Category Archives: Local News
Salem City Council to hold special meeting to consider establishing a Foundation for the benefit of the city
The Salem City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 5:15 Monday afternoon to consider establishment of a foundation for the benefit of the city. The agenda includes election of officers, approv...
Aug 14, 2026
Kinmundy Board of Alderman ban sale of Kratom; discuss feral cat problem
The Kinmundy Board of Alderman has banned the sale of both natural and synthetic kratom. The board noted a Marion County Board committee had tabled their ordinance when receiving requests to keep natu...
Aug 14, 2026 File: Kinmundy City Hall. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Sandoval School Board names elementary principal
The Sandoval School Board has hired a new Elementary Principal. The district's current Special Education Coordinator Angie Pate was named to the position at a special school board meeting held Thursda...
Aug 14, 2026 Sandoval Elementary Principal Angie Pate
Salem to hold public hearing on Bryan Memorial Park improvements
The Salem City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:50 Monday night ahead of the regular council meeting to gain public input on further improvements to Bryan Memorial Park. The notice does not inc...
Aug 14, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, August 14th, 2026
Two people were sent to the Marion County Jail from court on Thursday after they violated pretrial release. 29-year-old Alexander Brown of Maplewood Avenue in Salem was sanctioned to serve 30 days as ...
Aug 14, 2026
Salem woman charged with forgery for claiming child suffered from untrue illness
Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Special Agents arrested 38-year-old Elizabeth "BethAnn' Parker of Salem, IL for Forgery (Class 3 Felony). In January of 2026, the ...
Aug 13, 2026
Boat races return to Raccoon Lake this weekend
Boat races are returning to Raccoon Lake for the 22nd year this weekend. Practice begins at eleven Friday morning and races at noon both Saturday and Sunday. Al Owen has coordinated the races from the...
Aug 13, 2026 File: NBRA Boat Races at Raccoon Lake. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem Tourism hands out grants to help two local events
The Salem Tourism Commission has handed out grants to assist the Little Egypt Festival and the Salem Chamber of Commerce Applefest. The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce will receive $10,000 for marke...
Aug 13, 2026 File: First responders at the front of last year's Little Egypt Parade. Photo by Rylan Lawson.
Centralia dumpster fire shoots flames high into the air; but doesn't spread
Centralia City Firemen say flames from a fire in a construction dumpster behind the 300 block of East Broadway were shooting high into the air when they were called to the scene. The business building...
Aug 13, 2026 Centralia City Fire Truck. File Photo.
Salem Firemen save shed from trash fire
The Salem Fire Protection District was called to an out of control trash fire that was threatening to burn down a small shed late Wednesday afternoon. Firemen upon arrival in the 2600 block of South W...
Aug 13, 2026
