Local Spotlight

With Indiana’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits set to lapse on November 1, the Washington County Food Bank is preparing for what could be a significant increase in local families needing food assistance.

A new community tradition may soon be taking shape in Salem. Titan Tint & Graphics will host its first “Saturday Night at Titan’s” on November 1 at 8 p.m., offering a free, drive-in style movie night featuring family Halloween classics Hocus Pocus  and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

El Camino’s Mexican Restaurant in Salem is taking an unexpected step in today’s economy: lowering menu prices. Owner Carlos Bravo announced the change Tuesday afternoon in a Facebook video, saying that starting Wednesday, October 22, prices on nearly every menu item will drop.

After weeks of hard work and preparation, Thunder Valley Raceway is set to roar back to life Saturday, October 25, with what organizers say could be either the final race at the historic venue or the start of a new era for local motorsports.

Efforts are underway to restore Little York’s historic 1918 Masonic lodge, a building that once housed Moody’s Grocery and later appeared in a music video by John “Cougar” Mellencamp.

The Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department has been recognized for its outstanding fundraising efforts, earning the Walton Memorial Trophy from the WHAS Crusade for Children. The award honors the fire department showing the greatest percentage increase in collections over the previous year’s total.

Our very own Salem Apothecary is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Friday, October 17, and Pharmacist Rebecca Marshall has much in store for the apothecary’s 40th birthday party.

The Washington County Theatre's middle–high school group will present Almost, Maine, a whimsical and heartfelt play by John Cariani with original music by Julian Fleisher, on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The John Hay Center is asking for community support to help restore its 1929 Monon Caboose, a historic piece of Salem’s railroad heritage.

The Washington County Theatre will once again bring local history to life during the 11th Annual Crown Hill Cemetery Walk, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26–27, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem.

October is nationally recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to honor and remember the lives of babies gone too soon while supporting families experiencing unimaginable grief. Locally, White Pumpkin Family, a group based in Southern Indiana, is continuing its mission of comfort and care by sponsoring two remembrance carts at Norton Clark Hospital in Jeffersonville.

A new faith-based recovery residence for women is opening its doors in Washington County, and the community is being invited to take part in a special event to help make it possible.

Recently, the Mosier Family Chiropractic office was packed with local residents eager to learn about Spinal Decompression. Dr. Chris Mosier recently acquired two decompression tables for the Mosier Chiropractic office here in Salem, so he decided to hold a workshop in his secondary office location.

For the past several months, Paige Monroe has been navigating life inside and outside of hospitals as her 1-year-old son, Westin, battles a severe heart condition.

For the last 25 years, Dwayne and Juanita Daugherty have made tremendous improvements to the business, but they have come to the conclusion that they have grown too old to keep running the bakery for much longer. So, they have decided to sell the business.

For several years, those passing near the intersection of E Old State Road 60 and High Street in Salem may have noticed a man preaching in the open air at the Center Peace concrete lot. Sometimes he spoke to a crowd, other times to only one or two. That man was Leonard “Sonny” Maxwell Jr., a street evangelist well known throughout Washington County.

Washington County Theatre (WCT) will present the popular musical “Annie” on August 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and on August 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Richard Trueblood Performing Arts Center (the Salem Midde School Auditorium). For decades, audiences of all ages have been inspired by the story of the brave, curly-headed orphan who stands up to evil and teaches others to dream about tomorrow. 

Holy exclusive scoop, Batman! The Washington County Times has tracked down the only insider who knows the full story behind Salem’s mysterious caped crusader.

The 2nd Annual Benefit Ride in Memory of Bryce Gerlach will take place Saturday, August 16, 2025, starting at the Salem Moose Lodge. The event will feature side-by-sides, Jeeps, and bikes, as well as live music, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, poker run, and a taco bar.

Armadillos, once associated exclusively with South America, Central America, and the southern United States, are now rapidly becoming part of Indiana’s wildlife. Recent reports suggest they may already be breeding in Washington County.