The Centralia High School Board of Education heard updates on the ongoing solar project and approved a thirty-year power plan agreement with Keystone Power Holdings at the regular board meeting on Thursday. The plan locks in a rate of 4.75 cents per kilowatt hour for the full duration of the agreement. Since the last board meeting, an interconnection agreement with Ameren has been signed and countersigned, ensuring the project can move forward. With these agreements in place, construction is ...

A desire to learn about homesteading has led a Salem resident to create the Backyard Homesteading Expo that will be held this Saturday both outside and inside ATVs and More at 1307 West Main in Salem. The event will run from 9 am to 4:30 pm. All classes and activities are free. Michelle Barbee says there will be over 30 vendors and presentation on multiple topics. "Was interested in learning more about gardening and keeping animals and caring for a pond I have on my property. I wasn...

On Thursday evening, Kaskaskia College celebrated the dozens of students who have completed certificates through the Workforce Equity Initiative this year. WEI is grant-funded through the Illinois Community College Board and assists students from minority populations with completing certificate programs. The initiative helps with costs such as tuition and course fees, but WEI grant lead Cheryl Boehne notes that students can get assistance with other hurdles that might otherwise stand in the w...

Fire destroyed a two car detached garage at a home at 1422 South Locust Street in Centralia late Wednesday night. Centralia Fire Officials say the home was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. The fire was so hot it was melting siding on the rear of the home occupied by William Melton as well as a detached garage across the alley. All off-duty Centralia City Firemen as well as the Centralia Fire Protection District were called for additional manpower. Sandoval stood by at the Centra...

A 36-year-old Wamac man faces five felony charges in connection with injuries to three young children he was babysitting last Friday. Justin Clegg of South James is charged with two counts of aggravated domestic battery for allegedly choking two of the children and aggravated battery for slapping the third child in the face causing a busted lip. In addition, he's charged with two other counts of domestic battery that are felonies due to a past conviction in another Marion County case. Wamac ...

A 24-year-old Shattuc woman has been arrested on a Marion County major traffic warrant by Centralia Police. Averiona Crump of Main Street was taken to the Marion County Jail. She was released after posting $5,000 bond.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal Wednesday for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field as part of a major project that would transform the city's lakefront, and they are asking for public funding to help make it happen. The plan calls for $3.2 billion for the new stadium plus an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure. The team and the city said the project would add green and open space ...

Salem Township Hospital finished the just completed fiscal year on March 31st 17-percent above budget. Chief Financial Officer Amy Gray says the accomplishment was realized while moving the hospital forward. "We were able to finance the A wing project and didn't have to borrow money and still finished at 70% above budget. I think we had a strong performance we are able to continue to basically fund projects out of our operating cash which is advantageous. We are able to keep up with th...