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SCHS bringing ‘The Little Mermaid’ to Salem Theatre stage

By Dennis Rosenberger | March 16, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — The sights and sounds of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” will come to the Salem stage for several performances, as a cast and crew from the Salem Community High School Theatre Department will present their spring musical starting on Thursday, March 19. Show times at the Salem Community Theatre are…

Marion County SWCD salutes local residents

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 20, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held its 81st annual meeting on Thursday evening at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in Salem, handing out several honors to area residents for their dedication to conservation practices in agriculture. The Conservation Farm Family Of The Year honor…

Neighborhood Pantry begins work on new home

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 12, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net KINMUNDY — As the Neighborhood Pantry continues its efforts to serve the food needs of families in the Kinmundy and Alma areas, work is now under way on a building that will serve as the new home for the food pantry. Neighborhood Pantry President Sue White reports that the project got…

Brinkerhoff collection on display at Salem museum

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 11, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — A new exhibit opened on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Salem Area Historical Museum, featuring hundreds of old photos from the collection of longtime Salem historian Frank Brinkerhoff. Salem Historical Commission member Myron Lloyd explained that Brinkerhoff donated many photos from his collection to the museum. The photos include…

(Salem DOEM Photo) An IDOT truck loaded with salt makes its way through downtown Salem as the trucks were on the road ahead of the heaviest snow that moved through the region during the weekend winter storm.

Winter storm blankets local region

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 28, 2026

Salem sees around 9 inches of snow during weekend storm By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditore@salemtc.net SALEM — The snow storm and extreme cold temperatures put the local region in a deep freeze over the past weekend and into this week, but local emergency response officials are pleased with how local residents heeded warnings leading up…

Lost & Found: A Safe Return

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 22, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net ODIN — A lost pet can be a traumatic experience, not just for the pet owner but for the pet, as well. But when people, often strangers, band together to locate and return an animal to their family, it can be inspiring. And such was the case recently for rural Odin…

Plans moving forward on solar project at former Salem landfill site

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 21, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — A new lease agreement has been approved that will allow for the development of a solar power project on the land that formerly served as the City of Salem’s landfill. The Salem City Council on Tuesday approved the lease agreement with AC Power, a next step in the land-lease…

Salem PD salutes Officer, Telecommunicator of the Year honorees

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 13, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — The Salem Police Department has recognized its annual award winners with the announcement of the Officer of the Year and Telecommunicator of the Year honors over the past weekend. Salem Police Chief Todd Boles presented the awards to Officer of the Year winner Ian King and Telecommunicator of the…

(Times-Commoner Photo by Dennis Rosenberger) Ella Douglas takes to the stage after being crowned as the 2025 Marion County Fair Queen last July. She will compete next week in Springfield for the state crown.

Queen Ella Douglas set to compete for state crown

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 9, 2026

Pageant will be held Jan. 15-18 in Springfield By DENNIS ROSENBERGER, stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — More than 70 county fair queens from throughout Illinois will take to the stage at the Crowne Plaza and Convention Center in Springfield next week to compete for the title of Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2026, including the representative from…

Modern Paw Pet Company opens in Salem

By Dennis Rosenberger | January 8, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — A new business opened in December in Salem, with Modern Paw Pet Company offering grooming service in addition to a variety of pet products for local dog owners. Owner Lauren Fox brings several years of dog grooming experience to the new business, having previously worked at a grooming business…