The Fairfield Fire Department responded to a major structure fire in the North West
Apartment at 1410 West Main Street at about 12:45 Monday morning. The structure is
known to Fairfield residents as the Parker building. Fairfield Fire requested back up from
Fairfield Rural, Cisne, Orchardville, Wayne City, Albion, and Enfield Fire had sent a truck to
carry water to the scene. IDOT was notified that main street was shut down at the scene and
the Red Cross was on hand to help those displaced by the fire. The two-story U-shaped brick
building situated is between Johnson Creek and Gordy’s Machine and Tool. The building had
recently been purchased by Andrew Gifford who was planning to renovate the building into
an apartment complex.
From the Albion Police Department Facebook Page: We are seeking assistance in attempting
to locate Jaylen Dunn. He is a 17-year-old runaway. Last seen on Pine Street in Albion, IL. We
are unsure of where he is and are concerned with his safety and well-being. He has friends in
West Salem, Grayville, and Albion. If you have seen Jaylen, please get in touch with the family
if you are familiar with them or the Albion Police Department at 618-445-2721.
The IECC Business & Industry program has announced it will be hosting a two-night seminar in
Fairfield talking about the use of drone technology to streamline area farming operations.
With the cost of $150 per person, the “Drones in Agriculture” seminar will be held at the New
Beginnings Church in Fairfield from 5:00 to 8:00 on the back-to-back nights of this Wednesday
and Thursday, January 18th and 19th. The first night will be about drone equipment and the
reviewing of studies and data. The second evening will focus on the operating mechanics with
hands-on experience flying a drone. The class will be led by Morgan Henton, the instructor for
Olney Central College’s Unmanned Aerial Technology program, the only associate degree
drone program in Illinois. Registration is required for the event by calling as soon as possible,
to 618-847-9162.
Illinois State Police Troop 9 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announced that the State
Police will conduct Nighttime Enforcement or NITE patrols in Effingham and Wayne County
during February. NITE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking
enforcement action in response to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations
especially between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 am. The number of unrestrained drivers
killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at nighttime and combined with impaired driving
means even more traffic deaths during these critical hours. Officers will strictly enforce
violations including, Driving Under the Influence; Safety Belt and Child Restraint use;
Speeding; Distracted Driving; and, All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations. Alcohol
and drug impairment are factors in more than 30% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois.
Over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois occur at night. The NITE program allows officers to
work even harder at removing dangerous impaired drivers from the road and making sure
everyone is buckled up. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of
Transportation.
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association is alerting residents about scammers trying to take advantage
of the assault weapons ban and the sheriffs opposed to the ban. ISP reports people are being
contacted by telephone with a request to make a monetary donation to the Sheriff’s
Association and are told the supposed contribution would go toward fighting the weapons
ban. ISP and the Sheriff’s Association reminds folks that it nor any other law enforcement
agency solicits donations over the phone, but only by mail.
Illinois Democrats are celebrating after Governor Pritzker signed a bill expanding protections
for reproductive health care in Illinois. The measure protects health care providers and their
patients from legal attacks by neighboring states and expands health care access and options
across the state. The legislation was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to
overturn Roe v. Wade last year. More than 10-thousand patients come to Illinois each year
to get an abortion.
Governor Pritzker is in Davos, Switzerland this week to speak at the World Economic Forum
Annual Meeting. The governor will be promoting Illinois’ achievements on the world stage.
The meeting brings together world leaders across industries to discuss political and social
priorities. Pritzker will also visit Germany for business development purposes.
High profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family of a Springfield man
who died last month after being transported by two LifeStar Ambulance Service workers.
Peggy Finley and Peter Cadigan both face first degree murder charges in the death of Earl
Moore Junior. Both were called out December 18th to Moore’s home after he appeared to
be in medical distress. He died at the hospital an hour later. Prosecutors say Finley and
Cadigan strapped Moore face down to a gurney, which resulted in his death.
A search is underway for a Chicago teen who made threats against Urbana High School in
November. The 16-year-old failed to show up for a sentencing hearing on Friday after
pleading guilty to felony disorderly conduct last month. Authorities say the teen called the
school on November 7th and threatened to shoot and kill students. A judge has issued an
arrest warrant for her.
Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that left two people hurt and a cat dead in
Charleston. The blaze broke out yesterday morning in a home in the 600 block of North 5th
Street. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire started in the garage.