Centralia's retiring fire chief has been honored by the office of the state fire marshal. Jeff Day received a plaque commending his 30 years in the fire service. Robert Beal of the Fire Marshal's Office made a visit to the main Centralia Fire District on Wednesday to present the award.

Activities are planned Thursday evening at the Gaetti Sports Academy for Gary Gaetti Day. For the sixth year, money will be raised for the State Police Youth Summer Camp. There will be a crawfish boil, $20 for a one pound plate with all proceeds donated to charity. All attendees get a ticket for a free drawing for Cardinals tickets, GSA training, golf simulator access, Stonewater Gift Cards and other prizes. Visitors can also compete in the home run derby or the longest drive on the golf si...

A fund-raising murder mystery play and dinner is planned at Castle Ridge on Saturday to raise money for the Dream Come True Prom. Guests will be transported back to the golden age of broadcast for an evening of suspense, dinner and philanthropy as a group of local actors and celebrities will perform 'Last Days of Radio, Murder at KDED'. Mystery is afoot during the live broadcast of the Buck Brick Show at KDED. Station owner Russ Spring is on the verge of a decision that could shutter the sta...

Centralia Community Development Director Gayla Harting says the former Doug Loy Auto Body building in the 100 block of North Chestnut will be pushed in following a Wednesday fire. Harting says with much of the roof structure gone, the back wall is bowing out into an alley, and the front of the building is pulling away from the structure. She reports both walls are in danger of collapsing, so the city is working to get utilities moved in the area so the walls can be pushed into a big pile of...

After months of negotiations, the Marion County Board gave final approval on Tuesday night to the purchase of the Centralia Animal Control Facility. The county will pay the city $160,000. The county had already been using the facility since near the first of the year under a joint operating agreement. As part of the deal, the county also agreed with Centralia to provide its animal control in the Marion County portion of the city. Centralia will pay $30,000 this year and $15,000 the followin...

Incoming Centralia Fire Chief Blake Perez says firemen on duty did a heck of a job in confining a working fire inside the now vacant former Doug Loy Auto building in the 100 block of North Chestnut in downtown Centralia. Perez says tires inside the building were burning and eventually broke through a portion of the roof on the northwest side of the building. "We had multiple calls of heavy dark smoke coming from the 100 block of North Chestnut," Perez said. "We could see it fro...

This year's Keep Salem Beautiful Spring Litter Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 11. Registration and supply pickup start at 8:30 a.m. at the Kiwanis pavilion by the stage in Bryan Memorial Park. A light lunch will be provided by Modern Woodmen of America at 1130. There will be some tree planting in conjunction with the City of Salem. This year's goal is for each participant to pick up 152 pieces of litter on cleanup day. T-shirts will be offered to the first 100 pre-registered partic...

Students from the SCHS Construction Class and the Selmaville Beta Club have joined efforts to make an impact in their community through the creation of a new Neighborhood Pantry Box. The pantry, designed to provide food and essential items to individuals and families in need, was constructed by students in the SCHS Construction Class. Following construction, Selmaville Beta Club students took the lead in organizing, promoting, and helping to stock the pantry, ensuring it is accessible and rea...