Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Board votes for no increase in tax levy following taxpayer complaints about rising assessments
The Marion County Board has voted 11-3 to not raise its tax levy for next year's property tax bills. The vote came after about two dozen taxpayers filled the board room to complain about what some cal...
Dec 07, 2023 A packed Marion County Board room Tuesday night to protest any increase in the county's property tax levy. The board eventually voted against any increase. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
115-mile police chase up I-57 results in $250,000 drug bust
A Los Angeles, California man was found in possession of a large amount of drugs following a 115-mile-long police chase on I-57 from near Marion to Effingham through the local area. The Williamson Cou...
Dec 06, 2023 Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies with seized drugs following 115 mile chase up I-57 from Marion to Effingham.
Crackdown planned on heavy trucks using Skillet Fork Bridge on Route 161 Extension
Both the Marion County Sheriff's Department and State Police plan a crackdown on trucks crossing the structurally compromised Skillet Fork Bridge on the Route 161 Extension. Marion County Highway Engi...
Dec 06, 2023 Marion County Highway Engineer Mike McCormick
Pritzker says goal is to send free books to all children, ages 0-5
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children's books that can be sent directly to ...
Dec 06, 2023 Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event in Bloomington on Tuesday to officially announce the statewide launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides monthly books to children under five regardless of their income. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)
Vandalia Statehouse to host candlelight tours and open house on Dec. 9
VANDALIA - The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois, will host public candlelight tours the evening of Saturday, December 9th as part of the site'...
Dec 06, 2023 Vandalia Statehouse. Photo by Art Davis.
Centralia man draws two year prison term on probation violation
A 57-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to two years in prison after his probation was revoked on a conviction for felony criminal trespass to a residence. Robbie Dabney of Howard Street will s...
Dec 06, 2023
Marion County Sheriff's Department swears in new deputy
The Marion County Sheriff's Department has a new deputy. Sheriff Kevin Cripps has sworn in Issac Hayes of Salem as the department's newest deputy. He'll report to the police training academy in Bellev...
Dec 06, 2023 Issac Hayes of Salme is sworn in as the newest Marion County Sheriff's Deputy by Sheriff Kevin Cripps while Issac's wife Ashley holds the Bible. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem Rotary Club continues tradition to provide shoes to less fortunate students
The Salem Rotary Club is continuing a tradition of providing shoes to students in need. The club is presenting certificates to the principals of all of the schools that feed into Salem Community High ...
Dec 06, 2023 (left to right) Brenda and Greg Jones of the Salem Rotary present shoe certificates to Franklin Park Principal Tyler Lux and Student Services Secretary Lauren Miller. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Kinmundy woman sentenced to 2.5 years in jail on burglary and aggravated battery charges
A 33-year-old Kinmundy woman has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court on Tuesday to burglary and aggravated battery charges. Vanessa Wooden of ...
Dec 06, 2023
Salem city council raises garbage and leaf vac fees; lowers gas meter fee
The Salem City Council has raised garbage and leaf vacuum fees by about eight dollars a month. Finance Director Keli Roth says the increase is needed to keep the garbage fund from going deeper into th...
Dec 05, 2023 engin akyurt / Unsplash