By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com EAST ST. LOUIS - A firearms expert testified Wednesday that the weapons restricted under Illinois' assault weapons ban include many of the most common firearms that American consumers use for self-defense. Steven Randall Watt, a combat veteran and retired law enforcement officer who now owns a private firearms training company, also said he personally owns many types of weapons restricted by the law, as well as large-capa...

The Centralia Cultural Society hosted Elmwood Speaks on the evenings of September 12 through 15. Visitors took a golf cart tour of the Elmwood Cemetery and saw local actors give monologues portraying real people from Centralia's history. There were eight individuals represented at this year's event: Helen A. Tippit portrayed by Gayle Erxleben, John T. Green portrayed by Cherokee Ray, Adam Clark Gilmore portrayed by Will Ballantini, Elias W. Welden portrayed by John Stuehmeier, Lucy Kerr Raine...

Centralia saw its second Oktoberfest in Fairview Park on Saturday, September 14. The event featured local vendors, food trucks, skate park activities, and live music including a headliner concert by Murphy 500 and Taco Truck. Adam Feig of 618 Sports Academy described the turnout and how proceeds of the concert would benefit the park: "We couldn't ask for a better evening and a better turnout from the people from Centralia here," Feig said. "You know, we're doing this for the ki...

Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 33-year-old Lucas Kulesza of 2nd Street in St. Peter on Tuesday for aggravated domestic battery. The incident occurred at a home in the 9,000 block of Fay Road in rural Kinmundy.

The Sandoval Village Board Tuesday night unanimously approved keeping the one percent sales tax on groceries that is being dropped by the state beginning in 2026. Governor JB Pritzker said the tax was regressive and hurts low income residents when signing legislation to eliminate the collection at the statewide level. However, the legislation allowed local governments to adopt the tax levy on their own. Sandoval Village Administrator LeAnn Spiecer says the money now passed along to local ...

Marion County State's Attorney Tim Hudspeth has dropped attempted murder and other charges pending against a 46-year-old Centralia man in connection with an April 2022 shooting. Nathan Johnson had been charged with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with the shooting of 30-year-old Laquisha 'Qui Qui" Lockett of Centralia outside a home in the 900 block of East Kell. She was taken to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and later transferred to ...

Plans are being finalized for the 2024 American Cancer Society Marion County Relay For Life. It will be held Saturday, September 28 at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem. The event begins at 4 pm with the Cancer Survivor Reception, entertainment, and the opening of team booths. At 5 pm the Opening Ceremonies and Survivor, Caregiver and Team Laps will be held. The Luminaria Ceremony will begin at seven. The event closes at eight pm. The 2024 goal is $40,000 with $22,314 turned in so far...

Centralia Police say a vague threat posted on social media received by the Centralia Junior High School administration has been tracked down to an overseas origination. Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says the Centralia City School Resource Officer was notified by the school administration of the vague threat. Patrol officers went to the residence where the threat was received and the student along with her parents came to the police station. With the cooperation of the student and the parents, ...