73-year-old Xenia resident, Ray McDannel died Monday, Dec. 23 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon. He was the owner and operator of Xenia Electric.

Survivors include a son, Doug McDannel of Harriman, TN; two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Albert McDannel of LaPorte, IN and a sister, Kit McGrew of Xenia.

A memorial service for Ray McDannel will be 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

Visitation will be 4:30 – 8:30 Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

Memorials may be made to the Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

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74-year-old Rinard resident, Helen M. Phillips died Tuesday, Dec. 24 at the Clay County Hospital in Flora.

Services for Helen M. Phillips are pending at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.

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Two Hopkinsville, KY residents died Tuesday in a head-on crash south of Mount Vernon, IL.  Illinois State Police say a GMC Envoy driven by 22-year-old Megan Michelle Hester of Hopkinsville went out of control, crossed the median and crashed head-on into a semi.  Two passengers in Hester’s vehicle, Jill Gibson, 49, and a 13-year-old boy from Hopkinsville were killed in the crash.  Three other passengers in Hester’s GMC were hurt. The semi driver was not injured in the 12:40 p.m. crash, which remains under investigation.

The National Weather Service has revised its river forecast for the Wabash River at Mount Carmel. The stage this morning was at 21.01 and is now forecast to crest at 22.9 ft. by Monday – nearly four feet above flood stage. No significant precipitation is in our forecast through early next week.

The 25^th annual Christmas Dinner for the low income and lonely of Wayne County will be held today at the Kon-Tiki in downtown Fairfield.  Serving will be from 11:30 until 1 today and will feature a menu of baked ham and all the trimmings.  The meal is free and open to all ages.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the flu virus is being seen on a regional basis throughout Illinois.  Last year, more than 600 people were admitted to Intensive Care Units in Illinois with the flu.  At least 96 died.

Voters in Jefferson County will be asked if they want to add a quarter of a cent sales tax to fund a multi-million dollar renovation of their courthouse in downtown Mount Vernon.  The measure will be placed on the March ballot.

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Thieves have targeted a fuel tank that serves the Fairfield Community High School district.  Someone cut the lock and stole 40 gallons of diesel fuel over the Christmas break. The tank is located at the Wabash Valley Service Company plant. No value was listed on the loss.  Police believe the fuel was likely pumped into a pickup truck.

More than 200 new laws go into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1.  Among them, a law takes effect that legalizes the use of medical marijuana.  Medicinal marijuana probably won’t be available to patients until the summer of 2015. A number of safeguards have to be implemented before medical pot can be sold to patients.

Starting January 1, it will be illegal to flick a cigarette butt on the street or sidewalk. The anti-littering law carries a minimum $50 fine.

Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford – the Republican candidate for Governor in Illinois will be in Fairfield next Monday.  Rutherford will be at the Jemini Coffee House at 112 E. Main Street at 10:15 a.m.  The public is invited to attend the event.

Regulators have approved a temporary price increase of 3 cents for a first-class stamp, bringing the charge to 49 cents.  Forever stamps, good for first-class postage whatever the future rate, can be purchased at the lower price until the new rate is effective Jan. 26.

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96-year-old Fairfield resident, Mildred L. (Robison) Ziegler died at 9:04 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 at her home.  She was a retired high school teacher.

Survivors include a son, John (Leslie) Robison, Jr. of Fairfield; a daughter, Judy Tanner of Elk Grove, CA and step-daughters, Amy Bettencourt of Bowling Green, KY, Lee Snyder of Wildwood, MO and Mary Lloyd Napoli of Lake Mary, FL; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mildred L. (Robison) Ziegler will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 at the Johnson & Vaughan Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service on Monday, Dec. 30 at the Johnson & Vaughan Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church. the Dr. Dennis Scranton Memorial Cancer Fund or the Good Samaritan Hospice or a church or charity of your choice and will be accepted at the Johnson & Vaughan Funeral Home in Fairfield.

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Rescue workers are searching the backwaters of the Little Wabash River northeast of Fairfield for a missing motorist.  Wayne County Sheriff’s Police, Fairfield Rural Firefighters, State Police and the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency have been searching for the missing motorist since before 4 o’clock this morning.

A candlelight vigil has been set for 6 p.m. Saturday for a Shawneetown woman who has been missing since Dec. 2. Chrisandra “Crissy” Williams was last seen leaving a home in Rosiclare on Monday, Dec. 2. The vigil will be held on the lawn of the Gallatin County Courthouse in downtown Shawneetown.  Police say her vehicle is still missing and there has been no cell phone or credit card activity since her disappearance.

Officials with the Better Business Bureau say many retailers have shortened the amount of time customers have to return Christmas gifts for exchange or refunds.  Many retailers now require items be returned within 30 days of purchase instead of the previous 45 days.

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation to prevent lenders from selling a home if the homeowner is applying for federal mortgage assistance. Quinn’s office says about 47,000 Illinois families have received modifications through the program, helping avoid foreclosure.

Trash pickup in Fairfield is running on a one day delay because of the holidays.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s pickup next week will also be delayed because of the New Year’s Holiday.

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86-year-old Rt. 3 McLeansboro resident, Thomas William (Tommy) Vaughn, died at 2:50 p.m. Thursday, December 26 at White Oaks Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon, IL.  He worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria, IL as a crane operator.  He was also a U.S. Navy Veteran of WW II.

Surviving are his wife Pauline of McLeansboro; three daughters, Christine Jenkins of Washington, IL, Karon Vaughn of Hunstville, AL and Annette Broomhead of Nashville, TN; two step-sons, James Edwin Counts of Irvington, IL and William Stuart Counts of Broken Arrow, OK; one brother, Elmer Clyde Vaughn of Bartonville, IL; one sister, June Berry of Pekin, IL; eight grandchildren and six step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Thomas William (Tommy) Vaughn will be at 11 a.m. Monday, December 30 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.  Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery at McLeansboro with military rites by the American Legion Post #106.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, December 29 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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82-year-old Flora resident, Minnie Louise Fry, died Sunday, December 22 at Flora Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Flora.  She worked 25 years at Richland Memorial Hospital starting out as a nurse’s aide, working in several departments.

Surviving are a daughter, Shirley Workman of Flora; two granddaughters, DeAnn Hawkins of Flora and Cindy Walker of Cisne; seven great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Dorothy Smith of Olney, Thelma Fry of Wooster, OH, Gertrude Fry of Sorento; and a godchild, Christy Simmons.

Funeral services for Minnie Louise Fry will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 29 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Burial will be in Clay City Cemtery.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, December 28 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

Memorials may be made to the Clay County Cancer Crusaders or to Fur A Good Paws, and will be accepted at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

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92-year-old Fairfield resident, Clarence Robert Tate, died at 1:05 p.m. Friday, December 27 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  He was a retired realtor and owner of Clarence R. Tate Real Estate Agency and Grubb Abstract.  He was also a member of the Fairfield Lions Club, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, the Wayne County Historical Society, Fairfield Elks Lodge, the Hospital Board, and was also a veteran serving in the Navy.

Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Nofftz of Tuscola, IL; two grandchildren, Douglas Nofftz of Mesa, AZ and Nicole Durbin of Mattoon, IL; and two great-grandchildren, Lily Durbin of Mattoon, IL and Kamaryn Nofftz of Mesa, AZ.

Per his request, the body of Clarence Robert Tate will be cremated and there will be no services.

Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of the arrangements.

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42-year-old Jennifer Murbarger died early Friday morning after her car ran off into the backwaters of the Little Wabash River northeast of Fairfield.  Murbarger apparently drove her car off into floodwaters in rural Jasper Township and later called her husband on her cell phone to report she was stranded, but did not know her precise location, according to police.  Searchers found her vehicle, which had been abandoned.  Instead of staying with her vehicle, Murbarger apparently tried to walk to safety and was overcome by hypothermia.  Jennifer Murbarger was pronounced dead at 8:45 Friday morning at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  She was the wife of Illinois State Police officer Jayson Murbarger.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for tonight for a woman missing from Hardin County since December 2nd.  The candlelight vigil for Chrisandra “Chrissy” Williams of Rosiclaire, IL will be held at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Shawneetown courthouse square.  Williams has not been seen since she left a home in Rosiclaire on December 2nd.  Her family is offering a $1000 reward for information regarding her disappearance.  The search for Williams has moved into the Ohio River.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

Minor flooding continues along the Little Wabash River at Carmi and the Wabash River at New Harmony.  The stage on the Little Wabash River at Carmi as of Friday night was 30.9 feet, about four feet above flood stage, with a crest of 31.5 expected Sunday afternoon.  The Wabash River at New Harmony was at 17 feet Friday night, with a crest of 18.4 feet expected by Monday evening.  Flood stage is 15 feet.

The November unemployment numbers have been released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.  Wayne County’s rate for November was 8.4 percent, up slightly from 8.1 percent in November of last year.  Edwards County’s rate for November was also 8.4 percent, up from 7.6 percent a year ago.  Nearly all southern Illinois counties recorded a higher unemployment rate for November compared to a year ago.

Those planning to return a Christmas gift will likely have less time to do so this season.  The Better Business Bureau says some retailers are shortening the amount of time customers have to return items, affecting mainly electronics and appliances.  Some retailers plan to give only 30 days for returns on purchases, instead of the traditional 45 days in past years.  Customers should make sure they save receipts and an item’s original packaging.

The post Headlines for Saturday, December 28, 2013 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.

The National Weather Service Office in Paducah, KY is keeping its eye on the next winter weather event that will likely impact the region this weekend.  Forecaster models are coming into agreement that a significant winter storm could develop in the region Saturday night into Sunday, followed by bitterly cold temperatures. After the weekend snow, low temperatures could drop to as low as minus 10.

The family of a missing Shawneetown woman says local police ignored her request for help in the days before her disappearance.  39-year-old Chrissy Williams has been missing for a month. She was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Rosiclare on the night of Dec. 2.  Family members have picketed the Shawneetown Police Department, protesting their alleged mishandling of her disappearance.

The Wayne County 911 system handled 3,079 emergency calls in 2013 – most were requests for an ambulance.  The local 911 system provides dispatch services for three law enforcement agencies, three ambulance services and six fire departments in Wayne County.

A modest, but perceptible uptick in the number of wolves roaming into Illinois from Wisconsin has forced Illinois to consider the possibility that a permanent wolf population could take hold.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has already begun drafting plans on how to manage wolves should they become established.

Weather statistics for 2013 have been compiled for Fairfield.  Fairfield picked up 54.26 inches of rain last year and 16.2 inches of snow.  Most of the snowfall came last month when we received 14.5 inches.

The post Headlines for Thursday, January 2, 2014 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.

37-year-old Mount Vernon, IL resident, Steven Edward Selph died at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at his home. He had been a supervisor at Gene’s Body Shop in Mount Vernon.

Survivors include brothers, Russell Selph of Belleville, Don Selph of Minier, IL, Tiger Selph of Johnsonville and Dave Selph of Bunker Hill, IL; sisters, Jean Winslow of Alabama, Nina Selph of Rock Island, IL and Becky Mayberry of Mt. Vernon, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Steven Edward Selph will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Wayne City Christian Church with burial in Pin Oak Cemetery at Sims.

Visitation will be from 6 – 8 Friday evening, Jan. 3 at the Richardson Funeral Home of Wayne City, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

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71-year-old Grayville resident, Ezra Earl McKenzie died on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville. He was a farmer and had been a welder for Caterpillar Corporation.

Survivors include his children, Michael Wayne McKenzie of Crossville, Troy Lane (Crystal) McKenzie of Oblong, Tresa Jane (Galen) Bowen of Flora and Kevin Duane (Melissa) McKenzie of Oblong; sisters, Delphia McCormick and Zelma (Bob) O’Neil, both of Grayville; an aunt, Beulah Mobley of Grayville; 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services for Ezra Earl McKenzie will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville.  There will be no visitation.  Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to TIP VNA Hospice and will be accepted at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

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Joshua and Kayla Bell of Albion, Illinois are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Rosen Etta Bell on November 5^th, 2013 at 5:14pm at The Women’s Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.  Rosen weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Rosen’s maternal grandparents are Randy and Belinda Funkhouser, great grandparents are the late Bill and Rosetta Risinger and the late Woodrow and Gertrude Funkhouser, all from Grayville, Illinois.

Rosen’s paternal grandparents are Kenny and Mary Bell of Grayville, Illinois, great grandparents are the late Veston and Naomi Foster of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, Frank and the late Etta Viola Hungate of Grayville, Illinois and the late Kenneth Bell Sr. of Orlando, Florida.

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65-year-old Ronald D. Bunting Sr. of Bone Gap died Thursday, January 2, at his home.  He worked at Continental General Tire, and was a veteran, serving in the Army.

Surviving are his wife Karen; one daughter, Toni Angel of Bone Gap; five brothers, Richard of Grayville, Gerald of Owensville, MO, Robert of Vincennes, IN, Tom of Albion and Geroge Dale Bunting of Bone Gap; two sisters, Joyce Paris of Bone Gap and Patsy Combs of O’Fallon, IL; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Ronald D. Bunting Sr. will be held at a later date.

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

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90-year-old Fairfield resident, Lorena Alice Bankston, died at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 1 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  She worked in housekeeping at Fairfield Memorial Hospital for 28 years.

Surviving are two sons, Bill of Fairfield and Gary of Stoughton, WI; a daughter-in-law, Wanda Bankston of Grayville; three grandchildren, Robbie Bryant, Cody and Nick Bankston, and two great-grandchildren, Ben and Jaden Bryant; and one sister, June McConnell of Fairfield.

Funeral services for Lorena Alice Bankston will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Saturday, January 4 until the time of service at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

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70-year-old former McLeansboro resident, Judith Lois Hooker died at 7:19 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2 at her home in Smiths Grove, KY.  She was a retired home health worker.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Mezo of Carbondale and Kevin Hooker of Owensboro, KY; three daughters, Kristina Coop of Smiths Grove, KY, Angela Bright and Lynn Hooker, both of Smiths Grove, KY; three brothers, John W. Mezo and Bob Mezo, both of McLeansboro and James Mezo of Cuba, MO; a sister, Nancy Markle of Wheeling, WV; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Services for Judith Lois Hooker will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in the IOOF Cemetery at McLeansboro.

Visitation will be from 4 – 7 Saturday evening, Jan. 4 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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A powerful winter storm system will impact Southern Illinois starting late Saturday night into Sunday afternoon.  The heaviest snowfall is expected to be along the Interstate-64 corridor.  After the snow, bitterly cold temperatures will settle over the region.  High temperatures Monday could stay below zero.

On Christmas Eve, Loyal Knight Eric Resor, Lecturing Knight Ciji Taylor, Esquire Jason Musgrave, Chaplain Kara Blanton and Exalted Ruler Debbie Rinard of Fairfield Lodge #1631 delivered Christmas presents to the residents at Way-Fair Restorium. The Fairfield Lodge purchased Christmas Gifts with a $1000 Elks National Foundation grant.  Gifts of warm clothing were purchased for the 80 residents of Way-Fair Restorium Assisted Living Facility.  Each resident received a sweat suit outfit along with a Christmas card on Christmas Eve.  Pictured left to right are Esquire-Jason Musgrave, Chaplain-Kara Blanton, Loyal Knight-Eric Resor and Lecturing Knight-Ciji Taylor.

Fairfield Memorial Hospital has been designated as a warming center for area residents.  The hospital cafeteria will be open for people needing warmth from the freezing temperatures.  Hot coffee, tea and water will be available to all visitors.

39-year-old Everett Martin of McLeansboro has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty in White County Circuit Court to a charge of aggravated criminal sexual assault.  In addition to prison time, Martin will have to serve another 2 years of parole and register as a sex offender.

Dalton Meyers, 21 of Norris City has been sentenced to 3 years in prison on a conviction of escape.  Meyers failed to return from a furlough the court granted him in a criminal sexual abuse case.

Groups with ties to Illinois’ pension reform law adopted last month have contributed nearly $3 million to Illinois Supreme Court justices who might decide its fate.  Six of the state’s seven justices have taken money in the past 13 years from labor unions, business groups and a political committee controlled by House Speaker Michael Madigan.  Retired teachers have sued to stop the pension reform plan that cuts retiree benefits to reduce a $100 billion debt.

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56-year-old Carmi resident, Jeff “Burger” Ritsch died at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2 at his home.  He was owner-operator of Ritsch Disposal Service.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Betty Ritsch of Carmi; two daughters, Ashley Marie and Kelsey Renae Ritsch of Carmi; his mother, Loretta Ritsch of Carmi; a brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Shirley Ritsch of Crossville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Charlotte Koterba of Carmi and Eva Lynn Doan of Clinton, IN; three brothers-in-law, Gary Soltermann of Springerton, Allan Soltermann of Rockville, IN and John Soltermann of Clinton, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jeff “Burger” Ritsch will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with burial in White County Memorial Garden near Carmi.

Visitation will be 4 – 8 Monday evening, Jan. 6 at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Phoenix Foundation and will be accepted at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi.

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79-year-old Mt. Vernon, IL resident, Rev. Irene G. Gourlas, died at 4:48 p.m. Thursday, January 2 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon, IL.   She was an ordained minister with the General Council of the Assemblies of God where she was recognized for 50 years as an ordained minister.  She was also associate pastor with Rev. Alta Culepepper at the McLeansboro Assembly of God for 19 years.  She and Rev. Culpepper started the Evangelistic Team on May 3, 1956 where they worked together for 50 years.  In later years she attended the Harlan Road Church of God in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Surviving are a brother, Demosthenes G. Gourlas of Dayton, OH; four sisters, Pauline Sylvester of Cortland, OH, Evangeline Wells of McLeansboro, Maureen Kladitis of Beaver Creek, OH and Dorothy Gourlas of Huber Heights, OH; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Rev. Irene G. Gourlas will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, January 5 at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, IL.  Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery at McLeansboro at a later date.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Harlan Road Church of God and will be accepted at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, IL.

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