Category Archives: Local News
Salem Lions Sponsor 90th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Salem Lions Club plans to add more prizes to this year's Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday in Bryan Memorial Park as the event celebrates its 90th year. The event is set to begin at two near the Bryan Par...
Apr 01, 2026 File photo: Two- to four-year-olds hunt for eggs at the Salem Lions Club 88th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
About 150 Join No Kings Protest in Centralia
About 150 joined the No Kings protest at Fairview Park in Centralia on Saturday. It was one of an estimated 3,500 held across the country to condemn some of the actions of President Donald Trump. Mari...
Apr 01, 2026
Police Beat for Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Centralia Police have arrested a 26-year-old Centralia man for aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery. Camryn Thomas of North Maple was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a final dec...
Apr 01, 2026
Centralia Man Charged with Three Counts of Meth Delivery
A 51-year-old Centralia man has been charged in a Marion County warrant unsealed Wednesday morning with three counts of unlawful delivery of meth amphetamine. Jeffrey Foutch of South Walnut was arrest...
Apr 01, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Centralia Named Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital- Centralia has been named a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital by Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm. This national recognition honors hospitals that demonstr...
Apr 01, 2026
Central City Seeks Volunteers to Plant Trees in Lions Park
The Village of Central City is planning to plant 25 new trees in Lions Park for Earth Day this year with the help of students at Central City Grade School. At the village board meeting on Tuesday, pub...
Apr 01, 2026
Bill targets zoning laws that block homes for adults with disabilities
by Rebecka Pieder and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 31, 2026 Article Summary Local zoning rules can create barriers for organizations seeking to provide community integrated...
Mar 31, 2026 Clear skies above an Envision Unlimited community integrated living arrangement, a group home for adults with disabilities, in the Chicago area. (Medill Illinois News Bureau, Photo by Rebecka Pieder)
Blake Perez Sworn in as New Centralia Fire Chief; Andrew Snedden Promoted to Captain
Centralia's new Fire Chief Blake Perez took the oath of office from Centralia City Clerk Kim Enke during ceremonies at Centralia City Hall Monday afternoon. "It's a great honor and a great privilege,"...
Mar 31, 2026 Blake Perez is sworn in as Centralia's next fire chief. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Fire Damages Centralia Home
Fire caused significant damage to the second floor of a Centralia home Monday morning. Centralia's new Fire Chief Blake Perez had arrived for duty for his first day as chief just moments before the fi...
Mar 31, 2026 Centralia home where firefighters responded to a second-floor bedroom fire. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Vacant Wamac Home Destroyed in Late Monday Night Fire
A home believed to be vacant was destroyed by fire late Monday night in Wamac. Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Ross Boshera says the fire was at 255 Gompers. It was fully engulfed in flames w...
Mar 31, 2026 Firefighters responding to the fire at a vacant house in Wamac. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
