Supporters of the University of Illinois Extension Programs, including 4H, jammed into the Marion County Courthouse Monday night to ask the county board to return the money zeroed out of the budget for the program. During the conversation, the county board learned the levy had been approved by voters and the $163,200 could not be eliminated as a budget cut by the board. Board Chair Steve Whritenour says the mistake will be corrected at the full Marion County Board meeting later this month. &...

By Steven Stilt Organizers of the annual Centralia Juneteenth celebration are gearing up for next month's festivities and hope to see the local event continue to grow. Members of the Juneteenth Committee spoke Monday night as part of the Centralia Area Historical Museum's "Night at the Museum" series. Juneteenth Committee Chair Timothia Reid, Marketing Coordinator Malaya Downey, and Secretary Ellie McClelland spoke on the history and symbolism behind Juneteenth, which honors the end...

A 24-year-old Centralia man was injured when his SUV ran off Mills Cart Road east of Hoots Chapel Road northeast of Salem and fell six feet off a bridge into a creek below. Salem Fire Protection District officials say Trey Dunn of South Pine was assisted out of the vehicle that came to rest on the driver's side, but he was not trapped. He was taken to Salem Township Hospital by United Medical Response. Fire officials say while there was a small amount of water in the creek, Dunn was never in...

The Centralia City Council passed an ordinance at its regular meeting on Monday to regulate low-speed electric and gas bicycles on city streets. These powered bicycles will now be required to be registered with the police department and go through inspection. Registration will require a $20 fee and will provide an annual tag for each powered bicycle. The ordinance also states that these bicycles cannot be operated on sidewalks or while under the influence. This ordinance is based on a similar...

Monday night's Centralia City Council meeting was the last for departing member Jeff Castellari and the first for newly elected Marion "Bunny" Garrett. Garrett was elected in the April consolidated election along with incumbent council member Rob Jackson. Both members were sworn in during the council meeting.

The Salem Community High School E-sports team competed in the IHSA E-sports sectionals against 24 teams from all around Southern Illinois. The team placed high in most their brackets with two state-qualifiers, Kaden Biagi and Micah Hendricks. IHSA Sectional Results Rocket League - 5th Place Silas Moats Russ McKenzie Jayce Morton EA FC Soccer - 4th Place Ramiro Mendoza Madden NFL - 3rd Place Micah Hendricks (State Qualifier) Super Smash Brothers Solo - 2nd Place Kaden Biagi (State Qualifier) S...

The Little Egypt CEO Program is holding its trade show on Wednesday, May 14th, from 5:30-7:30 at the Harvest Room in Salem. Little Egypt CEO's trade show celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurship of its talented participants. Each member of the CEO program will feature their individual business and the products or services they offer. CEO member, Presslie Harris, speaks highly of the trade show. "The trade show is an opportunity to showcase the businesses that we have built through ...

350 Centralia High School students were recognized at the 26th annual Academic Pep Assembly on Monday. The assembly is hosted every year by the CHS Renaissance committee to honor students who go above and beyond in their educational achievements, including scholar athletes, scholar performers, students who perform well on AP tests, and students nominated by their teachers for awards. This year's special student awards went to: Athlete of the Year - Archie Goewey, Xavier Koch and Jasaiyah Wall...