Category Archives: Local News
Mt. Vernon man pleads guilty to second degree murder; sentenced to 20 years in prison
A 67-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday in Jefferson County Court to second-degree murder. Peter Harris is the third person to plead or...
Jul 22, 2026 Peter Harris
Locally produced movie 'Scream Fitness' to debut Thursday night at Salem Community Theatre
The debut of the locally produced movie 'Scream Fitness' is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Salem Community Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 and the film starts at 7 p.m. The 'Outcast' production cre...
Jul 22, 2026
Sandoval Shalom updates Village Board on operations following fire at Methodist Church
Two representatives of the Sandoval Shalom questioned the Sandoval Village Board Tuesday night on possible space they may have to temporarily host the organization's food pantry after its facility bur...
Jul 22, 2026 File photo; Fire being extinguished at the First United Methodist Church in Sandoval.
Sandoval business expansion to receive TIF assistance
The Sandoval Village Board has agreed to provide tax increment financing assistance to help SerenityPass Holistic Health renovate their existing building and purchase the former Taylor Maid building n...
Jul 22, 2026
Two injured in crash at Pleasant and McCord in Centralia
Centralia Police say both drivers were injured in a two-car crash at Pleasant and McCord Streets in Centralia Monday afternoon. Reports indicate 64-year-old Jeffrey Shafran of Lakewood Drive in Centra...
Jul 22, 2026
Police Beat for Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026
A 27-year-old Patoka man has been arrested by Salem Police on a Marion County no bond major traffic warrant. Joseph Mengarelli was taken into custody when police were called to the Casey's store to in...
Jul 22, 2026
Prosecutors decline to charge Illinois State Police trooper in fatal shooting of mother of 3
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois July 20, 2026 Article Summary St. Clair County State's Attorney James Gomric has declined to file criminal charges in the officer-involved shooting of Rachel...
Jul 22, 2026 A screen grab from a police video shows an Illinois State Police trooper firing into a car that killed the driver. (Photo courtesy Illinois State Police)
Bailey seeks to classify any organization receiving $10K in state grants as a 'public body'
by Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois July 21, 2026 Article Summary Darren Bailey's campaign is getting behind stalled Statehouse legislation that would make nongovernmental organizations that recei...
Jul 22, 2026 Republican lieutenant governor nominee Aaron Del Mar speaks inside the Illinois Capitol on July 20, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)
Marion County Property Tax Payers Given Break if You Missed 1st Installment Deadline
Marion County Treasurer Gary Purcell is giving taxpayers a break who missed last Friday's deadline to pay the first installment of property taxes. Purcell says payments can be made through Friday with...
Jul 22, 2026 DonkeyHotey / CC
Little Miss Candidates announced for Marion County Fair Queen competition
There will be Little Miss candidates in both the Marion County Queen and Junior Miss Competition again this year. They perform a dance, then have a crowning moment and receive a tiara and scepter. The...
Jul 22, 2026
