26-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court this morning. His attorney, Christian J. Baril, asked to continue the motion hearing on a change of location for the trial, which had been the purpose for today’s meeting. Hearing no objection from Assistant Attorney General Myra Yelle-Clark or State’s Attorney Kevin Kakac, Judge Michael Molt continued the hearing to July 12th at 10 a.m. Baril said the defense was in the process of gathering evidence in support of its motion for a change of venue, but it was having technical difficulties converting it to the proper format.
The Edwards County Courthouse was cleared and evacuated around 9 this morning. The courthouse was closed, and anyone with business there was asked to return at a later time. Several police officers were on-site, but reports indicated no one was in danger.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Fairfield Memorial Hospital honored volunteers for their service at its annual Volunteer Recognition and Awards Luncheon Friday. FMH Auxiliary Volunteers donated over 4,084 hours of time in 2021, and Volunteer Coordinator Shauna Williams presented pins and bars in recognition of volunteer hours following the dinner. Pat Kenshalo has accumulated 11,500 hours; Don Brake 4,000; Doris Hess, Anita Newcomb, and Marlene Rogers 3,500; Charlene Carter 2,500; Lorna Norton and Denise Beehn 1,500; Barbara Medler 1,000; JoAn Sons, Cindy Sager, and Mike Knight 500, and Joyce Caudle and Shirley Miller 100 hours.
Nina Legg, with Legg Up Productions, has started a benefit fund for Wayne County teenager Kacie Kinsolving, who was severely burned earlier this month in a freak accident. People can donate to the fund at FNB branches in Fairfield, Wayne City, and Grayville. People can donate cash or checks or donate directly from an account. Kinsolving is currently in the hospital in St. Louis, and raised funds will help with hospital expenses, as well as gas, lodging, and food costs.
Flora police arrested two Wayne County residents last week. 55-year old Rinard resident Robert A. Butler was charged with possession of cannabis by a driver following a traffic stop, and he was released with a notice to appear. 43-year-old Cisne resident Charles A. McCleary was wanted on Wayne and Clay county warrants, and he was released after posting bond.
Two people were killed in a Friday afternoon motorcycle crash in Steeleville, according to Illinois State Police. 34-year-old Du Quoin resident Nicholas T. Cook was eastbound in a pickup truck and crossed westbound lanes for unknown reasons, striking a motorcycle at an adjoining road at an intersection. The driver, 26-year-old Chester resident Dakota Morrison, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and a passenger with Morrison, 31-year-old Steeleville resident Diane M. Gilmer, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where she died from her injuries. Cook was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Illinois State Police District 19 Commander Captain Nathan Douglas has announced the results of an Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrol held in White County this month. Troopers reported 21 total citations, including 18 safety belt citations, and 13 written warnings. The patrol provided extra coverage for ISP to focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled.
The Fairfield Public School District 112 Board of Education met last night and voted to employ Josh Kissen as Center Street Principal. Kissen currently teaches sixth grade math at Red Hill; he will take over at Center Street, and current Principal April Smith will move to Principal at North Side, effective July 1st. Current North Side Principal Kristina Gardner was previously hired as the district superintendent to replace Interim Superintendent Diana Zurliene.
26-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger is scheduled to appear in Wayne County Circuit Court today. In February, his attorney, Christian J. Baril, filed a motion for a change of venue, and a hearing on that matter is scheduled for this morning. At the last pre-trial conference last month, Baril filed a motion to continue the jury trial in the case from May 2nd to September 19th, and Judge Michael Molt granted that motion.
The Fairfield City Council will meet tonight at 6. The council is anticipated to approve the closure of the alley west of McDonald’s between Main and Delaware streets. The business says it needs the closure to facilitate construction of its new building, which is anticipated to begin in the next few weeks. The council is also set to discuss an ordinance lowering the video gaming terminal fees for Fraternal and Licensed Veterans establishments.
In other business around Fairfield, Mayor Dreith says the Renew Fairfield event this past Saturday went relatively well, but it could have gone better. The Paper Shred event at FNB netted over a ton of paper, and bulk items filled the available space at the Street & Bridge Department. The day did see issues with available space for the electronic waste recycling run by the Health Department, per the mayor. He says he is hoping to find another date with additional capacity for another e-waste event soon.
The villages of Springerton, Mill Shoals, and Burnt Prairie will have their water lines flushed in the coming days. Work is scheduled to begin today and to take about three weeks, though there is no set schedule for when each village will be affected. People in affected areas could experience discolored water and pressure fluctuations.
The IDPH reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Wayne and Clay counties since Friday afternoon. Marion County added six cases, Jefferson and Wabash counties three, and Richland and Lawrence counties one. Edwards and White counties held steady on the state website, and Hamilton County had its total decrease. As a state, Illinois announced 8,155 new cases and 13 additional deaths.
Governor J.B. Pritzker is touting the state’s third credit rating upgrade in two decades. Moody’s Investor Service has bumped Illinois up after years of bottom-of-the-barrel bond ratings, citing solid tax revenue growth, paying off the bill backlog, and increasing pension contributions. The governor says the upgrade means the state can likely borrow at a lower interest rate, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 22.32 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 6.53 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 8.52 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 14.02 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 20.76 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 13.29 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $91.50, down $3.50 from yesterday. The June crude oil price is $97.73, up $0.26 from yesterday morning.