Category Archives: Local News
Leaf vacuuming for Centralia begins in March
The leaf vacuuming service for City residents of Centralia will start as of Monday, March 2nd. The vacuuming service will last for a period of 4 weeks ending on Friday, March 27th. The service will fo...
Feb 19, 2026
Mt. Vernon Man Killed in Chainsaw Accident
A 42-year-old rural Mt. Vernon man has died in a chainsaw accident while cutting down a tree at his home on Forest Road in rural Mt. Vernon. Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard identifies the victim...
Feb 19, 2026
Luke Wollin Named Senior Vice President of Operations at Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois has promoted Luke Wollin to senior vice president of operations and technical services, recognizing his leadership and decades-long commitment to advancing the company's energy deliver...
Feb 19, 2026 Ameren Illinois senior vice president of operations and technical services Luke Wollin.
Small Fire in Kitchen Shutters Centralia McDonald's Thursday Morning
The Centralia McDonald's restaurant was closed Thursday morning following a fire in a bun warmer. Centralia City Firemen say employees were able to put out much of the fire with a fire extinguisher be...
Feb 19, 2026 Centralia City Fire Truck. File Photo.
Winning $1,498,172 Lottery Game Ticket Sold in Mt. Vernon
State Lottery officials say a $1,498,172 winning ticket to the FastPlay Cash Castle game has been sold at the Hucks Store at 540 Fairfield Road in Mt. Vernon. The lucky winner has one year from the dr...
Feb 19, 2026
Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Announces Annual Tree and Fish Sale
The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District is now holding its annual tree and fish sales. Order forms are available at the district office at 1550 East Main Street in Salem. There are a va...
Feb 19, 2026
Police Beat for Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Marion County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested 50-year-old John Breeze of Gladys Lane in Centralia for violation of the sex offender registration law as well as violation of pre-trial release. He was ...
Feb 19, 2026
Pritzker proposes $56B budget with minimal new spending, tax on social media companies
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois February 18, 2026 Article Summary JB Pritzker is proposing a $56 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 with minimal new spending. Outside of key areas like pensio...
Feb 19, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker enters the Illinois House chamber to give his annual budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
National Weather Service Raises Severe Weather Threat to 'Enhanced' Thursday Afternoon
The National Weather Service has raised the risk of severe weather in South Central Illinois from 'slight' to 'enhanced'. There is also a 70 percent chance of rain on Thursday afternoon. The greatest ...
Feb 19, 2026
First Measles Case of 2026 Identified in Metro East Area
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting this year's first confirmed case of measles in the state in an adult residing in the Metro East area. The individual recently returned from...
Feb 18, 2026
