Category Archives: Local News
BCMW awards nine $1,000 scholarships to students
The Social Service Agency BCMW has awarded nine $1,000 scholarships this year through the education component of the Community Services Block Grant Program for the 2023-2024 academic years. The Marion...
Jan 12, 2024
Fire damages southeast side Salem home
A smoldering fire between the first and second floors of a southeast Salem home was discovered Thursday morning when one of the children stepped through the floor. Fortunately, Assistant Fire Chief Bi...
Jan 11, 2024 Salem Firemen remove damaged contents from a home on South Washington Street following a fire confined to the floor of the second story. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Former New Baden First Grade Teacher Admits to Asking Minors for Explicit Images on Snapchat
A former New Baden elementary school teacher pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to soliciting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from minors. 25-year-old Jonathan C. Villmer, Jr., of New Baden, ...
Jan 11, 2024
Washington County Sheriff's Department completes $500,000 drug bust on I-64
The Washington County Sheriff's Department is reporting a $500,000 drug bust on I-64. The bust came after a deputy and his K-9 partner made a traffic stop on eastbound I-64 near Okawville around the 4...
Jan 11, 2024 Washington County Deputy Andrew Howard with his canine Luna with the seized drugs from an I-64 traffic stop near Okawville. (Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page)
Police Beat for Thursday, January 11th, 2024
A 28-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police for aggravated domestic battery. Anthony Hernandez of North Hickory was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on formal ...
Jan 11, 2024
Marion County Fair Queen competing for state title this weekend
Marion County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Banning of Salem will compete for the Miss Illinois Fair County Queen 2024 title in Springfield this weekend. Banning is in Springfield Thursday for practices ahead of...
Jan 11, 2024 Marion County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Banning.
Centralia Community Youth Center seeks 2024 Wall of Honor nominees
The Centralia Community Youth Center is seeking nominations for the 2024 class of the Wall of Honor. Nomination forms are available at the Youth Center on East Rexford. They must be returned by five p...
Jan 11, 2024 Marva Bledsoe is earlier inducted into the Wall of Honor by Centralia Community Youth Center Board member Todd Gilespie. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia man charged with armed violence and other felonies
A 31-year-old Centralia man was formally charged in Marion County Court on Wednesday with a Class X felony of armed violence in addition to unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of under five...
Jan 11, 2024
Salem woman pleads guilty to drug delivery charge
A 24-year-old Salem woman has pleaded guilty in Marion County Court to one of two methamphetamine delivery charges pending against her. Shelby Futch of West Kell Street was placed on two years probati...
Jan 11, 2024
Both occupants of pickup in Green Street Road crash refuse hospital treatment
Both occupants of a pickup truck escaped serious injury when the truck spun out of control and rolled over in a single vehicle crash on the Green Street Road Wednesday night. Marion County Sheriff's D...
Jan 11, 2024
