Category Archives: Local News
Durbin, Pritzker put pressure on Republicans to oppose cuts to key programs
Thousands of Illinoisians could lose coverage from Medicaid cuts, governor warns By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com TAYLORVILLE - Voters must put pressure on con...
Mar 22, 2025
Pritzker's community college initiative stalls in House committee
Bill would allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor's degree programs By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - One of Gov. JB Pritzker's top le...
Mar 22, 2025 Legislation that would allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs has hit a roadblock in the General Assembly. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Centralia Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cutting for phase one of The Commonwealth
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the first phase of the Commonwealth development on East Broadway at Poplar Street with a ribbon cutting Thursday afternoon. The ribbon cutting welcomed the...
Mar 21, 2025 Ribbon Cutting for the Commonwealth in downtown Centralia. Photo by Pat Hodges.
South Central School superintendent announces retirement; next superintendent named
South Central School Superintendent Kerry Herdes has announced his retirement in June of next year after 20 years in the district as elementary school principal and then as Superintendent the last 11 ...
Mar 21, 2025 South Central elementary school principal Sara Rose, who will be the district's next superintendent.
Salem Grade School Board acts on personnel issues; honors several students
The Salem Grade School Board Thursday night handled a long list of personnel issues. A long time office employee at Hawthorn Grade School has submitted her letter of retirement. The board thanked Dean...
Mar 21, 2025 Left to right: Gino Monroe, Tyler Lux, Dakoda Miller-Branson. Spellers Monroe and Miller-Branson were recognized for their performance in the Marion County Spelling Bee.
Odin has two applicants for single available gaming license
Two applicants have now expressed interest in one open liquor license in Odin that would also allow video gaming. Jeff and Heather Day told the board Thursday night if they received the license they w...
Mar 21, 2025 Odin Village Board meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Thursday afternoon crash in Centralia sends one to hospital
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash at East 5th and South Pine in Centralia Thursday afternoon. Centralia Police say Amanda Goodin of Sycamore Street was traveling east on 5th Street when sh...
Mar 21, 2025
Police Beat for Friday, March 21st, 2025
Centralia Police have arrested a 53-year-old Centralia woman on a domestic violence warrant. Misty Horton of East Broadway was transported to the Marion County Jail on the no bond warrant. Kinmundy Po...
Mar 21, 2025
Cell phone ban legislation clears Senate committee
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 19, 2025 SPRINGFIELD - Legislation that would prohibit public school students from using cell phones and other wireless communication devices during class...
Mar 20, 2025 Sen. Christina Castro, right, and Samir Tanna, deputy legislative director for Gov. JB Pritzker, testify before a Senate committee Tuesday on a bill that would require all school districts in Illinois to adopt policies restricting cell phone use in classrooms. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Federal DOJ launches probe into Illinois' treatment of people with disabilities
by Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker, Capitol News Illinois March 19, 2025 Editor's note: This story was updated on 3/20/25 to reflect a clarification requested by the Illinois Department of Human Ser...
Mar 20, 2025 Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural Anna, Illinois, was built more than 150 years ago. (Whitney Curtis for ProPublica)
