Category Archives: Local News
Odin Fire Department announces annual award winners
The Odin Fire Department has handed out its annual awards at its annual awards dinner. Nicholas Lynch was named firefighter of the year. He is a lieutenant and one of the top on-scene responders. Lync...
Jan 23, 2024 Odin Firefighter of the Year Lt. Nicholas Lynch (center) with Assistant Chief TonyNalewajka (left) and Chief Greg Smith (right).
Odin Fire Chief says 2023 was the busiest in the department's history
Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith says 2023 was the busiest year in the department's history. The department handled a total of 411 calls, including 78 fire calls, 270 rescue calls which includes EMS and aut...
Jan 23, 2024 Members of the Odin Fire Department at annual awards dinner held last weekend.
Several Centralia Police officers honored at Southern Illinois Law Enforcement banquet
Several members of the Centralia Police Department were among those recognized last week at the 31st Annual Southern Illinois Police Chief's Association and Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commissio...
Jan 23, 2024 Centralia Police awardees: (left to right) Ryan Bundy, Travis Ripperda, Trent Timmons, and Nolan Beggs.
Salem Community High School Board gives unanimous support to extension of TIF 2 District
The Salem Community High School Board was torn Monday night on supporting a 12-year extension of the city's number two tax increment financing district, but eventually gave it a 7-0 approval. The issu...
Jan 23, 2024 Salem Community High School Board debating support for TIF 2 extension for 12 years.
Police Beat for Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024
Salem Police arrested a 33-year-old Salem man for violation of an order of protection after he was seen riding a bicycle Tuesday night near a residence he was prohibited from being around. Chad Burges...
Jan 23, 2024
Ice melts and winter weather advisory lifted as road conditions return to near normal in South Central Illinois (updated 5:45 pm)
Road conditions have returned to normal across South Central Illinois. You'll still find some slick spots on roads north of Fayette County. I-57 begins having scattered slippery spots in Champaign Cou...
Jan 22, 2024 Laura Ockel / Unsplash
Republic unable to complete Monday trash route in Centralia due to weather
Republic Services has notified the City of Centralia that due to the weather conditions, there is a portion of the scheduled Monday route that was not able to be collected. Due to this delay, Republic...
Jan 22, 2024
14-year-old Salem boy killed in St. Peter shooting
A 14-year-old Salem boy was the victim of a fatal shooting at a rural St. Peter home on Saturday night. Dakota Caige Branch was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting by Fayette County Coroner D...
Jan 22, 2024 Dakota Branch photo on his GoFundMe fund raiser to raise money for his funeral.
Police Beat for Monday, January 22nd, 2024
Salem Police have arrested a 34-year-old homeless Salem woman for possession of a controlled substance. Police say the drugs were allegedly found on Raeann Ashley after she was initially picked up whe...
Jan 22, 2024
Centralia City Council to be asked to sell five surplus properties
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to seek bids on the sale of five surplus properties where dilapidated buildings have been torn down. The property is at 127 South Locust, lot 7 Du...
Jan 22, 2024
