Marion County Coroner Claude Howell has released the name of the 19-year-old Salem man killed in a one-vehicle crash Thursday night on Cross Road just west of Robin Road southeast of Salem. Howell pronounced Alexander Tate dead on the scene. He died from blunt force trauma. Howell says the vehicle apparently left the roadway, struck a power pole, and then rolled several times before the driver was thrown out. Alexander was the only one in the vehicle. State Police are investigating the cr...

Postal carriers in Salem, Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and Flora will join city carriers around the country in picking up food this Saturday in the annual Stamp Out Hunger drive. Those who want to help need to leave healthy, non-perishable food at their mailboxes, and the carriers will do the rest. While cards about the drive were not sent out to rural customers, the carriers on the rural routes in Salem and Centralia plan to pick up food as well. If you are missed or have a post office box, you ...

by Jenna Schweikert and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 7, 2026 Article Summary In an annual May ceremony, friends, family and supporters of law enforcement honored two Illinois police officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. The event included a squad car processional and interfaith church service, ending in a ceremony at the Illinois Police Officers Memorial outside the state capitol. Seven historic honorees and one K-9 historic honoree were also included...

A combined art show and band/chorus concert was held Thursday night at Salem Community High School. The show gave art students a chance to show off their best work of the year and for the band and chorus to show off their talent. Senior Art Student Laci Harrell of Salem was displaying her drawing that took fourth place in Congressman Mike Bost's art competition and will soon be on display at his Effingham office. "I don't really do faces, so I'm not used to it," Harrell said. "...

Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says a 25-year-old Salem man died last Saturday from an accidental shooting that had occurred at his home earlier in the day. The sheriff's department was called to the home of Matthew Billingsley on Hotze Road where he apparently was shot in the abdomen by a pistol he was placing into a concealed carry holder. Cripps says Billingsley was preparing to leave the home at the time. Billingsley was initially taken to Salem Township Hospital and later transferre...

A 21-year-old Salem woman has been charged with aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting/obstructing a police officer following an early Thursday morning traffic stop. Jordyn Chapman of Woodland Drive allegedly kicked a Salem Police officer in the chest and then fought getting into the squad car after being arrested for driving under the influence. Salem Police say they had received a report of a reckless driver when Chapman's car veered into the lane of a Salem Police Officer goi...

Centralia Police arrested a homeless man on an outstanding failure to appear no bond warrant and failure to register as a sex offender. Alan Crain was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on formal charges and a first appearance in court. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 22-year-old Sophie Brandt of St. Louis for criminal trespass to land. She reportedly went to the public housing units in Patoka where she was earlier banned.

by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois May 6, 2026 Article Summary Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other mayors are asking Illinois lawmakers to increase the share of income tax revenue that goes to local governments. Johnson said Gov. JB Pritzker's proposal to keep the portion for the Local Government Distributive Fund flat would cost the city $12 million next year. Johnson also met with legislators to ask them to give the city more power to levy taxes on digital ad revenue, deliveries an...