Category Archives: Local News
Fairview Park's new playground equipment can now be used
The City of Centralia has announced that the new playground equipment in Fairview Park is now open for play. The city had asked everyone to stay off the playground during the final installation of lar...
May 25, 2025 Part of the new Fairview Park Playground Equipment. Photo: City of Centralia.
Police Beat for Sunday, May 25th, 2025
A 47-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Wamac Police on an outstanding Marion County no-bond misdemeanor failure to appear warrant. Shawn Vaughn of South Locust was taken to the Marion County...
May 25, 2025
Centralia man sentenced to nine years in prison for business burglary
A 41-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a burglary at the Barking Lot in downtown Centralia last October. Charles Anderson of North Poplar had a second burglary char...
May 24, 2025 Charles Anderson
Kinmundy girl critically injured when falling out of tree
An eight-year-old Kinmundy girl was critically injured and last reported in a coma after falling seven feet out of a tree at her home Friday morning. Kinmundy-Alma Ambulance and United Medical Respons...
May 24, 2025 Air Evac Medical Helicopter.
Police Beat for Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Wamac Police have arrested a 30-year-old Centralia man for residential burglary, forgery, and theft. Zachary Higgins of South Cherry Street was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on f...
May 24, 2025
Illinois lawmakers pass bill to raise age of senior driving tests
If signed by governor, seniors won't have to take an annual driving test until the age of 87 By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - A bill unanimously passe...
May 24, 2025 The secretary of state’s downtown driver services facility is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse turn up calls for reforms from new pope's American hometown
By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) - Survivors of clergy sexual abuse amplified calls this week for a global zero-tolerance policy from the new pope's American hometown and raised question...
May 24, 2025 FILE - Pope Leo XIV appears at the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for his first Sunday blessing after his election, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, May 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
Centralia Junior High School promotes 122 to high school
The Centralia Junior High gym was packed Thursday night to watch 122 eighth grade students be promoted to high school. Aaronayzha Collins was selected as the student of the year based on being a hard ...
May 23, 2025 Centralia Junior High School graduating class of 2025. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds Carlyle visitors the importance of keeping safety in mind while having fun.
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is excited to welcome visitors to Carlyle Lake for another recreation season, and stress the importance of staying safe while havin...
May 23, 2025
'Click It or Ticket' Buckle your Seatbelts for Memorial Day and Every Day
The Centralia Police Department is reminding drivers to buckle up as part of the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign. This high-visibility seat belt enforcement initiative runs from May 16 to May 2...
May 23, 2025 Michael Sheehan / CC
