Category Archives: Local News
Air fryer explodes in Centralia, but no injuries or fire
Centralia Fire Chief Jeff Day says there was no fire and no injuries when an air fryer exploded in a Centralia apartment during the noon hour on Tuesday. Carly Arnody of the Fairway Apartments reporte...
Jul 31, 2024 escapejaja / Depositphotos.com
Preslee Harris named 2024 Miss Marion County Fair
The 2024 Miss Marion County Fair Queen is Preslee Harris of Iuka. "I was like I don't know what to do, I've never been a Queen. I don't know what to say. I just looked at Kaitlyn [Banning], oh my gosh...
Jul 31, 2024 Queen Preslee Harris receives her crown from outgoing 2023 Queen Kaitlyn Banning as Junior Miss Aubri Landreth and others watch Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Cleanup continues; power restored following latest severe weather
While the cleanup will continue for some time, both Ameren Illinois and Tri-County Electric completed restoration of electricity in Marion County by late Tuesday afternoon. Many power lines were tangl...
Jul 31, 2024 Part of the roof of the Pour House at West Main and Selmaville Road is ripped off and thrown onto the Selmaville Road during Monday night's storms. Salem Police say there were employees and customers in the bar, but fortunately no one was injured. Photo by Jessica Byars.
Centralia Chamber welcomes High Point Residence Centralia during Tuesday ribbon cutting
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce welcomed High Point Residence, an assisted living and memory care home, at a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. High Point Residence Centralia, operating in the building that...
Jul 31, 2024
Marion County Fair to have delayed opening Tuesday night due to potential severe weather
There will be a delayed opening for the Marion County Fair Tuesday night due to the potential for severe weather moving through the area beginning around 6 p.m. The start of the Miss Marion County Fai...
Jul 30, 2024 FAIR QUEEN CONTESTANTS.
Pictured in order of contestant number is #1 Bailey Maas, #2 Gabriella Curtner, # 3 Abigail Evans, #4 Madelyn Dailey,
#5 Preslee Harris, #6 Katelyn Beigeleisen, #7 Mariah Williams, #8 Celeste Marshall, #9 Ella Douglas, and #10 Lydia Donoho. Also pictured is 2023 Marion County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Banning
Rain doesn't keep kids away for Kid's Day at the Fair
Kid's Day at the Fair drew a big crowd even with the rain during the first two hours of the event on Monday at the Marion County Fair Grounds. 632 kids and 472 adults registered for the event that gav...
Jul 30, 2024
Mt. Vernon swears in new Fire Chief
Mt. Vernon has a new fire chief. Assistant Fire Chief and 22-year Mt. Vernon Fire Department veteran Chris Yenne was sworn in Monday as the City of Mt Vernon's new fire chief. He began his career with...
Jul 30, 2024
National Weather Service warning of potential for severe weather Tuesday night
The National Weather Service says multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible Tuesday with rounds possible late afternoon through tonight (20-30% chance). The main threat with any round of thunderst...
Jul 30, 2024
Lightning strike on home, roof partially lifted off business, and multiple tree and powerline issues left behind by severe weather in Marion County (updated 5:15 pm)
Severe thunderstorms that at times showed rotation on radar crossed parts of Marion County Monday night causing power outages, downed tree limbs, as well as removing about half the roof of the Pour Ho...
Jul 30, 2024 Multiple Ameren Illinois trucks are involved in power restoration outside the Marion County Law Enforcement Center in downtown Salem. (Photo by Bruce Kropp)
Heavy rains cause road flooding and delay Ruby Leigh Concert at Marion County Fair
Heavy rains hit part of South Central Illinois Sunday evening, flooding some rural roads and delaying the start of the Ruby Leigh Concert at the Marion County Fair. The National Weather Service issued...
Jul 29, 2024 1st Runner Up of 'The Voice' Ruby Leigh performs on the Marion County Fair Stage after a rain delay as heavy showers and thundershowers resulted in flooding rains. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
