Category Archives: Local News
Plans begin for America's 250th birthday celebration in Salem
Plans are being made to celebrate America's 250th Birthday in Marion County. An initial organizational meeting was held over the weekend where a number of possible activities were discussed including ...
Jan 20, 2026
New Illinois County Fair Queen is Miss Effingham County
The 2025 Illinois County Fair Queen is Miss Effingham County Krista Phillips. She was crowned at the conclusion of the competition held in Springfield. Two other area queens were in the Top 15. They a...
Jan 20, 2026 Krista Phillips of Effingham County was crowned the 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen on Sunday, January 18 in Springfield. 2025 Queen Johnna Fulcher performed the coronation. Photo Credit: Studio 131.
New Year relief: New funds available for Ameren Illinois customers having trouble paying bills
Ameren Illinois is reminding customers that a wide range of resources remain available to support qualifying households with their energy bills in 2026. The Vice President of Customer Experience for A...
Jan 20, 2026
Travis Tritt coming to Castle Ridge
Country Music icon Travis Tritt is coming to Castle Ridge on Saturday, August 15th. With more than three decades of chart-topping hits, Grammy Awards, and sold-out tours, Tritt's appearance is expecte...
Jan 20, 2026 File: Castle Ridge (Facebook photo)
Small earthquake reported south of Taylorville
The US Geological Service has reported a small earthquake was recorded 12 miles southeast of Taylorville early Tuesday morning. The quake registered 3.5 and was felt as far away as Mt. Vernon and west...
Jan 20, 2026 vchalup2 / Depositphotos.com
Police Beat for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
A 23-year-old Irvington residents has been arrested in Washington County on an outstanding no bond Marion County misdemeanor warrant. Harleigh Davison of South Huron was transferred to the Marion Coun...
Jan 20, 2026
Illinois Medicaid program faces looming funding crisis due to federal changes
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois January 19, 2026 Article Summary New federal rules contained in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" will impose tighter caps on how much money...
Jan 20, 2026 The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is the primary administrator of the state’s Medicaid program. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Kaskaskia College honors nursing graduates in pinning ceremony
Kaskaskia College recently celebrated a Combined Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony recognizing Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) graduates. With more than 72 graduates...
Jan 19, 2026 Kaskaskia College nursing graduates at the pinning ceremony.
Centralia man receives four-year prison term on criminal trespass and sex offender registration charges
A 36-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to four years in prison for felony criminal trespass to property. Matt Claxton of Haussler Street was charged with entering an apartment at 600 Hickory R...
Jan 19, 2026
Centralia man pleads guilty but mentally ill to aggravated battery to police officer and felony domestic battery
A 31-year-old Centralia man has been placed on 30 months' probation after pleading guilty but mentally ill in Marion County Court to aggravated battery to a peace officer and felony domestic battery. ...
Jan 19, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
