Category Archives: Local News
Salem Bowl Damaged in Smoky Fire
A fire has damaged Salem Bowl on East Main Street. Salem Fire Chief Jim Cerny said they received mutual aid from four other departments in the quick knockdown. "Automatic alarm came in, so we responde...
Aug 17, 2025 Firemen had to cut out part of the entrance to the lounge area of Salem Bowl during a late Sunday morning fire. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Jefferson County man charged with alleged dissemination of child sexual abuse material
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Mt. Vernon man with allegedly disseminating child sexual abuse material. 33-year-old Dustin Phillips is charged with five Class X felony counts of disseminat...
Aug 16, 2025 Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Police Beat for Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Four people have been arrested on outstanding warrants and taken to the Marion County Jail. 40-year-old Cornelius Crosby of East Haussler in Centralia was arrested by Salem Police on an outstanding Wa...
Aug 16, 2025
One Killed in Crash in I-64 Eastbound Rest Area in Jefferson County
An out-of-area man died when his car drove into the eastbound rest area of I-64 at the Goshen Road Rest Area in Jefferson County, Friday night, and struck the rear of a semi. Jefferson County Coroner ...
Aug 16, 2025 ISP FILE PHOTO: An Illinois State Police squad car is pictured in a file photo.(Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)
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
