The current Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington Counties is running to become Regional Superintendent of Schools. John Consolino is seeking to replace his boss, Matt Renaud, who has announced his retirement as of June 30th of next year. The primary election for the job will be in the March primary election next year. "With Matt's retirement, I am ready to step up and continue serving the students, families, schools, and communities in our fo...

Plenty of visitors came to Foundation Park on Friday for the opening day of the 36th annual Centralia Balloon Fest. Attendees had to endure high temperatures with a heat index over 100 at times, but the weather was otherwise cooperative with clear skies and calm winds. All planned activities took place on schedule. The Centralia High School Band and Choir opened Balloon Fest with a performance on the main stage. Balloons took off from Foundation Park at 5:30 for an evening flight, then return...

The Salem Community Theatre has announced a fundraising "Raise the Curtain' campaign to pay for new seats and a major renovation of the theatre building. Theatre Board Chair Drew Johnson says work is already well underway. "Our goal for our Raise the Curtain campaign is to raise $150,000 for major renovations that are currently taking place," Johnson said. "We've finished the process of acquiring seating thanks to volunteer help throughout the community. We've removed the ...

Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Dr. Glenn Poshard will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2025 Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade. The parade theme is "Adventure Awaits!" Dr. Poshard has over 50 years of public service, serving as the President of Southern Illinois University (SIU) from 2006 to 2014. He formerly served as Vice Chancellor for Administration at SIU Carbondale and as chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees. A former high school teacher and Carbondale resident, he se...

Kinmundy has purchased a new $25,000 pump for its sewer lift station at the end of Second Street. One of the pumps failed earlier and could not be repaired. A backup pump was put into service and now needs to be replaced to assure the lift station can remain operational at all times. The pump will be purchased from Municipal Equipment. The board also agreed to purchase $312 in materials to rebuild the 4th Street wooden pedestrian bridge to replace the current bridge that is falling apart. ...

Balloon Fest in Foundation Park officially opens at three Friday afternoon with activity continuing through early Sunday evening. The first balloon flight is around 5:30 Friday evening, followed by the first glow at 7:30. The Friday activity concludes with DJ Will Smith with Porta Party DJ on the main stage at 8:30 pm. Saturday begins with a balloon flight over Centralia around 6:30. Foundation Park reopens at three. Tethered Balloon Rides will be available at six pm. The cost is $15 per a...

Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous says a rural Breese man has been charged with three Class 4 felony counts in Clinton County of unauthorized videotaping in connection with two cameras found in temporary bathrooms at a St. Rose Church picnic earlier this month. Marco Monreal-Rojas did not qualify to be detained on the charges under the SAFE-T Act so he was placed on GPS monitoring and released from the Clinton County Jail. Just after his release, Travous said he received a notification that...

Around fifty people were in Foundation Park Wednesday evening for crew training ahead of Balloon Fest this weekend. Balloons were filled with air, but conditions did not allow for takeoff Wednesday night. Some participants who signed up were assigned to balloons in need of crew, and those who were not assigned to a balloon may still be asked to help balloons as the need arises during activities on Friday and Saturday.