Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Board to vote on study to determine issues with assessed valuations levels
The Marion County Board's budget committee is recommending to the full county board that a company be hired to determine why Marion County is nearly the worst in the state for the differential between...
Aug 13, 2025 All the seats were full in the small Marion County Courthouse small courtroom for the county board's budget committee meeting Monday night.
Salem Fire District Board feels city's new TIF-4 district threatens future quality of fire department
The Salem Fire Protection District Board is expressing frustration with Salem's new large TIF-4 district. Board President Mike Squibb says the district 'will hammer' the assessed valuation growth in t...
Aug 13, 2025 Salem Fire Department trustees and officers sit down with Salem High School Superintendent and Salem Township Supervisor to discuss negative impact of new tax increment financing district. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Illinois Dems say state should be blueprint in national fight against Trump
Democratic candidates for Senate disagree over receiving contributions from corporations By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker and ...
Aug 13, 2025 Gov. JB Pritzker addresses the crowd and receives cheers from his fellow party leaders at a Governor’s Day rally at the Illinois State Fair on August 13, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Jeffries says working-class focus is key to Democrats retaking U.S. House
U.S. House Minority Leader was keynote speaker at annual Democratic county chairs brunch By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary U.S. House Minority Lea...
Aug 13, 2025 U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gives a keynote address at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. The event is the largest annual downstate gathering of Illinois Democrats. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Centralia drug dealer sentenced to 17 years on meth and fentanyl charges
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 204 months of federal imprisonment after he admitted to distributing pound quantities of meth and fentanyl. Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, ...
Aug 13, 2025
30-acre solar farm proposed for east of Sandoval
A Solar Farm valued at nearly 15 million dollars has been proposed near U.S. 50 a mile east of Sandoval. The Project Development Manager for Dimension Energy Paul Irby is requesting the Marion County ...
Aug 13, 2025 Dimension Energy's Paul Irby gives a presentation to Marion County Board committee members. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County Sheriff wants One Hope United to pay all costs associated with residents ordered detained on criminal charges
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps doesn't feel taxpayers should have to pick up the cost of One Hope United residents who are detained for crimes while at the Centralia campus. He told the Law Enforc...
Aug 13, 2025 File photo: Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Balloon Fest crew training is Wednesday evening at Foundation Park
Those who want to learn more about ballooning and would like to help crew a balloon during this weekend's Balloon Fest are invited to crew training Wednesday night. Chamber Executive Director Marcus H...
Aug 13, 2025
Mini van hit in rear by semi that left scene on I-57 south of Salem
State Police are looking for a semi that apparently hit the rear of a minivan owned by Lewis Bakery while both were traveling northbound on I-57 near the rest area south of Salem. Salem Fire Protectio...
Aug 13, 2025 Flashing lights are pictured on an Illinois State Police car. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Salem Firemen say fryer fire at KFC out on their arrival
The Salem Fire Protection District was called out early Tuesday evening to a report of a fryer on fire at Kentucky Fried Chicken at 101 Baldridge Lane. Firemen say the fire had gone out by their arriv...
Aug 13, 2025
