Fairfield Memorial Hospital will bring their Mobile Mammography to Horizon Healthcare Carmi Medical Clinic located at 1103 W Main Street, Carmi, Illinois on Saturday, September 3rd, with appointments beginning at 8:00a.m. No physician order needed for those who are over the age of 40. It must have been at least one year since your last Mammogram. Patients are asked to bring their insurance card, photo ID, and doctor’s contact information. This event is for annual screening Mammograms only. Individuals can call the FMH Diagnostic Imaging Department at 618-847-8249 to secure an appointment with one of FMH’s skilled technologists. Walk-Ins are also welcome until 11am. After 11am, patients will be seen by appointment only.
The Federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former Fairfield City Police officer Justin Titzer against the City of Fairfield, The Fairfield Police Chief and others, is headed to mediation. In an order signed August 22 by Federal District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn, Titzer’s lawsuit was identified as a “Non-Exempt Civil Case” subject to automatic referral into the Court’s Mandatory Mediation Program. In the judges’s order, attorneys for both sides were directed to review the Court’s Mandatory Mediation Plan prior to a scheduled discovery conference. Each party will have 28 days from the discovery conference to select a mediator and file a stipulation with the court regarding their selection. The mandatory two-hour mediation session will be completed no later than 30 days after the discovery cut-off date. Additionally, the mandatory mediation proceedings shall be completed no later than 15 days after the discovery cut-off date. The basis of the lawsuit dates to October 2, of 2021 when Fairfield Police Sergeant Silas Eckelberry responded to a complaint at the Victoria Greer residence in Fairfield. According to the lawsuit, Eckelberry allegedly struck Greer in the throat with a metal flashlight. The lawsuit alleges that Greer went to the Emergency Room of a local hospital to seek treatment for her injuries. On October 5, Officer Titzer was dispatched to Greer’s home to investigate an unrelated matter. Greer told Sgt. Titzer that Eckelberry had struck her in the throat with his flashlight during the October 2 incident. Sgt. Titzer recommended Greer contact the Fairfield Police Department and file a complaint. October 26, 2021, the Fairfield Police Department placed Titzer on administrative leave pending an “investigation into violations of Department Policies and Procedures”. On that same day, the Department cleared Sgt. Eckelberry of any wrongdoing in the October 2 incident. Sgt. Titzer contacted the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and the FBI to request an impartial review into possible unreasonable use of force during the October 2 incident. On February 22 of this year, Officer Titzer was interrogated and given a Notice of Investigatory Interview by the department. The notice stated that Sgt. Titzer was being investigated specifically for contacting State and Federal agencies regarding the unlawful use of force allegations. Titzer’s suit alleges the City of Fairfield, Chief Fulkerson and Assistant Chief Colclasure retaliated against him in violation of Illinois’ Whistleblower Act and his right to free speech. Titzer is a decorated US Marine Corps veteran and has served with the Fairfield City Police Department since 2012. Titzer is seeking damages, back pay, front pay, pre-judgment interest, lost future wages and future pecuniary damages as well as damages for emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment.
Sean Adam Curtiss, 42 of Altamont made his first appearance in Edwards County Circuit Court Tuesday morning on charges related to an alleged shooting incident earlier this month. Curtiss is currently charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was allegedly involved in an incident August 21 in which a former Carmi woman, Malinda Williams was shot. After the incident, Williams was taken to the hospital in Mount Carmel and later airlifted to a trauma center in Evansville. Investigators have initially described the shooting as “likely accidental. In Edwards County Circuit Court Monday, a judge found probable cause in case and set Curtiss’ bond at $50,000 and set the matter for a preliminary hearing on September 13. The judge appointed Public Defender Brian Shinkle to represent the defendant. Court records reveal that Curtiss could not legally possess a firearm based upon a 2008 conviction in Jasper County, of being in possession of meth precursors. At the time of his arrest in the shooting incident, Curtiss was wanted on an active Effingham County warrant for failure to appear in court on two felony driving suspended charges. If convicted on the Class-2 felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Curtiss could draw a sentence of between 3-14 years in prison. According to Edwards County State’s Attorney Eric St. Ledger the case remains under investigation.
On 8/31 at approximatly 1:37 p.m. Fairfield Police arrested 35-year-old Natasha Y. Garret of Fairfield on a warrant out of Wayne county for a charge of Disorderly Conduct. She is currently being lodged in the Wayne County jail with a bond of $520. A court appearance has been set in this case for September, 22 at 1 p.m. in Wayne County Court.
On 8/31 at approximately 11:58 a.m. Wayne County Sheriff’s arrested 56-year-old Matthew D. Parr of Fairfield on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and a failure to appear warrant for two counts of Driving while License Suspended or Revoked. He was transported to the Wayne County Jail and lodged pending $595 bond. A court date has been set in this case for September 22, at 1 p.m. in Wayne County Court.
The Grayville Senior Citizens will be serving Chicken & Noodles with mashed potatoes, green beans, slaw, dessert, and drink, on Friday, September 2; serving begins at 5pm. On Saturday they will be having luncheon from 11am to 1 pm, serving ham salad or bologna salad sandwiches, chips, dessert, and drink. All meals are by donation. All are welcome, bring your friends and come in and visit. It’s cool inside!
Officials with Ameren Illinois is warning of calls attempting to scam customers with a disconnect threat if they do not make a payment. Ameren Illinois spokesman Brian Bretsch says Ameren will never request immediate payment through a cash app or money card. Common red flags of utility scams include unsolicited requests for personal information, requests to pay with prepaid credit cards, calls originating from a non-Ameren phone number, and offers that seem too good to be true. Contact Ameren at 1-800-755-5000 with any questions or if you feel you’ve been the victim of an attempted or successful scam.
The State DNR’s statewide dove hunting season begins today. With a daily limit of 15 birds, the possession limit is at 45 doves. Hunting is open each day from sunrise to sunset now thru mid-November, plus a few more days from late December thru the first week of January. Also continuing is the statewide squirrel hunting season which began on August 1st. For more information, go to the State DNR website, at www.dnr.state.il.us.gov.
This year’s Illinois State Fair appears to have been a huge success, although official attendance numbers are not yet available. The State Ag Department says there were nearly 4,500 youth exhibitors that showed livestock, 4-H projects, and arts & crafts projects, a higher number compared to past years. Plus the Governor’s Sale of Champions raised more than $220,000 for youth livestock exhibitors and the 4-H and FFA organizations, also a higher number than in years past. Most all food vendors reported record sales and it was noted the Illinois Specialty Growers Association sold 3,459 apple cider slushies made from 445 gallons of cider, over 4,200 peaches, and over 2,100 slices from 425 whole watermelons.
The 100th Annual Du Quoin State Fair is still going on. Today is Sponsor Appreciation Day with activities for the kids and Lainey Wilson on stage with Calista Clark and Ashland Craft, plus Head East at the RollnUp Beer Tent at 10:00. Friday is Illinois Tourism Day with bull riding at 7:00 and comedian Jeff Foxworthy on stage at 7:30. Saturday is SIU / College Day / and Coal Heritage Day with horse pulling, livestock shows, the Whippoorwill Rodeo at 4:00, Demo Derby at 6:00, and USAC Silver Crown car racing at 8:15. Sunday is Fire Responder Day with free admission for all police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s who show their badge, plus a car show, the Illinois Products Expo, pedal pull competition, more rodeo action, a talent contest, and ARCA Racing at 8:05 that night. The final day of the fair will be Monday. Plenty of carnival rides, games, and fair food concessions each day and night on the fairgrounds. For grandstand ticket sales, go online to ticketmaster.com. For more information on scheduled events visit the Du Quoin State Fair Facebook page.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White tested negative for the COVID-19 virus and has returned to work at the James R. Thompson Center. Last week, Secretary White tested positive for the virus. He experienced mild symptoms and worked from home while in quarantine. White is double vaccinated and twice boosted.
The state has announced the second round of applications for taxpayer-funded electric vehicle rebates will begin November 1st. This follows the first round of applications which will close September 30th. The rebates include $4,000 for an EV and $1,500 for a new all-electric motorcycle. Rebates must be applied for within 90 days of the purchase date.
There’s still no indication if there will be a special session of the Illinois General Assembly to discuss the abortion issue in Illinois, despite the fact that many state leaders said it would happen more than two months ago for the state to further its role in providing access to abortion. It appears that such a special session will not be held before the November 8th election. The state’s fall veto session is set to start the following week.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that abortion rights will be a central issue in the 2022 election, not just in his bid for reelection but in races up and down the ballot. That includes races for Congress and the Illinois Supreme Court as well as the governor’s race and state legislative contests. Speaking at a news conference with officials from political advocacy arms of Planned Parenthood organizations, Pritzker said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June overturning Roe v. Wade changed the focus of the 2022 elections and gave voters – particularly women – a new motivation to vote this fall. Pritzker’s comments came as the general election cycle is just getting into full swing and the two major party candidates try to define what the central issues of the campaign should be. So far, Pritzker’s Republican challenger, state Sen. Darren Bailey, of Xenia, has tried to focus the race on issues of law and order, including the high rate of violent crime in Chicago, as well issues like taxes, the economy and Pritzker’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Pritzker’s administration is addressing a shutdown at a BP facility in Whiting, Indiana caused by an electrical fire. Pritzker says they have taken proactive steps to increase gas supply and reduce barriers so all Illinoisans have access to fuel. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin were granted an emergency waiver of federal fuel regulations from the EPA. The temporary waiver allows for high volatility gasoline to be sold during the summer months, reducing fuel disruptions following the fire last week.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 7.70 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.31 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 5.64 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 4.18 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 9.64 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 3.67 feet.
Today’s Crude Oil price is $82.55 down $2.09 from yesterday. The October Crude Oil price is $87.54 down $2.75 from yesterday morning.