Category Archives: Local News
More Than 125 Attend Storm Spotting Class in Salem
More than 125 attended a storm spotting class presented by the National Weather Service at the Salem Community Activity Center. National Weather Service Meteorologist Melissa Delia says the role of st...
Feb 26, 2026 National Weather Service Meteorologist Melissa Delia speaks to those attending the storm spotting seminar at the Salem Community Activity Center. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Township Hospital's Emergency Room About to Move Temporarily
The Salem Township Hospital expansion and renovation of the emergency and operating rooms remains on schedule and on budget entering a new phase of the project. Hospital CEO Jim Timpe says patients wi...
Feb 26, 2026 Salem Township Hospital President/CEO James Timpe. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Illinois legislators introduce bills to regulate pricing based on personal data
by Jenna Schweikert and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois February 24, 2026 Article Summary Two bills introduced in the house would require companies to tell consumers when the...
Feb 26, 2026 The state capitol building is seen in Springfield. (CNI file photo)
Kell Man Formally Charged with Burglary to Odin Business
A 29-year-old Kell man has been formally charged in Marion County Court with burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property at the Toad Alley Smoke Shop at 110 West Poplar in Odin early Wednesday mo...
Feb 26, 2026
Fire Destroys Rural Kinmundy Home
A rural Kinmundy home has been destroyed by a fire blamed on a trash fire being left unattended. Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says the fire was in a rental home at 7823 King Road that is owned b...
Feb 26, 2026 liz west / CC
2026 Marion County Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption Renewal forms, along with Disabled Person & Disabled Veterans to be mailed on February 26
Marion County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Miller has announced the 2026 Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption renewal forms & Senior Assessment Freeze forms are being mailed on February 26th and t...
Feb 26, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Salem Grade School Board Receives School Maintenance Grant; Raises Transitional Kindergarten Registration Fee
The Salem Grade School Board has received a $50,000 state matching school maintenance grant which will be utilized in the roof resurfacing project at Hawthorn School this summer. Superintendent Dr. Le...
Feb 26, 2026
COVID-19 and Flu Cases Remain High in Salem Area
Salem Township Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Ambuehl says COVID and flu cases being seen in the hospital's emergency room and medical clinics remains high. In the period from February 1st to Feb...
Feb 26, 2026
A four-year ag degree now possible without leaving the area
It's now possible to earn a four-year degree in agriculture without leaving the area. Kaskaskia College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale have entered into a new partnership designed to e...
Feb 25, 2026 The agriculture degree partnership between KC and SIU is signed at the John D. Cavaletto Agriculture Center. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County Board to Begin Work on Finding New Supervisor of Assessments
The Marion County Board set a procedure in place to search for a new Supervisor of Assessments when Mark Miller retires at the end of the year. The board has established a new sub-committee under the ...
Feb 25, 2026 File photo: Marion County Board meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
