The Monster Crawl event enters a new era as local establishments step in to preserve and grow its legacy in Historic Downtown Centralia. The Lobby 1924 and The Boiler Room Speakeasy have announced the acquisition of Monster Crawl, "ensuring the annual downtown Halloween celebration will continue to delight families, businesses, and visitors for years to come." For years, Monster Crawl has brought thousands of guests to Historic Downtown Centralia for an evening filled with costumes,...

The South Central School Board handled a number of start of school preparations at its Wednesday night school board meeting. There will be a $19 fee added to middle and high school students registration costs this year to pay for a PE uniform. The fee has been waived for the past six years through grant funding that has been cut. Students in all grades will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of income. The first day of school at South Central will be August 13th. The sc...

Marion County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested 23-year-old Noah Meredith of Oak Road in Odin for criminal trespass to property. Reports indicate he had earlier been trespassed from the home and allegedly refused to leave after returning on Wednesday. Meredith was held in custody pending a final decision on charges. Two others remain in jail on outstanding no bond failure to appear warrants. 51-year-old Gary Higgins of Wall Street in Salem and 34-year-old Heath Marshall of Carroll Road in I...

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent in June, unchanged from May, and up +0.8 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls saw a fourth consecutive over-the-month increase in June, up +1,500 (0.0%) to 6,164,400. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from...

Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps wants to ban the over-the-counter sale and delivery of Kratom and 7-OH in unincorporated Marion County. Cripps says he understands there has been one near death and others found passed out in their vehicles from the substances. "This is a drug that needs to be controlled or done away with completely," Cripps said. "I think I have a duty to try and spearhead that fight on the county level as the cities have locally. I'll also speak with Central...

The Centralia City Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved one-year contractual agreements with both the Centralia City Schools Teachers Association and the Centralia Education Association Educational Support Personnel. The new contracts have a 2% plus step salary increase. The same increases were approved for contracted confidential employees, bus personnel, and administration building personnel. Three items that were set to sunset, professional development, attendance bonuses, and pr...

The Marion County Board's Liquor Committee tabled action on a liquor license for the new proposed Bottoms Up Tavern at 8472 Bottom Road east of Iuka. Owners Jacqueline and Jeremiah Lawrence said they were going to build a new building for the business and would have plenty of parking. They also plan to serve food. Committee members were ready to vote 'no' based on neighborhood opposition, the remote location far from law enforcement and potential intoxicated persons traveling the narrow road...

A Lawrence Correctional Officer and Correctional Lieutenant have admitted in federal court to conspiring to deprive a restrained inmate of civil rights. Correctional officer 28-year-old Craig Muhs and Lieutenant 30-year-old Ethan Yates each pled guilty to conspiring to violate an inmate's civil rights during an incident occurring on July 31, 2025, and during the ensuing investigation. As a lieutenant, Yate supervised other staff. Lawrence Correctional Center is a maximum-security state pris...