Category Archives: Local News
Owner of badly damaged home recalls Friday night tornado
More than 40 homes in Salem were damaged and some destroyed when a tornado moved over the Lake Street area from Franklin to Marion Streets. Some of the most severely damaged were on South Washington S...
Apr 03, 2023 The Jake Branon home (right) and his neighbor's home (left) where the fallen porch made getting out of the house difficult. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Owner of Midwest BBQ says he's lucky to be alive after tornado hits building
The owner of Midwest BBQ at South Broadway and Lake says he's lucky to be alive after a tornado hit and tore apart his building while he was inside. Buddy Miller says he could hear the storm coming. "...
Apr 03, 2023 Midwest BBQ after the storm, with part of the wall and roof ripped off. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Police Beat for Monday, April 3rd, 2023
A 31-year-old Odin man has been arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for possession of a controlled substance. Matthew Judds of North Scott was arrested after he was reportedly yelling and scr...
Apr 03, 2023
Great Turnout For Impromptu "Clean Up" Day At Little League Complex On Sunday Following Weekend Tornado
"Pretty Awesome", those were the words of Salem Little League President Brian Lipe when speaking of the cleanup response from the community after the tornado moved through Salem over the weekend destr...
Apr 03, 2023
City of Salem plans town hall meeting to match volunteers to victim of tornadoes who need help
Salem Mayor Nic Farley has announced a Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for five Tuesday evening to try and match volunteers with those in need of assistance following the Friday night tornado. Th...
Apr 02, 2023
Salem Chamber's 1st Annual Gala Award ceremony honors individuals, businesses, and organizations
The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce honored several individuals, businesses, and groups at their 1st Annual Gala Award Ceremony held Saturday night at the Salem Community Theatre. Salem Mayor Nic Fa...
Apr 02, 2023 All those receiving awards at the Salem Chamber's 1st Annual Gala Awards Ceremony gather after the event at the Salem Community Theatre on Stage. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Salem begins to develop clean-up plans following Friday tornado
Salem Mayor Nic Farley has announced a cleanup plan for those who sustained damage in Friday night's tornado. He is asking residents to separate debris into three piles and place it at the curbside fo...
Apr 02, 2023 Multiple Ameren crews worked on restoring power at the South Broadway and Lake Street intersection on Saturday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County declared disaster area due to Friday tornado damage
Governor Pritzker has issued a disaster proclamation for Marion County and other areas of the state hit by tornadoes Friday night. The disaster declaration, effective immediately, will support local g...
Apr 02, 2023 Governor Pritzker during a visit to Belvidere where he issued a state Disaster Declaration for areas hit by tornadoes on Friday night, including Marion County.
Odin man dies from injuries sustained in flash fire
A 74-year-old Odin man who received critical burns in a flash fire when throwing fuel onto a brush fire on Thursday afternoon has died as a result of his injuries. David Michael Schlais passed away on...
Apr 02, 2023
Friday night tornadoes kill four in Illinois, three just across border in Indiana
Tornadoes that hit multiple places in Illinois Friday night claimed a total of four lives, with three others dying just across the Indiana border. In Belvidere, in extreme Northern Illinois, part of t...
Apr 02, 2023 The marquee of the Apollo Theatre is down at the scene where the roof of the theatre collapsed during a tornado Friday evening, Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Belvidere, Ill. Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said 260 people were in the venue for a concert. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
