Category Archives: Local News

CONSOLIDATED ELECTION SAW LIGHT VOTER TURNOUT
The 2025 Consolidated Election is over and both Wayne and Edwards County saw light voter turnout with a few contested races. In Wayne County, Clerk Liz Ann Woodrow says there was 23 percent voter turn...
Mark Wells Apr 02, 2025

RAY TATE APPEARS IN CLINTON COUNTY COURT LAST WEEK
Ray Tate, convicted for the murder of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley, appeared via Zoom in Clinton County Circuit Court in Carlyle last Wednesday to continue his attempt to retract his guilty plea. Ta...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

AREA FIRE & EMS AGENCIES AWARDED CRITICAL EQUIPMENT FUNDING
Several area fire departments and EMS providers will be receiving much-needed equipment upgrades thanks to the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million was di...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

CELL PHONE COULD BE KEY EVIDENCE IN JUDGE VALENTINE PENDING MURDER TRIAL
A special prosecutor in the murder case of Judge Michael Valentine is seeking access to defendant Megan Valentine's cell phone. Prosecutor David J. Robinson filed a motion to compel Megan Valentine to...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

WAYNE COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL IN JANUARY ACCORDING TO ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
Wayne County's unemployment rate for January fell to 4.4% According to the latest figures from the State's Department of Employment Security, Wabash and Richland Counties both had...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

WEST SALEM LEADERS SEEK MORE DETAILS ON SENIOR CENTER FUNDING REQUEST
The Edwards County Council on Aging (ECCOA) is facing a financial crunch and has requested assistance from the Village of West Salem to maintain the local senior center. However, village board members...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

EDWARDS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET TO MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY)
A meeting of the Edwards County Commissioners is set for tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Edwards County Courthouse. Some of the items on the agenda include; approval of minutes from the previous meeting, ...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH ISSUES FLOOD WATCH FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a FLOOD WATCH from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday morning for all of Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky and Southwest Indian...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

CONSOLIDATED MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY TODAY, INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT IN THE JASPER GRADE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
Today is Election Day in Illinois for the consolidated municipal election as voters head to the polls to cast their vote for Mayor, Village President, Clerks, Trustees, Township Supervisors, Park Dist...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025

KIEFER COMPETING FOR "AMERICA'S FAVORITE TEACHER"
Melissa Kiefer, Dual Credit English Instructor at Fairfield Community High School, inspires her students to dream big despite all odds. To prove it, she wants to become the first deaf teacher to win t...
Mark Wells Apr 01, 2025