Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Building Committee concerned about future use of Moose records storage building
The Marion County Board's Building Committee is concerned about the Moose building that holds records for county offices. The committee met in the building Tuesday night and were shown a number of pro...
Aug 12, 2026
Kratom ban in unincorporated Marion County delayed for rewrite
The Marion County Board's Law Enforcement Committee tabled a vote on an ordinance banning kratom from being sold in unincorporated parts of the county. The decision came after board members received 1...
Aug 12, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Barn destroyed by fire in rural Alma
A barn owned by Tony and Lisa Miller on the 3800 block of Green Ridge Road in rural Alma was destroyed by fire late Tuesday night. The barn was fully engulfed when Kinmundy-Alma Firemen arrived on the...
Aug 12, 2026 Zdenko Zivkovic / CC
Flora man receives minor injuries in car-deer crash
A 30-year-old Flora man received minor injuries in a car-deer crash early Wednesday morning. The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports Dakota Austin of East 4th struck the deer near the intersect...
Aug 12, 2026
Odin School Board approves non-certified pay increase and personnel changes
The Odin School Board has approved a three and a half percent pay raise for non-certified personnel. Superintendent Quinton Marcum says the increase is the same earlier approved for the teacher's unio...
Aug 12, 2026 File: Odin High School. Photo by Sam Snodsmith.
Centralia City Schools prepare to start new school year
The Centralia City Schools Board of Education approved an addendum to a lease contract with BCMW for the former Field School. The addendum adds the physical address of the building and corrects a date...
Aug 12, 2026
Balloon Fest preview Sunday at Murray Center in Centralia
Local pilots will hold a balloon glow at Murray Center on Sunday. Jamie Allen of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce says the drive through event from 7:30 to 8:30 Sunday evening is open to the public. ...
Aug 11, 2026 File photo: Balloons in the air over Foundation Park. Photo by Austin Williams.
Rural Kell woman burned in fire at her home Monday afternoon
A 26-year-old rural Kell woman was burned in a fire Monday that caused heavy fire damage to her kitchen and smoke damage throughout her home. The fire apparently started in a pan of grease on the stov...
Aug 11, 2026
Deadline to pay 2026 Mobile Home Tax Bills is Wednesday
Marion County Treasurer Gary Purcell is issuing a reminder that the deadline for paying 2026 mobile home tax bills without penalty is Wednesday. Payments can be made at local banks and credit unions. ...
Aug 11, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Governor has proclamed Tuesday 811 Day
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed Tuesday, August 11th, as 811 Day in Illinois to support the Illinois Commerce Commission's (ICC) efforts to raise awareness about the need for safe digging. Every f...
Aug 11, 2026
