Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Board committees say U of I extension money will be returned
Supporters of the University of Illinois Extension Programs, including 4H, jammed into the Marion County Courthouse Monday night to ask the county board to return the money zeroed out of the budget fo...
May 13, 2025 Jordee Koehler speaks at a Marion County Board committee meeting on Monday night. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Juneteenth organizers speak at Centralia Museum
By Steven Stilt Organizers of the annual Centralia Juneteenth celebration are gearing up for next month's festivities and hope to see the local event continue to grow. Members of the Juneteenth Commit...
May 13, 2025 (From left) Malaya Downey, Ellie McClelland, and Timothia Reid from the Centralia Juneteenth Committee speak at the Centralia Area Historical Museum on Monday evening. Photo by Steven Stilt.
Centralia man injured in Mills Cart Road Crash
A 24-year-old Centralia man was injured when his SUV ran off Mills Cart Road east of Hoots Chapel Road northeast of Salem and fell six feet off a bridge into a creek below. Salem Fire Protection Distr...
May 13, 2025
Centralia regulates electric and gas bicycles
The Centralia City Council passed an ordinance at its regular meeting on Monday to regulate low-speed electric and gas bicycles on city streets. These powered bicycles will now be required to be regis...
May 13, 2025 Centralia City Council during Monday night's meeting. Photo by Austin Williams.
Centralia City Council welcomes new member
Monday night's Centralia City Council meeting was the last for departing member Jeff Castellari and the first for newly elected Marion "Bunny" Garrett. Garrett was elected in the April consolidated el...
May 13, 2025 Bunny Garrett speaks to the audience after being sworn in to the city council. Photo by Austin Williams.
Salem Community High School E-sports team's 2025 IHSA E-sports Sectional and State Results
The Salem Community High School E-sports team competed in the IHSA E-sports sectionals against 24 teams from all around Southern Illinois. The team placed high in most their brackets with two state-qu...
May 13, 2025
Little Egypt CEO Program Trade Show
The Little Egypt CEO Program is holding its trade show on Wednesday, May 14th, from 5:30-7:30 at the Harvest Room in Salem. Little Egypt CEO's trade show celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurship...
May 13, 2025
Centralia High School holds 26th Academic Pep Assembly
350 Centralia High School students were recognized at the 26th annual Academic Pep Assembly on Monday. The assembly is hosted every year by the CHS Renaissance committee to honor students who go above...
May 12, 2025 Students and parents gather in Trout Arena for the Academic Pep Assembly. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Marion County Board Chair finds way to save U of I Extension funding
As those involved in the 4-H and other University of Illinois Extension programs plan to attend Monday night's Marion County Board finance and budget meetings, Board Chair Steve Whritenour has found a...
May 12, 2025 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Centralia to consider regulation of low-speed electric and gas bicycles
The City of Centralia Monday night will consider an ordinance amendment to regulate the operation of low speed electric and gas bicycles on city streets. The ordinance would require an annual registra...
May 12, 2025
