Donna S. Stevens, 72 of Calhoun, IL died Thursday, June 4, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Memorial in Effingham, IL. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband; Carl of Calhoun, IL, 2 daughters; Karla (Paul) Tarpley of Mt. Carmel, IL, Stacey (Dennis Jr. “D.J.) Thacker of Chauncey, IL , son; Ron (Lisa) Stevens of Fairfield, IL, 4 sisters; Charlene Hellmeyer of Albion, IL, Glenna Ruth (Ralph) Tottleben of Carterville, IL, Janice (Ira “Hoppy”) Hopkins of Albion, IL and Sharon (Cebert “Butch) Wilson of Sparta, TN. Also she is survived by 10 grandchildren; Karissa (Rick) Perry, Kimberly (David) Frazier, Kinsey (Clay) Whitaker, Kourtney (Drew) Goff, Raleigh, Alexis, Dalton, Raegan, Austin, Dallas Thacker, 6 great-grandchildren; Zack, Abby Sutton, Noah Whitaker, Rayne, Dawson, and Karleigh Goff.

A Celebration of Life for Donna S. Stevens will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion with burial will follow in Parkersburg Cemetery in Parkersburg, IL.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 8, 2015 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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At the IHSA class A state softball tournament on Friday Hardin/Calhoun shut out the Wayne City Lady Indians at East Peoria. The score was 1 – 0. Wayne City will play Sterling Newman Central Catholic at 10 a.m. today for third place. Hardin/Calhoun is scheduled to play Somonauk in the championship match at 12:30 this afternoon.
There will be a welcome home celebration tonight for the Wayne City Lady Indians Softball team. The celebration will be held at the high school at 8pm, following a procession through town.
A special prosecutor investigating an April 12 officer-involved shooting incident in Grayville, Ill. determined that no charges should be filed against Grayville Police Sgt. Jess Burley. John Eagleson, 48 of Grayville was shot in the face by Sgt. Burley after the suspect allegedly refused orders to stop following a traffic stop on the parking lot of the Dollar General Store at the south edge of Grayville. Police reports of the incident were initially forwarded to White County State’s Attorney Denton Aud who asked that a special prosecutor review evidence and give a determination as to any possible criminal conduct on the part of Officer Burley. The special prosecutor’s recommendation that no charges be filed was announced Friday.
Illinois authorities seized a suspected meth lab and made two arrests Thursday night at a river camp in southern White County, Ill. Sheriff Doug Maier identified the suspects as Nathan D. Behrens, 26 of New Haven, Ill. and Robert G. Harrelson, 47 of Eldorado, Ill. Deputies, along with an Illinois Department of Corrections officer went to Behren’s mobile home south of Ill. Rt. 141 to check on his parole status and discovered a “hazy fog” inside the trailer along with a strong chemical smell. After obtaining a warrant to search the trailer, police seized a working meth lab, a large amount of cash, suspected illegal steroids and several large knives. Both men face preliminary charges of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of anhydrous ammonia, and possession of a controlled substance.

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The Wayne City Lady Indians Softball Team finished in 3rd place at the IHSA Class A State Tournament.  They defeated Sterling Newman Central Catholic 2-1 in the 3rd place game Saturday morning.  The team was welcomed home with a procession through Wayne City Saturday night followed by a celebration at the high school.

A special prosecutor has determined that no charges should be filed against Grayville Police Sgt. Jess Burley following an investigation into an April 12th shooting on the parking lot of the Dollar General Store at the south edge of Grayville.  Sgt. Burley drew his weapon and shot 48-year-old Grayville resident John Eagleson through the windshield of his car after he refused orders to stop following a traffic stop.  Eagleson was taken to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville for treatment of his wounds.  At this time, he faces a misdemeanor count of driving on a revoked license in connection to the incident.

A routine parole check in White County led to the arrest of two suspects and seizure of a working meth lab.  26-year-old Nathan D. Behrens of New Haven, IL and 47-year-old Robert G. Harrelson of Eldorado, IL were arrested after Illinois authorities went to Behrens’ mobile home to check on his parole status.  Police seized a working meth lab, a large amount of cash, suspected illegal steroids and several large knives.

23-year-old Ethan K. Adams of Mt. Carmel was arrested by Wabash County authorities Thursday on preliminary charges of possession with the intent to deliver a look-alike drug substance.  Adams has been lodged in the Wabash County Jail pending a bond hearing.

The 5th Annual Clay County Kids Fishing Derby will be held today from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Charley Brown Park Lake in Flora.  Registration begins at 2:00 this afternoon at the gazebo.  The Derby is for kids ages 4-12 and is held in conjunction with the annual Illinois Fish Free Weekend.

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Charlotte Ray Chatman proudly and excitedly announces the birth of her brother, Asher Evan Chatman. Asher was born on April 7, 2015 at 1:35pm at St Mary’s Women and Children’s Hospital in Evansville Indiana. Asher weighed 7lbs and was 20.5 inches long.

Asher was welcomed into the world by parents Roger and Stacy Chatman of Wayne City, maternal Grandmother Annette Harrison of Mt Vernon, paternal Grandmother Beverly Chatman of Wayne City and Aunts Gwen, Amanda, and Haley all of Mt Vernon, Illinois.

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83-year-old Ingraham resident, Gertrude Helen Rauch died Saturday, June 6 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.

Survivors include her husband, Clifford; daughters, Janet Will of Allendale, Julia Weber of Ingraham, Helen Donsbach of Iuka, Rosemary Frohning of Newton, Linda Schnepper of Louisville, Valerie Rodriguez of Olney, Stacey Steber of Olney and Emily Milligan of Cisne; sons, Stephen Rauch of Clay City and David Rauch of Ingraham; a sister, Elizabeth Coan, Brothers, Carl Kessler, Leonard Kessler, Bernard Kessler and Hugh Kessler; a sister-in-law, Mary Kessler; 30 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass for Gertrude Helen Rauch will be 10- a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 Tuesday evening, June 9 at Holy Cross Church and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Cemetery Fund or Richland Memorial Hospital Long Term Care and will be accepted at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

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The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating Robert T. Hayes – the driver of a car involved in a traffic crash in 2012 that claimed the life of a Fairfield man. Hayes, 22, is wanted on a failure to appear warrant. Hayes is charged with one count of driving under the influence of drugs and two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in a death for an Oct. 2012 traffic crash. Illinois State Police said Hayes was speeding through an Interstate 64 rest area east of Mt. Vernon when he crashed into a tree. Two passengers – Holly Fenton, 24, of Bluford, and Cody Bidabe, 20, of Fairfield were killed. Hayes and two other passengers were injured.

Some strong thunderstorms rolled across the region early Monday morning, dumping heavy rains in some places. At times before daylight, water was reported across U.S. Rt. 45 in Clay County. Here at the studios of WFIW, 1.5 inches of rain was reported from storms that arrived at around 3 a.m.

47-year-old William D. Boles of Fairfield was arrested Saturday evening on a charge of violating an order of protection. Boles allegedly went to a home on S. E. 8^th street in violation of an active order of protection. He was arrested Saturday evening on N.E. 4^th street – not far from the county jail.

36-year-old Jeremy Dean Potts of Eldorado was arrested over the weekend for escape. Potts was wanted after he failed to show up to begin serving a four year prison sentence in White County. A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 21.

Another arrest has been made as part of Operation Whiteout, a detail carried out to target the drug problem in White County. 27-year-old Michael T. Jordan of Main Street in Crossville was nabbed. He was wanted on a felony charge of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. His bond was $3,500 cash.

The Fairfield City Council meets Tuesday night with a fairly light agenda. Mayor Chuck Griswold is expected to appoint members to a steering committee that will make recommendations and oversee the development of Atkinson Forest. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has agreed to lease the property to the City of Fairfield for the development of a recreational and nature education area.

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Ham operators and instructors Bill Shrode and Dennis Poland joined the show to talk about the upcoming ARRL Field Day, coming up in Parkersburg on June 27 and 28.  More information is available in the lobby at WFIW.  I apologize for the program starting about 5 minutes in.

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72-year-old Fairfield resident and formerly of Olney, Edward George Burbank died Sunday, June 7 at Carmi. He worked on the railroad in his early years and later in a welding shop.

Survivors include a special friend, Jean Ann Duncan and family of Carmi; a son, Gregg Burbank and wife Lisa of Fairfield, granddaughters, Kaylynn Burbank and Emily Burbank of Fairfield; a great-granddaughter, Anna Joe Hutchcraft of Fairfield; sisters, Mary Rauch of Olney, Shirley Horner of Phoenix, AZ, Sharon Maxey of Rowlett, TX and Bonnie Aldridge of Tyner, KY and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Edward George Burbank will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with burial in Chauncey Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour before the time of service on Wednesday, June 10 at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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80-year-old Wayne County native, Carl O. Hoffee of Springfield died on June 5, 2015. Carl received his law degree in 1958 from the University Of Illinois School Of Law. He was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1958. Carl served as law clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Harry B. Hershey from 1961 to 1962. Carl also worked for Albert Harno, former Dean of the University of Illinois Law School, when he became Illinois’ first Supreme Court Administrator. Carl began his private practice at Hoffman and Hoffman in Springfield, later joining Barber and Barber in 1968.

At the time of his death, Carl was the senior partner of Barber, Segatto, Hoffee, Wilke & Cate, having been with the firm for nearly 50 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Survivors include his wife, Dian; daughters Beth (Kurt) Wilke of Springfield, Susan (Jeff) Hunt of Springfield, and Pam (Tim) Rigby of Springfield; eight grandchildren and several nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Cherry Hills Baptist Church, 2125 Woodside Road in Springfield with private burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The Staab Funeral Home of Springfield is in charge of all of the arrangements.

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88-year-old Carmi resident, John H. Kennett died at 11:35 p.m. Friday, June 5 at the Kindred Hospital in Ontario, California.

Services for John H. Kennett are pending at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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Legislation overhauling the state’s 9-1-1 emergency phone system has been approved and sent to Governor Bruce Rauner’s office for his signature. The overhaul would add an 87 cent surcharge to mobile phone bills to pay for the cost of consolidating local 9-1-1 services and help establish 911 centers in nine Illinois counties without 9-1-1. Locally, Hamilton, Pope and Hardin Counties still do not have an emergency 9-1-1 phone system in place.

Salem Community High School is actively looking for a new athletic conference. Principal John Boles says he is eying the Little Illini Conference which includes Flora, Red Hill, Lawrenceville, Newton and Olney. Salem’s move comes after the Apollo Conference voted last week to admit Mahomet-Seymour to their conference.

A 16-year-old Carrier Mills driver escaped injury Monday in a two-car crash in Saline County. The teen failed to slow down and rammed the back of a Chevy Impala driven by 56-year-old Cathy Werner of Madison. Werner was hurt and taken to a local hospital. Two 9-year-old kids in the 16-year-old’s car were unhurt.

Wayne County Supervisor of Assessments Shirley Walters has announced that the Farmland Assessment Review Committee will hold a public hearing for 2016 farmland assessments next week. The hearing has been set for 9 a.m. Friday, June 19 in the northwest corner of the courthouse basement.

Frontier Community College is holding extended hours today. Offices will be open until 7 o’clock this evening. Students can still register for the 8-week summer semester until this Friday, June 12.

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Pat Scarbrough and Catherine Singleton joined the show to talk about the upcoming Kingdom Kids Trivia Night.  Plus, the group discussed the 3-2-1 GO race run last weekend.

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Robert D. “Bud” Gross, 80, of Carmi, IL, formerly of Grayville, IL, died Monday, June 8, 2015, at VNA Charlier Hospice Center in Evansville, IN. Bud was an auto mechanic and owner/operator of Bud Gross Repair Service in Grayville for 35 years. He began his career working on his own cars, and then for Mathews Ford Garage and Charlie Bullock’s Garage. He and his wife, Chris, thoroughly enjoyed drag racing, and Bud was well known in the area when he drag raced his own 1967 Ford Fairlane and 1968 Hemi-Cuda. He graduated from Grayville High School in 1952.

Survivors include his wife, Chris Gross of Carmi; step-sons Darrin Hampsten of Mt. Carmel, IL, and Brian Hampsten of Evansville; a sister Nellie Heugel of Evansville and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Bud Gross will be 12 noon Thursday, June 11 at the Cook Chapel in Grayville with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday, June 11 at the Cook Chapel in Grayville.

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88-year-old Johnsonville resident, Betty H. Pennington died at 11:55PM Monday, June 8, 2015 at Way-Fair Nursing and Rehab in Fairfield. Betty was a retired cook at Senior Nutrition at Fairfield, member of Providence General Baptist Church and the Johnsonville Ruritanetts for many years.

Survivors include three daughters Peggy (Danny) Johnson and Barbara (Leon) Johnson both of Keenes, IL and Arlene (Fred) Osborn of Johnsonville, IL; two sons Bill (Lois) Pennington of Johnsonville, IL and Gary (Kim) Pennington of Cisne, IL; one daughter-in-law Angela Pennington of Xenia, IL and one brother Edgle (Ann) Hall of Ypsilanti, MI. Thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren also survive.

A Celebration of Life service for Betty H. Pennington will be at 12 noon on Friday, June 12th at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne with burial in Cisne Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10AM until the time of service on Friday at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

Memorials may be given to Providence Baptist Church and will be accepted at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

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Fairfield Mayor Chuck Griswold is responding to complaints about poor service from the firm contracted to pick up residential trash. Mayor Griswold says he is drafting a letter to the corporate headquarters of Republic Waste in Arizona in an attempt to improve services to local residents. The mayor said that efforts to set up a meeting with local Republic officials have been unsuccessful.

A steering committee has been appointed to oversee the development of Atkinson Forest in Fairfield. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has agreed to lease the forest to the city for the development of a recreational and educational area. The eleven member panel will work with the DNR to develop the site.

The Fairfield City Council has rejected a bid to make needed repairs to a portion of S. W. Second Street in Fairfield. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $71,000. The only bid for the job came in at more than $100,000. City officials say the work will be delayed until next year.

The one-day WFIW-WOKZ advertising sales blitz is today. Ads purchased today to run in July and August are as low as $5.50 each. If you would like to increase your business traffic this summer or promote an event between now and Labor Day – today is the day to buy WFIW-WOKZ Radio. After 5 o’clock this evening, regular ad rates return.

Craig Anderson has been named the new executive director of IHSA – the Illinois High School Association. Anderson replaces Marty Hickman. Anderson takes over as the IHSA faces a class-action lawsuit over concussions filed last year.

The post Headlines for Wednesday, June 10, 2015 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.

68-year-old Fairfield resident, Gary Lee Wolfe died at 8:01 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. For 20 years, he operated the Geff Grocery Store. A former Wayne County Board member and Lemard Township Board, he was retired from NAL.

Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Esmon Buol of Osage Beach, MO; sons, Galen Esmon of Fairfield, Jason Wolfe of Morton, IL and Justin Wolfe of Sycamore, IL; 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Services for Gary Lee Wolfe will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Thomason Cemetery at Wayne City.

Visitation will be 5 – 7 Monday evening, June 15 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Memorials may be made to the Scranton Memorial Cancer Fund.

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Wayne County Sheriff Mike Everett joined the show to discuss several issues regarding the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.

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79-year-old McLeansboro resident, Shirley Williams died at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. She had worked as a presser and was a member of the Ellis Mound Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Jack Johnson and Jim Garner, both of McLeansboro; a daughter, Angie Calkin and husband Jim of Dahlgren; a sister, Leona Good of Interlochen, MI; five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Shirley Williams will be 12 noon Friday, June 12 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in Garrison Cemetery at Aden.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday, June 12 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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George Ander Eckleberry, age 54 of West Salem died Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Eckleberry of West Salem, his father, Clarence Eckleberry of Pamplico, SC, two sisters; Debra (Hank) Bumgardener of Wichita, KS, Doris (Dennis) Lane of Cisne, IL, one brother, Robert Eckleberry of Fairfield, IL, two step-daughters: Dawn Weiss and Marcy Frailey both of Mt. Carmel, IL, five grandchildren: Shamber Weiss, Takoma Weiss, Tori Frailey, Taylor cross and Tabitha Cross and two great-grandchildren: Ellie Couch and Adalyn Summerfield.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for George Eckleberry will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 10:30AM to 1:00PM at Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem, IL.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00PM at the Ingram Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at the Lick Prairie Cemetery.

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Ray O. Gines, 90 of Browns, IL died Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at his residence in Browns. He was a mechanic and worked at the Chevrolet garage and served in the U. S. Marine Corp. during WWII. He was a Lifetime member of the American Legion 590, DAV and VFW. .

He is survived by his wife; Noreen of Browns, IL, a daughter; Mary Rae (John) Hockgeiger of rural Albion, IL, 2 sons; Kenneth Gines of Whitehall, MD, Tim (Colleen) Gines of Browns, IL, 2 step-daughters; Kathy and Candy Sue, 2 step-sons; James and Dean, 8 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and a sister; Edna (Melvin) Campbell of Browns, IL.

Graveside services for Ray O. Gines will be at 2:00PM Friday, June 12 at Graceland Cemetery in Albion with military rites.

Visitation will be 12:30 – 2 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion, IL.

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