News – Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
The Salem Police Department has released that on Sunday, patrolmen conducted a traffic stop near North Grand Street and Rolla Road for a speeding violation. During the traffic stop, officers conducted a driver’s license check and found the driver, Bradley Land, was operating the vehicle while driving privileges were suspended. Land was subsequently placed under arrest. A records check of the passenger identified as Ginger Land revealed an active warrant in Texas County for the charges of both sodomy in the first degree and sexual contact in the course of duty. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail and held, pending further proceedings. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The City of Salem has released that with the rising summer temperatures, the Salem Police Department lobby and the Old City Hall will be made available as cooling centers if extreme heat conditions occur. If the need arises, contact the Police Department at 573-729-4242 and city staff will open the Old City Hall to provide relief from the heat for anyone needing a safe, air-conditioned place to cool off. Folks can also visit the Salem Public Library for needed cooling. The library is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 10:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening on Thursday; and 10:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. No library card is required. The heat wave previously reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been extended to over the July 4th weekend, into Tuesday, July 7th. Heat indices of 100-110 degrees are possible. Stay safe, hydrated, and frequently check on friends, family, and neighbors.
A list of maintenance and construction work planned for Dent County this week has been released by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Highway DD, FF, and U have pavement repairs planned through today. One lane will remain open. The bridge over Dry Creek on Highway B remains closed with its project scheduled for completion in July. The resurfacing project along Highway 32 through Dent County began yesterday with work to take place during nighttime hours from 7:00 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning. That project is expected to be completed by September. Pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem on Highway 19 and 32, expected to be completed in September. Most routine work zones will stop for the Independence Day holiday, but some long-term work zones and closures will remain in place. If possible, work zones will stop at noon on Thursday, July 2nd, and resume the morning of Monday, July 6th.
Get outside and discover nature with frogging season! The season will continue through Oct. 31st after beginning just this week. Anyone with a fishing permit or small game hunting permit may go frogging for bullfrogs and green frogs. The daily limit, combined for both species of bullfrogs and green frogs, is eight. With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by gig, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line. With a hunting permit, frogs may be taken by crossbow, pellet gun, or .22 or smaller caliber rim-fire rifle or pistol. With either permit frogs may be taken by hand, hand net, bow, or atlatl. Frogs may be pursued during the day or at night with an artificial light. Ponds, lakes and river banks, wetlands, and other vegetated waterways are all great places to find frogs.
This July 4th Independence Day, which is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there will be numerous events going on in Salem. At 7:30 in the morning, there will be a pickleball tournament at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The Salem Community Choir will be singing at the Salem City Hall Auditorium with the first performance at 2:00 followed by a second performance at 4:00. Near 5:00, food trucks, vendors and boutiques will be opening near the pavilion, and Devon Sutterfield will begin performing. There will be a break in the music just in time to head down to the parade route and pick a spot. The parade starts at 6:00 in the evening from Grand and Franklin, traveling north on MacArthur, then east on 4th Street to the courthouse square. At the conclusion of the parade, the Salem Community Center @ The Armory will be open from 6:30 to 9:00 with free use of their three bounce houses and gymnasium for basketball and pickleball. Children must be supervised by their parents. Also at the Salem City Park, Sutterfield will resume performing and those attending can check out the vendors and food trucks while waiting for the fireworks. At 9:25, the Leathers Family will sing our National Anthem followed by the fireworks show that will begin around 9:30 at the Salem City Park. If you are unable to attend the parade, KSMO Media will stream the parade beginning around 6:15 on ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook and the KSMO YouTube Channel.
Dent County Health Center’s community transportation service, CareCab, is here to help you get where you need to go, safely and reliably. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, a local event, a job interview, or a visit with a friend, CareCab makes it easier for you to stay connected and independent. CareCab is a local ride service for Dent County residents without reliable transportation. To book a ride with CareCab, visit dentcountyhealthcenter.org/services/carecab or call 573-729-3106. Riders must be able to get in and out of the vehicle independently or with minimal assistance. If you need wheelchair-accessible transportation or assistance with mobility, you are encouraged to contact SMTS for specialized services.