Category Archives: Local News
Kaskaskia College Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries of Medical Imaging Programs
Kaskaskia College is celebrating two significant milestones in healthcare education during 2026 as the College recognizes the 60th Anniversary of its Radiologic Technology Program and the 25th Anniver...
Jul 07, 2026 Left to Right: KC Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Cindy Hoffmann, KC Associate Professor of Radiologic Technology Candace Sloat, KC Director of Radiologic Technology Mimi Polczynski, and KC Professor of Radiologic Technology Sharon Elwood
Miss Marion County Queen candidates announced
The 2026 Marion County Fair Queen Pageant field of contestants has been set. There are 8 young ladies competing for the title of Miss Marion County. The pageant is set to happen on August 3rd at 7pm. ...
Jul 07, 2026 #1 Kenzi Coffey (Salem), #2 Madison Thrash (Salem), #3 Lorelai Rose (Kinmundy), #4 Kallie Walsh (Salem), #5 Jillian Green (Salem), #6 Sierra Ford (Junction City), #7 Abigail Patrick (Salem), #8 Hannah Duncan (Salem). The 2025 Marion County Fair Queen is Ella Douglas (Salem), Photos courtesy of TSS Photgraphy-Saundra Banning.
20 contestants participating in the 2026 Jr Miss Pageant
There are 20 contestants this year in the 2026 Jr. Miss pageant, to be held at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Tuesday night, August 4th, at 7pm. The reigning 2025 Jr Miss is Jane Taylor Rose, the da...
Jul 07, 2026 They are #1 Zyley Henseler, #2 Bri-Ella Parker, #3 Paisley Meyer (not pictured), #4 McKenna Williams, #5 Graci Green, #6 Bria Henseler, #7 Ellie Williams, #8 Abigail Tate, #9 Danner Smith, #10 Kenli Cantrell, #11Faith Feldman, #12 Heaven Owens , #13 McKinleigh Parker, #14 Mackenzie Maltman, #15 Hope Despres , #16 Nia Garden , #17 Gabrielle Uribe, #18 Makayla Cohlmeyer, #19 Savannah Booher, and #20 Grace Beaty. Also pictured is 2025 Jr Miss Marion County Fair Queen Jane Taylor Rose, Photos courtesy of TSS Photgraphy-Saundra Banning.
Wamac Council votes against telecommunications funding request
By Steven Stilt The Wamac City Council voted Monday evening against a request from the City of Centralia to contribute funding to assist with the Centralia Police Department's telecommunications opera...
Jul 07, 2026 File photo: Wamac City Hall
Centralia American Legion Time Capsule Burial
The City of Centralia and the Centralia American Legion invite the public to attend the burial of a time capsule, commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary. The ceremony will take place on Friday, ...
Jul 07, 2026 Cristian RamÃrez / CC
New Law Expands Optional Use of Cameras in Long-Term Care Facilities
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a measure allowing residents of assisted living and shared housing establishments to exercise the right to use electronic monitoring, meant to enhance transparency and resi...
Jul 07, 2026 Matt Turner / CC
Pritzker signs landmark AI regulation bill that aims to mitigate risks
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois July 6, 2026 Article Summary JB Pritzker signed a landmark bill regulating large artificial intelligence developers on Monday, adding new reporting requireme...
Jul 07, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker signs the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act into law in Chicago on July 6, 2026, surrounded by lawmakers and advocates. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)
Organizer of Fireworks Displays in Lawrenceville and Vincennes' Indiana dies in 'fireworks related incident'
A 73-year-old man who has helped organize annual 4th of July fireworks shows in Vincennes, Indiana and Lawrenceville, Illinois has died following a 'fireworks-related incident' in Lawrenceville Friday...
Jul 07, 2026 File photo
Salem City Council votes for immediate ban on Kradom and 7-OH
The Salem City Council Monday night voted unanimously to immediately ban the sale of Kratom and 7-OH at conveniences stores and smoke shops. Mayor Nic Farley brought the ordinance to the city council ...
Jul 07, 2026 designer491 / Depositphotos.com
More details released on the alleged killing and dismemberment of man whose arm was found in Lake Mattoon
Formal charges have been brought in Will County Court at Joliet against two persons believed responsible for the killing and dismemberment of 38-year- old Dalewayne Turner of Plainfield. An investigat...
Jul 07, 2026
