A 17-year-old juvenile female from Shattuc lost control of her car on the Green Street Road between Scout and Lakeshore Drive Tuesday morning. The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports the car apparently hit a slick spot, left the road, went down an embankment and overturned. Both the driver and 17-year-old female passenger from Centralia were out of the car by the time emergency help from the Marion County Sheriff's Department and Salem Fire Department arrived. The passenger complained...

A 41-year-old former Worship Minister at the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia placed on four years' probation after pleading guilty to five felony counts of child pornography has been arrested in Georgia where he now lives. Court records indicate Ian Mophet had been issued a notice in October to appear in court for a probation violation for not being employed. The failure to appear warrant that he was arrested on was issued after he didn't show up in court. Mophet is scheduled to...

The City of Centralia issued $218,480 in building permits in November. There were 14 total permits, five were for installation of roof mount solar arrays. A permit for a $10,000 addition to a home on Arbor Drive was issued. Three permits were issued for signs and one apiece for a fence on Bel Air Drive and a carport in the 200 block of South Walnut. Mission Centralia was issued a permit to construct a ramp for a home in the 300 block of North Locust. One demolition permit was issued for a...

A contractor on the Salem Township Hospital construction project at the rear of the hospital cut a natural gas line while removing a concrete parking lot on Tuesday. Salem Township Hospital CEO Jim Timpe said the city gas crew and fire department responded immediately and it was determined that the gas main needed to be shut off and the broken pipe pinched off and replaced. During the ongoing work, Timpe says their partners in public works and the fire department were on site to monitor the...

Salem Community High School has its largest number of Illinois State Scholars in a single class in the school's history this year. The Class of 2026 has had 30 students recognized by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, marking a significant milestone for the Wildcat community. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to high-achieving Illinois high school students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Principal Clint Wolfe says they are extremely proud of these students ...

The Salem City Council has tightened up its nuisance and building code ordinances. Under changes in the nuisance ordinance, recreational vehicles and boats will no longer be allowed to park long term on city streets. There was discussion that the ordinance was too vague, but the council eventually agreed to pass the ordinance with the understanding it gave flexibility to the city staff in what needed to be enforced. The building code changes require demolition permits for buildings on concr...

The Salem City Council has agreed to move tax increment financing district benefits to a new owner of an industrial building at 2028 West Main that is utilized by North American Lighting. Aaron Robb is selling the building to Agracel. Salem Economic Development Director Lea Delicarpini says the sale will give Robb additional capital to put into 618 Plastics. "I think that project in all honesty has grown and is growing very quickly," Delicarpini said. "This is a very good time...

The Salem City Council has agreed to seek up to a $2-million low interest EPA loan to pay engineering costs for a sewer project the city is seeking grant money to complete. Public Works Director Travis Sanders says the amount needed for engineering will be just a fraction of the loan request giving the city some flexibility. The city was turned down for the construction grant last year but will seek the grant again this year in hopes of getting it approved to complete the project. It include...