The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 748 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease in Illinois. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,063,735 cases, including 33,328 deaths, in Illinois. As of Sunday night, 461 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 59 patients were in the ICU and 31 patients were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from March 21st – 27th is 1.5%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from March 21st – 27th is 1.7%. A total of 21,333,503 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of Sunday night, 4,267,587 of those were booster doses. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 7,107 doses. Over the weekend 17,946 doses were reportedly administered in Illinois, 7,946 of those were booster doses. The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced Friday that in response to a sharp drop in the demand for COVID-19 testing services at the ten Community-Based Testing Sites and the anticipated end of federal funding, operations at the locations will end on March 31. IDPH previewed that operations would be winding down when the mask mandate was lifted and has seen traffic at the sites, which carried out more than 1.5 million tests in total throughout their operation, drop precipitously in recent weeks. The sites are currently handling less than one percent of the tests being conducted statewide.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2022-2023 school year will be held on Friday, April 1st, at Jasper School from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. This is for all students who will be entering kindergarten in the fall at Jasper School. Children are eligible to attend school next year if they will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2022. Parents should bring a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, social security number, and proof of residence in the Jasper School District. Incoming Kindergarten students will need to have a Vision Exam, Dental Exam and a Physical Exam upon the final registration in July. Questions concerning kindergarten registration should be directed to Mrs. Shari Berger, Jasper School Principal, or Kayla Cessna, Jasper School Secretary at 842-3048.
The Fairfield Park District is still accepting applications for lifeguards and pool manager. The deadline to apply is April 13th. Applications can be picked up at the Park Maintenance building or at Fyie & Rice Law Office at 115 NE Third Street or can be obtained by calling 618-842-2666 (Fyie & Rice). Lifeguard training and recertification will be provided at the Fairfield Pool free of charge.
The Fairfield Kiwanis Club will hold its 31st annual Pancake Day on Saturday, April 2nd at the Community of Christ Church. The event will run from 6:30 to 10, and the menu will include pancakes and syrup (with sugar-free options available), sausage, coffee, orange juice, and milk. Tickets cost $6 and carry-outs are available. Advance tickets may be purchased from any Kiwanis member.
Mill Shoals Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at Steph’s Coffee Shoppe in Mill Shoals. Age groups are babies thru age 3; ages 4, 5, and 6; 7, 8, and 9 years old; and 10 thru 100. Candy and cash filled eggs and prizes will be hidden on the lawn for each age group, with some unique gifts including gift certificates, coupons for bakery goods and cash eggs. Plus, there will be a drawing for two Easter basket cakes, and a Skateland party for ten. In the event of rain, the hunt will be held on Sunday, April 3rd.
Cisne FFA members (pictured left to right) Emma Hedrick, Kevin Hyder, Rylee Beckel, and Avery Smith participated in the 2022 State Awards Day held March 26th at Eisenhower High School in Decatur. Hyder received 2nd place in AgriScience Research Plant Systems and Smith earned 2nd place in Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship. Students advanced through section and district proficiency award judging to qualify for state interview competition which is limited to the top five FFA members in Illinois for each of the forty-seven proficiency award areas.
At around 8:30 on Sunday, an officer with the White County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to 1118 Valter Drive in reference to an active Domestic Dispute between 31-year-old Brittany Rankin of 1206 Gilpin Street and 54 year old Melinda Rankin of Valter Drive. When the officer arrived, an officer with the Carmi Police Department was already at the residence. The city officer stated that when he arrived Brittany was screaming and cussing very loudly in the house. An Officer then spoke with Melinda, and she stated Brittany got very upset started throwing things around her house. Melinda filed a written statement and sign a complaint for Disorderly Conduct. Brittany was arrested and taken to the White County Jail. Bond was set at $100. No court date has been set at this time.
A St Louis man is being held in the White County Jail today following a traffic stop. On Friday, March 25th, 29-year-old Matthew Dominic Stewart of 5329 Minnesota Ave in St Louis was stopped for expired registration. The vehicle registration was also on the wrong vehicle. During the stop, probable cause was developed, and a search of the vehicle yielded 288.87 grams of Cannabis and 19 grams of cannabis THC infused edibles. Stewart was cited for Operating a Vehicle without evidence of Registration, Possession of Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle by Driver, and Unlawful Use of Registration. He was additionally charged with Possession of Cannabis for 100 to 500 grams. Stewart appeared in court this morning. Court records have not yet been updated at this time.
The Grayville City Council met in regular session Monday night. After approval of the consent agenda, the Treasurer reported $1,914,132.88 in the restricted account; $935,328.25 in the investment account; and $454,549.85 in cash available for operations; for a total of $3,304,110.98. The Treasurer also reported the city had received $35,328.98 in tax revenue from White County since the last meeting: Tiff 1 received $61,296.42; Tiff 2 received $772.35; and the library received $2,035.37. Commissioner Jordan reported the latest oil revenue at $1,086.79 and reminded the council that the budget hearing is set for the next scheduled meeting.
Authorities say a property tax scam is being run on folks throughout several downstate counties. Residents are being called by individuals saying they are county office staff workers or property tax buyers, asking the property owner to pay property taxes or else they will lose their property. It’s been reported that some area property owners have already been scammed and have paid money to these individuals. The public is reminded that our local county offices never will call property owners asking or telling them that property taxes must be paid asap. All information from the county only comes in the mail and most often it is certified mail showing who it’s from. If someone has been a victim of such a scam, they should contact their local law enforcement agencies.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 21.72 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.91 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 10.21 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 3.16 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 17.60 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 20.39 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $98.96 down $7.94 from yesterday. The May crude oil price is $106.15, down $3.49 from yesterday morning.