Category Archives: Local News
Marion County residents can get free help to expunge some criminal records
The Land of Lincoln Legal Aid and South Central Illinois United Way are providing a free program to expunge or seal your Marion County Criminal Records. Many non-violent drug possession charges are el...
Jan 09, 2026
Centralia man receives three-year prison term on multiple felony offenses
A 36-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to a combined three years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to criminal trespass to an occupied residence, theft, aggravated battery...
Jan 09, 2026
Only minor damage reported from Thursday night storm activity
A line of sometimes heavy shower activity crossed South Central Illinois on Thursday night, resulting in several severe thunderstorm warnings being issued. The Marion County Sheriff's Department repor...
Jan 09, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, January 9th, 2026
A 24-year-old Centralia man has been sanctioned to serve 15 days in the Marion County Jail after being found to have violated his pre-trial release in a pending misdemeanor criminal damage to property...
Jan 09, 2026
Bailey proposes 'Illinois DOGE' as Republican governor's race focuses on spending
New poll shows Bailey holds commanding lead in four-person primary By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Republican candidate for governor Darren Ba...
Jan 08, 2026 Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey speaks at a news conference with running mate Aaron Del Mar on Jan. 8, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Trump freezes $10B in social service, child care funding for Illinois, 4 other blue states
HHS cites 'serious concerns' about widespread fraud and misuse of funds, cites no evidence By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Story Summary The Trump administratio...
Jan 08, 2026
Illinois House speaker calls Bears stadium ask 'insensitive' amid budget pressures
Franchise threatened to move to Indiana if Illinois lawmakers don't lend a hand By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Illinois House Speaker Emanuel...
Jan 08, 2026 Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, speaks at a news conference at the Illinois Capitol in May 2023. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Salem woman faces aggravated battery and domestic battery charges following Centralia incident
A 20-year-old Salem woman has been formally charged in Marion County Court with aggravated battery and domestic battery following an incident on a Centralia city street on Tuesday. Kjay Bumgarner of S...
Jan 08, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
Homeless Centralia man gets 3.5-year prison term on drug charge
A 35-year-old homeless Centralia man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after his probation was revoked a second time on an original conviction for possession of methamphetamine. S...
Jan 08, 2026
Mt. Vernon man hurt in car-deer crash south of Salem
A 33-year-old Mt. Vernon man was injured in a car-deer crash on Route 37 near the Route 161 intersection south of Salem early Wednesday morning. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Jordan Robinson of...
Jan 08, 2026
