74-year-old Fairfield resident, Franklin R. Faulkner died at 3:25 p.m. Friday, June 16 at Way-Fair Nursing & Rehab in Fairfield.  He had worked for Home Depot in the plumbing department in Ft. Myers, FL for 15 years.

Survivors include a son, Jamie and wife Jessica Faulkner of Norfolk, VA; his mother, Nigel Faulkner, of Fairfield, a brother, Charles Faulkner of Fairfield; two sisters, LaDonna Lapikis of Fairfield and Carolyn Kohl of Stockton, CA and one grandson.  Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The body is to be cremated with no formal services.  Nale’s Funeral Home of Fairfield is in charge of all the arrangements.

Robert Dale “Bobby” Moore, 61, previously of Carmi, died Sunday, June 18, 2017, at Clay County Hospital in Flora, Illinois.  Bobby was a laborer and work in various manufacturing roles.

Survivors include is mother Margie Moore; brother Darel Moore (Janet Martin); sister Donna Matz, all of Carmi; niece Hallie Moore; nephew Joseph Matz; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews in Ohio.

Visitation is 5-7 pm, Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi. Funeral is 2 pm, Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Cook Funeral Chapel with burial in Centerville Cemetery.

40-year-old Kevin S. Brothers of Washington, Indiana was injured Monday when the semi he was driving on I-64 in Wayne County ran off the road and hit a tree.  Brothers told police his truck made a loud noise before he lost control.  He was taken to Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

Congratulations to Tony Jones of Ellery for being named the winner of the Fairfield Retail Merchants Father’s Day raffle.  Tony won four first base box seats to the St. Louis Cardinals vs the Mets game on July 7.

55-year-old Mickey M. Steward of Xenia has been arrested by Mt. Carmel police on a charge of being in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Police took a glass smoking pipe from Steward and sent it to the State Police crime lab for analysis.

61-year-old David W. Strean of Carmi has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty in White County Circuit Court to a class-2 felony charge of delivery of methamphetamine.

Matthew L. Oberlender, 30 of Carmi has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in White County to a class three felony charge of being in possession of methamphetamine.

49-year-old L’Pree Evette Collins of Carmi has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in White County to a class two felony charge of being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

62-year-old McLeansboro resident, Shelly (Michele) K. Rasmussen Lawler died June 11, 2017.  She was employed with Southern Illinois Case Coordination Services.  She spent the majority of her childhood in Des Moines, IA and Park Forest, IL. In 1972, she graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and later went on to receive her B.S. in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University.

Survivors include her husband, Marion Lawler, daughters, Kezya and husband Doug Newman of McLeansboro and Bryanna and husband Adam Grant of Evansville, Ind.; grandchildren, Justice Newman and Rose and Auggie Grant; her mother and father, Dr. Oscar Rasmussen and wife Judi of New Milford, CT and JoAnn Rasmusen-Sislow and husband Mike of Naperville, Ill; a brother, Mark Rasmussen and wife Kim of DeKalb; mother-in-law, Bernice Lawler; three brothers-in-law and friend and sister-in-law, Carolyn Sue Jones and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jeff Rasmussen of Naperville, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Service for Shelly K. Rasmussen Lawler will be at 2:30 Saturday, June 24 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.  Visitation will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Harre Funeral Home. The Harre Funeral Home of McLeansboro is in charge of all the arrangements.

Forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Cindy – now in the Gulf of Mexico.  The storm could impact the region as early as Friday evening with moderate to heavy rainfall. If the remnants of the storm turn east before reaching Southern Illinois, the impact will be felt primarily in Western Kentucky.  Forecasters say the system bears watching.

The man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering an 8-year-old Olney girl last November will face a fitness trial in September.  53-year-old Glenn R. Ramey is accused of murdering Sabrina Stauffenberg on Nov. 23 of last year.  A fitness trial has been set for Sept. 11 in Effingham County.  Ramey’s murder trial has also been moved to Effingham County.

Today is Sales Blitz Day at WFIW/WOKZ/WROY/WRUL.  Today – for one day only – the sales team will be selling our July and August ads at Half Price over the phone.  Other sales specials will be offered as well.
The sale ends at 5 o’clock this evening.

The Edwards County Community Unit School Board has voted to approve an amended -= more balanced budget than previously projected at the start of the school year.  Unfortunately – because of the state’s budget crisis the district’s transportation fund remains in the red to the tune of $485,000.

Farmers made good progress harvesting wheat last week.  Winter wheat harvest jumped to 65% complete, compared to the five-year average of 24 percent.  Soybean planting is now over 97% complete.  Ag officials say that 46% of the state’s corn crop is in good condition, with 13% in excellent condition.

Wilma Ruth Smith Bassett, age 86 of Albion died on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville, IL.  She was a member of the Olive Congregational Church and also worshipped for many years at  the First Baptist Church of Albion, where she was active in the Senior Adult Group.  She worked at Rest Haven Manor for many years and finished her working career at Champion Lab.

Survivors include two sons, Steve (Cathy) Smith of Albion, and Tom (Becky) Smith of West Salem, IL, one step daughter, Brenda York of Omaha, IL,  7 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 9AM to 10AM at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10AM, with burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery, Albion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry Fund.

Visitation and Funeral guests are asked to please dress casually.

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

PFC Devon James Tucker, United States Army, 21, of Wayne City, Illinois, passed away in Fort Hood, Texas.

Funeral services for Devon James Tucker will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Orchardville Church in Orchardville.  Burial will follow at Browns Cemetery in Mount Erie, Illinois.

Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Orchardville Church in Orchardville, Illinois.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to Devon Tucker and Christian Marvel Scholarship Fund in Memory of Devon James Tucker and will be accepted at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

74-year-old Geff resident, Barbara Sue Henson died Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Linda E. White Hospice Center in Evansville, Indiana.

Barbara was a housewife, and a factory worker for Champion Labs and a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Flora, Illinois

Barbara is survived by her husband Jimmy Henson of Geff, Illinois, two daughters Regina D. Grubb and Kim Dillard, three sons Stanley E. (Charlotte) Walker and Bradley E. (Vickie) Walker, and Wayne (Michelle) Henson, one sister Fran Fetherling and a brother Larry (Norma Jean) Murphy. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Barbara Sue Henson will be 10am Friday, June 23, 2017 at Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne with burial in Branch Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5pm-8pm Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Hosselton Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the VFW Auxiliary at Flora and will be accepted at Hosselton Funeral Home.

92-year-old McLeansboro resident, Dorothy Brockett died at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at Hamilton Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.  She had been a seamstress and had been employed many years at the Decatur Garment Factory.  She was a member of the Star General Baptist Church in Eldorado.

Survivors include a daughter, Janet Futrell and husband Larry of McLeansboro; a son, Johnny Brockett of McLeansboro; five grandchildren, Brad Futrell and wife Cathy of McLeansboro, Greg Futrell of McLeansboro, Andrea Cantrell and husband Doug of McLeansboro, Alan Brockett of Fairview Heights, Ill and April Brockett and fiancé Travis Green of McLeansboro; five great-grandchildren, Grace and Aden Futrell, Justin Cantrell and wife Sasha, Jonathon and Madeline Cantrell and one great-great-grandchild, Makena Grace Cantrell.

Funeral services for Dorothy Brockett will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24 at the Star General Baptist Church in Eldorado with burial at Braden Valley Cemetery at Dale.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Star Church Kitchen Fund and will be accepted at the church or the Harre Funeral Home of McLeansboro, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

BAD WRECK – A McLeansboro man was seriously injured late Thursday morning when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a passenger car on U.S. Rt. 45 south of Fairfield. Wayne county Sheriff’s police identified the drivers as Sharis Renee Wilson, 28 of Fairfield and Brian L. Guthrie, 30 of McLeansboro.  According to police, Wilson was eastbound on Wayne County road 620 N – just south of Clayton Homes, when she pulled her 2001 Chevy Impala into the path of Guthrie’s southbound 2000 Honda CBR 600 motorcycle.  Guthrie’s bike collided with the side of Wilson’s car, causing him to be ejected. Guthrie was taken by ambulance to Fairfield Memorial Hospital where he was treated and transferred by helicopter to an area trauma center.  Wilson was not injured.

Larry “The Flag Man” Eckhardt from Little York, Ill. has confirmed he is bringing his unique American Flag display to Orchardville Saturday for the funeral of Pfc. Devon James Tucker of Wayne City.  Pfc. Tucker died June 16 at his Fort Hood off-post residence in Copperas Cove, Texas.  The Copperas Cove Police Department is investigating the death. Larry Eckhardt tells WFIW news he will need volunteers to put out hundreds of American Flags for Pfc. Tucker’s funeral at the Orchardville Church.  If you would like to volunteer, you are asked to be at the Orchardville church at 5:30 Friday evening.  The funeral has been set for 1 p.m. Saturday with pastors Matt Griswold and Rob Greenwalt officiating. To help take up the flag display, more volunteers will be needed around 4 p.m. Saturday at the church. Pfc. Tucker recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of America’s Operation Enduring Freedom.

There’s been another deadly crash on I-57 in Southern Illinois.  Early Wednesday morning, a GMC Yukon, driving the wrong way on I-57 in Union County, crashed head-on with a semi.  Three people, including a child died at the scene. The driver of the Yukon was airlifted to an area trauma center with life-threatening injuries.  The semi driver was not injured.  The victims’ names have not been released at this time.

Frontier Community College has announced that Brandon Benton is the new Bobcats head baseball coach.  Before coming to Fairfield, Benton coached three seasons as the Assistant Coach for the Panola Ponies as the team’s lead recruiter and strength coach and hitting and infielders coach.  Benton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Mississippi College and a Masters of Arts in Education from Greenville College.

Wayne County Sheriff’s police have arrested four individuals on various warrants following an investigation into child neglect at a rural Wayne County home.  While no one was arrested as a result of the DCFS investigation, Nakita Turner, Dustin K. Earnst, Ace Woolard and Doc Hollywood Joseph Woolard were arrested on various failure to appear warrants.

Illinois lawmakers have been called into a special ten-day session.  Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging House and Senate members to come together, compromise and pass a balanced budget.  If no agreement is reached by July 1, the state will begin a third consecutive year without a spending plan.  The first-term Republican governor and Democrats who control the Legislature have been deadlocked on a budget deal since 2015.

PFC Devon James Tucker, United States Army, 21, of Wayne City, Illinois passed away June 16, 2017 in Fort Hood, Texas . He was born November 8, 1995 in Mount Vernon, Illinois to parents, Darrin G. Tucker and Brandi (Smith) Schumm.

Devon is survived by his father and stepmother, Darrin Tucker and wife Gina of Wayne City, Illinois; mother and stepfather, Brandi Schumm and husband Jasen of Wayne City, Illinois; sister, Shelby Tucker of Wayne City, Illinois; stepbrother, Lane Schumm of Wayne City, Illinois; four stepsisters, Morgan Schumm of Wayne City, Illinois, Brittany Spell of Wayne City, Illinois; Jackie Spell of Wayne City, Illinois, and Carey Spell of Wayne City, Illinois; grandparents, Don and Rhonda Tucker of Wayne City, Illinois and Jeff and Patty Smith of Wayne City, Illinois; and great grandparents, Bill and Peggy Morris of New Castle, Wyoming, Menford Smith of Wayne City, Illinois, Wilma Rayburn of Wayne City, Illinois, and Rosemary Tucker of Dahlgren, Illinois.

Devon was preceded in death by his close friend, Christian Marvel.

Mr. Tucker served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood, Texas. He recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Devon has always had a passion to serve and protect, even as a young boy he wanted to serve in the military. He liked helping others in any way he could. Devon enjoyed hunting, fishing, anything outdoors and hanging out with his friends. His had an incredible smile, and that infectious smile will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation: 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Orchardville Church in Orchardville, Illinois. Funeral Service: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Orchardville Church in Orchardville, Illinois with Pastor Matt Griswold and Pastor Rob Greenwalt officiating. Interment: Browns Cemetery in Mount Erie, Illinois. Members of the U.S. Army Honor Detail will conduct Full Military Honors at the cemetery. Memorials: Devon Tucker and Christian Marvel Scholarship Fund.

30-year-old Brian L. Guthrie of McLeansboro was seriously injured Thursday when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on U.S. Rt. 45 south of Fairfield. The car Guthrie struck was being driven by 28-year-old Sharis Renee Wilson of Fairfield.  Wilson pulled out in front of Guthrie’s bike.  Guthrie was taken first to Fairfield Memorial Hospital and later transferred to a regional trauma center.

Larry “The Flag Man” Eckhardt is bringing his unique flag display to Orchardville Saturday for the funeral of Pfc. Devon James Tucker of Wayne City.  Pfc. Tucker died last week at his off-base residence at Fort Hood, Texas.  Volunteers are needed to help Eckhardt put up the flag display. If you are interested, you should meet at the Orchardville Church at 5:30 Friday evening.

At this month’s meeting of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees, members approved applications for Fiscal Year 2019 projects.  One of the projects includes a Student Education and Support Center for Frontier Community College with a price tag of $3.4 million.  The board also approved the hiring of Brandon Benton as Head Baseball Coach at Frontier Community College.

Molly Selph, 21 of Fairfield was arrested Thursday for DUI.  Fairfield City Police arrested Selph after she drove her car into a ditch on Water Street in Fairfield.

The Fairfield Public Golf Course Glow Ball Scramble has been set for Saturday evening with registration from 8:00 – 8:45 p.m.  Entry fee per person is $10 per person or $15 for couples.

John M. DeLong, 82 of Carmi, passed away Thursday afternoon June 22, 2017 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital.  John drove over the road for 52 years. He was a million-mile driver. He enjoyed stock car racing.

He is survived by his wife, Doris; sons, David (Lela) DeLong and Kelly DeLong; grandchildren, Rachel (Bryan) Ackerman and Lindsey (Daniel) Russell; great-grandchildren, Abigail Dillman, Sean and Alexa Ackerman.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday June 25, 2017 at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi with Chaplain Mike Fields officiating. Burial will be in Marshall Ferry Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com

Harrisburg Police responded to reports of shots fired in the 800 block of Church Street a little after midnight Friday morning.  A witness said she heard a loud noise early Friday morning and went outside to see a red pickup in an alley by her house. When police arrived, the red truck was still there.  They say it was stolen in a burglary Thursday in Saline County.  Police arrested 27-year-old Jesse Davidson at the scene.  He’s charged with obstruction of justice, possession of a stolen weapon and possession of a controlled substance.

Carmi City Police report the arrest of 39-year-old Jedediah D. Burnett of Carmi on a charge of criminal damage to property.  Carmi police were called to the home of Emily Madden on North Fifth Street where Burnett allegedly damaged some household items.  Burnett was booked at the county jail – posted $150 cash bond and was released pending a court appearance.

According to Clay County Treasurer, Jana Tolliver, the 2016 payable 2017 real estate taxes were put in the mail on Wednesday.  The due date for the 1^st installment is August 4, with the 2^nd Installment due September 8.  Call the Clay County Treasurer’s office at 618-665-3525, Ext 6 if you have any questions or if you did not receive your tax bill.  The total extension for the county is $13,452,404.24.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with the City of Carmi and area businesses and individuals for the annual fireworks show which will begin at 9 pm at the White County Fairgrounds on July 4.  The Chamber is accepting donations toward the $11,500 display. Those wishing to contribute should mail a check to the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, 225 E Main Street, Carmi, IL 62821.

The White Squirrel Saddle Club will have an Open Horse Show set for this Sunday with the gates to open at 10:00 in the morning at the East Fork Arena, just north of the East Fork Lake Dam,  There will be various classes available, plus concessions and more.  The Club will have also have a “work day” today from 1:00 to 5:00 with volunteers welcome to help clean the arena & trails – for more info, check the White Squirrel Saddle Club Facebook page or logon at  www.whitesquirrelsaddleclub.com

The Fairfield City Council will have their regularly scheduled meeting in the council chambers at City Hall Tuesday night. A public hearing will be held at 5:45 prior to the council meeting in regards to vacating West 8^th Street. Items on the agenda include a resolution of authorizing lease of municipality owned poles, an appointment of an alderman vacancy in ward three, Fairfield City Band donations in Memory of J. Austohn Gardner, and a resolution regarding a revolving loan fund for Lewis Scrap Metal, LLC. The council meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday night.

According to Clay County Treasurer, Jana Tolliver, the 2016 payable 2017 real estate taxes were put in the mail on Wednesday.  The due date for the 1^st installment is August 4, with the 2^nd Installment due September 8.  Call the Clay County Treasurer’s office at 618-665-3525, Ext 6 if you have any questions or if you did not receive your tax bill.  The total extension for the county is $13,452,404.24.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with the City of Carmi and area businesses and individuals for the annual fireworks show which will begin at 9 pm at the White County Fairgrounds on July 4.  The Chamber is accepting donations toward the $11,500 display. Those wishing to contribute should mail a check to the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, 225 E Main Street, Carmi, IL 62821.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed one person has died after a head-on collision in Murphysboro Friday evening. The accident happened just after 7 p.m. Friday on Town Creek Road. 80 year-old Gerald Hartline of Murphysboro was driving westbound when, for unknown reasons, his car crossed the center line and hit another car head-on. Both Hartline and the juvenile driver of the second car had to be extricated from their vehicles. Hartline was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The juvenile driver and their passenger, both of Murphysboro, were taken to an area hospital for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Illinois officials are asking the public to let trained and licensed experts handle fireworks as the Fourth of July holiday approaches. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says anyone who buys, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of fireworks in Illinois must have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate that it issues. The department says anyone sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois should make sure their vendors have the required state licenses and certificates. Violations can be felony crimes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Hand-held fireworks, including firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.

The boil order that was in effect for customers in the Boyleston Waterworks system that had their water valves recently replaced has been lifted.

59 year-old Billie Sue Brand, of Grayville, Illinois, died Friday, June 23, at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.

Billie was retired from Spartan Manufacturing in Grayville.  She loved life and was quite the jokester.  She enjoyed reading, watching western movies, and reruns of the TV series, Laramie.  But one of her greatest joys was spending time with her beloved special nephew Trystin Brand.

Survivors include brother Benny Ray Brand of Grayville; sisters Sondra Jean (Danny) Wright of New Haven, Illinois, Rita Faye Brand of Crossville, Illinois; special nephew Trystin Brand; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Visitation and funeral are Tuesday, June 27, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.  Visitation is at 11 am and continues until funeral time at 1 pm. Burial is in Union Cemetery located north of Crossville.

Memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.

94 year-old Helen Bernadine Pritchard of Grayville, died Saturday, June 24, at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville.  Bernadine was a homemaker and member of the Northside Baptist Church in Grayville.

Survivors include daughter Helen Fisher of Grayville; sons Victor (Sue) Pritchard of Lebannon, Tennessee, Lester (Rose) Pritchard of Albion, Illinois, Bob (Vette) Pritchard of Bluff City, Tennessee; brother Charlie (Wilma) Tolley of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 5-7 pm, Wednesday, June 28, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.  Funeral is 10 am, Thursday, June 29, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville, with burial in Little Wabash Cemetery in Crossville.

Memorials may be made to Grayville Senior Citizens and will be accepted at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.

Cecil A. Salisbury, 92, of Grayville, Illinois, died Sunday, June 25, 2017, at his home.  Cecil worked in the area oilfields and was a United States Navy veteran having served during World War II.

Survivors include daughter Diana (Rodney) Miller of Albion, Illinois; grandson Andrew (Tina) Fryman of Enfield, Illinois; great grandchildren Nathan, Hannah, Thomas, Gabriel and Samuel.

In keeping with Cecil’s wishes, his remains were cremated.  A memorial service with military rites will be at a later date.

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

Woolsey Operating Company’s plan to drill an oil well in Enfield Township using high pressure, high volume technology has a snag.  Woolsey, located in Wichita, Kansas, has been notified of a number of deficiencies in its application for a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The firm also reports “a significant error” in their application regarding footage recorded for the proposed well site.  The problems will require the publishing of a new public notice, and the cancellation of a planned Public Hearing on July 5.

The Fairfield City Council will meet Tuesday evening. The mayor is expected to appoint a new alderman to fill a vacancy in the third ward.  A Revolving Loan Fund request from Lewis Scrap Metal will also be considered at Tuesday evening’s meeting.

Illinois is on track to become the first U.S. state to have its credit rating downgraded to “junk” status, which would deepen Illinois’ creditworthiness to below investment grade.  Lawmakers remain deadlocked on a budget plan with the July 1 start of a new fiscal year looming.

Illinois Department of Public Health officials report they are seeing an increase in tick-borne illness among Illinois residents.  There were 350 confirmed cases last year.  Tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis.

The Volunteers for a Progressive Fairfield along with the Fairfield Kiwanis Club will present a movie night at Leo French Park on Saturday evening, July 1.  Independence Day, starring Will Smith will be the featured movie.  Those attending will receive glow necklaces.  Concessions will also be available.