Headlines for Tuesday, October 11th

A reminder that petitions for the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2023 are currently available in the office of City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft. Office hours are 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Mayor will be elected for a two-year term to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Dreith and one alderman from each of the City’s four wards will be elected for a four-year term. Petition circulation began September 20. Filing period for those petitions is December 12 – December 19.

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. 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. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for the Reduced Rate Labs, call 847-0400.

The City of Fairfield along with the Wayne County Chamber are having a community event on December 16-18 and are currently seeking vendors. There will be ice skating, vendor tent, trackless train, and downtown shopping just in time for Christmas. If you would like to be set up under the tent please call the chamber office for more
information, 842-6116

Geff Ruritan Frontier Days in the Park will take place on Saturday,
October 15th with Car and Truck Show Registration taking place from
8:30am until 10am. Events taking place on Saturday include Frog Races at 9am, the Turtles Races starts at 9:30. Diaper Derby is set for 10, also at 10 is the Antique Tractor Show Judging. 10:30 is the Sawdust Pile, with Sack Races at 11. The Famous Ham and Beans Feed in the Ruritan Building starts at noon, followed by the Car Show Awards at 1, and the Big Parade at 2. There will be a Basketball Shoot at 3, Pedal Pull at 4, 50/50 Drawing at 5, and Crowning of Little Miss Frontier Days will cap the evening off at 6pm. There will be sandwiches and drinks served all day at the Ruritan Building, a Craft Booth in the Park, and Cider, Sodas, & Funnel Cakes sold in the park.

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. “Offering a drive-thru clinic allows us the ability to serve our community in an efficient manner,” states Amanda McCoy of the Edwards County Health Office. 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.

It’s been announced that half of all rebate checks from the Illinois
Family Relief Plan have been processed so far. Eligible Illinoisans have been receiving their income and property tax rebates, with millions more going out in the coming weeks according to State Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki. Kownacki says most people will get the money via direct deposit, while others will receive a check. Income and property rebates were already sent out or are about to be distributed to about three million taxpayers, with the remaining rebates set to go out in the coming weeks. The process is expected to be complete by mid-November. You can check the status of your rebate and get more information online at tax.illinois.gov.

River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 4.96 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.01 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 4.10 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.36 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 3.30 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 2.58 feet.

Today’s Crude Oil Price is $84.13 down $1.51 from yesterday . The November Crude Oil Price is $91.13 down $.63 from yesterday morning.