Centralia Police had to take down an aggressive dog that chased several people in a neighborhood and attempted to attack Centralia Animal Control and Centralia Police officers. The owner of the dog was eventually taken to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia for treatment due to his erratic behavior. The series of incidents began late Friday afternoon with a report of an aggressive dog on North Beech Street chasing individuals and the owner in his yard, pacing and yelling. While the...

Some special promotions are planned for the final two days of operation of the Salem Aquatic Center this Saturday and Sunday. Salem Recreation Director Jed Casburn says the normal $7 admission charge will be cut to $5. There will also be discounts on concessions. Those who bring a school supply will receive a free popcorn. The pool hours on both Saturday and Sunday are noon to six. Casburn says the pool is closing for the season after the weekend due to the start of school and college lat...

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Headed to the Grandstand? The Illinois State Fair is offering a few important reminders to know before you go. These updated safety protocols at the Grandstand will help ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for all guests. New this year, walk-through metal detectors and bag checks will be in place at all Grandstand entrances. No bags or purses larger than 14"x8", backpacks, or duffle bags are allowed into the Grandstand. If you leave the Grandstand, you will be...

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, has launched Operation Robocall Roundup. It is an effort by the multistate Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country. As part of their efforts, Raoul and the coalition are sending warning letters to 37 voice providers demanding immediate action to stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks. Raoul says the announcement is the latest step taken in the task ...

The grinding of the rails by maintenance crews on the Union Pacific tracks from Kinmundy to the Jefferson County line apparently led to a number of spot fires inside some of the rail ties. Railroad officials say holes in the aging ties that will soon be replaced apparently gathered some of the grindings inside causing smoldering fires to begin. Fire officials say there was no threat of the fires spreading. Salem Fire Protection District Firemen put out six spot fires through the district. ...

State Senator Terri Bryant and State Representative Dave Severin will team up next Wednesday, August 13, at the Rolland Lewis Building in Mt. Vernon from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for a free Senior Citizens Health Fair. Senator Bryant says she hopes to see a strong crowd of seniors take advantage of the multiple health screenings and educational information that will be available. Door prizes will be awarded to attendees from the various health care and senior service vendors in attendance. Free...

Three people are being held in the Marion County Jail after being arrested on outstanding warrants. 27-year-old Dakota Carter of Washington Street in Centralia was returned to Marion County via prisoner transport on outstanding Marion County traffic and Fayette County traffic and misdemeanor warrants. Bond on the warrants total $10,500. 24-year-old Cameron Deadmond of South Oak in Sandoval was arrested by Sandoval Police on an outstanding no bond Marion County domestic violence warrant and a ...

By DAVID A. LIEB and JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press After leaving Texas for Illinois to prevent a legislative vote on a Republican redistricting plan, state House Democratic leader Gene Wu needed a means to project his voice - and viewpoints - to a national audience. So he tapped his campaign account to buy a microphone for news conferences. When it came to covering the hefty hotel bill for Wu and his roughly 50 colleagues, the lawmaker said he relied on money from his chamber's Democrat...