Category Archives: Local News
82-year-old Central City man pleads guilty to unlawful restraint in exchange for two criminal sexual abuse charges being dropped
An 82-year-old Central City man has pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint in exchange for two counts of criminal sexual abuse being dropped. Vince Ayala of Patterson Street was sentenced in Marion Coun...
Mar 08, 2023 Vincent Ayala
Former Salem man gets four year prison term
A 35-year-old former Salem man has been sentenced to four years in prison for felony domestic battery. Steven Schultz, who now has a Mattoon address, will serve the time concurrently with four year pr...
Mar 08, 2023
Police Beat for Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
A 45-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Central City Police for alleged felony criminal damage to property. Jeremy Erlinger of Jeannie Drive is accused of spray painting a truck in the 300 bl...
Mar 08, 2023
Salem, Sandoval and Centralia City Fire Departments receive State Fire Marshals grants
Three area fire departments are receiving 2023 Small Equipment Grants from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office. The Salem and Sandoval Fire Departments and Centralia City Fire Department are amon...
Mar 08, 2023
State lawmakers work to meet Friday deadline
Most bills need to pass out of committee by week's end By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers began working through mountains of propose...
Mar 07, 2023 Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, left, and state Rep. Daniel Didech testify in the House Ethics and Elections Committee about a bill calling on community colleges and public universities to offer academic credit to students who volunteer to work as election judges. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Illinois to relocate at least half of current residents at Choate
Officials acknowledged that news reporting had put a spotlight on conditions at facility plagued by abuse, cover-ups By BETH HUNDSDORFERCapitol News Illinois& MOLLY PARKERLee Enterprises Midwestne...
Mar 07, 2023 In an exclusive interview, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou discussed impending changes to the state’s system that serves developmentally disabled individuals. (Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois)
Salem's new Emergency Management Agency Director is named
The Salem City Council Monday night unanimously approved Mayor Nic Farley's appointment of Andrew Strong to head the Emergency Management Agency. Strong, who has been assistant director, will move int...
Mar 07, 2023 Salem's new EMA coordinator Andrew Strong. (Salem EMA Facebook page)
Salem City Council approves improvements to dog park over one councilman's objection
The Salem City Council has approved the purchase of more than $16,000 in new fencing for the dog park in Bryan Memorial Park over the objection of one councilman who doesn't feel users are taking care...
Mar 07, 2023 The old ballfield fence will be replaced and the old dugouts removed as part of the upgrade of the Dog Park in Bryan Memorial Park that will also get new amenities.
Salem City Council approves bid for South Broadway water line replacement
The Salem City Council has approved a bid to replace a troublesome water line on South Broadway from Main to Kell Street. JK Trotter was the low bidder at $689,030 for the project which will be funded...
Mar 07, 2023 NAVFAC / CC
Bond set at $40,000 for Salem man charged with 9th car burglary
Bond has been set at $40,000 for a 19-year-old Salem man who was charged with his ninth vehicle burglary in Marion County Court on Monday. Branden Powell of South Franklin is accused of entering a veh...
Mar 07, 2023
