Category Archives: Local News

Marion County Circuit Clerk gets $8,800 grant to improve court check in process
Marion County Circuit Clerk Tiffany Schicker has announced the receipt of an $8,800 grant from the Illinois court system. She says the grant will make improvements to the third-floor check-in system f...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023 Marion County Circuit Court Clerk Tiffany Schicker updates county board on a new grant. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Marion County Highway Engineer updates road projects
Marion County Highway Engineer Mike McCormick had both good and bad news for the county board Tuesday night on highway projects. McCormick says the Heinzmann Road from downtown Kell to the Route 161 E...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023

Centralia man sentenced to three years in prison on stolen credit card charges
A 29-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of unlawful possession of a credit or debit card with intent to use. Derek Kirgan of South...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023

Marion County Mobile Home Tax Bills due Friday
The Marion County Treasurer's office is reminding everyone the 2023 Mobile Home Tax Bills are due this Friday to avoid penalties. Treasurer Gary Purcell says payments can be made at local banks and cr...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023 DonkeyHotey / CC

Centralia City Schools Approve New Hires Ahead of School Year
The Centralia City School Board's August meeting had little to talk about aside from the hiring of multiple new teachers and faculty, filling several vacancies. This is expected to ease some of the st...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023

Centralia Pool Committee Plans Survey
The Centralia Fairview Park Pool Committee met on Tuesday to discuss concepts for a new aquatic fixture in Fairview Park. After lengthy discussion, the committee decided to wait for more information c...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023 The old Fairview Park Pool has now been dug up. The bath house, that could be reused in some future plans, remains intact behind the pool demolition. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Marion County Board moves forward on projects
The Marion County Board is moving forward on several projects including improvements to the security entrance to the courthouse, the county parking lot in the 200 block of North Broadway and a first f...
WJBD Staff Aug 09, 2023 File photo: Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Father charged with helping suspect in July 4 shooting obtain gun license asks judge to toss case
By MICHAEL TARM AP Legal Affairs Writer CHICAGO (AP) - An Illinois judge heard arguments Monday on a father's request to dismiss charges accusing him of committing a crime by helping his son obtain a ...
Bruce Kropp Aug 08, 2023 Attorney George Gomez, left, speaks to Judge George D. Strickland as Robert E. Crimo Jr., listens during an appearance at the Lake County Courthouse, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Waukegan, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)

Vandalia couple sentenced to prison for role in child pornography ring
A Vandalia couple has been sentenced by Judge Christopher Matoush to a lengthy prison term for their role in a child pornography ring operating in Fayette County. 39-year-old Andrew Wehrle was sentenc...
Bruce Kropp Aug 08, 2023 Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Department makes arrest in shooting
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has made an arrest in connection with a shooting at a home in the 300 block of Ninth Street in Nason on August 4th. 25-year-old Leif X. Booker is accused of s...
Bruce Kropp Aug 08, 2023