The Fairfield Lions Club plans to collect Christmas lights that no longer work this Saturday. The collection will take place from 9 to noon at the west side of the First United Methodist Church, and the club will also accept donations of eyeglasses, hearing aids, empty ink cartridges, cell phones, soda tabs, and keys. The items will be recycled, and the proceeds will be used to help fund Lions Club program throughout the state.
Illinois State Police have released details on a fatal traffic crash on Highway 141 in White County Saturday. Police say 47-year-old Shawneetown resident Keely D. Wright was attempting to pass another vehicle near Epworth Road when she hit standing water, hydroplaned, left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and struck a tree. Wright was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 12-year-old child was also in the vehicle and was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.
31-year-old James Dierkes, a former ISP trooper, is scheduled for a January 18th jury trial in Fayette County Court. He is charged in two separate cases with more than a dozen counts of criminal sexual assault or criminal sexual abuse, stemming from alleged incidents at the Okaw Area Vocational Center in Vandalia in 2016. Dierkes went to work for the Illinois State Police after leaving the Vandalia School District, and he was fired from the ISP once charged in the case. He was arrested in December 2019.
The Fairfield Community of Christ Church will host a blood drive with the American Red Cross next Wednesday, January 12th, from 11:30 to 5:30 at 503 Windsor Lane. Anyone wanting more information or to make an appointment can call 838-9873. People can also sign up at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code communityofchrist. The drive is the annual winter donorama, and donors will be treated to chili and snacks. Door prizes will also be awarded.
Congresswoman Mary Miller, who currently represents most of south central Illinois, including Wayne County, has decided to run in the new 15th District in the 2022 election. Miller will run against incumbent Republican Rodney Davis, and she is allowed to do so, even though she does not live in the district, because part of it is within her former district before redistricting.
Funeral services for Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley are scheduled to be held today at 11 in the FCHS gymnasium. Per Illinois State Police, the family has requested 14 News to be the only media allowed in the gym, and they will stream the service. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has posted the processional route on its Facebook page. The route will begin at FCHS on King Street, turn left onto Fourth, turn left onto Court, turn left onto Third, turn right on Main, continue right on U.S. 45, and continue to Central Avenue in Cisne to Cisne Cemetery.
Cisne officials have announced US 45 and Illinois 161 west of Cisne will be closed at noon tomorrow until the procession arrives at the cemetery, which is anticipated to be approximately 2:30 to 3. The closure will begin at 1900 North, next to Rutger’s, and will continue south. Illinois 161 will open west of Blue Mound Road. People should make arrangements to leave early and find alternate routes; not all intersections will be staffed in areas between municipalities, but that does not mean access is allowed.
Fairfield City Hall will be closed from 10:30 to 1 to allow city employees to attend services and show support by lining the route. FNB in Fairfield and Wayne City and FNB Financial locations will be closed today at noon through the duration of the procession. Normal hours will continue after the procession. Kincaid’s will also close at noon for the procession and reopen when it is over. The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor J.B. Pritzker that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly U.S. and state flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor and remembrance of Deputy Riley.
West Salem Grade School has announced $4,164 was raised last night for the family of Deputy Riley. 10 pies were auctioned during halftime of the West Salem basketball game against Geff, raising $2,695; another 30 donated pies were purchased in a cash-and-carry bake sale. Another auction is set for tonight between the JV and varsity boys basketball games at ECHS against FCHS. JV tip-off is at 6:15.
The Albion City Council met last night. Mayor Wes Harris said the Illinois EPA sent a letter last month saying manganese levels in city water were too high, and the council will approach the City of Grayville to see if it has interest in building a joint water filtration plant near existing water lines by Grayville to remedy the issue. Mayor Harris says the EPA has tightened requirements on manganese levels, but the water is still safe to drink.
The Egyptian Health Department announced 58 new cases of COVID-19 in White County from Wednesday (December 29) through Sunday, bringing its total to 3,428. Jefferson County added 144 cases since Friday (December 31), including 41 yesterday. The state Department of Public Health announced 89,195 new cases since Thursday afternoon and 177 additional deaths. Statewide totals sat at 2,238,743 cases and 27,998 deaths. The Southern Region had a seven-day positivity rate of 11.8 percent on December 31st, up from 11.5 percent on the 30th. Its seven-day average availability for ICU beds was at 10 percent.
The latest Illinois Department of Agriculture Illinois Production Cost Report showed continued gains in fertilizer prices, per DeLoss Jahnke of the RFD Radio Network. The average price of anhydrous ammonia was up $49.44 per ton compared to two weeks prior. Urea was up $4.87, and potash was up $13.89. The next report will be issued on the 13th.
Women can now get birth control without a prescription in Illinois. A new law in effect increases access to contraceptives by letting specially-trained pharmacists dispense a year’s worth of the pill, ring, or patch. Supporters say pharmacists will work closely with customers and praised the increased access as important medication for women.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 23.16 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 8.81 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 19.87 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 13.70 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 24.74 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 19.66 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $69.00, up $0.75 from yesterday. The February crude oil price is $76.34, up $0.14 from yesterday morning.