Law & Government

The next critical phase of the South Main Street Rehabilitation project, spanning from the Blue River bridge to Becks Mill Road, is scheduled to start in August.

The Washington County Council and Commissioners met in a joint session earlier this week and covered topics like Purdue Extension program updates, a formal acceptance of a $1.2 million READI 2.0 grant for the new 4-H building at the fairgrounds and a decision to narrow the scope of the independent audit of the Highway Garage project.

At 2:37 pm on August 6, Salem emergency responders received a dispatch call directing them to the area of 401 N Water Street, near Growby’s. The call stated there was a two-vehicle accident with possible injuries. While responding to the scene, officials had both lanes of W Hackberry Street closed.

The Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post is investigating an alleged battery and shooting that occurred late Sunday night and ended early Monday morning following a multi-county pursuit.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced alternating lane closures for State Road 135 in Washington and Jackson Counties. Beginning on or around Monday, August 3, crews will begin alternating lane closures on State Road 135 near the county line between Salem and Brownstown. The lane closures will occur over the Muscatatuck River.

Before discussing health insurance and interlocal agreements, this week’s Commissioners Meeting began with a quick swap of agenda items, approval of the agenda, claims and payroll, and a public comment made by Max Greene.

The Washington County Council continued discussions this week regarding selecting independent legal counsel for the ongoing plans to audit the Highway Garage BOT project.

Officials say the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake, causing her to drive through a street sign and several headstones. Officer Michael Thacker informed us that children were involved, but that their injuries were minor (bumps and bruises).

The July 7 Commissioners Meeting saw topics such as Community Crossings grant eligibility and health insurance renewal. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda as well as an amendment to add Deni Stempowski to the agenda to speak about emergency mitigation.

Here are all candidates set to appear on the ballot in the Washington County General Election this fall.

Today, we sat down with 911 Dispatch Director Kelly Sargent to discuss what you should and should not call 911 for during this Fourth of July weekend.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division posted Thursday that two individuals, a 17 year-old and an 18 year-old, are facing charges in Washington County for shooting two whitetail bucks (male deer) from the roadway.

The Washington County Council held a joint meeting with the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, June 24, at noon, to discuss the ongoing BOT (build-operate-transfer) highway garage project that has been a significant source of controversy in the last few months.

A 20-year-old Salem man is now facing murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the June 13 shooting and vehicle crash that left 17-year-old Hunter Rowley dead, according to an updated release from Indiana State Police.

The June 16 commissioners meeting saw more discussion regarding the BOT audit committee, 19.5 acre property transfer to Temple & Temple, and READI grants.

Indiana State Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the ongoing investigation into the June 13 shooting and vehicle crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Hunter Rowley of Pekin. According to an update released by the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post, detectives continue to process evidence and conduct interviews as the investigation moves forward.

Indiana State Police detectives from the Sellersburg Post are investigating an apparent shooting and vehicle crash that resulted in one fatality Saturday evening in rural Washington County.

Local emergency services have responded to two motorcycle accidents in the last two days. According to a statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Department, the first motorcycle accident occurred at approximately 4:06 pm on June 2, 2026, at the intersection of State Road 60 West and Orchard Road.

The June 2 commissioners meeting saw topics such as bid approval for the Fairgrounds Sewage Project, as well as a threatened lawsuit against the commissioners.

The June 1 Washington County Council meeting saw the council agreeing to utilize $37,500 of county money to investigate the Highway Garage Project BOT. This follows an audit released by the Indiana State Board of Accounts that revealed that members of the Board of Commissioners have not been compliant with state law.