Category Archives: Local News
House Northeast of Mt. Vernon Heavily Damaged by Fire
Fire heavily damaged a home northeast of Mt. Vernon Sunday afternoon. Jefferson Fire officials say the fire was at the Melanie Cross home at 14809 Knox Road. Cross was not home but discovered smoke in...
Mar 09, 2026
The SSM Health Good Samaritan Auxiliary's Total Giving Reaches $1-Million
The SSM Health Good Samaritan Auxiliary has celebrated reaching giving of $1 million to the hospital's foundation. Built through years of fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, and community support, h...
Mar 09, 2026 SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary Members presenting a $75,000 donation to Kay Zibby-Damron, SSM Health in Illinois Foundation Director, during the Auxiliary installation lunch.
Kell Fire Protection District Raises $12,000 at Weekend Fund Raiser
The Kell Fire Protection District raised $12,000 from a weekend BBQ fund raiser. Assistant Chief Jason Franke says the money will be used towards the purchase of stabilization equipment for vehicle an...
Mar 09, 2026 Village of Kell presents a $2500 check for the Kell Fire Department.
Police Beat for Monday, March 9th, 2026
Three people were brought to the Marion County Jail early Monday morning on separate domestic battery arrests. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 71-year-old Tommy Marler of Lakeside Drive in C...
Mar 09, 2026
Marion County Inmate Attempts Escape While at Salem Township Hospital
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says an inmate taken to Salem Township Hospital Saturday afternoon for medical concerns later attempted to escape. The inmate, whose name has not yet been released, ...
Mar 07, 2026
Police Beat for Saturday, March 7th, 2026
Sandoval Police arrested 46-year-old Joe Hill of West Georgia in Sandoval on two counts of aggravated battery and disorderly conduct. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. Centralia Police arrested ...
Mar 07, 2026
Heavy Thunderstorm Passes Over Marion County Area, Downing Trees and Knocking Out Power
The leading storm in a cold front pounded parts of Marion County with heavy rains and strong winds early Saturday morning. The storm knocked out power as well as causing tree damage, including several...
Mar 07, 2026 Al large tree had its roots fail during the strong winds Saturday morning and crashed into the front of a home in the 1000 block of South Franklin. Photo Bruce Kropp.
Centralia BPW Will Hold Equal Pay Day Rally on Saturday
Centralia Business and Professional Women are having an Equal Pay Day Rally on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Centralia American Legion. City Manager Galen Mahle will speak at the event along with other spe...
Mar 06, 2026
New Part-Time Centralia Firefighter Sworn In
Centralia has a new part-time firefighter. Brandon Beaver was sworn in by Centralia City Clerk Kim Enke during a ceremony at city hall Thursday afternoon. Beaver is a 2014 graduate of Centralia High S...
Mar 06, 2026 Brandon Beaver is sworn in as a Centralia City firefighter. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem Man Gets 12 Year Prison Term for Criminal Sexual Assault
A 43-year-old Salem man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court on Thursday to criminal sexual assault. Alejandro Maines-Sosa of North Broadway admitted t...
Mar 06, 2026
