Category Archives: Local News
Deere & Co agrees to pay $99 million to settle 'right to repair' lawsuit
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipmen...
Apr 08, 2026 FILE - A person walks on an X9 1100 combine at the John Deere booth during the CES tech show, Jan. 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Balloon Fest to Seek Centralia City Council Approval to Move to Fairview Park Due to Electrical Issues
The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce is asking the City of Centralia to use Fairview Park to host the 37th Annual Balloon Fest on August 21st through the 23rd. The decision to move to an alternat...
Apr 07, 2026 Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem City Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan and Budget
The Salem City Council Monday night approved a new ten-year comprehensive plan and the fiscal year budget that begins May 1st. Jim Arndt of Arndt Municipal Services presented the comprehensive plan, n...
Apr 07, 2026 Consultant Jim Arndt describes the completed Comprehensive Plan which will guide the city over the next ten years.
Salem City Council Approves Two TIF Improvement Projects; Delay Sale of Land Near Industrial Park
The Salem City Council has approved two downtown tax increment financing district projects. The council awarded $25,000 to Crescendo Properties, LLC owned by Tracy and Becky Timmerman to replace doors...
Apr 07, 2026
Cedarhurst Receives Highest National Recognition with Reaccreditation
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation's museums. Accreditation signifies excellen...
Apr 07, 2026 Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. (Facebook photo)
Central City Mobile Home Destroyed by Fire
Fire destroyed a Central City mobile home late Monday morning. A resident, Justin Dubois, had just moved into the home at 326 North Park on Sunday, with power turned on earlier in the day. The home is...
Apr 07, 2026 Fire at a Central City mobile home on Monday. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Wamac Council brings back liquor license for establishment damaged by 2025 fire
By Steven Stilt The Wamac City Council voted during its meeting Monday evening to reopen a liquor license for use by an establishment that is in the process of being rebuilt following a fire that took...
Apr 07, 2026 File photo: Wamac City Hall
14,000 Plastic Eggs Quickly Gathered at ATVs and More Easter Egg Hunt
An estimated 400 kids quickly made their way through ATVs and More in Salem Saturday morning to gather more than 14,000 eggs spread out throughout the building. Marketing Director Curtis Denzik says t...
Apr 06, 2026 Easter egg hunt in progress at ATVs and More in Salem. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Wamac Area Easter Egg Hunt Sees One of Its Biggest Turnouts
Over 750 kids converged on the Wamac City Park Sunday for the Wamac Areas 16th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Coordinator Butch Mathus says he always wants to make sure every kid gets something since it migh...
Apr 06, 2026 Children participate in the Wamac Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Vicki Rodgers.
Salem Lion's Club Celebrates 90th Easter Egg Hunt with More Prizes
The Salem Lion's Club hosted its 90th annual Easter Egg Hunt in Bryan Memorial Park on Sunday. The event featured more prize eggs including six bicycles, many toys, and even some eggs containing $10 c...
Apr 06, 2026 Bicycle winners at the Salem Easter Egg Hunt in Bryan Memorial Park. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
