Category Archives: Local News

Justices consider constitutionality of SAFE-T Act's pretrial detention provisions
Abolition of cash bail was placed on hold in December pending appeal to Supreme Court By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - The state's highest court hear...
Bruce Kropp Mar 14, 2023 Deputy Solicitor General Alex Hemmer with the attorney general’s office argues before the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday in Springfield. Hemmer defended the cash bail provisions contained in the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform that a lower court ruled unconstitutional last year. Also pictured are House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (seated to Hemmer's right) and Attorney General Kwame Raoul (far right). Welch and Raoul are both defendants in the lawsuit. (Credit: Blueroomstream.com)

Franklin Park Middle School collects 12,986 cans of food
Franklin Park Middle School collected 12,986 cans of food in its annual canned food drive. The total value of the food is estimated at $6,493. It was taken to the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantr...
Bruce Kropp Mar 14, 2023 The food is gathered in the Franklin Park Gym from the annual food drive for the Salem Ministerial Alliance.

Driver of crashed car on Green Street Road not located
Salem Fire Protection District firefighters searched around the scene of a car that ran off Green Street Road west of Lakeshore Drive Tuesday morning, but could never find the driver. The initial call...
Bruce Kropp Mar 14, 2023

Police Beat for Tuesday, March 14th, 2023
An 18-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested by Centralia Police on two counts of domestic battery. Tiffany Spataro of Park Lane was taken to the Marion County Jail pending a decision on formal ch...
Bruce Kropp Mar 14, 2023

Centralia City Council honors retiring fire lieutenant; moves forward on more home demolitions
The Centralia City Council Monday night honored retiring Fire Lieutenant Robert Smith, Junior. He served on the Centralia City Fire Department for 27 years. "Just the greatest job in the world. I've b...
WJBD Staff Mar 14, 2023 The Centralia City Council honors Fire Lieutenant Robert Smith Junior on his retirement. Left to right: City Councilman Spanky Smith and Jeff Castellari, Mayor Bryan Kuder, Lt. Smith, and Councilmen Rob Jackson and Blake Griffin. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Pritzker signs measure guaranteeing five days paid leave for Illinoisans
Bill passed during General Assembly's lame-duck session in January By NIKA SCHOONOVERCapitol News Illinoisnschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 208 into...
WJBD Staff Mar 14, 2023

UPDATE - 15 fire departments hunt for fire in bottom of Waltonville grain bin
Fifteen fire departments were called Monday to assist in trying to locate a fire burning inside a large grain bin at the Waltonville Gateway FS facility. Salem Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton is part...
Bruce Kropp Mar 14, 2023 FS Grain Facility in Waltonville.

Mt. Vernon man charged with February Shawneetown murder
A 20-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been charged with the first-degree murder of a Shawneetown man that occurred last month. Demetrius Walker is charged in connection with the February 15th murder of 45-...
Bruce Kropp Mar 13, 2023

Final days to order fish and trees from Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District
Time is limited to order fish and trees from the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Spring Fish and Tree Sales. The Albino Catfish are no longer available. All other species of fish ar...
Bruce Kropp Mar 13, 2023

Bill aims to guarantee youth sentenced to life in prison a chance at parole after 40 years
Measure would extend recently signed law retroactively for all individuals sentenced while under 21 By NIKA SCHOONOVERCapitol News Illinoisnschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois la...
Bruce Kropp Mar 13, 2023 State Sen. Seth Lewis, R-Bartlett, speaks in favor of his bill that would effectively abolish life sentences for any incarcerated individual who was under the age of 21 when they received their sentence. (Credit: Blueroomstream.com)