Category Archives: Local News
Fire destroys standalone garage in Central City
Fire destroyed a standalone garage and two cars at 235 North Morrisson in Central City on Thursday morning. Flames were already coming through the roof when firefighters arrived. One car parked inside...
Aug 01, 2025 Centralia Fire Protection District responds to the garage fire on N Morrison. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Entry forms to Little Egypt Festival Parade now available
Entry forms for the 54th Annual Little Egypt Festival Parade on Saturday, October 4th are now available. Forms may be picked up at the WJBD-WSIQ studios at 310 West McMackin or at Salem City Hall. You...
Aug 01, 2025 File: Photo of the 2024 Little Egypt Parade from the aerial platform of the Salem Fire Protection District Truck. (Photo: Salem Fire Protection District)
Centralia Woman Sentenced to Prison for Weapons Charge; Salem Man Get Delay in Sentence to Participate in Drug Court
A 45-year-old Centralia woman has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Christy Hamburg of Old Salem Road in Centralia received a two-year prison term in the Illinois Departmen...
Aug 01, 2025 Left: Christy Hamburg Right: Gilbert Sidener
Salem Teen Pleads Guilty to Charges from Three Altercations
An 18-year-old Salem man involved in three separate altercations in April and May has entered a guilty plea to charges involving all three. Tyree Wilborn of Charleston Road was one of those involved i...
Aug 01, 2025 Tyree Wilborn
Marion County Fair Hosts Southern Illinois Pullers League Thursday night
The Southern Illinois Pullers League Tractor Pull was held at the Marion County Fairgrounds Thursday night for the first time. Winners included Bill Saathoff of Hillsboro in the Hot Street Gas Trucks,...
Aug 01, 2025
Police Beat for Friday, August 1st, 2025
A 50-year-old Vandalia man has been transported back to the Marion County Jail on an outstanding Marion County felony failure to appear warrant. Robert Marshall of West Jefferson was being held pendin...
Aug 01, 2025
Centralia to Join Cahokia Conference in 2026-27
The Centralia Orphans will embark on their 86th and final season in the South 7 Conference this year. At a special board meeting held last night, the Centralia School Board voted unanimously (7-0) to ...
Aug 01, 2025
Marion County 4H Auction sees bidders pay $129,800 for 95 livestock projects
The Marion County 4-H Auction livestock sale at the fair Wednesday night had winning bids totaling $129,800 for the 95 animals on the block. That was just shy of the $131,500 in top bids last year. Am...
Jul 31, 2025
Marion County Fair Rodeo Results
Bellow is a list of the results for the Whippoorwill Rodeo. For the Barrel Racing, 1st place went to Nealia Courtis, Mineral Point, MO. 2nd place went to Elaina Mckinney. For the Bareback Riding, 1st ...
Jul 31, 2025
Salem Township Hospital renovation and addition project comes in under estimate
Bids have been opened for the Salem Township Hospital renovation and expansion project. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Jim Timpe is happy with the results. "We were budgeted for $17 million for cons...
Jul 31, 2025 Salem Township Hospital President/CEO James Timpe. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
