Category Archives: Local News
Even though marijuana is legal in Illinois, clearing old criminal records still a challenge
by Kaitlin Bender-Thomas and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois February 10, 2026 Article Summary Illinois residents can face long delays in clearing their marijuana-related records ev...
Feb 10, 2026 The photo shows a close-up of marijuana buds before they leaf out. (Capitol News Illinois/Andrew Campbell)
Bailey Zimmerman brings Illinois roots home to the Illinois State Fair
The Illinois State Fair has announced that multi-platinum country superstar Bailey Zimmerman will play the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage on Ag Day, Friday, August 14, delivering a high-energy perf...
Feb 10, 2026
Resurrection, a Journey Tribute Band, Coming to Castle Ridge
A Journey Tribute Band, Resurrection, is coming to Castle Ridge for an lakeside concert on Saturday, June 6th. Promoter Heath Eric says Resurrection isn't just a tribute band, it's a full-blown Journe...
Feb 10, 2026 File: Castle Ridge (Facebook photo)
Two Treated on Scene Following Single Vehicle Crash on East Carpenter Road in Rural Walnut Hill
Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies say two Centralia residents were treated on the scene of a single car crash early Sunday morning at 4507 East Carpenter Road in rural Walnut Hill. 22-year-old Hunte...
Feb 10, 2026
Marion County Board to meet new veterans assistance commissioner
The Marion County Board Tuesday night will meet the county's first Veterans Assistance Commissioner. Ron Peters will assist veterans in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled. The county board ...
Feb 10, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Police Beat for Tuesday, February 10th, 2026
Two people were brought to the Marion County Jail on Monday on outstanding no bond warrants. 48-year-old Gary Miller of South Maple in Centralia was arrested on an outstanding St. Clair County warrant...
Feb 10, 2026
Centralia introduces interactive economic development map
The Centralia city website now has a new tool to help prospective business owners in Centralia identify available incentives by location. The public can now access an interactive map that shows Centra...
Feb 10, 2026 Rob Jackson and Luke Easton present Centralia's new interactive economic development map at Monday night's Centralia City Council meeting. Photo by Austin Williams.
Centralia approves new collective bargaining agreements with police unions
The Centralia City Council approved new agreements on Monday night with unions representing Centralia's patrolmen and dispatchers, awarding significant starting pay increases with the hopes of improvi...
Feb 10, 2026
Taxpayers could be on the hook for millions in cleanup costs from old oil and gas wells
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois February 9, 2026 Article Summary A new report suggests Illinois could be on the hook for plugging and cleaning up thousands of inactive and abandoned oil and ga...
Feb 10, 2026 An oil well pumpjack is pictured. (Photo by arcturusangel at Morguefile.com)
22 Year Sponsorship for Red Cross Blood Drive Comes to an End for Franklin Park Teacher on Wednesday
What started as a one-time idea 22 years ago will conclude on Wednesday for a Franklin Park Middle School Science Teacher in Salem who retired this year. Joni Dorff says the blood drive has become par...
Feb 09, 2026 File photo: Visitors showed up to give blood at the 2024 7th grade blood drive at Franklin Park School.
