1979, The Cold Case Murder of Regina Costellia

Years ago, if you drove out of town on South Market road, you would have crossed a steel framework bridge where Crab Orchard Creek crosses the road just on the south outskirts of town. Early on Sunday morning , June 3rd, 1979, two Chicago area fishermen were looking for a place to fish so they stopped to peruse the creek as a possible fishing hole.

The men discovered the body of 19 year old Regina (Oliver) Costellia of Herrin. Her belongings were found to have been dumped just north of the bridge and the body had attempted to be dumped in the creek but appeared to have gotten lodged in the steel framework of the bridge which left the body dangling by one arm. Continue reading

McCormick, Raymond L. 1921-2014, WWII Vet, City Commissioner

Raymond L. McCormick, former Marion City Commissioner, WWII veteran and civic leader, was born on Tuesday, August 2, 1921, in Marion, the son of Ray and Ora (Cothran) McCormick, being one of five children. A Marion directory places the family in a home at 1204 E. Parham Street in 1928. Continue reading

1965, Work Underway on Sewer Lagoons

Work Underway on Sewer Lagoons

Work is under way at the Marion sewage treatment plant in southwest Marion. The plant is divided into three lagoons, one 17.21 acres, a second of 3.44 acres and a third of .66 acre.

Also included is a 1,968 square foot chlorination pond, a 300 foot 8 inch force main, a lift station and two manholes. Continue reading

Miller, John K. 1918-1993

John K. Miller, active Marion Lion, Shriner, Fair Board and Marion Park District member, was born on March 3, 1918, in Marion on S. Court Street to Ray Miller and Ruth Kilbreth. Miller received his education in Marion schools and also attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Continue reading