Illinois lawmakers have passed a new state budget. The budget includes over $1.8 billion in tax relief. Some of the provisions are temporary, such as lifting the one percent grocery tax for a year and delaying a scheduled increase in the gas tax until January. The budget also doubles the property tax rebate up to 300 dollars and sends a one-time payment of at least 50 dollars to most individuals and 100 dollars per child. The Earned Income Tax Credit which helps low income working families will be expanded and there will also be a sales tax holiday for back to school purchases in August.
The Cisne FFA enjoyed a successful day of competitions Friday at the District V Livestock Judging and Horticulture Career Development Events at SIU-Carbondale. The Varsity Livestock Judging Team of Emma Hedrick, Lexi Weber, Abigail Biggs, Kori Kessell and Myles Levi finished in 13th place. Hedrick finished 2nd overall individual among the 243 students representing 50 schools. The Junior Varisty Livestock Judging Team of Ty Mix, Rae Ann Harris, Colton Bass, Gavin Fetherling and Andrew Milligan took 2nd place. Ty earned 2nd place overall individual, and Rae Ann finished 8th overall. 106 students from 30 teams participated in the event.
Wayne County deputies arrested 39-year-old Fairfield resident Chad M. Chapman last Saturday after a vehicle chase. Police reports indicated deputies attempted a traffic stop when they saw a UTV eastbound on Illinois Route 15 west. The vehicle didn’t stop and turned onto a county highway and several other roads and eventually into a farm field, reaching speeds of 40 to 60 miles per hour. Chapman was eventually taken into custody after he hit a ditch with the UTV, and deputies found empty beer cans and an open jar of moonshine inside the vehicle. Chapman was taken to the Wayne County Jail and later released after posting $3020 bond.
The “Illinois Patriots” have scheduled a Town Hall Meeting for this Monday night at 6:30 at the GOP Headquarters at 108 Main Street in Carmi. The meeting is an informational meeting on a proposed Carmi Schools $11 million, and possibly more, bond or loan resolution which will directly affect taxpayers.
The Grayville Senior Citizens will have a meat loaf dinner fundraiser this evening. Serving will begin at 5 p.m. and the menu will consist of meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, slaw, assorted deserts and a drink. The cost is by donation.
Area river stages this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 24.45 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 13.4 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 24.76 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 6.53 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 14.05 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet.