Local News
WAYNE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT HANDS DOWN SENTENCES, DISMISSES CHARGES, AND ACCEPTS GUILTY PLEAS
The Wayne County Circuit Court was busy Thursday as four individuals received sentences. Brandon Lee Thomas, 27, of Geff, admitted to violating his probation. Thomas had originally been charged in 2024 with home invasion, a Class X felony, along with misdemeanor counts of battery and theft under $500. The felony charge...
17h ago
WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARRESTS CHARLESTON WOMAN ON AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT WARRANT
WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARRESTS CHARLESTON WOMAN ON AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT WARRANT The Wayne County Sheriff's Department arrested 21-year-old Madison Lisman of Charleston on Thursday afternoon on a Wayne County warrant for Aggravated Identity Theft. Lisman was taken into custody and transported to the Wayn...
17h ago
WAYNE COUNTY PROPERTY TAXPAYERS MEET TO DISCUSS ASSESSMENT PROCESS, ANSWER COMMUNITY QUESTIONS
A group of concerned Wayne County residents hosted an informational meeting Wednesday night at the Mt. Erie Ruritan Building to help fellow residents better understand the property assessment process and answer questions about how assessments impact their tax bills. Approximately 75 people attended the meeting, which w...
17h ago
FAIRFIELD LIONS CLUB HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL CAR SHOW ON MAY 16TH
The Fairfield Lions Club is gearing up for its 3rd Annual Car Show, set to take place on May 16th at Leo French Park in Fairfield. Car enthusiasts from across the region are invited to attend the event, with registration from 8:30am to noon, with vehicle judging beginning at 10am and awards at 3pm. The event promises a...
17h ago
REND LAKE BEACHES TO OPEN FOR SUMMER SEASON MAY 15TH
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that two beaches at Rend Lake will open for the summer season beginning May 15th. Officials say both South Sandusky Beach and North Marcum Beach will welcome visitors for the season. Corps officials are reminding families that children playing in or near the water should wear ...
17h ago
FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 179,000 VEHICLES OVER SEAT FRAME DEFECT
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 179,000 vehicles due to a defect involving the front seat frame in certain late-model SUVs and pickup trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue could increase the risk of injury during a crash. The recall affects 2024 through 2026 Ford B...
17h ago
ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT GATHERS IN SPRINGFIELD TO HONOR FALLEN OFFICERS AT ANNUAL MEMORIAL
Law enforcement officers from across Illinois gathered in Springfield on Thursday to honor fallen colleagues during the annual Illinois Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony. The Illinois State Police (ISP) joined local, county, state, and federal agencies to pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice i...
17h ago
PREMIUM GUARD ACQUIRES CHAMPION LABS FACILITY IN ALBION, PLANS TO REBUILD WORKFORCE
A major acquisition is bringing new hope to Albion following the closure of Champion Laboratories earlier this year. Memphis Tennessee based Premium Guard, Inc. announced it has acquired key intellectual properties and facilities connected to bankrupt First Brands Group, including Champion Labs, through a reported $25 ...
23h ago
FAIRFIELD RESIDENTS ADVISED OF UPCOMING CITYWIDE HYDRANT FLUSHING
The City of Fairfield Water Distribution Department has announced that it will be flushing water hydrants throughout the city from May 11th to May 15th. This annual process is an important part of maintaining the city's water lines and ensuring high water quality for all residents. During this period, Water Department ...
23h ago
EDWARDS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO MEET MONDAY
The Edwards County Commissioners will meet Monday, May 11th at the Edwards County Courthouse beginning at 9 a.m. Items on the agenda include approval of minutes from previous meetings, reports from county departments and agencies, discussion of health insurance options, and updates involving several infrastructure and ...
23h ago
Obituaries

Dorothy Marie (Hammond) Johnson, 80 of Keenes
Dorothy Marie (Hammond) Johnson On May 5, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Dorothy gained her wings, she was pronounced at 9:12 p.m., surrounded by her loving family. Born July 26, 1945 to Earl and Ester (McClain) Hammond in Rochelle, Illinois. She married Lavern Fay Johnson Sr. on May 26, 1962 in Keenes, Illinois. They would have be...
7h ago

Gerald Wayne Drake, 91 of Mt. Vernon (formerly of Fairfield)
Gerald Wayne Drake of Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away after a short battle with cancer on May 06, 2026 at his home in Mt. Vernon, IL surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Drake was born in Charleston, IL on February 24, 1935 to John A. and Mayme I. (McGahan) Drake. At an early age Gerald became a Christian and was baptized ...
17h ago

James "Allen" Schnell, 73 of Fairfield
73 year old Fairfield resident, James "Allen" Schnell passed away at his residence on Monday, May 4, 2026. Allen was born on March 25, 1953 in Flora, Illinois to Donald and Shirley (Badger) Schnell. Allen married Dora Moats on May 3, 1980 in Mt. Erie, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2024....
18h ago

Ann Marie (Karcher) Burke, 67, of McLeansboro
Surrounded by family, Ann Marie (Karcher) Burke, 67, of McLeansboro, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. After a short but courageous battle with cancer, Ann faced her illness with remarkable strength, grace and dignity. Ann was born on April 6, 1959, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Verno...
19h ago

Rebecca Lynn Cartmill, 69, of Carmi
Rebecca Lynn Cartmill, 69, of Carmi, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. She was born on Sunday, August 5, 1956, in Carmi, Illinois, the daughter of Delbert and Dorothy (Churchwell) Buckner. Becky married Bruce Cartmill on May 15, 1976. And together they shared ov...
May 08, 2026

Alan Lee Lemons, 64 of Flora
Alan Lee Lemons, 64 of Flora, Illinois, was born on June 28, 1961, to Charles Franklin Lemons and Thelma Ruth Holmes-Lemons. He passed away May 4, 2026 at his home. He is survived by his brother, Leon (Janie) Lemons. As well as his four daughters-Constance (Jesse Riggleman) Lemons, Amanda (Devon) Fuson, Christina (Jose...
May 08, 2026

Pamela K. (McGill) Bain, 74, of Carmi
Pamela K. (McGill) Bain, 74, of Carmi passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at White County Rehab and Nursing. She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on November 30, 1951 the daughter of Orvil and Lillie Lorine (Mandrell) McGill. Pamela is survived by the staff and residents of White County Rehab and Nursing. She was preceded...
May 07, 2026

Dorothea Jean (Vaughan) Andrews Jenkins, 90 of Fairfield
Dorothea Jean (Vaughan) Andrews Jenkins, 90 of Fairfield, born at home on October 9, 1935, in Pond Creek, Illinois, to Brose and Margaret (Bell) Vaughan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at her son's home, surrounded by her loving family. She lived a life defined by service, compassion, and a deep commit...
May 06, 2026

Patti Renee Ratcliffe, 66, of Albion
Patti Renee Ratcliffe, 66, of Albion, Illinois passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana. Patti was born on November 16, 1959 in Carmi, Illinois to George and Peggy Aborn. She married William Ratcliffe on January 23, 1982 and they enjoyed over 43 years of marriage. Patti was...
May 06, 2026

Anita Diana "Diane" Wood, 86, of Wayne City
Anita Diana "Diane" Wood, 86, of Wayne City, Illinois, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026 at Coulterville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Coulterville, IL with her loving daughter by her side. She was born on November 2, 1939 in Wayne City, Illinois to the late William A. "Bill" Newman, ...
May 06, 2026

Alta Kay Krajec, 76, of West Salem
Alta Kay Krajec, 76, of West Salem, IL, passed away Friday, May 1st at her home. She was born September 10, 1949, the daughter of LD and Patricia Rothrock. Alta graduated from Richland County High School in 1967. She received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Botany from Southern Illinois Universi...
May 05, 2026
Sports
SPORTS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 8TH
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY: (Makeup games from Tuesday) T-BALL: Joe's Body Shop vs. Vaughan's Tire Doug Aman-State Farm vs. CSI Insurance 11 U: DiMaggio's vs. Hayes Plumbing Lions Club vs. Fairfield Banking Company LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL RESULTS FROM THURSDAY: BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEMOND'S MOTORSPORTS: 11 ...
May 08, 2026
SPORTS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 7TH
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY: (Weather Permitting) T-BALL: Joe's Body Shop vs. LeMond's Chrysler Peoples National Bank vs. Carter Turf & Tractor 11 U: Mt. Vernon Dream Homes vs. Top Dog Diesel Repair DiMaggio's vs. La Fuente LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL RESULTS FROM WEDNESDAY: BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEMOND'S M...
May 07, 2026
SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY: (Weather Permitting) PITCHING MACHINE: Taco Tierra vs. LeMond's Chevrolet Erin Braddock Photography vs. Ambient Heating & Cooling 14 U: Fairfield Masonic Lodge vs. NAPA Rush Appliance vs. Potts Family Pharmacy LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL RESULTS FROM TUESDAY: BROUGHT TO YOU...
May 06, 2026
SPORTS FOR TUESDAY, MAY 5TH
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY: T-BALL: Joe's Body Shop vs. Vaughan's Tire Doug Aman-State Farm vs. CSI Insurance 11 U: DiMaggio's vs. Hayes Plumbing Lions Club vs. Fairfield Banking Company LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL RESULTS FROM MONDAY: BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEMOND'S MOTORSPORTS: PITCHING MACHINE: Erin Braddock ...
May 05, 2026
SPORTS FOR MONDAY, MAY 4TH
IT'S TIME NOW FOR A LOOK AT LOCAL AND YOUTH SPORTS. IN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL ACTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEMOND'S MOTORSPORTS, ON THE SCHEDULE TONIGHT IN PITCHING MACHINE: Erin Braddock Photography vs. LeMond's Chevrolet Friend Oil vs. Ambient Heating & Cooling 14 U: NAPA vs. Rush Appliance Edward Jones-Andrew Diesel...
May 04, 2026
LOCAL AND NATIONAL SPORTS FOR SATURDAY, MAY 2ND
ON THE SCHEDULE TODAY AT FCHS: Lady Mules Softball at Hamilton County 11:00 am OTHER AREA SPORTS FOR TODAY: COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Frontier Bobcats at Shawnee Community College (Doubleheader) LOCAL SPORTS RESULTS FROM FRIDAY: HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASEBALL: Fairfield 14, Hamilton County 4 Fairfield was led by Tallen Hixenbaug...
May 02, 2026
LOCAL AND AREA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 1ST
ON THE SCHEDULE TODAY AT FCHS: Mules Baseball at Hamilton County 4:30pm OTHER AREA SPORTS FOR TODAY: HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASEBALL: Cisne at Webber Wayne City at Waltonville HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOFTBALL: Cisne at Webber Wayne City at Waltonville JR HIGH TRACK: CISNE BOYS RELAYS: Cisne, Jasper, New Hope, and Wayne City CO...
May 01, 2026
LOCAL AND AREA SPORTS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH
ON THE SCHEDULE TODAY AT FCHS: Mules Baseball at Carmi 4:30pm Lady Mules Softball at Carmi 4:30pm Lady Mules Track at the Lady Mule Invitational at the FCHS Train Yard Track (SENIOR DAY) 4:00pm OTHER AREA SPORTS FOR TODAY: HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASEBALL: Cisne vs. Wayne City HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOFTBALL: Cisne vs. Wa...
Apr 30, 2026
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