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February 21, 2026

FEATURED

Marion County SWCD salutes local residents

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 20, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held its 81st annual meeting on Thursday evening at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in Salem, handing out several honors to area residents for their dedication to conservation practices in agriculture. The Conservation Farm Family Of The Year honor…

JC Crime Stoppers says goodbye to Coordinator Randa Rowland

By Travis Morse | February 19, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — It was a bittersweet morning for the Jefferson County Crime Stoppers Board Thursday as they bid farewell to local Crime Stoppers Secretary/Coordinator Randa Rowland. Rowland also serves as lead administrative assistant at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. She is stepping down from both positions at the end…

Holloway claims milestone win

By Paul Hines | February 19, 2026

  By PAUL HINES phines@morningsentinel.com MT. VERNON — Wednesday’s win marked a memorable milestone for Rams coach Tim Holloway. Mt. Vernon’s 48-42 victory against Althoff gave him his 500th career coaching victory combined between his baseball and basketball tenures at the school. The Rams secured the win with a strong stretch to finish the game…

New rec center project stirs debate in Mt. Vernon

By Travis Morse | February 18, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — The highly anticipated project to build a new indoor recreation center in Mount Vernon sparked an in-depth debate and discussion at Tuesday night’s Mount Vernon City Council meeting. Several audience members addressed the council that evening, urging them to not be short-sighted in planning the design for…

Pirate Pete’s will move to Mt. Vernon

By Travis Morse | February 17, 2026

By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   MOUNT VERNON — Pirate Pete’s Family Entertainment Center in Marion will be relocating to Mount Vernon later this year, according to co-owner Roger Loyd. Pirate Pete’s has been a Marion staple since 2009, but the business was unable to renew its lease at the former Illinois Star Centre Mall. The…

New aerial truck begins service for Salem Fire Protection District

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 13, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — The Salem Fire Protection District (SFPD) put a new aerial truck into service this week … at least, it’s new to them. Aerial Platform 9538 was purchased, used, from a district in Missouri. “After an extensive nationwide search for an exceptional used aerial to replace the current 40-year-old aerial…

Lady Rams, Annies face in regional

By Paul Hines | February 13, 2026

  By PAUL HINES phines@morningsentinel.com A trio of regular season games between Mt. Vernon and Centralia served as preamble for the girls basketball postseason. The final matchup between the two teams occurs Monday night at Centralia in the 3A regional semifinal. The game starts at about 7:30 p.m. It’s the second semifinal of the evening…

RLC celebrates opening of Banterra Sports Complex

By Travis Morse | February 12, 2026

  By TRAVIS MORSE tmorse@morningsentinel.com   INA — It was a milestone day for the Rend Lake College athletic program Wednesday as the college celebrated the opening of the new Banterra Sports Complex at the Ina campus. RLC officials, students, athletes, donors and supporters came together for the momentous occasion, which was held inside the…

Marlow’s milestone career hits 3K

By Paul Hines | February 12, 2026

  By PAUL HINES phines@morningsentinel.com BLUFORD — The Trojans’ top goal was winning Wednesday’s game against Edwards County. The secondary goal took center stage late in the contest. On senior night, Nathaniel Marlow drained a 3-pointer with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter. The points pushed him past 3,000 for his career. “I’ve been working…

Brinkerhoff collection on display at Salem museum

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 11, 2026

By DENNIS ROSENBERGER stceditor@salemtc.net SALEM — A new exhibit opened on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Salem Area Historical Museum, featuring hundreds of old photos from the collection of longtime Salem historian Frank Brinkerhoff. Salem Historical Commission member Myron Lloyd explained that Brinkerhoff donated many photos from his collection to the museum. The photos include…

AREA NEWS

MV Airport chosen as ‘Terminus’ host site for Air Race Classic

By Travis Morse | February 20, 2026

Andrew Hoffman is Jefferson County spelling king

By David | February 20, 2026

Carlyle Grade School works toward all-inclusive playground

By Corey Johnson | February 20, 2026

Marion County SWCD salutes local residents

By Dennis Rosenberger | February 20, 2026

Remembering a true icon

By Travis Morse | February 20, 2026

$1.5M lottery ticket purchased in MV

By Travis Morse | February 20, 2026

AREA SPORTS

Marion clips Mt. Vernon

By Paul Hines | February 21, 2026

Rams hold off Althoff

By Paul Hines | February 19, 2026

Holloway claims milestone win

By Paul Hines | February 19, 2026

Spartans smash Cisne

By Paul Hines | February 18, 2026

Trojans roll past Wayne City

By Paul Hines | February 17, 2026

Rams hold off Marshalls in foul fest

By Paul Hines | February 16, 2026

E-EDITIONS

LIFESTYLES

Tri-Chi Food Drive

By Michelle Pennington | November 3, 2025

‘Getting to Know You: The Historic Centralia House Comes Alive — Once Again’

By Michelle Pennington | November 2, 2025

CHS Class of 1968 gathers for 75th birthday party

By Michelle Pennington | October 3, 2025

COMMENTARY

Vision to reality

By Bob | October 3, 2025

Trivia night and more principles

By Bob | September 27, 2025
Jeff Bullard

A generational moment

By Travis Morse | September 27, 2025