Washington County Surveyor Jeff Souder and his staff will be working out of the northwest corner of the courthouse basement for most of October, with normal hours.

They also have taken up some of the basement too, as their former office gets a bit of a facelift — at least a floor-lift.

Souder said the office was slated to be closed on Sept. 23 and Sept. 26 to have carpet replaced.

“We took up the carpet because of some moisture issues and then realized we were still having problems and a mold and mildew problem,” said Souder.

He said workers took up the wood floor and discovered an older wood floor underneath.

After removing that, workers found a dirt floor underneath.

“We were as surprised as anyone,” said Souder.

The courthouse was designed by Harry P. McDonald and his brother, both of Louisville, and built in 1886.

It is two-stories above a raised basement and features a five-story corner clock tower with a conical roof.

It is the third courthouse at that location and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Souder said the best theory he’s heard is that the corner office was used as a refuse pile where debris may have been thrown while the courthouse was constructed.

“I remember when I first took office in the 80s, I worked on the wooden floor. I talked them into putting carpet in then. Since then we’ve had moisture problems.”

Washington County Commissioner David Brown said Mike Goen Construction was doing the work.

“They hauled out four loads of old wood and dirt,” said Brown. “They’ve hauled in gravel and put in rebar and now they’re pouring the concrete to make it like the rest of the basement.”

Souder said it would take a week or so for the concrete to cure and then new carpet would be installed. “We’ll be displaced for most of October. But we will be here our regular hours — Monday – Friday 8:00am -4:00pm.”

WSLM will continue broadcasting its slate of political debates with tonight’s second Indiana governor’s debate from 7-8p.

Democrat John Gregg, Republican Eric Holcomb and Libertarian Rex Bell will meet Monday evening at the University of Indianapolis for a live hour-long debate.

Holcomb, the current lieutenant governor, and former Indiana House Speaker Gregg didn’t confront each other much during an initial debate last week on education issues before an Indianapolis audience consisting mostly of high school students.

Gregg blamed Republican-backed school initiatives for Indiana’s teacher  shortages, while Holcomb argued the state isn’t alone in struggling to attract would-be educators.

The debate will be aired on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM.

After Monday evening, there’s one more debate scheduled, Oct. 25 at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.

WSLM will also be carrying the live Vice-Presidential debate between Donald Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine, a Senator from Virginia and Hillary Clinton’s running mate.

Pence is a first term governor of Indiana who previously served over a decade in Congress.

Kaine is a former Democratic National Committee chairman who also served as governor of Virginia and mayor of Richmond.

The debate will air between 9-10:30p on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM.

Additional debates will be:

• 2nd Presidential Debate – Sunday, Oct. 9 – 9-10:30p
• Congressional Debate – Todd Young vs. Evan Bayh – Tuesday, Oct. 18 – 7-8p
• 3rd Presidential Debate –  Wednesday, Oct. 19 – 9-10:30p
• 3rd Governor Debate – Oct. 25 – 7-8p

Applications for the 2016 Christmas Assistance Program serves Washington County children who are age 16 and younger.

This is an income based program.

You can fill out applications at Southern Hills Church 1645 S. State Rd. 135, Salem, IN between the hours of 8:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Application Dates:

• October 20th 1-7pm • October 21st 1-5pm • October 22nd 10-3pm
• October 24th thru November 11th 10am-12 noon & 1pm-3pm Mon-Fri

Applications will not be accepted after November 11th, 2016.

Total household income must fall within 2016 income guidelines.

Applicants need to bring with them:

1. Photo ID for you and every person living with you 18 years or older
2. Birth Certificates for newborn – 16 yrs. old.
3. If you are not the parent- bring legal documents to verify custody
4. Proof of Address- current utility bill or rent statement in the name of Head of Household.
5.  Award Letter- Examples include Food Stamps, SSI, Medicaid, TANF, Social Security, Unemployment or Disability. Bring all that apply for everyone in the household.
6. If applicant does not receive benefits – please bring 2 most current paycheck stubs.
7. Sizes- Correct Sizes for Each Child for infant through 16 years of age.

** Proof is needed for everyone in the household bringing in income or assistance. **

According to Southern Hills, applicants will not be allowed to start the application process without these documents.

If you have further questions or need more information call our office at 812-883-1637.