Category Archives: Local News
Trash fire in basement put out before damaging Centralia home
Centralia city firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at the Kelly Alexander home at 424 S. Pine at noon Tuesday and found smoke coming from the rear of the residence. Firefighters qui...
Jul 29, 2026
Centralia City Council approves two street events; gets update on tourism
The Centralia City Council has approved close of streets for two upcoming events in the city. The Locust Street Pub was given permission to close a portion of South Locust in front of their business f...
Jul 28, 2026
Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force arrest two when executing search warrant in Salem
The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force led an effort to arrest two people at a home in Salem Tuesday morning. Robert O. Johnson was arrested for federal violation of Maintaining a drug- involved pr...
Jul 28, 2026
Pat Baker, RN, Honored with DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award
Pat Baker, RN, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Centralia, was recently honored with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award for the exceptional c...
Jul 27, 2026
Multiple Fire Departments fight fire in abandoned home south of Centralia
A vacant home was heavily damaged by fire about four miles south of Centralia late Saturday night. Multiple fire departments responded to the scene on Copple Lane. The back of the home was fully engul...
Jul 27, 2026 liz west / CC
Eight candidates vying to 2026 Marion County Fair Queen
There will be eight contestants to be the 2026 Marion County Fair Queen. We'll take to two of the candidate each day this week prior to the queen contest in front of the Marion County Fair Grandstand ...
Jul 27, 2026
Severe storm hits Kinmundy area, knocks out power for 11 hours to Kinmundy and Alma
Power was out in Kinmundy and Alma for about 11 hours after isolated severe thunderstorms passed through the Kinmundy and Forbes State Park area early Sunday night. Ameren Illinois reports that numero...
Jul 27, 2026 A barn on the St. Peter Road north of Kinmundy has a door ripped off and tin pulled off during the severe thunderstorm. Photo by Froncie Yates Thompson.
Kaskaskia College President named President of Illinois Community College Council of Presidents
Kaskaskia College President George Evans has taken the helm of the Illinois Community College Council of Presidents. Evans says becoming president of the group is quite an honor and promises to work h...
Jul 27, 2026
Salem Community Activity Center raising money for gym air conditioning
The Salem Community Activity Center is starting to set aside money to air condition the gymnasium. Center Director Marcie Auvil made the announcement over the weekend at the center's semi-annual Commu...
Jul 27, 2026
Centralia City Council to hear engineering and tourism updates
The Centralia City Council Monday night will hear two reports. Milano and Grumloh Engineers will give their monthly update on the status of grant projects. The Centralia Tourism Commission will give a...
Jul 27, 2026
