News – Thursday, December 11th 2025
An accident happened Wednesday morning at 7:16 in Dent County on Highway 72 near Dent County Road 2300 that took the lives of a Salem man and an infant. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Chevrolet Spark driven eastbound by a 60-year-old man from Salem, crossed the center line and struck a 2015 Dodge Charger being driven westbound by a 31-year old Salem woman. Dent County Deputy Coroner Gina White pronounced the 60-year-old Salem man dead at the scene at 7:45. Two female infants, one under one-year of age and the other who was one-year-old, were taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The infant under one-year of age was later pronounced dead at the hospital by Dr. Featherly at 8:21 Wednesday morning. The 31-year-old Salem woman who was driving the Charger was also taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance with serious injuries. The 60-year-old Salem man was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident, while all the occupants in the Charger were wearing their restraints. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem. The Salem man’s body was taken to the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.
The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of November. The department responded to 14 accidents during the month and addressed 39 animal calls while officers responded to seven alarms sounding, investigated four assaults or fights, three burglary calls, performed 18 well-being checks and conducted 12 area checks in November. Police investigated 14 domestic disputes, nine verbal disturbances and two physical disturbances, conducted 48 follow-up investigations and provided 26 escorts. They investigated seven harassment reports, two fraud reports, three missing person reports, three parking complaint calls, two drug offense reports, six intoxicated pedestrians, four motorist assist calls, a trespassing call and four property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote eight stealing reports, a shoplifter report, responded to 18 traffic complaints and had five peace disturbance calls. Officers responded to two reports of a suicidal person, 14 suspicious circumstance calls, a suspicious person call, and three suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in November performed a pedestrian check, responded to ten life assist calls and four nuisiance violations. Officers attempted to serve five warrants and conducted 47 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 453 incidents in November with the average response time to calls being one minute and 58 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 23 minutes and 48 seconds. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.
The Salem R-80 School District has announced that Mrs. Heather Johnson has been named as the December 2025 Teacher of the Month, while Mrs. Carmen Vaughan has been honored as the December 2025 Staff Member of the Month. In total, forty-four nominations were submitted throughout the district from other members, parents, students, and community members to highlight contributions made by nominees regarding the district mission and CSIP goals designed to support student learning in every aspect. Congratulations Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Vaughn!
Help decorate the Giving Tree at Salem Public Library at 403 North Jackson! The library is collecting warm winter accessories for area children in need. New hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and socks may be hung on the tree now through Monday, December 15th. All items will be given to a local school for distribution. Thank you for helping warm young hearts this winter! If you have any questions, call the library at 573-729-4331.