Matthew McCue Takes Over as FCC Head Baseball Coach
Frontier Community College has hired Matthew McCue to serve as Head Baseball Coach beginning Monday, October 24th. McCue has an extensive background in collegiate-level baseball as he has both playing and coaching experience. McCue has recently spent time as a coach and private instructor for Marucci Midwest Arkansas. Prior to that, he spent three years as the Director of Athletics and Head Baseball Coach at Ecclesia College in Springdale, Arkansas.
During his time as Head Coach, McCue’s teams accumulated more than 30 wins each year, with multiple weeks ranked nationally in the National Christian College Athletic Association polls and two trips to the NCCAA World Series. In addition to overall team accomplishments, multiple players have been named All-Americans while playing for McCue, as well as many other honors including being named to the All-Central Region Team.
McCue says he possesses the knowledge and coaching style to be successful in this position. He has made multiple contacts in the Midwest region that will assist him in recruiting. Along with progress on the field, Coach McCue believes in the development of a culture that ensures student-athletes have the preparation, encouragement, and resources necessary to complete their degree plans.
FCC is very excited to have Coach McCue on board and look forward to seeing all the value he can bring the school, program, and community. “We are very excited to have Head Coach Matt McCue leading our baseball team. His experience as a head coach at a four-year college along with assistant coach experience at a community college has prepared him well to develop players and move them to the next level. We look forward to having Matt and his family as a part of our Frontier family and community,” says Athletic Director Nixie Hnetkovsky.
Matthew McCue, Head Baseball Coach for FCC
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Jail Reports
On 10/26 Wayne County stopped Trevor J Edwards, 21, of Barnhill, northbound on US Hwy 45 at I-64 near Barnhill, a white Lincoln of an unknown year. Edwards was ticketed for No Valid Drivers License, it was also determined that the plates did not match the vehicle. He was given a notice to appear in Wayne County Court on December 12 at 1 pm. Later in the day on the 26th Wayne County Sheriffs arrested Trevor J Edwards, on an unspecified warrant. He is currently lodged in the Wayne County Jail without bail.
On 10/26 at 2:42pm Wayne County arrested Brady Michael Thomason, 22, of Fairfield on an unspecified warrant issued out of Effingham. Thomason was also arrested on Failure to Appear warrants for the following charges: Criminal Damage to Property over $500; Possession of Methamphetamine; Bringing/Possessing Contraband in a Penal Institution; 2 Counts Possession Controlled or Counterfeit Substances; Possession of Cannabis 10gm or less; 2 Counts Delivery/Manufaturing Cannabis 10gm or less; FOID Required Acquired Possession of Ammunition. Thomason is being held on $10,020 bond.
On 10/27 at 2:34 am Fairfield Police arrested Brylan Chanse Stephenson, 24, of Fairfield on three counts of Aggravated Battery of Peace Officer, Policing Volunteer, Fireman, or Security Officer. There were no reports of injuries or dangerous weapons in this arrest. Stephenson was also charged with Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer, Firefighter, or Correctional Institution Employee, and Aggravated Assault – Offense based only on location. He is being lodged in the Wayne County Jail awaiting first appearance.
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Courthouse Report
On 10/25 Cody R Smith entered a Plea of Guilty to a Class 3 Felony charge of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $4,554 in fines and costs.
On 10/25 Kyle P Altizer entered a Plea of Guilty to a Class 2 Felony charge of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to two years probation, and ordered to pay $3,785 in fines and costs.
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Edwards County Real Estate Taxes Due Friday
Edwards County Treasurer Debbie Smith has announced that the first payment of the 2021 payable 2022 Real Estate Taxes is due tomorrow, Friday, October 28th, with the second installment due on Monday, November 28, 2022. This year’s tax extension amounts to $6,490,579.88.
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. The late fee was $25.00 per month each month delinquent effective July 30th through September 30th. As of September 30th, the late fee is $75.00 per month delinquent.
For additional information call the Treasurer’s office at 445-3581.
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FCHS Class of 2023 are hosting a Christmas Cash Raffle
Parents of the FCHS Class of 2023 are hosting a Christmas Cash Raffle to raise funds to benefit the senior class After Prom event. Tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by contacting any parent of an FCHS senior or by contacting Sarah Rush at 516-1200 or Sandra Stence at 315-7056.
Tickets are $10 each and purchasers are eligible for cash prizes. Drawings will be held beginning December 5th and conclude on December 14th, 2022. The monies raised will go to benefit the FCHS Class of 2023 After Prom event.
For more information, please contact Sarah Rush at 516-1200 or Sandra Stence at 315-7056.
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West Salem Development Association’s Annual Christmas Auction
The West Salem Development Association will host its annual Christmas Auction on Friday, November 4 at the Community Building on the West Salem Square. The auction, with merchandise provided by Thomas Factory Outlet, will begin at 6 p.m. Food will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will help fund community projects.
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LIHEAP Assistance Available for Qualified Households
A reminder The Wabash Area Development, Inc., as administrator of the Home Energy Assistance Program in Edwards, Hamilton, Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties are currently taking applications for the LIHEAP energy assistance program to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane, and electric bills, as well as furnace assistance. Various requirements apply, including proof of documentation and more.
Applications are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2023, with no priority groups this program year.
Households in need are encouraged to apply. Prior year recipients are eligible to re-apply. 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 early 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 are being accepted at the county outreach offices in Edwards, Hamilton, Gallatin/Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White. 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.
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Prices To Heat a Home in Illinois Could Double or Even Triple this Winter
Prices to heat a home in Illinois this winter could double or even triple in some cases due to the war in Ukraine, according to GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects natural gas prices could increase 22% this winter.
It’s not just natural gas on the rise, DeHaan reports diesel prices at the pump could be on the rise because of refinery fires in the Midwest.
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State Representative Adam Niemerg Files Legislation to Suspend Illinois Motor Fuel Tax
State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) has filed legislation to suspend the Illinois motor fuel tax for the next four months. House Bill 5732 would include the sales of motor fuel, gasohol, majority blended ethanol fuel, biodiesel, and biodiesel blends. The Representative said that not only is the reduction needed to help area families and farmers, but it will be a savings for businesses and schools that are paying high fuel costs for trucking and school buses. Niemerg is working for the legislation to be called for a hearing and vote during the upcoming veto session which starts a week after the General Election on November 15th.
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State Police Warning of Scammers
The Illinois State Police are still warning area people of scammers impersonating state police representatives. Authorities say the scammers are using a technique called “spoofing” to disguise their actual phone number and make the caller ID appear to be a government agency, like the Illinois State Police. Authorities remind people that law enforcement agencies never call by telephone or cellular phone to solicit money from the public. When doing so, the Illinois State Police, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, and others always use contact by mail.
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Illinois A.G. Issues Consumer Alert About Student Debt Relief Fraud
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is issuing a consumer alert about potential student debt relief scams. Attorney General Raoul says his office is already hearing about fraudulent emails and phone calls to borrowers with student loan debt.
Raoul says you should only get information from the U.S. Department of Education or your private lender. Raoul is urging borrowers to be vigilant, especially as Federal loan payments paused during the pandemic resume in January.
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Mountain Lion(s) Roaming Illinois
There’s at least one mountain lion roaming Illinois now, and the State Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to leave him alone. A cougar was struck and killed on I-88 earlier this month, but there’s a second one. It was fitted with a GPS collar last year by Nebraska officials and has made its way here according to DNR Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer.
Wefer reminds that mountain lions are protected so it is illegal to hunt, kill or harass them unless they are an imminent threat to yourself or your property. Mountain lions are rare in Illinois with only eight confirmed sightings over the past 20 years. Wefer says more often than not, suspected sightings turn out to be a large dog, or a bobcat. You can report sightings online at wildlifeillinois.org.
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Crop Yield Report
Despite a dry summer in Illinois, corn and soybean yields appear to be mostly favorable around the state. The USDA reports Illinois farmers are expecting a 210 bushel per acre average yield for corn, which if realized, would match the state’s record high yield set in 2018. Meanwhile, statewide soybeans are predicted at 66 bushels per acre, which would break the previous record of 60 bushels per acre in 2020. And this all comes while nearly a tenth of the state experienced drought conditions. There are roughly 75,000 farm operators in Illinois, down from 164,000 back in 1959. During the past sixty-plus years, the average farm size has more than doubled with less farmers producing more acreage.
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River Stages
River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 5.04 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 4.88 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 4.15 (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.34 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 3.36 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 2.47 feet.
Crude Oil
Today’s Crude Oil Price is $80.91 up $2.59 from yesterday. The December Crude Oil Price is $88.19 up $2.48 from yesterday morning.