Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Board continues to prepare to take over Centralia Animal Shelter
The deal isn't done yet, but Marion County Board Chair Steve Whritenour is confident the county will be able to take control of the Centralia Animal Control facility by the end of the year. Whritenour...
Dec 17, 2025 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Centralia Youth Commission wins 5th annual food drive challenge
Last month, the Centralia Youth Commission and Gaetti Sports Academy came together for their fifth annual food drive challenge, collecting food and monetary donations for local food pantries. Together...
Dec 17, 2025 Two U-Hauls and a pickup truck were filled with food donations from the Centralia Youth Commission and Gaetti Sports Academy. Photo from the Centralia Youth Commission Facebook page.
Hungry Hearts Returning for Long Winter Break for Students
A winter edition of the Hungry Hearts Program is planned during the long winter break for students this year. Marilyn Lewis, who heads the program, says with kids scheduled to be out of school for ele...
Dec 17, 2025 Marco Verch Professional Photographer / CC
Unemployment at 5% in Marion County in September
Unemployment in Marion County was at an even 5-percent in September. This is the first county unemployment number released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security since the federal governmen...
Dec 17, 2025 Innov8social / CC
Salem Police investigating burglary to fenced area at Rural King
Salem Police were called early Wednesday morning to a burglary to the fenced area around Rural King on West Whitaker Street. Police say the back fence had been cut to gain access to the parking area w...
Dec 17, 2025
Police Beat for Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Centralia Police have arrested 30-year-old Cameryn Wills of South Lincoln in Centralia for alleged aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery to a pregnant person. Wills was taken to the Mario...
Dec 17, 2025
IDPH Reaffirms Science-Based Recommendation for All Newborns to Receive Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reaffirmed the recommendation for a universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth to prevent hepatitis B, a serious viral infection that can lead to acute ...
Dec 17, 2025
More Seniors Now Eligible for Property Tax Relief Under New Illinois Law
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding senior homeowners of the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, which has been expanded due to legislation signed by Governor JB Pritz...
Dec 17, 2025
Greenville inmate sentenced to additional prison time for possessing contraband
A district judge added 24 additional months to an FCI-Greenville inmate's sentence for possessing a makeshift weapon. Raekwon M. Patton, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of contraband in ...
Dec 17, 2025
Salem City Council approves two TIF projects
The Salem City Council has approved two Tax Increment Financing District projects that will give new uses to currently vacant buildings. The council approved a $300,000 incentive package for Dustin Ga...
Dec 16, 2025 File photo: May 2025 Salem City Council meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
