Category Archives: Local News
'I didn't believe it': Illinois, Cook County wipe out $2B in medical debt for pennies on dollar
by Kaitlin Bender-Thomas and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 6, 2026 Article Summary Illinois and Cook County have erased more than $2 billion in medical debt combined for ove...
Mar 09, 2026 An example of the envelope mailed to eligible Illinois residents notifying them that their medical debt has been eliminated. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Kaitlin Bender-Thomas)
Centralia BPW holds Equal Pay Day Rally in organization's 100th year
Centralia Business and Professional Women held an annual rally at the Centralia American Legion on Saturday for Equal Pay Day. Members turned out to express their support for closing the gender wage g...
Mar 09, 2026 Centralia BPW Equal Pay Day demonstrators at City Hall. Photo by Austin Williams.
Centralia City Council Monday Night to Vote on Seeking Grant for New Fire Truck
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to approve a resolution to seek a federal community project grant through Congressman Mike Bost to purchase a new fire truck. City Manager Galen M...
Mar 09, 2026
Semi Fire on I-57 Closes Southbound Lanes North of Salem for Two Hours (updated 5 pm Monday)
The southbound lanes of I-57 between the Kinmundy and Salem exits were closed for about two hours Monday morning when a semi-trailer caught fire. The Salem Fire Protection District reports the driver ...
Mar 09, 2026 Salem and Odin Firemen fight a fire in a semi on I-57 a mile north of the U.S. 50 exit at Salem early Monday morning.
Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis Suspends Investigation into Carlyle Woman's Death
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has suspended its investigation into the death of a 41-year-old Carlyle woman found dead inside her home on Tuesday morning. The group says an autopsy and the...
Mar 09, 2026
House Northeast of Mt. Vernon Heavily Damaged by Fire
Fire heavily damaged a home northeast of Mt. Vernon Sunday afternoon. Jefferson Fire officials say the fire was at the Melanie Cross home at 14809 Knox Road. Cross was not home but discovered smoke in...
Mar 09, 2026
The SSM Health Good Samaritan Auxiliary's Total Giving Reaches $1-Million
The SSM Health Good Samaritan Auxiliary has celebrated reaching giving of $1 million to the hospital's foundation. Built through years of fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, and community support, h...
Mar 09, 2026 SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary Members presenting a $75,000 donation to Kay Zibby-Damron, SSM Health in Illinois Foundation Director, during the Auxiliary installation lunch.
Kell Fire Protection District Raises $12,000 at Weekend Fund Raiser
The Kell Fire Protection District raised $12,000 from a weekend BBQ fund raiser. Assistant Chief Jason Franke says the money will be used towards the purchase of stabilization equipment for vehicle an...
Mar 09, 2026 Village of Kell presents a $2500 check for the Kell Fire Department.
Police Beat for Monday, March 9th, 2026
Three people were brought to the Marion County Jail early Monday morning on separate domestic battery arrests. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 71-year-old Tommy Marler of Lakeside Drive in C...
Mar 09, 2026
Marion County Inmate Attempts Escape While at Salem Township Hospital
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says an inmate taken to Salem Township Hospital Saturday afternoon for medical concerns later attempted to escape. The inmate, whose name has not yet been released, ...
Mar 07, 2026
