Category Archives: Local News
Strong Cold Front Causes Wind Issues in Centralia Area
Strong winds early Sunday night caused issues in both Centralia and Central City. While most of the area escaped rain, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southern Fa...
Mar 23, 2026 Centralia first responders reroute traffic near a downed light pole and attached wire which landed across North Poplar at the entrance to the First General Baptist Church at 1118 N. Poplar. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
St. Mary's and Good Samaritan Wound Care Clinics Receive National Recognition
The Wound Care Clinics at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital have been honored with two outstanding achievement awards from RestorixHealth, recognizing exceptional c...
Mar 23, 2026
Centralia Set to Act on Animal Control Issues and New Fire Chief's Contract
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to pass an ordinance to sell its animal control facility at 853 Woods Lane to Marion County for their new animal shelter. The county will pay the ...
Mar 23, 2026
Police Beat for Monday, March 23rd, 2026
Centralia Police arrested a 28-year-old Salem woman on an Effingham County warrant on Sunday. Sharesa Howser of Foxville Road was initially taken to the Marion County Jail and later transferred to the...
Mar 23, 2026
Gas Leak Causes Evacuation of Grace Church and Cancellation of Services
The Salem Fire Protection District evacuated the Grace Church on North Broadway in Salem Sunday morning after a strong smell of gas filled the church and drifted out into the parking lot. The fire dep...
Mar 22, 2026
Three Outbuildings Destroyed in Fire East of Kinmundy
Three outbuildings were destroyed in a late Saturday afternoon fire on the Gary White property at 6003 Sinclair Road east of Kinmundy. Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says White had been burning of...
Mar 22, 2026 liz west / CC
Police Beat for Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
Two people were arrested in separate domestic battery cases. Salem Police arrested 38-year-old Ricky Webb of Deer Path Drive in Salem early Sunday morning. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 31...
Mar 22, 2026
Centralia Names New Fire Chief
Centralia has a new fire chief. Captain Blake Perez is a more than 20-year veteran of the department and was one of three internal candidates for the position. "We're a great department, and I've alwa...
Mar 21, 2026 Incoming Centralia Fire Chief Blake Perez
Salem Man Hurt in Deer-Motorcycle Crash
A 43-year-old Salem man was injured in a deer-motorcycle crash late Friday night on Green Street Road near the Odin Road intersection south of Odin. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Jason Lewis of...
Mar 21, 2026
Police Beat for Saturday, March 21st, 2026
A 53-year-old Junction City man was arrested by Salem Police early Friday evening for aggravated domestic battery and on a Marion County no-bond felony failure to appear warrant. Henry Rowcliff was ar...
Mar 21, 2026
