Category Archives: Local News
State Fire Marshal makes arrest in Library Apartment fire in Centralia
Centralia Fire Chief Blake Perez says an investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office will lead to an arrest for the fire on Tuesday at the Library Apartments in Centralia. The 18-year-old female ...
Oct 9, 2026 Centralia City Fire Truck. File Photo.
Illinois 15 northbound exit ramp on I-57/64 to be closed starting Monday
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the northbound exit ramp from Interstate 57/64 to Illinois 15 (exit 95) in Mt. Vernon will close beginning at 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, as part of...
Oct 9, 2026
Marion County Health Administrator retiring in February
Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow is retiring February 26th next year. She has worked at the health department for 30 years beginning as a part-time health inspector and wor...
Oct 9, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, October 9th, 2026
Salem Police arrested a 46-year-old Salem man on an outstanding Washington County no bond felony warrant after he was found hiding inside a trash bin late Thursday night. Police located Michael Bartle...
Oct 9, 2026
Illinois state fairs attracted over 1 million visitors for second year in a row
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois October 6, 2026 Article Summary Over 1 million fairgoers visited Illinois' state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin for the second year in a row, Gov. JB Prit...
Oct 8, 2026 2026 Illinois State Fair Queen Krista Phillips, of Effingham, speaks at the State Fair ribbon cutting in August. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Pritzker declares Illinois a diesel disaster area, but fuel retailers are wary
by Bernarda Malevska, Capitol News Illinois October 7, 2026 Article Summary All of Illinois is facing a diesel-fuel price disaster, according to Gov. JB Pritzker. He's directed state agencies not to p...
Oct 8, 2026 IgorVetushko / Depositphotos.com
Stealing copper wire from vacant Centralia home starts small fire
A fire started by the alleged theft of copper wire caused minor damage to a vacant Centralia home Thursday morning. Centralia Fire Chief Blake Perez says the fire at 13-12 North Sycamore was discovere...
Oct 8, 2026 Vacant house on North Sycamore in Centralia where suspected arson occurred. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Salem Recreation Department to hold Fall Family Fun Night Friday
The Salem Recreation Department is hosting its traditional Fall Family Fun Night on Friday, but with a new addition this year. The event, held in the Salem Aquatic Center area of Bryan Memorial Park f...
Oct 8, 2026
St. Theresa and St. Elizabeth Catholic Churches plan Saturday reception for new Bishop
The parishes of St. Theresa of Avila and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Churches are planning a Saturday afternoon reception open to the public to welcome and congratulate the new Bishop of the Cath...
Oct 8, 2026 File photo: Bishop Designate Godfrey Mullen standing on the front steps of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Salem in March 2026. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Interstate 57 shutdown for four hours following two semi-truck crash north of Dix
Interstate 57 southbound traffic between the Route 161 and Dix exits was closed to traffic for around four hours after two semi truck crashes on southbound I-57 at the 105 mile marker not of Dix. Stat...
Oct 8, 2026
