Myranda Kenshalo has been named the Wayne City High School Senior of the Year. Kaylee Seymour was awarded the $10,000 Henry Fenton Memorial Scholarship.  Wayne City High School graduates cleared  $900,000 in scholarship awards during the annual Senior Awards Day assembly.

Illinois State Police conducted a roadside safety check at S.W. 7^th and Delaware over the weekend, arresting two suspected drunk drivers. Troopers issued a total of 18 tickets and 16 written warnings during the detail that started late Saturday night and concluded early Sunday morning.

Mount Carmel City Police are investigating a shooting incident that happened late Saturday night at 214 N. Walnut Street  A 24-year-old male was shot in the chest. The victim, not immediately identified, was taken to an Evansville trauma center for treatment.  More information is expected to be released later Monday.

A Saline County jury has found Harrisburg physician, Dr. Brian Burns guilty of charges he tried to pay someone to have the Saline County State’s Attorney kidnapped.  Burns will be sentenced July 25 in connection with the kidnapping plot.  He is still awaiting trial on charges he murdered his estranged wife, Carla Burns.

The Bobcat Den Fitness Center at Frontier Community College in Fairfield  will be closed this Tuesday and Wednesday for electrical work.  The closure will also affect the Frontier Perks Coffeehouse and bookstore.  All three facilities will re-open this Thursday at 7 a.m.

Larry Atteberry, age 74 of Mt. Erie died on May 13, 2017 at Flora Gardens Care Center in Flora. He had farmed with his brother, and had also been employed by Champion Labs and AMF.  He then owned and operated Atteberry Machine and Tool with his son, Brad for over 25 years.

Survivors include his his long-time companion of 30 plus years, Kim Shryock, formerly of Olney, IL, his daughter, Lori (Chris) Schmittler of Ellery, IL, his son, Brad (Rebecca) Atteberry of Mt. Erie, IL, four grandchildren:  Malia, Ty, Sommer and Jenna, and one brother, Garry (Sharon) Atteberry, also of Mt.  Erie.

Funeral services for Larry Atteberry will be 1PM Wednesday, May 17 at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne with burial at Scott Cemetery, Mt. Erie

Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, May 17^th at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne, IL.

.Memorials may be made to the Tristan Atteberry Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

91-year-old Cisne resident, Chester Ray Johnson died on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at his home. Chester served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 spending 1 ½ years of that time in Germany. He had worked at the Fairfield Garment Factory, Western Auto, Kincaids, and Roadmaster. Chester was a member of the Rock Branch General Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher.

Surviving is his wife of 73 years, Grace and two sons, Johnie (Linda) Johnson of Johnsonville, Illinois; Kenny (Linda) Johnson of Wayne City, Illinois; One daughter, Mary Ann (Dick) Hibbetts of Cisne, Illinois; Nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Chester Ray Johnson will be 10am Friday, May 19, 2017 at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne with burial in Wells Chapel Cemetery at Bluford.

Visitation will be from 6pm – 8pm Thursday evening, May 18, 2017 at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

Memorials may be made to the Wells Chapel Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

James Warren “Jim” Toombs, 76, of Broughton passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017 at Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi. He was a painter with the Painters District Council #30 in Aurora, IL. Jim enjoyed harness racing where he owned and trained horses.

Jim is survived by a daughter, Diana (Allen) Marsh, of  Fairfield; three sons, Rick Toombs and James E. Toombs, of Fairfield and Burl Elvis Toombs, of Tennessee; brother, Darrell (Alice) Toombs, of Carmi; two sisters, JoAnn (Elmo) Kebodeaux and Joni (Glen) Henderson both of Flora; two brothers-in-law, Harold Thomason, Sr., of Wayne City and Earl Hutcheson, Sr., of Fairfield; a lifelong friend, Steve Steiner, of Kansas and eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
There will be no services. Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City was in charge of arrangements.

Willow Churchwell passed away shortly after birth on Friday, May 12, 2107.  She is the daughter of Jeffrey Churchwell and Jayden Mullins.

She is survived by her parents; brothers, Jeffrey and Robert Churchwell, and Deacon Newman; sisters, Brittnay, Brae and Emma Churchwell, and Ryah Wiggins; grandparents, Connie Newman, Robert Churchwell, Mike Mullins, and Suzie Mullins; great grandparents, Billie & Byrl Mullins and Janice McKay; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Graveside services for Willow Churchwell will be held at 2 p.m.  on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Kuykendall Cemetery.

The Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of arrangements.

CRASH CLAIMS RETIRED DEPUTY – Retired Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Atwood died Tuesday afternoon in a motorcycle accident in rural White County. A resident of Wayne City, Mr. Atwood was 64-years-old. According to White County Sheriff Doug Maier, Atwood was riding a motorcycle just south of Norris City when he apparently left the roadway in a curve and was ejected from his bike.  Sheriff Maier said there were no witnesses to the accident. Mr. Atwood was airlifted from the scene to Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado where he subsequently died.  The crash happened around 12:15 Tuesday afternoon.  The White County Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident.

28-year-old Everett Craig Newsom of Burnt Prairie has been sentenced to 3 years in prison on a conviction of arson – a class-2 felony.  In pleading guilty, Newsom admitted he set a fire that heavily damaged a house at 522 Main Street in Burnt Prairie last winter.  No one was injured in the fire.

24-year-old William S. Franks of Grayville has been sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison on a conviction of aggravated criminal sexual abuse – a class 2 felony.  Grayville City Police investigated the case.

32-year-old Brandi E. Beck of Evansville, Ind. received major injuries Sunday evening when she fell about 40 feet from the Devil’s Smokestack – a formation at the Garden of the Gods in Saline County.  Beck was airlifted from the scene to an Evansville hospital.

The Wayne County Historical Society is presenting an exhibit of guns from the era of the Shelton Gang and Blackie Harris.  Carl Shelton’s silver plated Colt 45, Mr. Shelton’s sawed-off shotgun, believed to be a gift to him from
Charlie Birger and Sheriff Hal Bradshaw’s Smith & Wesson revolver will be on display at the Hanna House Museum.  The display will be open to the public on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Admission is free.

HSC Pavement Maintenance, provider of commercial and residential pavement maintenance services has announced the promotion of Peter Craig to Vice President.  Craig, 28 has been with HSC since 2011.  A graduate of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, he and his family are residents of Albion.

77-year-old Enfield resident, Morris “Moe” Dennis died at 7:35 a.m. Monday, May 15 at his home.  He worked as an operator and driller.

Survivors include three sons, Larry Bowman and wife Cathy of Springfield, IL, Gary Bowman and wife Toni of McLeansboro and Mike Bowman of McLeansboro; a son-in-law, Marvin Heimer of Albion; a sister, Kay Gates of Slidell, LA; 8 grandchildren; Bryan Bowman, Courtney (John) Locke of Springfield, Mo., Alicia (Marty) Webb, Jody (Steve) Braden, Clint (Rachel) Bowman, Misty (Devan) Welch, Phillip (April) Bowman and Brianna (Luke) Thomas; 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Morris “Moe” Dennis will be 12 noon Friday, May 19 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in Enfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday, May 19 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Memorials may be made to the Christian Chapel Church or the Enfield Masonic Lodge and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

92-year-old McLeansboro resident, Joyce Moore died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.  She was a homemaker and worked as a janitor for the First United Presbyterian Church.  She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church and took care of children for many years.

Survivors include two daughters, Terri Dennis and husband Barry of Carmi and Rebecca Hoover and husband Phil of Pittsfield, IL; three grandchildren, Phillip Hoover and wife Cindy of Pittsfield, IL, Lori Hatton and husband Mark of Pittsfield, Il. And Sarah Stubblefield of McLeansboro; and four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nathaniel, Dalton and Allie.

Funeral services for Joyce Moore will be 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in the IOOF Cemetery at McLeansboro.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20 until the time of service at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Retired Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Atwood was killed Tuesday afternoon in a motorcycle accident in rural White County.  The 64-year-old retired lawman and resident of Wayne City was riding a motorcycle south of Norris City when his bike left the roadway on a curve, ejecting him.  Atwood was airlifted to Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado where he later died.  According to White County Sheriff Doug Maier, there were no witnesses to the crash.

41-year-old Jerry L. Osmon of West Salem has been jailed in Wabash County after police responded to a burglary in progress on Market Street in Mt. Carmel.  When officers arrived, Osmon crashed through a storefront window and allegedly charged at a police officer with a knife.  Police hit Osmon with a TASER, causing him to fall to the ground.  Osmon remains in the Wabash County jail on multiple charges.

Registered sex offender, 45-year-old Jackie R. Endicott of Shawneetown has been sentenced to three years in prison after he failed to notify police of his new residence.  Authorities said Endicott moved into a house near a school and failed to tell authorities of his new address as required by law.

Because of the State of Illinois budget impasse, the Edwards County Community Unit School District is more than $350,000 in the red.  If lawmakers had approved the promised payments, the district would be in the black by more than $133,000.

The Greater Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $500 scholarship to a college student or incoming freshman who meets certain criteria.  Applications for the scholarship can be picked up at the Chamber office at 121 E. Main Street.  The deadline to return the completed application is August 1.

Glenna Clark, age 88 of Albion died on May 14, 2017 in Olney, IL. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Olney.

Survivors include two boys she raised as her own; Chris (and wife, Nellie Schafer Murphy) and Jim  ( and wife Vickie Lomas Murphy;  three sisters:  Anna Mae Coulter of Clay City, IL, Rowena Burcham of Carlinville, IL and Carolyn Mitchell of Mattoon, IL. Also surviving are:   six brothers:   Schylar of Roosevelt UT, Ronald of Joliet, IL, Donald of Charleston, IL, Larry Murphy of Davison, MI, And Edwin of Mattoon, IL.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 18^th from 11:00AM to 1:00PM, followed by a funeral at 1:00PM at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.  Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral.

The Ingram Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of all the arrangements.

80-year-old Xenia resident, Juanita Steward died at 11:48am Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Services for Juanita Steward are pending at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

64-year-old Wayne City resident, Donald Paul Atwood, Jr. died at 2:07pm on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, Illinois. Before his retirement, he had worked as a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy for 32 years. He was also a veteran of the United States Army.

Don is survived by his mother B. Fern Atwood of Fairfield, two sons Paul (Courtney) Atwood of Fairfield, and Scott Atwood of Wayne City, five grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, one brother Gary (Patty) Atwood of Fairfield and one sister Linda (Ed) Dill of Martinsville, IL. He was preceded in death by his father and wife Glenna.

Funeral services for Don Atwood, Jr. will be at 10am on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 5-8pm on Friday, May 19 at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Dr. Scranton Memorial Cancer Fund and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of the arrangements.

McKenna Faith Parrott, the infant daughter of Greg and Alyssa (Phillips) Parrott, died on Friday May 12, 2017.

Survivors include her parents Greg and Alyssa (Phillips) Parrot; a sister Katelyn, grandparents, Rodger and Myra Parrott, Marty and Lori Phillips, great-grandmothers Martha Phillips and Fern Schutz, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents Tom and Charlene Keener, Kenneth and Ruby Parrott, Earl Ray Phillips, and John Schutz, and cousin Chelsea Keener.

A private family service for McKenna Faith Parrott was conducted earlier this week under the direction of the Johnson and Vaughan Funeral Home of Fairfield.

Longtime Fairfield banker David Kinney has died. A resident of rural Fairfield, Mr. Kinney passed away Wednesday at a hospital in Chicago following a brief illness. David Kinney worked as an agricultural and commercial lending officer at Fairfield National Bank.  The Johnson & Vaughan Funeral Home of Fairfield is in charge of all the arrangements for David Kinney.

Mt. Vernon Township High School has parted ways with their Superintendent, Dr. Mike Smith.  Before being hired at Mt. Vernon in 2009, Dr. Smith served one year as Superintendent of the Wayne City High School District.  Dr. Smith previously held administration positions in the communities of Cary, Manteno and Macomb.

During a recent meeting of the Mt. Vernon City Council, Mt. Vernon Police Detective Sgt. Victor Koontz was awarded the department’s Merit Award.  Koontz, a native of Fairfield, was honored for his work during the investigation of the Deondray Jackson murder.  The investigation led to the arrest of 12 individuals in connection with the homicide.

80-year-old William V. Long of Norris City was hospitalized this week after a gun he was carrying discharged when he fell and struck him in the abdomen.  He was taken to the hospital in Eldorado where his condition was listed as stable.

James Lane of Robinson has been seated as a member of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees. Lane will fill the vacancy created with the March 21 resignation of Mike Correll.

The Illinois Senate has rejected a two-year property tax freeze. The measure failed on a 32-11 vote because the bill required an extraordinary majority of 36 votes to pass in home-rule communities.

Friends of the Fairfield Public Library will hold a pork burger sale this Saturday starting at 9:45 a.m. The cookout will be at the Wayne County courthouse with proceeds benefiting library programs and purchases.

David B. Kinney, 52 of Fairfield, IL died at 12:53 PM on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL.

He worked at Fairfield National Bank for 25 years.  David was born in Gibson City, IL on February 24, 1965 to Bob and Loretta (Hooper) Kinney and was a graduate from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with an Ag Business Degree in 1987.  He married Deborah Ann on June 13, 1987.

Survivors include his father Bob Kinney of Fairfield, his wife of 30 years Debbie, two children Ryan (Holly) Kinney of Du Quoin, IL and Jordan (Justin) Atwood of Fairfield, granddaughters Anna Jean and Campbell Marie Kinney and Clara David Atwood, brothers Matt (Lissa) Kinney of Fairfield, Scott (Kristi) Kinney of Effingham, sister J’ne (Cary) Templin of Frankfort, IL, sister in law Sheila Kinney of Fairfield, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for David B. Kinney will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 20 at the First Baptist Church in Fairfield, with visitation on Friday from 5-8 PM at the Church.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Enterprise United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the church or Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, which is in charge of the services.

80-year-old Orchardville resident, Juanita Steward died at 11:48am Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She was a homemaker.

Juanita is survived by her children, Stanley Steward, Robin Steward, Becky Steward, Karen Matthews, Roger Steward, Mickey Steward, Eddie Steward, and Mike (Cynthia) Steward and 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren with one on the way, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation for Juanita Steward will be held at 9 – 11a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Pleasant Hill Christian Church (Needmore) near Orchardville, Illinois.  A private family graveside service will follow visitation.  She will be laid to rest in Needmore Cemetery.

The Hosselton Funeral Home is handling all the arrangements.

Elder Oren Randall Hatcher, 99 of Crossville passed away Wednesday May 17.  Randall was a life-long farmer and in 1978 he became an ordained minister for the Salem Primitive Baptist Church of Crossville IL.

Survivors include his children Joyce (David) Witherspoon of Evansville IN; Jane Hatcher and Rowene (John) Coe of Crossville; Margaret McCormick of Athens MI; and Gilbert (Judy) Hatcher of Grayville. Grandchildren Tom (Lori) Winters; Charlie and Randy Coe; Jeff (Norma), Steve (Mandy), and Scott McCormick; Chris (Liz) and Monty (Jessica) Hatcher; Sherry (David) Rafferty and Donna (Jeff) Dunn. 16 Great Grandchildren and 9 Great- Great Grandchildren. One daughter in law Brenda Hatcher and nieces Leta Phipps, Lora Rudisill and Chris Gross.

Funeral services for Elder Oren Randall Hatcher will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday May 22, 2017 at the Salem Primitive Baptist Church near Crossville.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday May 21, 2107 at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi and also one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

The Fairfield Community High School graduation ceremony is set for this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the FCHS gymnasium. Supt. Jill Fulkerson will give the welcome and Senior Class President Brice Todd will make comments.  American Legion Awards will be presented by Elmer McDuffee.  There will be 88 graduating seniors in this year’s class.

Longtime Fairfield banker David Kinney has died.  He was 52. Mr. Kinney had worked at Fairfield National Bank for 25 years, serving as an agriculture and commercial lender.

20-year-old Colton R. Dossett of Elberfield, Indiana is dead after taking his own life at the Briarwood Motel in Fairfield.  Fairfield police went to the Briarwood to conduct a welfare check on Dossett when he shot himself as police were outside his door.  City Police are investigating the shooting death.

The Crossville Telephone Company will celebrate 100 years in business with an appreciation day today from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Prizes, refreshments and food will be provided.

Frontier Community College’s “Tiny House” will be auctioned off this Saturday at the Workforce Development Center.  Built by the Frontier Construction Technology Program, the house will be sold to the highest bidder.  The house will be open for inspection starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. The auction is set to begin at 11 a.m.  Bidding will start at $25,000.

69 year-old Kenneth Earl Cox, a resident of McLeansboro, Illinois, died Friday, May 19, 2017 at his home. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Korea and Germany and was also a member of American Legion Post #106 and was a member of the Blooming Grove Baptist Church.

Kenneth is survived by his mother; Dorothy Cox of McLeansboro, his wife; Nancy Jo Cox of McLeansboro, brother; Robert (JoAnn) Cox of McLeansboro, sister; Denise (Bill) Barker of McLeansboro, nephew; Chris (Tiffany) Cox, and nieces; Holly (Patrick) Windhorst, Brianna (Josh) Wiggins and Chrystal (David) Gage. Four great-nephews and three-great nieces also survive.

Funeral services for Kenneth Cox will be held Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.  He will be laid to rest in the Blooming Grove Cemetery near McLeansboro with Military Funeral Rites performed by American Legion Post #106 and the Military Honor Guard of Marion. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

The Gholson Funeral Home of McLeansboro is in charge of arrangements.