Category Archives: Local News

Centralia Chamber Annual Banquet to Celebrate Progress
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce has once again partnered with Kaskaskia College for its 2026 annual banquet event which celebrates the progress made by business leaders in the community. Celebrate P...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025 Centralia Chamber annual Banquet photo from 2023.

Salem man charged with failure to register as a sex offender
A 34-year-old homeless Salem man has been charged in Marion County Court with failure to register as a sex offender. Russell Wimberly had the public defender appointed to represent him and a prelimina...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025

Little More Than Half Illinois Municipalities Pass Own Grocery Tax to Replace Retiring State Tax
Illinois' statewide 1% grocery tax will go away on Jan. 1, though many people will continue to pay it at the local level. Data compiled by the Illinois Municipal League shows that 656 municipalities -...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025 teamtime / Depositphotos.com

Salem Community Activity Center Open Gym Changing Due to Vandalism
The Salem Community Activity Center has shutdown open gym until Friday due to vandalism by some of those utilizing the gym. Community Center Executive Director Marcie Auvil says when open gym resumes ...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025

New laws: aquifer protections begin
by Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois December 23, 2025 Here are some of the other laws that will take effect in the new year set by governor J.B Pritzker Hotel soaps phased out Th...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025

Staunton restaurant owner headed for deportation
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois December 29, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement rejected a stay filed on behalf Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval. Now, he faces return to Mex...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025

Salem and Centralia, as well as Carlyle, are offering options to get rid of live Christmas trees
City officials from Salem, Centralia, and Carlyle are offering options for community members to get rid of their live Christmas trees from this past Christmas season. Salem is offering city residents ...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025 http://www.christmasmarine.com/ / CC

Southern Illinois Player wins $250,000 iLottery Jackpot after accidental purchase
An accidental iLottery purchase paid off in a big way for Holly of Johnston City, who won a $250,000 FastPlay jackpot on the Illinois Lottery's $20 Magnificent Multiplier. Holly revealed she bought th...
Cole Wimberly Dec 30, 2025 Holly of Johnston City, Illinois, celebrates with a big smile after winning a $250,000 jackpot playing the Illinois Lottery’s Magnificent Multiplier FastPlay game online.

Two Arrested in Connection with Missing Gun in Shooting of Salem Juvenile Boy
Two 19-year-old Salem brothers have been charged in Marion County Court in connection with the disappearance of a gun from what is believed to be an accidental shooting of a 17-year-old Salem juvenile...
Bruce Kropp Dec 30, 2025 Tyree Wilborn

Homeless Man Delivers on Promise to 'Rob Again' When Judge Wouldn't Keep Him in Jail
A 38-year-old homeless man who promised a judge he would 'rob again' if not allowed to stay in jail at a Marion County Court hearing last Friday has lived up to his threat. Salem Police arrested Mitch...
Bruce Kropp Dec 30, 2025
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