Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Secretary of State again extending expiration dates for driver's licenses and ID cards
Illinois Secretary of State Jessie White's office is again extending expiration dates for state driver's licenses and ID cards. The additional three-month extension is due to continued concerns about ...
Dec 17, 2021 State Farm / CC
CDC endorses schools' coronavirus 'test-to-stay' policies that Salem Grade School is now using
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. health officials are endorsing "test-to-stay" policies that allow close contacts of students infected with the coronavirus to remain in classrooms if they test negative. The Cente...
Dec 17, 2021 Raed Mansour / CC
Centralia Police Department names Officer of Year and presents Humanitarian Award
The Centralia Police Department has named Patrolman Travis Ripperda as their officer of the year. Police Chief Greg Dodson says Ripperda was the unanimous choice of his peers for the award. The Chief ...
Dec 17, 2021 Centralia Police Officer of the Year Travis Ripperda and Chief Greg Dodson.
Overheated furnace blower motor brings fire department to Iuka Grade School
An overheated blower motor on the furnace caused concern about a possible fire Thursday night. Iuka Grade School Superintendent Sam Alli says they smelled something hot and saw a small amount of smoke...
Dec 17, 2021
Salem Chamber honors past presidents and awards three outstanding customer service awards
The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce honored two outgoing presidents at a Christmas Social Thursday night at the Marion County Bank Annex Building. 2020 President Chris Daniels and 2021 President Jam...
Dec 17, 2021 Left to right: 2020 Salem Chamber President Chris Daniels, Incoming 2022 President Jillian Wilkins, and 2021 Retiring President James Sager. Photo Credit: Bruce Kropp.
Salem Grade School District to offer free COVID testing to try and keep more kids in school
Salem Grade School Superintendant Dr. Leslie Foppe announced at Thursday night's school board meeting that the school had received a CLIA waiver to allow them to provide free COVID-19 testing. Foppe s...
Dec 17, 2021
Mt. Vernon man gets 75 year prison term for murder and robbery
A 31-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been sentenced in Jefferson County Court to a total of 75 years in prison for first-degree murder and robbery. Traviel Gibson was charged with fatally shooting his fat...
Dec 17, 2021 Traviel Gibson
Salem man arrested on felony count of traveling to meet a minor following summer incident in Bryan Memorial Park
Salem Police have arrested a 60-year-old Salem man on a Class 3 felony charge of traveling to meet a minor in connection with an incident in Bryan Memorial Park in August. Donald Bumgarner of North Mi...
Dec 17, 2021
Police Beat for Friday, December 17th, 2021
Wamac Police arrested two people on outstanding warrants on Thursday. 39-year-old Sheila Phillips of South Sycamore in Centralia was arrested on outstanding Coles and Franklin County felony warrants. ...
Dec 17, 2021
At least 5 dead as Midwest rocked by hurricane-force winds
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say at least five people died when a powerful storm system swept across the Great Plains and Midwest, spawning hurricane-force winds and likely tornadoes in Nebraska, Io...
Dec 17, 2021 Ewen Roberts / CC
