Earnest Holland, 22 of West Salem was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of forcing his way into an Albion woman’s home, and threatening her with a weapon in order to force her to perform a sexual act. Holland was sentenced Friday in Edwards County Circuit Court in Albion after a half day bench trial in May. Judge David Franklin found Holland guilty of home invasion, intimidation, aggravated unlawful restraint with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault.

47-year-old Arlie Ray Hollon of Carmi was injured in a one vehicle accident yesterday. At approximately 8:45 am Hollon was driving a 2005 Peterbilt truck west on White County road 2550 North when for unknown reasons he failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the roadway and overturned. Hollon was taken to a local hospital by the Wayne County ambulance service. Hollon was ticketed for improper lane usage, driving under the influence-drugs and operation of a commercial motor vehicle with drugs in his system.

Wayne County property tax bills will be mailed on Friday September 25th. Treasurer Donna Vaughan says the first installment will be due on October 30th and the second on December 4th. The total amount of the property tax to be collected this year is $14.3 million up from $13.6 million last year. Taxes can be paid at the treasurer’s office, the drop box on the west side of the courthouse, at several area banks or online at illinoisepay.com.

The Fairfield city council will meet Tuesday night in the council chambers of city hall. Alderman will seek a bid for Rt. 15 west sanitary sewer system extension, award a bid for a water department truck, discuss electronic payment and billing and get an update on a golf cart ordinance.

Audrey Aman, the daughter of Doug and Julie Aman, has been named Miss Fall Fun Fest. Sabrina Seitzinger was named first runner up during ceremonies last night downtown. The Fall fun fest is in full swing starting at 7 this morning with the community breakfast at the Kontiki, Yoga in the park, and the 29 mile bike ride.

Conard Financial Group will officially open in its new location on Monday (9/21) at 510 West Delaware in Fairfield, directly south of Subway. Chris Conard, Kristie Weaver, and Kathy Bircket look forward to serving the community in their new location. An open house will be held at a later date. Conard Financial Group is a Raymond James investment representative and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 5:30 and on Friday from 8 to 4.

Earnest Holland III, 22 of West Salem was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of forcing his way into an Albion woman’s home, and threatening her with a weapon in order to force her to perform a sexual act. Holland was sentenced Friday in Edwards County Circuit Court in Albion after a half day bench trial in May. Judge David Franklin found Holland guilty of home invasion, intimidation, aggravated unlawful restraint with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault.

The Fairfield city council will meet Tuesday night in the council chambers of city hall. Alderman will seek a bid to build a Rt. 15 west sanitary sewer system extension, award a bid for a water department truck, discuss electronic payment and billing and get an update on a golf cart ordinance.

A new larger satellite clinic run by the US Department of Veterans Affairs is opening in Effingham. The 10,000 square foot facility at, 1011 Ford Ave, is 50% larger than the older VA clinic in the Lincolnland Building. The clinic will open Monday for walk in patients and regularly scheduled Patients will be seen on Tuesday.

Deborah L. “Debbie” James, 60, of Grayville, formerly of Carmi, Illinois, died Saturday, September 19, 2015, at her home.

Survivors include her husband, Ernest “Dink” James of Grayville; mother Betty Lou Young of Carmi; son Ernest “Buck” (Tiffany) James of Grayville; daughter Crystal Janovich and Danny Hale of Maunie, Illinois; brothers Paul “Tiny” (Becky) Holland of Norris City, Illinois Jody (Sandy) Holland of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters June (Junior) Clark and Jenny (Larry) Goff, all of Carmi; grandchildren Kayla (Brad) Harrison, Dakota Janovich and Kami Gale James.
Visitation and funeral for Deborah L. “Debbie” James are Tuesday, September 22, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi. Visitation is at 5 pm and continues until funeral time at 7 pm. In keeping with Debbie’s wishes, her remains will be cremated following the funeral service.

29-year-old Hanna Smith and her husband, 44-year-old Lawrence Smith of Grayville were jailed Saturday night on drug charges in Gibson County, Ind. Police cited Hanna Smith for possession of meth, drug paraphernalia and a hypodermic syringe and neglect of dependents. Her husband was cited for child neglect, and possession of a hypodermic syringe and drug paraphernalia. The two were arrested following a traffic stop in Owensville, IN. The couple’s three children were turned over to relatives following the arrest.

25-year-old Michael Lee Carwile of Mt. Carmel was arrested Sunday morning on charges of aggravated battery and resisting arrest. Carwile was arrested following a fight at the Club Coyote in Desoto, Ill. He allegedly tried to fight police who arrived to arrest him.

Robert and Wayne Barton took first place in the Save-A-Lot Rib Cook-off during the Fairfield Fall Fun Fest. Billy Simpson and Shawn Wells took second with Brandan Patterson taking third.

Griffin, a German shepherd owned by Cassandra Mier has been named the Most Outrageous Dog during ARF’s Annual Outrageous Dog Show during the Fairfield Fall Fun Fest. Fifteen canine contestants enjoyed treat bags compliments of the show’s sponsor, Fairfield Community Health Care Center.

Conard Financial Group officially opens its new location today at 510 W. Delaware in Fairfield, directly south of Subway. Owner Chris Conard will be joined by staff members Kathy Bircket and Kristie Weaver. The Conard Financial Group offers securities through Raymond James Financial Services.

Wayne County Property Tax bills will be mailed out this Friday by Treasurer Donna Vaughan. The first installment will be due on Oct. 30 with the second and final installment due on Dec. 4.

Gary Hosman, 60 of Carmi, passed away Sunday afternoon September 20,2015 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.

Arrangements are pending at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi.

66-year-year-old Attica, MI resident, Allan Gene Meece died Friday, Sept. 18 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he worked as an assembly worker for General Motors, retiring in 2003.

Survivors include a son, Chad Meece; a daughter, Angela Williams; three sisters, Jeanine Hunter, Cindy and Terry Jones and Cherri and Lynn Querlin of Decatur, IL; a brother-in-law, Rex Carter and wife Kim of Walpole, IL; two sisters-in-aw, Shirley Bau and husband David of Enfield and Alta Pearl Charron of Pontiac, MI; two granddaughters, Courtney Smith Jensen and husband Dan and Peyton Williams; and one grandson, Hunter Smith.

Funeral services for Allan Gene Meece will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in Hopewell Cemetery at McLeansboro. Graveside military rites will be provided by the American Legion Post 106 of McLeansboro.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 until the time of service at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

72-year-old McLeansboro resident, Ellen Joanne Ferrell died at 12:40 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at the McLeansboro Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in McLeansboro.

Services for Ellen Joanne Ferrell are pending at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Gary L. Hosman, 60 of Carmi, died Sunday evening September 20, 2015 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He had worked several years in the Oil Field. He belonged to the Sons of the American Legion.

Survivors include his sons, Chris (Tracy) Hosman, Kevin Hosman all of Norris City and Justin Hosman of Eldorado; daughter, Jennifer Hosman of Eldorado; 11 grandchildren; his brother, Steve Hosman of Carmi and sisters, Paula French, Kay (Larry) Frashier and Carolyn (David) Henson all of Carmi.

Funeral services for Gary L. Hosman will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday September 24, 2015 at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi with burial in Kuykendall Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home.

White County State’s Attorney Denton Aud has announced he is seeking re-election. Aud became assistant State’s Attorney in 2010 before being elected to the post in 2012. A 2008 graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, he also serves as president of the Carmi Public Library Board, is a deacon of the First Christian Church in Carmi and is a member of the Carmi Kiwanis Club.

Mount Carmel City Police are searching for two suspects who robbed the residents of a home at 713 N. Mulberry Street Monday night. The suspects are accused of holding the residents at gunpoint as they stole their cell phones. The suspects were said to be a black male and a white male and wore blue bandanas around their face.

36-year-old Robert W. Allison of No. 13 Ash Street in Fairfield was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct. Allison is accused of refusing to allow his wife, 29-year-old Kimberly Allison to leave the residence.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Agriculture say a new disease is affecting corn in Illinois. The disease, known as “tar spot” has been confirmed in Bureau, DeKalb and LaSalle counties. At this point, the disease has not had any impact on yield.

FNB will host tailgating at the Fairfield Community High School football game this Friday when the Mules take on the Carmi-White County Bulldogs. FNB employees will give away free food, drinks, and t-shirts while they last from 5:30 until game time.

Donna Kay Grashof, 61, died at her home in Howard, Colorado on Thursday, September 17th. She was born in Mt. Carmel, Illinois on May 3, 1954 to Fred and Betty Jo Brines. She attended Edwards County High School and married Robert Ahlfield in 1971. They moved to Colorado and built a cabin in the Badger Creek area of Park County.

Survivors include her husband Carl Grashof, her sister Beverly Knapp of Albion, her daughters, Melanie Gallegos and Amy Ahlfield, and her grandchildren, Sedna, Zane, Vayda, and Kyuss.

A party in her memory is to be held 2:00 PM Saturday, September 26th at the Alma Town Hall in Alma, Colorado.

Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida, Colorado.

Helen Rhea Hosselton, 92, of Clay City died Monday, September 21, 2015 at Richland Memorial Hospital at Olney, IL. She was a homemaker and retired as Head Cook from Clay City High School December 31, 1981 where she worked over twelve years. She received her Associate Degree from Frontier College May 24, 1984. Helen was a member of Zif Southern Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for several years and also was a member of the WMU for years.

Survivors include four sons and their wives, eight grandchildren and twenty one great grandchildren – son Ronald (Agnes) Hosselton of Clay City, IL and David Hosselton of Cisne, IL; son John (Darlene) Hosselton of Cisne, IL, Jonica (Brian) Weiler, Elliott and Ethan of Lake Saint Louis, MO; Erin (Ryan) Koertge, Eli, Ben, Gideon, and Stella of Albion, IL; and Amber (Rob) Drake and Carter of Savoy, IL; son Bruce (Jane) Hosselton of Indianapolis, IN, Zach (Mandy) Hosselton, Noah, Maura, Will, Audrey, Whitney, and Kennady of Casey, IL; Lindsey (Rob) Culross Natalie, Sydney, and Tucker of Indianapolis, IN; Jenny (Kevin) Allen, Laney, Max, and Hunter of Indianapolis, IN; son Douglas (Karen) Hosselton of Olney, IL, Tara (Tyler) Claypool, Colby and Sadie of Marshall, IL. Sister-in-law Earlene Henry of Clay City, IL; brothers-in-law Russell Hosselton of Olney, IL and Lindy (Roberta) Hosselton of Flora, IL and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Helen Hosselton will be 10:30am Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne with burial in Zif Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-8pm Friday, September 25, 2015 at Hosselton Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi, IL and will be accepted at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

Gene F. McLin, age 88 of Seymour, TN died Saturday, September 19. He served in WWII as a radioman third class and upon his honorable discharge; he went on to pursue and receive his bachelor’s degree and followed his love of radio. Gene eventually went to work for Magnavox in Fort Wayne, IN.

Survivors include a son, Joseph Allen (Mary) and a daughter, Linda Jean.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 Thursday evening, Sept. 24 at the Berry Funeral Home on Chapman Highway in Seymour, TN.
Final visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, September 28th at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, followed by a graveside service in Maple Hill Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee and will be accepted at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

A former West Salem, Ill. bank employee has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $300,000 from the First State Bank of West Salem. Rachel J. Knasinski, 33 was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court at Benton, Ill. In addition to two years in prison, the judge ordered Knasinski to pay $362,357 in restitution to the bank and assessed a $100 special assessment in the case. According to court records, Knasinski stole the money between November of 2011 and January of 2015. She has been free on her own recognizance since entering a guilty plea to a single charge of bank embezzlement on April 23.

The City of Fairfield is considering the installation of a system that would allow consumers to pay their utility bills on-line with a credit or debit card. Aldermen are expected to receive a presentation about the system at their next council meeting.

Mayor Chuck Griswold has appointed a committee to decide if an ordinance is needed to allow golf carts and other slow-moving vehicles to operate on city streets. Chief Keith Colclasure told the council Tuesday night that there are already laws on the books governing the operation of such vehicles.

Frontier Community College is offering a community job fair today in the Workforce Development Center. The event runs from 2 – 6 today. A large number of employers will be on site for the event.

24-year-old Morgan Musgrave and 31-year-old Ashley Perry of Flora have been jailed on charges they entered the home of Bill Jelley in Geff and stole an envelope containing $5,500. The two face a charge of residential burglary.

The Fairfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has donated more than $20,000 to the local hospital for the purchase of Life Care Infusion Pumps. The pumps come with a special software program designed to prevent medication errors.

Edwards County property tax bills have been mailed. The first installment is due on Oct. 20. The second installment is due Nov. 23. Treasurer Debbie Smith says the total tax extension amounts to $5.4 million.

Margaret A. McCormick, 91, of Grayville, Illinois, died Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville, Indiana. For many years, Margaret was a cook for the Grayville Schools.

Survivors include sons Harold (Georganna) McCormick of Robinson, Illinois, and Jerry Wayne McCormick of Williston, Florida; grandchildren Bradley (Stephanie) North, Stephen (Erica) North, Abbie (Jay) Davidson, Kelly (Brian) Willett, and granddaughter Melissa; and eight great grandchildren.

In keeping with Margaret’s wishes, her remains were cremated and a private family service will be at a later date.

The Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne County native, Ira Dwane White died Tuesday, Sept. 22. He owned and operated the Hi-T service station at First and Main in the 1960’s, moving to the Morris, IL area in 1965 and retiring from Caterpillar Tractor in 1995 after 30 years of service.

Survivors include five children; Kimra (Dean) Veronda of Coal City, IL, Chris (Suzanne) White of Minooka, IL, JoLyn (Brian) Lamping of Braidwood, IL Rebecca Yard of Morris, IL Douglas (Joni) White of St. Peters, MO; ten grandchildren: Adrienne (Charlie) Williamson, Damien (Sarah) Veronda, Kyle (Deidre) Bullifin, Brandon Bullifin, Heather Jones, Jennifer (William) Brockman, Alexandra (Michael) DeVries, Ashton Yard, Ashley White and Adam White; six great grandchildren, Ava Williamson, Grace Bullifin, Kayli Jones, Carter Jones, Keane Brockman, and Dwane Brockman; three brothers and four sisters also survive: J. Ben (Valeda) White of Daytona Beach, FL, Roy (Laurel) White of Jackson, TN, Dan (Jackie) White of Fairfield, Norma (David) Potts of Fairfield, Carmen Smallwood of Mokena, Sarah (Jim) Pollard of Fairfield, Marilyn (Paul) Gabel of Morris, IL

Funeral services for Ira White will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Minooka United Methodist Church in Minooka, IL with burial in Seward Mound Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 – 8 Friday, Sept. 25 at the Maple Funeral Home in Channahon, IL 60410.

Memorials may be made to the Minooka United Methodist Church.

85-year-old Harrisburg resident, Christine V. Weaver died at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at her home. She had been a factory worker.

Survivors include sons, Robin Weaver of Harrisburg, Stephen Weaver of Bollingbrook, IL and Keith Weaver of Mt. Vernon; daughters, Jane Chlemick of West Virginia and Dawn Cochran of Hurst, IL; a brother, Tommy Lemmons of McLeansboro; a sister, Delores Pressley of Ft. Campbell, KY; 22 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Christine V. Weaver will be 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City with burial in Thomason Cemetery.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. until the time of service Friday, Sept. 25 at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City.

The old Brown Shoe factory in Salem went up in flames Wednesday night. Seven neighboring fire departments assisted in battling the blaze. Most recently, the structure housed Dalton Storage. Photo from the Southern Illinois Fire Incident Facebook Project

Former West Salem bank employee Rachel Knasinski has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to embezzling funds from the bank. In addition to prison time, she has been ordered to pay $362,357 in restitution to the First State Bank of West Salem.

40-year-old Chad W. Street of Bellmont was arrested Wednesday on a charge of public indecency. Street is accused of exposing himself in the 2 Go’s gas station on Walnut Street in Mt. Carmel.

Edwards County Sheriff’s Police and officers from the Albion City Police Department conducted a drug sweep at the Edwards County K-12 in Albion. No contraband was found.

25-year-old Kristopher C. Patrick of Florida was arrested Wednesday night at the Budget Inn in Fairfield. Patrick is accused of punching 28-year-old Angel Cruz in the face during an argument. City Police said both men were intoxicated. Cruz was taken to Fairfield Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

41-year-old Steven R. Brown of Ohio was arrested by Fairfield City Police Wednesday afternoon on a no-bond felony warrant out of Michigan. Brown was wanted for failure to pay child support. He has been jailed pending extradition to Michigan.

FNB is hosting a tailgating event at the FCHS home football game this Friday when the Mules take on the Carmi Bulldogs. FNB employees will give away free food, drinks and t-shirts from 5:30 until game time.

40-year-old Fairfield resident, Angelia Lee died at 12:14 Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 23 at her home.

Survivors include her parents, Mike and Alberta Lee of Fairfield; a daughter, Zoe Harris of Evansville, IN; a sister, Melanie and husband Adam Vaughan of Fairfield and a brother, Michael and wife April Lee of Fairfield.

Funeral services for Angelia Lee will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Thomason Cemetery at Wayne City.

Visitation will be 5 – 7 Friday evening, Sept. 25 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Another major fire has hit the Southern Illinois community of Salem. Before daylight this morning, fire destroyed the former Yohe Laundry building at the corner of McMackin and Walnut Street, across the street from the Salem Fire Protection District building. The blaze comes just two days after fire destroyed the three-story former Brown Shoe Company building in Salem. The Yohe Laundry fire was reported around 4:30 Friday morning. Also destroyed was a neighboring building that housed the Pregnancy Care Center. The center had been in operation the past 19 years. No injuries were reported. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and Salem Police are investigating the fires.

A West Salem, Ill. man has drawn a 15 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a Class-X charge of being in possession of methamphetamine. Bradley L. Beehn, 31 was sentenced Friday morning in Edwards County Circuit Court at Albion. Beehn was arrested last June after police raided a home in rural Edwards County and recovered a significant amount of meth. Beehn was sentenced Friday for being in possession of more than 100 grams, but less than 400 grams of meth. In addition to 15 years behind bars, Beehn has been ordered to pay $12,642 in fines and fees, which includes a $5,000 fine, a $3,000 drug assessment and a $1,500 anti-crime assessment. He will have to serve another three years of parole once he is released from prison.

An Edwards County man is being held in the Vanderburgh County, Ind. jail without bond on drug dealing charges. David Tapia, 48 of Albion is being held on a formal charge of dealing more than ten grams of methamphetamine. His arrest was logged on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Six members of an Owensboro, KY family were injured Thursday morning when the Dodge Durango they were in ran off of Interstate 64 west of the Grayville exit and overturned. A 17-year-old was driving the vehicle. One of the injured was airlifted from the scene. The others were taken to Fairfield Memorial Hospital. The injured ranged in age from 10 – 33. The teen driver was cited for failure to secure a child in an approved child restraint seat.

Fairfield firemen were called to a small blaze early this morning in an alleyway near Hooper’s Cleaners. A trash fire spread to the netting on the batting cages at the Sports Zone. The call came in around 4:45 this morning.

43-year-old Jeffrey S. Townsend of Winchester, KY has been found guilty of robbing the First Southern Bank in Carrier Mills last December. A Saline County jury found Townsend guilty of armed robbery. Sentencing has been set for Nov. 18.

26-year-old Cody D. Gregory of Johnsonville and 23-year-old Savanah R. Murphy of Thompsonville have been jailed on drug charges following a traffic crash on Rt. 15 west of Wayne City. Both were wanted on warrant and both face charges of being in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The Fairfield Community High School Board met Thursday night, adopting the budget for the 2015 – 2016 school year. The board also approved the administrative and teacher salary report and the school improvement plan.

Ron Gray, immediate past chairman of the U.S. Grains Council was the guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Fairfield Rotary Club. Gray discussed the role the U.S. Grains Council plays in developing markets for corn, sorghum and barley across the world. He also discussed progress being made in exporting grain byproducts such as distiller’s grains and ethanol.

Its Bean days in Wayne City today. The flea market will begin at 9 with car show registration beginning at 9:30. The Parade is at 10 with the serving of free ham and beans at 11 in Wayne City. There will also be a pedal pull at 12:30, firemans water fight at 1:30 and Wayne City High School senior class games at 2:30. The weekend concludes tomorrow with the Wayne City High school all class reunion at 2 pm.

Jasper County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the disappearance of Steven L. Stirewalt who left his West Liberty home Wednesday, September 23. The 43-year-old Stirewalt was driving a red 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer bearing Illinois license plate number “G 801 788″. He is 6’2″, 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Stirewalt is asked to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 618-783-8477.

A West Salem, man has drawn a 15 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a Class-X charge of being in possession of methamphetamine. Bradley L. Beehn, 31 was sentenced Friday morning in Edwards County Circuit Court at Albion. Beehn was arrested in June after police raided a home in rural Edwards County and recovered a significant amount of meth. Beehn was sentenced Friday for being in possession of more than 100 grams, but less than 400 grams of meth. In addition to 15 years behind bars, Beehn was ordered to pay $12,642 in fines and fees, which includes a $5,000 fine, a $3,000 drug assessment and a $1,500 anti-crime assessment.

An Edwards County man is being held in the Vanderburgh County, Ind. jail without bond on drug dealing charges. David Tapia, 48 of Albion is being held on a formal charge of dealing more than ten grams of methamphetamine. His arrest was logged on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

A driver rolled his semi-truck on Interstate 57 in Jefferson County, on Thursday night after he ran off the road and over corrected. An official report says the driver, John Grimes, 59, from Alabama, was traveling north on I-57 near mile marker 99 through a construction zone at around 10:39 p.m. He exited the road on the right side and then over corrected, rolling his truck over. He was charged with improper lane usage.