In a bizarre chain of events, the Village of West Salem is without a mayor and is also down one board member. However, Fire Chief Harvey Fenton who was fired last week by Mayor Dan Baker was reinstated by the Village Board at a special meeting that had been called for 5pm Monday night by then Mayor Baker, prior to him resigning earlier Monday citing concerns over the safety of village employees. A crowd of 100 concerned citizens attended the meeting held at the firehouse due to the size of the crowd. Board member Jeff Bradham was elected by the board to serve as member in charge for Monday night’s meeting. Bradham told the group that all OSHA requirements had been met and a release was sent October 11th just hours before the firing of Chief Fenton. The vote was unanimous to reinstate Fenton as Fire Chief, however when board member Misty Mewes was asked for her vote she resigned from the board. A special meeting has been called for 6:30pm Thursday to appoint a mayor to serve until the next election in April of next year. Along with Mayor Baker resigning, Village Attorney Darren Rice also resigned, citing that he worked at the request of the mayor who resigned earlier Monday.
On 10/09 Wayne County booked David T. Asher on a Failure to Appear Warrant on a charge of Disorderly Conduct – Actions Alarm or Disturb Another Provoking a Breach of Peace.
On 10/10 Wayne County booked Jack A Windle on a charge of Methamphetamine Possession, and Delivery/Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine; and Jesse L Owen on charges of Delivery/Possession with Intent to deliver Methamphetamine, and Methamphetamine Possession.
On 10/12 Wayne County booked the following people: Joshua W Beck on a charge of Failure to Appear on charges of Theft-Obtains/Exerts Unauthorized Control Over Property of the Owner Less than $500; Jessica N Riley on charges of Methamphetamine Possession, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance; and Susan J Grove on charges of Methamphetamine Possession, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Also, on 10/12 FPD booked Jesse O Hedden on a charge of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
On 10/13 Wayne County booked Kali A Johnston on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine; and ISP booked Tylor R Gefken on a Failure to Appear warrant issued by Lawrence IL.
On 10/15 ISP booked Thomas L Womack on a charge of DUI-Alcohol; Wayne County booked Rodney D Williams on charges of Resisting or Obstructing Peace Officer, Firefighter, or Correctional Institution Employee, Disorderly Conduct – Actions Alarm or Disturb another Provoking a Breach of Peace, and Arson – Damage to Real or Personal Property having value over $150; and FPD booked John E Luther on an Arrest Warrant issued by Richland IL.
On 10/17 Rachael L Walker, 30 of Fairfield, was arrested by Fairfield Police on a charge of Domestic Battery. Walker posted $270 and has been ordered to appear in Wayne County Court at 1 pm on November 17th.
On 10/17 Jay Allen Parrish, 39 of Mt. Carmel, was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. He was transported to the Wayne County Jail pending the posting of $250 bond. Court appearance in this case has been set for November, 17 at 1 pm.
On 10/17 Robert Wayne Boswell, 44 of Flora, was stopped at W. Delaware and Market Ave for Improper Lane Usage. Boswell would be cited for Improper Lane Usage and DUI Alcohol. He was transported to Wayne County Jail pending the posting of bond. Court appearance in this case has been set for December 8 at 1 pm.
On 10/17 Rachel Danielle Melton, 32 of Fairfield, was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant for a charge of Operating a Vehicle when Registration is Revoked, Cancelled, or Suspended, a Failure to Appear Warrant on a charge of Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and a Failure to Appear Warrant for a charge of Operating a Vehicle when Registration Suspended for no Insurance. She posted $250 bond and was given a court date of November 17 at 1 pm.
On 10/18 Robert J Seymore, 41 of Cisne, was arrested by Wayne County Sheriffs on a charge of Buglary, a charge of Theft-Obtain/Exert Unauthorized Control Over Property of the Owner Less than $500, and a charge of Criminal Damage to Property. He was lodged in the Wayne County Jail.
Wayne County Treasurer Donna Masterson reports that over 71% of Wayne County Property taxes have now been collected. The total amount collected in the past 6 weeks is $14,159,379.95. The total amount due to be collected is $20,055,049.66. The second tax due date is scheduled for December 9th, with certified letters due to be mailed out on January 6, 2023. The annual tax sale will be held on February 8th with the sealed bid auction set to be held on December 16, 2023.
A reminder to the public that the City of Fairfield’s water department is advising that water will be shut off on East Douglas Street from S. 1st Street to SE 6th Street on Oct. 18 and possibly Oct. 19. This is due to valve maintenance in that area. Please take caution if traveling in this area. The City appreciates your patience while this maintenance is being completed.
Also, a reminder that the Village of Wayne City will be flushing fire hydrants the week of October 17 through October 21. This will include the Village of Keenes. Village residents might experience periods of discolored water and pressure fluctuations.
Fairfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Chili Bar Fundraiser at Fairfield Memorial Hospital Cafeteria on October 21st, 2022 from 10am – 1:30pm. Chili Dog with toppings – $3.00; Bowl of Chili with toppings – $4.00; Chili Baked Potato with toppings – $6.00; Chili Nachos with toppings – $6.00; Chili Fries with toppings – $6.00. Funds raised from this event will help purchase hospital equipment and help fund special hospital projects. For more information on this event or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Shauna Williams, Marketing Director and Coordinator of Volunteers at 618-847-8242.
The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board will meet tonight at 6:15pm in the Olney Central College Banquet Room.
The Blue Point Church will be hosting a blood drive in The Link-Gymnasium today 2022, from 1-6 p.m. Please go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: BLUEPOINT to set up your appointments. Walks-ins also welcome. There will be sandwiches, chips and cookies served to all donors. Blue Point is located three miles north of Cisne on 161 and then two miles north on Blue Mound Road or eight miles south of Flora on Blue Mound Road. For questions call Connie McGrew at 618-839-1981 or Pastor Ernie Lewis at 618-838-6708.
There will be a blood drive today at the Wayne City High School FCCLA, located at 302 Mill Street in Wayne City. The drive will take place from 9am to 1pm. For more information visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 16th. Statewide, the average temperature was 53.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.59 inches, 0.08 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 22% very short, 31% short, 44% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 24% very short, 33% short, 42% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn mature reached 88%, compared to the 5-year average of 94%. Corn harvested for grain reached 47%, compared to the 5-year average of 55%. Corn condition was rated 3% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 53% good and 20% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 96%, compared to the 5-year average of 93%. Soybeans harvested reached 55%, compared to the 5-year average of 58%. Soybean condition was rated 4% very poor, 4% poor, 21% fair, 53% good, and 18% excellent. Winter wheat planted reached 39%, compared to the 5-year average of 51%. Winter wheat emerged reached 8%, compared to the 5-year average of 22%.
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 4.97 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.03 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 4.41 (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.11 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 3.24feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 2.40 feet.
Today’s Crude Oil Price is $78.46 down $0.15 from yesterday. The November Crude Oil Price is $85.15 down $0.39 from yesterday morning.