The Indiana State Department of Agriculture awarded more than $72,000 in grant funding to 18 projects designed to promote and increase the state’s livestock sector.

Washington County’s Goat Association received $1500. 

“The livestock sector in Indiana is vital to our agriculture industry,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The grants awarded today will help fund innovation and create new jobs, which will take Indiana’s livestock to the Next Level and further strengthen our state’s economy.” 

These matching grants were awarded to non-profit organizations, commissions, and associations, who were eligible to receive a 50 percent match by the state.

The funding can be used for promotional or market development purposes and projects were selected based on those that had the greatest impact on Indiana agriculture.

This years’ projects fund a variety of proposals, from FFA chapters and the dairy sector to livestock shows and animal workforce readiness programs.

“Animal agriculture is a large part of the $31.2 billion that agriculture contributes to our economy,” said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director.

“These projects impact different sectors of animal agriculture and they each have a unique purpose. I look forward to the work being done to further develop this critical industry.”

The following list includes the organizations that received funding for the 2020 grant cycle.

Details and information regarding the 2021 livestock grant cycle will be available early fall.

Indiana Issues with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz talking about Red For Ed Day. 

Salem High School FFA and National Honor Society will be holding the 9th Annual Randy Johnson Memorial Soup Dinner on Friday, November 22nd. There will be over fifteen varieties of delicious soups available. Drinks and desserts will also be provided. Dinner will begin at 5:00 p.m. and last until the start of the varsity game. 

Randy Johnson was instrumental in the development of facilities and programs at Salem Community Schools, and we hope to continue to remember the legacy Randy left behind for our school system, as well as the surrounding area. 

Salem High School FFA and NHS have collected over $8,000.00 in the last eight years for the scholarship with assistance from the Washington County Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment in the last few years. 

If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to this fund and cannot attend, please contact Seth or Nicole Purlee via email at spurlee@salemschools.com or npurlee@salemschools.com. You may also contact them by calling Salem High School.

Please note the dinner will be occurring before and during the JV/Varsity Girls Salem vs. Eastern (Pekin) basketball game. 

On September 30th, 2019 at approximately 5:55 pm, Deputy J.L. McElfresh responded to 1324 S CR 740 W, Medora, IN in reference to a reported burglary. At the residence, Deputy McElfresh found that forced entry had been made into the residence and a handgun had been stolen. During the investigation, Deputy McElfresh was able to obtain photographs of the suspect and the suspect’s car.

On November 4th, 2019; Brownstown Officer Ryan Cherry found a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle.
Deputy McElfresh was able to obtain photographs of the registered owner of the vehicle, Joseph C. Hacker; and those photographs matched the photographs of the suspect at the scene of the burglary.

On November 15th, 2019; Deputy McElfresh obtained a search warrant to collect DNA from Joseph C. Hacker. Deputy McElfresh and Deputy Jordan Hawn were able to locate Joseph at his residence in Brownstown. Deputy McElfresh executed the search warrant for Mr. Hacker’s DNA, and at 1:12 am on November 16th, 2019; Joseph C. Hacker, 33 years old, of Brownstown, IN was arrested for Burglary of a Dwelling; Level 4 Felony, and Theft. Mr. Hacker was taken to the Jackson County Jail where he awaits an initial hearing on the charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Last evening (11/14)  just before midnight Trooper Ray Otter was on I-70 eastbound just west of the New Castle exit when he saw an eastbound GMC Yukon that had a license plate light out and was following the vehicle in front of it too closely. 

Otter activated his lights but the vehicle continued to drive for a mile before stopping on SR 3 after exiting I-70.

After Trooper Otter made contact with the driver, Yolanda Romana Bisaiz, age 47 of Los Angeles, California, her two adult female passengers and two children under five, he became suspicious.

Trooper Ratliff was nearby with his K-9 partner Tora and came to assist Otter.  Trooper Ratliff took “Tora” around the outside of the Yukon for an open-air sniff, and the dog indicated the presence of contraband in the vehicle.

Further investigation by the troopers turned up 21 pounds of Methamphetamine in the vehicle, along with a small amount of marijuana. 

Bisaiz was arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine in the Presence of a Minor, Level 2 Felony; Dealing Methamphetamine 10 or more grams with the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Level 3 Felony and misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. 

Bisaiz was lodged in the Henry County Jail and her vehicle was impounded.  The other passengers were transported from the scene and allowed to leave. 

The Methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $105,000 to $210,000. Otter was assisted in his investigation by Trooper Ratliff and Henry County Deputies Thrasher and Marcum.

The deer firearms license allows one deer to be taken with that license, and it must be a buck. If you want to take a doe with a firearm during the firearms season, a bonus antlerless license, resident youth combo hunt/trap license, deer license bundle, or lifetime license is required.

The doe counts toward that county’s bonus antlerless bag limit for resident youth, lifetime, and bundle license holders. Some DNR properties have restrictions on bonus antlerless deer that can be taken.

Buy your deer hunting license now

You can purchase your license online, at a retailer, or over the phone/in-person through our Customer Service Center (317-232-4200) during normal business hours.

Resident youth must purchase a youth hunt/trap combo license, which includes deer hunting privileges. If you buy your license online, do you know your username (email address) and password? Has your email changed recently? Log in now to make sure you have the correct information. If you aren’t sure, click on the appropriate links to find your username or reset your password, or call 317-232-4200 during normal business hours for assistance.

An online account can be used to purchase licenses only for the person whose name and customer ID is on the account, with the exception of youth hunting and trapping licenses that may be purchased through an adult’s account. If you get your license at a retailer, buy early to avoid long lines. A list of license retailers can be found online. Be sure to check your license for accuracy before you leave the store.

Check-in your deer, wild turkey, or river otter

The Indiana CheckIN Game system allows hunters and trappers to check in their harvested game from any device connected to the internet. You will receive a confirmation number that must be written down on a temporary transportation tag for the harvested game species (turkey, deer, and/or river otter).

Be sure to check your information to ensure accuracy before submitting the check-in. Deer and wild turkey must be checked in within 48 hours of harvest, and river otters must be checked in within 24 hours. Have your customer ID (CID) and harvest information ready. 

Do not re-enter the correct information if you have entered incorrect information into the CheckIN Game system; each submission is considered a harvested animal. Email your confirmation number, name, and changes that need to be made to INhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov.

To view all game that was previously checked in with the CheckIN Game system, you will need to set up an account through our online system. You can purchase licenses, check in game, complete your HIP registration, and make a donation through your account. 

Hunters still have the option of visiting traditional check stations where a confirmation number will be provided to hunters to place on their temporary transportation tag. There is also a phone-in option at 1-800-419-1326 for a $3 fee (Visa or Mastercard only).

INDOT contractor E&B Paving Inc. will conduct two traffic switches later this week on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties as part of the $143 million reconstructions and added travel lanes project that began last year.

The switches will be the first step toward moving traffic into the project’s winter shutdown configuration.

On Friday night (Nov. 15), southbound traffic will be shifted back to the southbound side of I-65 from just south of S.R. 11 to Seymour (MM 53.8 to MM 50).

On Saturday night (Nov. 16), northbound traffic will be shifted back to the northbound side of I-65 from just north of S.R. 11 to the south of S.R. 58 (MM 56 to MM 61.2).

Following both switches, traffic will travel in its respective lanes through the entire length of the project (MM 50 to MM 64).

Although any planned work during the winter months is not expected to impact traffic, motorists should continue to adhere to the 55 mph speed restriction and use extra caution in the construction zone.

All trucks should continue to use the left lane for travel. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. All work is weather permitting.

The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a free Beginning Farmer Breakfast on Saturday, December 7, 2019, for beginning farmers and new landowners.

This event co-sponsored by Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Washington Co. Farm Bureau Inc. will provide attendees with information about the programs and services that each of these organizations has to offer as well as opportunities and agricultural updates for beginning farmers.

Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday, December 7 at the Washington Co. Government Building Meeting Room (806 Martinsburg Rd., Salem).

Participants are asked to RSVP to the Washington County SWCD by Wednesday, December 4 at 812-883-3704, ext. 3 or by email to jill.roll@in.nacdnet.net.