Who’s the strongest in Salem? Find out on Wednesday, Nov. 16 when local groups get together to pull a 15 ton fire truck.

The first annual Fire Truck Pull to benefit Special Olympics of Washington County is just around the corner. It all starts off Wednesday, Nov. 16  at the Walmart parking lot in Salem from 5-7p.

“This is the ultimate tug of war challenge,” said Becky White, WSLM Owner and General Manager.
“Teams of 15 people each will play tug-of-war with a 30,000-pound plus fire truck to help raise money and awareness for Special Olympics of Washington County.”

The team with the fastest pull time becomes Champion. Trophies and prizes will be given,

Registrations is $10 per person or $150 per team. Teams with fewer than 10 pullers will be given fill-ins.

Walk-ups are welcome in the Fire Truck Pull.

The team that pulls a fire truck over a line in the shortest time wins. In case of a tie, there will be a pull-off.

But the fire truck fights back, with the driver putting it in reverse occasionally.

“The key to having a good pull is teamwork and timing,” said White. “This is a great way to build community support by challenging your friends and family to form teams.”

The event is open to firefighters, clubs and civic organizations, high school sports teams and individuals who would like to support the Special Olympics and have a great time doing it.  

White said she hopes to raise about $2000 to support the local Special Olympians to pay for their entries into regional and state competitions.

Special Olympics of Washington County provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

According to Michelle DeWitt, Washington County Special Olympics Indiana Coordinator, the money raised to benefit the athletes of this county would be used to help purchase the proper clothes for competition.

“Many of our athletes do not have the proper clothing or shoes but strive to be in better physical health. Their efforts are hindered tremendously when they don’t have the proper equipment,” said DeWitt. 

WSLM will be doing other fundraisers for local groups during the Walmart Grand Opening, including a Turkey Toss to benefit the Washington County Food Bank and a Pumpkin’ Chunkin’ to raise money for Shop With A Cop.

Registration forms and release forms will be available for download at wslmradio.com

Here’s a picture of the old Lime Kilns at Hobbs Quarry on West Market Street, provided by Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott. 

Elliot said the first picture was taken around 1910 and the second picture taken last weekend. 

“As you can see the 4th kiln from has been destroyed at some point,” said Elliott. “We believe the kilns were built just shortly after the Civil War.”

Some of the stone used to construct Washington County’s current courthouse (est. 1886) was from this quarry, noted Elliott. 

After a year long investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department makes an arrest in a vehicular homicide case.

The case was submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor for review, and as a result of the investigation the following charges were filed against Caleb P. Cartmel.

1. Reckless Homicide.  Level 5 Felony
2. Operating Motor Vehicle Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death with Schedule 1 or 2 Substance.  Level 6 Felony

Lucas’ investigation revealed that Caleb Cartmel drove his vehicle left of center and struck the Greathouse vehicle head on. Both vehicles were a total loss. There were no passengers in the Greathouse vehicle.

Caleb Cartmel has been arrested in Delaware County. Cartmel will be transported to Jackson County for an initial hearing. The warrant states no bond has been issued for the defendant and a 96 hour hold applies after Cartmel is returned to Jackson County.

Aaron M Greathouse age 17 of Seymour died 10/18/2015 in a two vehicle crash east of Brownstown. Greathouse was driving a 1987 Nissan Maxima, and was pronounced dead at the scene by Jackson County Coroner Roger Wheeler.

Greathouse collided with a 2004 Nissan Maxima on Jackson County Road 25 North, driven by Caleb P. Cartmel age 21 of Westfield. Cartmel’s brother, Ian T Cartmel age 17, was a passenger.

Both Cartmel brothers were treated at the scene and then airlifted to IU Health Indianapolis.

Sheriff Mike Carothers and Sgt. Stan Darlage turned the case over to Det. Lucas earlier this year.

Lucas was assisted at the scene by Darlage, Sheriff Carothers, Deputies Adam Nicholson and Dustin Steward, Reserve Deputies Greg Murphy and Eric Browalski, Brownstown Police, Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson County Ambulance, Coroner Roger Wheeler, and Indiana State Police SP Sgt. Mark Helms (Accident Reconstructionist)

The Bicentennial of Indiana’s statehood offers a chance to look back on 200 years of Hoosier history, including the pageantry and spectacle surrounding its 100th birthday.

The Stevens Museum will host The Hoosier Centennial: A Look Back at the 1916 Celebration, one of the Indiana Historical Society traveling exhibits.

It will be on display at the John Hay Center located at 307 E. Market St. Salem, IN. from Nov. 3 through Nov. 30. 

Indiana became the 19th state on December 11, 1816. The statewide Centennial in 1916 would prove to have a lasting effect on Indiana, including steps toward an improved road system, the production of lavish historical pageants and the development of a seven-reel film titled "Indiana," which featured James Whitcomb Riley.

Each of these stories is covered in The Hoosier Centennial, but the Indiana Historical Commission, the agency responsible for coordinating the celebration, considered the development of Indiana’s first state parks its crowning achievement.

Through the efforts of Richard Lieber, who chaired the IHC’s parks committee, the state was able to purchase the property that would become McCormick’s Creek in Owen County and Turkey Run in Parke County.

Wednesday 

7:30p – Coach’s Corner – LIVE FROM McDonald’s in Salem with Football Coaches Luke Dean, Phillip Bowsman and RJ Hartsfield.  WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM.

8:30p – Join Pacers vs. Dallas Maverics NBA Basketball

WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM.

Friday

Class 3A Sectional 31

Brownstown at Salem Lions – 7p – WSLM 97.9 FM

Class 2A Sectional 40

South Spencer at Eastern – 7:30p – WSLMRADIO.COM

Class A Sectional 47

West Washington at North Decatur – 7:30p – WSLM 1220 AM

INDIANA SPORTS TALK – 9:30p – MIDNIGHT – WSLM 1220 AM/WSLM 97.9 FM

Saturday

Purdue vs. Penn State – pre-game 11a – Kickoff Noon – WSLM 1220 AM

IU vs. Maryland – pre-game 2:30p – Kickoff Noon – WSLM 97.9 FM

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin – 6:30p – WSLM 97.9 FM

INDIANA SPORTS TALK – 9:30p – Midnight

Sunday

Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Noon pre-game – 1p Kickoff – WSLM 97.9 FM

Chargers vs. Broncos – 3:30p – WSLM 97.9 FM (will join in progress)

Eagles vs. Cowboys – 8p – WSLM 97.9 FM