FedEx Freight has announced it will close the Mt. Vernon service center along with six others around the country this year as the division continues to make alignments to its freight network. Fed Ex officials told FreightWaves the seven facilities represent approximately one percent of FedEx Freight's overall door count. Some team members will be offered opportunities at nearby FedEx facilities. No specific dates have been set for the closure and it was not immediately clear how many workers...

Salem Police arrested 24-year-old Jolee Graham of Salem early Saturday morning for aggravated battery to a police officer. Salem Police say an officer was kicked in the leg when they stopped to check on Graham while she was sitting on the corner of Locust and Hamilton just after midnight. Centralia Police arrested 18-year-old Zestacia Anderson of East McCord Street in Centralia for two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, possession of cannabis and alcohol by a minor, and resist...

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas judge on Friday ordered University of Illinois basketball standout Terrence Shannon Jr. to stand trial on a rape charge following testimony from a woman who said she was "terrified" as she was being assaulted. Shannon, 23, of Champaign, Illinois, is accused of committing sexual assault on Sept. 9, in Lawrence, Kansas. The Lawrence Journal-World reported that Shannon was in Lawrence that day to watch a football game between the Illini and the Universit...

A rural Sandoval home has been destroyed in a Friday morning fire. The fire was at a home owned by Kevin Uchitjil at 5911 Seven Hills Road. Both Odin and Sandoval Firemen initially responded to the scene, with Patoka called for mutual aid to bring additional water due to concerns someone may have been at the residence. Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith says the home, which was in the Sandoval Fire Protection District, had already mostly fallen into the basement with just the contents burning at the ...

The US Postal Carriers union is continuing its yearly tradition on Saturday with the 'Stamp Out Hunger' campaign. Carrier Izzy Fontenez is coordinating the Salem effort. He's asking everyone to set out items at their mailbox for pickup when the carriers deliver the mail on Saturday. Fontenez says the drive comes at a time many families will need help with food as their children will be out of school for the summer. "I like to tell everyone to keep in mind the kids. I like to get kid-f...

A 38-year-old Salem resident was arrested at the Marion County Courthouse on Thursday on a petition to revoke probation. Shannon Hicks of South Pruyn Street was taken to the Marion County Jail. Centralia Police arrested 28-year-old Jayden Middleton of West Kell Street in Centralia for violation of an order of protection. Salem Firemen responded to two calls Thursday night. The first call was to a backyard fire at a home at the Starlight Mobile Home Park in the 300 block of East Olive Street...

Two state departments say they are open to further regulating industry By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers - an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs - multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical "middlemen," PBMs act as third-party intermediaries who negotiate t...

A Centralia woman has been named the Illinois Federation of Business Woman's Club Outstanding Working Woman of Illinois. Mary Jones received the award at the 102 convention held in Effingham. She was honored for her outstanding career as a licensed funeral director/embalmer and a certified crematory operator at the Macz Funeral Home as well as her volunteer work in the community. "The hours that I put in for the Business and Professional Women's Club doing their events and coordinating c...