The Edwards County Farm Bureau is sponsoring the eleventh annual “Bob’s Tree.” “Bob’s Tree,” is a Christmas tree dedicated to former Edwards County Farm Bureau manager Bob Mason. Bob had a passion for several things, two of them being children and Farm Bureau. In addition, even after retirement, he always brought a Christmas Tree into the Farm Bureau office. To help those who are less fortunate, and as a way to honor Bob, the “Bob’s Tree” project was created. The community is urged to bring in new, homemade, or gently used scarfs, hats, and gloves for children and adults, to be displayed on a Christmas tree, into the Farm Bureau office from now until December 2, 2022. The items will then be donated to needy children in the county. All who donate a scarf, hat, or gloves will be entered into a drawing for a gift card. The drawing will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022.
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 618-516-1200 or Sandra Stence at 618-315-7056. 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 618-516-1200 or Sandra Stence at 618-315-7056.
The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois are reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober this Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, some motorists and their passengers will travel without ever buckling their seat belts, which drastically increases the chance of injury or death if they’re involved in a crash. Proper seat belt use is the single most effective way to save your life in a crash, which is why State Police and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through November 28th for the Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign. During the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 12 people were killed in motor vehicle related crashes in Illinois, four of which were drug or alcohol related. This Thanksgiving, you can make all law enforcement officers jobs simpler and, more importantly, safer by driving sober and buckling up. The Click it or Ticket campaign is administered by IDOT with federal traffic safety funds.
Edwards County Treasurer Debbie Smith announces the 2021 payable 2022 Real Estate Taxes were mailed today. 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 If you need additional information please call the Treasurer’s office at 618-445-3581.
The Mount Vernon Elks 819, Centralia Elks 493, Fairfield Elks 1631, Salem Elks 1678 and McLeansboro Elks 1882 Lodges in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation will sponsor a free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic on Thursday, December 1, 2022. The clinic is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and is by appointment only. To make an appointment call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 1-800-272-0074 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic. The Elks will hold the clinic at the Neuromuscular Orthopaedic Institute office of Dr. Alan Froehling. The office is located at 302 Broadway Street, in Mount Vernon. No medical referral is necessary for the clinic but physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion. School nurses are welcome to refer children and families to the clinic. The clinic is an ideal time to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development.
The Senior Life Solutions Department is sponsoring an Antique Christmas Angel Tree for older adults throughout the community who are in need or do not have any family nearby. Each ornament on the Antique Christmas Angel Tree has the name of an older adult, along with items they desire or need. Simple things like a warm blanket or socks can warm their hearts, minds, and bodies during this holiday season. Starting Tuesday, November 1st, anyone who would like to sponsor an “antique angel” can choose an ornament from the Antique Christmas Angel Tree by contacting the Senior Life Solutions Department at 618-847-8298. Once you are ready to return your gift, please call FMH Senior Life Solutions at 618-847-8298 or Mary Knight in Administration at 618-847-8243 to arrange for the drop off of your gift. Gifts need to be by Tuesday, November 29th and they do not have to be wrapped. “The Christmas spirit comes alive whenever our staff show up at their door to deliver their gifts. Seeing the smiles, and sometimes tears, on their faces is heartwarming and reminds how great it feels to be able to give to those in need in our community. It truly is an indescribable feeling. This is our sixth year to host this program and we love being a part of it! We appreciate all of the support that our staff and community gives to help make this program a success.” commented FMH CEO Katherine Bunting-Williams.
A 47-year-old Vandalia man was sentenced Thursday in federal court to more than 10 years in prison after he earlier pleaded guilty to meth and weapons charges. Shane Hans pleaded guilty in July to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute meth, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. As part of his guilty plea, Hans acknowledged that on May 14, 2021, he possessed, with intent to distribute, approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine that was recovered by law enforcement officials from his residence in Vandalia. Hans also acknowledged he possessed a firearm recovered from his residence on that date while knowing he was a convicted felon. He further acknowledged on July 24, 2021, he knowingly distributed approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine from his residence in Vandalia. Hans was sentenced to 130 months on count one and count two, and 120 months on count 3 to be served concurrently. He could have been sentenced to as much as 20 years in federal prison. His arrest was the result of a cooperative investigation by the FBI and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.