Category Archives: Local News
John Consolino Announces Candidacy for Regional Superintendent of Schools
The current Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington Counties is running to become Regional Superintendent of Schools. John Consolino is seeking to replace his...
Aug 16, 2025
Successful Lift Off and Glow Highlights Day One of Balloon Fest
Plenty of visitors came to Foundation Park on Friday for the opening day of the 36th annual Centralia Balloon Fest. Attendees had to endure high temperatures with a heat index over 100 at times, but t...
Aug 16, 2025 Balloons fired up for Friday night Balloon Glow. Photo by Pat Hodges.
New Republican to run for Illinois governor as election season begins
Former state GOP leader joins U.S. Senate race as party gains secretary of state candidate By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Ted Dabrowski, the ...
Aug 16, 2025 TRACY: Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy tells a crowd of Republicans in Springfield that he will run for U.S. Senate in 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Texas GOP chairman calls Illinois a winnable 'purple state'
Republicans recruiting candidates and trying to hone message ahead of 2026 elections By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Story summary: Texas Republican Party Chair...
Aug 16, 2025 Texas GOP Chair Abraham George addresses Illinois Republicans at a party breakfast Thursday in Springfield ahead of the Illinois State Fair. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Salem Community Theatre announces $150,000 'Raise the Curtain' fundraising campaign
The Salem Community Theatre has announced a fundraising "Raise the Curtain' campaign to pay for new seats and a major renovation of the theatre building. Theatre Board Chair Drew Johnson says work is ...
Aug 15, 2025 Salem Community Theatre Board. Left to right in rear row: Emma Turner and Avery Jones, student liaison members, Chelsea Duke, Jackie Black, Curtis Black, Matt Hlton, Secretary Meredith Fyke and Bruce Kropp. Seated in front road: Mayor Nic Farley (ex-officio member), Rich Sinclair, Vice Chair Kerry Krutsinger, Chair Drew Johnson, Kathy Hayes, and Manager/Treasurer Dana Luse. Missing: Rene Gozia, Kathie Garren, and Taylor Parker.
Du Quoin State Fair announces Twilight Parade Grand Marshal and theme
Governor JB Pritzker has announced that Dr. Glenn Poshard will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2025 Du Quoin State Fair Twilight Parade. The parade theme is "Adventure Awaits!" Dr. Poshard has over 50 ...
Aug 15, 2025
Kinmundy purchases new pump for sewer lift station and materials to build new 4th Street pedestrian bridge
Kinmundy has purchased a new $25,000 pump for its sewer lift station at the end of Second Street. One of the pumps failed earlier and could not be repaired. A backup pump was put into service and now ...
Aug 15, 2025 File: Kinmundy city council meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Balloon Fest Opens Friday afternoon for Three Day Run
Balloon Fest in Foundation Park officially opens at three Friday afternoon with activity continuing through early Sunday evening. The first balloon flight is around 5:30 Friday evening, followed by th...
Aug 15, 2025 Balloonists launch from Castle Ridge in Centralia on Thursday night ahead of main Balloon Fest activities that begin at three Friday afternoon. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Arrest announced in unauthorized videotaping at St. Rose Church Picnic (updated 5:45 pm)
Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous says a rural Breese man has been charged with three Class 4 felony counts in Clinton County of unauthorized videotaping in connection with two cameras found in tempo...
Aug 14, 2025 Clinton County Sheriff's Department. Photo courtesy of department's Facebook page.
Balloon Fest crews receive training in Foundation Park
Around fifty people were in Foundation Park Wednesday evening for crew training ahead of Balloon Fest this weekend. Balloons were filled with air, but conditions did not allow for takeoff Wednesday ni...
Aug 14, 2025 Balloon Fest officials speak to crew members at training in foundation park. Photo by Pat Hodges.
