Fairfield Upward Sports will be holding Registration and Evaluations for the Upward Basketball and Cheer Season for boys and girls enrolled in kindergarten through 6th grade. Evaluations will be held at Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 4th and Thursday, January 5th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Registration forms can be completed prior to the mandatory evaluation. The Upward season will kick off with practices the week of January 29th. The first game day is February 11th and the season will conclude March 11th. Registration fee for the Upward Season is $40. Basketball players have the option to add shorts for an additional $12.00.
The Edwards County School Board met in regular session on Monday and heard from Lisa Glover of the sports booster club. Glover would like to implement different levels of support for the sports programs in the schools. The board appointed Lora Holder as DCFS Liaison, and heard that the cafeteria program is in the red by 36-thousand dollars. Superintendent Cowger told the board during his comments that the Vocational Steering Committee would like to include an Industrial Arts instructor and possibly a Business teacher.
Notice has been given that a lottery to determine ballot placement for the Consolidated Election to be held April 4, 2023 will be conducted on Wednesday, December 21 at 9:00 a.m. This lottery will be held for 2nd Ward Aldermen candidates who filed simultaneously at City Hall at 7:00 a.m. Monday, December 12th. The lottery will be conducted in the office of City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft, Local Election Official for the City of Fairfield.
The Albion Area Chamber of Commerce is taking nominations for their Business of the Year, Person of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year. Nominations are open to anyone living or headquartering their business in Edwards County and are due back to the Chamber by December 31st. Nomination forms can be picked up from The Watering Can, Fifteen West. Bailey’s Bistro and from Averi at Citizens National Bank. You can also request a form. Reach us on our Facebook page, Albion Area Chamber of Commerce for any questions.
On Friday Wayne County responded to an accident near Barnhill. 43-year-old Fairfield resident Staci L Hodges was traveling north on County Highway 6 when a deer entered the
roadway. Hodges was unable to avoid contact, causing over $1500 vehicle damage. There were no injuries.
Friday, Wayne County responded to an accident in Mt. Erie. 16-year-old Kenidee Boldt of Olney was traveling on S. Long St., when for unknown reasons she left the roadway; striking a residence at 204 S. Long. Bolt left the scene of the accident before deputies arrived, but was identified by debris left at the scene. Boldt was eventually located and interviewed by police, and issued citations.
23-year-old Fairfield resident James Kincart pleaded guilty in Wayne County Court to a charge of DUI, a Class A Misdemeanor. Per the plea agreement an additional charge was dismissed. Kincart was given credit for one day served, and fined a $2,061. A review hearing for this case is set for 11/2/2023. Kincart was represented by Heidi Hoffee.
51-year-old Fairfield resident Tanya R. Ford pleaded guilty in Wayne County Court to a charge of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 4 Felony. Ford was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, given credit for one day served, and ordered to pay $1,944 in fines and costs. Ford was represented by Heidi Hoffee.
40-year-old James R. Savage pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony. Per the plea Savage was sentenced to 24 months of probation, ordered to fulfill 30 hours of public service, and ordered to pay $3,891 in fines and court costs. Savage was credited with eight days served. A review hearing has been set for this case on 11/14/2024 at 9:00 a.m. Savage was represented by Bill Milner.
38 year old George Rankin of Charleston, IL, pleaded guilty in Wayne County Court to a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony. He was sentenced to two years’ probation, given credit for 24 days served, and ordered to pay $4,986. A review hearing in this case has been set for 5/9/2024 at 9:00 a.m.
With holiday shopping in full swing, all residents and business owners are being warned to be alert to the possibility of counterfeit money being passed. Three fake $100 bills were recently discovered in the Effingham area and two were discovered at Greenville businesses. It was just a few weeks ago that counterfeit bills, in the $20 and $100 denominations, were showing up in various downstate locations. While the fake bills all had different serial numbers, some were easy to spot as fake due to the texture of the paper, coloring, and centering. Authorities ask everyone to inspect all bills upon receipt and contact local law enforcement or state authorities if any fraudulent bills are suspected.
Hunters in Illinois harvested a total of 76,854 deer during the week-long 2022 Illinois Firearm Deer Season that concluded on December 4. The counting comes from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who released the preliminary numbers Thursday. Randolph, Jackson and Williamson Counties were near the top of the list for the number of deer killed. The preliminary harvest for the first segment of this year’s firearm season November 18 – 20 was 52,354 deer.
llinois is bracing for a winter storm this week. The National Weather Service says blizzard conditions are possible beginning Thursday morning for portions of central and west central Illinois, with over three inches of snow possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 miles per hour. A winter storm watch is in effect from Thursday morning until Saturday morning. Travel could be very difficult, as areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
The Family Bereavement Leave Act will go into effect in Illinois on January 1st. The measure expands unpaid leave rights for employees across the State. The FBLA is an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act that expands leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions or surrogacy agreements, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events negatively impacting pregnancy or fertility.
Illinois health officials are encouraging older adults across the state to get up-to-date on their vaccinations ahead of the holidays. The latest data shows an increase in COVID-19 and influenza cases across Illinois. In addition, 86 counties in Illinois rated at an elevated level for COVID. Data shows the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is punishing a group of nursing homes in the state for violations of the Nursing Home Care Act. More than a dozen were fined 25-thousand- dollars for Type A violations, which are violations with substantial probability that death or serious mental or physical harm will or has occurred. Most nursing homes were fined in connection to resident falls with injuries, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and resident abuse and neglect.
Bloomington Police is trying to identify two suspects in a string of fraudulent transactions. The man and woman went on a cross-town spending spree last week using a stolen credit card at numerous local retailers. Images of the suspects have been posted on the Bloomington Police Department’s Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to call the department.
Mondelez International is selling its manufacturing facility in Illinois. The company announced it has agreed to sell its gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe to Perfetti Van Melle Group for more than one-point-three billion-dollars. The sale includes Mondelez’s manufacturing facility in Loves Park, Illinois. The plant will become Perfetti’s first and only gum manufacturing facility in North America.
The Illinois Commerce Commission is offering a few tips to help homeowners prepare for freezing temperatures. Residents should install smart thermostats that automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings. They should also check with their utility company about enrolling in time-based electricity rates programs to reduce energy usage during peak hours or to learn about energy efficiency services they may offer.