Category Archives: Local News

After-school programs at risk of closure after state board says it miscalculated federal funding
Programs serve thousands of students in low-performing and high-poverty schools By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Thousands of elementary and high sch...
Bruce Kropp Apr 24, 2023 Advocates for afters-chool programs that serve low-performing and high-poverty schools asked the Illinois State Board of Education to find a funding solution to prevent them from having to close next year. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

Prom held at Centralia High School
Prom was held Saturday night at Centralia High School. TJ Matthews and Larissa Hensley were crowned King and Queen by outgoing Prom King and Queen Easton True and Emma Sears. Senior escort and attenda...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023 From Left to Right: Jordyn Peterson, Cruz Harlan, TJ Matthews, Larissa Hensley, Emma Sears, Easton True, Carson Green, and Julyiah Rudder-Williams.

Kaskaskia College Named to the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School's List
Kaskaskia College is proud to be awarded the Silver designation as a Military-Friendly school in the 2023-2024 Military Friendly School's list included in the upcoming May issue of G.I Jobs Magazine. ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023

Police Beat for Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
A 38-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Salem Police for aggravated domestic battery. Almande Hill of East McCord was taken into custody after police were called to a domestic disturbance in ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023

Odin man receives apparent minor injuries in rural Iuka crash
A 26-year-old Odin man sustained apparent minor injuries in a one vehicle crash in rural Iuka early Sunday morning. The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports Ryan Niepoetter of East Chestnut was ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023

Nearly $1Billion in expected spending on health care for noncitizens adds to Illinois budget pressures
Administration, juggling dozens of big-money funding requests, pledges spending won't exceed revenue By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - The state estim...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023 State Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, speaks at a news conference outlining rising expenses for a state program that gives state-funded health insurance coverage to non-citizens. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

New UAW leader already has issues with Detroit automakers; at top is Stellantis shutdown of Belvidere plant
By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT (AP) - To say that the new president of the United Auto Workers union is unhappy with Detroit's three automakers would be an understatement. Shawn Fain, who took ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 23, 2023 FILE - United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain addresses delegates at the union's 2023 Special Bargaining Convention, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Detroit. The new president of the United Auto Workers union isn't happy with Detroit's three automakers. Shawn Fain, who took office in March, listed grievances with Stellantis, General Motors and Ford in a wide-ranging talk Friday, April 21, 2023, with reporters.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

SCHS Green Team collects 14,000 pounds of electronic recyclables
The Salem Community High School Green Team electronics recycling drive on Friday collected an estimated 14,000 pounds of electronic items to be recycled. Sponsor Drew Johnson says that filled nearly 3...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023

Centralia High School resumes Senior Career Fair
Centralia High School has resumed the Senior Career Fair after a several-year absence due to COVID-19. Principal Reid Shipley hopes the event connects the students to local employers. I do want to tha...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023 Representatives of SSM Health discuss career opportunities with seniors during Friday's Senior Career Fair. Photo by Pat Hodges.

Community Resource Center participates for first time in Drug Take Back Program
The Community Resource Center participated in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day program for the first time. The event at the CRC facility on Martin Luther King Drive in Centralia involved d...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023 A number of area residents took advantage of information booths during the Community Resource Center's first participation in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Program. Photo by Pat Hodges.