After protests from the public on the potential rise in property taxes, the Salem School Board of Trustees abandoned the list of projects that staff, teachers and administration wanted to see move forward earlier this year and settled on the renovation of the Salem Middle School pool which was built in 1976. 

The board voted 7-0 to move forward with this project. 

They further pared the project down from about $4 million to $3.18 million – just to repair the pool, include new decking, fixing drain lines and installing new pumps and hardware. 

An earlier version that would include seating for about 100 spectators and open up the area above where others sit to watch swim meets; and bring the shallow end of the pool up to IHSAA standards so the starting blocks could be moved to the west end of the pool – would have cost more, but the board chose to keep costs low in order to appease taxpayers. 

The current version of the project will take about 18 months in construction and cost taxpayers only approximately 83 cents per year on a $99,500 home (which was the median price in the Salem School District). This would cost less than $10 a year. 

A $200,000 home assessed at $97,750 would face an increase of about $29.91 per year. 

Farmers would pay about 49 cents per acre for farm land. For example, if a farmer owned 800 acres in the school district, they would pay an additional $392 per year. 

A $100,000 business or rental property in the district, would pay $30.60 extra per year. 

Looking at the shortfall caused by a slight raise in taxes, Umbaugh and Associates noted that Washington County Government would lose about $20,000 in income due to the circuit breaker. 

The City of Salem would lose approximately $28,000 in tax money. 

The Salem Public Library would lose approximately $3000 in tax revenue. 

The biggest loser would be the school corporation itself, which would face an estimated shortfall of $60,000 due to the project. 

Last week, three members of board met with some of the “concerned” citizens group to tour the SMS Pool. Dan Mullins, JD Wade Swift, Scotty Martin and Kent Payne explained the issues with the pool. 

“We felt it was a great idea for some of these people to see what we’ve been dealing with up close,” said Board President Becky White. “We opened up the pool for a tour and we had about 15 people show up from the citizens group. I think 99 percent of them felt the project was warranted and needed. The school board in the mid-70s felt having a swimming pool was important to this community and we can either fill it in or repair it and keep it going for future generations to learn to swim and take part in water safety. I for one thing it’s important and want to keep it going.” 

White said Mullins noted the other night during the tour that there had been only one accidental drowning in the area since the pool was opened in 1976. “Every student that goes through the middle school has to take three years of swimming and has to learn to swim before moving on to the high school,” said White. “This is something we can’t put a price tag on.”  

According to Superintendent Nathan Risen, the East Washington Rural Water Corporation has issued a boil water advisory for a portion of its customers.

“We have issued a boil water advisory for customers east of Blue River Rd/160, due to a flush hydrant being broke off,” Risen noted in an email to WSLM. “This only includes customers on Liberty Knob Rd, Liberty Church Rd, Pixley Knob Rd, Flatwood Rd, Casey Rd, County Line Rd.(Scott County Line by Henryville Forestry), and anyone on St Rd 160 between Blue River Rd and Casey Rd.”

Customers should boil any water they drink or cook with, as a precaution at least until Wednesday, May 16th.

Stay tuned to WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM for the latest information on this and other stories. 

Calvary Temple Church is having a free breakfast with biscuits and gravy and a food giveaway this Saturday May 19th from 9:30-11:30am at 211 S Dowling in Austin.

This is across from the church in Spicertown, down from the Huddle House.

They are also having their annual community Outdoor SUMMER FESTIVAL Saturday June 9 from 12-6. It will be across from the church at 214 S Dowling in Spicertown.

There will be several boys/girls bicycles given away and several bouncy houses and a water slide. 

There will be family fun for all ages, activities are free.

Food such as small pizzas and nachos will be available for purchase. There will be free popcorn! 

For more info call 812.820.7872

The Indiana State Police is still investigating an afternoon crash on Mother’s Day that claimed the life of a 35-year-old Louisville man and sent three more to the hospital.

Jon T. Donlon, 35, from Louisville, KY. Jon T. Donlon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 2:50 pm., Washington County Dispatch sent officers to a report of a crash at U.S. Highway #150 and Sinking Creek Lane in Hardinsburg.

When officers arrived and began investigating the crash it was preliminarily determined that a 2003 Ford Explorer, being driven by Randy J. Tussey, 33, from Hardinsburg, IN, was travelling south on Sinking Creek Lane and failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. Highway #150.

As he ran the stop sign, he crashed into a 2010 Mazda passenger car in the driver’s side door. The Mazda was east on U. S. Highway #150 and being driven by Donlon.

Tussey was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital with serious injuries.  

A female passenger in the Tussey’s Ford Explorer was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital by ground ambulance with serious injuries.

A female passenger in the Mazda passenger car was transported by ground ambulance to the Floyd County Hospital with serious injuries.

Master Trooper Kevin Bowling of the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg is investigating this crash with the assistance of the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team.

This investigation is continuing.

Assisting Agencies included the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, Washington County Coroner’s Office, Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Washington County E.M.S.

May 12

Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Lonzo Smith, 47, Mitchell

• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Refusal

Salem Police Department

Grant Mahuron, 18, Salem

• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, .15 or above
• Illegal Consumption of Alcoholic Beverage By A Minor

John E. Reich, 54, Salem

• Criminal Mischief loss at least $750 but less than $50,000

May 13

Salem Police Department

Theresa Mary Harrison, 49, Salem

• Violation of Pre-Trial Diversion
• Operating While Intoxicated – Per Se
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Refusal
• Possession of Marijuana, Hash Oil, Hashish or Salvia

May 14

Indiana State Police

Joshua Wilkinson, 24, Vallonia

• Battery

Sunday at approximately 10:45 p.m., Trooper Nicholas Price stopped a white 2005 Chrysler 300 on I-65 at the 260 mile marker for a minor traffic offense. 

During the traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Tabitha S. Fidanza, 37, of Michigan City Indiana, refused to identify herself and initially gave her sister’s information as her own. 

Additional units were called to the scene and Gary Police Department responded. 

During the investigation, Fidanza was asked to exit the vehicle but rather then comply, she fled the scene in her vehicle, striking a Gary police officer.  The officer that was struck received minor leg injuries. 

Trooper Price then initiated a pursuit as the vehicle fled south on I-65 from the scene of the traffic stop as speeds reached 120 m.p.h.. 

“Stop Sticks” were deployed at several different locations as the vehicle continued to flee.  The stop stick deployments were successful as one of the vehicle’s tires began to deflate and the driver drove at a greatly reduced speed; however the driver continued to flee through the construction zone along I-65 in Lake County. 

Additional police units were able to deploy stop sticks once the vehicle left the construction zone as the pursuit continued south through Newton and Jasper Counties, deflating three of the the vehicles four tires.  

Fidanza finally voluntarily ended the pursuit at the 218 mile marker.  This is three miles south of the Rensselaer exit in Jasper County. 

The driver was then taken into custody without further incident.  Once in custody, her true identity was confirmed and it was discovered that Fidanza had multiple warrants for her arrest.  Fidanza was incarcerated at the Lake County Jail.  She has been preliminarily charged with:

1. Failure to Appear (Theft)- LaPorte County Warrant
2. Failure to Appear (Possession of a syringe) – Porter County Warrant
3. Battery causing injury- Level 5 Felony
4. Resisting Law Enforcement- Level 6 Felony
5. False Informing- Level 6 Felony
6. Reckless Driving-  Class A Misdemeanor
7. Refusal to Identify- Class C Misdemeanor  

 Assisting agencies:  Gary Police Department, Lake County Sheriff, Crown Point Police, Demotte Police, Jasper County Sheriff and several Indiana State Police Troopers from District #13 and District #21.  The vehicle was impounded by Cheever’s Towing.