There were 155 students from eight area schools that participated in the Ag in the Classroom Marion County Farm Safety Day. Ag in the Classroom Teacher Meggan Hiestand says students from South Central, Kell, Trinity Lutheran, Centralia Junior High, Iuka, Central City, Raccoon, and Patoka Schools broke into groups for the various activities "This year we have grain safety, water safety, fire safety, chemical safety...fit to be a farmer which is a relay race to teach kids that farmers wear...

Unemployment was down across South Central Illinois in March. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports a seven-tenths of a percent drop in unemployment since February to 4.9-percent. It's still three-tenths of a percent higher than last March. The figures translate into 816 on the unemployment roles, down 38 from February. The county's labor force increased 119 to 16,703. Unemployment fell seven-tenths of a percent in Washington County to 2.6-percent. Clinton County's unemp...

Central City Police arrested a 43-year-old homeless man on multiple counts following a Thursday night traffic stop. Joseph White was arrested for resisting/obstructing arrest, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. 31-year-old Zachery Moore of North Lincoln in Centralia was arrested by Centralia Police on a no bond felony warrant. He was also taken to the Marion County Jail.

The Centralia High School Board of Education heard updates on the ongoing solar project and approved a thirty-year power plan agreement with Keystone Power Holdings at the regular board meeting on Thursday. The plan locks in a rate of 4.75 cents per kilowatt hour for the full duration of the agreement. Since the last board meeting, an interconnection agreement with Ameren has been signed and countersigned, ensuring the project can move forward. With these agreements in place, construction is ...

A desire to learn about homesteading has led a Salem resident to create the Backyard Homesteading Expo that will be held this Saturday both outside and inside ATVs and More at 1307 West Main in Salem. The event will run from 9 am to 4:30 pm. All classes and activities are free. Michelle Barbee says there will be over 30 vendors and presentation on multiple topics. "I was interested in learning more about gardening and keeping animals and caring for a pond I have on my property. I wa...

On Thursday evening, Kaskaskia College celebrated the dozens of students who have completed certificates through the Workforce Equity Initiative this year. WEI is grant-funded through the Illinois Community College Board and assists students from minority populations with completing certificate programs. The initiative helps with costs such as tuition and course fees, but WEI grant lead Cheryl Boehne notes that students can get assistance with other hurdles that might otherwise stand in the w...

Fire destroyed a two car detached garage at a home at 1422 South Locust Street in Centralia late Wednesday night. Centralia Fire Officials say the home was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. The fire was so hot it was melting siding on the rear of the home occupied by William Melton as well as a detached garage across the alley. All off-duty Centralia City Firemen as well as the Centralia Fire Protection District were called for additional manpower. Sandoval stood by at the Centra...

A 36-year-old Wamac man faces five felony charges in connection with injuries to three young children he was babysitting last Friday. Justin Clegg of South James is charged with two counts of aggravated domestic battery for allegedly choking two of the children and aggravated battery for slapping the third child in the face causing a busted lip. In addition, he's charged with two other counts of domestic battery that are felonies due to a past conviction in another Marion County case. Wamac ...