Category Archives: Local News
Pardon sought for Black man executed in 1908 in Illinois
By COREY WILLIAMS and JOHN O'CONNOR Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Joe James, a Black man, was asleep under a tree when he was grabbed, beaten and then arrested for the murder of a white ma...
Mar 27, 2023 Sculptures representing charred chimneys rising from the smoldering rubble of burned-out buildings make up the Centennial memorial of the 1908 Race Riot entitled, "Acts of Intolerance" by Preston Jackson, Wednesday March 22, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board is considering a request to posthumously pardon Joe James by advocates who contend he did not receive a fair trial before he was hanged for murdering a white man. It was the local sheriff's refusal to turn over to a white mob for lynching James and George Richardson that set off the two-day riot on Aug. 14. Richardson was accused the previous day of raping a white woman but was cleared when she later confessed she made up the assault. (AP Photo/John O'Connor)
One juvenile shot, another arrested following shooting incident in Centralia
Centralia Police say one male juvenile was shot in the leg and another is being held following a shooting incident Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Rhodes and McKee in Centralia. Police report ...
Mar 26, 2023
Lawmakers approve kindergarten reform, plan to address childhood literacy
Measures have each been approved by one legislative chamber By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - Lawmakers are looking at several ways to improve learning outco...
Mar 26, 2023 State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, is pictured on the floor of the Illinois House this week. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Police Beat for Sunday, March 26th, 2023
Centralia Police have arrested a 61-year-old Centralia man for possession of a controlled substance, driving on a revoked license, and attempting to flee an officer. Ralph Jones of South Maple was tak...
Mar 26, 2023
Centralia High Drama Club presents 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee
Photos by Pat Hodges (Photo Gallery after article) The Centralia High School drama department this weekend is presenting the musical comedy 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee. Director Jami Jacobs...
Mar 26, 2023
Saturday Afternoon Update: Second Baptist Church to rebuild following devasting Friday afternoon fire
The Pastor at the Second Baptist Church in Centralia says the church will rebuild. Rev. Issac Parker made the statement while on his way to a meeting with the church leadership to determine details on...
Mar 25, 2023 Smoke pours from the Second Baptist Church Building Friday afternoon after fire was found in the sanctuary. Photo by Pat Hodges.
As South bans abortion, thousands turn to Southern Illinois clinics
By AMANDA SEITZ Associated Press FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) - Dr. Colleen McNicholas is fresh off performing two abortions when a ringing phone quickly stops her. "Oh, ugh," she said, eyes widened, b...
Mar 25, 2023 Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, poses for a portrait inside an exam room at Planned Parenthood Friday, March 10, 2023, in Fairview Heights, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
COVID-19 cases drop, all congregate care facilities no longer on outbreak status
Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow says for the first time in months there are no congregate care facilities in outbreak status. She also reports the county has gone another ...
Mar 25, 2023
Salem Grade School Board discusses e-learning and traffic safety around schools
Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says a survey of teachers showed 75 percent favored using e-learning days whenever school has to be called because of bad weather. Most of the other ...
Mar 25, 2023
Centralia High School Board gives final approval to expanded construction class
Centralia High School's Board of Education approved a plan for next year's Building Trade class to expand to three periods to facilitate a new program where students will construct a home on a city-ow...
Mar 25, 2023
