Category Archives: Local News
Unemployment drops across South Central Illinois
Unemployment fell across South Central Illinois in April. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported unemployment dropped nine-tenths of a percent in April to 3.5-percent. That's nine-ten...
May 27, 2025
Marion County Sheriff guest speaker at Salem Memorial Day Program
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says Memorial Day is important to remember the sacrifices made by those defending our country. He was the guest speaker at the Memorial Day Ceremony in East Lawn Cem...
May 26, 2025 Maron County Sheriff Kevin Cripps delivering his address at the Veterans Day Program in East Lawn Cemetery. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Hungry Hearts begins for summer on Tuesday
The Hungry Hearts free sack lunch program for the Salem area gets underway for the summer on Tuesday. Marilyn Lewis is once again coordinating the program. "Fiancs are pretty well stable on the progra...
May 26, 2025 Meals being prepared for Hungry Hearts program at the Salem Community Center in 2019. File Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia City Council to consider increasing annual rent for some Lake Centralia Leases
The Centralia City Council Tuesday night will consider an increase in leases for the portion of Lake Centralia that they own. In all, 69 properties on the lake are involved. The proposal includes a 9....
May 26, 2025
Salem Community High Student awarded Ralph Mirka Scholarship
The Salem Airport Authority has awarded this year's Ralph Mirka Scholarship to Salem Community High School Senior Jalen Inlow. The $1,829 scholarship is made possible by the trust of the late Ralph Mi...
May 26, 2025 Jaden Inlow is presented the Ralph Merka Scholarship from the Salem Airport Authority Board.
Memorial Day Service held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia
By Cole Wimberly A Memorial Day service was held in the Veterans Section of Hillcrest Memorial Park honoring past, present, and fallen soldiers. The ceremony began with a Posting of the American Flag ...
May 26, 2025
Salem man escapes serious injury when car runs into creek
A 29-year-old Salem man escaped with only minor injuries when his car ran off South College Street at the Kell Road intersection Monday morning. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Colton Wesling of ...
May 26, 2025
Police Beat for Monday, May 26th, 2025
Centralia Police have arrested 32-year-old Keenan Ruckman of Clarida Street in Centralia for arson and criminal trespass to a building. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. No other details are cur...
May 26, 2025
State budget talks enter final week amid fears of congressional cuts
Leaders warn lawmakers have little room to expand state programs By BEN SZALINSKI & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers have one...
May 26, 2025 HARMON (cover) - Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, sits for an interview with Illinois Lawmakers’ host Jak Tichenor on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Memorial Day Services planned in Salem and Centralia
Memorial Day Services are planned in both Salem and Centralia. In Salem, the ceremony is set for eleven Monday morning in front of the Veterans Memorial in East Lawn Cemetery. The guest speaker is Mar...
May 25, 2025 File Photo