Local News

Mt. Vernon Mass Shooting Investigation Continues
Authorities are identifying two people killed in a mass shooting in Mount Vernon. Police say gunfire erupted early yesterday in the 600 block of South 15th Street. Zomarrius Williams, Demonta Woodward, and five other victims suffered gunshot wounds. Williams and Woodward died at the hospital. Jerria Smith was arrested ...
4h ago

Wayne City Unit 100 School District Registration Continues
The Wayne City Unit 100 School District's online registration for all students entering kindergarten through 12th grade for the 2025-2026 school year is currently underway and is now available for returning students through the district's TeacherEase portal. Parents and guardians are encouraged to log into their Teache...
4h ago

Blessed Blooms Flower Farm & Market to Host "Parents Night Out: Kids Workshop"
Blessed Blooms Flower Farm & Market is inviting families to take part in a creative and educational evening with their "Parents Night Out: Kids Workshop" on Tuesday, July 29th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at 1618 W. Main Street in Fairfield. This fun-filled workshop is a flower arranging class designed for chi...
4h ago

Bridge Church Set to Host School Supply Giveaway
The Bridge Church in Fairfield will host a School Supply Giveaway on Wednesday, July 30th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, offering help for families as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The event will feature free school supplies, including items from crayons to backpacks, along with free food, entertainment, and ev...
4h ago

Red Cross Blood Drive Set for Today
The American Red Cross is calling on donors to be a force for good by giving blood during July. There is an urgent need for type O+ and O- donors to help meet increased hospital demands. A blood drive is scheduled for today, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Clay County Health Department. As a thank-you, all presenting donors at...
4h ago

Sunday Shooting Remains Under Investigation
(Mt. Vernon) -- Two individuals have been confirmed dead following reports of gunfire just before 1 a.m. Sunday morning. According to Mt. Vernon Police Department Assistant Chief, Travis Chapman, officers from the Mt. Vernon Police Department, Littons Ambulance, United Medical Response, and Mt.Vernon Fire Department re...
7h ago

Four Sentenced Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court
Four individuals were sentenced Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court. According to court records, Ebert Pashea, of Mt. Vernon, IL, pled guilty to a charge of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a class 3 felony. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered to complete 30 hours of community service. He a...
7h ago

Illinois Extension "Summer Twilight" Series Set to Stop in Sumner
(Albion) -- Illinois Extension's Summer Twilight Series will wrap up its annual program in August with a stop in Sumner. According to Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator, Rileigh Lear, with a decade-long track record, the series continues to be a unique opportunity for southern Illinois ...
7h ago

Edwards County 4-H Poultry Show Results
(Edwards County) - The Edwards County 4-H Poultry Show took place Thursday evening, showcasing top youth talent in various poultry divisions. In the white egg layers category, Josie Shelby earned Best of Show Rooster, while Liam McKinney swept Best of Show for hen, cockerel, and pullet. In the colored egg layers, Emmet...
7h ago

Edwards County Equine Show Results
(Edwards County) -- The Edwards County Equine show was held Friday. The Senior Showmanship winner was Aleya Bare, who received a belt buckle in Memory of Mary Bailey. The Junior Showmanship winner was Alyssa Smith, who received a belt buckle donated by Shane Pritchett of United Mutual Insurance. The Novice division bel...
7h ago
Obituaries

Larry D. "Hayrake" Gunter, 70, of Norris City
Larry D. "Hayrake" Gunter, 70, of Norris City passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Larry was born on November 15, 1954, in rural Franklin County, IL the son of Freeman and Violet (Gossett) Gunter. He married his High School sweetheart, Brenda J. Curtis on...
1h ago

Linda Sue (Odle) Johnson, 62, of McLeansboro
On July 26, 2025, our beloved Mom, Nana, and friend, Linda Sue (Odle) Johnson, passed away. Born September 17, 1962, in Hammond, Indiana to Densel & Thelma (Kirby) Odle, Linda lived a life full of love, kindness, and fun. She was known to many for her humor, generosity, and selflessness, but more than anything, he...
1h ago

L. Maxine Drechsel, 93, of Albion
L. Maxine (Neal) Drechsel, 93, of Albion, IL passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Oakview Heights in Mt. Carmel, IL. Maxine was born on May 8, 1932, in Marion County, IL to Fenton Merle Neal & Goldie Mae (Henke) Neal. She married Leroy J. Drechsel on January 30, 1955, and they enjoyed over 70 happy years of ma...
Jul 25, 2025

Frank William Newman, 63, Carmi
Frank William Newman, 63, Carmi passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. He was born on October 29, 1961, In Chicago Illinois. He was the son of Frank C. Newman. He married Twila Ann Bridges on September 7, 2019. Frank worked in the oilfields where he earned the nickname "Twist-Off." The rest of h...
Jul 24, 2025

Curtis Varney, 89, of McLeansboro
Curtis Varney 89, of McLeansboro, IL. passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro. Curtis was born June 27, 1936 in Broughton, IL. He married Teoria Clevenger on November 23, 1962 in White County Illinois. Teoria passed away November 22, 2022. Curtis attended Hopewell Missionary Baptis...
Jul 23, 2025

Fred Charles Bunting, 73 of New Kent, VA, formerly of Albion
Fred Charles Bunting, 73 of New Kent, VA, formerly of Albion, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, with loved ones around him. He grew up in Albion, IL and was a member of the Edwards County High School Class of 1969. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Hester Fawkes Bunting. He is survived by his l...
Jul 23, 2025

Kenneth Scott Bender, age 66, of Xenia
Kenneth Scott Bender, age 66, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, at his home. Kenny was born on December 9, 1958, in Olney, the son of Lee Merrit and Billy Gene (Alcorn) Bender. He dedicated many years working at Southwire and was a longstanding proud member of the Flora Elks Lodge and also the NM...
Jul 23, 2025

Frank Antone Wellen, 80, of Broughton
Frank Antone Wellen, 80, of Broughton, IL passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025 at his home. Frank was born on December 13, 1944 near Piopolis, IL to Henry & Mary (Wilhelm) Wellen. On October 25, 1969 he married Sharon (McPeak) Wellen, who survives. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis whe...
Jul 22, 2025

Daniel Eugene "Danny" Barrett, 57 of Irvington (formerly of Fairfield)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel Eugene "Danny" Barrett, who departed this life on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the age of 57. He was born on October 16, 1967, in Fairfield, Illinois, the son of Sandra Gill and Donald Barrett. Danny was a cherished husband, father, son, brother, co...
Jul 22, 2025

Diana Sue Pemberton, 73 of Flora
Diana Sue Pemberton passed away on Monday morning, July 21, 2025 at Axiom Healthcare of Flora IL. Diana was born May 25, 1952, at Clay County Hospital, Flora, IL, the daughter of Roy and Betty (Porter) Pemberton. She was welcomed home by her brothers, Lowell and Earl. Diana was a faithful member of the First Christian ...
Jul 22, 2025
Sports

Sports For Monday, July 28th
(Champaign, IL) -- The Illinois Fighting Illini are bolstering their 2027 recruiting class. Four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati committed to the football program over the weekend. Lopati chose the Illini over Oregon, Washington, and Iowa State. (St. Louis, MO) -- The St. Louis Cardinals surrendered 16 hits during a 9-2...
7h ago

Sports For Saturday, July 26th
Major League Baseball Friday: St. Louis 3 San Diego 0 Chicago White Sox 12 Chicago Cubs 5 Arizona 1 Pittsburgh 0 (11 innings) Colorado 6 Baltimore 5 Philadelphia 12 NY Yankees 5 LA Dodgers 5 Boston 2 Cincinnati 7 Tampa Bay 2 Toronto 6 Detroit 2 Texas 8 Atlanta 3 Athletics 15 Houston 3 Min...
Jul 26, 2025

SPORTS FOR FRIDAY JULY 25TH
(St. Louis, MO) -- The St. Louis Cardinals scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning during a 9-7 win over the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium. Willson Contreras homered and drove in four runs in the victory, while Brendan Donovan and Ivan Herrera also went deep. Sonny Gray earned his tenth run after allowin...
Jul 25, 2025

SPORTS FOR THURSDAY JULY 24TH 2025
Starting off with a look at YOUTH SPORTS with Fairfield Little League Baseball action brought to you by LaFuente Mexican Restaurant. The Fairfield Little League Baseball Association wrapped up its 2025 season last night with the 14 U League Championship. The game featured a matchup of the two teams with the best record...
Jul 24, 2025

SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD
TUESDAY'S SCOREBOARD MLB American League Cleveland Guardians 6, Baltimore Orioles 3 Tampa Bay Rays 4, Chicago White Sox 3 New York Yankees 5, Toronto Blue Jays 4 Texas Rangers 6, Athletics 2 MLB National League Miami Marlins 4, San Diego Padres 3 Washington Nationals 6, Cincinnati Reds 1 San Francisco Giants 9, Atlanta...
Jul 23, 2025
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