Crimestoppers is offering a reward for the person or persons who entered a building owned by Shawn Kessel and stole items on July 21st. Items stolen were two large gun safes, a 22 caliber semi-automatic rifle of an unknown model, Nintendo and Xbox gaming systems, a 13” color tv, a cellular trail camera, and a Dewalt Sawzall. Anyone with information about this, or any other crime, should call or text Crimestoppers at 842-9777.
The Fairfield City Council will meet tomorrow night at 6 p.m., with a public hearing set to precede the regular meeting at 5:50 for opening bids for sale of property, followed by a public hearing at 5:55 for appropriations. Items to be addressed during the regular meeting include a request from Sunrise Sanitation to increase rates, discussion of meter/utility rate increase with action possible, discussion and possible action regarding the buyout of a mini-excavator for the Gas Department, and award bid for the sale of electric property. Also in routine business the council is seeking bids for water filtration chemicals, discussion of a revolving loan for Mindy’s Sew Shop with action possible, along with requests for street closings for Fall Fun Fest, First Baptist Church VBS, and a Car Show on Industrial Drive.
The Tax Increment Financing Committee of the Fairfield City Council will conduct a Committee Meeting on Monday, August 1 at 5:15 p.m. Agenda items include Building Improvements for Ginger Ale’s at 1400 W. Main St., discussion of McDonald’s TIF Needs, and to set the date of the next TIF Committee Meeting.
The Grayville City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Grayville City Hall. Items on the agenda include Water Filtration Plant Limited Engagement Agreement, and Amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance, Park Boat Ramp Lease, and a Zoning Request by David Smith regarding property on S Court Street. The Council will also enter an executive session to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of employees of the Administrative Departments, and other collective negotiation matters. The Grayville City Council meets every second and fourth Monday of the month.
A reminder to parents that FCHS will be holding in-person registration tomorrow from 1-6 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school study hall/library. On-line registration forms can be found on the FCHS website. The first day of classes for the 2022-2023 school year will be Monday, August 15 with buses running a normal schedule. Classes will be in session from 8:10 to 3pm. Every Tuesday will be a 9am late start for the purpose of curriculum development and teacher training. Classes will begin at 9 and dismiss at 3pm. Buses will run at their normal time and student who arrive early will report to study hall until the first period begins. There will be no half day or early dismissals. Meet the Mules will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022. For questions concerning registration contact the high school. This information can also be accessed at www.fchsmules.com
The Community of Christ Blood Drive, sponsored by Shreve’s Pumpkin Patch on July 20 collected 64 units of blood. Winners of $25. 00 Visa gift cards donated by the Red Cross were Tom Walters of Fairfield, and Margaret Lane of Geff. Winners of $25.00 gift to Shreve’s Pumpkin Patch were Janet Dickey and Paula Phillips of Fairfield. Milestone donors were Emily Snidle donating One gallon, Nicole Schoenborn, Barbara Bozarth, Michael Bozarth, and Lisa Weedon: Three gallons, Pam Smith: Eight gallons, Charles Trimble: Eleven gallons, John Simpson: Thirteen gallons, Howard Tanner, Steve Etheridge: Fourteen gallons. Next drive at the Community of Christ Church will be held on September 21, 2022. Schedule appointments online @redcrossblood.org or call Diane @618.838.9873
Edwards County Treasurer Debbie Smith is reminding taxpayers that the 2022 Mobile Home Tax due date is Friday, July 29, 2022. At this time, 56% of the taxes have been paid. The 2022 extension for mobile home taxes is $20,729.77. Any taxes not paid by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29th will have a late fee of $25.00 added with an additional $25.00 added every month the taxes are delinquent. The Courthouse is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may mail your payment to the Edwards County Collector, 50 E. Main Suite 11, Albion, IL. You may also put your payment in the drop box on the northeast corner of the Courthouse, (located in front of the cell tower). Always include a phone number where you can be reached during the day on anything put in the drop box. The 2021 payable 2022 Real Estate Tax information has not been received in the Treasurer’s office at this time but anticipates the real estate tax bills being mailed out late August or early September 2022. If you have any questions, please call the Treasurer’s office at 445-3581.
The Edwards County 4-H Rabbit show was held Sunday, July 24 at COUNTRY Financial Hall, J.C. Morgan was the judge. In the New Zealand division, Liam McKinney showed Best of Breed and Kylar VanMatre showed the Best Opposite. In the Californians, Josie Shelby was named Best of Breed and Aleya Bare Best Opposite. In the Mini-Rex division, Olivia Bosecker showed Best of Breed and Liam McKinney Best Opposite. In the Lops, Hannah Perry showed Best of Breed and Kamryn Trowbridge Best Opposite. In the Other Pure Breeds Small division, Connor Trowbridge was the Best of Breed and Hannah Bare showed the Best Opposite. In the Other Pure Breeds Large division, Kylar VanMatre was named Best of Breed and Kamryn Trowbridge the Best Opposite. In the Mixed Breeds division, Hannah Bare showed the Best of Breed and Aleya Bare Best Opposite. The Grand Champion Rabbit was shown by Connor Trowbridge. He received a banner donated by Steve Thomson – Country Financial. The Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit was shown by Kylar VanMatre. In the Market class, Gran d Champion Market Rabbit was awarded to Aleya Bare. She received a banner donated by Herschel Johnson Implement, Inc. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Rabbit was, also, shown by Aleya Bare. Kamryn Trowbridge was awarded the Rabbit Showmanship trophy donated by Jo Rector and Family. Also held on Sunday was the 4-H Small Pets Show. Norma Sawyer was the judge. Kayleigh Sanford was chosen as the Jr. Small Pets Champion and received the trophy presented by Colyer Coffeehouse and Taylor Bogle was chosen as the Sr. Small Pets Champion and received the trophy from Rigg Family Care Pharmacy. At the Edwards Co Fair Pageant on Saturday, Addie Cowger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cowger was crowned Edwards County Fair Queen.
The Illinois economy added 18,800 jobs during June as the unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, the lowest it has been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is down one-tenth of a percentage point from May, and down two full percentage points from June 2021. Preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security showed the sectors with the biggest gains during June were leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, construction, and educational and health services. Slight declines were reported in the financial industry and the catch-all category “other services.” Prior to the pandemic, Illinois had seen its lowest unemployment rate ever, at 3.5 percent in December 2019. It climbed to 4.9 percent in March 2020, when the World Health Organization declared a pandemic existed, and reached a historic high of 17.4 percent in April 2020 after restaurants, bars, theaters and other “nonessential” businesses were ordered to close in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. The trend in Illinois mirrors what has been happening nationally, although the state continues to lag behind the rest of the country in its recovery. The U.S. unemployment rate stood at 3.6 percent, unchanged from the month before but down from its peak of 14.7 percent in April 2020. Illinois’ unemployment rate also stood higher than all of its surrounding states. Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin all had jobless rates below 3 percent while Kentucky stood at 3.7 percent. In fact, the 4.5 percent rate recorded in Illinois was the fifth highest in the nation. Pennsylvania and Delaware also were at 4.5 percent.
The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over again with no winner on Friday. That means a $790-million jackpot on Tuesday night. If won, this would be the third largest Mega Millions Jackpot won and the fourth largest jackpot won in the history of the US. The Mega Millions Jackpot has drawings every Tuesday and Friday night at ten pm. Tickets are $2 each and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 24.36 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.18 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 10.24 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.41 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 15.22 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 5.41 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $87.70, down $1.65 from Friday. The September crude oil price is $94.56, down $1.00 from Friday morning.