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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

On Wednesday, October 2, a moped traveling west on Market Street in Salem hit the driver’s side of a truck pulling out of an alley west of North Shelby Street. The driver received a minor cut on his arm.

According to those on the scene the moped ran a stop sign and hit the side of a Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz’s door was damage significantly.

It was reported the moped driver was launched into the air, landing on the street.

Responding to the scene were the Salem Police, Salem Fire Department and Washington County Ambulance Service.

Officer Thacker was the investigating officer. No report has been filed yet.

When Washington Co. Ambulance Service was asked if anybody was transported to a hospital, they declined to answer, stating HIPAA regulations.

Staff photos by Jerry Curry.

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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

When the new Salem Municipal Airport opened with a 3,000-foot runway in September 2019, it was expected the federal funding to construct the final 2,000 feet would be received in late 2022. That money from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still promised, but the runway completion has been delayed due to changes in how that agency funds projects, as well as the pandemic.

Board of Aviation President Jason Cockerill points to the uncompleted runway as the reason behind a crash that occurred Aug. 6 when a pilot from Pennsylvania was unable to stop the plane she was landing. The plane came to a stop in a soybean field.

“Had it [the runway] been longer, we probably wouldn’t have had that incident,” Cockerill said. “I hate that it happened. I’m glad nobody got hurt.” The pilot had been diverted to Salem from Bedford’s airport, which has a runway of about 4,500 feet.

The crash is currently being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. A final report is expected in about six months.

Salem’s runway was always planned to be 5,000 feet, which would accommodate small jets. However, during the pandemic, Cockerill said the FAA changed how it handled funding for projects. Rather than dispensing funding for a portion of a project, the goal became giving larger amounts of money so projects could be completed rather than done in stages. Since that change, other projects, mostly at larger airports, have been fully funded while smaller, already scheduled, funds trickle into Salem’s project.

“Most people do not realize that the FAA provides funding in stages and not completely upfront,” Cockerill said. “We can only do so much of the project each year based on the funding that is allocated. Additionally, most people do not realize that the funding from the FAA does not come from income or property tax revenue – the FAA aviation trust fund is funded from air-related travel taxes such as taxes on airline tickets or aviation fuel – so, in essence, aviation funds aviation projects which was also affected by COVID.”

Currently, the next round of funds from the FAA is expected in late 2026 and will be used to prepare the ground for the runway’s final 2,000 feet. That involves earth moving and grading; however, once the “grade and drain” is finished, the ground will have to be allowed to settle before runway construction begins – and that settling can take months due to the amount of soil that will be moved, the soil’s high clay content, and the water present in the area.

Cockerill and his fellow board members look forward to an October meeting with representatives from the FAA as well as the Indiana Department of Transportation. During that meeting, Cockerill said he intends to promote the economic impact the airport has on the community as well as the safety aspects of a longer runway. He also hopes to get an updated timeline for the project.

“The completion of the project opens the door for further economic growth, both in the jobs that are funded via work that's done on the project as well as the potential jobs that could come as a result of the finished project,” Cockerill said. “There is room near the airport for businesses to locate for those that just want based near an airport, such as the current flight school that's operating at the airport now.”

Airport officials have also asked the FAA for funding for another T-hangar, like the existing hangar located near the terminal building.

The airport has maintained a waiting list for hangar spots since the new facility opened. That list contained about 20 names as of July, Corey Harper, of H&R Aviation Consulting, said.

While waiting on the runway funding, airport officials have worked on other projects that aim to enhance and improve the airport, according to Harper. A parking lot has been installed and officials hope to lease ground to four individuals who want to construct hangars. That construction could begin this year. The individuals will lease ground from the airport and fund the construction of the hangars. Once the term of the lease has expired, ownership of the hangars will revert to the airport.

The airport also has a water and sewer extension that will be paid for with federal money the state is distributing through READI grants.

Despite the long wait for the completion of the 5,000-foot runway, Cockerill is grateful for what progress has been made.

“With the FAA contributing 90 percent of the funding for the project, then INDOT's contribution on top of that, it's hard to say that it hasn't been worth it for the community especially when you consider that the old runway was literally not safe.”

Salem Municipal Airport Board President Jason Cockerill believes the airport's uncompleted runway contributed to an Aug. 6 plane crash. No injuries resulted, according to Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller. Miller’s department, as well as Salem police, fire and EMS personnel, responded to the scene.
Photo by Sheriff Brent Miller

• Wellness

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By Rose Condra, CHOICES Executive Director

CHOICES Life Resource Center is a non-profit organization serving families across Southern Indiana, with locations in New Albany, Corydon, Salem, and Marengo. They were established in 2004 in New Albany.

In 2017, the Corydon office opened, and in 2019, the CARE Pregnancy Center in Salem merged with CHOICES and opened its current office at 1201 N Jim Day Road.

CHOICES offers compassionate, life-affirming care for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. CHOICES does NOT provide, fund, or refer for abortions. Additionally, parenting support is offered free for families with no residency requirements or income restrictions.

Nearly 900 individuals have received support this year.

Each center location offers pregnancy testing and life-affirming options counseling. Their nurses provide ultrasounds for pregnancy confirmation in each office except the Marengo satellite location.

Holly Ward, RN, said, “Every pregnant woman, no matter the circumstances that brought her to us, deserves to be supported during her pregnancy.”

Moms and dads are invited to join the StepUp Parenting Resource Program (SUPR). The free SUPR program includes group classes, individual parenting support, and life skills education for families, pregnancy through children under age four.

SUPR includes a Dr. Dad program made just for new fathers.

Clients in the free parenting program earn Boutique Bucks, which may be redeemed in the Blessing Boutique for diapers, formula, clothing, car seats, etc. So far, in 2024, over $250,000 worth of baby supplies have gone to help families in their four locations.

Allison Adams, Director of Development, said of their popular parenting program, “CHOICES, exists to partner with moms and dads in caring for their children. Parents are not offered a handout, but an avenue for education, encouragement, and help with baby supplies.”

To learn more about CHOICES's services, you may visit their website at ChoicesLRC.org.

• Communities
• Special Events

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By Monika Spaulding

After 34 years at the library, Donna Hurst is closing the book and retiring at the end of this month. The community is invited to join the library staff in recognizing her dedication to the community with a retirement party Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m. at Southern Hills Church located at 1645 S SR-135, Salem.

Hurst said the job began when she was volunteering with story time at the library and the director at the time, Susan Tengesdal, was short staffed and asked her if she’d consider working there. Hurst was good friends and neighbors with Tengesdal and decided to take her up on the offer.

“My two oldest kids had both started school, so I figured why not!” she said. “I started helping to cover some of the evening hours and it just went from there!”

When she started at the library, she would help wherever she was needed. 

“I worked at the adult desk, helped with interlibrary loans and processed books, and I helped in the children's department…just wherever I was needed. I did a lot of cross training!”

In 2002, she became the director of the children’s department. And when you ask her what she will miss the most about that job? Her answer is, “Most definitely the children and seeing my friends at the library. We have a great staff and they are the best. I will miss seeing them every day!”

Above everything, she said the kids are her favorite part of her job. 

“I love working with the children and seeing their bright and smiling faces, whether it's at the library or out in public,” she said. “I had so much fun working with my community partners doing programs…they were a fun group of ladies! But I have loved every moment of working with the kids!”

Hurst said in her 34 years, there have been a lot of changes. 

“The addition to the library is one big change!” she said. “So much more room and an actual program room! But, moving the entire library from one building to another was not fun at all!”

Other changes she has witnessed include computers and the automated systems. The staff no longer stamps check out cards and there is “no more looking through 100's of card catalog cards. It's all online now! Much, much easier to help patrons find things! We have made so many changes down through the years and hopefully the changes have made our community better.”

Hurst said the job has impacted her in so many ways, explaining that every day is something new and exciting. 

“I think when you work with the public, you learn to be more tolerant and understanding of people and their needs and situations,” she said. “I've learned to just roll with it, you never know what the day will hold!”

Library employee Judy Reasor said she has loved working with Hurst for the last 12 years. 

“I remember when I first started, my biggest goal was to be able to find books for patrons without having to look them up,” she said. “Donna could go right to any book they asked for and give them suggestions for exactly what they were wanting to read. She inspired the love of reading to so many.”

Reasor said she also enjoyed Hurst’s story times. 

“She’s an excellent storyteller and the kids always sit and listen so well.” 

Hurst also knows a lot about the history of the library. She would make the school tours interesting and taught the kids so much about the building and its history. 

“We are going to miss her so very much!” said Reasor. “Her position is going to be hard to fill!”

Hurst said that while she has read a lot of books, she hasn’t read all the books in the children’s department. She does, however, read a lot of reviews of books. 

“I wish I had the time to do that, but if you are running a department, you really can't sit and read every book!” she said.

Despite not reading all of them, she has many she likes, but she doesn’t know if she could pick a favorite. “It’s hard to pick just one. 

“There are so many I just love and there are new ones I find and have fun with all the time!” she said. “I am one of those who likes a fun or silly book to read aloud! I love Pete the Cat, any Mo Willems, David Shannon, Ted Arnold or Sarah Wilson. For the older kids, Richard Peck, Louis Sachar, John Green, J.K. Rowling or Sarah Weeks books.”

Hurst said she also loves to read interactive books to the kids, like Herve' Tullet books. 

“If it's a book for me, then Janet Evanovich, Kristin Hannah, John Grisham or our Book Club selection for the month!” she added.

When asked why she thinks people should visit their local library, Hurst said, “We have a wonderful library. It is not only a beautiful building but a great place to work and to spend time. The staff has worked hard to make it a place where everyone is welcome. We have strived to make fun and interesting programs the norm here for every age group.”

Hurst said they want people to use the library and stress that they don't need a library card to enjoy the library, the programs or even to use other services, only for checking out materials. 

“We are here for everyone just as Andrew Carnegie imagined all those decades ago when he gave us a grant to build a library,” she said.

Hurst said working at the library has been the most rewarding, fun, enjoyable job anyone could ever have. 

“I have made so many wonderful friends and had the joy of being involved in so many children's and young adults’ lives,” she said. “I hope that the memories these kids have of me and my time at the library are happy ones.  Because the ones they leave me with sure are the most happy and wonderful for me. I have loved every moment of working with and for the children and young adults of this community.”