Volume 1, Issue 22 - Free Edition, September 18, 2026

Meet The Candidates: Nate Harter

Noelle Maxwell

Nate Harter (R), is running unopposed for a fourth term as Decatur County Prosecutor. He was first elected in 2014. Prior to his first term as prosecutor, Harter worked as an attorney at Stephen Legal Group. He is a 2013 graduate of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a 2010 graduate of Butler University where he received a bachelor of arts in international studies. The Independent interviewed Harter by phone call.

Decatur Independent: Why did you run for prosecutor, initially?

Harter: “I had the opportunity to work in that office as an intern while I was in law school. And I found the work very enriching and the team that we had a very good team to work with. And so he came up for me to run for prosecutor in 2014 after careful consideration with my wife about what we wanted to do with our future and so on. We decided it was too good an opportunity not to try and run for it.”

Decatur Independent: What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishments as county prosecutor?

Harter: “We have really expanded the spectrum of what justice looks like in Decatur County. We have a very harsh incarceration rate. We're #2 in the state per capita for new admissions to the DOC over my 11 1/2 years so far. But it's not merely the harshness on that front. We have been part of or present for a robust renaissance in treatment options, recovery houses, the recovery community more broadly. Court services and probation are more robust in terms of case management and the development of the critical incident team or CIT to help with mental health issues. There is a much broader spectrum of ways to involve people who are otherwise might otherwise have come to the criminal justice system and just been in effect warehoused, I think we have a healthier system now with more options, but also accountability that will get people back on their feet, or if they refuse to do so or fail to do so, still can result in incarceration.”

Decatur Independent: What do you consider to be the top three to five issues facing Decatur County and how do you plan to address those when re-elected?

Harter: “There are a number of things that continue to plague our community. The first of those continues to be substance abuse and there are many causes for that. To the extent that we can help lower the demand for that, I think that that's a very healthy thing that we can address. You could break substance abuse into multiple categories and probably get to three or four of the most serious issues that address there that are addressing Decatur County over the next four years and they can all be substance abuse.”

Harter: “Having said that, in addition to substance abuse, I think that domestic violence continues to rank high on the list of social pathologies that we'd like to address and that we're going to continue to address with partners like New Directions in town. It is not the prosecutor’s role to address joblessness, inflation and so on but we understand that people who are living a life of desperation are more likely to commit crimes or to not know how else to cope with their lives or to turn to self-medication and so if there are ways we can partner with our friends in the executive and legislative branches at this state, local, or federal level, then that's something that we would like to do and be part of.”

Harter: “In addition, over the next four years, I anticipate that my office will be adding a victim advocate to our office who we expect will help shepherd victims of crime through the process helps them to understand the length of our criminal cases and how long these cases go on and help them cope with having this dark cloud hanging over their head for a long period of time, but also to understand how restitution works or what their role is in helping us address what plea deals should be offered or whether to go to trial and what the victims value in those cases. So I think that's another dramatic improvement that we'll see over the next four years. The other thing that I'm targeting is trying to see if we can make the administration of justice swifter and that benefits just about everybody involved from defense counsel, prosecution, the defendant themselves, the victims of crimes, the courts. We're going to try to put our foot on the gas pedal a little bit. If we can do that without sacrificing quality or what we believe in our best judgment is what justice looks like. If we can maintain that judgment and discretion and also speed up cases, that's going to be one of our goals over the next four years.”

Decatur Independent: Why should voters choose you?

Harter: “I am grateful that the people of Decatur County have returned me to this role. This would be my fourth term. It will be my fourth term because I don't have an opponent and it's never lost on me that is a sacred trust. I feel very proud of the team that I have been able to hire and deploy on behalf of the people of Decatur County. I'm proud of our relationships with law enforcement, the ways that we are trying to innovate and be tough and be engaged in the community. And I hope that the people of Decatur County feel likewise that we are acting in their best interests to protect the safety and wellness of the community.”

What Readers Should Know: Voting – Part 2, Voting By Mail

Noelle Maxwell

The 2026 General Election is November 3, 2026. In the weeks leading up to the election, the Independent wants to ensure its readers have all the information they need to vote in Indiana, whether that’s at the polls the first Tuesday in November, absentee in-person voting on a day that best fits their busy schedule or voting by mail. Our second entry in the series covers voting by mail.

According to information available on the Indiana Secretary of State’s website, voters who want to vote absentee-by-mail in Indiana must be able to personally mark their ballot and sign their name to the completed security envelope. Voters must also have a reason to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Examples of acceptable reasons to request a vote-by-mail ballot include:

1.      Having a specific, reasonable expectation that you’ll be absent from your county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours the polls are open. Polls are open from 6 AM to 6 PM.

2.      You are disabled.

3.      You are at least 65 years old.

4.      You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.

5.      You’re scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours the polls are open. Polls are open from 6 AM to 6 PM.

6.      You will be confined due to illness or injury or caring for an individual who is confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that polls are open. Polls are open from 6 AM to 6 PM.

7.      You’re prevented from voting due to a religious discipline or holiday during the entire 12 hours that polls are open. Polls are open from 6 AM to 6 PM.

8.      You’re a participant in Indiana’s address confidentiality program.

9.      You’re a member of the military.

Community Events

Entries from the Recycled Mask Art Show are on display at Art on the Square the weekend of September 18-20. Winners will be announced September 18.

The Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library is holding an after school craft program with a hedgehog theme for children grades 1-5, Monday, September 21 from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

The library is holding a "Shakespeare or Swift" trivia night, Friday, September 25 at 5:30 PM. This is an adult program. Registration is required. Register and learn more here: https://greensburglibrary.libcal.com/event/15842725

Enjoy anime and manga? The library's Otaku/Animanga Club meets Saturday, September 19 at 11 AM. Register and learn more here: https://greensburglibrary.libcal.com/event/15989553

The Decatur County Fall Festival kicks off September 18. Events will be happening September 18 and 19. For more information: https://www.treecityfallfestival.com/

Decatur County Pride Alliance is hosting their annual PrideFest from 12 PM to 10 PM, October 24. Vendors will be present from 12 to 6 PM with an open stage from 5 to 7 PM, a dance party from 7 to 8 PM and an 18+ drag show from 8 to 10 PM.

Art on the Square is accepting entries for the fifth annual "We Love Art Show." The show is open to all ages. Entry fees are $10 for one canvas or $15 for two canvases, canvases are 8x10 inches and can be picked up at Art on the Square, 114 E. Washington St., Greensburg. Finished work(s) must be delivered to the gallery by October 30. Works will be displayed until December 11. Full details in the graphic below.

Did You Know? DCEMA Launches Notify Now

Decatur County Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of their new official emergency announcement program, Notify Now, on September 10. Notify Now is replacing the previous system, Code Red. Notify Now will send users information about severe weather, public safety situations, evacuation or shelter-in-place recommendations, road closures and other emergencies or significant disruptions. SOURCE: DCEMA Facebook Page. To register for Notify Now, click here: https://decaturcounty.in.gov/notify-now/

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