Category Archives: Local News
Former Vandalia teacher and State Trooper pleads guilty to sexual assault charges
A former Vandalia teacher and State Trooper has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Fayette County Court on three counts of criminal sexual assault. 31-year-old James Dierkes of ...
Jan 12, 2022
Marion County Sheriff Andy Garden will seek a four year term
There will be a Republican primary for Marion County Sheriff. Andy Garden, who was appointed sheriff following the retirement of Rich Stevenson, received applause when announcing his decision to run a...
Jan 12, 2022 Marion County Sheriff Andy Garden.
Speaker: Illinois DCFS field workers need greater protection
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch says the state's child-welfare caseworkers need to be treated like frontline emergency responders after a Department of Children and Family ...
Jan 12, 2022
Chicago mayor tests positive for COVID-19
CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has tested positive for COVID-19. The Democrat said Tuesday that she has "cold-like symptoms" but otherwise feels fine. She credited being vaccinat...
Jan 12, 2022 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / CC
Illinois prisons pause county intakes due to pandemic
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Corrections has temporarily paused intakes from county jails because of COVID-19 outbreaks at prisons. The department said Tuesday the affected pris...
Jan 12, 2022
SCMS 2nd Quarter Honor Roll
6th Grade Highest Honors: Colton Cartright Josalyn Grandt 6th Grade High Honors: Tyson Alwardt Baylee Brown Ana Lotz Carly Magnus Hunter Olmstead Madisyn Peddicord 6th Grade Honors: Camb...
Jan 12, 2022
Centralia swears in four new police officers
Centralia has four new police officers ready to begin their police academy training. Christopher Jansen of Clinton County, Michael Dodson of Salem, and Nolen Beggs and Bret Winegarner of Centralia wer...
Jan 11, 2022 New Centralia Police officers after being sworn in Monday. Left to right: Bret Winegarner, Michael Dodson, Chief Greg Dodson, Christopher Jansen and Nolen Beggs. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Three sworn in to new positions at Centralia Fire Department
A long-time member of the Centralia Fire Department has retired after 21 years of service. Lieutenant Garrick Parson was praised by Fire Chief John Lynch for coordinating the Emergency Medical Service...
Jan 11, 2022 Cory Kleiboeker (left) is sworn in to his new position as Lieutenant by City Clerk Kim Enke while his wife Annett holds the Bible. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Gunfire hits apartment building on East 3rd in Centralia
Centralia Police Chief Greg Dodson says multiple gunshots hit the outside of an apartment building in the 1000 block of East Third Monday night. He reports the bullet holes were found in a vacant unit...
Jan 11, 2022
Police beat for Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Sandoval Police arrested a 33-year-old Central City man for possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest following a traffic stop in Salem Monday night. Loyd Finley of South Merritt had r...
Jan 11, 2022
