Category Archives: Local News
City of Salem kicks off Christmas season this weekend
The City of Salem kicks off the Christmas season this weekend. The festivities begin Friday night with the city recreation department and Marion County YMCA Christmas family game night at the Salem Co...
Dec 01, 2023 Kids pick out toys at 2022 Christmas on Broadway. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia celebrates Christmas this weekend with several events
The Christmas spirit comes alive this weekend in Centralia with multiple activities. The downtown Christmas Stroll kicks things off from three to seven Friday afternoon. Chamber of Commerce Executive ...
Dec 01, 2023 Santa at the 2022 Downtown Christmas Stroll.
Centralia High Superintendent says social media claims of 'grooming case' and actions against staff members unfounded
Centralia High School Superintendent Chuck Lane says there has been nothing found in school e-mails to indicate any attempt to 'groom' a student or any other criminal wrong doing. He adds there has be...
Nov 30, 2023
Centralia City Manager proposes balanced budget for coming fiscal year
Centralia City Manager Kory Smith has presented a balanced $28-million budget for the coming fiscal year. Smith told the city council during a work session Wednesday night that he took a very conserva...
Nov 30, 2023 Centralia City Manager Kory Smith addresses the city council from the podium to begin his 2024 budget presentation at a city council work session Wednesday night. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Rural Dix man burned attempting to keep fire from spreading to camper
A rural Dix man has been airlifted from the scene of a fire at his home after sustaining first and second degree burns when trying to keep a fire from spreading to a camper vehicle. Jefferson Fire off...
Nov 30, 2023
Marion County hunters bag 1,202 deer in first shotgun deer hunting weekend
Marion County hunters bagged 1,202 deer during the first shotgun deer hunting season. That's up 16 deer from last year and 204 more than the first season two years ago. The Illinois Department of Natu...
Nov 30, 2023
Investigation underway into death of 53-year-old Centralia woman
An investigation is underway into the death of a 53-year-old Centralia woman who was found dead on the front porch of a home in the 1200 block of South Cherry Street early Wednesday morning. Centralia...
Nov 29, 2023
Fire damages Centralia home
A Centralia home was damaged in an early Wednesday morning fire. The fire was in the attic of the Ashley Wright and Kyle Rogers home at 319 North Sycamore Street. It is believed to be electrical in na...
Nov 29, 2023
Centralia man injured in Gragg Street Road crash
A 35-year-old Centralia man was injured Tuesday night in a single vehicle crash on the Gragg Street near the Brick Hill Road. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Quinton Upchurch of Gragg Street left...
Nov 29, 2023
Salem woman pleads guilty to financial institution fraud
A 36-year-old Salem woman has pleaded guilty in Marion County Court to financial institution fraud. Ashley Scarlett of US 50 is accused of opening an account at a Salem bank with checks from other fin...
Nov 29, 2023
