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The November 4 Commissioners Meeting was an eventful one to say the least. Although the meeting began as usual, it was not long before it devolved into heated debates between the commissioners.

Continuing with our “Election: 2026” series, this edition of our candidate interviews features Sheriff Candidate Wayne Blevins. Leading up to the primaries, we will continue to release candidate interviews in order to keep you well educated as you make your way to the ballot box.

On September 29th, 2024, Salem Police Officer Dylan England responded to an alarm activation at the Washington County Food Bank, adjacent Rustic Cuts Hair Salon. Officer England noticed pry marks on a side door upon arrival, suggesting an attempted forced entry. 

On October 30, Washington County emergency responders received a dispatch call at 3:58 pm regarding a single-vehicle wreck at the roundabout intersecting Jackson Street and the Salem Bypass. The dispatch call stated that the vehicle flipped off the road and came to a rest on its top.

On October 24, Washington County emergency responders received a dispatch call at 3:40 pm regarding a two-vehicle accident with minor injuries at the intersection of E Daisy Line Rd and Martinsburg Rd.

On October 20, Salem emergency responders were dispatched to a fatal house fire at 101 Raneer Drive located in the Fairview mobile home lot off of Old State Road 60. The dispatch call stated that an explosion seemed to be the cause of the fire.

Commissioners met on October 21 to discuss a new Subdivision Control Ordinance. Max Greene and Lucy Brenton took the stand to raise concerns over it.

After taking a short break after discussing the proposed Subdivision Control Ordinance, the Washington County Planning Commission reconvened on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, to continue its ongoing discussions regarding a future solar ordinance that could determine how and where large-scale solar energy projects are permitted in the county. The conversation focused heavily on environmental impacts, land use, supply chains, and financial safeguards.

Continuing with our “Election: 2026” series, this edition of our candidate interviews features Sheriff Candidate Detective Brad Naugle. Leading up to the primaries, we will continue to release candidate interviews in order to keep you well educated as you make your way to the ballot box.

On Tuesday, October 7, the Washington County Planning Commission met at the courthouse to vote on recommending a new subdivision control ordinance to the Board of Commissioners – a topic that has been the source of local controversy for the past several months.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, the Indiana State Police received a call from the Louisville Airport and FAA about a possible downed aircraft near the Orange County / Lawrence County line. According to police, the crash involved a Lancair fixed-wing, single engine aircraft. Troopers from the Jasper District, Bloomington District and multiple local first responders searched throughout the night in the heavily wooded area.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, officers with the Salem Police Department responded to a call at the south gate of the Salem Square regarding a vehicle that had struck a crosswalk concrete island.