Early voting is underway for the City of Salem election and will continue through November 1^st, 2019 from 8am-Noon and 1 pm-4 pm and Monday, November 4^th, 2019 from 8am-Noon.

This is an election only for the four districts within the City of Salem limits and voters will elect a new Mayor and City Council members as well as a City Clerk-Treasurer. 

There will also be early voting on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8a-Noon at the Justice Center. 

Polls will be open for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6a to 6p at the Salem National Guard Armory, 1100 North Shelby Street in Salem. 

Results will be available LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM as soon as the polls close and votes are tabulated. 

Voting by Precincts are:

Precinct 1

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 1

• Republican – Danny R. Libka
• Democrat – Richard Longworth

Precinct 2

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 2

• Democrat – Rick Stewart

Precinct 3

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 3

• Republican – Steve Crane
• Democrat – Jana Hayes

Precinct 4

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 4

• Republican – Gail R. Martin Napier 
• Democrat – Joseph Anthony Scifres

Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller warned residents to make sure they don’t get “skimmed” by a card reading skimmer at area gas stations.

The Sheriff’s Department received a call Tuesday from a local bank noting that several customers had received withdrawals from their accounts due to a possible skimmer at an area gas station. 

Miller wouldn’t release the name of the bank or the local gas station but said Chief Deputy Brad Shepherd and Deputy Abby Powers went to investigate and found a skimmer in action.

Miller said this skimmer was actually inside the pump. It has since been removed. 

On Saturday, Oct 26th, from 10a-2p, the Paoli Police Department will be hosting their second drug take-back event. 

The previous event (1st time/held in April) yielded 60 pounds of unwanted/unused/expired medications, according to Sgt. Tyler Phillips. 

“This was well beyond our expectation, especially for a first-time event,” said Phillips. “Officers would love to surpass that this time.”

Officers can be found at the entrance of the Williams Brothers Pharmacy, located next door to Tractor Supply on N Gospel St. 

The event is in coordination with the DEA’s National Take Back Day. 

Items (below) can be turned in with no questions asked. 

It is not necessary to remove labels from the bottles, these are destroyed the same day.  Everything collected will be properly disposed of by Officers. 

This is the safest way to destroy unwanted drugs, as pouring them into a drain can contaminate our water systems and cause unnecessary harm. 

DON’T BE A TARGET

By participating, we hope to reduce the number of narcotics in people’s home medicine cabinet.  By keeping unused pills, your home becomes a target for would-be thieves.  As bad as it sounds, those who lose a loved one fighting a critical illness or injury are sometimes one of the first targets, due to the likelihood there are prescription medications present. 

DON’T BE A DEALER

Another benefit is reducing the number of medications which have the potential to reach the street level and cause harm or lead to addiction.  Most addicts start their illicit drug use by abusing their legal prescription medications. 

These type of events are included in our pledge to combat illicit drug activity within the Town of Paoli.  The previous event was a success, but we would like to see this one better. 

For more information, call the Paoli Police Department at 812.723.2836

ITEMS ACCEPTED                        WE CANNOT ACCEPT

UNWANTED/UNUSED/EXPIRED                                                          THERMOMETERS CONTAINING MERCURY

PRESCRIPTION PILLS                                                                                                OXYGEN CONTAINERS

OTC MEDICATIONS                                                                                            ANYTHING COMBUSTIBLE (INHALERS)

LOTIONS/OINTMENTS                                                                                           BLOODY OR INFECTIOUS WASTE

LIQUID MEDICATION                                                                                        CHEMO/RADIOACTIVE DRUGS

NEEDLES (SHARPS)

Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin has issued a warning to parents in Scott and surrounding areas for the upcoming Halloween season. 

“In Scott County, there are approximately 52 registered sex offenders, and we want you to know where they reside so that you avoid those houses when trick-or-treating,” said Goodin.

“We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial that our citizens visit our website scottcountysheriff.org, to see who the registered sex offenders are and where they are living.”

Citizens are encouraged to check any addresses where they or their family spend time.

“The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoints exactly where an offender lives,” said Goodin. 

Goodin said there were many other beneficial tools such as the ability to sign up for FREE automatic email and txt message notifications informing you of press releases, message from the Sheriff and Scott County most wanted.

“I encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween,” noted Goodin. “Knowledge is power and knowing where the registered sex offenders reside in your area can help you make the best choices for safe and enjoyable Halloween activities.”

On the morning of December 14, 2018, the Indiana State Police along with all Wayne County area police agencies responded to a report of an armed teen possibly going to Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond to commit an act of violence.

Dispatchers notified the school and area police. Richmond Police Officers arrived at the school as the teen suspect shot out the glass in a side door and entered the building.

Officers from several agencies gave chase, and when the teen suspect was surrounded by police in a stairwell he made the unfortunate decision to take his own life.  The Indiana State Police was asked to be the lead agency in the investigation.  The initial investigation was completed and turned into the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in mid-January, 2019.  A supplemental investigation was completed and submitted in September at the prosecutor’s request.

After an extensive review of all the facts, Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman late Friday, October 11, requested a Felony warrant for the arrest of Mary York, age 43 of Winchester, the mother of the deceased teen shooter.

Today (October 15) Mary York turned herself in at the Wayne County Jail to face charges on a warrant that charges her with one count of Level 5 Felony Dangerous Control of a Child, five counts of Level 6 Felony Neglect of a Dependent, as well as one misdemeanor count of Criminal Recklessness.

This afternoon she was booked in to the Wayne County Jail.

On October 11, 2019, Deputy James Ward received information that a wanted individual identified as Robert Evans, age 36, of Austin, had an outstanding warrant.

Deputy JR Ward located Evans at his residence in Austin, Indiana.

Evans was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail. Evans’ warrant was for FAILURE TO COMPLY.

On October 11, 2019, Deputy JR Ward received information that a wanted individual, identified as Jeffrey Ambrose, age 28, of Seymour was known to be in the Old Corn Factory in Scottsburg, Indiana. Deputy Ward located Ambrose and he was taken into custody. Ambrose’s warrant is for FAILURE TO COMPLY.

On October 13, 2019, Deputy John Smith and Reserve Deputy Cory Hulsizer conducted a premises check of the Old Corn Factory when they discovered individuals sleeping in a tent.

The individuals did not have permission to be in the building by property owners and were “squatting” for shelter.

Deputy Smith and Reserve Deputy Hulsizer identified one female, Alexandra Casey, age 26, of Scottsburg, acting in a suspicious manner. Casey consented to a search of her belongings, specifically a purse.

Deputies discovered hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia inside the purse. The items were located inside her wallet with Casey’s driver’s license.

Casey was taken into custody and charged with UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA. Casey was transported to the Scott County Jail.

On October 14, 2019, Deputy John Smith, Deputy Keith Hartman, Reserve Deputy Bowers, and Officer Hodge with Austin Police Department, responded to Village Court Apartments on a possible intoxicated person.

While attempting to locate the individual, Deputies noticed an individual located in Austin Park after hours.

Deputies approached the individual and was identified as James Winchester, age 23, of Austin.

Winchester was taken into custody and charged with POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE. Winchester was transported to the Scott County Jail.

On October 14, 2019, at approximately 10:00 p.m., a 40-year-old Terre Haute man was arrested on battery charges.

Philip M. Reed, age 40, of Terre Haute, was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery, a Class 6 Felony.   

An investigation conducted by Master Trooper Todd Brown revealed that Reed had battered a female in a Vigo County residence that the two shared. 

The female allegedly had been battered several times throughout the night by Reed.

The female was finally able to get away, drove to a local gas station, and called for help. 

After interviewing Reed, he was taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County jail where he is currently being held without bond.  

On October 13, 2019, at approximately 1:19 AM Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from the address in the 9000 block W CR 275 S and nobody was on the line, but screaming could be heard in the background.

Jackson County Deputies Jordan Hawn, Brad Barker, J.L. McElfresh and Reserve Officer Eric Browalski responded to the area.

Officers were able to make contact with a female resident at the door. Officers observed blood on the shirt of the female.

The female was visibly upset. Deputies learned an argument began between the female and Shane Weddel.

The argument escalated and Shane struck the female several times and grabbed her across the neck and the female couldn’t breathe.

The female also stated she was pulled out of the house by her hair.

Children were present when the altercation occurred. Shane denied any battery took place.

Shane Weddel, 33, of Medora was arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child and strangulation.