Category Archives: Local News
Jefferson County arrests two, looking for third following rural Mt. Vernon drug bust
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has arrested two people and looking for a third in the aftermath of a drug bust at a home at 18,443 North Old Centralia Lane northwest of Mt. Vernon. Initiall...
Jun 15, 2023
St. Louis man facing kidnapping, sex, and aggravated battery charges to a Salem juvenile pleads guilty to a related obstructing justice charge
A 37-year-old St. Louis man who faces aggravated kidnapping, multiple sex abuse and assault, as well as aggravated battery charges pleaded guilty in Marion County Court Wednesday to a related obstruct...
Jun 15, 2023 Courtney Buffkins
Centralia City Grade School Board recognizes Administrative Assistant on Retirement
The Centralia City Grade School Board has recognized long-time Administrative Assistant Rita Carpenter on her retirement. Superintendant Craig Clark said her retirement is bittersweet. "So, it's kind ...
Jun 15, 2023
Salem Masonic Lodge makes $3,000 donation to SCHS Drama Club
The Salem Masonic Lodge has made a $3,000 donation to the Salem Community High School Drama Club. The donation came after Salem Theatre Board member Meredith Fyke suggested a donation to the drama clu...
Jun 15, 2023 Salem Masons present $3,000 check to SCHS Drama Club for Salem Theatre improvements. Left to right: Mason's Don Decker, Steve Lindsey, Mike Mills, SCHS Drama Club sponsor Drew Johnson, SCHS drama students Marley Donoho, Melanie Knaak, and Shayla Prosise. On floor, student Cole Wimberly. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Iuka man charged with murder and other charges following fatal Salem crash enters not guilty plea and demands jury trial
A 21-year-old Iuka man entered a not guilty plea and demanded a jury trial on first degree murder and other charges surrounding the death of 66-year-old Nita Mobley of Salem in a May crash on West Mai...
Jun 15, 2023 Justin Bullard (Photo:
Marion County Jail)
12 to vie for Marion County Fair Queen
Twelve contestants will vie to become the next Marion County Fair Queen. The twelve are Maya Susmena, Kailey Brubaker, Kaitlyn Banning, and Marissa Wooters of Salem, Riley Daugherty, Krista Carter, an...
Jun 14, 2023 Miss Marion County Fair Queen contestants (Pictured from Top, Left to Right)
Krista Carter, Zoe Waggoner, Jillian Greene, Emily Jenkins, Kaitlyn Banning
Kailey Brubaker, Lindy Branch, Hailey Knox, Cadence Brown, Riley Daugherty, Marissa Wooters, and Maya Susmena.
Sixteen candidates seek Marion County Junior Miss title
Sixteen candidates will seek to be the next Marion County Junior Miss. The competition will be held on Thursday night, August 3rd, in front of the Marion County Fair Grandstand. The contestants are Ki...
Jun 14, 2023 Junior Miss candidates (left to right) Kenzi Lewis, Savannah Williams, Shea McGee, Reagan Jezek, Charlie Bunton, Aubree Hoagland, Dylann Rosenthal, KyLynn Hopkins, Hunter Olmsted, Aubri Landreth, Aubrey Parker, Baylie Purcell, McKenleigh Parker, and Arianna Asroff.
Southwestern Illinois man pleads guilty but mentally ill in 2019 stabbing deaths of Edwardsville couple
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the 2019 stabbing deaths of an Edwardsville couple. An associat...
Jun 14, 2023
American Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica dies in motorcycle accident at 24
BULL VALLEY, Ill. (AP) - Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica, who competed for the United States last year in the Beijing Games, has died. He was 24. Gasienica died after being involved in a motorcyc...
Jun 14, 2023 FILE - Patrick Gasienica, of the United States, soars through the air during the men's normal hill individual ski jumping trial round at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. Gasienica died after being involved in a motorcycle accident on Monday night, June 12, 2023, in the village of Bull Valley, located in Chicago’s far northwestern suburbs, according to the Bull Valley Police Department. He was 24. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
Marion County Sheriff to add chaplains and move forward with body cams
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps announced at Tuesday night's county board meeting that he is adding two volunteer chaplains to the department. He has approached two ministers who are currently pray...
Jun 14, 2023
