Category Archives: Local News

RE:Purpose Development updates downtown Centralia building renovation plans
By Steven Stilt The Centralia City Council on Monday evening approved a resolution for the disbursement of Tax Increment Financing funds to RE:Purpose Development, LLC, and heard an update on RE:purpo...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2024 City officials present a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth to members of the Centralia Juneteenth Committee. (Photo by Steven Stilt)

Marion County Board debates delay in replacing breaker boxes at courthouse deemed fire hazards
The Marion County Board, with four abstentions, has agreed to have five breaker boxes at the courthouse replaced as soon as possible because they have been deemed a fire hazard. Finance Committee Chai...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2024 Marion County Courthouse

Once again working through the night, lawmakers finalize $53.1 billion budget
Democrats needed three tries to pass $1.1 billion revenue plan just before 5 a.m. By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com After a near-derailment and an all-nighter to ...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2024 Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, reads the House rules as members of his party look on. His procedural maneuvering forced Democratic leadership to suspend the rules in order to get enough members in the chamber to pass the revenue plan. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

All electric service restored in Marion County following Sunday severe weather (8 am Wednesday update)
Power has now been restored to all but a few Ameren Illinois and Tri-County Electric customers in Marion County. Ameren Illinois has announced they finished power restoration in Salem at mid-afternoon...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2024 Tri-County Operations Room where screens provide the latest information on outages. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Ameren Illinois and Tri-County Electric continue power restoration work (10 am Tuesday update)
Ameren Illinois says customers in harder-hit areas should expect a multi-day restoration event with most customers expected to have power back by midnight Tuesday night. Ameren Illinois currently has ...
Bruce Kropp May 28, 2024

Salem Memorial Day speaker noted the importance of remembering the fallen
A retired decorated Colonel of the US Army told the Salem Memorial Day program the purpose of the holiday was to remember those who didn't come back. Wyett Colclasure spent 30 years in the US Army bef...
WJBD Staff May 28, 2024 Allyson Murphy sings the National Anthem at the Salem Memorial Day Program as Commander Ray Reagan (left) and Guest Speaker Wyett Colclasure (right) looking on. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Salem Emergency Management Agency completes storm damage assessment; warning siren credited for likely preventing injuries
The Salem Emergency Management Agency reports a damage survey of the city found one home destroyed, four with major damage, and five others with minor damage in the aftermath of the severe storms that...
WJBD Staff May 28, 2024 Falling tree destroys mobile home on North Trenary. The residents had left after hearing the tornado warning siren. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Jim Beasley gives keynote address at Centralia Memorial Day program
Story and photos by Austin Williams American Legion Post 446 hosted a Memorial Day service on Monday honoring local veterans and recognizing families of those killed in military service. Family member...
WJBD Staff May 28, 2024

National Weather Service confirming tornado at Forbes State Park and two paths in Clinton County (updated 7:00 am)
The National Weather Service has confirmed four tornadoes were part of the severe storms that crossed South Central Illinois early Sunday evening. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Two of the torna...
Bruce Kropp May 28, 2024

Fire damages west side Salem home
Fire damaged a west-side Salem home early Monday morning. The fire was at the Jonathon Bryan home in the 2100 block of Old Texas Lane. Salem Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton believes the fire was elec...
Bruce Kropp May 27, 2024