Category Archives: Local News

Illinois lawmakers look to better notification of school bullying
Illinois lawmakers are working to further address the problem of bullying in schools. Legislation pending in the Senate updates current state laws on bullying. For example, Senator Sara Feigenholtz of...
WJBD Staff May 01, 2023 Jim Bowen / CC

Organizers of STH Cares overwhelmed by support at Vendor Fair
The organizers of the STH Cares Benevolence Committee say they are overwhelmed by the support for the new organization to provide short term help to those leaving the hospital without proper resources...
WJBD Staff May 01, 2023 STH Cares coordinators Shelley Rose (left) and Gloria Hawkins (right) next to some of the silent auction items donated for the Vendor Fair. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Salem City Council begins another term Monday night
Salem officially gets a new city councilman Monday night. Tracy Crouch will be sworn in to replace Amy Troutt who did not seek re-election. Mayor Nic Farley and Councilman Craig Morton will be sworn i...
WJBD Staff May 01, 2023 New Salem City Council Woman Tracy Crouch.

Illinois Municipal League asking city officials to take 'Civility Pledge'
The Illinois Municipal League is asking elected and appointed officials of governmental bodies to adopt a 'Civility Pledge'. The Pledge reads...'In the interest of civility, I pledge to promote civili...
WJBD Staff May 01, 2023 IML adopts Civility Pledge. Photo collage from IML Facebook Page.

Centralia woman sentenced to two years in prison for Facebook Pay theft
A 42-year-old Centralia woman has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to one of three felony theft charges pending against her for theft of money from an...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023

Salem Grade School Board reorganizes; keeps same officers
The Salem Grade School Board reorganized on Thursday night and kept the same officers. Following review of the election results, all three incumbent board members were sworn in for additional four yea...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023 Three members of the Salem Grade School Board of Education are sworn in for another term on Thursday night. Far left: Lynnette Dye and Brad Crowe, and far right: Alisha Ambuehl. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe (second from right) reads oath of office.

150 years later, Dixon bridge tragedy among nation's worst
By JOHN O'CONNOR Associated Press DIXON, Ill. (AP) - Gertie Wadsworth was in the arms of her grandmother that bright day when sunshine dissolved distasteful memories of a long, brutal winter. Christan...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023 Tom Wadsworth gestures towards the Truesdell bridge while standing on the bank of the Rock River in Dixon, Ill., on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, near the site of the May 4, 1873, baptismal ceremony, when a large crowd gathered on the bridge before it toppled over, killing 46 and injuring 56 in the worst road-bridge disaster in American history. Wadsworth's great-grandmother, Gertie Wadsworth, was 3 1/2 years old and was in the arms of her grandmother, Christan Goble, the day the bridge collapsed. Goble died, but Gertie was plucked from the river downstream and revived. (AP Photo/John O'Connor)

Salem Elks celebrate Elks National Youth Week
The Salem Elks are celebrating Elks National Youth Week next Monday through Sunday. On Thursday, the Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Protection District, United Medical Response, and Salem Emergen...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023

Centralia Police arrest two on drug charges following early Sunday morning traffic stop
Centralia Police arrested both occupants of a car on drug charges following an early Sunday morning traffic stop. 29-year-old Alyssa Chapman of North Sycamore in Centralia and 34-year-old Kirk Johnsto...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023

Salem woman injured in crash on Edgewood Road
A 19-year-old Salem woman was injured in a single vehicle crash on Edgewood Road a mile south of the Tonti Road northeast of Salem early Saturday night. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Bailey LeM...
Bruce Kropp Apr 30, 2023