The Wayne County Farm Bureau has announced the recipients of the 2022 Community Impact Grants. 15 applications were received for the grant this year for $25,023 in requested funds, and $6,000 were awarded to seven applicants. The Wayne City Saddle Club will receive $1,450 for bleacher and ground work; $1,000 recipients include the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce for American Flags, North Wayne EMS for mapping assistance for 911 calls, and Trail Life USA for a “Hit the Trail Program;” Wayne City Ruritans will receive $600 for a celebration of flags; the Wayne County Saddle Club will receive $500 for ground work; and the Bedford Township Fire Protection District will receive $450 for security cameras.
49-year-old Fairfield resident John E. Luthor was sentenced in Wayne County Circuit Court Monday. He pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony count of theft between $500 and $10,000. He was sentenced to two years probation, and a separate count and case were dismissed per his plea. He was also ordered to pay $1,376 in fines, court costs, and restitution.
Hamilton Memorial Hospital District has updated its visitor policy, effective yesterday. No restrictions, be it age limitation or number of visitors, are in place for medical/surgical inpatients not under isolation precautions, ER or surgery patients, special comfort care situations, and clinics. Isolated inpatients may not receive visitors, but people are encouraged to use electronic devices and apps to connect with them.
The West Salem Development Association will hold the town’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 13th at 11 a.m. on the West Salem Square. The event will be for ages eight and under, and children are asked to bring their own baskets. The event is sponsored by the First National Bank of Allendale, with locations in Mt. Carmel, West Salem, and Carmi.
The Fairfield City Council met last night and tabled the vote on a potential business district. Another vote will be scheduled in June, within 90 days of the public hearing held on the matter before the March 8th council meeting. With the delay, should the district be approved later this year, the one-percent sales tax increase wouldn’t take effect until next year. Alderman Tyler Lampley initially motioned to vote on the matter last night, but that motion died for lack of a second. Alderman Gary Moore then motioned to table the matter for a year, saying it isn’t the right time to increase taxes. That motion was seconded by Alderman Dewey Eckleberry, but it failed on a 3-4 vote; aldermen Moore, Eckleberry, and Jerry Lisenbee voted yes, and aldermen Lampley, Clifford Reever, Cody Attebery, and Terry Stahl voted no. Alderman Eugene McGill was absent. Atteberry then motioned to vote again within 90 days of the public hearing, and that motion passed 4-3 with the same voting blocs.
In other action at last night’s council meeting, aldermen approved an agreement with IDNR for $450 annually for gas and water line easements through Atkinson Forest. They also approved the sale of approximately $66,400 in tools and excess inventory to Wayne-White, and they approved the sale of used airpacks to the Strasburg Fire Protection District. About 10 will be sold for $100 each.
In his report last night, Mayor Dreith said the USDA and NRCS report they are close in submitting a preliminary feasibility report on flooding problems along Johnson Creek in Fairfield. Early data indicates 55 percent of the watershed, or about 3,200 acres, is now residential property. He said in February FEMA had revised the flooding risk map along the creek.
The Illinois State Police has cancelled its Endangered Missing Person Advisory for 72-year-old Olivia Salanik. ISP says she has been located and is safe.
The IDPH reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Wayne, Edwards, Hamilton, Marion, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence counties yesterday. Wabash County added three cases on the state website, and White and Jefferson counties added one. As a state, Illinois announced 1,442 new cases and 44 additional deaths. Statewide totals sat at 3,057,078 cases and 33,260 deaths. The Southern Region had a seven-day positivity rate of 1.6 percent on the 19th, unchanged from the 18th.
Lawmakers are working on the state budget earlier than normal this year, leaving them with a bit less information than usual. When crafting a budget in May, state income tax information is known because of the April 15th income tax deadline. This year, House Democrat Greg Harris says they aren’t as certain about how the state is doing or future trouble spots for the economy. Budget discussions were moved up this spring because of the June primary election.
The Illinois Supreme Court is aiming to further the use of remote proceedings. A new task force will evaluate current remote practices and how to improve virtual hearings across the state, per Chief Justice Anne Burke. She says the pandemic forced the state’s hand in remote hearings, but they have been beneficial in case management and in reducing the number of people who fail to appear in court.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 18.98 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 10.38 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 17.85 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 12.24 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 21.15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 15.85 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $104.75, down $0.25 from yesterday. The May crude oil price is $110.32, up $0.52 from yesterday morning.