by Molly Parker, Brayden Guy and Saluki Local Reporting Lab, Capitol News Illinois October 5, 2026 Article Summary A DeSoto man charged with bludgeoning an 8-year-old to death pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of murder with an enhancement for a killing that was "exceptionally brutal" and involved "wanton cruelty." Marcus Moultrie, 37, struck the boy and his mother at least 117 times with a softball bat, according to prosecutors. Moultrie also pleaded guilty to one cou...

The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Monday to welcome the Farmer's State Bank Salem facility. It will be located in the 200 block of South Broadway and will initially have two employees: loan officer and manager Meredith Robb and receptionist Mary Kempf. Bank President and CEO Ted Macon said this will be the bank's fourth location. "This is just a loan office, so it will be just for loan origination. Meredith will be able to do commercial, ag, and consumer loans, ...

The Salem City Council was questioned Monday night by Angel Molenhour on why there has been no progress on a monument to honor veterans. She reminded the council they agreed to pursue the issue last fall when the names of those who served overseas in the National Guard were removed from city hall windows because they had started to peel. "It's been one year, and I haven't heard about anything in the works to do this," Molenhour said. "Maybe that's because you couldn't answer t...

The Salem City Council Monday night approved a tax increment financing district project that will provide $5,000 to Alex Williams to rehabilitate what will be a rental home at 201 North College. Williams estimated the total cost of renovation of under $25,000. The council had some concerns about utilizing TIF money towards rental properties but eventually agreed unanimously to do so to help improve the city's older housing stock. A program is planned in the future to provide money to homeo...

Carlyle Lake will host several public events this fall in partnership with local organizations. The following events are scheduled at various locations around the lake: Sarcoma Stomp: Run for Research October 10 | Main Dam, Dam West Recreation Area The Bo Arvin Memorial Foundation will host the Sarcoma Stomp: Run for Research to raise awareness and funds for sarcoma research. Registration is available at Carlyle Lake Haunted Trail October 16-17 | Dam West Boat Ramp | 6:30-10 p.m. Participants...

The Wamac City Council gave its approval Monday evening on the purchase of a new vehicle for the city's police department. Police Chief Steve Prather reported to the council that he has been in contact with the Morrow Brothers dealership and anticipates the cost of a 2027 Ford Explorer to be around $63,000. The new Explorer will replace a police vehicle which was damaged in a recent accident. City officials say they anticipate receiving an insurance check in connection with that accident, whi...

Two have been arrested following a Sunday night neighborhood dispute in Sandoval that saw one person struck by a car and criminal damage to items inside the home of the man arrested for aggravated battery. 42-year-old Dustin Atteberry of the 100 block of North Main was released on pretrial conditions after appearing in Marion County Court for the first time Monday. He is accused of striking Bryant Long with a car. Long received scrapes to his arm and was treated and released at SSM Health S...

The Salem Fire Prevention District answered two calls on Monday afternoon. Firemen were called to the Craig Taylor property at 3404 Hotze Road when a small trash fire began to spread under a truck. The fire was stopped before it could do any damage to the truck. The second call was to the Micky Ferrell property at 214 West Lake Street where wood in the back of a pickup truck caught fire. The first fireman on the scene used a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire while the property owner ...