Category Archives: Local News
City of Salem to host Family Fun Day in the Park on Saturday
The City of Salem hosts Family Fun Day in the Park in Bryan Memorial Park on Saturday. Recreation Director Jed Casburn says activity starts with the fishing derby for those 18 and under. Those wanting...
Jun 05, 2026 Visitors at the 2025 Family Fun Day at Bryan Memorial Park. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia man ordered held without bond after chasing boy with knife
A 24-year-old Centralia man has been ordered held without bond after being charged in Marion County Court on Thursday with an incident where he chased a 14-year-old boy with a kitchen knife. Brandon W...
Jun 05, 2026
Postage Going Up July 12th
The cost of postage will jump on July 12th. The US Postal Service has announced the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will rise from 78 to 82 cents. Metered one-ounce letters will increase fro...
Jun 05, 2026 Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos / CC
Two Hurt in Thursday Morning Centralia Crash
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash at Broadway and Pine in Centralia Thursday morning. Centralia Police say 30-year-old Candis Pressley of State Route 161 in Kell failed to stop while sout...
Jun 05, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, June 5th, 2026
Four people were arrested on domestic battery related charges on Thursday. Salem Police arrested 26-year-old Jackson Derixson of North Jackson in Salem for alleged aggravated domestic battery. Central...
Jun 05, 2026
Illinois treasurer's gift to Pope Leo? $8.65 of pontiff's own money
by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois June 4, 2026 Article Summary State Treasurer Mike Frerichs visited the Vatican this week with a gift for the pope: $8.65 of his own money. Frerichs administers ...
Jun 05, 2026 Pope Leo XIV speaks to Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican. Frerichs returned $8.65 of the Pope’s own money from the state’s unclaimed property system. (Photo courtesy of Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ Twitter account)
Detention centers, exoneree restitution, foster care protections among final bills to pass
by Jenna Schweikert, Nikoel Hytrek and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois June 4, 2026 Article Summary As lawmakers put their final touches on the budget, they passed dozens of ...
Jun 05, 2026 Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, preside over a joint session of the House and Senate on May 27, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Steve Ludwig Named Grand Marshall of Little Egypt Festival Parade; Theme Also Announced
The Little Egypt Festival Parade Committee has named Salem Bowl Owner Steve Ludwig as the Grand Marshall of this year's parade on Saturday, October third. The honor was announced as General and Parade...
Jun 04, 2026 Left to right: Missy Hogan, Jay Henke, and Steve Ludwig at Salem Bowl.
Centralia Man Arrested After Allegedly Chasing 14-Year-Old with Knife
A 24-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for domestic battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Centralia Police say Brandon Watkins of South Pine allegedly began chasing a 14-year-old...
Jun 04, 2026
Centralia Man Gets Jail Time and New Felony Charge Following First Court Appearance
A 36-year-old Centralia man faces a new felony charge and time in jail after allegedly becoming disruptive during a Wednesday Marion County court appearance. Jamaad Garden of South Sycamore reportedly...
Jun 04, 2026
