Starting at 7am today, part of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s main parking lot, to include the entrance into the main lobby of the hospital will be closed until approximately Noon. Drop offs and picks up will be at the Surgical Pavilion. This closure is due to a crane that will be moving in the new AC equipment as part of the Phase II renovations. There will be periods of time starting at 10am when they will be moving heavy duty equipment 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.
The Fairfield City Council met last night with all members present. The council approved 3 TIF Redevelopment Agreements. They include Farmers Daughter for $50,000. The business will be undertaking a complete renovation to the first floor and exterior work as well. Country Roads Realty for $5,500. Roof work and interior renovation are being completed. Gifford Properties LLC for $45,000. A complete renovation of the apartment complex in the 1400 block of West Main St. The complex currently has 6 available apartments with the planned renovations, the total number of available apartments will double to 12. Staffing issues continue to plague the Fairfield Police Department with last night’s announcement that Officer Scott Esmon had resigned to accept a position with the Grayville Police Department. It was also announced that 3 applicants had passed both the written and physical agility test and are in the process of undergoing additional testing. In other Police news, the council voted to purchase a new police vehicle from Lemonds at a cost of $39,500. It is unclear when the new vehicle will arrive. The council approved a street closing on November 5 for the Veterans Day Parade at 2:00 pm. Discussion was held regarding substantially increasing the building permit fee for both residential and commercial applicants. Discussion was also held concerning the placement of storage containers on properties in the city. It was agreed that only one container per property and the container must be painted. Current zoning ordinances would also have to be adhered to. The matter will be addressed further at a future council meeting.
Wayne County Treasurer, Donna Masterson is reminding Wayne County Taxpayers that the first installment of Real Estate Taxes is due on Friday, October 7th. Taxes can be paid at the Treasurer’s Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After Hours they can be placed in the drop box located on the West Side of the Courthouse, or they can be paid at any of the following banks: First Financial, Cisne Trust, Mt. Erie Banking Center, People’s National Bank, or Fairfield National Bank in Fairfield or Wayne City. For more information contact the Treasurer’s Office at 842-5087
Edwards County Treasurer Debbie Smith has announced that the 2021 payable 2022 Real Estate Taxes were mailed out yesterday. The Tax extension amounts to $6,490,579.88. The due dates have been set for Friday, October 28th and Monday, November 28, 2022. Payments may be made in person, by mail, or in the outside drop box. The box is located in front of the Cell Tower on the northeast side of the Courthouse (Sheriff’s side). Anyone who uses the drop box should include a daytime phone number on their information. Those who wish to pay online using a credit or debit card may go to www.govtechtaxpro.com which will add a 2.5% fee that goes to the credit card company. The instructions are listed on the back of the tax bills on how to pay online. The Mobile Home Tax due date was July 29, 2022. Unlike Real Estate taxes, the late fee is $25.00 per month on each month delinquent effective July 30th. As of September 30th, the late will be $75.00. For additional information call the Treasurer’s office at 445-3581.
The Fairfield PaintOut is underway. Tuesday, the artists gathered in the Wayne City area to complete several paintings. Those paintings were on display last night at the Wayne City mural at Boyd Mattress. This evening, vintage car owners and enthusiasts will be joined by the artists at Leo French Park for a Cruise In hosted by the Wayne County Misfits Car Club. Brain Freeze food truck will also be at the park. The artists will be completing a Quick Paint, which is a painting completed in one and one-half hours. Cars will gather west of the swimming pool at 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Artists will be painting from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, the paintings will be on display at Fusion Coffee in downtown Fairfield. Participants at Leo French Park and others interested in viewing the completed paintings are invited to Fusion to view the paintings, visit with the artists, and enjoy a coffee.
The results are in from the 2022 Edwards County Paint-Out, hosted by the Albion Area Chamber of Commerce, held on Monday, September 26th.
Professional Plein Air Awards:
Best of Show $250, sponsored by Wabash General Hospital’s Albion Clinic – Street by Vicki Gifford
People’s Choice $250, sponsored by Citizens National Bank of Albion – 5th Street by Vicki Gifford
Best of Edwards County $250, sponsored by the Albion Area Chamber of Commerce – Corn and Beans by Marty Coulter
Best of West Salem $100, sponsored by the West Salem Development Association – Quiet Afternoon by Farley Lewis.
Local Artist’s Awards:
Best of Show $250, sponsored by CRHPC Albion Community Health Center – Cornerstone by Tara Thompson
Best of Edwards County $250, sponsored by Doug Raber State Farm – Country Evening by Caleb Shelby
People’s Choice $100, sponsored by Mitchell Insurance – EC Lion by Kaci McGuire
Best of Albion $100, sponsored by The Hope Center – EC Lion by Kaci McGuire
Best of Bone Gap $100, sponsored by Magical Memories by Aubrey – Bone Gap Depot by Krista Garrod
The Paint-Out was made possible by the generous donation of many local businesses and people.
Nine people were recently booked into the Wayne County Jail:
On 9/18 W.C.S.O. booked Anthony A. Boyd-Bey on a Failure to Appear Warrant for a charge of No Valid Driver’s License.
On 9/19 FPD booked Haley Nichole Morgan on a charge of Criminal Trespass to Residence.
On 9/20 W.C.S.O. booked Jordan Michael Cottrill on an Unspecified Warrant issued out of Clay, IL.
On 9/21 W.C.S.O. booked Charles Edward Newton on a Failure to Appear Warrant for a charge of Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, a Failure to Appear Warrant on a charge of Operation of Vehicle without Registration, and a Failure to Appear Warrant on a charge of Driving While Driver’s License, Permit, or Privilege to Operate Motor Vehicle is Suspended or Revoked 2-Counts.
On 9/21 FPD booked Shannon Lee Cone on a charge of Criminal Trespass to Residence; and Hunter Wayne White on a Failure to Appear Warrant for DUI-Alcohol 2-Counts.
On 9/22 W.C.S.O. booked Susan Jean Grove on a Petition to Revoke Warrant for a charge of Methamphetamine Possession.
On 9/23 W.C.S.O. booked Robert Nicholas Williams on a Failure to Appear Warrant for 2-Counts of Criminal Sexual Assault.
On 9/24 W.C.S.O. booked Garrett S. Cosner on an Additional Hold for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
On 9/28 at approximately 12:09 a.m. Wayne County Sheriffs arrested 42-year-old Jason D Head on a charge of Violation of an Order of Protection, and a charge of Methamphetamine Paossession. Head is being held in the Wayne County Jail pending court appearance.
Reduced Rate Lab Testing with Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Laboratory Department will take place October 17th – November 5th. There will be six convenient locations to choose from: Fairfield Memorial Hospital Laboratory, Horizon Healthcare Carmi Medical Clinic, Horizon Healthcare Cisne Medical Clinic, Horizon Healthcare Grayville Medical Clinic, Horizon Healthcare Fairfield Medical Clinic and FMH Albion Lab Draw Station at the Edwards County Health Department. To schedule an appointment for the Reduced Rate Labs, call 847-0400.
The following tests will be offered at all locations:
Hemoglobin A1c (Diabetic Monitor) $20 | Lipid Panel (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and VLDL) $20 | PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) $20 | Thyroid Function Panel (T4, Free T3, Free T4, TSH) $40 | General Health Profile (Includes CBC, Lipid Screen, and a 12 test chemistry profile) $40 | Vitamin D Test $40
Patients should not have food or drink after midnight and payment is due at the time of service. Results of the test will be mailed directly to the patient’s home. Due to social distancing requirements, we are only able to offer our Reduced Rate Labs by appointment only.
Dates and times for each location are listed below: (Can Be Found on wfiwradio.com)
Reduced Lab Testing Horizon Healthcare Cisne Medical Clinic October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, October 22nd:
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab Testing October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, October 22nd from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Horizon Healthcare Cisne Medical Clinic. By appointment only. No walk-ins. Horizon Healthcare Cisne Medical Clinic is located at 413 Park Street in Cisne, IL.
Reduced Lab Testing Fairfield Memorial Hospital Laboratory October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, October 29th:
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab Testing October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, October 29th from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Fairfield Memorial Hospital Laboratory. By appointment only. No walk-ins. Fairfield Memorial Hospital Laboratory is located at 303 NW 11th Street in Fairfield, IL.
Reduced Lab Testing Horizon Healthcare Grayville Medical Clinic October 17th – November 5th – Tuesday thru Thursday and Saturday, October 29th:
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab Testing October 17th – November 5th – Tuesday thru Thursday and Saturday, October 29th from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Horizon Healthcare Grayville Medical Clinic. By appointment only. No walk-ins. Horizon Healthcare Grayville Medical Clinic is located at 319 W Commerce Street in Grayville, IL.
Reduced Lab Testing Horizon Healthcare Carmi Medical Clinic October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, November 5th:
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab Testing October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday and Saturday, November 5th from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Horizon Healthcare Carmi Medical Clinic. By appointment only. No walk-ins. The Horizon Healthcare Carmi Medical Clinic is located at 1103 West Main Street in Carmi, IL.
Reduced Lab Testing Horizon Healthcare Fairfield Medical Clinic October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday:
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab Testing October 17th – November 5th – Monday thru Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.at Horizon Healthcare Fairfield Medical Clinic. By appointment only. No walk-ins. Horizon Healthcare Fairfield Medical Clinic is located at 213 NW 10th Street in Fairfield, IL.
Reduced Lab Testing FMH Albion Draw Station – Edwards County Health Department October 17th – November 5th – Monday – Wednesday – Friday.
Fairfield Memorial Hospital will be holding a Reduced Cost Lab October 17th – November 5th – Monday – Wednesday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Albion Draw Station – Edwards County Health Department. By appointment only. No walk-ins.
The Edwards County Health Office in conjunction with the Edwards County Farm Bureau will be offering a drive-thru flu shot clinic on October 19, 2022, from 11:00am until 4:00pm at the Edwards County Fairgrounds in Albion, Illinois. The drive-thru flu shot clinic is for private pay, private insurance, and Medicare customers only. All Medicaid customers MUST call the health office and make an appointment to get a flu shot. Anyone ages six months and over can get a flu shot, however, the drive-thru clinic is recommended for only those ages 5 and up. Cost for private pay flu shots is $30 for low dose and $65 for high dose (for those over age 65). Anyone who wishes to get a flu shot at the drive-thru clinic will remain in their car and is urged to wear short sleeves. Those paying with private insurance or Medicare need to bring their insurance card. Those attending are asked to watch for traffic flow signs. This year there will be no flu shot clinics at the Senior Centers in the county. Seniors can come to the drive-thru clinic, make an appointment at the Edwards County Health Office, or visit their primary physician to get a flu shot. The drive-thru flu shot clinic is sponsored by the Edwards County Health Office in conjunction with the Edwards County Farm Bureau.
State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) announced that he has scheduled the next Satellite Office Hours for three locations around the 109th District on Wednesday, October 5 in Mt. Carmel, Albion, and Carmi. The times and locations are as follows:
- 8:00 – 9:30 AM at The River Church (315 N. Market St., Mt. Carmel)
- 10:15 AM – 12 Noon at The Hope Center (23 W. Cherry Street, Albion)
- 1:45 – 3:15 PM at White County Farm Bureau (304 E. Robinson, Carmi).
Representative Niemerg is encouraging residents to take advantage of these Satellite Office Hours stating, “If you have questions or concerns about state programs or policies or need help with a state issue, my staff and I are happy to help.” To schedule an appointment, please call the district office at 217-813-6036 or at the online office at RepNiemerg.com.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is highlighting the success of the Electronic Automobile Insurance Verification Program, which has led to a dramatic reduction of uninsured motorists. Over the first 14 months of the program the percentage of registered vehicles without verified insurance dropped from 12.7% of Illinois vehicles to 6.9%. During this same period, more than 540,000 vehicle owners have either obtained insurance or received license plate suspensions. Under the program, insurance companies work with the Secretary of State’s office to confirm electronically that motorists have automobile insurance. Vehicle owners’ automobile insurance is verified electronically at least twice a year at random intervals to ensure that vehicle owners are complying with the state’s mandatory automobile liability insurance laws. Most vehicle owners do not have to do anything, as electronic verification of automobile insurance is confirmed automatically. If electronic verifications are unsuccessful, the Secretary of State’s office sends a written request to the vehicle owner giving them the opportunity to prove they have insurance before suspending their vehicle registration. Vehicle owners must contact their insurance company or notify their insurance agent that they received a letter with a specific reference number from the Secretary of State. The insurance agent’s responsibility is to confirm electronically with the Secretary of State that the vehicle owner has automobile insurance on the verification date stated in the letter. It is important to note that vehicle owners who receive the letter should not visit a Driver Services facility; instead, they should contact their insurance company or agent who can provide the necessary electronic proof of insurance needed to clear either the license plate suspension or the pending license plate suspension. If vehicle owners are identified as uninsured, they must obtain automobile insurance and pay a $100 noncompliance fee to clear either the license plate suspension or the pending license plate suspension. White chaired the Uninsured Motorist Verification Advisory Committee that included insurance companies, traffic safety advocates and members of the General Assembly. The committee reviewed best practices and helped provide the guidelines used to establish legislation and program requirements.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 5.78 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.11 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 4.64 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.49 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 4.00 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 2.79 feet.
Today’s Crude Oil Price is $71.50 up $1.79 from yesterday. The November Crude Oil Price is $77.41 down $0.04 from yesterday morning.