Carmi City Council Agrees to Pay Lashley and Baer Over $21,000

For months, Carmi City Council members have faced criticism from residents for not answering questions, in their view. FOIA requests had increased significantly, so the council felt it necessary to hire a law firm, Lashley and Baer, to process them. As a result, the council now owes a check for $21,531.50. Last month, the council tabled the bill due to the number of redactions and questions raised during the meeting. Now it was time for the council to decide.

FOUR DEFENDANTS SENTENCED IN WAYNE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

Four defendants appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court Thursday. 46-year-old Sean M. Dawkins of Clay City pleaded guilty to an amended Class 3 felony charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Dawkins was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to serve 180 days in jail, with the jail sentence stayed. He was given credit for three days previously served. As part of his sentence, Dawkins was ordered to pay fines and court costs and pay $2,112.57 in restitution to Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC. He must also complete any treatment or programs required by the probation department, submit to drug testing, and comply with standard probation conditions. Under the plea agreement, another count in the case was dismissed, and a petition to revoke probation filed in a separate 2023 felony case was withdrawn. Dawkins is scheduled to return to court October 3, 2028, at 1 p.m. for a review hearing.

Southern Illinois Has 8 Small-Town Diners Worth The Long Drive For Breakfast Alone

Some of the best mornings start with a plain little building you almost drive right past. You walk in hungry, grab a booth, and suddenly the bacon, biscuits, and coffee turn an ordinary trip into a story you keep telling. Southern Illinois is full of these quiet breakfast spots, tucked...

Williamson County social worker pleads not guilty

Three Southern Illinois counties vote on proposal to form new state separate from Cook County

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) – Voters in three Southern Illinois counties are weighing in Tuesday on whether their county leaders should explore forming a new state separate from Cook County. Saline, Hamilton and Gallatin counties have advisory questions on their Nov. 3 general election ballots asking whether county officials should...

Salem Army Veteran receives $5,000 at Thrive Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) — Leonard Newcomb and his wife have four children and three bedrooms. They’re looking to sell their current home and buy one with more room. Now, a $5,000 check could help with the down payment. Newcomb, a U.S. Army veteran, is the Illinois winner...

Temporary closures planned for Evansville’s west side

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – According to officials with TheLloyd4U, temporary closures are planned for Evansville’s west side. According to officials, beginning November 6, construction crews will conduct paving operations at several intersections on the city’s west side along the Lloyd Expressway, including Red Bank Road, Boehne Camp Road, Rosenberger Avenue and McDowell Road. Officials say […]

Anthony Decker elected next Marion County Sheriff

Marion County voters have selected Anthony Decker as their next sheriff. Unofficial vote tallies show Decker finishing election night with 8,061 votes. Cody Rose is anticipated to have gathered most of the 3,839 write-in votes cast. Decker thanked his supporters. “I’m just grateful and humbled by the amount of support...

Democrat Mary Allen falls short of congressional seat

Brandon Bartlett and Hannah Haerle provide the latest news in Henderson, Owensboro and Evansville. Meteorologist Wayne Hart gives another look at the overnight weather forecast.

Election Day live: Southern Illinois voters decide on local, statewide elections

A voter in Eldorado, Illinois, Kaylynn Owens, casted a democratic vote this midterm. “If we don’t, then who is choosing for us?” Owens said. Owens, working in a school district in Saline County, said she voted ‘no’ for the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law. PTELL is an Illinois law that limits the amount of how much local property taxes can go up.

Indiana State District 49 race remains uncalled

The district covers Posey County and some of Vanderburgh County.

Southern Illinois schools earn Exemplary ratings on 2026 Illinois Report Card

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) — Several Southern Illinois schools have earned the state’s highest overall designation on the 2026 Illinois Report Card. Carterville High School, Tri-C Elementary School, Giant City School and Vienna High School were among the schools receiving an Exemplary designation. The report cards, released Oct. 30,...

The World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Return to Very Merry Marion

The World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Return to Very Merry Marion. Get ready, Marion! Golden Eagle Distributing, in conjunction with the City of Marion, is thrilled to announce the return of the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales to Marion this November!. Known for their impressive size, graceful presence, and timeless holiday tradition, these...

Marion County General Election Results

Don Tracy (R)- 72%. JB Pritzker & Christian Mitchell (D)- 21% STATEWIDE WINNER. Representative in the General Assembly 116th District. Representative in the General Assembly 110th District. Blaine Wilhour (R)- 100% WINNER. COUNTY. County Clerk. Zach Rose (R)- 100% WINNER. County Treasurer. Gary L. Purcell (R)- 100% WINNER. County Sheriff.

Harrisburg High School asks parents for help following repeated restroom vandalism

HARRISBURG, Ill., (KBSI) — Harrisburg High School officials are asking parents and families for help following repeated incidents of vandalism in student restrooms throughout the school year. In a message shared with families, school officials said intentional damage has forced some restrooms to temporarily close, causing disruptions for students...

Paul Jacobs retains 59th District state senate seat

Paul Jacobs was reelected to his state senate seat Tuesday night after campaigning on business deregulation and his experience as a local business owner, optometrist and former 118th District Illinois House representative. Democratic nominee and Jackson County board member Tamiko Mueller lost after running on liberal issues and stimulating local tourism.

Several mayoral races just decided in Hopkins Co.

KENTUCKY (WFIE) - Voters in places like Madisonville, Morganfield and Muhlenberg County voted in local races for mayor and county judge executive. Incumbent Mayor Kevin Cotton was reelected. He was running against Jacob Adams in Madisonville. Cotton served as a first responder and business owner before he won his mayoral...

Commissioners discuss Posey County Data Center ordinances

POSEY COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) – Another packed house, for another data center meeting, this time Posey County Commissioners met to continue the discussion surrounding potential future data center construction in the county. “The ordinances are for any data center that would come into to play,” explains Posey County Commissioner Greg Newman. Commissioners met to discuss […]

VILLAGE COURTYARD OF WEST SALEM TO HOST GRAND OPENING AND SOUP AND SALAD BINGO NIGHT FRIDAY

The Village Courtyard of West Salem will celebrate its grand opening on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a Soup and Salad Bingo Night. The grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m., giving visitors an opportunity to meet local businesses and vendors from the market.

More Illinois counties vote to explore new state, separating from Cook County

A group of Illinois counties has joined a growing list of areas that are open to exploring the idea of separating from Cook County and forming a new state. According to unofficial election results, all 11 counties that voted on the “separation referendums” voted in favor of the idea, instructing their respective county boards to potentially collaborate with other counties in exploring the idea of severing ties with Cook County and forming a new state.