Category Archives: Local News
Two vehicle crash on Green Street in Odin results in minor injuries
No serious injuries were reported in a two-car crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of Green Street just south of U.S. 50/Poplar Street. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say 41-yea...
Aug 22, 2025
Boat races return to Raccoon Lake this weekend
The sanctioned boat races return to Raccoon Lake this weekend. This is the 21st year of the event which has been coordinated since the beginning by Al Owen, who is a racer himself. "We are expecting a...
Aug 21, 2025 File: NBRA Boat Races at Raccoon Lake. Photo by Pat Hodges.
South Central School Board approves tentative budget; looks at enrollment
The South Central School Board approved its tentative budget Wednesday night. Superintendent Kerry Herdes says the projected budget for the fiscal year 2026 looks healthy. "We're shooting for a break-...
Aug 21, 2025
Flag and bathroom projects nearly completed at Sandoval High School
The installation of the large US flag from the ceiling of the Sandoval Junior-Senior High School Gym has been completed. It will be lowered down for various events in the gym, including the start of b...
Aug 21, 2025 Sandoval Junior-Senior High School. Photo from District website.
No grant money to study consolidation of Sandoval, Patoka, and Odin school districts
There will be no state grant money available to conduct a feasibility study on the possible consolidation or additional sharing of services between Sandoval, Odin, and Patoka School Districts. The thr...
Aug 21, 2025 File: Odin High School. Photo by Sam Snodsmith.
Mt. Vernon man arrested for alleged child pornography
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department reports a 54-year-old Mt. Vernon man wanted on a warrant charging child pornography has been arrested by Palatine Police and returned to the Jefferson County ...
Aug 21, 2025
Police Beat for Thursday, August 21st, 2025
A 50-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police for unlawful restraint, domestic battery and resisting arrest. Jackie VanGilder of Jonquil Street was taken to the Marion County Jail ...
Aug 21, 2025
Main Street Flag returns in Salem
A large US flag once again greets motorists entering Salem on West Main Street near I-57. The original flag was flown from the other side of West Main but was stopped when electricity to light the fla...
Aug 20, 2025 The Salem Main Street Flag flies on its new flagpole. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Kaskaskia College Salem Education Center reopens for Fall Semester
The Kaskaskia College Salem Education Center has reopened this week for fall classes and other community activities. The center closed in the Spring due to damage caused by a flash flood fueled by ext...
Aug 20, 2025
Sandoval Village Board to Seek 12-year extension of its TIF District
The Sandoval Village Board will seek a 12-year extension to its tax increment financing district that is scheduled to expire at the end of next year. Village Administrator LeeAnn Speiser says the Sand...
Aug 20, 2025 Sandoval Village Board (file photo)
