Category Archives: Local News
Salem Community High School Teacher of the Year Named
The Salem Community High School Teacher of Year has been named at the school's last day of school breakfast Thursday morning. Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering put together snippets from various nomina...
May 21, 2026
Salem City Council Swears in New Police Chief and Mayor Protem, Approves Change in Excavation Ordinance
The Salem City Council Wednesday night swore in Deputy Chief Tyler Rose as the city's new police chief. Mayor Nic Farley noted how proud he was to swear in Rose. "It's been an honor to watch his leade...
May 21, 2026 Salem Police Chief Tyler Rose (left) is sworn in by Salem Mayor Nic Farley as his wife LeAmber holds the Bible and his children Hazel and Tucker look on. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Industry Doubling Its Size in $15-Million Expansion
Ground was broken Wednesday on a $15-million expansion of Intermountain Electronics in the Centralia Industrial Park. Plant Manager Tim Benedict says the expansion will mean additional jobs at the pla...
May 21, 2026 Groundbreaking at the new Intermountain Electronics expansion. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Three Educators Retire from CHS following 25-26 school year
Three Centralia High School teachers are retiring at the end of the current school year. Math teacher Kyle Blanchard, Auto Mechanics Teacher Rob Minson, and Special Education Teacher Kathi See.
May 21, 2026
New Baden Police Officer Killed in Pedestrian-Vehicle Crash in rural Trenton
A New Baden Police Officer is the victim of a pedestrian-vehicle accident late Tuesday night on the Wesclin Road in rural Trenton. Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous says 59-year-old David Jordan rece...
May 21, 2026
Salem Elks and Shriners Announce Winner of Queen of Hearts Drawing
The Salem Elks and Shriners have announced the winner of the Queen of Hearts. Charlie Russell of Salem won $15,050.80 after card number 37 revealed the Queen at the April 25th drawing. The Queen of He...
May 21, 2026 Left to Right: Shriner Terry Hern Shriner, Elk prize winner Charlie Russell, and Elk Jeff Higgins.
Waltonville Man Injured when Semi Truck Is Hit by Train Near Woodlawn
The driver of a semi truck was thrown from his vehicle after it was hit by a freight train at a crossing only protected by a sign on the south side of Woodlawn Wednesday morning. 50-year-old Steven Li...
May 21, 2026
Police Beat for Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Centralia Police arrested 35-year-old Bradley Venters of North Cherry Street in Centralia on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. Marion County Sherif...
May 21, 2026
CASA asks for volunteers to Advocate for children in Foster Care
CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, asks for volunteers to help assist in their mission to advocate for children in foster care. CASA member, Tavan Hiestand, Program Director over Clay, Marion, a...
May 20, 2026
Two Salem Men charged in connection with Lucky Marble in Patoka
Two Salem men were formally charged in Marion County Court on Tuesday in connection with an early Monday morning burglary broke up in progress at the Lucky Marble in Patoka. 38-year-old Damon Deboer a...
May 20, 2026 Damon Deboer and Harris Atteberry (photos Marion County Jail)
