Write a comment

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

On August 09, 2024, at approximately 7:54 a.m., deputies along with emergency services personnel responded to a three vehicle crash, on Eastern School Road, in front of the East Washington School Corporation.

Investigators at the scene determined that Garrett Drury, age 17 of Borden, Indiana was traveling north on Eastern School Road, in a 1996 Ford F-150, when he drove into the back of a stopped vehicle on Eastern School Road.

Drury’s vehicle collided with a 2016 Ford Escape, which was being operated by Rosemary Russell, age 80, of Pekin, Indiana. Russell’s vehicle was pushed into the back of a 2004 Ford Explore, which was also stopped on Eastern School Road and being operated by Sheri Coy, age 37, of Clarksville, Indiana.

Drury stated he was traveling northbound on Eastern School Road, when a passenger in his vehicle told him to look at something on the edge of the roadway. Drury said he quickly looked away and when he looked back at the roadway, the vehicle in front of him had abruptly stopped and he was not able to slow down fast enough to avoid a collision with Russell's vehicle.

Russell was the only person injured in the accident and she was transported to Baptist Floyd Hospital by the Washington County Ambulance Service for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is being investigated by Deputy Paul Reyling, who was assisted by New Pekin Town Marshal Jeff Thomas and the East Washington School Resource Officers Gary Pennington and Dan Knable.

Write a comment

Everyone is invited to attend a free viewing of Disney and Pixar's film "Elemental" on Friday, August 16, at 8 p.m. at Field 4 of the Salem Community Park. The park is located at 1104 E. Hackberry St., Salem. 

The event will include free admission, free popcorn, a bounce
house, concessions provided by Salem Parks and Recreation, and much more.

The film is set in Element City, where residents who are elements of nature, Fire, Water, Land and Air,  live together.

This Substance Free Alternative Event is sponsored by the Washington County Family YMCA and Salem Parks and Recreation Department.

Write a comment

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O'Mara Contractors is scheduled to close State Road 250 approximately one mile east of State Road 11 on or after Monday, August 12, to complete a small structure replacement project in Jackson County.

The closure will take place just east of Dudleytown between S.R. 11 and South County Road 825 East and is expected to be complete by mid-September, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R 11 to U.S. 50 to I-65.

This project is part of a contract awarded to Dave O'Mara in January 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Write a comment

Officials plan to dedicate a bridge in Salem to the county’s veterans. The joint effort between Salem and county officials was discussed during the Tuesday, Aug. 6, meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

The bridge, located along South Main Street near KFC, is currently unnamed. Andrew Bush, the county’s Veteran’s service officer, suggested it be named the “Washington County Veterans Memorial Bridge.”

Officials plan to hold a ceremony on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. Although the dedication will take place near the bridge, the ceremony will be held in conjunction with the usual observance held at the downtown courthouse.

Commission President Phillip Marshall asked Salem Mayor Justin Green if he would have the city’s fire department wash the bridge so the curbs can be painted prior to the ceremony.
Bush also told commissioners that some veterans’ grave markers have been damaged by mowing equipment. The county provides a one-time payment of $100 for the markers. Bush asked if that could be changed to allow for the replacement of the damaged markers.

Commissioner Todd Ewen suggested that Bush raise the matter during the County Council’s budget hearings, which will be held later this month. Ewen said Bush could add a line item to his budget that could be used to replace damaged markers.