Category Archives: Local News
Several races develop on first day of filing for March primary elections with State Board of Elections
Several contested races have developed in the Republican primary following the first day of filing at the State Board of Elections in Springfield. Four Republicans have filed for the open circuit wide...
Oct 28, 2025 A seldom-used Springfield strip mall parking lot comes alive during election season as candidates from across the state line up to file nominating petitions. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Representative Severin reports progress being made at Rend Lake Resort
State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) is encouraged by work being done to reopen the Rend Lake Resort. He joined officials from the state of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Reso...
Oct 28, 2025 New non-slip decking installed at the Rend Lake Resort.
Centralia City Council names new member and new mayor pro tem
The Centralia City Council appointed Tommy Henegar at its regular meeting Monday night to fill the seat left vacant by economic development director Rob Jackson. Henegar is currently Director of Adult...
Oct 28, 2025 Tommy Henegar speaks at the Centralia City Council meeting after being sworn in to fill a council seat. Photo by Austin Williams.
Kaskaskia College board to hold hearing on levy request
By Steven Stilt The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees on Monday night approved the scheduling of a public hearing, as the school seeks a tax levy amount exceeding last year's levy. According to boar...
Oct 28, 2025
Centralia Halloween activities draw big Saturday crowds; see photo gallery of Saturday Night Parade
Large crowds came out for the Centralia Fall Festival and Halloween Parades on Saturday. Parade Chair Butch Mathus was happy with the participation and crowds. "It was a wonderful turnout. We beat the...
Oct 27, 2025 Butch Mathus presents the Grand Marshal plaque to this year's Halloween Parade Grand Marshal, Chuck Melton. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Bowl reopening after August fire
Salem Bowl is reopening this week after being closed two and a half months for cleanup from an electrical fire. Owner Steve Ludwig says after a lot of frustrations and delays he's happy to be getting ...
Oct 27, 2025 Salem Bowl owner Steve Ludwig stands in front of a wall at his bowling alley. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry facing emergency situation as usage rapidly rises
The head of the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry says they are facing an emergency situation as usage soars and is expected to get much worse. Carol Ann Short is asking for the public's help to ...
Oct 27, 2025 Food in storage at the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Community High School Band falls just 1.75 points shy of perfect marching season
The Salem Community High School Marching Band fell just 1.75 points short of finishing with a perfect season. The Marching Season ended with the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival help at Bellev...
Oct 27, 2025
Mobile home in rural Centralia damaged by fire
The Centralia Fire Protection District was able to confine a fire at a mobile home in rural Centralia early Sunday night to a bedroom and outside wall. The fire was at the Darla Conrad home at 6925 Se...
Oct 27, 2025
Centralia Fall Festival 2025 Results and Photos
Below are the results and photos from this year's Centralia Fall Festival. In the Mummy wrapping contest, New Horizon was this year's champion, defeating defending champ Central City. Dirk Brewer and ...
Oct 26, 2025 Halloween costumes and decorations in downtown Centralia for the 2025 Fall Festival. Photo by Pat Hodges.
