Category Archives: Local News
Centralia Hardee's Abruptly Closes For Good
The Centralia Hardee's has permanently closed. Employees were unaware that the restaurant was shutting down until officials of the franchisee, Superior Star, arrived on Thursday and announced the imme...
Dec 06, 2025 Store outside Centralia Hardees store. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem Police Arrest One, Another Taken to Hospital Following Bar Fight
Salem Police arrested one man for battery, and another man was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries following a fight at the Pour House Bar on West Main at Selmaville Road. Salem Police rep...
Dec 06, 2025
Two Injured in West McCord Street Crash in Centralia
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on West McCord in front of the Casey's General Store on Thursday afternoon. Centralia Police say a car driven by 68-year-old Patricia Lane of North Main ...
Dec 06, 2025
Police Beat for Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Salem Police arrested 58-year-old Michael Thompson of Cottonwood Village in Salem for alleged possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. The arrest occurred at his home, where police had b...
Dec 06, 2025
US Steel to resume steel production at Illinois plant shut 2 years ago
By MARC LEVY Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - U.S. Steel said it will resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois as demand rebounds. The company shut down the last bl...
Dec 06, 2025 FILE - A giant ladle glows red after pouring molten iron in to a vessel inside the basic oxygen furnace as part of the processes of making steel at the U.S. Steel Granite City Works facility Thursday, June 28, 2018, in Granite City, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Illinois educators hope to tackle thorny issue of math competence
State board developing 'numeracy plan' to boost math competency statewide By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Story Summary . Students in Illinois, like their peers...
Dec 06, 2025 SunshineSeeds / Depositphotos.com
Central City librarian named 'Friend of Education' by Illinois Principal's Association
The Central City Grade School Volunteer Librarian has been selected for the 2025 Illinois Principals Association Kaskaskia Region 'Friend of Education' award. Ann McCullum was looking for a place to v...
Dec 05, 2025 Central City librarian Ann McCullum.
Democratic congressional candidate looks to challenge Mike Bost on meeting the needs of southern Illinois
One of the candidates featured at the Southern Illinois Democratic Candidate Reception on Thursday was Julie Fortier, who is seeking to challenge incumbent Mike Bost to represent Illinois' 12th congre...
Dec 05, 2025 Julie Fortier, Democratic candidate for Illinois' 12th congressional district, speaks at the Southern Illinois Democrat Candidate Reception on Thursday. Photo by Austin Williams.
US Senate candidate stops in Centralia on his way to visit every county in Illinois
Kevin Ryan is a public school teacher, Marine Corps veteran, and one of several candidates in a crowded Democratic primary race for the US Senate seat that will be vacated by retiring senator Dick Dur...
Dec 05, 2025 Democratic US Senate candidate Kevin Ryan speaks at the Southern Illinois Democratic Candidate Reception at Castle Ridge on Thursday. Photo by Austin Williams.
Police Beat for Thursday, December 5th, 2025
Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 55-year-old Marjorie Woodward of Hoots Chapel Road in Salem on an outstanding Marion County felony failure to appear warrant. Centralia Police arrested 34-yea...
Dec 05, 2025
