka and Salamonie lakes are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset.
