Local News

Diesel Fuel Spill Clean Up Continues
The clean-up of a major diesel fuel spill that originated at the former Fairfield light plant is still ongoing. The leak was first noticed on July 6th in Johnson Creek and is believed to have been caused by vandals opening the valves on diesel storage tanks. Officials have not released an estimate of the amount of fuel...
2h ago

Russell Pragit Was Arrested Tuesday
Russell Pragit, 59, of Burnt Prairie, was arrested Tuesday morning by Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies for Violation of Conditions of his Pre-Trial Release. Pragit was originally arrested on a charge of Residential Burglary. Pragit will now remain in the Wayne County Jail until his next court date on August 12th.
2h ago

FCHS Superintendent Bob Wells Warns of Funding Shortfall
during the July 17th Fairfield Community High School Board meeting, FCHS Superintendent Bob Wells warned that funding cuts would be coming due to Illinois state budget shortfalls. Superintendent Wells told the board that estimated budgeting cuts could heavily affect area schools as early as this spring. The areas most ...
2h ago

Johnsonville Community Days is Coming Up
The Johnsonville Ruritan Club will kick off Johnsonville Community Days 2025 with an exciting Truck Pull on Friday, August 1, 2025, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event features a $25 hook fee and welcomes a range of competitors under detailed class rules. The event will include "Stock Gas Daily Drivers" (must be ...
2h ago

Thunder and Chrome for Freedom" Show Set for Saturday
Motorcycle and car enthusiasts are invited to rev their engines for a cause at the "Thunder and Chrome for Freedom" Car & Motorcycle Show and BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 2nd at the Olney Court House Square. Presented by Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 3, the event promises a full day of horsepower, ...
2h ago

10 Step to Keep Your Home Safe When You're Away
Families nationwide are taking their final vacations of summer, and empty homes are potential targets for burglars. The website "How Stuff Works" offers ten tips for those getting ready to be away from home, including putting a hold on your mail, making your house look "lived in," keeping the lawn t...
21h ago

Red Cross Says Blood Donations Drop During the Summer
The American Red Cross continues to face a major blood shortage. According to the Red Cross, as a rule, donations fall off between May and August. To make matters worse, they say they are seeing the lowest number of donors in nearly two decades. They say it's important that donors make an appointment to give now before...
21h ago

Investigation Continues into Fairfield Pool Break-In
The Fairfield Police Department continues to investigate an early morning break-in at the Fairfield City Pool. According to reports, early last Wednesday morning, intruders were discovered at the pool when, at around 5 a.m., a man arrived for his routine early morning swim. The intruders reportedly fled the area when h...
Jul 30, 2025

New Arrest Made in Mt. Vernon Shooting
The Mt. Vernon Police Department has identified and arrested another suspect in connection with the early morning shooting that occurred on Sunday in the 600 block of South 15th Street. Jamaro J. Kemmerling, a 26-year-old male from Mt. Vernon, IL, has been taken into custody. He has been charged with Aggravated Dischar...
Jul 30, 2025

Authorities Respond to Two Vehicle Accident
The Albion Rural Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of County Road 450 and Illinois Route 130 early Tuesday afternoon. A male and female were extricated from a vehicle with one patient being flown out. A small grass fire was ignited due to the wreck but, was quickly extinguished. ...
Jul 30, 2025
Obituaries

Robert Lawson "Bob" Caldwell, 91, of Albion
Robert Lawson "Bob" Caldwell, 91, of Albion, IL passed peacefully July 28, 2025. Born April 11, 1934 to Benton and LaVon (nee Bower) Caldwell in Hutsonville, IL, he lived a life marked by service and family. A proud veteran, Bob served in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1956. He then served as a s...
Jul 30, 2025

Eva Jean Bailey, 91, of Mill Shoals
Eva Jean Bailey, 91, of Mill Shoals, passed away at 8:03am on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. She had worked as a secretary for the H & W Truss Company in Utah, a business that her late husband, James Bailey, owned and operated. Eva was born on August 1, 1933, in Aden, IL, to Fred and Bessie...
Jul 30, 2025

Melissa A. Fitzgerald, 72, of Crossville
Melissa A. Fitzgerald, 72, of Crossville passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 28, 2025, at her residence in Crossville. Melissa was born on February 16, 1953, the daughter of Fred Grimwood and Ethel Maxine (Hanks) Grimwood. Melissa loved to read, watch classic movies, and learn about the Renaissance peri...
Jul 30, 2025

Howard J. Bunting, 97, of Fairfield
Howard J. Bunting, 97, of Fairfield passed away at 6:55AM on Monday July 28, 2025, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital's Skilled Care Unit. He was a farmer. Howard was born in Cuyahoga Falls OH on September 21, 1927, to Russell and Vada (Jewell) Bunting. Howard is survived by his son- Bill (Linda) Bunting of Fairfield; wife...
Jul 29, 2025

Judith Loehr 84, of Elgin, formerly of Belle Prairie
Judith Loehr 84, of Elgin, Illinois, formerly of Belle Prairie, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025 at her home in Elgin. Judith was born June 28, 1941, in Hamilton County. She was a daughter of Carl Halley and Maxene (Severs) Halley. On December 14, 1959, she married Ralph M. Loehr and he preceded her in dea...
Jul 29, 2025

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...
Jul 28, 2025

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...
Jul 28, 2025

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
Sports

Sports for Wednesday, July 30th
(St. Louis, MO) -- The St. Louis Cardinals managed just four hits during a 5-0 loss to the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals surrendered two runs in the top of the second and trailed the rest of the way. Sonny Gray was charged with his fifth loss after allowing three runs on eight hits in five innings. St. ...
Jul 30, 2025

Sports for Tuesday, July 29th
(St. Louis, MO) -- Andre Pallante shined on the mound to lead the Cardinals to a 7-1 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series in St. Louis. The St. Louis starter tossed four strikeouts through seven scoreless frames to earn his fifth win of the season. Masyn Winn went 3-for-4 with one run scored ...
Jul 29, 2025

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...
Jul 28, 2025

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
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