Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition holds first walk in Centralia
A group of over 30 participants dressed in blue shirts turned out for the Marion County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition's first Walk for Child Abuse Prevention in Centralia on Tuesday. Weather was fa...
Apr 15, 2026 Group photo at the Walk for Child Abuse Prevention in Centralia. Photo by Austin Williams.
Centralia Chamber Makes It Official, Balloon Fest Will Move to Fairview Park This Year
The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce has made a final decision to move Balloon Fest to Fairview Park for August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. With the move, the event will be free to attend. In making th...
Apr 14, 2026 Balloons air up for the Saturday night Balloon Glow. Photo by Austin Williams.
Two Arrested by Salem Police Over the Weekend Ordered Held Without Bond During First Court Appearance
Two people arrested following separate incidents in Salem over the weekend were ordered held without bond until their next court appearance after a judge found their release was a threat to the victim...
Apr 14, 2026
Spots Available in Salem Community Garden; Open House Set for Wednesday
The University of Illinois Extension Center is once again sponsoring the Salem Community Garden again this year. The garden is located at 317 South Pearl Street on the west side of the Salem Bryan Ben...
Apr 14, 2026 Jeremy Keith / CC
Four Area Counties in Top Five for Youth Turkey Harvest
Four area counties are in the top for youth turkey harvest this spring. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports Jefferson County is first in the state with 75 birds harvested. That's up f...
Apr 14, 2026 Neonwater / Depositphotos.com
Police Beat for Tuesday, April 14th, 2026
Two people were brought to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday on outstanding warrants. 41-year-old Randy Jennings of Green Street Road in Centralia was arrested on a no bond failure to appear major tra...
Apr 14, 2026
Centralia to withdraw from insurance cooperative
The Centralia City Council passed a resolution Monday night to withdraw from the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative at the end of June 2026 due to rising insurance costs. According to Cit...
Apr 14, 2026
Centralia City Council grants permission for Balloon Fest in Fairview Park
The Centralia City Council has passed a resolution allowing the Centralia Chamber of Commerce to hold this year's Balloon Fest in Fairview Park, but the chamber has yet to make the final decision on w...
Apr 14, 2026 Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcus Holland speaks to the city council. Photo by Austin Williams.
Happy Hearts Quilt Guild Celebrates Completion of 400 Quilts
At the April 2022 meeting of Happy Hearts Quilt Guild, members voted to make and donate 10 twin size quilts to Sleep in Heavenly Peace for their project, making beds for children who needed a bed. Now...
Apr 13, 2026 Members of the Happy Hearts Quilt Guild present a recent donation of 11 quilts to the St. Mary's oncology department.
Centralia BPW Celebrates 100 Years
The Centralia Business and Professional Women's Club Celebrated its 100th birthday at a reception at the Centralia Historical Museum on Saturday. The event included a reception, history of the club, a...
Apr 13, 2026 Centralia BPW members at the 100th anniversary reception on Saturday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
