• Public Safety

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Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Indiana Operation Lifesaver is joining Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) and State Operation Lifesaver Programs across the nation during the week of Sept. 23-29 to observe Rail Safety Week, urging the public to help #STOPTrackTragedies. Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) are simultaneously observing Rail Safety Week in Canada and Mexico, partnering in the U.S. mission to raise awareness, educate and save lives.  

In Indiana each year, approximately 100 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. 

Said Indiana Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Jessica Feder, “Indiana Rail Safety Week activities in Indiana will emphasize community education events along with social media activity sharing the lifesaving rail safety education message.” “We are kicking off the week today with a state Indiana Rail Safety Week proclamation. Through rail safety education during this week and every day, we are empowering Indiana residents to make safe choices around railroad tracks and trains and to help keep their communities safe.”

During Indiana Rail Safety Week, new social media graphics, videos and public service announcements (PSAs) will be released. Two new videos will be launched as part of the ongoing #STOPTrackTragedies campaign, featuring personal stories of people who have been directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents — including victims, friends and family members, locomotive engineers and first responders. The full campaign can be accessed at oli.org/stop-track-tragedies or stoptracktragedies.ca. 

In Indiana and across the U.S., the following themes and messaging will be emphasized: 

• Monday, Sept. 23 kicks off the week with the overarching theme of #STOPTrackTragedies and a focus on Media Outreach and Proclamations in states and localities. OLI will release two new #STOPTrackTragedies video public service announcements (PSAs).
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 focuses on the annual observance of Operation Clear Track in the U.S. and Canada emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. Law enforcement partners will conduct awareness exercises, Officer on the Train activities and other in-person positive enforcement events, as well as join first responders sharing rail safety education messages through social media, emails and website posts. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 highlights Crossing Safety, with outreach to the public including driver education students, drivers of all ages, shift workers, school bus drivers and farmers as well as outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of the Blue and White Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs at crossings. 
• The themes for Thursday, Sept. 26, Transit Safety Thursday and Professional Driver Safety, showcase how to stay safe as a rail commuter or transit rider, as well as safe choices around railroad dtracks and trains for professional drivers. Transit riders will be encouraged to take and share OLI's transit safety pledge. 
• Friday, Sept. 27 focuses on Volunteering with Operation Lifesaver, Inc. along with Wearing Red or "Red Out" for Rail Safety by encouraging partner safety organizations, schools, railroad employees and the public to wear red and share photos on social media.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 highlights Trespass Prevention, educating pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, college students, people experiencing homelessness and outdoor enthusiasts about the dangers posed by being on or near the tracks. 

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• Sunday, Sept. 29 promotes No Photo, Video or Selfie is Worth the Risk, to warn professional and amateur photographers as well as social media influencers against putting themselves or others in danger by illegally taking photos, videos, or filming near tracks and trains.

• Salem
• Special Events

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

This past Friday, September 20th, the newly upgraded Salem Square was full of economic enhancements and socializing. Eric Bush, C.E.O. of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, did a wonderful job organizing the event. With all side streets blocked off and most mercantile shops open, hundreds of people filled the square like an invasionary force.

In front of the brick-and-mortar stores there were rows of tents with different venues set up on the street. Around the courthouse were mostly food trucks and tables. Friday Night on the Square, labeled as one of the biggest nights in Salem, lived up to its name.

The circle in front of the stores were a variety of setups. Anything from banks, churches, hospitals, rehabilitation, addiction recovery, Boy Scout Troop 4029, politics, lawyers, to chiropractic professionals. Several tents had free water, and one church booth had free bean soup and cornbread. The Salem Fire Department was present selling burgers and chances on different prizes. The Salem Police were also on the scene as well as our star resident: The Batman, along with some of his scary friends. Even venues outside the square experienced the economic impact.  As one t-shirt stated, “This Is Our Hometown. One Community, One Family.”

• Elections
• State of Indiana
• Federal

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By Nathaniel Smith, Editor

On Thursday, September 19th, a group of community members and local candidates gathered at the office of the Clerk of Courts to witness the public testing of voting machines that will be used to determine the outcome of the 2024 elections. For decades, voting machines have made elections all across the world easier and more efficient. However, voter confidence has been dwindling at a rapid pace as of late, and some have been skeptical in regard to the election process as a whole. This is all the more reason to hold public testings and reinstate confidence into the community.

Led by Clerk of Courts Stephanie Rockey, this public test demonstrated how to properly use the machines, as well as how the machines react to various situations such as submitting a blank ballot or putting marks for too many candidates. Stephanie Rockey also described the straight-party ticket process, and how it does not necessarily mean the voter is locked into only voting straight Democrat or Republican.

“Say for instance you go to vote straight-party Libertarian, but you go back and vote for somebody in the Republican Party or the Democrat Party in another office. That trumps the straight-party ticket,” said Rockey. “So, any other offices that you didn’t pick will go Libertarian, and the two that you chose differently will override that portion of the straight-party ticket.” She also reminded attendees that straight-party voting does not cover non-partisan offices such as school board positions.

As per usual, voters have the option to write in their candidate of choice. However, not just any name can be written and counted as a legitimate vote.

“We see it all the time on election night,” said Rockey. “We get Mickey Mouse, celebrities, actors and actresses, and we have to inspect each one of those. I’ll then look at my certified list to see if the name is on it. If it isn’t on the list, the ballot will then be marked invalid.”

After being asked why the government instructs their office to test certain machines, Rockey simply said they have a list of their inventory and choose which machines to test at random.

“They have our inventory, and they do a random selection. We have a certain percentage of it that we have to use, and they email me a list prior to each election of the inventory percentage that we are required to test,” Rockey stated. “It’s usually 1%, but we normally do 2%. We even have to tell them exactly where our equipment is kept. We have to prove that it is safe and secure. That started back in July of 2018.”

Each voting machine tested during the public testing worked as expected without error and is ready for November 5th. So, make your way to the polls with confidence, because ensuring that our election process is fair, free, and as secure as possible is paramount.

Test #01

Test #02

• City of Salem
• Emergency Responders
• Budget

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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

City employees will receive an 8 percent raise in 2025 while emergency responders will each get a $7,000 raise.

Those are the most recent numbers approved by a majority vote during the Monday, September 9th, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

The raises don’t apply to elected positions.

Council members who voted in favor of the raises were Dan Libka, Dylan Moore, Steve Crane, and Randy Lee Jr. The opposing vote was cast by Roger Pennington.

The latest vote came on the heels of two special Common Council meetings during which the struggle of attracting and retaining quality public safety employees was discussed.

Many towns, cities and counties have difficulty offering competitive wages to public safety employees, which can lead those employees to take more lucrative jobs elsewhere.

After those special meetings, the Council approved a $5,000 raise for each police officer and firefighter and a 6 percent pay increase for all other city employees effective in 2025.

Before the Sept. 9 vote that increased the raise for emergency responders, a representative from Reedy Financial, the city’s financial consulting firm, explained that the 2025 budget revenue would be sufficient to cover the additional costs; however, “minor” revenue shortfalls could occur in 2026 and 2027.

The 2026 and 2027 budget forecasts include 3% raises for all city employees.

Moore asked Salem Police Chief Eric Mills if he would be willing to enact a hiring freeze during the two years of forecasted shortfalls if it is deemed necessary. Mills didn’t dismiss the possibility outright; however, he did say he would need to consider the impacts it might have.

Libka pointed out the dangers that emergency responders face.

“There’s always a chance that something bad is going to happen,” Libka said, adding that the city’s civilian employees needed to be considered, as well.

Pennington said the city’s starting salaries aren’t as low as they may seem when you consider paid holidays, retirement pensions, and clothing allowances.

Libka made the motion to increase the emergency responder pay raises to $7,000 and to give all civilian employees an 8% raise in 2025 provided the budget can accommodate those increases. His motion was then approved in the majority vote.

During the special meetings, officials also approved a $2,000 stipend for police and fire personnel and a $1,500 stipend for all other city employees for this year; however, the payment of those stipends is contingent upon whether Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh can find the funds in the current year’s budget to cover them.

As of Monday, September 16th, Hattabaugh had yet to find the funding for those stipends.