Frontier Community College has announced its academic honor recipients for the Fall 2021 Semester. 76 students were named to the CEO/ Chancellor’s List, requiring at least a 3.9 GPA. 42 students were named to the President’s List with a GPA or 3.75 to 3.89, and 27 were named to the Dean’s List for having a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74. A full list of honor recipients can be found in the following attachment: Honors-List-Fall-2021
49-year-old Rockford resident Eddie W. Thomasson was sentenced in Wayne County Circuit Court yesterday. He pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony count of forgery and was sentenced to one year conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay $1,018 in fines and court costs. 20-year-old Woodlawn resident Jonathan M. Richardson pleaded guilty in October to a Class 2 felony count of burglary. He was sentenced yesterday to two years probation. A separate case was dismissed, and he was ordered to pay $1,863.75 in fines, court costs, and restitution.
Fairfield police arrested 44-year-old Fairfield resident Daniel B.J. Brockett last night on a Wayne County failure to appear warrant for driving without a valid permit or license. He was held in the Wayne County Jail, pending the posting of $345 bond.
39-year-old Albion resident Steven Earl Linder was arrested by White County deputies one week ago in Crossville. He was stopped for driving with a revoked license, and, when asked if he had any illegal items on his person, he pulled out a small bag of cannabis and a metal smoking pipe. He was charged with driving revoked, possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia and taken to the White County Jail, pending the posting of $200 bond. He was also cited for two traffic violations.
As a court decision has hit pause on masking in schools, Governor J.B. Pritkzer could consider ending other mandates. He says changes could come to mitigation efforts as hospitalizations drop. The governor is expected to address the matter this afternoon, and some believe the mandate could be lifted by March for malls, restaurants, bars, and businesses but not schools, prisons, healthcare facilities, or public transit. Once lifted, the mask mandate could be put back in place if numbers surge again.
The Fairfield City Council met last night and heard a presentation on the proposed Business District by Moran Economic Development. Retailers in the proposed area would see an additional one percent sales tax on goods sold, raising it from seven to eight percent; the tax would not be assessed on medical or prescription items, vehicles, and food prepared at home. A public hearing for the district will be held on March 8th at 5:30 at City Hall. The council also discussed the ongoing handling of stray and vicious animals. Alderman Tyler Lampley has talked with the Wayne County Humane Society, who recently presented a new contract to the City, and its higher price caused concern among city officials. Murphy’s from Cisne addressed the council regarding their services and what it can offer. The Humane Society has provided animal control services to the city since 1992, and the City will continue discussions with both options to determine which is the best fit going forward. Doug Skaggs was appointed as the new Zoning Officer, replacing Flo Simpson, and First Ward Alderman Brett Coale submitted his resignation from the council.
In his report at last night’s meeting, Mayor Mike Dreith said Wabash Communications will soon begin marketing its Internet service in Fairfield, per management. Crews will be seen in the next few months for construction of fiberoptic main lines moving west to east. After a series of delays, the mayor says McDonald’s is set to begin work on its new facility in Fairfield on May 5th. As of yesterday, 11 people had taken out police applications for hire, and five people had taken fire applications. The City aims to have at least 15 police candidates for testing by the mandatory meeting on the 25th. Applications are due by the 18th and can be picked up at City Hall.
The Wayne County Spelling Bee is scheduled to be held tonight at 6 at Fairfield City Hall. Participants include Austin Grieve and Deacon Tindall of Jasper, Karoline Book and Kamden Vaughan of New Hope, Evan Keen and Isabella Smith of Wayne City, Addisyn Hutchcraft and Esme Kupp of Cisne, Jedd Wellen and Kacie Kinsolving of Geff, and Ethan Hungerford and Teagan Moyer of Fairfield 112. Students should arrive no later than 5:45. We will broadcast the bee on 104.9 WFIW, and we will also have a free video stream under the Sports Videos tab on wfiwradio.com. Judges for the night will be Lori Robson, Sarah Rush, and Katie Liston.
40-year-old Ray E. Tate is scheduled to appear in Wayne County Circuit Court today at 1:30. He has been indicted on 36 Class M felony counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in connection to the December death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley. Tate could face a term of natural life in prison if found guilty.
The IDPH reported 20 new cases of COVID-19 in Wayne County yesterday. Edwards County had just four new cases, per the state, Hamilton County had seven, and Wabash County had 19. White County added 11 cases, Richland County 21, Lawrence County 23, and Clay County 32. Jefferson County totals increased by 41, and Marion County jumped by 30. As a state, the IDPH announced 5,825 new cases and 87 additional deaths. Statewide totals sat at 2,977,341 cases and 31,570 deaths. The Southern Region had a seven-day positivity rate of 14.2 percent on the 5th, up from 14.1 percent on the 4th.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has unveiled a new proposal to fight organized retail crime. Along with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Attorney General Raoul is pushing legislation that would give prosecutors more power to go after crime rings and to convene a statewide grand jury. Officials say organized retail theft has increased by 60 percent over the last five years.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 12.08 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 6.23 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 8.10 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 4.86 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 12.14 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 10.03 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $82.25, down $2.00 from yesterday. The March crude oil price is $89.38, down $1.30 from yesterday morning.