Category Archives: Local News
Salem Grade School District approves 3.7-percent increase tax levy
The Salem Grade School Board Monday night approved their annual tax levy. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the board decided on a 3.7 percent tax rate increase over last year's tax levy. "We went ...
Dec 16, 2025
Get Covered Illinois Extends First Open Enrollment Deadline
Get Covered Illinois announced that Illinois residents now have until December 31 to enroll in health insurance coverage that begins January 1. Illinois is working in an attempt to ensure residents ma...
Dec 16, 2025
63 kids get to Shop with a Cop in Salem
The Salem Police Department's Fraternal Order of Police raised $15,000 this year to take 63 kids shopping for this year's Shop with a Cop program. Salem Police officers joined Marion County Sheriff's ...
Dec 15, 2025 Marion County Sheriff's deputies shopping with a family for Salem Shop with a Cop. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Shop with a Cop serves over 160 children
More than 40 volunteers from local police departments showed up to the Centralia Wal-Mart on Saturday for this year's Shop with a Cop. According to Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour, over $...
Dec 15, 2025 Volunteers at Centralia Shop with a Cop take a group photo with Santa Claus. Photo by Austin Williams.
Father-son team takes 14 Kinmundy kids shopping with a cop and firefighter
The Kinmundy Police Department took 14 kids shopping on Saturday thanks to a generous donation from the Kinmundy Methodist Church. A different twist was added this year, as Police Chief Joe Duffy aske...
Dec 15, 2025 Kinmundy Police Chief Joe Duffy and his son, a Kell firefighter, shop with a child during Kinmundy Shop with a Cop. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Male juvenile shooting at his rural Salem home under investigation
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says an investigation is underway on how a male juvenile was shot in the face with a handgun at his rural Salem home Sunday afternoon. The juvenile was transported t...
Dec 15, 2025
Salem man arrested for failure to register as a sex offender
A Salem man has been arrested for failure to register as a sex offender. Russell Wimberly told Salem Police he was homeless and had not registered his current situation. He was taken to the Marion Cou...
Dec 15, 2025
Detached garage destroyed by fire in rural Walnut Hill
A detached garage at the Clayton Vaughn home at 361 Gilliland Road in rural Walnut Hill was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon. Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Ross Boshera says the 30 by 30 ...
Dec 15, 2025
Salem City Council to consider two TIF projects Monday night
The Salem City Council Monday night will consider two tax increment financing district projects. One would allow Dustin Gansauer to move Ace Auto Sales to the vacant Rollinson's Home Center at 121 Wes...
Dec 15, 2025
Centralia City Council looks to begin relending program, once again waiving demolition fees
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to authorize the city to apply for a loan program designed to spur economic development. If approved, the $500,000 would be used to create a revol...
Dec 15, 2025
