Category Archives: Local News
Centralia High School approves budget with slight surplus; bid awarded for staff workout and wellness area
By Steven Stilt The Centralia High School Board of Education on Monday night approved a 2024-2025 budget that projects to end up with a slight surplus. Superintendent Chuck Lane says revenues are expe...
Sep 24, 2024
Centralia elects to go with 1/2-cent sales tax to replace 1-cent sales tax being eliminated by the state
By Steven Stilt At its meeting Monday evening, the Centralia City Council approved the implementation of a half-cent sales tax for the city, which will replace the one-cent sales tax that the state of...
Sep 24, 2024
Scooters Coffee celebrates its opening in Salem
The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce welcomed Scooters Coffee to the community with a ribbon cutting over the weekend. The Scooters is the 6th from area businesswoman Rachel Wallace who also owns 25 ...
Sep 23, 2024 Ribbon cutting for the new Scooters Drive-Thru in Salem.
Marion County Soil and Water Conservationist completing 37-year career
Marion County Soil and Water Conservationist Burke Davies is retiring after 37 years in the position. Davies will be replaced by Zach Lowery of Salem who worked at the Marion County Jail and Centralia...
Sep 23, 2024
Centralia City Council Monday to consider discussion on half-cent sales tax
The Centralia City Council Monday will continue discussion of creating a half-cent sales tax to replace the one-cent sales tax that the state of Illinois will no longer levy on behalf of local governm...
Sep 23, 2024
Semi tractor cab destroyed in early morning fire in Sandoval
Sandoval Firemen were called out early Monday morning to a report of a semi tractor cab on fire. The blaze was outside a home at 715 Virginia Avenue. Upon arrival, Fire Chief Chad Parson said the cab ...
Sep 23, 2024
Police Beat for Monday, September 23rd, 2024
A 33-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested by Centralia Police on a no bond felony failure to appear warrant. Bianca Meeks of Geary Street was wanted on a pending court case for pending theft, po...
Sep 23, 2024
Kaskaskia College breaks ground on $9.8-million gymnasium
Kaskaskia College has broken ground on a new $9.8 -million gymnasium. College President George Evans says the 29,000 square-foot facility will all be on one level, unlike the present gym, will have se...
Sep 23, 2024
Centralia holds public meeting for RCE grant on South Elm and Poplar Street overpasses
Story and photos by Austin Williams The City of Centralia held a public meeting Friday to discuss its application for a Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant. Mitch Hardiek with Milano and Grunloh...
Sep 22, 2024 Mitch Hardiek with Milano and Grunloh Engineers explaining the plan to construct railroad overpasses on South Elm and South Poplar Streets at a Friday public hearing on a grant request at Centralia City Hall.
Washington County included in major disaster declaration
Washington County is among seven counties included in a major federal disaster area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The designation is the result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line...
Sep 22, 2024
