Wayne City EMS responded to a single-vehicle accident about four miles west of Geff Friday night. According to county deputies, at approximately 9:59, 29-year-old Xenia resident Mary E. Melton was northbound on a county road in a 2007 BMW. She exited the roadway and rolled over approximately three times before coming to rest upright. Melton was taken to Deaconess Hospital and was cited by deputies. A tow truck was called to the scene, and the vehicle sustained over $1,500 damage.
43-year-old Odin resident Eric See was killed in a two-vehicle crash near Salem Saturday night. Illinois State Police say 18-year-old Centralia resident Audrey Pugh crossed over the center line on a roadway and struck See’s vehicle. Pugh had two passengers with her, and they were flown to St. Louis hospitals for treatment. See was pronounced deceased on-scene.
Fairfield City firemen responded to a reported deck on fire in the 300 block of Northeast Fourth Street early this morning. A deck around a pool was on fire, but it was not attached to any other structures. Firefighters pulled a handline and extinguished the fire, declaring it to be under control in less than 10 minutes. The fire is under investigation by the Fairfield Fire Department, and no injuries were reported.
46-year-old Shelly M. Best was sentenced in Wayne County Circuit Court last week. She pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony count of possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 24 months special section probation and time served. A separate count was dismissed per her plea, and she was ordered to pay $676 in fines and court costs.
Wayne County deputies arrested 41-year-old Enfield resident Arthur R. Barger Saturday night on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was also wanted on a host of warrants, including a Wayne County warrant for two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding and obstructing justice, a Wayne County failure to appear warrant for possession of meth, a Hamilton County failure to appear warrant for improper operation of an ATV, and a White County warrant for felony theft. Deputies and Fairfield police received information on the possible whereabouts of Barger and obtained consent from a homeowner for a search. Barger was found hiding in an upstairs bedroom; he was taken to the Wayne County Jail and held, pending the setting of bond on the new charges. Bond for the warrants totaled $6,145.
The Albion City Council will meet tonight at 7 at City Hall. Mayor Wes Harris is set to present Library Board Appointments, and Austin Ridgley will give an update on progress at the Water Treatment Plant and on a project on Elm Street. Jessica Gwaltney is also set to speak on the Edwards County Eclipse Committee.
Fairfield officials have detailed the procedure for filling a vacant mayoral seat following the tragic and unexpected death of Mike Dreith on May 30th. Aldermen have called for a special meeting to appoint an acting mayor tomorrow. At the special meeting, aldermen will nominate one of their number to serve as acting mayor until the election this coming spring. In Spring 2023, an individual will be elected to serve a two-year term to fill the remainder of Mayor Dreith’s intended time in office.
Illinois population estimates continue to cause debates about whether the state’s population is growing or shrinking. A recent Census follow-up survey showed the state was undercounted in the 2020 Census by nearly two percent. A new U.S. Census report, however, shows Illinois lost 104,000 people in the year leading up to July 1st, 2021. Updated migration data from the IRS shows Illinois lost 101,000 people.
Edwards County Commissioners will meet today at 4:30 at the county courthouse. Business items include approval of a lease renewal for the county EMS at the West Salem facility and contract approval for software. The county solar project ordinance will again be revisited, with proposed setback revisions possible. Other action items include approval of a liquor license for Homestead Vineyard’s and a building decision for the county Highway Department.
Wayne County Mobile Home Tax Bills have been mailed and are due July 1st. Anyone paying after July 1st will be subject to a $25 per month penalty. The total amount extended this year is $91,605.77 for 965 mobile homes. Last year, the extension was $98,248.35 cents for 1,040 mobile homes. Payment may be made in person at the Wayne County Courthouse, in the drop box on the courthouse’s west side, or by mail.
According to the CDC over the weekend, 6,420 people in Wayne County were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or 39.6 percent of its population, including 48.8 percent of people over 18 and 68.9 percent of people over 65. 46.9 percent of fully vaccinated people had been boosted. 40.5 percent of Edwards County residents were fully vaccinated, including 50.3 percent of those over 18 and 75.8 percent of those over 65. 47.1 percent of vaccinated people had been boosted.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced more than $50 million in grants for essential infrastructure projects around the state. The money will go to 34 communities, with grants ranging in size from $343,000 to two million dollars. The City of Carmi is set to receive a $1.795 million grant for water line and pressure reducing station replacements and tank upgrades. The funding is through the state’s Rebuild Illinois Program.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is urging the Senate to pass a bill focused on curbing domestic terrorism. He says the bill will require federal law enforcement to report on domestic terrorism, including white supremacist activity. The bill passed the House last year on a voice vote and passed on a primarily partisan vote this year.
With summer outdoor season officially underway at Illinois recreation areas, the Department of Natural Resources is sending out reminders about camping safety. John Williamson is Conservation Police Acting Captain, and he says people should be sure people should be sure to check their equipment before heading to a campground. Once there, he encourages campers to be mindful of recreation fires and not to leave them unattended.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 6.48 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.11 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 5.61 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.74 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 4.61 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 8.74 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $111.75, up $2.00 from Friday. The July crude oil price is $119.68, up $3.87 from Friday morning.