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February 7, 2026

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Centralia Chamber holds Annual Banquet

By Jo Allen | February 6, 2026

CELEBRATE PROGRESS — The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce hosted its Celebrate Progress – Annual Banquet Thursday evening at Kaskaskia College’s Lifelong Learning Center. The event featured a keynote speech from Marion County Associate Judge Ericka Sanders, as well as several recognitions for community partnerships and milestone anniversaries. Shannon and Mindy Cooney of Crooked Creek…

Early voting begins for Primary Election

By Travis Morse | February 5, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — This year’s March 17 Primary Election is right around the corner and early voting officially kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 5, in Jefferson County. The early voting period runs from Feb. 5 through March 16 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 S. 10th St. in Mount Vernon.…

Rams place 3rd at bowling state

By Paul Hines | February 3, 2026

  By PAUL HINES phines@morningsentinel.com Six pins became a common number over the course of the boys bowling state finals. It was the margin Mt. Vernon used to advance onto the second day of action. It was also the same number the Rams used to secure a trophy, beating out Waterloo in a reverse of…

Tenth annual Eagle Watch takes flight

By Corey Johnson | February 2, 2026

By COREY B. JOHNSON cjohnson@unionbanner.net CARLYLE — It’s a bird. It’s a plane, no, it’s Superman. Well, actually, it was a bird. From the original superhero and American icon to the first American icon, the bald eagle. Three eagles didn’t take flight but did uplift the hearts of all in the Case Maddux Room in…

Orphans shoot down Rams

By Paul Hines | January 31, 2026

  By PAUL HINES phines@morningsentinel.com MT. VERNON — Michael Organ repeatedly slipped loose in the corner and drained a cluster of 3-pointers during a decisive third quarter Friday night. The Centralia sharpshooter drilled five long range shots in the game and helped the Orphans to a 51-40 victory against the Rams. After the game ended,…

Governor Candidate Forum held Thursday in Mt. Vernon

By Travis Morse | January 30, 2026

  By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — An enthusiastic crowd of Republican faithful flocked to Thursday evening’s Governor Candidate Forum in Mount Vernon, which featured three of the four Republican gubernatorial candidates in a lively, 90-minute discussion. If there was a common theme to emerge from candidates that night, it was the urgent…

Jefferson County Chamber announces teacher grants

By Travis Morse | January 30, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com MOUNT VERNON — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce (JCCC) Teacher Grant Program made its triumphant return on Jan. 23, with the awarding of roughly $6,000 in grants to local educators. The Chamber’s Education Council gave out a total of 14 grants to teachers at nine different schools throughout the county.…

Rotary Club donates to JC Historical Society roof project

By Travis Morse | January 29, 2026

  By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — The Rotary Club of Mt. Vernon recently donated $500 to help replace the roof on the one-room schoolhouse at the Jefferson County Historical Village. The Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) hopes to raise a total of $11,000 to replace the historic building’s roof, which is in…

MVTHS Hi-Tri seeking Sweetheart Dance sponsorships

By David | January 27, 2026

By DAVID BELCHER For the Sentinel MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Township High School Hi-Tri League is celebrating its 100th anniversary this school year. To celebrate this milestone, Hi-Tri Sweetheart Week at MVTHS will be held March 2 to 7, culminating with one of the school’s most venerable traditions, the Hi-Tri Sweetheart Dance, on…

Red Cross, Ameren urge safety in winter weather

By Travis Morse | January 26, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis and Ameren Illinois are offering the public some winter safety tips after this past weekend’s severe winter storm that blanketed the region with roughly 9 to 13 inches of snow. During the storm, Red Cross disaster teams were coordinating…

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