Category Archives: Local News
Centralia woman escapes serious injuries after colliding with a power pole
A 64-year-old Centralia woman escaped with only minor injuries after her car ran off North Poplar and hit a power pole near Haussler Street. Centralia Police say the impact caused the power pole to br...
Dec 09, 2025
Police Beat for Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
A 58-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Salem Police for violation of the sex offender registration act and failure to report an address change. Roger Johnston of North College was released o...
Dec 09, 2025
Merger of Marion County, Salem, and Centralia Emergency Management Agencies nears completion
Marion County Board Chair Steve Whritenour expects a merger of the Marion County, Salem, and Centralia Emergency Management Agencies. He told the county board talks have been underway with Salem and C...
Dec 08, 2025 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Salem Christmas weekend sees big crowds everywhere
Great attendance was reported at all the Christmas weekend events in Salem. An estimated 300 began the weekend on Friday at the Christmas Carnival at the Salem Community Center playing a number of act...
Dec 08, 2025 Santa Claus arrives at Sweney Corner. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Rural Iuka man hurt in single car wreck on Route 161 Extension
One person was injured when a car ran off the Route 161 near Buchannan Road in rural Iuka on Sunday morning. The driver, 18-year-old Landon Fellmer of Hurst, told Marion County Sheriff's Deputies he w...
Dec 08, 2025
Police Beat for Monday, December 8th, 2025
A 28-year-old Centralia resident has been arrested by Centralia Police for aggravated domestic battery and assault with a deadly weapon. Kelsey Schmitz of South Sycamore was taken to the Marion County...
Dec 08, 2025
Salem Police Department to Reach Full Staff with Three New Patrolmen
After being understaffed, sometimes severely, for more than a year, the Salem Police Department will soon be at full staff after three officers graduated Friday from the Southwestern Illinois College ...
Dec 06, 2025 New Patrolman Upon Graduation from Police Training. Left to right: Patrolmen Dylan Friend, Landon Tate and Cory Crouch, Chief Todd Boles and Deputy Chief Tyler Rose. (Salem PD photo)
Centralia Hardee's Abruptly Closes For Good
The Centralia Hardee's has permanently closed. Employees were unaware that the restaurant was shutting down until officials of the franchisee, Superior Star, arrived on Thursday and announced the imme...
Dec 06, 2025 Store outside Centralia Hardees store. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem Police Arrest One, Another Taken to Hospital Following Bar Fight
Salem Police arrested one man for battery, and another man was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries following a fight at the Pour House Bar on West Main at Selmaville Road. Salem Police rep...
Dec 06, 2025
Two Injured in West McCord Street Crash in Centralia
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on West McCord in front of the Casey's General Store on Thursday afternoon. Centralia Police say a car driven by 68-year-old Patricia Lane of North Main ...
Dec 06, 2025
