Category Archives: Local News

Salem and Odin Fire Departments receive Fire Marshal Grants
Both the Salem and Odin Fire Protection Districts have received Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal Small Equipment Grants. They are among 178 fire departments around the state sharing in $4 mil...
Austin Williams Mar 13, 2025

Centralia man injured in hit and run car-bicycle crash
A 35-year-old Centralia man received apparent minor injuries when his bicycle was struck by a car in the 500 block of West Broadway in Centralia Wednesday night. Centralia Police say Taylor Jacklin of...
Austin Williams Mar 13, 2025

Prepare for the Severe Weather Threat Coming in Friday
With a forecast for severe storms, heavy rains, high winds and even the potential for tornadoes in much of the Mississippi Valley eastward into the Lower Ohio Valley late Friday into early Saturday, i...
Austin Williams Mar 13, 2025 File photo

Police Beat for Thursday, March 13th, 2025
A 44-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested on an outstanding no bond Marion County misdemeanor warrant. Christy Hamburg of South Brookside was transported to the Marion County Jail to await a cou...
Austin Williams Mar 13, 2025

Taxpayers should act now to claim more than $1 billion in refunds for tax year 2021 with the April 15 deadline fast approaching
The Internal Revenue Service announced today that over 1.1 million people across the nation have unclaimed refunds for tax year 2021 but face an April 15 deadline to submit their tax returns. The IRS ...
Cole Wimberly Mar 12, 2025

Centralia man killed when struck by Amtrak Train in downtown Centralia is identified (TOPS)
A 66-year-old Centralia man died when stepping in front of an Amtrak train just north of the Broadway crossing in downtown Centralia Tuesday night. Marion County Coroner Claude Howell has identified t...
Austin Williams Mar 12, 2025

Marion County Board committee proposes purchase of building for new animal control facility
After a long search for a solution to Marion County's animal control problem, members of the county board's County and Community Committee believe they have found a location in Odin that can serve as ...
Austin Williams Mar 12, 2025 Marion County Community Relations Committee chair Tracy Murray.

Marion County considers new location for highway department
The Marion County Board Road and Bridge Committee has set its sights on a building that could be a suitable new home for the Marion County Highway Department. Committee co-chairman Adam Smith says a p...
Austin Williams Mar 12, 2025 Marion County Courthouse

Centralia City Schools approves local firm to perform annual audit
During its meeting Tuesday night, the Centralia City Schools Board of Education voted to approve Glass and Shuffett to perform the district's annual audit. The cost of the audit is not to exceed $15,7...
Austin Williams Mar 12, 2025

Centralia woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for first-degree murder of her husband
A 54-year-old Centralia woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Jefferson County Court on Tuesday for the first-degree murder of her husband. Melissa Howes of Eugene Drive entered a guilty plea f...
Austin Williams Mar 12, 2025