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Local News

The Salem City Council Monday night approved creation of the TIF-4 residential and business zone. The decision came after some business owners asked for a delay, while three who are completing building renovations in the Downtown TIF spoke in favor of the assistance allowing their projects to become reality. Three spoke asking for a delay in the vote. Neal Smith of Little Egypt Golf Cars told the council he doesn't think the city is ready for TIF-4, noting he is still having problems working...
Jul 08, 2025
Mayor Butch Mathus told the Wamac Board of Alderman Monday night that an estimated 250 attended the Wamac Fun Day that raised $3,000 for equipment for the police department. Mathus says they will hold another family fun day next year. The Wamac Board agreed to begin demolition proceedings on seven unsightly homes. Three homes on Dover Street and one each on 15th, 16th, 17th and Apple Street will be turned over to the court system. The owners of mobile homes on Chicago and St. Louis Street...
Jul 08, 2025
A 24-year-old Wood River man has been arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for felony criminal damage to property and driving under the influence. Tyler Lane reportedly popped both back tires but continued to drive on at least three Sandoval Village streets causing gouges. In the process he also hit some trash cans. The incident occurred around 9:25 Monday night. Lane was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on formal charges and a first court appearance.
Jul 08, 2025
Salem Police Chief Todd Boles has made offers to four new police officers who are completing the pre-hire testing process. One is a lateral transfer who will be able to join the department right away, while the other three will have to go through the police academy. Boles is hopeful to have the department back to full strength by spring. The department is currently six officers down but receiving patrol assistance from the two school resource officers while school is closed for the summer.
Jul 08, 2025
The final walls of the three downtown Odin buildings that were about to collapse have been brought to the ground before they fell. Pete Aydt of rural Centralia had the contract to take down the buildings at a cost of around $85,000. Work began on Saturday, June 28th, when some items deemed as historical by the Illinois State Historical Society were removed and given to the society. Walls then started coming down with the final parts of the structure brought to the ground on Saturday morni...
Jul 07, 2025
Tickets are now on sale for the grandstand events at the Marion County Fair in Salem. Tickets are available at the fair box office from nine to four Monday through Friday until Friday, July 25th. Tickets will then be available at the box office throughout fair week which runs Saturday, July 26th through August 2nd. You can also purchase tickets online at marioncountyagfair.com. There is a fee for purchasing tickets online. Grandstand entertainment opens with the Motocross Competition at s...
Jul 07, 2025
Centralia High School Superintendent Chuck Lane has confirmed they have been officially invited to be a full member of the Cahokia Conference beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Lane says that, as with other conference realignment discussions over the last few years, they will evaluate the offer internally, discuss it with our Board of Education, and do what's best for Centralia High School's future. Lane says the invitation came in a letter from the President of the Cahokia Conference. C...
Jul 07, 2025
The Centralia Fire Department has started inspections of businesses now that the city council has approved the updated International Code Council codes for businesses, residential, and mechanical systems such as HVAC. Captain Blake Perez says the goal is to inspect each business every year. He says they want to provide education and eliminate any problem areas. The first inspections have pointed out problems that could be easily fixed such as expired fire extinguishers and a non-working ex...
Jul 07, 2025