Category Archives: Local News
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
By JOSH FUNK and DIDI TANG Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier...
Jan 01, 2026 President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on farm subsidies in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and JAIMIE DING Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said he's dropping - for now - his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Port...
Jan 01, 2026 Military personnel in uniform, with the Texas National Guard patch on, are seen at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Elwood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. (AP Photo/Laura Bargfeld)
SAFE moves to new Salem location
The non-profit SAFE organization has settled into its new location in Salem in the small strip shopping center at 208 West Schwartz. Executive Director Melissa Kelly says this is one of five offices S...
Dec 31, 2025 Safe center staff at the official open house. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Chamber changes annual home show into Regional Business Expo
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce Home and Community Expo is being rebranded as the Regional Business Expo and will be held one day only on Saturday, March 28th, at the Kaskaskia College gym. Executiv...
Dec 31, 2025 Source: Centralia Chamber of Commerce Website
Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District sets annual meeting
The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District has set its 81st Annual Meeting and Dinner for February 16th at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. Doors open at 5:30 with the eveni...
Dec 31, 2025
Marion County Highway Department moving forward on new Skillet Fork Bridge on Route 161 Extension
The Marion County Highway Department is moving forward on preliminary work on the replacement of the Skillet Fork Bridge on the Route 161 Extension. Funding has now been obtained for the project that ...
Dec 31, 2025 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Salem man pleads guilty to burglary
A 43-year-old Salem man has pleaded guilty to a burglary charge in Marion County Court. James Tate was placed on two years second chance probation, ordered to abstain from drugs and alcohol with rando...
Dec 31, 2025
Homeless Centralia man gets wish to stay in jail when charged with three new offenses
A Marion County Judge has ordered a homeless Centralia man held without bond after being charged in court Tuesday with two counts of retail theft and criminal trespass to property. Mitchell Finley had...
Dec 31, 2025
Centralia Chamber Annual Banquet to Celebrate Progress
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce has once again partnered with Kaskaskia College for its 2026 annual banquet event which celebrates the progress made by business leaders in the community. Celebrate P...
Dec 30, 2025 Centralia Chamber annual Banquet photo from 2023.
Salem man charged with failure to register as a sex offender
A 34-year-old homeless Salem man has been charged in Marion County Court with failure to register as a sex offender. Russell Wimberly had the public defender appointed to represent him and a prelimina...
Dec 30, 2025
