Category Archives: Local News
Salem Recreation Department plans Christmas activities both Friday and Saturday
The Salem Recreation Department will host a Christmas Carnival and Christmas on Broadway this Friday and Saturday. Recreation Director Jed Casburn says the Christmas Carnival will be held at the Salem...
Dec 04, 2025 File photo: Santa arrives by fire truck on Sweney Corner to greet kids waiting to talk to him. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Man Arrested on Child Pornography and Distribution of Explicit Digital Materials
A 39-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for alleged child pornography and non-consensual dissemination of explicit digital materials. Thomas Jones of Dean Street was arrested at his place of emp...
Dec 04, 2025
Upcoming book explores 50-year-old Centralia cold case
In May 1975, the body of Centralia resident John Shakespeare was found in his basement, killed by a single gunshot to the head. More than fifty years later a new book, The Murder of John Shakespeare: ...
Dec 04, 2025 Image Source: Arcadia Publishing
Illinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of American independence
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 3, 2025 Article Summary The Illinois America 250 Commission is gearing up to organize programming across the state to celebrate the anniversary of t...
Dec 04, 2025 Gabrielle Lyon, chair of the Illinois America 250 Commission and executive director of Illinois Humanities speaks about the commemoration plans at Navy Pier on Dec. 3. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)
Sean Grayson's attorneys seek new trial after murder conviction
by Illinois Times, Capitol News Illinois December 3, 2025 Article Summary Former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson is seeking a new trial after his second-degree murder conviction last mon...
Dec 04, 2025 Ex-Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson’s body camera footage shows the officers who greeted him on July 6, 2024, as he exited the home of Sonya Massey after fatally shooting her. Grayson disparaged Massey and called her “crazy” in the video, which his attorneys say should not have been shown in the trial that led to his second-degree murder conviction. (Screenshot from body camera footage)
Drew Baldridge and Gretchen Wilson to perform together at Washington County Fair
The Washington County Fair Board has announced that local country artists Gretchen Wilson from Pocahontas and Drew Baldridge of Patoka will perform together at the county fair on July 10th in what is ...
Dec 04, 2025
Former Centralia minister faces petition to have probation revoked on child pornography charges
A 41-year-old former Worship Minister at the Calumet Street Christian Church serving four years' probation on five counts of child pornography is now facing a petition to revoke his probation. Ian Mop...
Dec 04, 2025
Two teens escape serious injury in Green Street Road crash
A 17-year-old juvenile female from Shattuc lost control of her car on the Green Street Road between Scout and Lakeshore Drive Tuesday morning. The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports the car ap...
Dec 03, 2025
Former worship minister at Centralia church arrested in connection with child pornography conviction
A 41-year-old former Worship Minister at the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia placed on four years' probation after pleading guilty to five felony counts of child pornography has been arre...
Dec 03, 2025
Centralia City Council issues $218,480 in building permits in November
The City of Centralia issued $218,480 in building permits in November. There were 14 total permits, five were for installation of roof mount solar arrays. A permit for a $10,000 addition to a home on ...
Dec 03, 2025
