Category Archives: Local News
Centralia man gets three-year prison term for stabbing and drug possession
A 27-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to three years in prison on aggravated battery and possession of a controlled substance charges. Christian McClelland of Dover Street admitted to the Nov...
Jun 13, 2026 Christopher McClelland
Car Just Restored Catches Fire and Is Destroyed
A 1982 Chevy that had spent ten years parked in a barn before being restored caught fire and was destroyed on its first trip Friday afternoon. Jefferson Fire officials say David Wagner of rural Texico...
Jun 13, 2026
Police Beat for Saturday, June 13th, 2026
A 72-year-old Centralia man has been arrested on an outstanding Texas warrant. Kirby Gardner was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on extradition to Texas. 34-year-old Keith Charlton...
Jun 13, 2026
Members of the Mount Vernon FFA chapter attended the 98th annual Illinois State FFA Convention
Members of the Mount Vernon FFA chapter attended the 98 th annual Illinois State FFA Convention Members of the Mount Vernon FFA chapter attended the 98 th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 9-1...
Jun 12, 2026
Downtown Historic Farmers Market opens in Salem this Saturday
The Downtown Salem Historic Farmers Market with Music on the Porch is returning for another year this Saturday. Becky Timmerman, who owns the Benjamin Edwards building, host the weekly summer event in...
Jun 12, 2026 Apples displayed at a farmers' market. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)
Centralia Police Increase Patrols to Deal with Increase in Burglaries
The Centralia Police Department has increased patrols and is asking for people seeing suspicious activity to report it as a result of a number of recent burglaries. Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says th...
Jun 12, 2026
Officials search tornado-damaged areas after strong storms hit Northern Illinois and Indiana
By DAVE COLLINS and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press Authorities and residents searched tornado-ravaged areas and assessed damage Friday after a strong line of storms barreled through communities south ...
Jun 12, 2026 NOAA Photo Library / CC
Springfield may have been hit by late Wednesday night tornado
Residents of Springfield believe a tornado touched down in their area late Wednesday. Two buildings at the Animal Protective League shelter in the capital city were heavily damaged, but the group&...
Jun 12, 2026 NOAA Photo Library / CC
One Injured in Westside Salem Crash
Salem Police say one person was injured in a two vehicle crash early Thursday evening on the west side of Salem. Police report a pickup driven by 28-year-old Brock Giddens of Route 45 in Louisville tu...
Jun 12, 2026
Centralia Dry Cleaning Business to Stay Open as Cleanup Begins from Exploding Machine
The co-owner of Fleming Cleaners at 903 North Poplar in Centralia says don't count them out as she promised to stay in business after a dry cleaning machine exploded and caused considerable damage Tue...
Jun 12, 2026 Front of the business
