Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Mobile Home Tax Bills Are in the Mail
Marion County Treasurer Gary L. Purcell has announced that the 2026 Mobile Home Tax Bills are in the mail. 1,587 Mobile Home Privilege Tax bills are being mailed. That's down from 1,649 last year. The...
May 02, 2026 SSilver / Depositphotos.com
Missing 13-Year-Old Rural Salem Girl Found Unharmed in Missouri, Investigation Is Continuing (updated 11:45 pm Friday)
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says missing 13-year-old Hope L. Ballard of rural Salem has been found safe in Branson, Missouri. Detectives from the sheriff's department will question a person of ...
May 01, 2026
Salem Community High School Crowns New Prom King and Queen
Salem Community High School Prom King and Queen are Brody Collier and Marah Johnson. They were crowned during the coronation at the 2026 Prom on Friday night by outgoing King Keyton King and Queen Key...
May 01, 2026 SCHS Prom Queen Marah Johnson and King Brody Collier.
Illinois State Board of Education wants to revamp how it counts low-income students
Number of families receiving federal benefits such as Medicaid and SNAP is declining Article Summary The state Board of Education says it needs a more accurate count of low-income students as particip...
May 01, 2026 The Illinois State Board of Education’s headquarters is pictured in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
13th Annual Locust Street Fair in Centralia Is Saturday
The 13th Annual Locust Street Fair will be held in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Locust Street in Centralia on Saturday. Community Development Director Gayla Harting says there will be 60 vendors in...
May 01, 2026
Salem Community Rallies to Raise Money for Post Prom
When the week started, the finances of the Salem Lions Club Post Prom were in poor condition. But when WJBD-WSIQ made the problem known and Security Alarm provided a $1,000 matching donation the situa...
May 01, 2026
Residents to Have a Chance to Recycle Electronic Items and Get Papers Shredded on Saturday
Area residents are being given a chance to recycle no longer wanted electronic items and to get personal papers shredded in different locations on Saturday. Contained Storage and Shredding at 330 Nort...
May 01, 2026 FrameAngel / Depositphotos.com
Kaskaskia College Board Welcomes New Student Trustee
By Steven Stilt The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees on Thursday welcomed its new student trustee for the next year and commended the outgoing student trustee. Taking the oath of office as student ...
May 01, 2026 New Kaskaskia College student trustee Andolini Gray, right, shakes hands with Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Hawley after taking the oath of office Thursday evening. Photo by Steven Stilt.
Kaskaskia College Board votes to keep leadership structure
By Steven Stilt During its meeting Thursday night, the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees chose to maintain its current leadership structure for the next year. Trustees voted unanimously to retain Bi...
May 01, 2026
Missing Sandoval Man Found Lying in Swampy Area Following Day Long Search
A 56-year-old Sandoval man with medical issues who had been missing for two days was found alive following a day-long search by multiple police, fire, and ESDA organizations. Sandoval Assistant Police...
May 01, 2026
