The Tax Increment Financing Committee will meet this afternoon at 5:15 p.m. in City Hall. Items on the agenda will include Building Rehabilitation at 1410 West Main owned by Andrew Gifford and Building Renovation at 506 West Main owned by Jessica McCleary.
Fairfield Memorial Hospital is offering CPR Certification to the public free of charge. The class will be held today from 9:00am – 1:00pm in the FMH Medical Arts Complex Education Rooms located at 213 NW 10th Street in Fairfield. For more information or to pre-register call 618-847-8243. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited. Attendees will be required to go thru the entrance screening and wear masks at all times unless otherwise instructed by the instructor.
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. For income limits on households with 5 members and more, visit www.wadiinc.com/energy.html. 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. To submit an application, you MUST submit: 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 also 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. Call Wabash Area Development, Inc. at 963-2387 for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.
On 8/30 at approximately 9:20 a.m. Wayne Co Sheriff’s responded to a two vehicle collision on US Highway 15 at Four Mile Township. 69-year-old Herchel W. Moore of Fairfield was travelling westbound on Hwy 15 in a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 following an unknown vehicle. 20-year-old Clark B. Anderson of Fairfield was also westbound on Hwy 15 in a 2005 Dodge Ram owned by Ronnel and Francie Anderson. According to the accident report, the unknown vehicle came to an immediate stop, then turned right on to County Highway 13. Moore was able to swerve and avoid the unknown vehicle, Anderson was unable to stop in time and struck Moore in the rear of the vehicle. Anderson was ticketed for Failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident, no court date is required. There were no injuries reported at the scene of the crash.
Eight people were recently booked into the Wayne County Jail.
On 8/22 Fairfield Police booked William Michael Weccele on a Civil Warrant issued by Edwards Co, and James A Lurz Jr. on a Failure to Appear Warrant issued by Wayne Co. for a charge of Driving with Suspended or Revoked License. Also, on the 22nd the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office booked Joshua A Coombs on a Failure to Appear Warrant issued by Wayne Co for a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
On 8/24 the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office booked Tre Alexander Sterling on a charge of Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Fireman, or EMS, a charge of Criminal Trespass to Residence, and a charge of Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer.
On 8/26 the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office booked Alyssa Marie Collins. Collins was Sentenced to serve 137 days Consecutive; and the Illinois State Police booked Heather Ann Dunlap on a Wayne County Arrest Warrant for a charge of Disorderly Conduct.
On 8/27 Fairfield Police booked Gage L Devers on a Failure to Appear Warrant issued by Wayne County for a charge of Driving with Suspended or Revoked License, and an unspecified arrest warrant out of Hamilton County.
The 14th annual Wayne County Antique Tractor Drive will be held on Labor Day. All tractors that are model year 1992 or earlier are welcome to participate. The route will begin and end at Vaughan Equipment Incorporated, located at 908 South First Street in Fairfield. Planned tours during the drive include Junkyard Art by Tam-I-Am and Scarbrough Trucking. Check-in will begin at 8:00 am with a planned departure time of 9:00. Pictures will be taken at the time of check-in and the driver meeting will begin promptly at 8:45. Recognition will be given for the most original unrestored tractor, oldest tractor, youngest driver, and the driver who traveled the furthest to be at the event. The oldest driver will be recognized with the Earl Smith Memorial Award. Registration is $30. Lunch is included with the registration fee. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license in order to drive in this event. It is recommended that tractors be able to keep a 10-mph pace during the drive. Other requirements are listed on the registration form. All the details can be found at waynecfb.com/tractordrive.
Gavilon Grain-Browns, The Edwards County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, and Wabash Valley Service Company, conducted the 15th annual Edwards County corn yield survey on Tuesday, August 30. The results are an estimated 2022 county corn average of 161.75 bushels per acre. Ellery was the highest with 183.42 bushels per acre. Salem was the lowest with 151.35 bushels per acre. “Those collecting samples did notice issues with worms and weeds in several fields, but overall were very happy with what they found,” stated Rebecca Perry, FBCM of the Edwards County Farm Bureau. “They were pleased with the overall ear size and kernel size.” After the survey, collectors are estimating peak harvest to be early October. The county average is very similar to last year. The biggest difference from 2021 was Ellery Township which was up around 50 bushels from the 2021 survey. Browns Township was also down around 40 bushels from 2021. The survey was conducted by randomly picking six fields in each township and eight from Shelby (due to size), and then taking three samples from each field. Fifty fields were checked, in all. all counts were based on 90,000 kernels per bushel. Township Averages: Albion – 179.44 bushels per acre; Bone Gap – 166.90 bushels per acre; Browns – 168.11 bushels per acre; Dixon – 172.63 bushels per acre; Ellery – 183.42 bushels per acre; French Creek – 175.10 bushels per acre; Salem – 151.35 bushels per acre; and Shelby – 154.65 bushels per acre.
There were 6 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 28. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.20 inches, 0.56 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8% very short, 24% short, 63% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 10% very short, 22% short, 66% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn dough reached 85%, compared to the 5-year average of 91%. Corn dented reached 46%, compared to the 5-year average of 61%. Corn mature reached 3%, compared to the 5-year average of 7%. Corn condition was rated 3% very poor, 4% poor, 24% fair, 49% good, and 20% excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 86%, compared to the 5-year average of 93%. Soybean condition was rated 3% very poor, 4% poor, 27% fair, 48% good, 18% excellent.
A note to the public that counterfeit money is still being passed throughout the downstate region. The latest report says the counterfeit bills are again in the $20 and $100 denominations and the bills have showed up at various locations within our downstate listening area throughout southeastern and south-central Illinois. While the counterfeit bills all have different serial numbers, some are rather noticeable due to the texture of paper, color, and centering. Authorities ask everyone to inspect all bills upon receipt & to contact local law enforcement if any fraudulent bills are suspected.
Authorities are alerting area landowners of a regional property tax scam, especially now, when most real estate tax bills are due or have already been paid. Residents are being called by individuals saying they are county office staff workers or property tax buyers, telling landowners to immediately pay property taxes or else they will lose their land. The public is reminded that local county offices do not call landowners telling them that property taxes must be paid immediately. All information from the county only comes in the mail, and most often it is certified mail, showing who it’s from. If people have been a victim of such a scam or have been contacted by scammers, they should contact their local law enforcement agency.
As students return to classes, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Darren Bailey called for a dramatic change at the University of Illinois to prioritize Illinois students. The plan calls for a shift over time requiring 90% of students in freshman incoming classes to be from Illinois. Currently, that number often drops below 75%. Bailey stated, “Too many hard-working Illinois students are being left behind as the University has increasingly lost focus on its core mission to educate and lift up our students in Illinois. We should join other states in requiring the vast majority of undergraduates to be from our state. Ensuring our students have access to a great education shouldn’t be controversial; putting Illinois students first is common sense.” Bailey proposes to increase the proportion of freshman enrollees who come from the State of Illinois over each of the next four years. The goal of this policy is to increase the proportion of Illinoisans from approximately 75% to 90% of total enrollment at the University of Illinois. Senator Bailey proposes a new state law to guarantee the following proportion of first-year student seats at the U of I: 2023-2024: 79% of the first-year class; 2024-2025: 82.5% of the first-year class; 2025-2026: 86.5% of the first-year class; 2026-2027: 90% of the first-year class.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 11.61 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.97 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 5.25 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 12.34 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 11.85 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 3.26 feet.
Today’s Crude Oil price is $84.64 down $3.95 from yesterday. The October Crude Oil price is $90.29 down $4.83 from yesterday morning.