Category Archives: Local News
Illinois offers temporary sales tax reduction on back-to-school shopping
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois August 3, 2026 Article Summary Illinois will offer a sales tax reduction on school supplies from Aug. 7-16. The state sales tax will be reduced from 6.25% to 1....
Aug 05, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker participates in a news conference marking the opening of a new youth sports park in Springfield in April 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Pritzker signs bills allowing state to review insurance rate hikes
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois August 4, 2026 Article Summary Two new laws give the Illinois Department of Insurance more regulatory authority over homeowners and automobile insurance rates. ...
Aug 05, 2026 Mail from State Farm insurance. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Paisley Meyer of Centralia named Marion County's new Junior Miss
Marion County's new Junior Miss is Paisley Meyer of Centralia. She was one of 20 candidates for the title and was crowned at the end of the Junior Miss Pageant on Tuesday. "I was very, very, very shoc...
Aug 05, 2026 Marion County's new Junior Miss Paisley Meyer is crowned by outgoing Junior Miss Jane Taylor Rose (left) and Marion County's new fair queen Kallie Walsh (left) as other Junior Miss candidates look on. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
DCFS Transparency and Accountability Legislation Signed into Law
State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) sponsored legislation recently signed into law to strengthen transparency and accountability in Department of Children & Family Service (DCFS) investig...
Aug 04, 2026 File photo: State Senator Jason Plummer speaks at Reagan Day Dinner in Salem.
Illinois State Police Opens Kiosk to Help with FOID and Concealed Carry Applications
The Illinois State Police (ISP) opened its newest Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) kiosk, providing real-time, in-person assistance to Illinoisans who need help with their Firearm Owner's Identifi...
Aug 04, 2026
Salem Aquatic Center Reopened
Salem Recreation Director Jed Casburn says the Salem Aquatic Center has reopened as issues with the filters that were creating cloudy water have been resolved. He feels the pool should be good for all...
Aug 04, 2026
Salem Chamber has part-time executive director
The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of Siretha Howe as its new part-time executive director. She is no stranger to the chamber, being past chamber president, four-year board...
Aug 04, 2026
Wamac to look at licensing e-bikes
The Wamac Board of Aldermen has asked its attorney to prepare an ordinance that would require e-bikes or motorized bikes that can travel more than 21 miles per hour to be licensed. Mayor Butch Mathus ...
Aug 04, 2026 File photo: Wamac City Hall
Police Beat for Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Centralia Police have arrested 19-year-old Davirgan Turner of North Hickory in Centralia for criminal sexual abuse and battery. He was arrested based on a June 17th incident where he allegedly made ad...
Aug 04, 2026
Kid's day at the Marion County Fair turns up big crowd
The kid's day at the Marion County fairground happened on Monday with 850 kids and 1,300 people total in attendance throughout the day. The kid's day allowed kids to play different agricultural games,...
Aug 04, 2026
