Category Archives: Local News

Police Beat for Tuesday, May 30th, 2023
The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating two theft reports. Stevenson Township officials reported gasoline was stolen from their fuel tank at the township building on Banister Road in r...
Bruce Kropp May 30, 2023

Hungry Hearts program begins summer food program for Salem and Iuka youth Tuesday
The Hungry Hearts program to provide summer lunch to students under 18 gets underway Tuesday for the next eleven weeks until school resumes in the fall. The program is in its seventh year, the sixth u...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023

Bryan Bennett Library in Salem plans summer of fun
The Salem Bryan Bennett Library has a summer of fun planned for kids during the summer break. Some of the special programs include an appearance of Mad Science of St. Louis on June 8th at 1 p.m. in th...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023 University of Illinois (U of I) Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Tammy Guidish and U of I Horticulture Educator Chris Lueking taught a group of 9 youngsters the basics of gardening in a Little Roots program held at Bryan-Bennett Library on May 25.

Centralia Memorial Day speaker says We Should Never Forget
The speaker at the Centralia Memorial Day program at Hillcrest Memorial Park says he should celebrate the lives of our fallen heroes as we mourn their loss. Commander William Adams, Retired US Navy, s...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023 Commander WIlliam Adams, Retired US Navy, was the guest speaker at the Centralia Memorial Day Celebration at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Speaker at Salem Memorial Day Service hopes the fallen are remembered throughout the year
A 30-year member of the US Marines that has assisted families who have lost loved ones in the military hopes to make Memorial Day more than a three day weekend. Mike Gasperini was the guest speaker at...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023 Jordan Smith

DCFS warns of dangers of kids near water
As pool season begins, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is warning about the dangers of kids near water. Last year, 15 Illinois children died due to accidental drowning. Nine of...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023

Great weather leads to great turnout at Odin Firemen's Picnic
Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith was pleased with the large turnout for this year's Firemen's Picnic held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. In fact, Smith says the Saturday night crowd may have been th...
WJBD Staff May 30, 2023 A large crowd gathered at the Odin Park for the 2023 Odin Firemen's Picnic. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Centralia Police Chief speaker at 16th Annual Elmwood Cemetery Memorial Celebration
Centralia Police Chief Christopher Locke who spent 28 years in the Air Force was the keynote speaker at the 16th Annual Memorial Day Celebration Service 'A Time of Remembrance' held at Elmwood Cemeter...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2023 Centralia Police Chief Chris Locke presents the Memorial Day message at Saturday's Elmwood Cemetary's 'A Time of Remembrance'.

Police Beat for Monday, May 29th, 2023
Two were arrested on felony drug possession charges on Sunday. Salem Police arrested 44-year-old Ronald Potter of Watson Lane in Salem for possession of meth and driving on a suspended license. Police...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2023

Centralia Fire official uncertain what caused Walmart gas station to fill with smoke
Centralia City Firemen were called to the Walmart Gas Station in the 1200 block of West McCord early Monday morning after a smoke alarm sounded. Upon arrival, they found the building full of smoke. Ho...
Bruce Kropp May 29, 2023