Category Archives: Local News

Odin High School Prom is Saturday night
Odin High School is holding its 2024 Prom on Saturday night. The theme is Havana Nights! Everyone is invited to the Coronation at the Odin High School Gym at six pm. The dance will follow at 7 pm. Adm...
Bruce Kropp Apr 27, 2024 The Odin High School Prom Court.
Front Row (L to R): Renleigh Moore, Princess; and Ryitte Moore, Prince
Middle Row (L to R): Hailey Knox, Master of Ceremonies; Allayna Riehm, Queen Candidate; Alanis Lutchefeld, Queen Candidate; Mekenzie Kretzer, Retiring Queen; Layla Kretzer, Queen Candidate, and Jalynn Moore, Queen Candidate
Back Row (L to R): Jace Bodine, King Candidate; Camden Parrish, King Candidate; Jacob Schroeder, Retiring King; Jacob Hill, King Candidate, and Heydin Purcell, King Candidate.
Not Pictured: Morgan Sligar, Master of Ceremonies. Photo taken by: Chelsea Clark, Mom Photography; Salem, IL

South Central High School Prom is set for Saturday
South Central High School Prom is Saturday night. Prom Coronation will take place at the high school gym in Farina at 5:30 Saturday evening. The public is welcome to attend the coronation.
Bruce Kropp Apr 27, 2024 Prom Queen candidates are (front row) Taegan Webster, Emma Chambers, Paige Knutt, Kathleen Roberts, Noa Leerschool, and Mackenzie Webb (not pictured). Prom King candidates are (back row) Max Magnus, Dustin Rose, Coen West, Matthew Chance, Eli Stratton, and Riley Schaal.

Rural Centralia man killed in Friday morning UTV crash
A 57-year-old Centralia man was killed Friday morning in a UTV crash off the 29,000 block of Sycamore Road in extreme northeastern Washington County. Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger pronounce...
Bruce Kropp Apr 26, 2024 stockhouse / Depositphotos.com

Two airlifted from scene of single car wreck on Green Street Road Friday morning
Salem Fire Protection District Chief Jim Cerny says two occupants of a car that ran off Selmaville Road on the curves near Scout Road were airlifted from nearby the scene by medical helicopters. Initi...
Bruce Kropp Apr 26, 2024 JANIFEST / Depositphotos.com

Keep Salem Beautiful Citywide Cleanup is Saturday
The Keep Salem Beautiful Citywide Cleanup is Saturday morning. KSB Coordinator Kelli Predium is encouraging everyone to come out. "We're going to meet at Shelter #2 which is by the stage. We'll start ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 26, 2024 KSB Coordinator Kelli Prdium holds the traveling trophy for having the biggest group to join the cleanup.

155 kids from eight schools attend Farm Safety Day at Marion County Fairgrounds
There were 155 students from eight area schools that participated in the Ag in the Classroom Marion County Farm Safety Day. Ag in the Classroom Teacher Meggan Hiestand says students from South Central...
WJBD Staff Apr 26, 2024 Students from throughout Marion County listen to a gun safety program at the Safety Day program held at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Thursday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Unemployment drops across South Central Illinois
Unemployment was down across South Central Illinois in March. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports a seven-tenths of a percent drop in unemployment since February to 4.9-percent. It'...
WJBD Staff Apr 26, 2024 Rangizzz / Depositphotos.com

Police Beat for Friday, April 26th, 2024
Central City Police arrested a 43-year-old homeless man on multiple counts following a Thursday night traffic stop. Joseph White was arrested for resisting/obstructing arrest, possession of methamphet...
WJBD Staff Apr 26, 2024

Centralia High School Board gets update on solar project, moves forward on bond issue for turf football field
The Centralia High School Board of Education heard updates on the ongoing solar project and approved a thirty-year power plan agreement with Keystone Power Holdings at the regular board meeting on Thu...
WJBD Staff Apr 26, 2024 AndrewLozovyi / Depositphotos.com

Backyard Homesteading Expo to be held in Salem Saturday
A desire to learn about homesteading has led a Salem resident to create the Backyard Homesteading Expo that will be held this Saturday both outside and inside ATVs and More at 1307 West Main in Salem....
WJBD Staff Apr 26, 2024