Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Department of Human Services reports yearslong data breach
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois January 6, 2026 Article Summary IDHS says it inadvertently stored protected health information on a publicly accessible website involving more than 32,000 Divis...
Jan 07, 2026 Capitol News Illinois File Photo
Marion County's first animal control administrator calls the job 'a passion project'
Marion County's first Animal Control Administrator began as a volunteer for the Marion County Animal Control program and is looking forward to her expanded role. Whitney Purcell has set a number of go...
Jan 07, 2026
Surge of type 'A' flu and COVID-19 being recorded in Salem area
Salem Township Hospital is reporting a surge of Type 'A' flu and COVID-19 cases since Christmas week and continuing into the New Year. Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Ambuehl reports in December there were...
Jan 07, 2026
Salem firemen fight fire along railroad tracks at country club
The Salem Fire Protection District was called out Tuesday night to a fire stretched out along the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks at the Salem Country Club. Firemen say the fire covered about three-four...
Jan 07, 2026
Police Beat for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026
Illinois State Police arrested 45-year-old Erik Hubbert of North Elm Street in Vernon on a no bond Marion County major traffic warrant. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. A 34-year-old Salem man,...
Jan 07, 2026
Marion County Board appoints first Animal Control Administrator
The Marion County Board has named its first Animal Control Administrator. Board Chair Steve Whritenour says Whitney Purcell of Salem is being hired in connection with the county's purchase of the Cent...
Jan 06, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Marion County Supervisor of Assessments keeps his job; Board Chair says change will still happen
The Marion County Board on an 8-7 vote has agreed to keep Mark Miller as Supervisor of Assessments. While the vote appears close, two-thirds of the board members had to agree to get rid of Miller. The...
Jan 06, 2026 Marion County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Miller addresses the Marion County Board at the January 5 board meeting. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem man charged with two counts of burglary to storage sheds
A 32-year-old Salem man has been charged in Marion County Court with two counts of burglary. Christopher Budds of West Schwartz is accused of entering two of the Lock and Roll storage units in the 140...
Jan 06, 2026
Salem man charged with threatening public official ordered held without bond
A 24-year-old Salem man has been ordered held without bond after formally being charged in Marion County Court on Monday with threatening a public official and aggravated assault. Salem Police arreste...
Jan 06, 2026
Centralia man charged in connection with Blue Goose burglary
A 20-year-old Centralia man has been formally charged in Marion County Court with burglary, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and criminal damage to property in connection with an early Saturd...
Jan 06, 2026
