LATEST NEWS

A 34-year-old Salem man faces three charges in Marion County Court following a domestic dispute and fire in Centralia. Brant Renfro of West Lovell has been charged with aggravated domestic battery for allegedly impeding the breathing of a woman on May 24th and domestic battery for allegedly punching the same person in the head with his hand the following day. Renfro has also been charged with criminal damage to property for allegedly setting a mattress on fire without consent.

Salem Police arrested a 42-year-old Flora man for possession of methamphetamine. Police had received a report of reckless driving on South Broadway and found a vehicle matching the description parked at Casey’s General Store. Because the driver, Stephen Goff, was on parole police were able to search his car and allegedly found the meth. After going to the Marion County Jail, he was given a notice to appear in court.

Salem Police arrested 49-year-old Kimberly Murphy of West Church Street in Salem on a battery charge. She was taken to the Marion County Jail where she was later released on a notice to appear in court. Three others were brought to the Marion County Jail on outstanding warrants. 54-year-old Robin...

Ten people were brought to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday and early Wednesday. Salem Police arrested 22-year-old Arnol Morales-Caceres of Nashville, Tennessee for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. He was allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle at the Huck’s Store in Salem. Police learned the car was stolen after it was involved in a minor crash in the parking lot.

An 18-year-old Ashley man made his first Marion County Court appearance on Friday on two Class X charges of aggravated battery with the discharge of a firearm and two Class 1 felony counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. The charges against Samuel Shavonte of East Clay stem from an...

It is opening weekend for the Salem Aquatic Center. The pool opens for the first time of the season at eleven Saturday morning. Open swim hours will be from 11 to 6 Monday through Friday and noon to six on Sunday. Early morning swim will once again be offered as well from 5:45 am to 7:30 am.

A 26-year-old Shattuc man was given a notice to appear in court for misdemeanor criminal trespass to property after Centralia City Firemen had to remove him from the roof of the Buchheit’s store on West McCord Street late Thursday night. Billy Muench had originally called the fire department to...

In Little League Minors, El Rancherito beat Gold Link 12-2. In the win, Lucas Howe had 3 hits including a home run and drove in 5. Dagan Duncan had 2 hits with a double and 2 RBI. Also driving in El Rancherito runs were Lewis Eddy, Maddux Lograsso, Liam Ryan, and Remington Carroll. In the loss, Kobe Sheehan had a hit and 2 RBI. Eli Bookhout had a hit and run and Zach Jones singled.

Kinmundy-Alma Firemen thought they had a big fire late Friday afternoon when they could see black smoke when leaving the fire station. But the fire turned out to be a home being torn down that caught fire when the wind blew a smaller fire burning some of the remains of the home into the structure.

A 15-year-old rural Centralia juvenile girl was airlifted from the scene of an ATV crash on a dirt section of the Mt. Moriah Road between Levy and Nation Road east of Centralia early Thursday night. Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies say the girl was a passenger on the ATV that lost...

The Salem doubles tandem of Logan Bandy and Andrew Tate will open up the state doubles tennis tournament today. They will play their opening round at Vernon Hills against a pair from that school Daniel Shchabalev and Aurush Vora.

About a dozen residents attended the Tuesday night city-wide listening session on ideas the city should consider when working on the upcoming 2024 Strategic Plan. Issues cited by those in attendance include the poor condition of sidewalks, lack of sidewalks on some major roads and where there is no shoulder to get out of the way of an oncoming vehicle, the need for regulation soccer fields, improvement to the ball fields in Tully Park and the addition of playground equipment in the park. While the group liked Bryan Memorial Park and the nature trail there was a concern about safety, especially in the area of the outdoor basketball court where they felt police patrols were lacking. There was also concern about adequate housing or apartments for companies bringing in new employees. Concern was voiced over zoning that has resulted in some buildings sitting vacant. The lack of regulation-size soccer fields was also a concern.

Salem Police say one tobacco retailer sold to a minor during the latest compliance check. The Circle K Shell on West Main was the only one of 14 tobacco retailers checked that sold to a minor. Clerk Candice Sauter of Salem was issued a notice to appear in court for the violation of the city ordinance Sale of Tobacco to a Minor.

Bruce Jones, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away suddenly on May 23, 2023. He was seventy-one. Bruce is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Carol; his two sons, Erik, of Edwardsville, Illinois, and Kyle, of Charlotte, North Carolina; his four beloved grandboys, Paxton, Ryker, Connor, and Wyatt; and his two daughters-in-law, Shannon and Karissa, who he adored. He was part of a large family that he cherished, including his siblings, Bill and Charlotte, their spouses, and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Jones; his mother, Dorothy (Marple) Jones; and his sister, Vickie (Jones) MacDonald.

Unemployment dropped slightly in Marion County in April. Figures released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security show the unemployment rate at 4.2 percent for April, down two-tenths of a percent from March and four-tenths of a percent from April a year ago. Those numbers translate into 695 on the unemployment roles in April, a drop of 25 from March. The labor force in Marion County also grew by 38 people to 16,499.

A fire destroyed a storage shed at the Kerry Hess home in the 500 block of South Lincoln Street in Salem early Tuesday morning. The Salem Fire Protection District reports the shed was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. While initial reports indicated the shed was near the Hess home, the house was never threatened.

The Greater Salem Area Foundation’s tornado relief fund for those impacted by the March 31st tornado on the south side of Salem has grown to $24,000. The foundation was presented with $8,000 to help the victims Wednesday night from the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Jessiycka Coleman says the community pulled together to provide the help.

Salem 9U Wildcats Baseball Team Places 2nd in Salem Tournament The Salem Wildcats 9U showed well during the annual travel tournament held at the Salem Little League Complex over the weekend. Salem finished 2nd place in the 8 team tourney, after logging 2 come from behind victories on Sunday to...

Lifestar Ambulance Service, Inc., founded in 1973 in Centralia, has just passed its 50 year anniversary. Effective May 22, 2023, Lifestar’s current president, Roger Campbell, has announced the following changes. Ross Smith, a twenty-five year associate of Lifestar, has been named chief operations officer over their operations in Marion County. Ross is a long time trusted team member and will do a tremendous job as COO.

The Director of the Salem Emergency Management Agency for the past 43 years signed off for the final time Tuesday afternoon. Terry Mulvaney was honored at a reception in his owner at the Emergency Management Office Tuesday afternoon. Mayor Nic Farley presented Mulvaney with a plaque of appreciation. “Your remarkable...