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Halloween will be here before you know it!

The Washington County Family YMCA in Salem is planning a trail with booths that hand out candy.

Approximately 600 kids are expected to attend the event on Saturday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m., at the YMCA, 1709 North Shelby Street, Salem.

The Y needs a little help with this event and is seeking individuals, businesses and organizations to take part in the walking trail. 

If you would like to set up a booth along the trail, contact Gavan Doane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday, October 2.

• Volunteering
• Special Events
• Paoli

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On Saturday, September 14th, approximately 100 Syrian Christian Church adults and young people gathered together to help improve the Paoli community for a Day of Service. Led by Discipleship Minister Michael Pallotto, members worked diligently to paint, clean, and organize. 

Some specific projects included painting and cleaning at the Paoli Family Life Center and at Gateway Ministries, and cleaning and beautification at the local homeless shelter, Addie’s House. In addition, Syrian Christian Church members also worked to clean gutters and do yard work for elderly persons in the community.

With everyone divided into teams, the projects began at 8 a.m. and finished at approximately 1 p.m., followed by a cookout for all of the workers.

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Message from CAST:

Creating Avenues For Student Transformation (CAST) in Washington County is offering two wonderful events to raise funds. CAST provides tutoring and mentoring to county students. All proceeds will benefit CAST and Southern Indiana Dyslexia Resource Center.

"The Most Magical Raffle on Earth"


Tickets are on sale now for “The Most Magical Raffle On Earth.”

The grand prize includes $2,000 in Disney gift cards.

The Local Gift Card bundle features gift cards donated by local businesses.  They include Raquel’s Restaurant, Born, El Maguey, Nice’s Family Diner, Totally Baked, Lisa’s Farmhouse Market, Poppy Lane Bakery, Tees & Tumblers and more.

A bundle of four Big Splash tickets is also up for grabs.

Tickets are $20 apiece or three tickets for $50.  Those wanting tickets may stop by the CAST any weekday in September between 9 a.m. and 12 noon or by appointment. The CAST office is located at 1707 N. Shelby Street, Suite 107, Salem.

Tickets can also be purchased from Kim Scifres, Allison Ezzell, Lorie Campbell, Ashley Hubbard, Cassie Summers-Corp, Micah Gilliam or Steve Corp.  Cash, checks, credit cards or Venmo will be accepted.

The drawing for the raffle winners will occur at the CAST office at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30.

Please call 812-620-7907 or email castwashco.org for more information.

"A Night At The Salem Speedway"

CAST is hosting “A Night At The Salem Speedway” on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. that will feature dinner and racing at the historic track. The speedway is located at 2729 W. State Road 56, Salem.

Sponsors are needed, and all proceeds will benefit CAST, a 501c3 non-profit organization.

According to Cassie Corp, CAST director, sponsors’  “tax-deductible contributions for this event will help students in Washington County and beyond!”

“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability related to reading. Studies show up to 20% of the population in the United States is affected at some level with dyslexia. Children who are unable to read by the third grade are more likely to drop out of school.”

“Help our students achieve their full potential by supporting this effort,” she added.

Sponsorship levels include the following: Banner Sponsors—$2,500:  Media recognition, event admission, a table for eight, banner recognition. Winner’s Circle—$1,000:  Media recognition, event admission, table for eight. Fast Track—$500:  Media recognition, event admission, table for four. Rev Your Engine—$250:  Media recognition, event admission, table for two. Individual Tickets—$50:  Reserved seats for the night’s race, a VIP armband with access to the High Banks Club, and a fully catered dinner (Kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket).

Please email Cassie Corp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 812-620-7907 to become a sponsor or to RSVP for tickets to the event.

• Law & Justice

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National Forensic Science Week brings recognition to the role that proper forensic science plays in the investigation of crimes throughout the nation, from exonerating the innocent to identifying the guilty. Running throughout the week of September 15-21, National Forensic Science Week strives to honor the linchpins of a better world where science meets justice and threads of truth are woven.
For more information about National Forensic Week, visit: http://www.forensicscienceweek.org/
For information about the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and the services they provide, visit: http://www.in.gov/isp/labs/

Below are some interesting stats from the past year (2023):

• There were 24,399 new cases submitted for analysis at the four Indiana State Police laboratories
• Crime Scene Investigators responded to 1,020 different crime scenes throughout the state
• Polygraph Examiners conducted 761 polygraph tests
• Digital Forensic Unit completed 633 cases
• In 2023, there were 698 cases in Indiana linked to a potential suspect by a CODIS DNA match

There are four Indiana State Police laboratory facilities statewide and for additional information, please contact the Public Information Officer (PIO) listed adjacent to the named laboratory location:

• Lowell Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Glen Fifield at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Fort Wayne Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Brian Walker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Evansville Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Todd Ringle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Indianapolis Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. John Perrine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Captain Ron Galaviz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.