Category Archives: Local News
Odin School Board approves non-certified pay increase and personnel changes
The Odin School Board has approved a three and a half percent pay raise for non-certified personnel. Superintendent Quinton Marcum says the increase is the same earlier approved for the teacher's unio...
Aug 12, 2026 File: Odin High School. Photo by Sam Snodsmith.
Centralia City Schools prepare to start new school year
The Centralia City Schools Board of Education approved an addendum to a lease contract with BCMW for the former Field School. The addendum adds the physical address of the building and corrects a date...
Aug 12, 2026
Balloon Fest preview Sunday at Murray Center in Centralia
Local pilots will hold a balloon glow at Murray Center on Sunday. Jamie Allen of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce says the drive through event from 7:30 to 8:30 Sunday evening is open to the public. ...
Aug 11, 2026 File photo: Balloons in the air over Foundation Park. Photo by Austin Williams.
Rural Kell woman burned in fire at her home Monday afternoon
A 26-year-old rural Kell woman was burned in a fire Monday that caused heavy fire damage to her kitchen and smoke damage throughout her home. The fire apparently started in a pan of grease on the stov...
Aug 11, 2026
Deadline to pay 2026 Mobile Home Tax Bills is Wednesday
Marion County Treasurer Gary Purcell is issuing a reminder that the deadline for paying 2026 mobile home tax bills without penalty is Wednesday. Payments can be made at local banks and credit unions. ...
Aug 11, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Governor has proclamed Tuesday 811 Day
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed Tuesday, August 11th, as 811 Day in Illinois to support the Illinois Commerce Commission's (ICC) efforts to raise awareness about the need for safe digging. Every f...
Aug 11, 2026
Rideshare unionization, drug-pricing oversight, plastic pellet and light pollution bills become law
by Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois August 10, 2026 Article Summary JB Pritzker signed another 75 bills into law Friday, bringing his total to more than 350 signed...
Aug 11, 2026 Supporters of a bill to allow rideshare drivers to unionize celebrate in the House gallery in May after the bill passed. The governor signed it into law on Aug. 7. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Police Beat for Tuesday, August 11th, 2026
Salem Police arrested a 36-year-old homeless Salem woman for criminal trespass to property. Emily See allegedly went to Fasmart North where she was earlier banned. She was later released on a notice t...
Aug 11, 2026
Centralia approves study for Fairview Park Plaza Business District
The Centralia City Council authorized a Business District eligibility study for the Fairview Park Plaza commercial corridor at Monday night's city council meeting. The city will pay $17,000 to the Sou...
Aug 11, 2026
Live Music planned all weekend for the Main Stage's at Balloon Fest
Balloon Fest is ready to party with numerous live music performances featuring hits from the 1990s and 2000s boy bands and pop music for the weekend of, August 21st-23rd. The Centralia High Sch...
Aug 11, 2026 Josh Gracin performing. Photo by Austin Williams.
