Category Archives: Local News

Project Bread Meal Sites in Salem and Centralia to reopen Monday
The Social Service Agency BCMW has announced that the Project Bread Meal Sites in Salem and Centralia will reopen to in-person dining on Monday. The Meal Sites have only been allowing seniors to pick ...
Bruce Kropp Jan 08, 2023 Marco Verch Professional Photographer / CC

Marion County jumps from low to high community transmission of COVID-19
Marion County has jumped from low to high level of community transmission of COVID-19 for the week ending on Thursday. The CDC COVID-19 tracker says the county's total number of COVID-positive and pro...
Bruce Kropp Jan 07, 2023

Husband and wife arrested for rural Kell residential burglary
The Marion County Sheriff's Department has arrested a husband and wife for a Thursday burglary at a rural Kell home. Sheriff Kevin Cripps says 33-year-old Marcus and 37-year-old Shannon Hicks of North...
Bruce Kropp Jan 07, 2023

Police Beat for Saturday, January 7th, 2023
Salem Police have arrested a 38-year-old Salem man for possession of methamphetamine and felony retail theft. Clinton Nix of Mills Crossing Court was taken to the Marion County Jail on Friday night af...
Bruce Kropp Jan 07, 2023

Mega Millions jackpot rolls over again
The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled again and is now worth an eye-watering $1.1 billion for the next draw on Tuesday, January 10. The Powerball jackpot also rolled this week and is now worth an estim...
Bruce Kropp Jan 07, 2023

Lame-duck Illinois lawmakers vote themselves a 16% raise
By JOHN O'CONNOR AP Political Writer SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois House Democrats working in a lame-duck session left town for a weekend break Friday night - but not before voting on plans to giv...
Bruce Kropp Jan 07, 2023 Jim Bowen / CC

Illinois Democrats push to further expand abortion, gender care access
Bill contains legal protections for providers, out-of-state patients By HANNAH MEISELFor Capitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Six months after the U.S. Supreme Court overtur...
Bruce Kropp Jan 06, 2023 State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, speaks on the House floor in favor of a broad bill that requires insurance coverage of abortion and gender-affirming care medications, along with elements aimed at growing Illinois' reproductive health care work force. (Credit: Blueroomstream.com)

Death of man in custody of Wayne County Sheriff's Department being investigated by DCI
The Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation is investigating an in-custody death on January 4th which occurred in Wayne County. After being arrested by State Police for driving while ...
Bruce Kropp Jan 06, 2023

Salem Police report 4 overdose deaths and growth in mental health and sexual assault cases in 2022
Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl has released the department's report for 2022. It clearly points to a problem with drug overdoses. 34 overdose calls were received along with four deaths. Ambuehl says ...
WJBD Staff Jan 06, 2023 Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl.

Salem to award $60,000 in downtown TIF matching grants this year
The Salem Economic Development Director Tabatha Meador has announced $60,000 in matching grants will be awarded to businesses in the downtown Tax Increment Financing District this year. Applications a...
Bruce Kropp Jan 06, 2023