Category Archives: Local News
Kell Fire Protection District gets $348,000 grant
The Kell Fire Protection District has received a $348,000 grant from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. The money will be used to construct a 24 by 80 foot addition on the northeast side o...
Jul 17, 2025
Former Marion County Coroner released from jail on pre-trial conditions
Former Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon has been released from custody on pretrial conditions as he awaits further court action on seven counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of two girls under ...
Jul 17, 2025
Two Chinese nationals accused of staffing massage parlors in Centralia, Mt Vernon, and Vandalia with prostitutes
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging two Chinese Nationals with offenses related to operating five illicit massage businesses, including Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and Vandalia. 57-yea...
Jul 16, 2025
Replacement Seats for Salem Theatre Arrive; Community Asked to Help Remove Old Seats on Sunday
The first of the replacement seats for the refurbishing of the Salem Community Theatre have arrived. They are being stored until other parts of the project can be completed. That includes removal of t...
Jul 16, 2025
Centralia Police have meeting with One Hope United over continued alleged criminal activity by some residents
Centralia Police will have a meeting with the management of One Hope United next Tuesday to seek a solution to about a half dozen residents who have been arrested multiple times for alleged attacks on...
Jul 16, 2025
Pritzker signs executive order responding to impact of tariffs on Illinois
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 14, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order requiring state agencies to come up with plans to respond to tariffs. President Donald ...
Jul 15, 2025
John Hooker, first of 'ComEd Four' to be sentenced, gets 1½ years in prison
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois July 14, 2025 Article Summary Former Commonwealth Edison executive John Hooker has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in addition to a $500,000 fine - the fi...
Jul 15, 2025
Online Registration Underway for Salem High Students
Salem Community High School Students can now complete online registration for the coming school year. It is available at salemhigh.com through the Skyward Family Access. Students have until Monday, Au...
Jul 15, 2025
Descendants of William Jennings Bryan visit his home
Two great grandsons of William Jennings Bryan visited his birthplace museum in Salem on Monday. Both William Forsyth and William Jennings Bryan Forsyth were impressed with what has been to improve the...
Jul 15, 2025 Salem Historical Commission member Jim Koehler (left) talks with William Jennings Bryan's great grandchildren William Forsyth (center) and William Jennings Bryan Forsyth (right) during a visit to the Bryan Birthplace home on Monday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Four One Hope United Residents Arrested Following Two Incidents
Centralia Police have arrested four 16 and 17-year-old female juveniles from One Hope United following two separate incidents overnight. Three were arrested after entering Five Star Tobacco and Vape o...
Jul 15, 2025
