Category Archives: Local News

Salem Township Hospital Board Passes Tight $54-million Budget
The Salem Township Hospital Board has passed a $54-million budget for the fiscal year that begins April first. Hospital CEO Jim Timpe says they should finish the year in the black, but it a much tight...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026

Kaskaskia College to Host Ribbon Cutting and Court Dedication for John W. "Bill" Hawley Court
Kaskaskia College will celebrate the opening of its new competition gym and honor longtime Board of Trustees Chair John W. "Bill" Hawley with a special ribbon-cutting and court dedication ceremony on ...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026 File: The KC Blue Angels in action on the new gym floor. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Final Vote Totals Close Gap Between Two Judge Candidates to 15 votes
The final vote totals for judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit show Fayette County State's Attorney Brenda Mathis a winner by 16 votes over appointed judge Wes Gozia of Salem. Gozia cut Mathis' lead by n...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026

Centralia Man Ordered Held Without Bond on Meth Delivery Charges
A 51-year-old Centralia man has been ordered held in the Marion County Jail without bond until his next court appearance on three counts of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine. Jeffrey Foutch of Sout...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026

Marion County Sheriff's Department Makes Arrest in Hit and Run Bicycle-Mini Van Crash
The Marion County Sheriff's Department has arrested a 63-year-old rural Odin woman in connection with a March 25th hit and run bicycle-minivan collision on the Selmaville Road near Lowery Lane southwe...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026

Republicans, Pritzker point fingers over cause of rising property taxes
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 1, 2026 Article Summary Republicans are blaming Democratic policies, such as unfunded mandates on local governments and school districts, for raising prop...
Austin Williams Apr 02, 2026 Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, debates a bill in the Illinois House on May 21, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Statewide warehouse pollution reduction bill fails to meet committee deadline
by Gabriel Castilho and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 31, 2026 Article Summary A House deadline passed last week with lawmakers declining to advance a measure to establish a...
Austin Williams Apr 01, 2026 The 700,000 square-foot Amazon fulfillment is one of several in the area south of Joliet. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Gabriel Matias Castilho)

Salem Lions Sponsor 90th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Salem Lions Club plans to add more prizes to this year's Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday in Bryan Memorial Park as the event celebrates its 90th year. The event is set to begin at two near the Bryan Par...
Austin Williams Apr 01, 2026 File photo: Two- to four-year-olds hunt for eggs at the Salem Lions Club 88th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

About 150 Join No Kings Protest in Centralia
About 150 joined the No Kings protest at Fairview Park in Centralia on Saturday. It was one of an estimated 3,500 held across the country to condemn some of the actions of President Donald Trump. Mari...
Austin Williams Apr 01, 2026

Police Beat for Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Centralia Police have arrested a 26-year-old Centralia man for aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery. Camryn Thomas of North Maple was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a final dec...
Austin Williams Apr 01, 2026
We use cookies for various purposes including analytics and marketing. By continuing to use this service, you agree to use cookies by us and our third-party service providers as described in the Privacy Policy.
