Category Archives: Local News

Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
After 3 years as ILGOP chair, Don Tracy cites intraparty fighting as reason for quitting By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle ...
Bruce Kropp Jun 21, 2024 Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy rallies the party faithful at the 2023 Illinois State Fair. Less than a year later, Tracy announced his resignation, citing party infighting. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Festival of Flowers set for Saturday at the Bryan Statue Garden
The Daffy Dill Garden Club will host the Festival of Flowers and Statue Garden Walk at the William Jennings Bryan Statue on North Broadway in Salem on Saturday. Sharon Blair of the garden club says th...
Austin Williams Jun 21, 2024 Bryan Memorial Park Statue Garden. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Historic Downtown Salem Farmer's Market returns for third year
The Historic Downtown Salem Farmers Market is returning to the parking lot at the rear of Benjamin Edwards in the 200 block of West Main Street for another year. The market is the idea of Becky Timmer...
Austin Williams Jun 21, 2024 Photo of the Historic Downtown Salem Farmers Market in June of last year.

Police Beat for Friday, June 21st, 2024
Centralia Police have arrested a 30-year-old Centralia man for alleged criminal sexual assault. Deairius Bennett of Robinette Street was taken to the Marion County Jail. No other details have been rel...
Austin Williams Jun 21, 2024

Names released for those involved in Route 161 Extension crash
The names of those involved in the crash of a straight truck and SUV at Route 161 Extension and Buchanan Road in rural Iuka have been released. State Police say the driver of the SUV who allegedly did...
WJBD Staff Jun 21, 2024

South Central Transit to participate in pilot program to expand transportation options
South Central Transit along with three other Southern Illinois transportation districts will use a $1.8-million grant to launch a pilot program to improve access to public transportation for people wi...
WJBD Staff Jun 21, 2024

Centralia Plan and Zoning Commission discusses changes to city's sign ordinance
During its meeting Thursday evening, the Centralia Plan and Zoning Commission discussed possible alterations to the city's sign ordinance. The discussion followed a request made in May by Howard Jones...
WJBD Staff Jun 21, 2024

Illinois Commerce Commission approves three railroad crossing improvements in Marion County
The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a stipulated agreement to install new automated warning devices and other public safety improvements at three Marion County railroad crossings. The projec...
Austin Williams Jun 20, 2024

Centralia High School graduates accumulate more than $2.7 million in scholarships
Centralia High School recognized its Class of 2024 graduates earning a total of $2,795,350 in scholarship awards. There were over 180 graduates in this year's class.
Austin Williams Jun 20, 2024 Front row from left: Ariel Gibson, Estleigh Smith, Gracie Miller, Aubri Thompson, Marshae Cunningham, Katie Lashbrook, Eva Cooley, Sarah Miller, Nelly Hernandez, Jordyn Peterson, Gracey Wooldridge, Haley Johnson, Meredith May, Annika Koester, Lacy Toedte, Camryn Mannino, Madi Wiesen, Katherine Johnson
Back row from left: Sadie Skillette, Grace Neff, Mikayla Lane, Sophia Mayer, Loganne Terry, Claire Walker, Sophia Barrow, Gabriel Peeck, Aylah Hopson, Manuela Maco, Lucas Kendall, Meagan Mahlandt, Rylie Clegg, Logan Meier, Lane Griffin, Cruz Harlan, Daryle Jones, Malik Myers, Cameron Tomlianovich, William Ballantini, John Veller

Nearly 800 attended Chris Janson concert at Castle Ridge
Almost 800 people bought tickets to a concert at Castle Ridge on Thursday, June 13 to see country singer and songwriter Chris Janson perform with special guest Dylan Wolfe. Audience members listened t...
Austin Williams Jun 20, 2024 Chris Janson performing. Photo by Pat Hodges.