Category Archives: Local News
Filing period ends for the March primary; several contested races develop
State Representative Blaine Wilhour will have primary opposition. Matthew Hall of Vandalia has filed to run against him in the March primary election. 12th District Republican Congressman Mike Bost is...
Dec 5, 2023 Candidates weight in line to file their petitions at the Marion County Clerk's office. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
One person injured in three vehicle crash in front of Bryan Manor
One person was injured Monday morning in a three vehicle rear-end collision on Illinois Route 161 in front of Bryan Manor in Centralia. Centralia Police say a pickup truck driven by 21-year-old Jacob ...
Dec 5, 2023
Fire confined to radio during early Tuesday morning fire in Odin
A fire at the Robert and John Wells home in the 300 block of West Poplar Street in Odin early Tuesday morning was confined to a radio. Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith says the homeowner had extinguished th...
Dec 5, 2023
Furnace repairman has apparent heart attack when fire breaks out in furnace
Centralia City Firemen say a furnace repairman apparently suffered a heart attack after something went wrong with repairs and the furnace caught fire. The fireman was outside the Carl Heinrichsmeyer h...
Dec 5, 2023 Centralia Firemen at scene of furnace fire late Monday afternoon. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Salem city signs Pre-TIF agreement for 72 unit apartment complex
The Salem City Council has unanimously voted to sign a Pre-TIF agreement with an apartment complex developer and to move towards the development of a new tax increment financing district. Scott Conant...
Dec 5, 2023 Salem Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini.
Centralia City Council approves budget and 4.95-percent tax levy increase
By Austin Williams The Centralia City Council approved the 2024 budget at its regular meeting on Monday, holding the public budget hearing beforehand. City manager Kory Smith outlined the budget durin...
Dec 5, 2023 Centralia City Manager Kory Smith takes the podium to discuss his budget plans with the city council Monday night. Photo by Austin Williams.
Local surgeon appointed Chairperson of Surgery Department at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
A local surgeon from Washington County has been appointed to chair the Surgery Department at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. Dr. Erica Ibendahl will collaborate with hospital leadership a...
Dec 5, 2023 Dr. Erica Ibendahl.
Name of woman killed in Route 37 crash near Kell is released
The Clinton County Coroner's office has released the name of the 67-year-old Wabash County woman who died in the aftermath of a single-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 37 just south of the Route 161 in...
Dec 4, 2023
Salem City Council Monday night to consider garbage rate adjustment
The Salem City Council Monday night will be asked to approve an increase in the garbage collection and leaf collection fees. The proposed increase for the garbage collection fee is from $14.50 to $19....
Dec 4, 2023
Centralia City Council Monday night to be asked to approve budget and tax levy
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to approve the city's budget and tax levy for next year. City Manger Kory Smith says the nearly $27-million budget is balanced. He's proposing a 4...
Dec 4, 2023 Centralia City Attorney Kory Smith.
