Category Archives: Local News
Illinois State Board of Education wants to revamp how it counts low-income students
Number of families receiving federal benefits such as Medicaid and SNAP is declining Article Summary The state Board of Education says it needs a more accurate count of low-income students as particip...
May 01, 2026 The Illinois State Board of Education’s headquarters is pictured in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
13th Annual Locust Street Fair in Centralia Is Saturday
The 13th Annual Locust Street Fair will be held in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Locust Street in Centralia on Saturday. Community Development Director Gayla Harting says there will be 60 vendors in...
May 01, 2026
Salem Community Rallies to Raise Money for Post Prom
When the week started, the finances of the Salem Lions Club Post Prom were in poor condition. But when WJBD-WSIQ made the problem known and Security Alarm provided a $1,000 matching donation the situa...
May 01, 2026
Residents to Have a Chance to Recycle Electronic Items and Get Papers Shredded on Saturday
Area residents are being given a chance to recycle no longer wanted electronic items and to get personal papers shredded in different locations on Saturday. Contained Storage and Shredding at 330 Nort...
May 01, 2026 FrameAngel / Depositphotos.com
Kaskaskia College Board Welcomes New Student Trustee
By Steven Stilt The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees on Thursday welcomed its new student trustee for the next year and commended the outgoing student trustee. Taking the oath of office as student ...
May 01, 2026 New Kaskaskia College student trustee Andolini Gray, right, shakes hands with Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Hawley after taking the oath of office Thursday evening. Photo by Steven Stilt.
Kaskaskia College Board votes to keep leadership structure
By Steven Stilt During its meeting Thursday night, the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees chose to maintain its current leadership structure for the next year. Trustees voted unanimously to retain Bi...
May 01, 2026
Missing Sandoval Man Found Lying in Swampy Area Following Day Long Search
A 56-year-old Sandoval man with medical issues who had been missing for two days was found alive following a day-long search by multiple police, fire, and ESDA organizations. Sandoval Assistant Police...
May 01, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, May 1st, 2026
A 32-year-old homeless Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police on drug charges. Thaddeaus Johnson was taken to the Marion County Jail for alleged methamphetamine delivery and possession of...
May 01, 2026
Salem Community Activity Center to Host Prom Night Portrait Stations
The Salem Community Activity Center is hosting its first-ever Free Prom Night Portrait Stations. Those going to Salem High Prom can have photos taken in the portrait stations from five to eight on Fri...
May 01, 2026 This portrait station available for prom photos at the Salem Community Activity Center was developed by Box Drop of Salem. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Illinois lawmakers punt remap amendment after SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling
by Ben Szalinski and Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois April 29, 2026 Article Summary Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said the Senate will not move forward with a constitutional amendment ...
Apr 30, 2026 Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said state lawmakers need more time to evaluate a U.S. Supreme Court ruling before proceeding with a constitutional amendment. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
