73-year-old Mt. Vernon resident, Nathaniel “Nate” A. Tyler died at 6:27pm on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He had worked at Banterra Bank in Mt. Vernon until his retirement.

Survivors include is his wife Joan of Mt. Vernon, three daughters Cartha Harrah and Tressa (Jim) Morgan of Mt. Vernon, and Cara (Mike) Littleton of Millersville, MO, 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, one brother J.B. (Ollie Mae) Tyler of Fairfield, three sisters Shirley (Charles) Steury, Virginia (Donald) Witter, and Omega (Donnie) Scarbrough all of Fairfield, two sisters-in-law Darlene Tyler of Fairfield and  Marilyn Tyler of Salem, one brother-in-law Lewis Cravens of Fairfield.

Funeral services for Nate Tyler will be held at 10am on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield.

A visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Wednesday at Central Christian Church. Memorials can be made to the Central Christian Church Food Pantry and will be accepted at the church or at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of all of the arrangements.

Fairfield Community High School held its annual Awards Day recently. Over $610,000 was awarded to FCHS seniors and underclassmen during the event.

43-year-old David P. Brockett of Carmi has been arrested on charges he was passing counterfeit $100 bills.  Brockett has been formally charged with forgery. During his arrest, Carmi City Police say they recovered a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine resulting in an additional drug charge.  Bond on the forgery warrant is $3,000 cash.

The Little Wabash River at Carmi has crested.  The river hit 36.2 feet and is now falling.  The stage late Monday evening was 35.98. Thousands of acres of bottomland – much of it planted – remain under water.  More rain is in the forecast for midweek.

A Mount Vernon, Ill. couple has been jailed on felony charges of aggravated battery of a child under the age of 13 causing great bodily harm.  The infant victim’s parents, Tyrone E.J. Steele, 18 and Abigail C. Adkins, 20 were arrested after a nurse in a St. Louis hospital alerted authorities about the alleged abuse.

The 2017 Edwards County mobile home tax bills have been mailed out. The deadline to pay is July 31 with a late fee of $25 being assessed after August 1.  The total tax extension for Edwards County mobile homes amounts to $30,108.

Free comprehensive sports physicals will be available May 17 to all in-coming sophomore, junior and senior students from the Carmi-White County High School as well as NCOE. The physicals will be offered at the Hamilton Memorial Family Clinic in Carmi and Wabash Christian Therapy and Medical Clinic in Carmi from 5 – 8 on May 17.

73-year-old Enterprise resident, Gary Trotter died on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, IL.  A veteran of the U.S. Army, Gary was an auto mechanic for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughter, Monique of Edwardsville, IL; and 3 grandchildren, Olivia, Adam, and Ian.

Visitation for Gary Trotter will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, May 12, 2017, at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne. Private burial will be held at a later date.Memorials may be made to D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans), P.V.A. (Paralyzed Veterans of America), or A.R.F. (Animals Requesting Friends). Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.

Deanna J. Giddens, 67, of Flora died at 7:55 a.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Flora Gardens Care Center in Flora, IL.

There will be no public services for Deanna J. Giddens. The Kohn Funeral Home in Flora is in charge of the arrangements.   A full obituary will follow.

Resident Wayne County Judge and former City Attorney Mike Molt administered the oath of office Tuesday night to newly-elected Fairfield Mayor Brent Maguire.  Judge Molt also administered the oath to new Aldermen Eugene “Tubby” McGill and Terry Stahl and re-elected Aldermen Ralph Barbre and Jim Griffith. City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft was also sworn-in. Pictured above – Mayor Maguire (seated). Left to right standing – Aldermen Terry Stahl, Tubby McGill, City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft and Aldermen Ralph Barbre and Jim Griffith.

Fairfield attorney Darrin Rice has been named the new Fairfield City Attorney.  He replaces David Harrison who served under the Chuck Griswold administration.  Rice currently serves as the First Assistant State’s Attorney in Jefferson County.  He formerly served as assistant Wayne County State’s Attorney.

Mayor Maguire has re-appointed Keith Colclasure as Police Chief and Silas Eckelberry as Assistant Chief. He also re-appointed Andrew Miller as Fire Chief and Wade Gregory Assistant Chief.  Julie Duncan will continue to serve as City Treasurer and Dielle Rogers will retain her position as City Collector.

A Saline county resident died Tuesday afternoon after driving a truck into floodwaters on Ingram Hill Road.  The Harrisburg Fire Department retrieved the body. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of relatives.

Morton Buildings, Inc. a leader in post-frame manufacturing and construction with an office in Fairfield, announced this week that 100% of the company is now owned by its employees.  Prior owners sold their shares to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust, giving current and future employees full ownership of the company.

Ryan Brawley, 31, of Ina, Illinois, passed away May 7, 2017 at 6:19 P.M. due to complications of Cystic Fibrosis at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois, surrounded by his family.

Ryan was a graduate of Webber Township High School and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and enjoyed cooking.   He was a member of Family Life Church.

Ryan is survived by his father, Mike Brawley of Wayne City; mother, Lisa McGovern and stepfather, Rob McGovern of Ina; stepbrother, Doug McGovern of Mount Vernon; stepsister, Lynsey McGovern of Salem; niece and nephews, Emma McGovern, Kade McGovern, and Tyson Smith; grandmother, Donna McGovern; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services for Ryan Brawley will be held Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois with burial at Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, Illinois.

Visitation for Ryan Brawley will be held Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864.

Rosemary Gooch, 84, of Fairfield passed away on Wednesday 5/10 at 7:50AM in Fairfield Memorial Hospitals Skilled Care Unit.  She was a Homemaker and a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Fairfield for 60 years.

Rosemary is survived by 2 Daughters-Robyn (David) Guinnip of Mt Carmel IL and Pam (Jeff) Wood of Minneapolis MN,  2 Sons-Mike Gooch of Brentwood TN and Bob Gooch of Fairfield.  4 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren also survive.

Services for Rosemary Gooch will be Saturday at 2PM at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from Noon until the time of service at the funeral home.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the 1st Baptist Church Children’s Bus Ministry and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of all arrangements.

A record breaking $800,000 in scholarship awards will be presented Friday during the annual Wayne City High School Awards Day.  The event is open to the public and will start at 1 p.m. in the Wayne City High School Performance Gym. One of the highlights of the afternoon will be the naming of the 2017 Senior of the Year.

43-year-old David P. Brockett of Carmi has been sentenced to four years in prison on a conviction of forgery.  He drew a concurrent four year sentence for being in possession of methamphetamine.

38-year-old Heather Chitwood of Maunie has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in White County Circuit Court to a charge of being in possession of methamphetamine.  Judge Michael Valentine of Edwards County sentenced Chitwood and Brockett.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have announced plans to release the giant alligator gar into Illinois waters.  The fish was thought to be extinct in Illinois.  The last one caught in Illinois was hauled out of the Cache River basin in 1966 and was 7 feet long and weighed 130 pounds.

The 26^th annual Family Literacy Fest is this Saturday, May 13 at the Kiddie Kollege Early Learning Center in Fairfield. The event – for kids zero to 8-yeasrs-old, will run from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  The event will feature the Lions Club Train; inflatables, games and prizes.  Several larger prizes will also be awarded, including two tablets, a boys and girls bike and a lot more.

71-year-old Cisne resident, William “Bill” Carson died on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.  Bill was self-employed as an Auctioneer and Real Estate Broker for Carson Auction and Realty Company and managed his cattle and grain farms.

Bill is survived by his wife Joyce of Cisne, Illinois; one son Justin (Ashley) Carson of Geff, Illinois; one sister Rebecca Carson of Cisne, Illinois and three grandchildren Will, Connor, and Addison.

Visitation for Bill Carson will be 9am-11am Monday, May 15, 2017 at Hosselton Funeral Home.  A private burial will be later in Gunion Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Cisne Christian Church and will be accepted at Hosselton Funeral Home, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

James Delbert (J.D.) Grisham, 84, a Korean War Veteran and Railroad retiree died Wednesday, May 10, 2017 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Sharon Grisham; a daughter Cindy Phillips of Salem, South Carolina; a son Wesley Henderson and his wife Rachel from Nashville, Tennessee and their four children; his son Gary Breiling and his wife Monica from McLeansboro, Illinois and their two children.  Many great grandchildren, friends, and family also survive.

Graveside services for J.D. Grisham will be Monday, May 15, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at the Crouch Cemetery near Belle Prairie, Illinois.

The Gholson Funeral Home of McLeansboro is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dr. Randy Dunn, president of Southern Illinois University (left) gave the keynote address at Thursday night’s Jasper Grade School Graduation.  There were 15 graduates in this year’s class.  McKenna Carter, the daughter of Harry and Kim Carter was named valedictorian.  Tegan Ruhl, daughter of Kevin and Lucy Ruhl was named salutatorian.  The American Legion Award went to McKenna Carter and Zach McGill. Honorable mentions went to Tegan Ruhl and Caden Wixom.   The Citizenship Awards went to Katelyn Norton and Noah Musgrave. The Leadership Awards went to Meghan Grieve and A.J. Bonzales.  Honor Graduates were McKenna Carter, Katelyn Norton and Tegan Ruhl. McKenna Carter won the Jasper Essay Contest.

47-year-old Patricia Speagle of rural Marion County has been sentenced to 110 years in prison after being convicted of four class-x felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault.  Her husband, Gary Speagle faces 18 charges of child pornography and predatory criminal sexual assault.

23-year-old Jacob Knight of Grayville was critically injured Wednesday evening when the Chevy Blazer he was driving on Ill. Rt. 1 in rural Wabash County ran off the road and overturned twice and hit a tree.  He was airlifted to an area trauma center for treatment of major injuries.

Illinois State Representative Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg is hosting a food and supply collection for Southern Illinois flood victims.  Phelps is asking folks to drop off canned goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies and baby items at his Harrisburg office. The items will be used to help anyone displaced or who suffered damage from the recent floods across Southern Illinois.

Frontier Community College Graduation is tonight at 7 p.m. in the Fairfield Community High School Gymnasium.  Over 180 degrees and certificates will be awarded.  Michaela Beach of Oakland City, Indiana has been chosen as the student speaker.

68-year-old Johnsonville resident, Brenda P. Heifner died on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Arrangements for Brenda Heifner are pending at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

WCHS graduates cleared the $900,000 mark at the Wayne City High School Senior Awards Day assembly.  Myranda Kenshalo has been named the WCHS Senior or the year.  Kaylee Seymour was awarded the $10,000 Henry Fenton Memorial Scholarship.  Collins Scholarship winners were Landon Willett and Kerri Gammon.  Recipients of the LaDonna Talbert Scholarships were: Allison Bass, Taylor Borton, Nate Caudle, America Dagg, Chad Dickey, Caisie Hart, Lacey Johnson, Myranda Kenshalo, Claire Miller, Rachel Newman, Tori Pasley, Haven Richardson, Hayley Spicer, Allyson Taylor, JaLisa Trotter, Kenzi Miles, and Mikayla Walters.

Wayne County Sheriff’s Police along with county probation officers went to a home on Highland Avenue in Fairfield Thursday for a compliance check and wound up making two drug arrests.  The suspects have been identified as Aaron C. Webb, 30 and Chelsea N. Wood, 33.  A search of the home Webb and Wood shared yielded a quantity of suspected meth, cannabis and various items of drug paraphernalia.  In addition to the Corrections warrant, Webb faces new charges of possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.  He was also wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of aggravated battery, which carried a $1,575 bond.  Wood faces a charge of possession of meth.  Both have been lodged in the Wayne County jail pending a court appearance.

A Saline County jury has convicted a Saline County doctor in the case accusing him of trying to have the state’s attorney kidnapped.  Brian Burns is charged with felony charges of solicitation of aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, and attempted aggravated kidnapping.  He is accused of trying to pay a man $1,000 to kidnap Michael J. Henshaw, who was the Saline County State’s Attorney. Henshaw has since passed away.  Burns will be sentenced in the kidnapping case on July 25.  He is set for a pre-trial in the murder case on May 19.

White County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Constance Beard, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.  The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law.  This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties.  The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2016 taxes, payable in 2017.  Last year’s equalization factor for White County was also 1.0000.

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce along with West Side Pools and Spas have announced a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate their Grand Opening. The ceremony will take place on Friday May 19th at 11:30a.m.  West Side Pools and Spas is located at 701 East Main Street, Fairfield, in the old Brown’s Chevrolet Building.  Refreshment will be served. During the event, West Side Pools and Spas will be offering exclusive discounts on pool chemicals and spas.  The public is invited to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

The boil order issued for those in the Jasper Waterworks near the Jasper school has been lifted. People affected need no longer boil water to be used for human consumption. All water samples taken from the water system have passed inspection.

Shooting in Mt. Carmel: The Mt. Carmel Police Department are investigating a shooting that took place in the city on Saturday. According to Detective Sergeant Ryan Turner on Saturday, May 13 at approximately 10:15 p.m., Mt. Carmel Police responded to 214 North Walnut Street in Mt. Carmel reference a man being shot.  Police arrived on scene and located a 24 year old male subject with a gunshot to his chest.  The victim was treated at Wabash General Hospital and then transferred to an Evansville area hospital.  The condition of the victim is unknown at this time.  The case is ongoing.

The Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen will be opening Monday, May 15^th, as they will have a dedication with the volunteer workers at 9:30 a.m. A hot meal will be served at noon to anyone in need. Meals will be served Monday through Saturday. The Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen is located in the former Barb Wire Grill building on Southwest Second and West Main streets in Fairfield.

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce along with West Side Pools and Spas have announced a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate their Grand Opening. The ceremony will take place on Friday May 19th at 11:30a.m.  West Side Pools and Spas is located at 701 East Main Street, Fairfield, in the old Brown’s Chevrolet Building.  Refreshment will be served. During the event, West Side Pools and Spas will be offering exclusive discounts on pool chemicals and spas.  The public is invited to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

The Bobcat Den Fitness Center at Frontier Community College will be closed on Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17 for electrical work. This includes the Frontier Perks Coffeehouse and the Bookstore located inside the Bobcat Den. All three will re-open on Thursday, May 18 at 7 a.m.

Ameren Illinois has upgraded its outage map in an effort to help customers give and get information when they lose service. The company is making the site mobile friendly by making it available for downloading for Android and iPhones users. The site will give customers information about outages throughout Illinois and Missouri and let them know where the outages were first reported and the number of customers without power. The site will also let customers know if a crew has been dispatched to the area and an estimate about when they can expect power to be restored. The outage map can be found at https://outagemap.ameren.com/

According to reports, restoring the Illinois State Fair Coliseum would take at least two years and millions of dollars. Board officials say extensive repairs would cost between $3 million and $4 million. Inspectors say the coliseum is no longer safe because of significant structural deterioration. The state Agriculture Department previously announced the coliseum won’t be open in 2017. Spokeswoman Rebecca Clark says the agency hopes sufficient repairs can be made to re-open the facility in 2018.

The boil order issued for those in the Jasper Waterworks near the Jasper school has been lifted. People affected need no longer boil water to be used for human consumption. All water samples taken from the water system have passed inspection.

68 year-old Brenda P. Heifner of Johnsonville, Illinois died on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center.

Brenda’s main passion was raising their two boys.  She thrived on being a flea market vender, selling arts and crafts, and specializing in children’s novelties.  Yard sales and e-Bay reselling were two of her favorite activities. She also did work at Wells Chapel, and helped out with youth at Union Grove Camp.

She is survived by her loving husband, Ron. Two sons, Kendel (Christina) Heifner and Kevin (Misty) Heifner and five grandchildren, whom she loved dearly:  Nicholas, Devin, Joshua, Caleb and Faith.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Union Grove Association Youth Camp, which is located at 1481 County Highway 12, Johnsonville, Illinois 62850. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Wells Chapel General Baptist Church in Bluford, Illinois.

Memorials are encouraged to the Union Grove Association Youth Camp.

The Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

42 year-old Marcus Keener of Evansville, Indiana, formerly of Fairfield, died at 9 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2017 at his residence. Marcus was a cab driver in Evansville.

Survivors include his mother, Vickie Hoffee of Fairfield. His father Jerry and wife Sharon Keener of Fairfield. His step-father, Robert Eckleberry of Fairfield. A son, Jaxson Keener of Chrisney, Indiana. A daughter, Jocelyn Keener of Chrisney, Indiana. A sister, Valeria and husband Bruce Scott of Geff, and grandmother, Lauretta Hoffee of Fairfield.

Funeral services for Marcus Keener will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of service at Nale’s Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.

Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of all the arrangements.

93 year-old Grace Rockett of Burnt Prairie died at 9:25 p.m. Friday, May 12 at her residence. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Rockett of Burnt Prairie. A daughter, Judith and husband Terry Gream of Burnt Prairie. One grandchild, Starla and husband David Gwaltney. One great-grandchild, Luke and wife Beth Gwaltney. Two great-great-grandchildren, Riley and Dillon Gwaltney.

Graveside services for Grace Rockett will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 11 a.m. at Burnt Prairie Cemetery with Brother Scott Smothers officiating. There will be no visitation. Family and friends should go directly to the cemetery.

Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of all the arrangements.

80 year-old Beverly Ann Dodson of Dahlgren died at 6:59 p.m. Friday, May 12 at her residence in Dahlgren. She was a homemaker. Beverly was a seamstress and she loved reading and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Steven Dodson and wife “Bert” of Dahlgren, and Larry Dodson of Austin, Texas. A daughter, Karen Cox and husband Mark of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Five grandchildren, Morgan Thomas Dodson and wife Kristie of Macedonia, IL; Charles Thomas Cox of Mt. Vernon, IL; Matthew Thomas Dodson of Phoenix, Arizona; Megan Nickel Woodrow and husband Jeremy of Springerton; Jennifer Leigh Dodson of Austin, Texas. Five great-grandchildren, Holden Thomas Dodson, Kaleigh Ann Dodson, Rylee Laine Woodrow, Phoebe Leeann Woodrow, and Cody Jo Dodson. A sister, Peggy Fitch and husband Warren of West Frankfort, IL.

Funeral services for Beverly Ann Dodson will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at Plumfield Christian Church in West Frankfort with Brother Justin Miller officiating. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 17 until the time of service at Plumfield Christian Church.

Memorials can be made to St. John Nepomucene Scholarship Fund or the Plumfield Christian Church “Peacemakers”.

The Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro is in charge of all the arrangements.

Danny L. Usery, 66, of Carmi passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2017.   He was a 1968 graduate of Carmi Township High School and U.S. Air Force veteran serving during Vietnam.  Danny retired from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation where he worked as a highway maintainer.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Carmi, an IHSA Basketball Official for 16 years and was an avid fisherman.

Danny is survived by his wife of 45 years, Debbie; a son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Sarah Usery of Mt. Vernon, IL; a granddaughter, Grace Usery; a sister, Jonra (Max) Melton of Ft. Gibson, OK; a brother, Gene Usery of Carmi; a sister-in-law, Sharon (Thom) Behnke of Carmi; two brothers-in-law, Ernest (Linda) Bingman and Roger Hogan of Carmi; along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Danetta Newman.

Funeral services for Danny L. Usery, 66, of Carmi will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with burial  in White County Memorial Garden with full military rites by the Carmi American Legion and VFW.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made in Danny’s memory to the Baptist Children’s Home and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home.