John Michael Thixton age 63 of Dickinson, Texas

April 26, 2017

Mr. John Michael Thixton age 63 of Dickinson, Texas, formerly of Salem, passed away Monday, April 24 at Clear Lake Regional Hospital in Webster, Texas.

Mr. Thixton was born June 10, 1953 in Salem the son of William Edward and Mary Francis Herrick Thixton. He was a Producer for Painter Reichman Insurance. He was a member of the Salem Moose Lodge and a lifetime member of the Houston Rodeo.

John is survived by his wife: Sally Brunsman Cutter of Dickinson, a daughter: Angela Tucker (Donnie) of Salem, a step-son: Joshua Cutter (Lauren) of Cincinnati, Ohio, two step-daughters: Amanda Muhlbeier (Dalton) of Cypress, Texas and Stacey Tinsley (Travis) of Bloomington, Indiana, two brothers: Jim Thixton of Salem and Tom Thixton (Nancy) of New Albany, a sister: Paulette Wilske (Steve) of Minnesota, three grandsons: Kaleb, Knox and Myles and a granddaughter: Dru.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00PM at Weathers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from Noon-time of service.

Motorcycle Crash at Dusk Leaves Spencer Woman Seriously Injured, Airlifted to Indy Hospital

April 25, 2017

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Just before 8:00 o’clock last night on State Road 46 East of Spencer, a serious personal injury crash occurred at the intersection of Green Meadows Drive.

Investigators believe the driver of a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle was travelling eastbound on SR46 approaching Green Meadows Drive and failed to observe the eastbound 2002 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck in front of her that was slowing down to make a right turn.

Troopers believe the motorcycle driver Therese D. Hendershot, 49 of Spencer, attempted to avoid collision by quickly applying the brakes of her motorcycle at the last second, however this caused her motorcycle to skid out of control.

The driver of the Chevy S10, Christina L Falk, 35 of Spencer indicated she felt the rear impact, however she and her two juvenile passengers were uninjured. After the crash, Falk was able to call 911 and render initial aid to Hendershot.

Witnesses told troopers that Falk’s brake lamps and turn lamp was working at the time of the crash.

Hendershot was airlifted to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis via Air Evac #39 for multiple serious injuries.

Trooper Randy Van Arsdale investigated the crash and was assisted by Trooper Ian Matthews and the Owen County Sheriff’s Department.

Darline Haub, age 88

April 25, 2017

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Darline Haub, age 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Palmyra, IN on Monday, April 24, 2017.

She was born on May 17, 1928 in Savoy, KY to John and Beuhla May (Ponyer) Fancher.

Darline was a former employee of General Electric in Louisville, where she worked for many years. She loved cats and dogs, collecting knick-knacks, and cooking.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Beuhla May Fancher, brothers, J.T. Fancher and Franklin Fancher, and sisters, Gladys Price and Betty Maxine Spalding.

She is survived by several nieces, nephews, and friends of the community.

Funeral services will be held at Love Funeral Home in Palmyra on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 1 p.m. with burial to follow in Palmyra Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, April 28, 2017 from 10 a.m. to time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in Darline’s name.

Salem’s Park and Rec Baseball Kicks Off Season Today

April 25, 2017

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The Salem Park and Rec. Youth Baseball/Softball Tee Ball leagues will be officially kicking off the season today at 5:15pm. at Community Park.

WSLM’s Weather Bird will be among local celebrities throwing out first pitches today.

Tanya Webb will once again be singing the National Anthem, as the teams line up on the fields. Pizza and drinks will be provided by Ernstberger Orthodontics.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. To Retire After This Season

April 25, 2017

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After 18 seasons and more than 600 races behind the wheel, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will bring his NASCAR Cup Series driving career to a close at the conclusion of 2017.

Today, he shared the news with members of his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team.

The fan favorite and two-time Daytona 500 champion will discuss his decision in a press conference this afternoon.

He will be joined by Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, for whom Earnhardt has driven since 2008. The two first met about the driver’s decision on March 29.

Earnhardt, who will turn 43 in October, made his first career Cup Series start on May 30, 1999, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Since then, the Kannapolis, North Carolina, native has captured 26 points-paying Cup race wins and been voted by fans as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver a record 14 consecutive years. He has qualified for the NASCAR playoffs eight times.

Now in the midst of his 18th full-time season at the elite Cup level, Earnhardt made his 600th career series start on March 26 at Fontana, California. He will compete in his final NASCAR Cup Series race on Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports will announce plans for its 2018 team alignment at a later date.

Mississippi Couple Arrested in Clark State Forest with Drugs, Child

April 24, 2017

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A Mississippi couple is facing charges after conservation officers found them smoking meth with a child in their vehicle.

Bradley Gordon, 52, and 31-year-old Sheila Gordon of Gulfport, Mississippi were found in a vehicle parked near a shelter house at the Clark State Forest. Indiana conservation officers say the Gordons’ 5-year-old daughter was asleep in the backseat.

Investigators later found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and say the couple had been smoking the drug with the girl inside the vehicle.

The couple was arrested on charges including neglect of a dependent, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of paraphernalia. The young girl was placed in temporary custody with the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Conservation officers will routinely patrol the state’s parks and properties to ensure safety, but encourage citizens to also report suspicious activity to Indiana DNR’s central dispatch at 812-837-9536.

Larry Don Godfrey, 60

April 24, 2017

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Larry Don Godfrey, 60, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2017, after a 6 year battle with cancer. He was born to Don and Laura Godfrey on July 7, 1956, and welcomed by his sister, Carol.

He attended school in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1974. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Entomology from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Kentucky.

In 1984, he married Kris Elvin from Huntsville, Texas, and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where both had jobs. In 1987, Larry decided to change his career path and accepted a research position at the University of Nebraska.

In 1991, he secured a faculty position as a Professor of Entomology and Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California, Davis, where he worked for 26 years.

He dedicated his research to helping growers control insect pests using a variety of methods, so as to improve the economics and environmental impact of agricultural production. He conducted applied research in rice, cotton, alfalfa, and several minor crops such as mint, corn, and pomegranate in California.

He also assisted researchers from around the world in controlling their insect pests and traveled extensively while assisting them.

He is survived by his mother, Laura Godfrey; wife, Kris Godfrey, sister, Carol Green, and her family?Jim Green, Adam Green, Kendall Green, Heather Green, Adara Green, and Adriel Green.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don Godfrey.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. George Browning will officiate.

Hester is Dogwood Queen; Freed is Jr. Miss Queen

April 24, 2017

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Opening ceremonies of the 2017 Orleans Dogwood Festival were held over the weekend with royalty crowned to reign over the upcoming festivities.

Claire Hester was crowned 2017 Dogwood Queen Sunday in Orleans. The 2017 Dogwood Festival Jr Miss Queen was MacKenzie Freed.

Hester will take home a total of $1,000 – $750 from the Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Dogwood Committee and $250 from Mid Southern Bank.

She will now compete in the Indiana State Festival Scholarship program in Indianapolis and will receive another $300 to pay for her expenses.

Her other gifts included:

- a mouse pad featuring this year’s Dogwood Tabloid Art Carver from Carmen Love at Crazy Flock.

- French Lick Hotel coffee mug and notepad

- French Lick Legendz Gift Card

- Tarte eye palette from the Chamber of Commerce picked by Emily Stalker

- $65 value of Mary Kay Cosmetics from Ashley Knight

- Hair Supplies from Kristen Burris @ Penn Studio, Orleans,

- 1 Super Clean Car Wash Gift Certificate from Scott Daugherty

- Banana Republic Sunglasses from Harmon, Petty & Cole, Paoli,

- $10 Legendz Gift Card, French Lick

- 2 Tickets to Kings Island

- $30 Gift Card to North Side Station, Orleans,

- Free manicure by Pam Penn, Penn Studio, Orleans

- Personalized office chair designed specifically for the queens from JSI, PAOL

2017 Princess are Victoria Albertson and Lexi Patterson, both will receive $50 and a gift certificate from Super Clean Car Wash. Albertson also claimed Miss Congeniality, earning her $50, a gift and a gift certificate from Super Clean Car Wash.

Crowned 2017 Jr. Miss Queen is Freed.

Freed won a mouse pad featuring this year’s Dogwood Tabloid Art Carver from Carmen Love at Crazy Flock, French Lick Hotel coffee mug and notepad, French Lick Legendz Gift Card, Tarte eye palette from the Chamber of Commerce picked by Emily Stalker, $65 value of Mary Kay Cosmetics from Ashley Knight and $100.

2017 Jr. Miss Princesses include Ella Marie McClellan and Allison McCabe.
Both young ladies won $50.

McClellan also took the titles of 2017 Crowd Favorite, which added 5 percent to her total score, Jr. Miss. Congeniality and 2017 Miss Fundraiser went to Ella Marie McClellan, who raised $400. She will receive a total of $100 and a $25 gift card from 33 Brick Street in French Lick and a French Lick Hotel travel mug and notepad.

Moran: Complications From Stage 4 Cancer

April 24, 2017

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Former “Happy Days” child star Erin Moran, 56, likely died from complications of Stage 4 cancer, the Harrison County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department and medical examiner said Monday in a joint statement.

WSLM Radio reported Moran was found dead in her home in New Salisbury on Saturday, authorities said.

“A subsequent autopsy revealed that Mrs. Moran likely succumbed to complications of Stage 4 cancer,” the statement said.

Standard toxicology tests were performed and the results are pending, the statement said, but no illegal narcotics were found at Moran’s residence.

Moran, who had appeared in movies and on TV shows like The Courtship of Eddies’ Father and My Three Sons, was cast as Joanie Cunningham, the younger sister of Ron Howard‘s Richie Cunningham, in 1974.

She played the role on Happy Days until 1982, when she and Scott Baio’s character, Chachi Arcola, left to star in the spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi. That show was canceled in 1983, and Moran returned to Happy Days for its final season.

After Happy Days, Moran made guest appearances in shows like The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis: Murder.

In 2007, she appeared on the reality show Scott Baio Is 45 and Single as herself, and in 2008, she was a contestant on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club.

In recent years, Moran had reportedly fallen on hard times, and was said to be living in a trailer park, and then in a series of motels.