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TYPE OF OCCURRENCE: Motor Vehicle Collision with injuries

DATE OF OCCURRENCE: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCES: U.S. Highway 150 @ Joseph Street, Hardinsburg.

INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Lt. Lucas Gray

ASSISTING OFFICERS: Deputies Maxwell Mitchell, Devin Hopkins, and Joshua Blankenbaker.

DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED: Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington County Ambulance Service, and the Posey Township Fire Department.

DETAILS: On Wednesday morning, October 9th, at approximately 5:31 A.M., deputies of the Washington County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to U.S. 150 in Hardinsburg, near the intersection of Joseph Street, in reference to a two-vehicle collision with injury. The Washington County Ambulance Service, and the Posey Township Fire Department also responded.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies observed the vehicles involved to be a 2002 Saturn SL1 and a 2013 Dodge Ram. Both vehicles had sustained front driver's side damage.

Driver statement and evidence at the scene indicated the Saturn, driven by Wayne Johnson, age 36, of Livonia, was east bound on 150. The Dodge Ram, driven by Christopher Oneal, age 47, of Greenville, was west bound on 150, when it crossed left of center, and struck the oncoming Saturn.

Johnson was transported to Harrison County Hospital for injuries which were not believed to be life threatening. Oneal was not injured. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

U.S. Highway 150 was closed for approximately one hour.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The weather could not have been more perfect for the Settlers Day Festival this past weekend. It was held on October 5 and 6 at the John Hay Pioneer Village, and all was open and free including the Stevens Museum, John Hay home, and train depot. The pioneer village was open for folks to go at their own pace to visit each cabin and attraction. Among the cabins was the school house, general store, wood shop and blacksmith shop. Various vendors and local businesses lined around the museum, offering items such as cotton candy and other delightful food treats. In addition, the Stevens Museum had donated items for sale for visitors to pay what they thought was fair. This venue was manned by Kaylee Seabolt, the Office Manager and Librarian for the museum.

Touring the John Hay House immediately takes you back to its early 19th century roots. Museum guides reminded visitors of major events such as the 1833 and 1851 Cholera scourges. Many lives were lost and several people left the area. Another such story told was of Morgan’s Raiders, and how a wooden dresser still holds the bullet from General John Hunt Morgan’s raid of June 1863. A turn of the century quote from the Salem Democrat dated May of 1900 is also on display. It described Salem as, “a wide open town.”

“Salem is what may be termed ‘a wide open town.’ There isn’t the least trouble in securing liquor at illegal hours and illegal ways. If anybody says there is, they lie. The laws are not enforced in Salem, and illegal drinking, carousing, gambling and general wickedness are on the increase.” - Salem Democrat.

The back porch of the John Hay house was the happening spot to hear music. One such group was the Corydon Dulcimer Society playing many vintage songs. The dulcimer is a string, hourglass shaped instrument originating in the early 1800s from the Appalachian Mountains, and they are still sold and made in the United States today. Following the Dulcimer Society, a group of local musicians consisting of Clark Johnson, Jude Kritzer, Finn Kritzer with singer Sarah Scott gathered on the back porch and played with more conventional instruments. To finish up the weekend, the Salem Guitar Club took the back porch on Sunday and provided great listening entertainment as the festival began to come to a close.

Luckily, these fantastic events and demonstrations were accompanied by equally fantastic food options. The Canton Christian Ladies provided nice sit-down meals at a reasonable price in the train depot for $9.00. This included a choice of ham and beans, cornbread, pulled pork BBQ, chili, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and an assortment of desserts. À la carte items were also available.

Old Settlers Days ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with the only exception being the church service that was held on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Needless to say, Old Settlers Days was a wonderful success. So, be sure to come out next year to see what it has to offer!

Photos by Jerry Curry.

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Saturday, October 26, will be filled with exciting Halloween activities for everyone!

Pumpkin Walk

Halloween festivities in Salem surrounding the Stevens Memorial Museum will begin with the 2024 Pumpkin Walk, sponsored by the Washington County Tourism Commission.

Pumpkins for decorating can be picked up at the YMCA parking lot at 1709 N. Shelby St. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, after 3 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. Decorate the pumpkin and enter it in the drawing on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Stevens Museum.

Place your name, mailing address and a phone number on a piece of paper for a drawing on the pumpkin. Also include which category such as Preschool, K-2, 3-5, middle school, high school or adult.

The drawing will be Saturday at 3 p.m. The decorated pumpkins will be displayed around the Stevens Museum Village from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Put your name on the bottom of the pumpkin if you wish to pick it up after 9 p.m.

Boo Bash

Next at the Steven’s Museum on Saturday, will be the highly anticipated Boo Bash, which will take place 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

The title sponsor is WSLM, and the event will be organized by Rebecca White.

Come in costume for trick or treating from those set up on the museum grounds. The Boo Bash should wrap up before the start of the parade.

If you have questions call White at 812-620-7271.

Halloween Parade

Please join in the fun for the 9th Annual Halloween Parade, presented and organized by Titan Tint & Graphics, in partnership with Angie Wilson, "Queen of Taxes.”

This is the ninth year since the Halloween parade was started, and it just keeps growing and doing better every year. The organizers truly appreciate all who enter the parade, as well as everyone who comes to watch and make all this possible.

No need for registration. Just come out the day of the parade, Saturday, Oct. 26, and get set up to be in it. The parade is free to enter, but donations will be accepted, as well as sponsorships for the banner that leads the parade. All proceeds go to the local Christmas Assistance Program to help children in our community have a great Christmas.

Anyone can enter and be anything they want to be, as long as the choice is “family friendly.” Participants can walk the parade, ride in it, drive in it, bike, skate, go kart, ride horses, you name it—the crazier the better for everyone.

Parade participants will meeting at Titan Tint & Graphics, located at 805 S. Main Street, Salem, located in the Ruler shopping complex behind AutoZone.

The parade start time is 6:30 p.m. To enter the parade, participants will need to be in line by 5:30 p.m.. They don't have to be ready or decorated by then, but still need to be in line by that time.

Trophy judging is at 6 p.m. First-place trophies will be awarded in the following categories: Business, Performing, Bikes/UTV, Horses, Civic, Walking, Tractors, Best Decorated Float, Best Dressed in Parade, Best Overall Float, and our fan favorite "best dressed spectator.” This trophy will be handed out during the parade to a lucky spectator.

For more information on the parade please call Titan at 812-570-0207.

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The Washington County Democratic Party will be hosting a chili supper meet-and-greet on October 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Here voters will have the opportunity to meet with the local Democratic candidates and discuss issues that are close to the hearts of community members.

This pay what you want event will take place at Southern Hills Church Fellowship Hall located at 1645 IN-135, Salem.

Come out to show your support and ask the questions that matter to you!

Click Here to RSVP.

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Get ready to jump back to the year 1811 as you come to join Fort Vallonia in celebrating the 55th Annual Fort Vallonia Days. With 2 and a half days packed full of activities and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Kicking off the weekend will be a pumpkin decorating contest on Friday from 4-6 p.m. followed by live music performed by the band “u4ia” at 7 p.m. Winners of the pumpkin decorating contest will be announced on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday has much in store for visitors: trail rides, muzzleloader shooting, cloggers, tomahawk and knife throws, dancing, a parade, karaoke and more live music provided once again by “u4ia” and Dane Darlage.

Sunday kicks things off with a 10 a.m. church service at the Vallonia Gym followed by Stars & Spurs Country Western Dancers, cornhole tournament, horseshoe pitch, 5K Run/Walk, Brownstown Central High School Show Choir, and more. A full list of events and activities can be found bellow:

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For general, craft, and flea market information, contact Karlei Metcalf at (812) 528-1250 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For information regarding food vendors, contact Tayler Garland at (812) 528-5878.

For information regarding the parade, contact Derik Nierman (812) 216-1196 or Jessica Nierman at (812) 521-5377.

For information regarding the trail ride, contact Laken Reynolds at (812) 216-1985.