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.

Salem and other local communities will be receiving a portion of nearly $80 Million going to rural communities for Infrastructure Improvements. The Projects will Improve Roads and Bridges, Make Communities More Walkable and Bikeable.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today that nearly $80 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 64 cities, towns, and counties in rural portions of Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements as well as sidewalk and trail projects.

Combined with local funds, almost $135 million is being invested in infrastructure in communities receiving funds.

“Over the last decade, Indiana has demonstrated a commitment to investing in infrastructure that is nearly unmatched,” Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb said.

“Modern roads and bridges keep commerce moving at the speed of the 21st-century economy and sidewalks and trails help create the sense of place that sparks vibrant communities which attract businesses and talent to the Hoosier state.”

For the first time, INDOT has set aside a portion of the funds awarded, approximately $5 million, to sidewalk improvements in rural communities.

The new sidewalk program for smaller communities is part of INDOT’s “Common Paths” initiative. Common Paths unifies and implements the agency’s transportation programs and policies regarding planning and design, including Complete Streets, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Also, INDOT is investing $2.5 million each year improving crosswalks and other sidewalk infrastructure along state highways in both rural and urban communities.

INDOT dedicates approximately 25 percent of its federal highway funds to supporting local projects each year. Metropolitan Planning Organizations distribute those funds to cities, towns, and counties within the state’s larger urbanized areas while INDOT distributes funds outside MPO areas.

Communities must pay at least 20 percent in local matching funds and meet other federal requirements to receive federal funding.

For this latest round of funding, rural communities will design, develop and purchase land for projects that would be bid during the fiscal year beginning July 2020. While the funds awarded now are dedicated to construction, INDOT will be financially participating in design, engineering, and right of way acquisition components of these projects.

A list of all communities receiving funds is online at www.in.gov/indot/3581.htm

Rural communities were invited to submit project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects announced in March 2016.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now accepting applications for the livestock promotion and market development grants to foster growth within the Hoosier livestock industry.

Applications are due by December 1, 2016.

“Indiana’s livestock sector continues to be a driving force for food production and has a major impact on our state and local economies,” said Ted McKinney, ISDA Director. “These grants create growth opportunities within the industry and allow livestock organizations to have a greater impact in Indiana through the development of educational programs, promotional events or projects to increase our processing and production capabilities.”

Educational programs, livestock shows/exhibitions, conventions and similar events and projects are eligible to apply for livestock promotion funding. The market development grant provides funding for value-added feasibility studies, research projects, market development and other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.

Both the livestock promotion and market development grants will reimburse up to 50 percent of the amount spent to conduct or support the projects, programs and events outlined in each of the grants.

The grants are open to non-profit organizations, commissions and associations with 501(c) status involving the following livestock species: cattle, swine, sheep, equine, goats, poultry, camelids, ostriches, cervidae, bison, aquaculture and rabbits.

All grant applications should be sent electronically to Kimmi Devaney at KDevaney@isda.in.gov byDecember 1, 2016. Award winners will be announced February 1, 2017. Applications are available at www.in.gov/isda/2474.htm. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

In 2016, $127,000 dollars were awarded to 15 organizations by ISDA to foster growth in the livestock industry throughout Indiana.