Convicted Cop killer, Ray E Tate is set to appear in Wayne County court this morning in front of Judge Molt at 9:00 AM via Zoom. On December 29th, 2021 Tate shot and killed Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley after a call was placed for a motorist assist on I-64, then fled the scene and headed to Missouri where a crime spree ensued involving hijacking and taking a homeowner hostage. In April, Tate plead guilty to 38 counts of murder, however on May 19th, Tate asked to withdraw his plea in an effort to avoid dying in prison. Tate appeared in court via Zoom on June 28th for a status hearing. He is currently being housed in the Menard Correctional Facility.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward for the person or persons who entered TNT hunting preserve and stole two shotguns, a Remington 870 and an 1148. Call or text crimestoppers at 842-9777 with any information.
Starting at 7am on today, part of the main parking lot of the hospital, to include the entrance into the main lobby of Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be closed for approximately 2 days. Drop offs and picks up will be at the Surgical Pavilion. This closure is due to a crane that will be moving in heavy equipment as part of the Phase II renovations. There will be periods of time when they will be moving steel beams overhead and no staff or visitors will be permitted in certain areas of the main part of the hospital due to safety concerns. During these times FMH Security Staff will help guide visitors and staff. It is anticipated that these closures and restrictions will be in place until the evening of Wednesday, August 10th. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of closure.
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce has announced the August Chamber Mixer will be held on Wednesday, August 10 from 5 PM- 7 PM at the Chamber Office, 121 E Main St., Fairfield. If you are a chamber member, employee of a chamber member, or maybe considering becoming a member we invite you to join us for a night of networking. This is a come and go event sponsored by Christina Copeland Country Financial and Dr Shawn Bladel Recreated Health. There will be a 50/50 drawing.
The Wayne County Historical Society will meet at the Fairfield Park shelter closest to the Olive Branch Schoolhouse for the annual back to school picnic meeting on Thursday evening, 6pm, August 18th. The meat, bread, drinks, table service will be provided. You may bring a covered dish, dessert, or finger foods, if you wish, but not required. Everyone is welcome, members and guests. The schoolhouse will be open.
The Retail Merchants members met at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. In old business: Fall Activity – Moonlight Madness was set for Thursday, October 20 from 5-7pm. Make a Difference Day at FCHS is October 22, 2022. The farmer’s market is bringing people downtown on Saturday mornings. This week there were 5 vendors and approximately 70 people. Markets will continue through August. In new business: Fall City Wide Yard Sales Date will be Sept. 24, with a rain date the following week. $5.00/address and $10.00 for address/ad. Next meeting will be held Sept 6, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.
The 2022 Noble Homecoming Chowder is Saturday in the Noble Village Park. The serving of chowder will begin at 11:00, either by the bowl for $4.00 or by the bulk priced at $10.00 for a half gallon or $20.00 for a full gallon with a drive thru pickup available. Also, on the menu is fried chicken, pork burgers, hot dogs, slaw, baked beans, desserts, & drinks. Plus, a raffle drawing with various prizes and the “Stars” vintage quilt drawing. Tickets are on sale all week during regular hours at Noble Foods, the Tin Cup, and the Noble Village Hall.
Illinois State Police District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton, announced activity and enforcement figures for the month of July. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,228 incidents during the month. Enforcement activity consisted of 476 citations and 1,062 written warnings, including 2 DUIs, 191 speeding citations, 62 occupant restraint citations, 18 distracted driving citations, 17 criminal arrests, and 290 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 61 motorists, conducted 160 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 27 traffic crashes. There were two fatal traffic crashes, resulting in three fatalities, investigated by District 19 during July. Moreover, District 19 issued 273 citations and 415 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.
There were 4.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 7. Statewide, the average temperature was 78.6 degrees, 4.9 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.50 inches, 0.60 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8% very short, 16% short, 58% adequate, and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 6% very short, 18% short, 64% adequate and 12% surplus. Corn silking reached 96%, even with the 5-year average. Corn dough reached 55%, compared to the 5-year average of 60%. Corn dented reached 2%, compared to the 5-year average of 10%. Corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 54% good, and 21% excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 90%, compared to the 5-year average of 89%. Soybeans setting pods reached 61%, compared to the 5-year average of 67%. Soybean condition was rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 26% fair, 50% good, 20% excellent.
The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board had released crude oil production numbers for the first six months of the year with White County leading the totals by a long shot. From January through June, White County producers pumped over a million barrels of crude oil. The first six months production total for White County stands at 1,027,627 barrels. The total is more than triple that of Marion County, which recorded the second highest total at 370,871 barrels. Clay County ranked 6th for oil production with a total of 143,035 barrels produced. In the first six months of the year, Illinois producers turned out 3,623,308 barrels of crude oil, which averages over 20,000 barrels per day. The highest production month so far this year was March when producers turned out 659,470 barrels of oil. Officials added that compared to 2021, production numbers are down 16,066 barrels for the first half of the year, a decline of just .44%.
Recent flash flooding in the St. Louis metro area has led to some minor delays in mail delivery across Southern Illinois. Following historic rainfall throughout the city last week, a United States Postal Service Distribution Center in St. Louis was reportedly damaged by a small fire resulting from the flooding. Some mail processed through that Distribution Center has been delayed due to the situation. USPS says no major mail delays are expected, but some minor delays are to be expected this week.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 28.46 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.63 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 21.28 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 12.72 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 29.75 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 4.96 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $83.76 up $1.75 from yesterday. The September crude oil price is $88.79 up $0.31 from yesterday morning.