Category Archives: Local News
ICE agents detain five men on their way to work at a Du Quoin sawmill
This marks one of the first reported mass ICE enforcement actions this far south in Illinois By JACKSON BRANDHORST & LYLEE GIBBS Saluki Local Reporting Lab Capitol News Illinois Article Sum...
Feb 14, 2026 The five Du Quoin men detained by ICE in late January were employed at Alstat Wood Products. The sawmill’s owner said he had relied on a subcontractor to help fill staffing vacancies and believed the workers’ visa statuses were valid and up-to-date. (Saluki Local Reporting Lab Photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Longtime Salem Optometrist Retiring and Closing Practice
Longtime Salem Optometrist Dr. Doris Osborne is retiring. Friday is Dr. Osborne's last day of seeing patients for eye exams. She will be available from nine to noon and one to five on Monday for peopl...
Feb 13, 2026 Dr. Doris Osborne's optometry office. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Flora Woman Receives Five-Year Prison Term in Marion County Court
A 34-year-old Flora woman has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court for possession of 15 to 100 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. As part o...
Feb 13, 2026
Salem Woman Ordered Held Without Bond on Multiple Domestic Battery Related Charges
A 20-year-old Salem woman was ordered held in the Marion County Jail without bond after being formally charged in court Thursday with six counts related to a February 10th altercation in Centralia. Tw...
Feb 13, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
Kinmundy Finalizes Ordinance for Use of City Owned Retail Building
The Kinmundy City Council Thursday night passed ordinances finalizing two businesses locating in the city owned building on Madison Street. Both businesses already are in operation. Under the ordinanc...
Feb 13, 2026 File: Kinmundy City Hall. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Police Looking for Two Suspects in One Year Old Girl Getting Fentanyl Pill
Centralia Police say they are seeking to arrest two suspects involved with a one-year-old girl getting a fentanyl pill she put into her mouth. The girl is still recovering at Cardinal Glennon Hospital...
Feb 13, 2026
Retail theft at Centralia Walmart Leads to Low-Speed Chase Back to Selmaville Road in Salem
Centralia Police were led on a low-speed chase by a car leaving the Centralia Walmart store after the store had filed a retail theft complaint. The driver of the car was eventually apprehended and a p...
Feb 13, 2026
Centralia Police Make Arrest in Hit and Run
Centralia Police have arrested a 48-year-old Centralia woman in a Wednesday evening hit and run traffic crash. Mandy Mercer of Sycamore Street in Centralia reportedly hit a car driven by 53-year-old S...
Feb 13, 2026
Marion CFB Young Leaders host first Trivia Night
The Marion CFB Young Leaders Committee hosted its first-ever Trivia Night on January 16, 2026, bringing together seven (7) teams for an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and community spirit....
Feb 12, 2026 The Hunter Family claimed the title of “smarties” as they were deemed first-place winners pictured with YL Chair Brad Hayes.
Salem Fire Protection District Puts New Aerial Truck into Operation
The Salem Fire Protection District has put a new fire truck into service, a 95-foot-tall aerial platform. The 2014 unit was purchased used from the Monarch Fire Protection District in Chesterfield, MO...
Feb 12, 2026 Salem firefighters stand in front of the Salem Fire District's new aerial fire truck. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
