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According to the Washington County Sheriff's Department, the county-wide burn ban issued on October 21 has now been lifted!

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Align Southern Indiana, in collaboration with the Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority, is proud to announce the completion of the Regional Trails Master Plan. The plan, which aims to create a comprehensive trail system connecting six counties – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington – was funded through the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), as well as grant initiatives coordinated by Align Southern Indiana.

The regional trail system will connect 22 communities within the six counties to popular destinations, including cultural and historical sites, local, regional and state parks, and neighboring regions. Objectives include an emphasis on regional connections, greater safety for guests, and ultimately, promoting more active, healthy living throughout the region.

“This plan represents a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life for Southern Indiana residents,” said Dr. Rita Shourds, President and CEO of Align Southern Indiana. “By connecting our communities, we’re fostering opportunities for outdoor recreation, economic development, and healthier lifestyles. I am proud of the work our team has done to bring this vision to life, and we look forward to seeing the trails take shape in the years ahead.”

The Regional Trails Master Plan is the result of a seven-month planning process designed to increase regional connectivity, safety, and awareness through a network of trails that link communities to key destinations, including cultural and historical sites, parks, and neighboring regions. The plan outlines future projects that can be implemented over time as funding becomes available, with an overall goal of promoting active, healthy living throughout the region.

The planning process included significant community engagement, with open houses held in each county, as well as an online survey that garnered over 870 responses. The input gathered from residents helped shape the plan’s recommendations, with key priorities and projects identified for each county. Align Southern Indiana’s Trails Team, along with representatives from each county, worked closely with consultants to ensure the plan reflects the unique needs and goals of the region.

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2024 GENERAL ELECTION

Washington County had a record-setting turnout of voters for this election: 65%. The total number of registered voters in the county is 19,573. This means that approximately 12,722 county residents voted in this election.

The results of the election are currently considered to be “unofficial.” The Election and Voter Services Office needs to verify write-in votes, provisional ballots and one military ballot that has yet to arrive.
There were 124 potential voters who tried to register online, but their registrations were completed after the deadline, and they were not eligible to vote.

Voters were lined up at voting locations well before the opening of of the polls at 6 a.m. There was a steady flow of approximately 100 voters per hour once the polls opened.

Voter turnout had increased significantly enough that Washington County Clerk of Courts Stephanie Rockey had to secure additional ballots, envelopes and “I Voted” stickers from other counties.

Members of the Election and Voter Services Office began work at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning. Because of the unexpectedly increased turnout, the workload on the staff was almost doubled. The final tally of votes for the county was finally delivered around 11 p.m.

It was reported that surrounding counties experienced similar high voter turnout.

“This election will definitely be a learning experience,” said Rockey. “It was very taxing, but rewarding at the same time.”

Following are the results of the Washington County General Election:

PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Donald J. Trump & JD Vance (Republican Party)     9,737     76.55%
Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz (Democratic Party) 2,763     21.72%
Chase Oliver and Mike Ter Matt (Libertarian Party)       89      0.70%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan               130      1.02%
(We the People Party)

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
Andre R. McNeil Sr.                               0
Carol Asher                                           0
Cherunda L. Fox                                   0
Claudia De La Cruz                               0
Cornel West and Melinda Abdullah    0
Doug Jenkins                                        0
Nala B. S. Johnson Jr.                          0
Paji Boring    0
Peter Sonski                                         1
Shondra Irving                                      0
Susan M. Buchner                                0
Tom Hoofing and Andy Prior                0
William C. Nalbach                               0

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Jim Banks (Republican Party)                                   9,217      74.32%
Valerie McCray (Democratic Party)                           2,782      22.43%
Andrew Horning (Libertarian Party)                             401         3.23%

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
Antonio X. Alvarez 0
Phillip “Phil” D. Beachy 1

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 9
Erin Houchin (Republican Party)                               9,563      76.34%
Timothy (Tim) Peck (Democratic Party)                    2,534      20.23%
Russel (Russ) Brooksbank                                          430         3.43%
(Libertarian Party)

GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith                              8,611      68.59%
(Republican Party)
Jennifer G. McCormick and Terry Goodin                3,263       25.99%
(Democratic Party)
Donald Rainwater and Tonya Hudson                           681    5.42%
(Libertarian Party)

WRITE-IN CANDIDATE
Christopher R. Stried 0

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Todd Rokita (Republican Party) 9,388 76.46%
Destiny Wells (Democratic Party) 2,890 23.54%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 65
Chris D. May (Republican Party) 1,226 100%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 69
Jim Lucas (Republican Party) 4,601 73.07%
Trish Whitcomb (Democratic Party) 1,696 26.93%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 70
Karen Engleman (Republican Party) 3,583 77.82%
Sarah Blessing (Democratic Party) 1,021 22.18%

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
Stephanie K. Rockey (Republican Party) 10,559 100%

COUNTY TREASURER
Nancy J. Coats (Republican Party) 10,341 100%

COUNTY CORONER
Shawnda Keltner (Republican Party) 10,365 100%

COUNTY SURVEYOR
Emily Rodman (Republican Party) 9,314 82.46%
Max J. Greene (Libertarian Party) 1,981 17.54%

COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
Phil Marshall (Republican Party) 9,377 77.25%
David H. Norton (Democratic Party) 2,762 22.75%

COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3
Tony Cardwell Jr. (Republican Party)                            8,435       68.68%
Ernie L. Tuttle (Democratic Party)                                 2,934       23.89%
Rhonda Ann Greene (Libertarian Party)                           913         7.43%

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE
(Three candidates elected)
Mark E. (Bubba) Abbott (Republican Party)                  5,955       38.64%
Todd Armstrong (Republican Party)                              5,489       35.62%
Bradley Gilbert (Republican Party)                                3,967       25.74%

TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE—Town of Pekin
(Two candidates elected)
Darlene Anderson Hall 250 59.52%
Anthony N. Mosby 170 40.48%

SALEM SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE
(Top four candidates elected)
Ty R. Sweeney                                                                3,063    21.41%
Rebecca Humphrey                                                        2,200      15.37%
Allison Jean Ezzell                                                          1,827       12.77%
Jason Cockerill                                                               1,765       12.33%

Brent Minton                                                                   1,627       11.37%
Michael Gettlefinger                                                        1,251         8.74%
Allison Marie Duff                                                            1,209 8.45%
Troy (Ozzy) Spears Jr                                                         901         6.30%
Toni Straight                                                                       466         3.26%

EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Town of Pekin
Jamie D. Mosby 2,543 100%

EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Polk Township
Aaron M. Lee 2,563 100%

WEST WASHINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Madison Township
Carrie J. Cambron 1,578 100%

WEST WASHINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Posey Township
Brian Farmer 1,651 100%

PUBLIC QUESTION #1
Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant?
Yes 4,681 47.92%
No 5,088 52.08%

JUDICIAL RETENTION QUESTIONS

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT—JUSTICE LORETTA H. RUSH
Shall Justice Loretta H. Rush be retained in office?
Yes 6,492 71.47%
No 2,592 28.58%

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT--JUSTICE MARK S. MASSA
Shall Justice Mark S. Massa be retained in office?
Yes 6,252 69.76%
No 2,710 30.24%

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT—JUSTICE DEREK READ MOLTER
Shall Justice Derek Read Molter be retained in office?
Yes 6,235 69.98%
No 2,675 30.02%

INDIANA COURT OF APPEALS—FIRST DISTRICT—JUDGE PETER R. FOLEY
Shall Judge Peter R. Foley be retained in office?
Yes 6,301 70.69%
No 2,612 29.31%

INDIANA COURT OF APPEALS—FOURTH DISTRICT—JUDGE RUDOLPH REGINALD PYLE III
Shall Judge Rudolph Reginald Pyle III be retained in office?
Yes 6,213 70.62%
No 2,585 29.38%

NUMBER OF STRAIGHT PARTY VOTES
Republican                                                                        4,594
Democrat                                                                          1,047
Libertarian                                                                              41
We The People                                                                     104

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Washington County property taxes are due Tuesday, Nov. 12, before 5 p.m.

The Washington Co Treasurer's Office will offer extended hours on Friday, Nov. 8, and Tuesday, Nov. 12--8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Except for these dates, the regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The treasurer's office will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans' Day.

Payments by cash will only be accepted at the treasurer's office.

Non-cash payments may be made at First Savings Bank, 1336 South Jackson St., Salem; at the treasurer's drop box on the sidewalk on the south side of the county courthouse; or by paying online at www.washingtoncounty.in.gov.

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A benefit ride will be held in memory of Bryce Gerlach on November 9. Bryce was a student at Corydon Central High School who was tragically shot and killed at a Harvest Homecoming festival on October 12 while shielding his friends. Two suspects have since been detained with one of the suspects having a "direct connection" to the case according to New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey. However, the names of the suspects have yet to be released.

Bryce's benefit ride will go from 12 p.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m., and it will begin and end at the American Legion located at 105 W Hugh Veteran Dr, Salem. Registration for the ride begins at 11 a.m. In addition to the benefit ride, there will also be a soup pitch-in and a 50/50 raffle to participate in, and attendees are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of gun violence.

The ride cost is $20 per driver, and an additional $5 per passenger. All proceeds go toward the Bryce Gerlach Memorial Scholarship fund.

Join the community in supporting the friends and family of Bryce, and help raise awareness of this senseless violence that has wounded the Corydon community and Southern Indiana as a whole.

For more information, text:

Randy Lee (812) 620-7085 – Side-by-Sides & Jeep information

Mike Burch (812) 620-0227 – Motorcycle information

Paige Newlon (770) 755-8226 – Donation information