The Salem Tourism Commission has handed out $91,000 in awards to further five projects in the area. The biggest award was $65,000 to the Salem Economic Development Department for the painting of up to five new murals and touch up of the existing Sweeney Corner mural. Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini says the first new mural she would like to see go up is a 'greetings mural'. She reports several downtown buildings are under consideration that have an exposed wall that could ...

Centralia Police arrested a 20-year-old Salem woman for aggravated domestic battery and violation of pretrial release on Wednesday. K Jaybumgarner of South Pearl was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a first court appearance. Central City Police arrested 32-year-old Thomas Wilkins of Marcel Drive in Centralia for alleged domestic battery. He was also taken to the Marion County Jail to await a first court appearance.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department reports all three occupants of two cars involved in a rear end crash in the 5700 block of U.S. 50 east of Salem were checked on the scene and refused hospital treatment. Deputies report the crash occurred when an eastbound vehicle driven by 55-year-old Sherrie Robinson of Castleton Avenue in Mt. Vernon slowed to make a turn and was hit in the rear by 43-year-old Derek Hilderbrand of Louisville. 84-year-old Dora Duncan of Salem was a passenger in the R...

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating entry made to the boat and camper storage building on Route 37 just north of Salem. Initial information indicates multiple units were entered. Propane tanks and batteries are among the items reported missing. Gas was also reportedly siphoned out of one of the boats. The break in was discovered around two on Wednesday afternoon by the owner of the business. The sheriff's department is also investigating the theft of items from outside...

The engine compartment of an SUV owned by Ward Chrysler in Carbondale burst into a ball of flames Thursday morning as two employees were traveling on I-57 near the Tonti overpass to the Chicago area to pick up another car. The driver and passenger both got out safely before the Salem Fire Protection District arrived. The car was a total loss. The fire call came in at 7:41 Thursday morning.

On an 8 to 5 vote, the Marion County Board is asking for Marion County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Miller to be investigated. The action comes in the aftermath of a study that was critical on operations of the office released earlier and a failed vote at the last meeting to fire Miller. The motion was made by Cody Rose: "For the chairman to make a referral to the Illinois Department of Revenue criminal investigations to review the findings of the study, public complaints, and our tax ...

The Marion County Highway Department has put its seasonal county road ten-ton weight limit in effect until April 15th. Highway Engineer Alex Kreke says those who need to haul heavier loads need to contact the Marion County Highway Department to find a time when the hauling can be completed without damage to the roads. There is no cost to receive a permit for the heavier loads.

The Marion County Board Tuesday night was introduced to the county's first Veterans Assistance Commissioner. Ron Peters is currently based at the Centralia office of the Marion County Health Department. The board still has to determine Peters' payroll and benefit package, office internet and telephone services and website information location. The board earlier approved a property tax levy to support the Veteran's Assistance program, including covering the salary of the commission. Peters' j...