Category Archives: Local News
New entertainment business planned for downtown Salem
A new entertainment business is making plans to open in the former Wabash Communications building at East Main and Washington in downtown Salem. Brian and Brittany Pennypacker unveiled plans at the Sa...
Oct 21, 2025 The former Wabash Communications building in downtown Salem. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem gives taxing bodies deadline to accept TIF Agreement
Taxing bodies in the new TIF 4 District now have 45 days to accept a proposal from the City of Salem to return residential property tax growth to them. Part of the deal would also require the taxing b...
Oct 21, 2025
Salem man charged with felony aggravated assault for swerving at police car
A 33-year-old Salem man has been charged in Marion County Court with two counts of felony aggravated assault after allegedly swerving his car towards a Salem Police car that was attempting to stop him...
Oct 21, 2025
Salem high school board acts on personnel issues
The Salem Community High School Board acted on several personnel issues at its meeting Monday night. Megan Molenhour was named the new head softball coach to replace long time coach Stacey Lux who res...
Oct 21, 2025 Salem Community High School board meets on Monday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
A 46-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court with ten counts of child pornography with a victim under 13. Jared Lang, of the 600 block of South Poplar Street, was arrested follo...
Oct 21, 2025
Centralia NAACP Announces Three Major Awards, President Receives Key to the City
The Centralia NAACP held its first awards banquet in a number of years over the weekend and presented three major awards, while its President was presented the Key to the City. The Royal Pink Dolls Da...
Oct 20, 2025 Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder presents the key to the city to the President of the Centralia NAACP Julius Flagg. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
103-year-old member of Rick's Chapel AME Zion Church receives special honor
The Rick's Chapel AME Zion Church in Centralia celebrated its oldest living member this weekend and presented her with a significant lifetime honor. Frances Carter, who recently turned 103 years old, ...
Oct 20, 2025 103-year-old Frances Carter receives honor as the oldest member of the Rick's Chapel AME Zion Church.
Centralia City Firemen raise $1,241.52 in Fill the Boot campaign
The Centralia City Firefighters Union collected $1,241.52 in the Fill the Boot Campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association before the event ended early on Saturday due to heavy rain. Firemen were ...
Oct 20, 2025 Left to right: LT Andrew Sneddon, FF Dylan Shahan, FF Josh Derick, LT Devan Orrill, FF Rob Smith III, LT Drake Tate, Captain Michael Gelsinger and LT Jordan Parson.
Salem Community Theatre has Grand Reopening
A ribbon cutting and grand reopening was held for the renovated Salem Community Theatre over the weekend. Salem Community Theatre Chair Drew Johnson is pleased with how the new seats, flooring, and pa...
Oct 20, 2025 The ribbon is cut for the re-grand opening of the renovated Salem Community Theatre and Cultural Center.
Kaskaskia College honors Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates
Kaskaskia College recently celebrated the accomplishments of its Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DGMS) Program graduates during the 25th annual pinning ceremony earlier this month. Ten graduates from t...
Oct 20, 2025 DGMS Program Completers and KC DGMS Faculty: Front Row: Allyson Fehrmann, Albers; Claire Duckett, Shelbyville; Hannah Vandeventer, Hoffman; Kathryn Kinzel, Okawville; Keonia Arnold, Walnut Hill. Second Row: DGMS Adjunct Faculty, Jill Tally and Candace Sloat; Shawnee Voss, Carlyle; Kynlee Summers, Shelbyville; Jessilyn Hall, Newton; Makayla Gebke, Patoka; and DGMS Program Coordinator, Cindy Hoffman
