Salem Leader - Featured Local News

Home
More Featured News

The unique opportunities and needs of rural Indiana will be the focus of the 2024 IU Rural Conference at French Lick Springs Resort on May 13 and 14.Speakers from around the state will spotlight a range of issues including rural food systems, education challenges, healthcare access and the impact of art in rural communities. The conference will include breakout sessions, discussion tables, demonstrations, poster sessions and networking opportunities.

On May 13, IU Center for Rural Engagement Interim Executive Director Denny Spinner will deliver opening remarks, followed by a keynote address from Indiana Department of Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP. Weaver will speak on the importance of improving the health of Hoosiers through a focus on prevention, data-informed programming and access to care in all corners of the state.

On May 14, IU University Relations Vice President Michael Huber will deliver opening remarks. Keynote speaker Bradley Wilson, Ph.D., will share insights from his leadership at the West Virginia University Center for Resilient Communities, which advances community-engaged research and education programs that generate knowledge and empower individuals, with the goal of building more just, equitable and vibrant communities.“The IU Rural Conference is one of Indiana’s premier events focused speciﬁcally on rural vitality in health, resilience and quality of place,” said Spinner. “The conference presents a unique opportunity for rural residents from across the state and beyond to connect with regional and state leaders and the IU community and expand the networks that positively impact Indiana.”

May 13 activities will include a breakout session on addressing rural Indiana’s mental health crisis and providing resources featuring Adam Tyler and Abby Heidenreich from Purdue Extension. Other sessions will include topics on place-based education, inclusivity for people and families living with disabilities and rural community approaches to addressing substance use disorder.

A reception celebrating six years of Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC), a community-engaged teaching program that connects students and their faculty with community-identified projects, will conclude the programming on May 13 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Current and former SHC partners and anyone interested in learning more about the initiative are invited to attend the reception.

A breakout session on May 14 will discuss current programs and funding available to assist rural communities, led by Craig McGowan and Terry Goodin from USDA Rural Development. There will also be breakout sessions with topics on food-as-medicine programs, removing barriers to education for rural students and artwork as a means to protect historical legacies.In reflection of the 2024 eclipse, a panel on May 14 will examine the celestial event through the lens of quality of place and reflect on the ways it served as a catalyst for meaningful community engagement throughout rural Indiana, moderated by Nicole Vasconi of the IU Center for Rural Engagement. Select sessions have been approved for continuing education units (CEUs) by the School of Social Work at Indiana University.

Doors open at 8 a.m. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. The conference is open to the public. Tickets are $80 for both days and $50 for a single day, which includes meals and materials. Registration includes all sessions and materials. Join us for both days or a single day. A limited number of scholarships are available for those who could not otherwise attend. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.The full conference schedule and registration is available at https://rural.indiana.edu.

Write a comment

HARRISON/WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ind.— Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations on U.S. 150 in Harrison and Washington Counties on or after Monday, May 13. Crews will be active between State Road 66 and State Road 135 near Fredericksburg and Palmyra. Chip seal operations were previously scheduled to begin as soon as Wednesday, May 8. Motorists should expect lane closures and flagging while work is in progress.

Chip seal work typically lasts three to four days per location depending upon weather. During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.

Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.

INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Map

Write a comment

By Abigail Shields, Website Editor

The 2024 Washington County Primary election results are in. There was a 21% voter turnout, which Stephanie Rockey said was a lower turnout than in years past.

The Republican ballot had significantly more candidates listed than the Democrats.

REPUBLICAN PARTY

OFFICE TOTAL VOTES

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Donald J. Trump 2,992
Nikki R. Haley 436

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Jim Banks 2,615

GOVERNOR
Mike Braun                                    1,843
Brad Chambers                               539
Suzanne Crouch                              558
Eric Doden                                       313
Curtis Hill 69
Jamie Reitenour                               111

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 9
Hugh Doty 602
Erin Houchin 2,818

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 65
Chris D. May 363

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 69
Jim Lucas 1,288
Brian Savilla 430

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 70
John D. Colburn 383
Karen Engleman 682

CLERK of the CIRCUIT COURT
Stephanie K. Rockey 2,778

COUNTY TREASURER
Nancy J. Coats 2,102
Mary Durbin 1,063

COUNTY CORONER
Shawnda Keltner 2,742

COUNTY SURVEYOR
Emily Rodman 2,711

COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
Phil Marshall 2,007
Troy (Ozzy) Spears Jr. 1,199

COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3
Tony Cardwell Jr. 1,836
Rick D. Roberts 1,455

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS AT-LARGE
Mark E. (Bubba) Abbott                1,592
Todd Armstrong                            2,176
Rondale Brishaber                        1,445
Andrew Davisson                          1,248
Bradley Gilbert    1,613

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN DISTRICT SALEM 3
Diana Armstrong Apple 121
Carlos Bravo 76

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN DISTRICT SALEM 4
Anna M. Bowling 101
Jason Cockerill 86

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN DISTRICT WASHINGTON 1
Erin Houchin 123
Tara Coats Hunt 79

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMEN DISTRICT PIERCE
Gerald Fleming Sr. 180
Brenna LaDuke 81

STATE CONVENTION DELEGATES
Nathan W. Bills                              1,446
Jason Cockerill                              1,516
Molly A. Guetig                              1,135
Erin Houchin                                  2,435
Christopher Allen Hunt                  1,068
Tara Coats Hunt                             1,655
Brenna LaDuke                                 788
Jimmy (JD) Rockey                        1,080
Stephanie K. Rockey                     1,452
Jeanne Slone 827
Keeley R. Stingel                           1,335
Angela (Angie) Wilson                    1,451

DEMOCRAT PARTY
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Joseph R. Biden Jr. 443

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Marc Carmichael 167
Valerie McCray 284

GOVERNOR
Jennifer G. McCormick 459

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 9
D. Liam Dorris 153
Timothy (Tim) Peck 298

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 69
Trish Whitcomb 254

Write a comment

A City-Wide Clean-Up has been organized in Salem on Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Event organizers include Salem City Councilmen Roger Pennington, Dylan Moore and Randy Lee, Salem Park & Rec Director Tom Fultz and Carlos Bravo of El Camino's Restaurant.

Those wishing to participate should meet at the Salem City Hall parking lot at 8:30 a.m., where everyone will enjoy a light breakfast before starting their tasks. At 9 a.m., groups will be assigned to specific projects that will help improve community spaces. After working in the morning, those attending will meet at El Camino's Restarant for a complimentary taco lunch.

Trash bags and other items will be provided. Those wanting to use gloves and tools to pick up trash without bending over are encouraged to bring these items from home.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to our community and make Salem even more beautiful.

Write a comment

Election Day for the 2024 Primary Election is Tuesday, May 7. Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Remember to take your photo ID to the polling location.

Following are the polling locations in Washington County:

Salem I, II, III & IV--Salem Armory, 1100 N. Shelby St., Salem

Washington I, III &IV--Washington County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 118 N. Fair St., Salem

Brown/Vernon Townships--Community Building, 125 S. Sycamore St., Campbellsburg

Franklin Township--Franklin Twp. Firehouse, 7047 E. State Road 160, Salem

Gibson Township--Gibson Twp. Firehouse, 571 N. State Road 39, Little York

Howard Township--Howard Twp. Firehouse, 5279 S. Beck's Mill Road, Salem

Jackson Township--Jackson Twp. Firehouse, 4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Road, Pekin

Jefferson/Monroe Townships--Monroe Twp. Firehouse, 8382 N. Lick Skillet Road, Vallonia

Madison Township--Livonia Firehouse--383 E. Main St., Campbellsburg

Pierce/Polk Townships--Pekin Park Community Building, 340 S. Park St., Pekin

Posey Township--Fellowship Baptist Mission Center, 9271 W. US Highway 150, Hardinsburg