Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Route 37 and CN Tracks in Alma Closed Following Gas Leak
Illinois Route 37 and the CN tracks in Alma were closed to traffic for over an hour and a half early Tuesday afternoon after a piece of a grain elevator being dismantled struck a natural gas riser cau...
Jul 23, 2025 Eddie~S / CC
Marion County Board plans follow up meeting on property tax values
Marion County's property tax inequities drew a big crowd to Tuesday's board meeting. But those in attendance were told by Board Chair Steve Whritenour an outside firm would be brought in to suggest im...
Jul 23, 2025 Roy Landers speaks at a packed Marion County Board meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
United Way of South Central Illinois announces upcoming protein market in Centralia
United Way of South Central Illinois, in partnership with Central Illinois Foodbank, SSM Health, and University of Illinois Extension, is hosting a protein market on Thursday, July 24th, at the Centra...
Jul 23, 2025
Centralia girl taken to hospital after finger gets stuck in chair
Centralia City Firemen were called Tuesday night to free the finger of a 16-year-old girl who had it stuck in a metal chair at a home in the 100 block of East 13th. Firemen eventually used their hydra...
Jul 23, 2025
Central City prepares to seek new OSLAD grant for Lions Park
Central City public works manager Shane Swartzlander reported that the projects being worked on in Lions Park are progressing on schedule. Most improvements are funded by an Open Space Lands Acquisiti...
Jul 23, 2025 Work in progress by the playground at Lions Park. Photo by Austin Williams.
Police Beat for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
Two people were taken to the Marion County Jail on no-bond Marion County major traffic warrants. 58-year-old Tracy Behringer of South Walnut in Centralia was arrested in Jefferson County and transferr...
Jul 23, 2025
Salem City Council approves water, sewer, and TIF projects
The Salem City Council has approved bids to complete water and sewer improvements. The City Council Monday night awarded Furlong Excavating a $332,000 contract to replace waterlines on Rotan, Jennings...
Jul 22, 2025
Salem swears in new experienced police officer
The Salem City Council Monday night swore in a new police officer. Nathan Eck has been a police officer in Flora for the past five years. As a result, he starts with the field training program for new...
Jul 22, 2025 Nathan Eck is sworn in as a Salem police officer. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Community High School Board approves five-year extension of SRO program
The Salem Community High School Board has approved a five-year extension of the school resource officer program. Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering says the officer has been very valuable to the school....
Jul 22, 2025 Salem Community High School Board. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia teen charged with robbery following April phone theft
A 19-year-old Centralia man faces four felony charges for his role in allegedly battering and stealing a phone from a juvenile boy as he was walking down a street. Dakota Bender of Melrose Avenue was ...
Jul 22, 2025 Dakota Bender
