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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.

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By: Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller

At approximately 5:58 p.m., Washington County Deputies and emergency response personnel were dispatched to the area of 6126 E Hurst Road in reference to a motor vehicle accident with injuries.

Betty Rogers, age 60, of Pekin, was traveling west on Hurst Road in a 1999 Buick Century. Kiera Arvin, age 19, of Borden, Indiana, was traveling east on Hurst Road in a 2011 Ford Fusion when the vehicles collided head on. The drivers' statements and evidence at the scene indicated Rogers was left of center.

Rogers was transported to University of Louisville Hospital by AirMethods for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Arvin declined medical treatment on scene. All parties were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Also responding to the accident scene were Washington County Ambulance Service, Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department and Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department.

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Why Our Foster Parents Matter

You may have heard the heart-tugging interviews of celebrities who spent part of their childhood in foster care. You've undoubtedly seen the feel-good story of a foster parent who "made all the difference" for a child who grew up to be an icon, a change-maker. Maybe you've skimmed an article online about the national foster care crisis. Or maybe you recognized familiar foster care language in a politician's campaign, who vows to "keep our kids out of group houses" and find them homes. Foster care is not for the stories, interviews, and campaigns. It's not only happening in the lives of stars and influencers. We have so many youth experiencing foster care, especially teenagers, who need safe, temporary homes while they await reunification with their families. However, there needs to be more foster homes for all of them.

Older youth are NOT the ones getting placed in our available foster homes. Teens often end up placed in group homes and shelters because there are not enough foster homes available. These teens in foster care are friends of our children. They are our nieces, nephews, and youth of family friends. They are our neighbors.

Youth experiencing the foster care system need foster parents who will stand by them and walk through uncertainty to help them heal. They need positive adult role models.

THIS is why our foster parents matter. THIS is why adults - young, old, married, single, gay, straight - who commit themselves to teens by opening their homes and hearts are the ones instilling hope. THIS is why we celebrate foster parents.

According to Ashley Morgan, MHA, with National Youth Advocate Program in Scottsburg, "We are also sharing the need for more foster parents in our community. Specifically, there is a need for foster families who are able to keep siblings together. We know that when foster care is a necessity as a means of providing safe homes for youth until they can return home, and when siblings are separated, they often experience unnecessary trauma. We are committed to helping siblings stay together when foster care is needed.

"National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) provides 24/7 support to our foster families, comprehensive educational opportunities and a holistic approach to serving our foster families so they can better care for youth experiencing foster care. We also provide support to the families of origin of the youth in care."

May is National Foster Care Month. National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) appreciates foster parents everywhere. Just like our own children, teens experiencing foster care thrive when they're placed in loving, safe, empowering homes with foster parents who genuinely want them to succeed.

To learn more about becoming a NYAP foster parent, please visit www.nyap.org/fostercare or call us at 877-NYAP-CAN.

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CAST (Creating Avenues for Student Transformation) is offering three sites for summer learning labs for June and July. The goal of CAST is to increase potential in youth through tutoring and mentoring.

Classes will be offered at East Washington Elementary June 3-July 3 (, Bradie Shrum Elementary June 3-July and Campbellsburg Community Building June 10-July 12. There will be no programming at any location on June 19.

The labs will run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and are offered through the “Summer of Success in Washington County” program. Adults are asked to register children at a site where they are currently enrolled in school.

To participate in the learning labs, a student must:
Be entering 1st-5th grade
Be able to commit to all sessions
Provide own transportation
Be able to work in a small group
Want to learn, grow and have fun

Each day will include literacy, mathematics and additional Orton-Gillingham phonics lessons taught by reading specialists and certified teachers. Students are required to attend all 22 sessions of the Summer Learning Lab for best results. Excused absences in case of illness or injury are permitted.

The Southeast Summer Learning Labs are provided through the "Expanding What Works" grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The grant is an opportunity to increase access to high-quality academic and enrichment programming during Summer 2024 for Hoosier Students.

To register, please visit: https://www.castwashco.org/summerlearninglabs

CAST provides structured, multi-sensory, explicit tutoring based upon the science of reading. They have been able to provide this service free of charge for students for the last year due to a grant partnership. As that money goes away, CAST wants to make sure they are able to still serve the 140+ local students who need help. It costs CAST approximately $75 per hour for tutoring services.

The public may support the organization through donations. Monthly donations may be set up at Vemo@CASTWashCo>.

Cash or checks may be sent to:
CAST
1707 N. Shelby St., Suite 107
Salem, IN 47167

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Does your money run out before the end of the month?
Is it difficult to pay your bills on time?
Do you wish you had more money?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then the “Where Does The Money Go” program is for you!

Purdue Extension is offering a free, two-part class to give you the information to overcome money issues. The classes are Thursday, May 16, and Thursday, May 23, 6 p.m., at the Washington County Government Building Meeting Room, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem.

You will learn to:
Recognize where your money goes
Stop spending “leaks” to save money for what you really want
Develop a spending-savings plan

The classes are free, but registration is required. Register by contacting Sonya Mitchell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 812-883-4601.

Any groups, clubs, organizations, churches, etc. that would like to offer the program to their members are encouraged to contact Mitchell to make arrangements.