Category Archives: Local News
Patoka School students and staff required to wear masks starting next Tuesday
The Patoka school board voted on Thursday to implement a new back-to-school plan that complies with the school mask mandate that was issued by Governor Pritzker in August. Facing pressure from the sta...
Sep 03, 2021
Governor expresses concerns about continued growth in COVID-19 numbers
The latest daily total of new cases is 4,224. On Wednesday, new cases hit over 5,000, the highest number since January 22nd. 51 additional people have died. Governor JB Pritzker says there are 26 know...
Sep 03, 2021
Governor promises to work to protect women's rights in Illinois following new Texas law
Governor JB Pritzker says he's deeply concerned about the abortion law passed in Texas. Texas now has one of the most restrictive laws in the country, banning abortions after about six weeks of pregna...
Sep 03, 2021 New Voices
Police start "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign for Labor Day weekend
The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public not to drink and drive over the holiday weekend. I-DOT spokesperson Paul Wappel says the "Drive sober or get pulled over" campaign is ...
Sep 03, 2021
Both Salem and Centralia offering assistance to file "Back to Business" grants
Both Salem and Centralia have announced additional help for businesses to file applications for the State of Illinois' Back to Business grant program. The B2B grant program is designed to depl...
Sep 03, 2021 Matt Turner / CC
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital prepares for opening of larger and renovated emergency room
The President of SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia says the final touches are being put on the enlarged and renovated 7,700 square-foot emergency room. Damon Harbison says they will soon be ...
Sep 02, 2021 The Blessing of the new Emergency Department. Left to right: Bishop Michael G. McGovern of the Belleville Diocese, Father Steve Pautler of St. Mary's Catholic Church - Centralia, and Jeff Stewart - Regional Director of Pastoral Care at SSM Health
Centralia man arrested in connection with Tuesday night high speed chase
The Marion County Sheriff's Deputies has taken a 41-year-old Centralia man into custody following a high-speed chase Tuesday night from Odin to Wisher Road south of Patoka. A resident near where the p...
Sep 02, 2021
Controversial Clean Energy legislation moves through State Senate, would close Prairie State by 2045
The Illinois Senate has passed a massive Clean Energy Bill that would close the Prairie State Energy Campus in Southwest Washington County by 2045. The measure would also close many private coal-fired...
Sep 02, 2021 Phoenix Wolf-Ray / CC
Centralia Mayor says new city manager 'completely honest' about past dismissals and legal action
Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder says the city council was fully aware of new City Manager Scott Randall's past work and legal history when he was hired. Kuder says he has been contacted after that informa...
Sep 02, 2021 Centralia City Manager Scott Randall. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Carlyle Lake to host Saturday fireworks displays
A fireworks display at dusk Saturday night will highlight Labor Day weekend activities at Carlyle Lake. The US Army Corps of Engineers reports the fireworks will be shot off at dusk from Point 1, whic...
Sep 02, 2021 bayasaa / CC
