Upcoming Events
Quote of the Day
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Content Cloud
Submit Your News
Harvest season is officially underway for Indiana’s 94,000 farmers, which means more slow-moving farm equipment will be on Indiana’s rural roads and highways. To keep Hoosiers safe this year, state agencies are asking motorists to be alert and patient, as they share the road with farm equipment this fall.
“The fall is an exciting time for all Hoosiers as the temperatures cool and the leaves turn colors. And Hoosier farmers share that excitement as they prepare to begin harvest,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “While traveling rural roads and highways this fall, remember to watch for large farm equipment moving between fields as they work to harvest the crops, and be sure to know the proper steps to safely navigate around.”
In 2022 four vehicles were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in one death, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Moving farm equipment can be one of the most dangerous parts of a farmers job,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “When motorists know how to safely navigate around farm equipment, our roads are safer. By working together, farmers and everyday Hoosiers can ensure they arrive safely to their destination.”
Farm equipment during harvest season could include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.
The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:
- Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
- Be alert. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
- Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
- Do not try to pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
- Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
- Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.
“When you see farmers out working and moving from field to field, please be patient as they work to harvest their crops which are needed to help feed our communities and the world,” said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent. “Let’s all work together to help ensure everyone’s safety on our roadways.”
For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov. Click here for a video message created by Hoosier Ag Today, in partnership with Keystone Corporative. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police.
The new SalemLeader.com website Is officially going live this weekend!
There may be some delays, as the new website has to go through procedures to “replicate” itself on the internet.
Anyone who has problems reaching the new website by searching “www.salemleader.com” may find that they will need to reboot their computers or clear their cache to directly connect with the website.
For the past couple of months, many people have been able to access the beta website that was under construction and listed as www.southernindiana.us. As soon as the new website has been fully replicated, the new website will be reached by entering www.salemleader.com.
Advantages of using SalemLeader.com:
FREE NEWS is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
.
News and advertising are posted as soon as it is received.
Advanced navigation buttons at the top of the Home Page, the Footer and Search function make locating stories effortless.
Stories and obituaries remain on the site indefinitely, so you will be able to find an article you may have missed.
There are over 40 categories to make finding news easier. We post news constantly as soon as we receive it. Many stories will roll off of the Home Page, but will still be available under category headings.
Please try out the new website! We hope you will be pleased with the new format.
Sincerely,
Nancy Grossman, Publisher
Leader Publishing Company of Salem, Inc.
Taylor Ferns is the first female driver to win the Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial Race.
The 65th running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial Race came back with lightning speed and was a history making event at Salem Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 7. The cars rounded the track at an average speed of 125 mph., coming down the straightway at higher speeds.
This is the first time the sprint cars have been on the track since 2010, and they came back strong. The fastest qualification time was posted by Kody Swanson at 15.734, just shy of the track record 15.181 set by Tracy Hines in 2000.
The elapsed total race time was 21.12 minutes with one yellow for a total green lap time of 18.34 minutes.
Becoming the first female to win in this series, Taylor Ferns led flag to flag and was definitely followed closely by Kody Swanson and Davey Hamilton.
Swanson, the winner of the last five Joe James/Pat O’Connor races, got beside her but couldn’t make it stick. His wins were in the more powerful and longer wheel base USAC Silver Crown cars. This win streak period was from 2016 to 2020. In fact, he was the last winner to race at Salem and win this prestigious race. Also, the fastest qualifier.
Swanson settled for second place; with Davey Hamilton, third; and Bobby Santos, fourth.
It was Ferns’ first feature win in the 500 Touring Sprint Cars series.
In victory lane she said, “I was without brakes most of the race and had to go high on the banks to help slow it down.”
Supporting classes for race day were the USSA Kenyon Midgets and the Legend series.
The midgets, compared to the sprints, have a shorter wheel base and are equipped with a 4-cylinder 1200 cc Yamaha engine vs. the V-8 Chevy 410 cubic inch engine in the sprint cars. All are the same, keeping down the price of racing.
The 25-lap Kenyon Midget race was won by Dameron Taylor; second was Ryan Haggler; and third was Landon Brown. Taylor also won one of the ten-lap heat races. The race was caution free.
This series was started by the brothers Mel and Don Kenyon. Mel is a retired midget champ and Indianapolis driver. Mel, at ninety-one years old, and his brother still come out for the races and to work on the cars.
Also on the small track were the Legend cars. The 25-lap feature was won by Eddie Fosnight; second, Max Olmsted; and bringing home third place for a podium finish was Johnny Weaver.
Ferns is pictured with members of the O'Connor family.
Kody Swanson, placing second in the memorial race, is pictured with members of the Bohanon family, owners of Salem Speedway.
Sprint cars use distinctive tires.
This 1200cc four-cylinder Yamaha engine is standard in the Midget cars.
Dameron Taylor was the winner of the Kenyon Midget race.
The 10th annual Historical Walking Tour at Crown Hill Cemetery is this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 & 14. Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. and leave every 10 or 15 minutes. The last tour will leave at 10:30 p.m. Crown Hill Cemetery is located at 207 Shelby St., Salem.
The tour will take you on a stroll through Salem’s rich history. Walkers will be informed the town’s historical background during the tour and will have an opportunity to meet characters playing some of Salem’s most well-known citizens of the past. Knowledgeable tour guides will introduce some of the most interesting, eccentric (and sometimes infamous) characters buried in Salem’s Crown Hill Cemetery.
The walking tour is a fun event for all ages. This tour is NOT haunted. Attendees will simply be meeting characters from the past who are buried in the cemetery. Lanterns will be provided for the trail.
The event is hosted by Washington County Theatre. There is no cost to participate, but donations will be excepted and all proceeds will be used to support the theatre group.
News
Emergency Responders & City Employees To Get Pay Raise
Featured News
19 Sep 2024
Officials Review Loan, Rate Increase In Numbers
Featured News
19 Sep 2024
ICJI: Proper Car Seat Use And Installation Can Make A Life-Saving Difference
Featured News
18 Sep 2024
Washington County Relay For Life Seeking Volunteers
Featured News
17 Sep 2024
INDOT To Host Winter Hiring Events
Featured News
17 Sep 2024
Education News
Salem High School Homecoming Ceremony Photos
17 Sep 2024
Eastern High School 2024-25 Football Homecoming Court
13 Sep 2024
INDOT Seeks Applicants for Engineering Scholarship Program
13 Sep 2024
Business News
Temple & Temple Celebrates 76 Years Of Business By Giving Back To Southern Indiana
18 Sep 2024
Midwest Hair Sheep Sale At Salem October 5
17 Sep 2024
Indiana’s Tax System: A Framework for Future Competitiveness
14 Sep 2024
Sports News
Salem Lions Football Loses 54-12 Against Brownstown
16 Sep 2024
Salem Lions Football Loses 54-7 Against Scottsburg
10 Sep 2024
Government News
17
Sep
Indy Used-Car Dealer's Alleged Rollback Of 14 Million Miles Springs AG Todd Rokita Into Action
17 Sep 2024
Punishing K-12 Students For ‘Misgendering’ Peers Is Unconstitutional & Undermines Parents
14 Sep 2024
County Holds Budget Hearing
05 Sep 2024
Lifestyle News
This Week In Indiana History September 15-21
14 Sep 2024
Indiana Leads The Nation In Lottery Wins! A Jackpot State Of Mind
13 Sep 2024
This Week In Indiana History September 8-14
12 Sep 2024
Latest Washington County Mugshots
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement agencies. Those listed, in most cases, are just facing charges at this point, and are to be considered innocent of those charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are often dropped or lessened. Mugshots are collected from local law enforcement agencies on Mondays and are public records.
SalemLeader.com
Leader Publishing Company of Salem, Inc.
P.O. Box 506
117-119 East Walnut Street
Salem, Indiana. 47167
Phone: 812-883-3281 | Fax: 812-883-4446
Business Hours:
Mondays through Fridays, 9:00am - 5:00pm
News:
news@salemleader.com
Office:
office@salemleader.com
Publisher:
publisher@salemleader.com
Business
- More Business News
- Go To Guide
- Business Directory
- Real Estate
- Auctions
Education
- More Education News
Opinion
- Editorials
- Letters to the Editor
- Columns
- Unsung Heroes
- Days Gone By
- In the Garden
- Guest Columns
- Reader's Poll
- Salem Leader Forum
- Questions and Answers
Church
- Bible Aerobics
- Church News
- Church Directory