The FCHS Board met last night in special session. The board passed the updated Return to School Plan with one no vote from board member Matt Rush. Superintendent Jill Fulkerson stated that the plan was pretty generic and contained numerous suggestions for a safe return to school. She further stated that the plan is mandatory in order to receive some funding. After an Executive Session, the board employed Linda Johnston and DJ Vaughan as Individual Aides; Mark Wells as a part-time bus driver, to become full time in December; and Nate Neal as a Special Education Teacher. The board also raised the minimum aide pay to $15.00 per hour and $22.50 per hour for bus drivers. Driving for extra curricular trips was also raised to $22.50 per hour.
The Fairfield City Council met last night with a very light agenda to work through. The council unanimously approved a TIF Agreement in the amount of $3.000.00 with David Savage for improvements to his building at 200 East Main Street. The council repealed language in Ordinance Section 51.37, which involves contractor disposal of yard waste. Trick or Treat dates were set by the council, October 30 & 31 were established as the official dates for Trick or Treating in Fairfield. The times will be from 5-8pm each evening. The council addressed some housekeeping issues with old Executive Sessions and the destruction of audio tapes of closed session meetings. City Attorney Darrin Rice stated that this is routine and is customarily done twice annually. Mayor Pro-Tem Gary Moore reminded everyone of the Town Hall Meeting coming up on August 16 at City Hall.
The Fairfield Park District will hold a meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. Items on the agenda include the Pool and Financial Reports, discussions on the Splash Pad Project, and opening bids for lawnmower.
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Chamber Mixer, sponsored by Christina Copeland Country Financial and Dr Shawn Bladel Recreated Health, is scheduled for today from 5 PM- 7 PM at the Chamber Office, located at 121 E Main St. If you are a chamber member, employee of a chamber member, or may be considering becoming a member, you are invited to join in on this night of networking. This is a come and go event, there will be a 50/50 drawing.
The Illinois Elks Children’s Care, a not-for-profit charity, will be holding a Free Orthopedic clinic for children in Flora today. The organization is trying to reach out into neighboring communities to those who might benefit from this Free Clinic. For further information, contact the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corp office at 1-800-272-0074. Office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
The Wabash Area Development, Inc., as administrator of the Home Energy Assistance Program in Edwards, Hamilton, Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties has announced that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and electric bills and furnace assistance. The program will begin September 1, 2022, for all income-eligible households. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2023. There will be no priority groups this program year. Households in need are encouraged to apply. Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHEAP Program. The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1-$2,265, 2-$3,052, 3-$3,838, 4-4,625. Go to https://www.wadi inc.com/energy.html to know income limits for households with 5 members and more. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. Propane customers are encouraged to apply when the program opens in September to take greater advantage of lower propane prices. Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further. Applications will be taken at the following county outreach offices: Edwards, Hamilton, Gallatin/Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White. Documentation required to submit an application are: 1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application. 2. Proof of Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members. Individuals without an SSN or ITIN can still apply and Wabash Area Development, Inc. will advise accordingly. 3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days. 4. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact. 5. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office. Water and sewer cost assistance is available this year in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). You can apply for water and sewer assistance on the same application as LIHEAP. Bring your water bill(s) with you to your LIHEAP appointment. Help with arrearages is available as well as rate reduction assistance of $100-$400, depending upon your income level. Prior year recipients are eligible to re-apply. For more information, including outreach locations and schedules, contact Wabash Area Development, Inc. at 963-2387.
Several improvements are being made to the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The state is investing more than 58 million dollars to repair, upgrade, and revamp areas around the fair. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello says that includes a section of road frequently used by livestock exhibitors. Roads used by livestock competitors have been repaved to withstand heavy loads. Construction is ongoing at the multi-purpose arena, which will be closed during this year’s fair. Costello says once the fair is over work on the coliseum will resume. Other work scheduled for this year includes replacing the roof and H-VAC systems. The 2022 Illinois State Fair begins this coming Thursday and runs for ten days in Springfield. Adults will be able to get half-price tickets this Sunday through next Thursday, and children ages 12 and under can enter for free each day of the fair. The iconic, 500-pound Butter Cow will be unveiled to the public tomorrow inside the Dairy Building. For details on daily events and more check the State Fair website or on Facebook.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 28.37 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.54 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 21.02 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 10.72 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 29.75 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 4.93 feet.
Today’s crude oil price is $83.50 down $0.26 from yesterday. The September crude oil price is $90.20 up $1.43 from yesterday morning.