The Little Egypt Festival Parade Committee has named Salem Bowl Owner Steve Ludwig as the Grand Marshall of this year's parade on Saturday, October third. The honor was announced as General and Parade Chair Jay Henke made a surprise visit to the bowling alley Wednesday afternoon. "It's an honor for sure," Ludwig said. "It's great to be recognized. I've always wanted to work with the community, and it's going to be fun to be part of the parade." Henke says Ludwig was a unan...

A 24-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for domestic battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Centralia Police say Brandon Watkins of South Pine allegedly began chasing a 14-year-old boy with a kitchen knife after the boy tried to break up an argument between Watkins and his girlfriend, who was the mother of the boy. Reports indicate Watkins eventually dropped the knife and then punched the 14-year-old in the stomach with his fist. Watkins was taken to the Marion County Jail...

A 36-year-old Centralia man faces a new felony charge and time in jail after allegedly becoming disruptive during a Wednesday Marion County court appearance. Jamaad Garden of South Sycamore reportedly became disruptive in court after being sanctioned to 30 days in jail for failure to show up on an outstanding warrant. A 45 day sentence for direct criminal contempt of court followed. A new charge of felony criminal damage to state supported property was added after he was returned to the jai...

A 23-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to separate charges of unlawful possession with the intent to deliver cannabis and aggravated battery. Zykevious Burnett admitted to aggravated battery for impeding the breathing of the victim by applying pressure to her neck with his hand on April 10th. A charge of criminal sexual abuse was dropped as part of the plea. Burnett also admitted to having possession of between 30 an...

Wamac Police have arrested a 28-year-old homeless man for domestic battery, violation of pre-trial release and on an outstanding Marion County felony no-bond failure to appear warrant. William Rose was taken to the Marion County Jail. Sandoval Police arrested 35-year-old Dustin Marshall of North Main in Sandoval on an outstanding Clinton County warrant. He was taken to the Marion County Jail to await transfer to the Clinton County Jail.

by Nikoel Hytrek and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois June 3, 2026 Article Summary A bill to protect children online and limit their access to addictive social media features passed both chambers on Monday and will soon head to the governor's desk. The bill is an initiative from Gov. JB Pritzker, and he has indicated he'll sign it. Pritzker first raised the idea in his February budget address, saying it was a top concern he's heard from Illinoisans. The bill would req...

by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois June 2, 2026 Article Summary Several educations measures were among the hundreds of bills that cleared the General Assembly before it adjourned on June 1. Schools will have to adopt policies next year banning cell phones in the classroom under a bill Gov. JB Pritzker says he will sign. Another measure allows students to fulfill foreign language requirements by taking career and technical education courses. Lawmakers also expanded in-state tuition and am...

by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois June 2, 2026 Article Summary The legislative and judicial branches dealt a pair of blows to a state law banning "swipe fees" being applied to the tax and tip portion of a debit or credit card transaction. Lawmakers delayed the ban for another year, until July 1, 2027. But a federal judge also issued a permanent injunction against it, citing federal rules that were recently rewritten by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The injunct...