Category Archives: Local News
Salem Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse
A 34-year-old Salem man has pleaded guilty to a 2020 aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge in exchange for a Class X felony of predatory criminal sexual assault being dropped. Jerry Summers of South...
Mar 19, 2025
Salem Planning Commission to recommend downtown medical office
The Salem Planning Commission is recommending Crea Rose be granted a special use permit to open a medical office in the former title company building at 207 East Main Street. Rose, a licensed practica...
Mar 19, 2025 Crea Rose speaks to the Salem Planning Commission. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Wind driven fire destroys home in rural Mt. Vernon
A fire driven by strong winds destroyed a home just southwest of Mt. Vernon early Wednesday morning. Jefferson Fire reports the fire started on the outside of the John Paul Braswell home at 9497 East ...
Mar 19, 2025
Centralia woman sentenced to three years in prison after failing drug court
A 33-year-old Centralia woman has been sentenced to three years in prison after her drug court probation is revoked. Donna Crabtree of East 3rd had pleaded guilty to multiple possession of under five ...
Mar 19, 2025
Police Beat for Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
A 54-year-old Salem woman released on pre-trial release around one Tuesday afternoon was back in jail at 2:30 Wednesday morning on a new charge of violation of an order of protection. Marjorie Woodwar...
Mar 19, 2025
Salem City Council gives final approval to exhume grave of unknown train wreck victim
The Salem City Council gave final approval to asking for a state permit to exhume the body of an unknown victim of the 1971 Tonti Train Wreck. University of Missouri-Columbia Journalism Student Henry ...
Mar 18, 2025 Gravestone of the unidentified Tonti Train Wreck victim at East Lawn Cemetery. Photo by Henry Morton.
SCHS Superintendent shares concerns about TIF District 4
Salem Community High School Superintendent Brad Detering presented his concerns about Salem's TIF District 4 at Monday night's school board meeting. Detering shared a map of the proposed TIF, which he...
Mar 18, 2025 Brad Detering addressing the Salem City Council in January.
Franklin Park Middle School Soars Over Annual Can Food Drive Goal
The Franklin Park Middle School Student Council raised $7,573 in cans and monetary donations for their annual can food drive. Franklin Park's original goal was $4,000 worth of canned goods. the 8th gr...
Mar 18, 2025 Students at the Franklin Park Middle School Canned Food Drive.
Salem has new City Manager and Police Chief
The Salem City Council has approved a contract for a new city manager and learned of the appointment of a new police chief at Monday night's meeting. The name of the new city manager is being withheld...
Mar 18, 2025
Salem City Council told Fiscal Year 2026 Budget is Balanced
The Salem City Council reviewed the General Fund portion of the Fiscal Year Budget for the year beginning May 1st Monday night learning the budget is balanced. City Manager Annette Sola says some depa...
Mar 18, 2025 Salem City Manager Annette Sola.
