Category Archives: Local News

Salem City Council to consider request for 'Festival of Flowers'
The Salem City Council Monday night will consider a request by the Daffy Dill Garden Club to use Bryan Memorial Park on June 22nd for a Festival of Flowers. The event will be centered by the Bryan Sta...
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024

Locust Street Historic Fair brings big crowd to downtown Centralia (see photo gallery)
A large crowd was on hand for the Locust Street Historic Fair in downtown Centralia on Saturday. Community Development Director Gayla Harting is appreciative to everyone who helped bring the event tog...
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024 View of car show at Locust Street Historical Fair from above.

Work beginning on Green Street and Odin Road safety improvement project
Work is about to begin on the Green Street and Odin Road safety improvement project. Guinzey Construction of Ashley, which was earlier awarded a $3.4-million bid to complete the work, says they are st...
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024

Salem Police giveaway all unclaimed bicycles
All 45 unclaimed bicycles offered for free during a Saturday bicycle giveaway by Salem Police found new owners. Deputy Police Chief Susan Miller says the bikes were all picked up over the past few yea...
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024 A few kids and parents were able to look over the bikes given away Saturday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Centralia man injured when motorcycle hits deer on Route 161
A 64-year-old Centralia man was injured early Sunday morning when his motorcycle struck a deer on State Route 161 east of Centralia. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Guy Lanter of East Calumet was...
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024

Salem Elk's names Ola Chapman as Citizen of the Year
The Salem Elk's Lodge held its annual awards ceremony over the weekend and presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Ola Chapman. Chapman was honored for being highly involved in the Salem community....
WJBD Staff May 06, 2024 Ola Chapman (center) wins Elk's Citizen of the Year Award. Current Exalted Ruler Steve Lindsey (left) and Outgoing ER Bob Lafenhagen (right) present the award.

2024 SCHS Prom King and Queen are Dyson Hails and Miranda Podergois (photo gallery added)
The 2024 Salem Community High School Prom King and Queen are Dyson Hails and Miranda Podergois. They were crowned during a Friday night coronation at Salem Community High School's B.E. Gum gymnasium b...
Bruce Kropp May 05, 2024 SCHS Prom Queen Miranda Podergois and King Dyson Hails.

Illinois Route 127 north of Route 161 near Posey to be one lane through early July
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the structure carrying Illinois 127 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad just north of Illinois 161 near Posey will be reduced to one-way tra...
Bruce Kropp May 05, 2024

Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
As legislative session nears its end, policy platform part of ongoing clean energy debate By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential envi...
Bruce Kropp May 05, 2024 actionsports / Depositphotos.com

Missouri man charged in 1966 killing in suburban Chicago, based on DNA evidence
CREVE COEUR, Mo. (AP) - A 79-year-old Missouri man is accused of killing a woman in her suburban Chicago home - a crime that happened nearly six decades ago. James Barbier was arrested Monday at his S...
Bruce Kropp May 05, 2024