Category Archives: Local News
Future of Menta School in Centralia in question as state attempts a shutdown (Tuesday morning update)
A spokesperson for three new Menta Schools, including Centralia, says they have asked for a court injunction to remain open. Steve Brown says they were continuing to operate as the Illinois State Boar...
Oct 17, 2023
Congressional candidate Darren Bailey begins People's Tractor Tour in Salem
Republican congressional candidate Darren Bailey of Xenia came to the Marion County Fairgrounds Monday afternoon to begin his ten-county tractor tour utilizing the first brand new tractor his dad purc...
Oct 17, 2023 Some of those attending the kick-off of Congressional Candidate Darren Bailey's 10 county tractor tour at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem Monday afternoon. (photo by Bruce Kropp)
Former employee at One Hope United arrested for aggravated criminal sexual assault of resident
A 28-year-old now former employee of One Hope United in Centralia has been arrested by Centralia Police for aggravated criminal sexual assault of a 16-year-old resident of the facility. Trevor Gyorkos...
Oct 17, 2023
Salem City Council approves higher gas rates
The Salem City Council Monday night approved higher natural gas rates designed to collect $1.7-million dollars a year to help pay for maintenance of the system. Finance Director Kelli Roth says for re...
Oct 17, 2023
Free children's coat giveaway returning to Centralia this weekend
A free coat giveaway will be held in Centralia on Saturday. This is the third year Crystal Koch is coordinating the event that will be held at the Calumet Street Christian Church on East Calumet Stree...
Oct 16, 2023 Scene from earlier Back to School giveaway.
6-year-old Chicago area boy is buried, mother treated after attack that police call an anti-Muslim hate crime
By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) - A 6-year-old boy was being buried Monday and his mother was hospitalized with stab wounds after their 71-year-old landlord attacked them because of the...
Oct 16, 2023 This booking photo provided by the Will County Sheriff’s Office, in Joliet, Ill., shows Joseph M. Czuba. Authorities say Czuba has been charged with a hate crime, accused of fatally stabbing a young boy and seriously wounded a woman because of their Islamic faith and the Israel-Hamas war. (Will County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Salem City Council Monday to consider final approval for natural gas rate increase
The Salem City Council Monday night will be asked to give final approval to a change in the natural gas rate structure for residential and commercial users to cover the city's increased costs to maint...
Oct 16, 2023
Large part of South Central Illinois falls back into abnormally dry conditions
A large part of South-Central Illinois has moved back into abnormally dry conditions. The Illinois Drought Map issued Thursday shows Salem and most of the northern two-thirds of Marion County still wi...
Oct 16, 2023
Odin School District moves forward on solar energy
Odin School Superintendent Belinda Kirgan expects work on the district's solar energy field to get underway next month and be completed by January. The board at its meeting last week agreed to pay a $...
Oct 16, 2023 File: Odin High School. Photo by Sam Snodsmith.
Effingham plant closes doors due to UAW Auto Workers strike
The Effingham Flex-N-Gate plant in Effingham has laid off all of its hourly employees until further notice due to the United Auto Workers strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. The Effing...
Oct 16, 2023 Members of the United Auto Worker Union walk out of the Chicago Ford Assembly Plant as Lance Williams from Lansing, Ill., waves the UAW flag Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
