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Tractor Supply Company is hosting a pet treat tasting event here in Salem. Planned for Sept. 7, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. This event will give pets the chance to sample a variety of pet treats available at Tractor Supply Company.

"At Tractor Supply, we believe in giving your pets a choice," said Jarrod Hoover, manager of the Salem Tractor Supply store. "From our exclusive 4health® brand to a multitude of other high-quality products, we carry a wide variety of pet food and treat options to ensure your four-legged friends stay nourished and satisfied all year long. We hope you will join us on September 7th to let your pet find its treat of choice."

This event is open to the public and will take place at 601 S. Main St. Suite 112. For more information, please contact the Salem Tractor Supply at (812) 883-3343.

The rural lifestyle retailer, which is a one-stop shop for all things pet, including a wide variety of food, treats, toys, crates, carriers, training tools and health supplements, will help alleviate needs and support important program initiatives.

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Applications for funding from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Community Recycling Grant Program are due on Friday,Sept. 6, 2024.

Counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana, are eligible to submit a Community Recycling Grant application requesting $1,000 to $100,000 in funding for recycling and household hazardous waste collection and disposal.

The Community Recycling Grant Program is funded through IDEM’s Solid Waste Management Fund.  Eligible projects should focus on education and promotion of recycling, processing of recyclable materials, waste reduction, or HHW and organics management (including yard waste management and composting).

Grant funding is intended to create successful, cost-effective, and sustainable programs.  Applicants must demonstrate a direct or indirect increase in waste diversion as a result of the project.

To apply, visit IDEM’s website at idem.IN.gov/recycle/resources/indiana-community-recycling-grant-program. For additional information, contact 800-451-6027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Final funding determinations will be made in late-December 2024.

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A benefit ride for Paul Humprhey is going to be held on Saturday, September 28th in order to help with financial burdens of his cancer treatment. All wheels are welcome (side-by-sides, Jeeps, cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.)

Sign ups begin at 11 a.m. at the 4-H Fairgrounds located at 118 N Fair Street in Salem, and the departure is at 12 p.m.

A meal will follow the ride at approximately 5:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle along with other raffle prizes.

Entry is $15.00 per driver and $5.00 for each non-driver in the car (meal included). Non-rider meals cost $7.00.

For more information, call or text Randy Lee Jr. at (812) 620-7085 regarding the ride route, and Anna Hall at (812) 620-0469 regarding the silent auction and meal donations.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

There have been many sightings of The Batman on the streets in Salem. Did the Salem Police Department or Washington County Sheriff's Department send up the Bat Signal from the top of the police station to call Batman? It’s the light that projects a bat-shaped figure in the sky during a crisis— have you seen it? This is not Gotham City—it’s Salem, correct?

It was time to investigate, so SalemLeader.com put their top hound-dog reporter on the search. After a while, it was discovered it was not Bruce Wayne. Sleuthing skills revealed it was a young Salem man, Scotty Spears.

Spears has added some fun to our city and lots of excitement. He is seventeen years old and a junior at Salem High School.
When asked why he made his costumed appearances,  he replied, “At very young age I loved Batman.” Batman is a DC comic creation who lives in Gotham City.

Scotty first made costumes out of cardboard. Then he got a job and gained access to lots of material for his creations. He now works at the Goodwill.  

Look for him to show up for events or birthday parties, or just patrolling around the Salem area.

His costumes are outstanding!  In addition to Batman, he has done other characters like Superman, Wolverine, Spiderman, Deadpool, Ghost, Green Goblin and Michael Myers, just to name a few.

The costumes Spears creates look like something right off the sets of the latest superhero/horror movies.  They look incredibly detailed and professional. This man’s artistic skills are obviously “next level.”

Spears pays so much attention to detail that he can even cite the exact version of clothing from a particular movie.  For example, one Batman mask he created is a reproduction of the version that Michael Keeton wore in the 2023 movie “The Flash.”  His Green Goblin costume is a replica of the one featured in the 2021 movie, “Spiderman, No Way Home.”

At times Spears will customize an outfit he has purchased.  Many times he creates the entire costume from scratch.  Some of the high-tech methods he uses in his creations include the use of a 3D printer to create hard surfaces and EDA foam for sleeves.  

His proud father is David Spears. His dad said, “He is going to Prosser right now for Criminal Justice.”

“He keeps his grades up enough to keep his scholarships going. Scotty plans to go into law enforcement after school.” His dad and the staff at SalemLeader.com all share the same belief, “He’s gonna go places in life.”

His hobbies, of course, are watching Gotham TV and playing games.  

Now we know who to call if the city is in real danger and needs assistance. Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da— Batman!

Hard to believe this costume isn't directly off the set of a Batman movie!     Batman visits school to talk to kids.

Batman was also sighted patrolling Main Street in Salem.     When not in super-hero mode, Scotty Spears appears to be just another junior at Salem High School.

Batman with a different version of the mask.

Another version of the Batman costume.

Deadpool character.

This costume is of the character Ghost from the video game "Call Of Duty."

The Green Goblin character from the 2021 movie "Spiderman, No Way Home."

Superman--the Man of Steel.

Scotty Spears, unmasked.