Bonnie, IL

A 53-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police Wednesday on a federal arrest warrant for maintaining a drug-involved premise. John Fodero is the occupant of a home at 611 East 7th where police say a drug bust took place in February. Police Chief Greg Dodson said at the time the search warrant was executed as part of an ongoing drug investigation after the residence was identified as a hub of drug activity and congregating point for drug users who used the residence as a flophouse to consume drugs. Police have responded to the address for over 12 opioid overdose calls and 94 calls for police service since January 2020.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) — A six-month-long undercover narcotics investigation has led to the indictment of 19 people in Franklin County. The indictments were handed down Friday by a Grand Jury. On the following Monday, 15 individuals were arrested. Jared Ray, a 32-year-old male of West Frankfort, IL – Unlawful...

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) — Fireworks won’t light up the night sky this year at Rend Lake. The Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the annual event, says the fireworks have become a financial and physical burden that the organization can no longer maintain. The chamber says they’ve reached out to the community for financial assistance or volunteers, but have received little response.

A bear in your backyard is not something you typically see every day. Over the past couple of days, there have been sightings and reports of a black bear across Southern Illinois. There's no word yet if it is the same bear, or multiple bears roaming the area, but what we do know is that the sightings are a little closer to home now.

A 21-year-old Salem woman is being held in the Marion County Jail after being arrested by Salem Police on an outstanding failure to appear warrant on a pending domestic battery case. Bond for Chelsey Haizlip of Woodland Drive is set at $2,500. She was arrested after Salem Police were called to investigate a suspicious person sitting along Schwartz Street.

ELLIS GROVE — Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Randolph County preserves the site of the French fort built in 1759 and an American fort built in 1803 that played an important role in the expedition of George Rogers Clark and Meriwether Lewis to the west. The Southern Illinois University...

A new group is starting a new free family-oriented program in Centralia this Wednesday night. Parenting with a Purpose plans to hold Picnic in the Park the next four Wednesdays at Pavilion #10 in Fairview Park. The effort is led by churches in the Centralia area. The picnics are scheduled...

Two persons have been formally charged in Marion County Court with felony drug possession charges. Bond was set at $7,500 for 34-year-old Rose Bounds of South Washington in Salem who was charged with possession of under five grams of methamphetamine. Bond was set at $5,000 for 21-year-old Joseph Mengarelli of...

Bond has been set at $100,000 for a 37-year-old Salem man charged with the late Saturday night armed robbery of Biggie’s Convenience Store at Route 161 and I-57. Jarid Walker of Indiana Street was also charged in Marion County Court on Wednesday with felony aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police following a high-speed chase with Centralia Police that ended in a crash early Monday morning. Police were attempting to stop Walker’s car that matched the description of the one involved in the Biggie’s robbery when the chase began on 5th Street. The chase ended when Walker missed the t-intersection at U.S. 51 and Illinois Route 15 in Ashley. He was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia before being taken into custody and moved to the Marion County Jail.

A 29-year-old Salem man has been sentenced to four years in prison after entering guilty pleas in both Marion and Jefferson County Courts. Jakob Jones of West Warmoth was sentenced to three years in prison in Marion County Court on Tuesday after his probation was revoked on a car burglary conviction for not completing the required public service work.

One person was injured in a two vehicle crash at Lincoln and Noleman Street in Centralia Tuesday afternoon. Initial reports indicate a van driven by 74-year-old Cherry Neff of North Marion in Central City apparently ran the red light and collided with an SUV driven by 61-year-old George Ruble of Cisne.

DuQuoin, IL – The DuQuoin State Fair Box Office is now open for in-person grandstand ticket purchases from 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Tickets are also available to purchase online using www.ticketmaster.com. Fairgoers who purchase grandstand tickets will receive a full refund if COVID-19 prevents the Illinois State Fair from being held.

The Centralia Veterans 4th of July Parade will start later than usual this year because the 4th falls on a Sunday. The parade is now set to step off at two pm, instead of the normal ten am start, this year only. Butch Mathis who coordinates the yearly parade says...

A 26-year-old Centralia man was injured when struck by a hit and run driver in the 1000 block of South Elm Street in Centralia early Monday morning. Centralia City Firemen say Destrian Doza sustained head and chest injuries, but was conscious and walking at the time emergency help arrived. He was taken by ambulance to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment.

An 18-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for armed robbery in connection with a May 18th incident where he allegedly struck a 25-year-old Centralia woman in the head with a pistol and stole her bicycle. Lykevious Barnett of South Maple was also taken into custody for alleged aggravated battery with...