Salem Middle School we be back in session for a normal day tomorrow, Wednesday May 24.

According to Superintendent DL Reed, “Our air quality test came back clear.”

The school was waiting on that report Monday and didn’t get it until very late in the evening and went ahead and erred on the side of caution and closed the school today.

Here are some answers to questions students and parents may have: 

1) Will these missed days have to be made up?

–No, the State Department of Education has issued a waiver for these days.

2) What if I have Mr. Burton for classes?

–Mr. Burton’s classes will meet in the Math Lab (Room 42) for the rest of the week. He will be speaking with his classes about grades. Don’t worry! He understands that not everyone completed their current stations.

3) Do I still have final tests to take?

–Yes, if your teacher planned a test this week, it will continue on Wednesday and potentially Thursday. Honors students may check Google Classroom announcements for more info or online texts. Tests will be abbreviated versions of the original plan.

4) Is the field day cancelled?

–Yes, fields are not available for use and we will need to move forward with a regular schedule on Wednesday to allow for final classwork.

5) Is the 8th grade program still scheduled for Thursday with “Dress Up” day?

–Yes, the 8th grade program will continue as scheduled at 1:30 and we encourage students to dress appropriately for the occasion. All students are encouraged to wear clothing to honor the 8th grade students on this special last day of middle school.

6) How do I get to classes if I always use the North stairwell (the one by Mr. Early and Mrs. Mahuron)?

–This stairwell will be sealed and not available for use during the last week of school. You will need to plan your routes to go up and down stairs using one of the 3 other stairwells. If you use an elevator, the old elevator is the only one that is available for use.

7) Are the bathrooms closed?

–Only the bathrooms on the North end of the building are unavailable. (Again, by Mr. Early or Mrs. Mahuron’s room. All other bathrooms are available. Shower facilities are also available if needed, if your family does not have working facilities at this time.

8) When do I clean out my locker?

–Lockers will be cleaned out during Arts and Fitness classes on Wednesday (PE/Swim, Health, Art, Agriculture). Books will be collected on Wednesday and Thursday.

9) What if I forgot my Chromebook or charger during turn in time?

–Please bring ALL devices and chargers this week!!

10) Do I still have time to get my files off of the X: drive?

–Yes, but please bring a flashdrive Wednesday or Thursday. All files will be removed beginning Friday.

11) What about my medications at school?

–Parents should pick up medications in the office as soon as possible. If you are unable to pick these up before the last day of school, please contact Tessa King at x.3042 to make arrangements.

12) Where do I go at dismissal?

–All students riding buses should exit the building from the west doors (Activity Center). The exits by the North doors and the New Gym are not available at this time. Students who do not ride buses can exit from their normal doors.

According to Washington County Chamber Marketing Director Tara Kritzer, one of two big annual events was cancelled last Friday night due to the flash flooding in and around the downtown area and will not be rescheduled.

“Our board had an emergency meeting today to discuss the matter,” Kritzer wrote in an email. “The decision was made NOT to reschedule the event.”

The spring event has been either cancelled or cut short due to weather over the past few years. 

Those who signed up and had already paid for their booth space, we will either use that payment as a credit for the space at the upcoming Friday Night on the Square on Sept. 15^th  or the Chamber can refund the money. 

For more information, contact Kritzer at the Chamber office at 812.883.4303 or by email at info@washingtoncountychamber.org

There’s one thing that City of Salem Mayor Troy Merry has made known since the election over a year ago — that he cares deeply about the City of Salem and its residents.

During the recent flooding, Merry has worked non-stop alongside other officials and aid workers to make sure everyone is taken care of. 

Now, he’s balancing getting funding for items and facilities damaged belonging to the City of Salem with helping local businesses and residents.  

The businesses and residents win every time. 

“My first priority is that the business owners and homeowners are helped as quickly as we can. They are the life blood of the community. They are the life of our city,” said Merry. “I want to see they get help as quick and as fast as they can. To get them back up on their feet.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch came to Salem this morning to tour the flooded areas and see, firsthand, the devastation.

“I want to take back stories and images so we can make a case for help,” she said.

While waiting on government assistance, Merry pointed out the Flood Relief Fund he and Clerk Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh set up yesterday.

“Like I said on the radio this morning, if you want to go donate straight to them, that’s fine. It takes the middle man out. We set up a fund here….we’ll have a one page application when they walk in and I want them to have what they need. I don’t know what the amount they need to get their lives back on track. Whether it’s $50 or $1000, I want them to walk out with what they need.”

“That’s what so special about Salem and this community,” said Crouch.

“The people who have stepped forward and volunteered is what has gotten us through this,” the Mayor said. “It’s unreal. My main concern is that these people are taken care of. Our first priority is the people who have businesses and the people who live here. I know what they’re feeling. I want to be able to give them help so they can put that OPEN sign back in the window or go back to their house. If I can see that done, I’ll be happy that they’re taken care of. As a city government, we’ll take care of our problems once they are taken care of.”

In that area, Merry said an assessment has been completed for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Salem and is already in the “millions of dollars.  “We’ve had engineers looking at the streets…we’re working on that,” he pointed out. 

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Indiana Homeland Security and others were also in town to discuss the likelihood of state and federal assistance. 

However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Association, funding is usually only awarded in multi-county disasters. 

Indiana Director of Homeland Security Brian Langley said Alexander was on point during the disaster. 

“All these damage assessments are critical,” Langley said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction [and] will help make this highly competitive. Having a person like Desi is critical. With all this information, you’re building a case. I wish we could do things quicker. I can guarantee the information she’s tracking is making a very good case.”

The question remains is how the data will be interpreted by state and federal officials, and when purse strings will be opened (if at all). 

Alexander said the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are still working to assess household damage.

District 73 Representative Steve Davisson asked how fast Small Business Administration aid could be available for local businesses. 

Langley said, “There is a process there, too, through damage assessment. The Governor would make a determination on whether to have the SBA come in and help. That can be a fairly quick process. The key to that is the assessment that Desi and our team is making. We can do our part as quickly as it can.”

Merry said, “We live in the greatest country we could live in. We’re blessed to be in Indiana and blessed to be in Salem. Always glad to see the Salem signs. I watched the national news and see disasters all over.  People get help. I would like to see this community get a break. The small business owners put every dime into getting their business started. I know there are grants out there, but that’s another payment. That’s going to take something away from their family or they might have to cut an employee. I’d like to get them some help. I think there would be money out there somewhere. As a city, I’m just the mayor, our city doesn’t have a lot of money, but if we could get a grant from the city to help, we’ll try to match that.”

“What the homeowners have in their house is all they’ve got,” Merry explained. “If there was some help, where we could come in and say – here you go. They’ve supported our community, and it’s time to support them back. I’ll stand behind them 100 percent!”

Merry went on to say, “The city doesn’t have a lot of money, but by gosh, if a grant is the only way we can get money, and it only takes a few thousand dollars to match it, then by God, the city will get that grant.  I don’t care what any organization says. I’ll worry about the consequences later. These people are our life. I care about each and every one of you. I’m not going to let you down. We’ll get through this together.

“I can’t walk into a house and watch them loose everything…or go into a business that I can go to when I need a donation —  they cut me a check and don’t ever ask me a question — but now I have to tell them they have to pay for this. I ain’t going to do it…I won’t do it. As long as I have breath….they can get rid of me, impeach me. They can do whatever. I’ll be behind them. These people — I have all the faith in the world [in them]. I love our community,” he said. 

Merry is also working with Ruth Hackman, District Conservationist with the USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

They could provide funding for cleaning up debris along the river. 

Duke Energy worked tirelessly to repair and restore electric, Frontier Communications is repairing phone lines and poles on High Street and countless other volunteers worked over the weekend to restore life to businesses that were flooded. 

“We’ll get through this and we’ll be better than what we were before,” said Merry. 

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is looking for ROBERT EVANS.

Evans is wanted for two counts each of Dealing in Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Anyone with any information regarding the location of ROBERT EVANS is asked to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office maintains several options for reporting criminal activity including a tip line at 812-752-7898 where callers can anonymously report the location of wanted subjects or suspected criminal activity.

Citizens can also email us using the website or send us a message on our Facebook page.

Memorial Day weekend traditionally starts off the summer travel season, and this season is shaping up to be the busiest in years.

With race weekend coming up here in Indiana, Lieutenant Tony Delello, Commander of the Pendleton State Police Post, would like to remind all motorists that there will be extra troopers on the roadways this upcoming holiday weekend. 

Troopers will be working federally funded overtime during the “Click it or Ticket” Campaign and Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, to help insure safe family travel.

The “AAA” Motor Club suggests leaving early if planning to travel this holiday weekend, as they are predicting that 39.3 million Americans will be traveling. The increase is expected to be the highest volume for holiday travel since 2005. 

With the expected increase in traffic, it’s important that motorists follow the safety tips below:

• Obey all speed limits and always use your turn signals.
• Never drink and drive-If celebrating make sure to have a designated driver.
• Make sure everyone is buckled up and children are properly restrained in child seats.
• Always watch for and expect slowed or stopped traffic ahead, especially when approaching construction zones.
• When stopped in traffic be watchful of traffic approaching from behind and be ready to take evasive action if it appears traffic is approaching too fast to stop.
• If you’re planning to travel a long distance, make sure you are well rested.   A fatigued driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.
• Avoid tailgating.  Remember the two-second rule, and always increase following distance in construction zones.
• Leave early, expecting heavy traffic, and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• Remember to ALWAYS SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER for emergency, utility and highway service vehicles.

The Pendleton District covers the eight counties of Delaware, Madison, and Randolph; Henry, Wayne, Union, Rush and Fayette counties.  Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel. Never follow an impaired driver.

For summer travel safety tips please visit http://www.in.gov/isp/2968.htm

This morning, Salem Mayor Troy Merry pledged to set up a fund to collect donations for flood relief victims. 

“I want it to be easy for folks to get money,” said Merry. “If they need $50 or $100, they can turn in information and we will make a short review and then get them some money. If they need something for their houses, I don’t want assistance to be tied up. I want 100 percent of the money to go to the citizens of Salem.”

Mayor Merry said every penny donated will be given to victims and vowed the process would be a streamlined it.

Clerk Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh has set up a special fund to collect the funds.

Checks may be made out to: Emergency Flood 2017 and sent to Salem City Hall, 201 E. Market St., Suite #101, Salem, IN 47167. 

You can also call 812-883-4265 for details. 

Despite plans to open the Salem Middle School on Tuesday, officials said this evening it will remain closed until Wednesday. 

“We are very sorry to report that Salem Middle School students and staff will not be attending school tomorrow,” Superintendent DL Reed said in an email. “Due to a delay in receiving our air quality clearance report, school will be cancelled for Middle School students only for Tuesday, May 23.”

The school’s basement flooded last Friday night as part of flash flooding around the City of Salem. Although Brock Creek flooded to the east of the school, damaging several sports facilities and fields, the water that flooded the school was from ground water that came from the west of the school. 

Water collapsed the retaining wall near the new gymnasium, and water funneled down the parking lot to a walkway to the basement. 

It quickly filled up and leaked into the basement, which filled up to a level of about 12-15 feet in about five minutes. 

Efforts have been made to remove flood-damaged equipment and dry out the wet facility. As part of that, mold spores and other allergens have to be cleaned and surfaces disinfected. ServPro worked over the weekend and today to clean and disinfect the school and today worked to dry it out. 

An air-quality test had to be administered and must be passed before students can return to school. 

Air quality tests were sent out and results were expected back today. However, by 7:30p , the test results were not back so officials decided to postpone school another day. 

Reed said, “We are putting your child’s health and safety first.  Hopefully we will be back on Wednesday.  We will keep you updated.”

Booking History with Photos 5-19-17 to 5-22-17