Category Archives: Local News

72 unit apartment complex proposed for Salem with city help
A 72-unit apartment complex is being proposed for the northwest side of Salem. The project proposed by Conant Development of Bloomington would require a tax increment financing district pre-developmen...
WJBD Staff Dec 01, 2023 Conant Development's current apartment complex development in Effingham. (Facebook photo)

Former area man killed in I-57 crash north of Benton
A 55-year-old former area resident has died as a result of injuries sustained in a two vehicle crash Wednesday morning on I-57 south of milepost 68 north of Benton in Franklin County. State Police say...
WJBD Staff Dec 01, 2023

Indianapolis trucker injured in I-57 rollover crash north of Salem
A 40-year-old semi-truck driver from Indianapolis was injured in an early Friday morning crash when his rig hit water on I-57 two miles north of Salem and rolled over. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies...
WJBD Staff Dec 01, 2023

City of Salem kicks off Christmas season this weekend
The City of Salem kicks off the Christmas season this weekend. The festivities begin Friday night with the city recreation department and Marion County YMCA Christmas family game night at the Salem Co...
WJBD Staff Dec 01, 2023 Kids pick out toys at 2022 Christmas on Broadway. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Centralia celebrates Christmas this weekend with several events
The Christmas spirit comes alive this weekend in Centralia with multiple activities. The downtown Christmas Stroll kicks things off from three to seven Friday afternoon. Chamber of Commerce Executive ...
WJBD Staff Dec 01, 2023 Santa at the 2022 Downtown Christmas Stroll.

Centralia High Superintendent says social media claims of 'grooming case' and actions against staff members unfounded
Centralia High School Superintendent Chuck Lane says there has been nothing found in school e-mails to indicate any attempt to 'groom' a student or any other criminal wrong doing. He adds there has be...
Bruce Kropp Nov 30, 2023

Centralia City Manager proposes balanced budget for coming fiscal year
Centralia City Manager Kory Smith has presented a balanced $28-million budget for the coming fiscal year. Smith told the city council during a work session Wednesday night that he took a very conserva...
WJBD Staff Nov 30, 2023 Centralia City Manager Kory Smith addresses the city council from the podium to begin his 2024 budget presentation at a city council work session Wednesday night. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Rural Dix man burned attempting to keep fire from spreading to camper
A rural Dix man has been airlifted from the scene of a fire at his home after sustaining first and second degree burns when trying to keep a fire from spreading to a camper vehicle. Jefferson Fire off...
WJBD Staff Nov 30, 2023

Marion County hunters bag 1,202 deer in first shotgun deer hunting weekend
Marion County hunters bagged 1,202 deer during the first shotgun deer hunting season. That's up 16 deer from last year and 204 more than the first season two years ago. The Illinois Department of Natu...
WJBD Staff Nov 30, 2023

Investigation underway into death of 53-year-old Centralia woman
An investigation is underway into the death of a 53-year-old Centralia woman who was found dead on the front porch of a home in the 1200 block of South Cherry Street early Wednesday morning. Centralia...
Bruce Kropp Nov 29, 2023