Category Archives: Local News

Marion County Board re-elects Debbie Smith as chairman
The Marion County Board reorganized Monday night. Current Chair Debbie Smith and Vice-Chair Dr. Creighton Engel both ran unopposed although Smith received one no-vote and Engel two no-votes in the sec...
Bruce Kropp Dec 06, 2022 The four new Marion County Board members (left to right) Tyson McHenry, Brock Waggoner, Tracy Murray, and Jack Riley.

Jury awards $2.6M to 3 Lake County workers fired by clerk
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - A jury has awarded more than $2.6 million to three former Lake County employees who claimed the county circuit court clerk fired them because they supported her opponent in the 2...
Bruce Kropp Dec 06, 2022 Blogtrepreneur / CC

Worker dies after crane overturns at Southern Illinois refinery
ROXANA, Ill. (AP) - A contractor died after a crane overturned at a refinery in an Illinois suburb of St. Louis, a coroner said Tuesday. Chad L. Crabtree, 47, of Owensboro, Kentucky, was pronounced de...
Bruce Kropp Dec 06, 2022 keith.bellvay / CC

Marion County Sheriff appoints new detective and sergeant
Marion County's new Sheriff Kevin Cripps has announced two promotions. Deputy Jordan JJ Johnson will move to the role of Detective. He began his career at the sheriff's department in 2016 as a part-ti...
Bruce Kropp Dec 06, 2022 Newly appointed Sergeant Tyler Parker (left) with Sheriff Kevin Cripps.

Police Beat for Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
Three people were brought to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday on outstanding warrants. 20-year-old Diego Barradas of South Walnut in Farina is being held in lieu of $10,000 bond on an outstanding Mar...
Bruce Kropp Dec 06, 2022

Salem City Council decide not to change requirements for residential use of downtown buildings
The Salem City Council will not make any changes in requirements for residential use of downtown buildings. Mayor Nic Farley brought the issue up for discussion after hearing complaints about the need...
WJBD Staff Dec 06, 2022

Neal Canon gets top ballot spot in Salem City Council election
Salem City Council candidate Neal Canon will be at the top of the ticket for city councilman in the April municipal election. A lottery was held Tuesday morning to determine who would be first on the ...
WJBD Staff Dec 06, 2022

Salem City Council to split Bicentennial Celebration from 4th of July Fireworks
The Salem City Council Monday night to keep fireworks on the 4th of July, but hold the city's bicentennial celebration on the prior Saturday, July 1st. The main points for the decision were the city's...
WJBD Staff Dec 06, 2022 M&R Glasgow / CC

Centralia Cultural Society 62nd Holiday Festival Concert returns 'home'
The Centralia Cultural Society's 62nd Holiday Festival Concert returned home to where it started from at the former Centralia High School Auditorium for the first time since the high school left its T...
Bruce Kropp Dec 05, 2022

Vacant Centralia home destroyed by fire
A vacant Centralia home was destroyed by fire early Monday morning. The home was at 1021 South Elm. Centralia Fire Officials say according to Marion County GIS records, the owner is David Hopper. The ...
WJBD Staff Dec 05, 2022