Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Board to Consider Drone Package for Emergency Management Agency
The Marion County Board's Law Enforcement Committee on Tuesday night voted to recommend to the full county board at its June 23rd meeting that the newly reformed Emergency Management Agency be allowed...
Jun 10, 2026 Andrew Strong speaks to the Marion County Board Law Enforcement Committee. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County Highway Engineer Concerned About Leaning Radio Tower
Marion County Highway Engineer Alex Kreke is concerned about the radio tower at the highway garage that is now leaning towards one of their buildings and has had one of its guy wire supports break. Kr...
Jun 10, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Improvements Continue to be made at Marion County Animal Pound
Marion County Animal Control Officer Whitney Purcell says improvement work is underway at the county's new animal control facility on Woods Lane in Centralia. She told the County Board's Community Com...
Jun 10, 2026
Woman who ran into Lincoln Liquors building arrested for DUI
A Centralia woman who allegedly ran into the side of the Lincoln Liquors building at East Broadway and South Lincoln in Centralia early Monday night has been arrested for driving under the influence. ...
Jun 10, 2026
Dry Cleaning Machine Explodes inside Flemming Cleaners; One minor Injury Reported
A dry cleaning machine exploded late Tuesday morning at Fleming Cleaners at 903 North Poplar in Centralia. Centralia Fire Chief Blake Perez says debris, including the front door of the machine, flew a...
Jun 10, 2026 Centralia City Fire Truck. File Photo.
Truck Cab Destroyed in Fire on I-57 near Dix
The cab of a semi-truck was destroyed by fire while traveling on I-57 at mile marker 103 near Dix Monday morning. Jefferson Fire officials say the driver was able to pull to the side of the road and g...
Jun 10, 2026
Centralia City Schools Recognize Retirees
The Centralia City Schools Board recognized four district retirees at the regular board meeting on Tuesday and thanked them for their years of service: Diane Rush, 35 years of service, Cinnamon Blanch...
Jun 10, 2026
Police Beat for Wednesday, June 10th, 2026
Centralia Police arrested 34-year-old Larry Gates of Chicago for aggravated battery to a police officer and an Illinois Department of Corrections. He was taken to the Marion County Jail to await furth...
Jun 10, 2026
New Centralia water treatment plant to begin operating this fall
In a report given at Monday's Centralia City Council meeting, Public Works Director Jeff Schwartz said that work on the new water treatment plant is nearing completion and the plant is on track to bec...
Jun 09, 2026 Centralia Public Works Director Jeff Schwartz gives the city council an update on the new water treatment plant. Photo by Austin Williams.
Centralia secures extension for downtown TIF district
At Monday night's Centralia City Council meeting, Economic Development Director Rob Jackson reported that the 12-year extension of Centralia's TIF #3 District successfully passed through the Illinois ...
Jun 09, 2026
