Headlines for Thursday, August 4th

Several Gas stations were blocked off by squad cars of different law enforcement agencies on Wednesday, including several stations locally. What was referred to as “Special Operations,” were conducted throughout the state by Illinois State Police and the Illinois Treasury Department. WFIW received notice at 2:41 p.m. Wednesday that the local Albion Phillips 66 had been shut down with a heavy law enforcement presence. Shortly after 3:00 p.m. we were given notice that the Harrisburg Conoco station had been affected as well. By 3:30 p.m. multiple news agencies across the state were reporting stations shut down with heavy ISP and Illinois Treasury presence. According to various reports, some stations appear to be owned by KKG Enterprises out of Peoria while others are being reported as owned by Axis Investments LLC out of Tazewell County. WFIW reached out to investigators with ISP and were referred to Maura Kownacki, spokesperson for the State Department of Revenue who gave the following statement: “Our Bureau of Criminal Investigations conducts investigations of potential violations of the Illinois tax laws and related offenses and, if warranted, refers the matter for criminal prosecution. The Illinois Department of Revenue cannot comment on the status of ongoing investigations, however, or even acknowledge their existence due to confidentiality provisions in the tax laws.” There are no further details being released at this time, we will bring you more as it becomes available.

 

There will be a Beyond the Call of Duty event held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Wayne County Courthouse. Beyond the Call of Duty is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of first responders lost in the line of duty and to support the families and communities of the fallen.

 

On 08/03/22, around 12:45 PM, Fairfield Police arrested William R Jelly, 52, in the 100 block of W Main Street, Fairfield for Criminal Damage to Property. Officers had been informed around 12:31PM that Jelly had damaged the air pump at Hucks, 101 W Main ST, Fairfield. Jelly was transported to the Wayne County Jail and after processing, posted $120 cash bond and was released.

 

On 08/03/22, at 2:41 PM Fairfield Police responded to the area of W King Street and West College Street for a complaint of a door-to-door salesman. City ordinance requires door to door sales persons obtain a permit prior to soliciting door to door. The individual was located and directed to obtain a permit before continuing. The public is encouraged to check with Fairfield City Hall for a valid permit should anyone come to their door unsolicited with goods or services for sale. Fairfield City Hall’s number is 618-842-2294.

 

Aperion Care of Fairfield is inviting the public to their “Welcome Back to School” day of food and fun, to be held on Friday, August 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first 150 kids who come will receive a bag filled with school supplies. Aperion Care Fairfield is located at 305 Northwest 11th St in Fairfield.

 

The Cornerstone Church will be hosting their Semi-Annual Homecoming/Prom Dress giveaway on August 27th from 9 a.m. until noon in the church’s fellowship hall. There are hundreds of dresses, and shoes to choose from. In addition, there will be bouquets and jewelry available to complete your ensemble, all free of charge. If you have any question’s, contact Donna Reever at 516-4785. Donations of dresses, shoes, and accessories are always appreciated. Cornerstone Church is located on the corner of 1st and Delaware streets in Downtown Fairfield.

Fall registration is ongoing at Olney Central College. Programs accepting new students include Accounting, Automotive Service, Collision Repair, Cosmetology, Health Information Technology, Human Resource Assistant, Industrial Maintenance, Information Systems, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology, and Unmanned Aerial Technology. Apply for free at iecc.edu/apply or schedule a visit at iecc.edu/occ/visit to learn more about all the transfer and technical degrees available at OCC. Fall semester classes begin August 18th.

 

Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced funding for the long-awaited renovation of Rend Lake Resort. The resort opened in the 90’s but was shuttered in 2016 after mold was found in several areas. The Governor says this 17 and a half million dollars in funding will restore the site to its former glory. Rend Lake is the second largest of the state’s three man-made lakes with 19-thousand acres of water and 162 miles of shoreline. The resort used to attract more than two million visitors annually. Work on the resort is expected to begin next year.

 

Illinois is set to receive as much as $760-million to fight the opioid epidemic. The money will come over the next 18 years, the product of lawsuit settlements with pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers.  Governor JB Pritzker is signing an executive order to ensure the funds go towards the state’s efforts battling opioid abuse. “This executive order establishes an office of Opioid Settlement Administration, and cements a framework for making the best use of these new resources,” stated the Governor. Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou explains that those services will include support in prevention and recovery from opioid addiction and this may include an array of services of programs, including but not limited to, medication assisted recovery, prevention efforts, education, increased access to Narcan treatment programs.” Nearly 8 people in Illinois die each day from an opioid overdose.

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation Monday declaring the monkeypox virus a public health emergency and declaring the state of Illinois a disaster area regarding the disease.  The declaration, which applies to the entire state, will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health to utilize resources for coordinating logistics across state agencies, quickly and efficiently aid in the distribution of vaccines and in the prevention and treatment of the disease.  The proclamation will also assist state agencies in coordinating response with the federal government. Declaring a state of disaster expands the resources and coordination efforts of state agencies in responding to, treating, and preventing the spread of monkeypox.  Proclaiming a state of disaster will allow IDPH to expand vaccine and testing capacities with the help of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and via state and federal recovery and assistance funds.  This proclamation will aid in facilitating the complicated logistics and transportation of vaccines across the state to reach the most impacted communities efficiently. The proclamation takes effect immediately and is in place for 30 days.

 

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to remain aware and be prepared for further heavy rains and flash flooding. Several Significant Storms may be impacting Illinois this week, bringing a potential for rapid flooding and storm damage. IEMA spokesperson Kevin Sur stresses the need to stay alert during the threat of severe weather. Sur also advises having an emergency kit at home and in the car, and to include family pets in any preparedness efforts. With the threat of severe weather lingering, be sure to check the forecast before going out, and pay attention to any weather watches or warnings. Flash flooding can be extremely dangerous. Never try to cross a flooded road. It only takes about six inches of water to wash away a vehicle.

 

River stages as of this morning:  the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 26.87 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 9.42 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 22.64 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 17.59 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 27.28 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 8.94 feet.

 

Today’s crude oil price is $83.66 down $3.76 from yesterday. The September crude oil price is $88.33 down $4.85 from yesterday morning.