State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) has been ranked the 3rd most effective House Republican by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a nonpartisan research group made up of Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia, recently released their report ranking the effectiveness of legislators. According to Craig Volden, a public policy professor at the University of Virginia and co-author of the study, there are many reasons a lawmaker might...

Most of the snow late Thursday and early Friday morning will stay in Central Illinois. There's another chance of snow on Saturday afternoon. Nighttime temperatures then plunge to near zero by Sunday morning. This Afternoon A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly after 5 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Southwest wind around 6 mph, becoming southeast. Tonight A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 8 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northeast after...

Keep Salem Beautiful and the Daffy Dill Garden Club have announced the winners of the downtown flower box decorating contest. The first-place winner is Rural Health and Wellness. Their planter box is located on the north side of the 200 block of West Main. Nurse Practitioner Crea Rose explained their design. "The theme this year was for silver bells. My receptionist just happens to be very artsy and crafty, so she came up with the great idea of painting some flowerpots. She painted som...

A new foundation with a well-known health care sponsor has been formed in Centralia to deal with two major health care issues. Sister Clarette of the Felician Sisters says the St. Clare Foundation is their new way of meeting their commitment to care for the people of Centralia which started with their sponsorship of St. Mary's Hospital in 1939. "Drug abuse and mental health," Clarette said. "The Felician Sisters have made a commitment to begin the establishment of the St. Clare...

An open house and ribbon cutting was held Wednesday afternoon to mark the completion of the renovation of the former Save-a-Lot building in Salem into the new headquarters for Air Apply Unmanned. The company specializes in serving the agriculture community with field spraying drones. Director of Operations Chad Eagan is pleased how the building renovation project has gone, starting in the fall of 2024 when they acquired the building at 406 West Main from the city. "It's coming together...

Continental's tire plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois, has become the company's first in the U.S. to earn the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS). This globally recognized standard certifies that Continental meets specific documentation requirements relating to the use of renewable and recycled raw materials. It also confirms the completely transparent traceability of the raw materials used in the production process. It marks an important milestone in the compa...

The Polar Express Experience returns to the Salem Community Theatre this Friday and Saturday night. The Polar Express Experience is a family event that includes a viewing of The Polar Express. The experience includes seeing the conductor on the way into the theatre and enjoying photo opportunities in the decorated theatre before and after the show. All attendees will receive hot chocolate served during the movie, a decorated sugar cookie, and a themed bell upon exit. The Polar Express Experi...

A 32-year-old Centralia woman was arrested at the Marion County Courthouse on Wednesday for contempt of court and resisting arrest. Briana Barnes of South Cherry had reportedly been asked by the judge to sit in the courtroom to fill out paperwork when she allegedly left the room and had to be chased down by a court security officer. She will be back in court Thursday to determine her sentence for contempt of court. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 29-year-old Dustin Taylor of Hot...