Upcoming Events
Quote of the Day
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Content Cloud
Submit Your News
By Becky Killian
Staff Writer
The City of Salem’s dispatch department will merge into the county’s 911 effective June 1. The merger got a unanimous vote of support from the Washington County Board of Commissioners during the Tuesday, May 21, meeting.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Todd Ewen said, “I’m tickled to death this has finally come about.” He commended Mayor Justin Green and Sheriff Brent Miller for their negotiations that resulted in the merger.
The agreement is expected to save administrative and overhead costs for both the city and county. The city will provide two dispatchers’ salaries annually in an amount not to exceed $65,000.
The merger found unanimous support from the Salem Common Council during its Monday, May 13, meeting.
The change will not result in any loss of jobs, Green said. The city’s current dispatchers will have the option of transferring to the county.
Green said both the city and county departments struggle to find adequate staffing: it is hoped the merger will alleviate that problem.
“This proposal makes sense in a lot of ways,” Green said, adding that a combined city-county dispatch is not unique to Salem and Washington County.
The interlocal agreement that details the merger offers both parties the opportunity to opt out with a 90-day notification. The agreement has a term of five years.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is dispensing more than $8.8 million to Indiana cities, towns and counties in the next round of opioid settlement funds distributed under his leadership.
Attorney General Rokita and his team secured these settlements from companies that allegedly contributed to the state’s opioid epidemic through irresponsible and/or unlawful actions.
“Hoosiers have seen far too many of our loved ones suffer and even die from opioid addiction and overdose,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Misconduct by drug companies helped start this epidemic in the first place, and it has played a large role in perpetuating the crisis. We can’t bring back lost lives, but we can hold these companies accountable and enable communities to use settlement funds on prevention, treatment and enforcement programs.”
In total, Attorney General Rokita has reached settlements worth more than $925 million with companies involved in some aspects of making, selling, distributing or advertising opioids.
This round of distributions includes a one-time payment representing communities’ share of a settlement with Publicis Health to resolve investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s role in the prescription opioid crisis. Publicis helped Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers market and sell opioids.
In addition, this round of payments includes settlement funds from two distributors — AmerisourceBergen (now known as Cencora) and Cardinal Health. Additional distribution payments are expected in the fall of 2024 from AmerisourceBergen (now known as Cencora), Cardinal Health, McKesson, Teva, Janssen, CVS, and Allergan.
Besides the tragic personal toll on families, the opioid crisis has imposed significant costs on Indiana’s health care, child welfare, and criminal justice systems.
Local governments have discretion in choosing exactly how to use the opioid funds. Guidelines can be found on Attorney General Rokita’s website.
The settlement framework continues to be a 50-50 split between the state and local governments. A listing of the payments estimated for each community for the full 18 years can be found on the Office of Attorney General website.
Following months of campus protests sometimes featuring troubling anti-Jewish propaganda, Attorney General Todd Rokita warned college officials they are duty-bound to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by combating all forms of antisemitism on their campuses — or risk losing their federal funding.
"My team and I are deeply committed to ending antisemitism in all forms,” Attorney General Rokita wrote in a letter to college officials. “Some Indiana colleges and universities boast large populations of Jewish students. If these students face antisemitism on campus without corrective measures, they may bring an action under Title VI against your university by alleging a hostile environment or retaliation.”
Violent and disruptive protests have rocked campuses coast to coast following last year’s deadly attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. Although the 2023-24 academic year is wrapping up, the potential persists for continued campus protests — and continued antisemitic agitation.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on “race, color, and national origin” in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Indiana state-run higher educational institutions receive federal funding and are therefore subject to Title VI.
Attorney General Rokita also reminded college officials they must ensure that student groups do not materially support foreign terrorist organizations. House Enrolled Act 1179, which takes effect July 1, 2024, requires state educational institutions to adopt policies to prohibit providing funds or other resources to foreign terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terror.
Those who would incite violence or commit criminal acts may not hide behind the First Amendment to avoid culpability, Attorney General Rokita added.
“Protecting our Jewish students requires accountability on the university’s part. I strongly encourage them to enforce university codes of conduct and the law when necessary to put an end to antisemitism and the promotion of terrorism on your campuses,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That way we can ensure that all students, including our Jewish brothers and sisters, are safe and have an equal access to education.”
By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
Officials have taken the first step that could allow a section of Crown Hill Cemetery to be set aside for natural burials. The decision was made during the Monday, May 13, meeting of the Salem Common Council.
Brock and Carrie Chastain, of Weathers Funeral Home, requested the changes necessary to allow natural burials. Those changes include the elimination of the requirement for a vault.
Natural burials – commonly called “green” burials – provide simpler, less costly, and more environmentally friendly burials that avoid harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, which is a suspected human carcinogen.
The Chastains explained that natural burials became more popular during the pandemic as people embraced simplicity. They prefer to call such burials “natural” since it would allow the use of a backhoe to dig the grave.
Carrie Chastain is becoming certified in natural burials. She said the process eliminates traditional embalming, although some customers could opt for environmentally friendly embalming, which uses essential oils. Either biodegradable caskets or shrouds are used, as well as markers that are either flat or made of natural materials. Cemeteries that accommodate such burials aren’t mowed as frequently and can include wildflower plantings.
Most cemeteries, including Crown Hill, require vaults, which is contrary to the notion of biodegradable materials.
The Chastains explained that domes can be used instead of vaults, which allow the burial to naturally biodegrade and seep into the ground. A concrete burial box can also be used.
Brock Chastain said the portion of Crown Hill Cemetery near the ponds would be ideal for natural burials. He estimated the section could include 50 plots to start.
Mayor Justin Green noted that the cemetery has space to expand.
“I think it’s an interesting concept, Council,” Green said.
Council member Dylan Moore made a motion to have the city’s attorney prepare an ordinance that would accommodate natural burials. His motion was supported by a unanimous vote, with all Council members in attendance.
News
Emergency Responders & City Employees To Get Pay Raise
Featured News
19 Sep 2024
Officials Review Loan, Rate Increase In Numbers
Featured News
19 Sep 2024
ICJI: Proper Car Seat Use And Installation Can Make A Life-Saving Difference
Featured News
18 Sep 2024
Washington County Relay For Life Seeking Volunteers
Featured News
17 Sep 2024
INDOT To Host Winter Hiring Events
Featured News
17 Sep 2024
Education News
Salem High School Homecoming Ceremony Photos
17 Sep 2024
Eastern High School 2024-25 Football Homecoming Court
13 Sep 2024
INDOT Seeks Applicants for Engineering Scholarship Program
13 Sep 2024
Business News
Temple & Temple Celebrates 76 Years Of Business By Giving Back To Southern Indiana
18 Sep 2024
Midwest Hair Sheep Sale At Salem October 5
17 Sep 2024
Indiana’s Tax System: A Framework for Future Competitiveness
14 Sep 2024
Sports News
Salem Lions Football Loses 54-12 Against Brownstown
16 Sep 2024
Salem Lions Football Loses 54-7 Against Scottsburg
10 Sep 2024
Government News
17
Sep
Indy Used-Car Dealer's Alleged Rollback Of 14 Million Miles Springs AG Todd Rokita Into Action
17 Sep 2024
Punishing K-12 Students For ‘Misgendering’ Peers Is Unconstitutional & Undermines Parents
14 Sep 2024
County Holds Budget Hearing
05 Sep 2024
Lifestyle News
This Week In Indiana History September 15-21
14 Sep 2024
Indiana Leads The Nation In Lottery Wins! A Jackpot State Of Mind
13 Sep 2024
This Week In Indiana History September 8-14
12 Sep 2024
Latest Washington County Mugshots
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement agencies. Those listed, in most cases, are just facing charges at this point, and are to be considered innocent of those charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are often dropped or lessened. Mugshots are collected from local law enforcement agencies on Mondays and are public records.
SalemLeader.com
Leader Publishing Company of Salem, Inc.
P.O. Box 506
117-119 East Walnut Street
Salem, Indiana. 47167
Phone: 812-883-3281 | Fax: 812-883-4446
Business Hours:
Mondays through Fridays, 9:00am - 5:00pm
News:
news@salemleader.com
Office:
office@salemleader.com
Publisher:
publisher@salemleader.com
Business
- More Business News
- Go To Guide
- Business Directory
- Real Estate
- Auctions
Education
- More Education News
Opinion
- Editorials
- Letters to the Editor
- Columns
- Unsung Heroes
- Days Gone By
- In the Garden
- Guest Columns
- Reader's Poll
- Salem Leader Forum
- Questions and Answers
Church
- Bible Aerobics
- Church News
- Church Directory