Local News

Police Beat for Sunday, April 19th, 2026
A 52-year-old Centralia man was arrested at the Marion County Courthouse on Friday on a Washington County failure-to-appear warrant. Brian Meskil of Johnson Street was at the courthouse answering a notice to appear in court on new Marion County charges of unlawful possession with intent to deliver 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine and possession of the same amount of the drug. Meskil was allegedly found in possession of the drugs during an April first stop by Centralia Police. He was r...
7h ago

Centralia Church Partners with Trauma Based Organizations to Offer Free Local Services
By Matt Packman, Centralia Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Foundation Church at 1606 East McCord in Centralia has partnered with two Greenville-based organizations to provide free, licensed counseling and trauma-based services to the region. "We are working with Eden's Glory, and they have a sub-group called Foster Kairos, which provides trauma-informed, licensed counseling services to kids and their caregivers," said Andy Davis of Foundation Church. "These services are...
8h ago
NewAfrica / Depositphotos.com

Powerful winds and reported tornadoes rip through the Midwest, leaving heavy damage but no deaths
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8h ago

School cell phone ban, human composting bills among hundreds advancing in Springfield
House approves new privacy rules for abortion care By JENNA SCHWEIKERT, NIKOEL HYTREK, BEN SZALINSKI, BRENDEN MOORE, & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary The Illinois House and Senate approved hundreds of bills this week ahead of a Friday deadline, including a plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker to limit cell phones in schools. A bill allowing composting human remains advanced after years of debate on the subject. Lawmakers in both chambers p...
8h ago

Device that helps make space travel possible named 'Coolest Thing Made in Illinois'
The NASA Standard Initiator won the annual 'Makers Madness' competition Article Summary Chemring Energetic Devices, a Downers Grove-based company that engineers and manufactures devices for NASA, won the title of Coolest Thing Made in Illinois as part of the annual "Makers Madness" competition held by the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. The devices, NASA Standard Initiators, have been used in space flight going back to the 1970s and are crucial to maneuvering, separation and ...
8h ago

Kaskaskia College Names Alumnus of the Year
The Kaskaskia College Alumnus of the Year is Dr. Maryann Langenfeld. She is a 1967 graduate of Kaskaskia College with a lifelong career in education defined by innovation, leadership and a deep commitment to improving the lives of other. A recognized leader in adaptive physical education, Langenfeld helped advance opportunities for individuals of all abilities, leaving a lasting impact across Illinois and beyond. She has also been involved in the Kaskaskia College Foundation since 1999 and ...
Apr 17, 2026

Kaskaskia College Presents Educational Partnership Award to SIU-C
Kaskaskia College has presented its Educational Partnership Award to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The award is based on developing a four-year agriculture degree that can be entirely completed without traveling to Carbondale. Vice Chancellor Wendall Williams, who accepted the award, says students will receive the benefit. "If they came to SIU, that cost for a four-year degree including the ability to live in the residence halls, would be about $135,000," Willams sai...
Apr 17, 2026

SSM Health St. Mary's and Good Samaritan Hospitals awarded KC's Business and Industry Partnership Award
SSM Health St. Mary's and Good Samaritan Hospitals have been awarded Kaskaskia College's Business and Industry Partnership Award. In the introduction, the college noted at Thursday night's annual awards program that for more than 50 years, the two hospitals have served as primary clinical training sites, playing an essential role in preparing generations of heath care professionals for the community. Centralia native, Kaskaskia College Graduate, and now President of the two hospitals, Damon H...
Apr 17, 2026

