Category Archives: Local News
State regulators once again flex muscle in rejecting utilities' grid plans, lessening rate hikes
Decisions continue to shift at the Illinois Commerce Commission toward tighter regulation of utilities By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - The Illinois Comme...
Dec 15, 2023 Illinois Commerce Commission Chair Doug Scott is pictured at a packed meeting in Chicago on Thursday as he reads a decision that will limit spending by two major electric utilities. The agency rejected grid plans from Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Centralia Police names officer and first civilian employee of the year
The Centralia Police Department has named its officer of the year and its first ever civilian employee of the year. Chief Christopher Locke handed out the awards at the department's 19th annual Christ...
Dec 15, 2023 Left to right:
Centralia Police Civilian of the Year Derek Moss, Police Chief Christopher Locke, and Officer of the Year Nolan Beggs.
Three Centralia Police Officers injured in two incidents involving St. Peter man
A 22-year-old St. Peter man has been charged in Marion County Court with aggravated battery to a police officer and felony resisting arrest in connection with the latest of two incidents where three C...
Dec 15, 2023 Drew Gherardini
Half of Illinois counties now at medium or high level for COVID-19, Marion County still low
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 51 counties, or half of the counties in the state, are now at the medium or high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. As a result,, they are advis...
Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block assault weapons ban as full legal challenges progress
Pritzker says he still believes law is constitutional By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - The U.S. Supreme Court issued two orders this week turning d...
Dec 14, 2023 Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions at a news conference Thursday in Springfield. Pritzker said he believes Illinois' assault weapons ban is constitutional as gun rights advocates prepare to challenge the law before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
After pushing for law targeting 'crisis pregnancy centers,' attorney general backs off legal fight
Bill sponsor calls Kwame Raoul's decision 'heartbreaking' and a 'gut punch' to women By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com A little over six months after pushing Democ...
Dec 14, 2023 Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is pictured on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives during debate over a measure he supported in the spring legislative session. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Centralia man pleads guilty in Marion County Court to criminal sexual abuse
A 43-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual abuse from an incident that occurred in November 2005. Francisco Rojas of West Rexford admitted to committing sexual abuse with a pers...
Dec 14, 2023
Centralia man pleads guilty to reduced charge following March grooming arrest
A 34-year-old Centralia man originally charged with grooming has pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of endangering the health and life of a child. Micah Johnson of Clear Lake Drive enterin...
Dec 14, 2023
Salem Elks make $6,000 in donations to two area food pantries
The Salem Elks presented checks totaling $6,000 to two area food pantries on Wednesday evening. The Elks grant writer Mike Hooe says the money is coming from the Elk's National Foundation's 'Beacon Gr...
Dec 14, 2023 Salem Elks Exhalted Ruler Bob Lafenhagan (left) presents a check to Rae Daleo of the Salem Ministerial Alliance along with Grant Writer Mike Hooe.
Centralia Mayor and Liquor Commissioner decides not to revoke Centralia House liquor license
Centralia Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Bryan Kuder has decided NOT to suspend, terminate or revoke the liquor license of Ramey's Centralia House Restaurant. Kuder held a hearing last week on his prop...
Dec 14, 2023 Centralia Mayor and Liquor Commissioner listens to testimony at last week's Liquor Commission hearing. (Photo by Bruce Kropp)
