Category Archives: Local News

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.

Cedarhurst's Carrie Gibbs named Illinois Museum Professional of the Year
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts received statewide recognition on Friday when the Director of the museum's Shrode Art Center Carrie Gibbs was selected as the 2022 Museum Professional of the Year by the...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023 Cedarhurst's Carrie Gibbs.

COVID-19 numbers remain low across South Central Illinois
COVID-19 numbers for another week remain low across South Central Illinois. Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow reports no COVID-19-related deaths in the week ending Thursday....
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023

Salem man graduates from Marion County Drug Court
A 52-year-old Salem man has graduated from Marion County Drug Court. Larry Woodward of Cottonwood Drive officially had charges he had pleaded guilty to get into drug court two years ago dropped on Fri...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023 Marion County Courthouse with old flag poles that have now been removed due to structural problems.

Police Beat for Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
Centralia Police made two separate possession of methamphetamine arrests. 35-year-old Megan Schulte of South Locust was taken to the Marion County Jail for possession of meth and a hypodermic needle. ...
Bruce Kropp Apr 22, 2023

SSM Health St. Mary's Sleep Center receives National Accreditation
The SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Neurology and Sleep Services Center has been accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. St. Mary's officials say the accreditation is the gold standard of...
Bruce Kropp Apr 21, 2023 Neurology and Sleep Center Accreditation.
From left to right Sajjan Nemani, MD, Neurologist; Monica Heinzman, Pharm.D., Regional Administrative Director-Ancillary Services; Damon Harbison, President of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital; Andy Davis, MHA RPSGT, Manager of Neurology and Sleep Services.

Police Beat for Friday, April 21st, 2023
A 24-year-old Salem man has been arrested on a Marion County misdemeanor failure to appear warrant in a pending violation of an order of protection case. Zacharia Hodge of Red Stripe Road was taken to...
Bruce Kropp Apr 21, 2023