About 150 joined the No Kings protest at Fairview Park in Centralia on Saturday. It was one of an estimated 3,500 held across the country to condemn some of the actions of President Donald Trump. Marion County Democratic Party Chair Becki Parrett says they played protest songs over speakers to what she considered to be a very energized and positive crowd. She was proud it remained totally non-violent. While a few people acted negatively to the gathering as they passed along West Broadway, ...

Centralia Police have arrested a 26-year-old Centralia man for aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery. Camryn Thomas of North Maple was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a final decision on charges and a first appearance in court. Centralia Police arrested two others on domestic battery charges. 38-year-old Anthony Boyce of Johnson Street in Centralia and 50-year-old Charles Runyan of South Poplar in Centralia were both taken to the Marion County Jail. Salem Police arrest...

A 51-year-old Centralia man has been charged in a Marion County warrant unsealed Wednesday morning with three counts of unlawful delivery of meth amphetamine. Jeffrey Foutch of South Walnut was arrested by Illinois State Police on Tuesday on the warrant as well as a new count of unlawful delivery of 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine. One of the counts charged in the warrant is a Class X offense of unlawful delivery of 15 to 100 grams of meth. The other two are for alleged delivery of betwee...

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital- Centralia has been named a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital by Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm. This national recognition honors hospitals that demonstrate strength, quality, and long-term sustainability while ensuring rural communities continue to have access to exceptional care close to home. The President and Administrator of SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital- Centralia, SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital- Mt. Vernon, and the SSM Health Rural He...

The Village of Central City is planning to plant 25 new trees in Lions Park for Earth Day this year with the help of students at Central City Grade School. At the village board meeting on Tuesday, public works manager Shane Swartzlander said that volunteers from the community will be needed to help with planting the trees. Those interested in volunteering should contact Central City Village Hall at (618) 532-2123. Central City trash pickup will be moving back to the alleys beginning April 15.

by Rebecka Pieder and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 31, 2026 Article Summary Local zoning rules can create barriers for organizations seeking to provide community integrated living arrangements for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A House bill would bar municipalities from using zoning laws to block CILAs and require local zoning to comply with federal disability and housing law. The bill has bipartisan support in the Senate but is opposed by...

Centralia's new Fire Chief Blake Perez took the oath of office from Centralia City Clerk Kim Enke during ceremonies at Centralia City Hall Monday afternoon. "It's a great honor and a great privilege," Perez said afterward. "I'm excited for what's to come. We're going to work together, we're going to be better, and we're going to improve the fire department and maintain the great response and great people that we have." Perez has been on the Centralia Fire Department since ...

Fire caused significant damage to the second floor of a Centralia home Monday morning. Centralia's new Fire Chief Blake Perez had arrived for duty for his first day as chief just moments before the fire call came in at the Michael Holloway residence at 29 Sherwood Drive. "At the time the fire started, the homeowner was actually outside," Perez said. "He was blowing his gumballs off of his yard, he went inside to get another battery for his backpack blower, and that's when he sa...