Illinois State Police Troop 9 Commander, Captain Bruce Waggoner, has announced the ISP will be conducting Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement, or ACE, patrols in Wayne, Clay, White, Lawrence, Marion and Effingham counties during the month of October. The patrols allow the state police to focus on preventing violations ...

As we close out the month of September and head into October, fairly quiet and seasonable weather is expected, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky. The next few days are expected to be dry with temperatures close to normal for this time of year. The next chance of rain is in the forecast for...

Unemployment rates in southern Illinois didn't change much in the month of August, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Wayne County's rate came in at 4.3 percent for August, compared to 4.2 percent in July. Edwards County had an August unemployment rate of seven percent, down from 7.2 percent ...

Media reports out of Williamson County say a social worker has had an additional felony charge of criminal sexual assault filed against her. 37 year old Autumn Watson of Marion faces charges in connection with her behavior involving a juvenile male, according to the Marion Police Chief. Investigators said they had ope...

The U.S. Senate returns to work with another attempt expected to advance a new five-year farm bill, a major priority for agriculture groups as the current extension approaches its Sept. 30 expiration. The Senate Agriculture Committee considered the Agricultural Act of 2026 in August, but the measure failed to advance o...

Several defendants were sentenced Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court in cases involving theft, burglary, aggravated battery, methamphetamine possession and other charges. 33-year-old Cody L. Hicks of Mt. Vernon pleaded guilty to an amended charge of Class 3 felony theft. Hicks was sentenced to two years of probatio...

Petition packets are now available for candidates interested in running for the Edwards County School District Board of Education in the April 2027 Consolidated Election. The Edwards County Clerk and Recorder's Office says four seats on the school board will be up for election. Petition packets can be picked up at the ...

Fairfield Memorial Hospital is encouraging women to schedule mammograms during October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. FMH offers 3-D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, which provides layer-by-layer images of breast tissue. Hospital officials say the technology can provide greater accuracy, reduce exam...

The Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is offering community members an opportunity to leave a permanent mark on the hospital through its commemorative brick program. For $500, supporters can purchase a personalized engraved brick honoring a loved one, healthcare worker, family or business, memorializing someone sp...

Jefferson County and the City of Mt. Vernon are moving to a new emergency notification system, and residents currently receiving Nixle alerts will need to register for the new service. The county and city emergency management agencies announced Thursday that Nixle service will end September 30. Current subscribers will...

Christopher Rural Health Planning Corporation is reminding area residents that Medicare open enrollment will begin October 15th and continue through December 7th. The annual enrollment period gives individuals with Medicare an opportunity to review and make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage for the...

Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis has been elected president of the Illinois Municipal League. Lewis was unanimously selected for a one-year term during the organization's 113th Annual Conference in Chicago. He has served as an IML vice president since 2019 and becomes the first president of the organization whose father als...

Eastern Illinois University has received several national and regional honors recognizing its affordability, academic programs and student outcomes. Time magazine and research partner Statista recently named EIU to its "America's Best Colleges of 2026-2027" list. EIU is the only Ohio Valley Conference institu...

Southern Illinois patients have access to specialized treatment for chronic and complex wounds through SSM Health's Wound Healing Centers in Centralia and Mt. Vernon. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is used to treat certain chronic wounds associated with diabetes, rad...

Megan Valentine will remain in custody while awaiting trial in connection with the death of her husband, former Edwards County Circuit Judge Michael Valentine. During a court appearance Thursday in Williamson County, Valentine was denied pretrial release. The court found that she poses a real and present threat to the ...

The Fairfield PaintOut will host its Premier Exhibit & Sale this (Friday) evening at the CP Church, giving the public an opportunity to meet participating artists and view artwork created during this year's event. Judges' awards will be presented at noon Saturday at the church, recognizing outstanding works from th...

The North Wayne Community Unit School District #200 Board of Education voted down a motion Wednesday night that would have committed the board to placing a proposal on the April 2027 ballot if it moves forward with plans to close both elementary schools and construct a new elementary school. The motion stated that if t...

Fairfield Community High School Student Council is kicking off its annual Penny Wars competition today (Friday) with students and community members encouraged to join in the fundraising effort. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will compete to see which class can earn the most points through donations. The Fair...

A Grayville husband and wife are being held in the White County Jail on felony criminal sexual assault charges involving a family member under the age of 18. Bryan A. Masterson, 53, has been charged with two Class 1 felony counts of criminal sexual assault of a family member under the age of 18. His wife, 47-year-old M...

An 18-year-old Gallatin County man has died from injuries sustained in a Wednesday afternoon traffic crash in White County. Dawson Stacey of Ridgway was pronounced deceased by the White County Coroner's Office after the pickup truck he was traveling in collided with a semi hauling grain. Illinois State Police say troop...