Who’s for increasing taxes? Who’s for taking care of the infrastructure?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and get a feel for who to vote for and hear what the Washington County Government and school board candidates have to say at the WSLM Political Forum set for Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Salem City Hall conference room.

The forum is sponsored by WSLM and WRLW TV and will be moderated by local attorney Tom Scifres and hosted by Becky White.

“WSLM feels very passionately about the local political scene and wants all of our area voters to be as informed as possible,” said White. “If you can’t get out to hear the candidates in their own words, then you can tune in LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and 1220 AM to listen to exactly what’s being said.”

The video of the evening will be aired later on WRLW 17.1 and streamed live on social media. 

On Tuesday, November 8, Salem voters will elect several new and incumbent county officials. Tune in live on WSLM for live coverage of the election returns.

Larry Medlock (R) is seeking another term as Judge of the Circuit Court, unopposed. 

Frank Newkirk Jr. (R) is also seeking another term as Judge of the Superior Court, unopposed. 

Sarah Milligan (R) is facing Rita Martin (D) for the County Clerk position. 

Current county clerk Shirley Batt (D) is running unopposed for the County Treasurer position currently held by Robert Woodward. 

Rusty Fultz (R) is seeking the County Coroner position against Scott Schocke (D). 

Jeff Souder (R) is seeking another term as County Surveyor, unopposed. 

Running for Commissioner – District 1 is incumbent Phil Marshall (R) against challenger Charles Hamilton (D). Also, Libertarian David Norton is seeking the Commissioner seat as well. 

To vote for this commissioner race you must live in Gibson, Franklin, Polk or Jackson Townships. 

Rick Roberts (R) is seeking the County Commissioner District 3 seat against challenger Joe Keith Sr. (D) and Rhonda Greene, Libertarian candidate. 

You must live in Brown, Vernon, Madison, Howard or Posey Townships to vote on this race. 

County Council Member at Large is seeking 3 of the following candidates:

Rondale Brishaber (R), Todd Ewen (R), Gerald Fleming Sr., Troy S. Hubbard (D), Trevor Phipps (D) and Jonathan Spaulding (D). 

The Town of Campbellsburg is seeking two council members and David Brown and Donnie Williams are running. 

The Town of New Pekin is seeking two members of the town council and the following are running: 

Shannon Anderson, Michael Bowling, George Browning and Darlene Anderson Hall. 

School board members are up for election in each of the three school districts. They are:

East Washington School Corporation – Thomas Coats, Polk Twp.; Ray Ramsey, Polk Twp and Jeff Clem Jr. for the Town of Pekin. 

Salem Community School Corporation is seeking 4 At Large candidates:

Mark “Bubba” Abbott (Incumbent), Rodney Brough, Erika Garloch (Incumbent), Ron Haendiges, Steve Motsinger (Incumbent), Jason Pepmeier, Aaron “Spud” Schocke and Lacy Tucker. 

West Washington School Corporation is seeking one position for each township:

Aaron Dennis, Madison Twp.; Anthony Cardwell Jr. Posey Twp.; and Salvatore “Sal” Sama, Vernon Twp. 

Anyone wishing to submit questions for consideration for the WSLM POLITICAL FORUM should email wslmradio@gmail.com.

Questions should not be of a personal nature and may not target an individual candidate.

A weekend traffic stop for a violation resulted in two men being jailed on several drug charges.

The Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute urge drivers to watch for little ghouls and goblins trick or treating on Indiana streets this Monday evening.

Look out for abnormal traffic patterns as drivers turn to visit friends and family, or stop to allow pedestrians to cross.
INDOT, ISP and ICJI offer parents the following tips to protect the safety of Indiana’s smallest pedestrians:

Driving Tips

• Drive slowly and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
• Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call or text.
• Watch for children darting into the streets. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen in spots other than intersections.
• Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or they may not know how to safely cross the street.
• Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals, and if you pull off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

Costume Tips

• Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls.
• Try face paint instead of a mask. Masks often obstruct a child’s vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.
• Make sure children wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
• Costume props, such as swords, knives, etc., should be short, soft and flexible.
• Trick or Treating
• Make sure older children trick or treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.
• Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Encourage children to trick or treat while it’s still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well-lighted streets.
• Remind children not to enter the homes or cars of strangers.
• Remember to walk and not run, use sidewalks and cross at crosswalks when possible
• Follow your community’s trick-or-treating hours.

Treats

• Remind children not to eat any of their treats until they get home.
• Check out all treats at home in a well-lighted place.
• Only eat unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Remember to inspect fruits for anything suspicious.
• Homeowners should keep walkways clear of obstacles and well lighted. Keep lit candles and other luminaries away from areas where children will be.

Many communities, schools and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating designed to keep children safely within parents’ view. Some hospitals and schools allow children to trick or treat by going from room to room, virtually eliminating the dangers associated with being out walking on the street after dark.

For more information, please visit ISP’s Halloween Safety web page at www.in.gov/isp/2900.htm.

Two hikers from Indianapolis were rescued Saturday night after they got lost in the Hoosier National Forest.

It took crews several hours to get Alyssa Broughton and Cynthia Broughton and their two dogs out of the forest because of the rough terrain and both were extremely exhausted.

According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, officers began their search around 6:17 p.m. after a report of two hikers lost in the northwestern part of the forest.

Dispatcher Mitch Ray took the initial call and was able to get a general location by talking with the women.

County officers Dustin Steward and Adam Nicholson and county reserve officers Kevin Settle and Joe Francis then responded to the area of county roads 1400W and 1000N.

Nicholson was the first to arrive and he turned on the siren on his patrol car to see if the Broughtons could hear it.

Ray, who had remained on the telephone with the two hikers, told Nicholson that the women could hear the sirens.

At that point, Settle walked down into the woods and found the two women. He and other officers then had to help the two climb up a steep hill in the Maumee area to get them and their dogs to safety and back to their car so they could return home.

Pershing Township and Owen Township volunteers help with the search.

Salem Police say a man died after a house fire Friday.

Bradley Wright, 23, 522 Colony Drive was pronounced dead at the scene.

Salem Fire Department, Salem City Police and emergency personnel responded to a 911 call at 11:31a on Friday, Oct. 28.

The 911 call advised that they thought someone was inside.

Firefighters found Wright’s body inside a bedroom were the fire originated. The fire appears tohave started in the bedroom.

An autopsy on Wright’s body was completed at the Washington County Coroner’s Office on Saturday morning those results are pending.

According to Salem Fire Chief Tom Day, the investigation is continuing. Authorities are working to determine what caused the fire. The Indiana State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate the fire.

 Kent Abernathy, Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), reminds Hoosiers that in advance of election day, BMV license branches will extend hours of operation on Monday, Nov. 7 and on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to issue ID cards and driver’s licenses that may be used for identification at a polling place.

All branches will be open on Monday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

License branches will only process new, amended or replacement ID cards, and renewed, amended or replacement driver’s licenses and learner permits. New driver’s licenses and learner permits will be processed provided the customer has previously completed all required testing.

The Indiana BMV provides free, state-issued ID cards for voting purposes to any unlicensed Hoosier that is a U.S. citizen as long as he or she can provide proper documentation and will be at least 18 years of age on or before the next General or Municipal Election.

The following documents are required to obtain a new state ID card or driver’s license (a complete list can be found at myBMV.com):

• Proof of Identity document, such as a birth certificate or passport
• Proof of Social Security document, such as a Social Security card, pay stub that contains the full SSN or W-2
• Proof of lawful status, such as a birth certificate or passport
• Proof of residency, two documents such as a voter registration card, utility bill or bank statement

All license branches will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, Nov. 9.