TWO HURT IN GEFF WATER TOWER ACCIDENT – Two men working inside a water tower in Geff were seriously injured Saturday afternoon when the scaffolding they were on collapsed.  The men were working for Henderson, Ky.-based Pittsburg Tank & Tower. A company supervisor at the scene declined to identify the workers. Chris Miller, a spokesman for the Fairfield Rural Fire Department said the men fell 25 – 30 feet to a concrete floor and suffered multiple injuries. Both workers were airlifted from the scene by helicopter to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. “Both appeared to have sustained multiple fractures,” Miller said. “Their injuries did not appear to be life threatening.” Miller said both men were rescued through a side manhole on the tank and treated at the scene before being airlifted.   Workers were in the process of re-coating the interior of the tank when the scaffolding collapsed shortly after 12:30 Saturday afternoon.  The tower was taken out of service last week after a leak was discovered.

27-year-old Austin W. Hulett of Albion was sentenced to prison Friday on a Class-1 felony conviction of burglary.  He had originally been placed on two years of probation for the offense last year. That probation was revoked and Hulett was re-sentenced to five years in prison.  According to court records, Hulett has been recommended for participation in the Department of Corrections Boot Camp Program.  He was also ordered to participate in a substance abuse program while in prison.

Illinois State Police District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Cory Ristvedt, announced activity and enforcement figures for the month of May. Troopers in District 19, recorded 1,592 incidents during the month. Enforcement activity consisted of 743 citations and 930 written warnings, including 389 speeding citations, 5 DUIs, 164 occupant restraint citations, 16 criminal citations, and 338 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 69 motorists, conducted 182 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 21 traffic crashes. There was one fatal traffic crash, investigated by District 19 during May.

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirms the first West Nile positive batch of mosquitoes in southern Illinois this year.  Officials with the Egyptian Health Department collected the batch on June 9 in Carmi.  Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois includes lab tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, and perching birds. If you see a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin, or other perching bird, you should contact your local health department so it can be tested.  Experts say you should take precautions to avoid being bit by a mosquito.  The IDPH recommends practicing the three “R’s” which are reduce, repel, and report.

The Fairfield city council will meet at 6pm Tuesday night.  The meeting will open with a bond hearing.  The City would like to sell $2,500,000 in bonds to refinance the new city water treatment facility.  The council is also expected to sell a piece of property on east court street, appropriate money from the Motor Fuel Tax fund for improvements at East Curry and North West 9^th street, adopt a balanced budget and Debt management policy, and discuss the 4^th of July fireworks.

The Xenia Ranch Rodeo will begin at 11:00am today, all events will be held behind the old Xenia Grade School.  Featured events will include Mugging, Doctoring, Trailer Loading, and a Mystery Event; with Goat Roping after the Rodeo.  Prizes will be awarded to the Top Hand and Winning Team. Money will be paid to the 1st and 2nd place teams.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5-12, and children age 4 and under will be admitted free.  All money raised will go to the Xenia Safety Corporation.

Two men working inside the Geff water tower were  injured Saturday afternoon when the scaffolding they were on collapsed.  The men were working for Henderson, Ky.-based Pittsburg Tank & Tower. A company supervisor at the scene declined to identify the workers. Chris Miller, a spokesman for the Fairfield Rural Fire Department said the men fell 25 – 30 feet to a concrete floor and suffered multiple injuries. Both workers were airlifted from the scene by helicopter to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.  Miller said both men were rescued through a side manhole on the tank and treated at the scene before being airlifted.   Workers were in the process of re-coating the interior of the tank when the scaffolding collapsed shortly after 12:30 Saturday afternoon.  The tower was taken out of service last week after a leak was discovered.

An argument over politics apparently escalated into violence in Centralia Friday night.  25-year-old Joseph Miraglia of Salem is being held in the Marion County Jail for aggravated battery and criminal damage to property after he attempted to strangle 35-year-old Stephen Abbott of Centralia.  Abbott allegedly stabbed Miraglia with a knife as he was struggling to get free.  Centralia police say Abbott will not face any charges since it appeared he was acting in self defense.

The Annual Wayne County Relay For Life event has been set for this Thursday at Leo French Park.  Opening ceremonies are slated for 6 p.m. with the survivor’s lap at 6:30.  The annual Survivor’s Dinner will be held Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Fairfield.  To register, call 599-0316.

Authorities have  identified the two people involved in a deadly plane crash late Friday afternoon at the Williamson County Airport in Marion.  56-year-old John D. Alleman of Carbondale was killed in the crash.  64-year-old Todd Greiner of West Frankfort was also in the plane and was airlifted to a St. Louis Hospital in critical condition.  According to a representative with the FAA, the two-seat, single-engine plane crashed shortly after 4:30 p.m. Friday while conducting “touch-and-go” landings at the airport.

85-year-old Betty Jo York of Carmi died Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.  Betty was a homemaker.  She enjoyed quilting and gardening and loved hummingbirds and the St. Louis Cardinals.  She attended the First Christian Church in Carmi.

She is survived by her husband Melvin; a son Bruce York and wife Kim of Carmi; a daughter Deborah Olson and husband Mike of St. Louis; grandchildren Zachary, Lucas, Richard, Leslie, Maria and Logan; great-grandchildren Carson, Tripp and Layla Jo; a brother Jerry McGehee and wife Shirley of Springerton and a sister Jewell Stocke of Carmi.

Funeral services for Betty will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 16th at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi with burial in Hammack Cemetery in Springerton.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Robert Donald Fisher, age 91 died June 10, 2016 at Evansville, IN. He was born July 8, 1924 in Wabash County. He was a member of Grayville Christian Church. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School and Wabash Valley College. He had operated a portable seed cleaner for Wabash County Farm Bureau and Igleheart Elevator and was a retired farmer, an insurance agent, a land man for an acquisition company and a school bus driver for forty plus years for Wabash Community Unit District #348.

He was a member of Wabash County Farm Bureau, National Woodcarvers Association, National Rifle Association and a Life Member of Amateur Trapshooters Association. He was also a past member of the Mt. Carmel Rifle Club, Wabash Bowhunters Archery Club and Bellmont Ruritan Club.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Mary Ann Fisher; a daughter, Janet (Dennis) Payne; grandchildren: Matt (Tara) Fisher, Karla Fisher, Eric (Amanda) Fisher and Laurel Payne, great-grandchildren: Andrew Fisher, Katelyn Fisher and Emily Fisher.

A Celebration of Life Service for Robert Donald Fisher will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion with burial in Highland Memorial Cemetery at Mt. Carmel.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.

An anhydrous ammonia tank overturned this morning at the busy intersection of U.S. Rt. 45 and Delaware in downtown Fairfield.  A driver with Circle R Fertilize in Springerton turned east onto Delaware from U.S. Rt. 45 when a weld apparently gave way on the second of two anhydrous tanks he was towing. The tank overturned, but did not leak. Delaware in front of the Fairfield Elks was closed for a period of time as crews righted the tank and cleared the scene. No one was hurt.

A Geff, Ill. man has been jailed on charges he stabbed two men during an argument early Sunday morning.  Michael L. Brothers, 33 has been jailed on felony charges of aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon. Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the emergency room of Fairfield Memorial Hospital around 12:20 Sunday morning where Donnie A. Simms, 39 of Geff and Michael L. Weccele, 28 of Geff were being treated for stab wounds.  Simms told police Brothers was at his house in Geff when an argument ensued. Brothers is accused of stabbing Weccele in the forearm and Simms in the back of the head.  After the incident, Brothers allegedly threw the knife down and fled the scene. Police located Brothers later Sunday morning and recovered the black folding knife allegedly used in the stabbing.

An Edwards County fugitive wanted on a no-bond warrant was taken into custody early Sunday morning after a standoff with police at an apartment complex in Grayville.  31-year-old Shaun D. Carl of Tower Hill, Ill. barricaded himself in a downstairs apartment on W. Sycamore Street and refused to talk to police.  Members of a SWAT team were able to negotiate a peaceful end to the standoff a little after midnight Sunday morning.  Carl was wanted for failing to show up in Edwards County Circuit Court to be sentenced on a conviction of being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.  In his absence, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

A North Carolina man died Sunday in a fiery crash inside the Interstate 64 rest area in Jefferson County.  His name is being withheld. Police say he was driving a motor home that crashed into several trees, and then hit a parked pickup truck occupied by a Chandler, Indiana couple. Patrick and Jacqueline Outler, both 47 of Chandler were taken to a hospital in Mt. Vernon. The motor home driver, from Knotts Island, N.C. was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two men working inside the water tower in Geff were seriously injured Saturday afternoon when scaffold they were on collapsed. The men, working for Pittsburg Tank and Tower of Henderson, Ky. were airlifted to a hospital in Evansville for treatment of multiple injuries. The tank had been taken out of service last week for repairs.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered all flags in Illinois to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of Sunday morning’s massacre in Orlando, Florida. At least 50 were killed and more than 50 injured in the shooting rampage.

A West Nile positive batch of mosquitoes was found in Carmi last Thursday. Public Health officials said there were 77 cases of West Nile last year with 9 deaths.

Phillip Lynn Hoskinson, 67 of rural Lawrenceville died Saturday, June 11 at his home.  He had worked at the Texaco Refinery, and then had a Marathon Distributorship. Following that, he drove a truck for years for Gregory’s Gravel Company. He was a member of the Lawrenceville Elks, Moose, and American Legion.

Known as “The Greek”, Phillip is survived by his wife Joyce Hoskinson of rural Lawrenceville: his son, Erick Hoskinson of rural Lawrenceville: and 4 step-grandchildren- Nevaeh Lynn Griggs, Madilyn, William, and Ella Scarber.

Graveside services for Phillip “The Greek” Hoskinson will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the Bridgeport City Cemetery.

The Cunningham Funeral Home of Bridgeport is handling the services.

Robert “Bob” Ikert, 69, of Albion died on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at his home. He was retired from Champion Labs where he was a fork truck driver. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and also enjoyed NASCAR and cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include a daughter, Diann (Jerry) Anderson of Dundas, Illinois; three sons: Larry (Tammy) Griffin of Parkersburg, Illinois, Randy (Pearl) Griffin of Davenport, Iowa, and Charlie (Dorothy) Griffin of Sweet Springs, Missouri; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services for Bob Ikert will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion with burial in Graceland cemetery at Albion.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. until the time of service at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion. Friends and family are encouraged to dress casually to honor Bob’s approach to life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Albion First Baptist Church.

The public is encouraged to attend a public meeting next Monday to hear proposals about making improvements to Lakeside Park in Fairfield. The dam was breached and the lake was drained several years ago. If funding can be found, plans include building a new dam, dredging out the lake and renovating the facility for flood control and recreational purposes. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. next Monday at the Kon-Tiki in Fairfield.

A delegation from the Southeast Asia Oil Pipeline (SEOP) in China is visiting Elastec’s facilities in Carmi today. The visitors will learn about Elastec’s pipeline oil spill response equipment. The Asian pipeline runs 771 km through Myanmar and enters China in the Yunnan Province.

Frontier Community College is accepting proposals for purchasing the naming rights of the new Bobcats baseball field under construction on campus.  Bobcats baseball is scheduled to begin at Frontier Community College in the spring of 2017.

54-year-old Michael E. Melendez of Carmi has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a class-3 felony charge of forgery. He was also ordered to pay $1,079 in fines and fees, including $507.80 restitution to the victim in the case.

Fairfield National Bank and Volunteers for a Progressive Fairfield will present the movie “Star Wars, the Force Awakens” at the Leo French Park Amphitheater this Saturday.  Admission is free.

80-year-old Johnsonville resident, Elsie Mae Simms died on Monday, June 13, 2016 at her home.   She was a homemaker.

Elsie is survived by one daughter Terri Hacker, two sons Clifford Simms and Kenneth Simms all of Johnsonville, IL.  She is also survived by 3 grandchildren:  Roni, Ian and Kathern.

Per Elsie’s wishes, cremation will take place and there are no public services scheduled.

The Hosselton Funeral Home is in charge of all of the arrangements.

Marcella M. Broster, 89, of Grayville died Saturday, June 11, 2016 at her home. with her loving family by her side.  A member of the First United Methodist Church in Grayville, she was active in the Grayville Senior Citizens.

Survivors include her son, Mike (Sally) Broster of San Antonio, TX; grandson, Jon (Anna) Broster of Louisville, KY; two step grandchildren, George (Shelley) Sullivan of Katy, TX and Liz (Paul) Sullivan Cruz of San Antonio, TX; two great granddaughters, Celia and Lucy Broster; step great grandchildren, Christian, Benjamin and Joseph Sullivan, Pete, Josh, Espen and Logan Cruz; two brothers, Sam (Sue) Knight of St. Louis, MO and Robert (Sharolene) Knight of Grayville, IL.

Funeral Services for Marcella M. Broster will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, IL with burial at Browns Cemetery in Browns, Ill.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, IL.

Wilma A. Orr, 92, of Grayville, IL passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Grayville.

Survivors include her son, David (Alane) Orr of Fairfield, IL; daughters, Sandra (Don) Bald of Lebanon, IL and Debbie (Terry) Neikirk of Mount Carmel, IL; grandchildren, Mike (Laura) Bald, Kim Bald, Joshua (Bekah) Orr, Jordan Orr, Jason Neikirk and Allison Neikirk; three great grandchildren, Justin, Hannah and Lexi Bald; sisters in law, Norma Garrett of Tucson, AZ, Emma Orr of Grayville, IL and Ruth Orr of Evansville, IN.

Funeral Services for Wilma A. Orr will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Cook Funeral Home in Grayville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Grayville and will be accepted at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, IL.

High winds associated with a brief but intense thunderstorm downed several trees in Fairfield Tuesday afternoon. A large tree blew down across Enterprise Road near the entrance to Leo French Park, another tree was downed on Court Street, and a large tree blew down on a building on S.W. 7^th Street. No injuries were reported.

A boil order has been issued for people in Wayne City on West Street from Rt. 15(West Robinson Street) to West Section Line Road.  People in this are should boil any water to be used for human consumption.  The boil order will remain in effect until further notice.

Kentucky authorities have released the name of a suspect accused of robbing the Great Rivers Community Bank in Shawneetown, Ill. Tuesday morning. Marcus Housholder, 31 of Reed, Kentucky was identified after the suspected getaway car he was driving crashed into a crude oil tanker in the Webster County, Ky. community of Poole. Householder is accused of being armed with a handgun when he robbed the bank in Shawneetown at 10:45 Tuesday morning. No one was injured in the heist.  He fled the scene on Ill. Rt. 13, across the Ohio River into Kentucky. Union County Sheriff Mickey Arnold said his deputies pursued Householder’s Ford Fusion through Union County onto U.S. 41 Alternative in Webster County.  Sheriff Arnold said that as the suspect entered the city limits of Poole, his car ran off the road, hit a ditch, went airborne and struck a parked crude oil tanker at a Country Mark loading terminal. Householder sustained major injuries and was airlifted from the scene to a hospital in Evansville.  He faces charges of armed robbery in Gallatin County, Ill. and wanton endangerment charges in Union and Webster Counties in Kentucky.

25-year-old Bratten T. Burge of rural Bluford was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of aggravated domestic battery and possession of a counterfeit drug. County police responded to a report of a disturbance at Burge’s residence around 8:20 Tuesday morning and met with the alleged victim in the case, Jessi Irwin, 27 of rural Bluford. She told police she had been hiding in the woods after Burge had struck her in the head, held her against her will and choked her.  Police found Burge asleep on a sofa inside the house and questioned him about the incident.  While there, police said they smelled a strong odor of bath salts – a counterfeit drug. Gaining consent to search the residence, police say they found bath salts, a hypodermic syringe and other suspected contraband.

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Tuesday morning armed robbery of the Grand Rivers Community Bank in Shawneetown. The suspect, not identified at this time, was arrested following a 35 mile police chase that ended in Kentucky. The suspect was injured when his getaway car crashed.

30-year-old Jarred Bolin of McLeansboro has been jailed on a felony charge of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.  Bolin is accused of beating Robert Thompson during an altercation last Sunday in McLeansboro. His bond has been set at $2,000. Bolin is scheduled for a first appearance in court this Thursday.

Supporters of Wayne County Golf Course, Inc. attended Tuesday night’s Fairfield City Council meeting suggesting ways to keep the financially struggling facility open.  Spokesman Kent Vinson called for a cooperative venture between the City of Fairfield and the Fairfield Park District to possibly transform the facility into a municipal course.  No action was taken.

The Fairfield City Council approved spending $230,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds to make needed repairs to East Curry Street and N.W. 9^th.  The engineering firm of Connor and Connor is overseeing the project.

The Fairfield Municipal Airport will host customer appreciation days on Saturday and Sunday, July 23, 24. The two-day event, which coincides with the huge air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will feature a free porkburger lunch for pilots and their passengers and free gift bags for pilots who purchase fuel.

65-year-old Fairfield native, Millie Long of Olney died Tuesday, June 14 at her home. She was an operating room secretary at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include her husband, Keith Long of Olney; sons, Richard Long and wife Jennifer of Silver Spring, MD and, Rodney Long of Olney; grandchildren, Chelsea Waxler and Zachary Long; sisters, Georgia Ile and Clarise Jones; brothers, Christopher McCulley and Ronnie McCulley and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Millie Long will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney with burial in Crest Haven Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 Friday, June 17 at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Southeastern Illinois and will be accepted at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.

William Richard “Bill” Fullerton Sr., age 80, formerly of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Monday, May 2nd, 2016 in Indianola, Iowa.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired supervisor at the former Manteno State Hospital in Manteno, IL.

Survivors include two sons, Gregory Fullerton of Manteno, IL and William R. Fullerton Jr. of Roselle, IL; a daughter Keri (husband Sean) Packer of Manteno, IL; 4 grandchildren,  Tiffany Renee Fullerton, Kalor Lenee Fullerton, Dyva Packer, and Tristen Michael Packer; a sister Anna Catherine Dulaney of McLeansboro, IL; and a sister in law Marsha Dulaney of New Haven, IL.

A memorial service for Bill Fullerton, Sr. will be held on at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 19th, 2016 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Visitation will be from 1:30 pm until the time of service at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Two Clay County men have been sentenced to time in a federal prison for being in possession of an improvised explosive device. Aaron B. Flota, 37 of Flora was sentenced to 63 months in prison. His co-defendant, Kevin E. Caldwell, 37 of Edgewood drew a 37 month sentence. In a stipulation of facts filed by federal prosecutors, the two men admitted they constructed a destructive device using a CO2 cartridge and compounds obtained from fireworks. The two made a hole in the neck of the CO2 cylinder large enough for gunpowder to be packed into the device. The device was then detonated with a blowtorch. Prosecutors said that the explosion, which happened on August 10 of last year, sent a chunk of shrapnel into Flota’s arm. The injuries were serious enough that he had to be airlifted to a hospital in Evansville for surgery.

31-year-old Marcus Housholder of Reed, Kentucky has been identified as the suspect accused of robbing the Great Rivers Community Bank in Shawneetown Tuesday.  Housholder fled the scene into Kentucky where police gave chase. The suspect was captured in Poole, Ky. after his getaway car crashed into a crude oil tanker. He was injured and airlifted to a hospital in Evansville.

A rural Bluford man out on bond and awaiting trial on 2015 Wayne County charges of being in possession of meth and drunk driving has been arrested. 25-year-old Bratten T. Burge was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly battered and choked his girlfriend, 27-year-old Jessi Irwin.  Police investigating the battery say they found Burge was in possession of a counterfeit drug – bath salts.

45-year-old Lawrence Chad Smith of Grayville has been sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison after his probation on a meth-related conviction was revoked. On Wednesday, Smith was sentenced to prison in White County Circuit Court after failing to complete four years of probation on a conviction of being in possession of meth precursor chemicals.

51-year-old Stephanie R. Davis-Campbell of Carmi has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a class-3 felony charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.  She was sentenced Wednesay in White County Circuit Court at Carmi.

The Fairfield City Band will perform its third concert of the season this evening. Tonight’s concert will begin at 7 p.m. on the Wayne County Courthouse lawn.  The performance will be under the direction of guest conductor Josh Livesay. The concert is free and open to the public.

Nate McGaha, of Fairfield, recently went to Las Vegas, Nevada for 10 days and participated in the 26th VNEA World Pool Championships at Bally’s Hotel and Casino. There was over 6,000 people from 37 different countries. He was captain of a 5 man team consisting of himself, Bud Vaught, Bill Lewis, TJ Hammond, and Mike Nation. Their team finished 3rd in the world in the team event, over 300 teams, earning a coveted bronze “Charlie” trophy. They were playing teams like Australia, that consists of the top 5 pool players of the entire country on 1 team. Chappy’s team made one of the best come backs of all time being 56 points down with only 8 games left in the match against Australia and came back and won by only 2 points 162-160. His team finished the highest than any other Illinois team in history. Nate also played in the 8-ball Singles, finishing 17th, and the 9-ball singles finishing 33rd.  Pictured above left to right – TJ Hammond, Nate McGaha, Bill Lewis, Bud Vaught, and Mike Nation

Fairfield Memorial Hospital and the First Christian Church in Fairfield have been designated as cooling centers.  First Christian will be open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.  The Fairfield Memorial Hospital cafeteria will be open from 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The boil order  issued for people in Wayne City on West Street from Rt. 15(West Robinson Street) to West Section Line Road has been lifted.  People in this area no longer need to boil water to be used for human consumption.  All water samples have passed inspection.

Fire destroyed the home of Billy and Cindy Cleveland in West Salem Thursday afternoon.  The fire was reported shortly after 3:30 p.m.  When West Salem firemen arrived, flames were showing. The West Salem Fire Department received assistance from the Bone Gap Fire Department and Edwards County EMS. The home was considered a total loss. No one was injured.

Felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse filed against a Fairfield man last March have been dismissed.  32-year-old Matthew C. Brenner had initially been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under the age of 18.  The charges were dismissed Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court. Brenner was arrested last March after agents with Homeland Security executed a search warrant at his home and seized computers and other electronic devices. Investigators with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services removed children from Brenner’s home at the time of the arrest.

Steve Brokaw of Albion has been hired as a new Part-Time Construction Technology Instructor at Frontier Community College (FCC). Steve will begin his assignment at the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester. Brokaw will bring a vast amount of real-life experience in construction to FCC students, as he began in the construction field immediately after high school. Adding to his experience, Brokaw just retired this year after fifteen year of teaching Industrial Technology at Edwards County High School in Albion.  For additional information about the Construction Technology Program, call the college at 842-3711.

28-year-old Lenwood Arnold of McLeansboro has been sentenced to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty in Hamilton County Circuit Court to charges that he was in possession of methamphetamine. Arnold was arrested on June 1 by McLeansboro City Police and sentenced Thursday.

Former Wayne County resident, Opal Y. Zuber of McLeansboro has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty in Hamilton County Circuit Court to charges she was in possession of meth.

Two Southern Illinois state troopers killed in the line of duty decades ago will be honored with new roadside memorial signs.  Trooper Frank Doris (pictured left) was shot and killed on U.S. Rt. 45 near Flora in 1967. Trooper Layton Davis (pictured right) was shot to death during a traffic stop on Interstate 57 in 1976. The signs will be erected along Interstate 57.

Fairfield FFA recently returned from Springfield at the Illinois state FFA convention will several awards at the convention from June 14-16 at the prairie capital convention center.  Receiving the Illinois State FFA degree from Fairfield, Mercedes Grote, Kenlee Bramlet, Whitney Baker, Madelyn Hubble, Dylan Toombs, Ryan Estheimer, Tristan Payne, and Ashley Devous.  Receiving recognition for the Amercian FFA Degree completion was Clayton Titzer, Amber Scarbrough, and Erin Smothers.   Pictured left to right –  Mercedes Grote, Kenlee Bramlet, Whitney Baker, Madelyn Hubble, Dylan Toombs, Ryan Estheimer, and Tristan Payne.  Not pictured Ashley Devous.

Gail A. Arvin, 68, of Newburgh, IN passed away at 6:14 am, Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Hamilton Pointe Health & Rehabilitation. Gail was born November 13, 1947 in Olney, Illinois the daughter of the late George and Patricia (Cunningham) Weightman. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University and was a teacher for Edwards County School District for 36 years before her retirement in 2005. She also taught speech and composition courses at Frontier College and Olney Central College. Gail was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in West Salem, IL.

She is survived by sons, Michael Hasewinkle (Rhonda) of Browns, IL and Jared Hasewinkle (Niki) of Murfreesboro, TN; sister, Cynthia Weis (Bob) of Evansville, IN and brother, Glenn Weightman (Tammy) of Duncan, OK; grandchildren, Tristan Hasewinkle, Kristy Alan, and Tobiah Hasewinkle; great-grand children, Ramsey Hasewinkle and Jenae Hasewinkle; and a host of family and friends.

Funeral Services for Gail A. Arvin will be held at 12 Noon, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Zion United Methodist Church, 207 Jack Allen Dr., West Salem, IL with burial in Graceland Cemetery, Albion, IL.

Visitation will be 10 am until time of service at 12 Noon, Tuesday at Zion United Methodist Church.

The Boone Funeral Home East Chapel in Evansville, Ind. is in charge of all the arrangements

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Zion United Methodist Church, West Salem, IL.

53-year-old Jimmy Ray Leegaard died on June 4, 2016 at Ellenton, Florida. He enjoyed hunting and collecting arrowheads, fishing, hunting, and attending racing events.

Jimmy is survived by his mother, Sharon Leegaard, of Minnesota; one daughter, Melissa (Billy) Stewart, of Cisne; one son, Kyle Leegaard, of Fairfield, IL; two brothers, Todd (Teri) Leegaard of Polk City, Florida and Harv Leegaard of Mt. Erie, IL, and five grandchildren.

A memorial service for Jimmy Ray Leegaard will be held 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 21^st, at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until time of service at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

Wanda Lee Clodfelter, 84, of West Salem died on Wednesday, June 15.  She was a homemaker, and a member of the First Christian Church of West Salem.

Survivors include three daughters: Jennifer (Mark) Shylanski of St. Louis, Missouri; Rebecca (Eliot) Brenowitz of Seattle, Washington; and Kathleen (Gayle Fishel) Clodfelter of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; one sister, Deloris Bauer of Ft. Branch, Indiana; three grandchildren: Luke Shylanski, Lilah Brenowitz, and Iris Brenowitz; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Wanda Lee Clodfelter will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 20 at the Moravian Cemetery in West Salem.

There will be no visitation. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery, and are encouraged to dress casually.

The Ingram Funeral Home of West Salem is in charge of the arrangements.