Category Archives: Local News
Salem Grade School Board approves tax levy, does not approve TIF #4 agreement
The Salem Grade School Board of Education approved a 3.7% tax levy increase at the regular school board meeting on Monday. The levy is expected to bring an additional $104,112 to the district. The lev...
Nov 18, 2025
Salem Grade Schools receive ISBE School Report Card
The Illinois School Report Card for the 2024-25 school year gave Hawthorn School a "Commendable" designation and Franklin Park Middle School a "Targeted Support" designation. Franklin Park's Targeted ...
Nov 18, 2025
Police Beat for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
A 46-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Wamac Police for domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Randall Guillen of Wabash Avenue was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a final decisio...
Nov 18, 2025
Missouri man sentenced to 15+ years for kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend to force her to get an abortion in Fairview Heights
A U.S. district judge at East St. Louis sentenced a man from St. Peters, Missouri, to 188 months in federal prison after he admitted to kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend at gun point and driving to F...
Nov 17, 2025
Pillow fighting brings out good crowd to Salem Community Activity Center
Pillow Pandemonium at the Salem Community Activity Center on Saturday night brought out a big crowd to watch the first-time event in Salem. Salem Fireman Matt Eastin with the stage name of El Fuego Ro...
Nov 17, 2025 Salem City Councilman Frank Addison held on to defeat Centralia City Councilman and Salem Mailman Izzy Fontanez in Council Wars.
Vandalia man faces six charges including first degree murder in connection with death of 14-year-old family member (new 3 pm Monday)
A 43-year-old Vandalia man has been formally charged in Fayette County Court with six counts, including murder, in connection with the death of a 14-year-old female family member, Kylie Toberman of Va...
Nov 17, 2025 Arnold Rivera
Ribbon cutting held for two Central City businesses
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce has held ribbon cuttings at two Central City restaurants and video gaming businesses. Dago's is located at 1159 North Poplar and Jack's - Let's Play at 140 North Comm...
Nov 17, 2025 Ribbon cutting for Dago's restaurant in Central City. Photo credit: Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
Salem City Council to consider new electric aggregation agreement
The Salem City Council Monday night will consider entering into a new electric aggregation with Good Energy after receiving more information on the extension and what it could mean in savings to Salem...
Nov 17, 2025
Barn destroyed southeast of Salem
A barn was destroyed by fire Sunday night on the Kevin Rakers property on England Road east of County Farm Road. Salem Fire Protection District firefighters report the barn was already on the ground w...
Nov 17, 2025
This week is Village Cleanup Week in Central City
This week is village wide cleanup week in Central City. Items can be placed at curbside Monday through Friday for pickup. Exceptions are tires, paint, building supplies, computers, TVs, and car parts.
Nov 17, 2025
