Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse says a 67-year-old truck driver from South Carolina was killed late Friday afternoon when his rig crashed into a slowing truck in front of him on eastbound I-64 near Woodlawn. The victim is identified as Wayne Franklin Baucom, Junior. He was trapped in his rig and extricated by Ashley firemen before being pronounced dead on the scene. The truck that was struck was driven by a 44-year-old male from Carrigan, Texas. The impact forced his rig into the re...

The Salem Fire Protection District reports the strong winds Friday afternoon caused a power line to come down, bringing the electric meter with it at a northwest side Salem home. Firemen say the power line started a small grass fire next to the home of Abby Thompson of the 800 block of Tulsa Street. The fire was put out before it got to the home. Salem Firemen stood by until Ameren crews arrived on the scene to make repairs. The fire call came in around four Friday afternoon.

Three people were arrested on outstanding no bond failure to appear warrants on Friday and remained in the Marion County Jail on Saturday. 24-year-old Robert Dodds of North Rhodes in Centralia was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant. Wamac Police arrested 46-year-old William Snell of West 7th in Centralia for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. 37-year-old Levi Sullivan of South Salem Street in Kinmundy was picked up on an outstanding felony warrant when stopped by Salem Police late Fri...

Salem Mayor Nic Farley is pleased with the direction of the city. He closed his annual State of the City Message before the Salem Chamber of Commerce on Thursday by saying the city can continue to move forward positively and united. "I will say the state of the city of Salem is very strong, and we grow stronger every day," Farley said. "Through continued smart investment, modernizing our infrastructure, and continuing to support workforce and the local business economy. Salem...

The Centralia Chamber of Commerce's annual Home & Community Expo returns this month in the former Buchheit location at Fairview Park Plaza in Centralia. The Expo will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, March 29, and 11am until 3 pm Sunday, March 30, with free admission. "We are excited to have a stacked lineup of 50 vendors and over 61 booths, making it the largest home expo in our region! There's still time for any businesses, vendors, or service organizations to register a...

Superintendent Chuck Lane says the solar panels that have been installed behind the Centralia High School annex will soon be connected and functional. Keystone Power Holdings and Ameren have been working to resolve remaining technical issues, and Lane says that if all goes well the panels may be ready by the end of April. The Centralia High School board will seek to fill a vacancy next month. After the consolidated election on April 1, Centralia High School will advertise to find individuals ...

A Centralia man has been ordered held without bond on eight charges that following incidents where he entered a neighbor's home after pointing a gun inside a window and shooting his girlfriend's cat inside his home. Christian Braun of Randolph Drive was formerly charged in Clinton County Court with two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated cruelty to animals, criminal damage to property between $500 and $10,000, criminal trespass to a residence with a person present, aggravate...

Centralia Police have arrested 25-year-old Josephine Johnson of Randolph Drive in Centralia for aggravated domestic battery. She was taken to the Marion County Jail. 50-year-old Tracy Howe of Macedonia was arrested in Franklin County on a Marion County no bond domestic violence warrant. Howe was transported to the Marion County Jail to await further court action.