Category Archives: Local News
Red Cross Shelter Opens in Salem for Those Displaced by Flooding Rains Friday Night (updated 6 pm Saturday)
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at the First Baptist Church on West Main Street in Salem for those who need a place to stay or have a meal while dealing with damage to their homes from the flooding...
Apr 5, 2025 Salem Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Andrew Strong discusses the current flooding situation with a briefing Saturday morning. Photo by Brue Kropp.
Several Homes Evacuated on Northeast Side of Central City, Stay Out of Barricaded Areas
Central City Police Chief Jamie Ramsey says those ignoring barricades in the northeast section of town put into place due to severe flooding will be arrested. Ramsey says Central City Police and the C...
Apr 5, 2025
Major Highways Reopened, 5.91 inches of rain recorded at Salem Water Treatment Plant
The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports all major highways are once again passable Saturday morning. However, low-lying rural roads remain flooded and the Green Street Road is closed at the Rac...
Apr 5, 2025 Flooding in Starlight Mobile Home Park which was under mandatory evacuation due to flooding along Town Creek. Photo by Henry Morton.
Salem Issues Emergency Declaration
The City of Salem has declared a local emergency effective immediately due to widespread flooding impacting many areas of the community. It remains in effect until seven Saturday morning. Only emergen...
Apr 4, 2025 The West Main and Illinois Street intersection is one of the numerous areas of Salem that has turned into a lake with the heavy Friday night rains. Photo by Henry Morton.
Sterling Avenue opens in new downtown location Saturday
Home and decor business Sterling Avenue opens in its new downtown location at 300 West Main Street in Salem on Saturday. Paul and Lynn Riehm have spent the past three months since buying the building ...
Apr 4, 2025 Inside Sterling Avenue's new downtown location. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia man charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping following incident at St. Mary's School in Centralia
A 30-year-old Centralia man has been ordered held without bond after making his first appearance in Marion County Court Thursday for attempted aggravated kidnapping and resisting or obstructing a peac...
Apr 4, 2025
Rural Odin man charged with sex offenses against underage girl
A 27-year-old rural Odin man has been charged in Marion County Court with indecent solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Tyler Faith of Norton Road is accused of soliciting a chi...
Apr 4, 2025 Tyler Faith
Write in vote results announced for Tuesday's election
A number of school board seats have been filled by winning write in candidates, but those challenging candidates on the ballot for Kinmundy Mayor and Kinmundy Township Highway Commissioner were unsucc...
Apr 4, 2025
Three juveniles charged with mob action and battery in alleged fight with fourth student at Centralia Junior High
Three juveniles were arrested for mob action and battery following a fight in the Centralia Junior High School with a fourth student. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in the cafeteria. The Cent...
Apr 4, 2025
Unemployment falls across South Central Illinois
Unemployment was down across South Central Illinois in February. In Marion County the rate fell seven-tenths of a percent from January to 4.5-percent. That translated into 725 on the unemployment roll...
Apr 4, 2025
