A rural Texico home was destroyed by fire early Friday night. Jefferson Fire officials say the fire was at the Greg Land home at 19,766 North Hail Lane about two miles south of the Field Grade School. Land was in the process of setting up a deer blind with some other people when he noticed a fire on the outside of the home. He was able to get his wife and elderly father out of the home without injury. Fire officials say the blaze spread through the single-story residence with a basement and ...

National Apprenticeship Week is Nov. 17-23 In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week and to highlight the impact apprentices have on local businesses, Kaskaskia College is hosting an Apprenticeship Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. on campus. Businesses from the region are invited to attend and learn firsthand from employers and current apprentices about the benefits of the registered apprenticeship program. Employers will listen to engaging panel discussions on the fl...

There's a first ray of hope for the future of the Project Bread program. BCMW has received a check for payment of July services, the first payment since June. Executive Director Jessica Backs says while the flow-through of money from the federal government is a positive sign, they have no information on when additional money will be received. The payment will be used to cover expenses from the past four months. Backs is hopeful the financial issues can be resolved to allow for a reopening ...

Ongoing trial of Michael Madigan looms over alleged bribery scheme at AT&T By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - Paul La Schiazza, the ex-boss of AT&T Illinois accused of bribing a powerful politician, could be a free man next month. After three hours of oral arguments on Thursday, a federal judge is now weighing whether to grant the former telecom exec's request for acquittal following a high-profile mistrial earlier this year. A hung jury ...

Salem Police have arrested 31-year-old Caleb Shinskey of East Main in Salem for domestic battery. He was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a final decision on charges and a first court appearance. Centralia Police arrested 35-year-old Michael Shaw of Meadowbrook in Centralia for domestic battery. He was also transported to the Marion County Jail. Two people were taken to the Marion County Jail on outstanding Marion County felony failure to appear warrants. Salem Police arrested 54-y...

The Marion County Board has approved a $10,000 donation from the Opioid Settlement Fund to help the Marion County Drug Court Support Group to get two homes for drug court participants reopened. State's Attorney Tim Hudspeth made the request. "The not-for-profit group presently doesn't have sufficient funds to get insurance on those houses," Hudspeth said. "Until they do, they can't let anybody move into them, because if somebody gets hurt, obviously we're going to have some pr...

A bow deer hunter leaving his 16 to 18 foot tall deer stand for the day in rural Iuka fell to the ground when stepping off the platform to climb down to the ground. Iuka Firemen, United Medical Response and Marion County Sheriff's Deputies all responded to assist Nick Lynch of Odin. The incident occurred off Foster Road northeast of Iuka. Lynch was able to call 911 for help. He was airlifted from the scene to a St. Louis hospital for treatment. Lynch was released early Friday morning. He ...

A 47-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court with two counts of burglary to the Barking Lot at 325 South Poplar Street in Centralia. Charles Anderson of North Poplar is accused of entering the business twice, about three hours apart on October 28th and 29th. Centralia Police say Anderson entered the business through the same unlocked door on both occasions. The first time, he allegedly stole liquor. The second time, he allegedly took the cash register. Centralia Pol...