Category Archives: Local News
Cardboard Boat Races returning to Centralia Balloon Fest Family Fun Day on Sunday
Cardboard Boat Races are returning to Centralia Balloon Fest on Sunday as part of the free Family Fun day. Traditional cardboard boat building starts at noon Sunday, when the park opens. It is free to...
Aug 18, 2023 The cardboard boat race held in 2022 at Catfish Pond during Balloon Fest. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Drought conditions easing across state and South Central Illinois
Drought conditions are easing in Illinois The drought has affected the entire state, peaking in late June-early July. But conditions have improved over the past 30 days in most areas, especially centr...
Aug 18, 2023
Mt. Vernon man receives 30 year prison term for child pornography
A 36-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after entering a guilty plea in Jefferson County Court to five Class X counts of child pornography. James Hembree was sentenced to...
Aug 18, 2023 Michael Hembree
Salem Grade School Board told classes got off to good start on Thursday
The Salem Grade School Board was told Thursday night the school year got off to a good start earlier in the day. Both Hawthorn Principal Marty Adams and Franklin Park Principal Tyler Lux say traffic f...
Aug 18, 2023
Pritzker vetoes measure granting Ameren authority over transmission line construction
The labor-backed measure was opposed by environmental groups By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday vetoed a measure that would have granted e...
Aug 17, 2023 State Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, is pictured in an Illinois House committee room earlier this year. He said he is going to try to override Gov. JB Pritzker's veto of a bill that would have granted existing utilities in downstate Illinois, notably Ameren Illinois, the “right of first refusal” for transmission line construction. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Salem woman arrested for theft of iPhone following two county investigation
Salem Police have arrested a 31-year-old Flora woman for felony theft following an investigation into the theft of an iPhone left sitting on a counter at the Casey's Store on South Broadway in Salem. ...
Aug 17, 2023 Pablo Viojo / CC
Salem man arrested for criminal trespass to SCHS football field bathroom/concession stand building
Salem Police have arrested a 22-year-old Salem man for criminal trespass to the SCHS football field bathroom/concession stand. Police report the door of the facility was found kicked in Wednesday morn...
Aug 17, 2023
Police Beat for Thursday, August 17th, 2023
A 40-year-old Jason Kelly of Airport Road in Salem has been arrested by Salem Police for alleged criminal damage to property and possession of methamphetamine. Centralia Police arrested 21-year-old Na...
Aug 17, 2023
Marion County Sheriff's Department, Salem Police win Battle of the Badges
The Marion County Sheriff's Department collected the most units of blood during the Battle of the Badges at the Salem Community Center on Wednesday and their pairing with Salem Police won this year's ...
Aug 17, 2023 Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps accepts Battle of the Badges blood drive trophy. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
South Central School Board gets update on middle school building improvements; learns overall enrollment is up
The South Central Middle School bathroom renovation that is part of the $2.8-million upgrade of the school is complete and ready for the start of school this week. That was the update from Superintend...
Aug 17, 2023 Construction continues on the new outside connector hall to the South Central Middle School gym and the outside of the gym. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
