Category Archives: Local News
Former southern Illinois pastor sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief money in church's name
A district judge in Benton has sentenced a former church pastor in Hamilton County to 21 months' imprisonment for obtaining COVID-19 funds from the SBA by fraudulently representing to the SBA that the...
Nov 22, 2025
9 months after federal bribery conviction, former Speaker Madigan disbarred
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois November 21, 2025 Article Summary Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer a lawyer after the Illinois Supreme Court officially disbarred him ...
Nov 21, 2025 Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Feb. 12 after a jury convicted him on 10 corruption counts, including bribery. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Marion County Board learns problems causing incorrect property assessments
A report on Marion County's property tax assessments showed several issues for the wide disparity between tax assessments and the value of property. Gary Twist of Property Evaluation and Tax Advisors ...
Nov 21, 2025 Gary Twist delivers report to Marion County Board on issues causing large difference in assessed valuations and actual value of property. (photo by Bruce Kropp)
Redemption Church Food Pantry in Salem gets $4,500 Gratitude Grant
The Salem Elks have presented a gratitude grant to the Redemption Church on North Hotze Road in Salem. The Elk's Mike Hooe says the grant will go to their food pantry. "The gratitude grant has a base ...
Nov 21, 2025 Mike Hooe of the Salem Elks (left) and Exhalted Ruler Steve Lindsey (right) deliver $4,500 check to Redemption Church Assistant Pastor Dustin Harmon.
Salem Community Fund bell ringers begin this weekend
The Salem Ministerial Alliance Bell Ringers for the Community Fund begin ringing the bells this Friday and Saturday. The goal once again this year is $20,000. The bell ringers will be at Farm Fresh Ma...
Nov 21, 2025 alexlmx / Depositphotos.com
Kell Grade School food drive to restock tiny pantries in area
United Way of South Central Illinois is recognizing the generosity of Kell Grade School whose recent school-wide food drive collected enough non-perishable items to fill an entire SUV. The donations w...
Nov 21, 2025 Food collected in the Kell Grade School Food Drive is loaded into SUV.
Odin Village Board approves second business to feature video gaming
The Odin Village Board has approved a pour liquor license for a second business in the community. The owners of Toad Alley say they didn't want to serve liquor but have to have a liquor license to be ...
Nov 21, 2025 Odin Village Hall (credit: Odin Village Hall Facebook page)
First shotgun deer hunting season underway; IDNR stresses tree stand safety
The first shotgun deer hunting season is now underway through Sunday. As hunters move into the fields, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) urges them to use safety harnesses when hunti...
Nov 21, 2025
Carlyle Police Chief on Paid Suspension as Result of FBI Investigation
The City of Carlyle has announced its Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus has been placed on paid suspension after the city was notified by the FBI that they were investigating the police department. The n...
Nov 21, 2025
Police Beat for Friday, November 21st, 2025
A 41-year-old Centralia man who had been released from the Marion County Jail less than 24 hours earlier was taken back into custody by Centralia Police on Thursday for disorderly conduct. Kyle Roe, w...
Nov 21, 2025
