Category Archives: Local News
Police Beat for Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Six people were taken to the Marion County Jail on Wednesday on outstanding warrants. 28-year-old Justice Carpenter of Foxville Road in Kell was arrested at the courthouse on a no bond Perry County fe...
Mar 12, 2026
Voting Location Changes for Those Who Normally Vote at Marion County Fair Exhibit Building
Marion County Clerk Steve Fox has announced an emergency temporary polling place for those who normally vote at the Marion County Exhibit Building. Due to a conflict, voters in Salem precincts 1, 2, 5...
Mar 12, 2026
Marion County Board to Seek $2-Million Federal Grant for Highway Building
The Marion County Board is seeking a $2-million federal grant through Congressman Mike Bost to purchase and renovate the former Quad County Ready Mix plant for a new county highway garage. Highway Sup...
Mar 11, 2026 Marion County Highway Department building.
Ollies Bargain Outlet Opens in Centralia
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is now open in the former Big Lots building in the Fairview Shopping Center in Centralia. The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Wednesday morning to we...
Mar 11, 2026 Ribbon cutting at the new Ollie's location in Centralia. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Line of Heavy Thunderstorms Prompts Strong Winds and Power Outages Early Wednesday Morning
Area residents woke up Wednesday morning to severe thunderstorm warnings and even a tornado warning in Washington County as the latest line of severe weather pushed through the area. Washington County...
Mar 11, 2026 A power pole knocked down in the storms Wednesday morning. Photo from Tri-County Electric.
Tornadoes kill 2 in northwestern Indiana and raze buildings in Kankakee, Illinois
By NAM Y. HUH and KATHY McCORMACK Associated Press KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) - Major storms whipped up tornadoes that killed at least two people in northwest Indiana and leveled buildings in Kankakee, Illin...
Mar 11, 2026 A storm-damaged Tholens' Landscape & Garden center is in ruins in the aftermath of a powerful storm that ripped through the area a day earlier in Kankakee, Ill., Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Farina Couple Dies as a Result of Injuries Sustained in I-57 Crash Near Edgewood
A Farina couple has died from injuries sustained in a February 19th crash on I-57 southbound near the Edgewood intersection in Effingham County. 76-year-old James Rentfro, who was the driver, died on ...
Mar 10, 2026 ISP FILE PHOTO: An Illinois State Police squad car is pictured in a file photo.(Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)
BCMW Closes Centralia Head Start Center for Up to 30 Days
The Executive Director of the Social Service Agency BCMW has announced the Centralia Head Start Center will be closed for up to 30 days. The announcement comes after one of the Head Start teachers was...
Mar 10, 2026
Salem City Council Reviews Infrastructure Included in FY2027 Budget
The Salem City Council reviewed the sections of the budget Monday night that include infrastructure improvements during a second budget workshop. Roads as well as water and gas line improvements are a...
Mar 10, 2026 Budget work session at Salem City Hall. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia City Council applies for grant for new fire engine
The Centralia City Council approved a resolution Monday night to seek a grant that would pay most of the cost of a new fire engine. The city is seeking a $1 million federal community project grant thr...
Mar 10, 2026
