Category Archives: Local News
Department on Aging offers free help During Medicare Open Enrollment Period
With the Medicare open enrollment period underway, older adults looking to change their existing Medicare plan can receive free, personalized assistance through the Illinois Department on Aging's (IDo...
Oct 16, 2026 zimmytws / Depositphotos.com
Car with bloody handprint found in ditch along Green Street Road
The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports no one was around Thursday night when they arrived at the scene of a car in the roadside ditch off the Green Street Road near Colestock Lane. The car had...
Oct 16, 2026
Salem woman pleads guilty to attacking man with a bat as trial about to begin
A 50-year-old Salem woman pleaded guilty to an aggravated battery charge before her jury trial was scheduled to begin on Thursday. Dee Schwarm of North Trenary admitted to striking Michael Sills about...
Oct 16, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
Raccoon Lake Association looks to control shoreline erosion
The Raccoon Lake Association voted at its meeting on Thursday to request the city of Centralia to establish a committee to develop a plan and apply for grant funding to stop shoreline erosion at Racco...
Oct 16, 2026 Tom Hawkins speaks to the Raccoon Lake Association at Castle Ridge. Photo by Austin Williams.
Salem Grade School Board to seek $50,000 grant for Hawthorn Playground improvements
The Salem Grade School Board Thursday night approved applying for a $50,000 school maintenance project grant. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe said if is approved, the money will go towards replacement...
Oct 16, 2026
Centralia to begin Fall Leaf Vacuuming
The City of Centralia will start the leaf vacuuming service for City residents of Centralia as of Monday, October 26, 2026. The vacuuming service will last for a period of 8 weeks ending on December 1...
Oct 15, 2026 liz west / CC
Marion County Board wants to take another look at solar field application fees to close budget gap
The Marion County Board wants to take another look at charging fees to those wanting to site solar farms. The board had earlier tried to implement the charges, but were stopped by Marion County State'...
Oct 15, 2026
Drinks and interruptions: Pritzker, Bailey meet in only governor debate of election cycle
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois October 14, 2026 Article Summary JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey met for the only scheduled forum of the election cycle on WTTW. The event was dominated by interr...
Oct 15, 2026 B Pritzker and Darren Bailey, pictured in file photos, met on the debate stage Tuesday, Oct. 14. (Capitol News Illinois file photos)
Kinmundy man found not guilty on sex abuse and domestic battery charges in jury trial
A 45-year-old Kinmundy man has been found not guilty by a Marion County jury for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and domestic battery to a girl under 18 years of age between March 1st and June 17th, ...
Oct 15, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
Centralia woman arrested following altercation with Wamac Police Officer
62-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested by Wamac Police for attempting to disarm a peace officer, resisting/obstructing a police officer resulting in injury and aggravated battery to a police of...
Oct 15, 2026
