This is a picture of Mary Reid-Lusk in her much later years, according to Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott.

“From the bio below you can easily judge that she was quite the woman!,” noted Elliott. “She will officially be included in the new UGRR display opening next month at the Stevens Museum” 

Mary Reid was the daughter of Reverend Isiah Reid Sr., a South Carolina Covenanter, who left the South to escape the atrocities of slavery and settled on Walnut Ridge in 1817. 

When her older brother Samuel entered medical school at the University of Louisville, it is said Mary, who had an unquenchable desire for learning, studied everything her brother’s classes could offer and had a thorough understanding of the medical profession by the time of his graduation. 

At the age of 18, she married the Reverend Robert Lusk, a traveling minister from Pennsylvania, who had degrees in theology and medicine. 

He also reportedly had an extensive library consisting of over 1,100 titles, which assisted in furthering Mary’s medical knowledge.

She was soon, riding her horse all over the county and surrounding counties, to assist pioneer settlers with any and all medical needs. 

This included child birth and performing surgery.  Women medical practitioners at this time were referred to as “Grannies” and this is how she garnered the moniker, Granny Reid-Lusk.

Her stout abolitionist views were inherent and reportedly she became heavily involved with assisting her brothers, Thomas and Isaiah Jr., with running the Reid Line of the county’s UGRR.  

Some even claim she was the “real” manager of that line. 

Undoubtedly, she was one of the most important people in Washington County, involved with the overall operation, due to her medical knowledge, aptitude and willingness to help any human being in need.

Later in life, Mary Reid-Lusk appeared before a state medical examiner’s board, which awarded her with a doctorate in medicine.      

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department announced today they will join efforts with over 250 Indiana state and local law enforcement agencies to increase education and enforcement around dangerous and impaired driving.

From March 3 through March 26, 2017, officers across the state will conduct high-visibility patrols specifically designated to identify and intercept those driving aggressively and under the influence.

“As a state known for basketball hysteria, March is a time of celebration and fun here in Indiana,” said Captain Ryan Larrimore “Throw in St. Patrick’s Day as well, and its critical we drive home the message that the only way to celebrate, is responsibly. For this reason, our officers will be working day and night all across the state looking out for our fellow Hoosiers, because if we do see you driving dangerously or impaired, we will pull you over.”

Increased enforcement during March is a statewide effort supported by federal funding allocated to The Washington County Sheriff’s Department from the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice

Institute (ICJI). More than 6 of The Sheriff’s Department’s officers will work overtime to conduct observational patrols and sobriety checkpoints around the clock.

According to ICJI, in March 2016 there were 495 alcohol-related crashes across Indiana, resulting in 231 injuries and 11 fatalities. Additionally, during the same period, crash reports indicate 1,128 collisions occurred due to dangerous driving, resulting in 260 injuries and two fatalities.

Dangerous driving includes factors such as “speed too fast for weather conditions,” “driver distracted,” and “driver asleep or fatigued.”

“Protecting all those traveling Indiana’s roadways is an action we do not take lightly,” said ICJI Executive Director Dave Murtaugh. “With various celebratory events taking place during the month of March, it’s important we remind all drivers and passengers the responsibility of staying safe on the road, lies at their feet. I want to thank our hard working and dedicated officers who will be out in full patrol working to ensure this message is front and center in the mind of all those behind the wheel. The key to safe travel is simple. Buckle up and drive sober.”

Crashes resulting from dangerous and impaired driving are preventable. Sheriff Roger Newlon and ICJI would like to remind motorists safe driving is as simple as following these easy steps:

 Before the celebration begins, plan a safe way home

 Do not drive impaired

 If you do drink, use a taxi, public transportation, ridesharing service or designate a sober friend or family member, and give them your keys

 If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911

 If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them home safely

The Indiana House of Representatives voted unanimously today in favor of State Rep. Steve Davisson’s (R-Salem) bill that would create mobile addiction teams to serve more rural areas of Indiana affected by the opioid crisis.

Davisson said many families struggling with opioid addiction often cannot find appropriate treatment because of the shortage of care providers. Mobile addiction teams established under Davisson’s proposal would include an advanced practice nurse or a physician assistant, a licensed clinical addiction counselor and a certified recovery coach.

“This legislation would provide an innovative solution to the problem rural counties are facing,” Davisson said. “Since many people in recovery also need a job after treatment, my proposal would also allow the Department of Workforce Development to work with these addiction treatment teams to connect patients with jobs and training.”

According to Davisson, because of the training that would be involved and the mobile nature of these teams, funding for the program would not be from Medicaid, but from the Recovery Works program. Davisson said this would promote flexibility by allowing these recovery teams to visit small, rural jails, some of which are in severe need for addiction treatment services for their inmates.

This bill will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.