Governor JB Pritzker has floated the idea that about a billion dollars is needed to rebuild and replace two prisons. One in suburban Will County and another in Logan County. There has been worry that the woman's correctional facility in Logan County would be torn down but not rebuilt in the same area and now a recent IDOC report says it prefers the woman's prison to be moved to Crest Hill and built next to a new Statesville Correctional facility. Governor JB Pritzker says a long process still...

The Salem Elks will host a display of emergency response vehicles in its parking lot on North Broadway Thursday afternoon. The event is scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. It has been organized by Elks Youth Activities Chairman Brad Hargis along with Salem Community High School Resource Officer Craig Vieira. The Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Protection District, United Medical Response, Salem Emergency Management Agency, Marion County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and the Marion...

The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force has arrested two Salem men for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. 29-year-old Jason Hayes was taken into custody Wednesday by Salem Police on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. He was picked up in the area of West Main and Hotze Road. Hayes is expected to make his first appearance in Marion County Court on Thursday. 37-year-old Anthony Harden was arrested Friday by Salem Police on one count of unlawful delivery of a...

Two Iuka residents allegedly involved in a fight without clothing in the front yard of a home south of Iuka have been arrested. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 27-year-old Matthew Harris of the 300 block of the Iuka Road for alleged domestic battery and 23-year-old Meghan Bateman of Iuka on a no bond Macon County warrant for failure to appear on a stolen vehicle charge. A 911 caller reported seeing the two fighting in the yard of Harris' home naked as Harris was allegedly pulling th...

The waterline break on the main campus at Kaskaskia College has been located and fixed. As a result, College President George Evans says the main campus will reopen and classes will be held as scheduled on Thursday. "It ended up being about a six to eight-inch hole in one of our eight-inch water main lines. Without getting too technical, the college runs on a giant loop of eight-inch water mains that feed the entire institution. This was at a critical juncture and as a result of the b...

The City of Salem planned to open the Salem Family Aquatic Center website for pool party registration and the purchase of swim lessons and pool passes at ten on Wednesday morning but the registration system is not working. The city is currently working to correct the problem. Since so many are interested in pool parties on a specific date, a new starting date and time will be announced once the system is ready. Be listening to WJBD or WSIQ or watch for updates on SouthernIllinoisNow.com or t...

A 32-year-old Kell woman has been arrested by Central City Police on two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Police Chief Jamie Ramsey says Chyan Phillips of County Farm Road was involved in an early Tuesday morning traffic stop where the drugs were allegedly located. He reports police found cocaine and oxycodone packaged for sale as well as some cannabis. Due to the packaging and $500 in cash also located in Phill...

The Salem Lions Club will continue its tradition of hosting Post Prom to give students a safe place to go after Prom ends Friday night. Tabitha Meador is helping to coordinate the annual event for the Lions. "Gymnasium there will be party jumps in the small gym, we will have door prizes set up, food and entertainment. The Community Center has donated Bingo supplies that went over very well last year. Our Entertainment Committee has put together several fun events for the kids througho...