85-year-old Flora resident, John S. Cox died Friday, January 24 at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. He was the former owner of Cox Farms and Cox Resources.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Cox of Flora; a daughter, Theresa Stanley of Flora; a son, Rick Cox of Flora; 2 grandsons and two great-grandsons.

Funeral services for John S. Cox will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with burial in Rusk Cemetery with military honors.

Viitation will be from 5 – 7 Wednesday evening, Jan. 29 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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79-year-old rural Calhoun resident, Betty Jo Pool died Saturday, Jan. 25 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital She worked at Pure Oil Company in Olney as a secretary and also at WVLN Radio. She and her husband Arthur also operated Pool Dairy Farms for many years.

Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl (Tim) Braddock and two sons Bruce Pool and Brad (Jane) Pool, all of Berryville; a brother, Ronald (Linda) Mewes of Lancaster; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Betty Jo Pool will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Berryville Christian Church with burial in Shiloh Cemetery north of Berryville.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 Tuesday evening, Jn. 28 at the Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem.

Memorials may be made to the Berryville Community Center.

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Laurel Pennington and Kevin Mason were united in marriage on October 19, 2013.  Spencer Meagher and Richard Brown performed the 3:00 p.m. ceremony at Red Brush Church in Louisville, IL.

Laurel is the daughter of Lawrence & Sherri Pennington of Cisne.  Kevin’s parents are Keith Mason and Donna Mason of Louisville.  Laurel’s Grandparents are Betty Pennington of Cisne, and Glen and Shirley Byars of Geff.

The bride chose colors of ivory, chocolate brown, yellow, orange, green and red.  The isle was adorned with cream pumpkins and ivory satin bows that draped to the floor.  A burlap runner was used down the isle.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a lace strapped, satin corseted, ivory dress, embellished with crystal jewels, with a chapel length train.  She chose a blusher veil, with small crystal trim.  Her hand tied bouquet of red and orange roses, yellow and orange gerber daisies, green hydrangeas, orange, yellow, and burgandy mini calas, burgandy lilies and green hypericum berries, was stem wrapped with a sheer ivory ribbon.

Serving as Matron of Honor was Kellene Kinney of Fairfield.  Bridesmaids were Meg Yandell of Indiana, both friends of the bride,  Kelly Pratt of Mascoutah and Marissa Byars of Geff, cousins of the bride.  All of the attendants wore a straples, melon, sheer overlay, full length chiffon taffeta dress.  They were accented with a ruched scarf that hung free down the back.  The girls carried hand tied bouquets with the same flowers and colors of the brides.  All of the flower arrangements were made by the brides mother.  Emily Mason, daughter of the groom, was the flower girl.  Her dress was ivory rosettes, with an orange sash.

The Groom wore a black tuxedo with an ivory vest and tie.  The groom chose his cousin, Tony Degner of Lousiville as his best man.  Groomsmen were Wayne Woods and Vincent King of Flora, friends of the groom, and Justin Degner of Evansville, cousin of the groom.  Ushers were Andrew Pennington, brother of the bride, and John Neihls, friend of the bride and groom.  Serving as Ring Bearer was Brendon Mason, son of the groom.  The groomsmen were attired in black tuxes with melon vests and ties.

The Sanctuary was decorated with cream pumpkins, ivory mums and lanterns, staggered at different heights, setting on ivory burlap.  Flowers in the brides colors draped the lanterns.  Flower arrangements on pedistals and ferns adorned the communion table.

Pianist Kim Keyser played a medley of songs.  Friends of the bride, Kathy Young, Debbie Simpson and Valerie Brown sang “Going to the Chapel” as the bridal party entered.  Henry Pratt, cousin of the bride, carried a “Here Comes The Bride” sign, as Laurel began to enter the Sanctuary.  Cousins of the bride, Jay Meagher and Kelly Pratt sang “Captivate Us” during the ceremony.  They were accompanied by the bride’s Aunt, Cindy Meagher.

A dinner reception was held in the church fellowship hall.  The tables were covered with white table cloths and each had a burlap table runner.  Tables were decorated with mason jars and pumpkins, with fresh flowers in them.

The meal consisted of pulled pork, potato bar, baked beans and the bride’s fathers cole slaw.  Dessert was homemade pies.

The pie table was decorated with a ruffled burlap overlay.  Glass cake stands of different shapes and heights were used to showcase the many variety of pies.  The Bride and Groom cut their favorite pie.

The couple went on a Royal Caribbean Bahama Cruise for their honeymoon.

The couple resides in Flora.  Laurel is an E.R. Nurse at Clay County Hospital.  Kevin is an E.M.T. with Clay County Ambulance, and North Wayne Ambulance.  He is currently finishing classes for his Paramedic license.

Many cousins, Aunts and Uncles, friends and family came together and helped decorate, welcome guests, dress the bridal party, make pies, serve food, take pictures and videos, and clean up after the wedding.  The couple would like to thank everyone for making this day the most beautiful and special event.

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82-year-old Norris City resident, Mary L. Endicott died Sunday, Jan. 26 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. A graduate of Crossville High School, she was a real estate agent and owner of the Bull Pen Lounge in Herrin, IL.

Survivors include a daughter, Cindy Levingston and husband Alan of Howell, MI; a grandson, Jody Levingston of Gregory, MI; a nephew, Terry L. Robinson and wife Jackie of Norris City.

In keeping with Mary’s wishes, her remains were cremated and there will be no services.

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

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84-year-old Wayne City resident, Betty Jane White died at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, Stephen and wife Judy White of Owensboro, KY; daughters, Sandra and husband John Firebough of Pawnee, IL and Susan and husband Russ Bowlin of Prescott, AZ; sisters, Geneva Sledge and Georgia Bruner of Wayne City; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services for Betty Jane White will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Archie L. Sanders Chapel in Wayne City with burial in Thomason Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 until the time of service at the Archie Sanders Chapel in Wayne City. The Richardson Funeral Home of Wayne City is in charge of all the arrangements.

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Frontier Community College’s College Bowl Team took home Second Place at the NAQT sectional tournament January 25, and team member Clay Hoskins was named the tournament MVP.   Pictured left to right are team members:  Austin Atteberry, Til Caldwell, Clay Hoskins, Coach Linda Monge, and Sarah Vaughn.

Cynthia L. Steiner, Executor of the Estate of Janet E. Steiner, has followed the wishes of her late Uncle and Aunt, Lester and Janet E. Steiner, who have left significant donations to several local organizations in Fairfield. The couple left $280,868.76 to be split among the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, Fairfield Public Library, Frontier Community College Foundation, and First United Methodist Church. Each recipient has been awarded $70,217.19.

The Fairfield City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m.  A committee is expected to make its recommendation on a request by the Fairfield American Legion to sell alcohol on Sunday.  If approved, all service clubs and restaurants in Fairfield that currently hold a liquor license could sell alcoholic drinks on Sunday.

Alyssa Parrott has been hired as the Career Services Coordinator at Frontier Community College in Fairfield. At FCC, the Coordinator is responsible for working with students and alumni as they prepare to transfer to a university or enter the workforce.  Parrott will assist students with resumes, interviewing skills, and job searches.  Prior to coming to Frontier Community College, Parrott was employed at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, in the Human Resources department as an Employment Recruiter.

The Illinois Sheriff’s Association will award $53,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois during the 2014-15 school year. Applications are available at your local sheriff’s department or local high school guidance offices.

The Edwards County Spelling Bee is set for this Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwards County Courthouse in Albion.  The Wayne County Spelling Bee has been set 7 p.m. for next Monday, Feb. 3 at Fairfield City Hall.

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73-year-old Fairfield resident, Linda Jane West Perkins died Sunday, Jan. 26.  She worked at Champion Labs, drove a school bus for Merriam Grade School and was a Tax Assessor for Grover, Big Mound, Orel and Lamard Townships. She graduated from Cisne High School, Frontier Community College and Eastern Illinois University.

Survivors include two sons, Jeff D. West, Leslie E. West and wife Paula and a step-son, Kenny Windle of Grayville; a step-daughter, Bonnie Stevens, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Linda Jane West Perkins will be 5 – 7 Thursday evening, Jan. 30 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Olney Center Shrine in care of Jon Racklin, 2849 N. Illinois Rt. 130, Olney, IL 62450. The Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home of Fairfield is in charge of all the arrangements.

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77-year-old McLeansboro resident, Emma Pennington died at 2:25 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at McLeansboro Healthcare and Rehabilitation in McLeansboro.

Services for Emma Pennington are pending at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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55-year-old Fairfield resident, Steve McGehee died at 10:42 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.  He owned Ryno Racing Products, specializing in motorcycle racing engines.  He was a graduate of Fairfield Community High School.

Survivors include his father, Marshall McGehee of  Fairfield; his wife, Gayle McGehee of Fairfield; a daughter, Sara McGehee of Fairfield; a son, Ryan and wife J’ne McGhee; a sister, Laura Griswold and husband John of Fairfield.

Services for Steve McGehee will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Memorials may be made to a scholarship fund for his daughter, Sara and will be accepted at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

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The mother of a slain 7-year-old Effingham, Ill. girl has been sentenced to jail for obstructing a peace officer.  Ciara DeRyke, 26, the mother of Willow Long entered a guilty plea Tuesday to a charge of obstruction of a peace officer and was sentenced to 120 days in the county jail and was placed on 18 months of probation.  In pleading guilty, DeRyke admitted she lied to police when she told them on the morning of Sunday, September 8, 2013 that she had seen her daughter alive. She later changed her story, admitting that she hadn’t seen Willow since going out on the previous evening.  Prosecutors allege that Ciara’s brother, Justin DeRyke killed Willow Long that night and disposed her body before Ciara returned home.

There will be no sale of alcohol on Sunday at Fairfield service clubs and restaurants.  A committee appointed to study the issue made its recommendation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting and said NO to the question. Alderman Jim Griffith said there wasn’t enough public interest in the request to allow Sunday alcohol sales.

Water rates in Fairfield have been increased 10%.  The increase was actually approved in 2012, for implementation in April of 2013, but was never enacted.  To help pay for the new water treatment plant, Mayor Griswold is proposing a 5% increase in gas and electric rates. The proposal will be discussed at the next city council meeting.

Mayor Griswold has floated the idea of a small sales tax increase to help put the city on more stable financial ground. The matter would have to be put before the people in the form of a referendum.  It is not known if the issue can be presented in time for the upcoming March election cycle.

Airplane hangar rental rates are going up at the Fairfield Municipal Airport – the first increase in 18 years. The increase is expected to generate an additional $10,000 a year in income.

With three NO votes, the Fairfield City Council Tuesday night approved donating $4,000 to the Fairfield Retail Merchants Association to help fund on-going promotions and pay for the printing of city maps.  NO votes came from Aldermen Morlan, Fletcher and Barbre.

The Frontier Community College Foundation is seeking to acquire the Fairfield movie theater property. The operator of the movie house fell behind on his revolving loan payments, so the city now has control of the property.

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“Your Choice of Any IN-STOCK Sunglasses” for men or women at Precision Eyecare Center in Fairfield.  $460 Value.

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60-year-old Rt. 1 Macedonia resident, Rita Darlene Cook, died at 7:14 p.m. Tuesday, January 28 at her home.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

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76-year-old Albion resident, Madeline Wells, died Tuesday, January 28 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, IL.  She worked as a teller at Peoples National Bank in Grayville for many years, and was a member of the Egyptian Old Car Club.

Surviving are her husband Charlie of Albion; one brother, Jim and wife Sherry Colyer of Albion.

A Celebration of Life Service for Madeline Wells will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 31 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Edwards County Senior Citizens.

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Allison Knackmuhs is the winner of this year’s Edwards County Spelling Bee. She is an Albion 7^th grader and daughter of Steve and Carol Knackmuhs.   Runner-up is Emily Nead, also a 7th grader at Albion Grade School. Her parents are Laura and Morris Nead.  The Wayne County Spelling Bee is Monday evening at Fairfield City Hall. Pictured left to right above are Emily Nead and Allison Knackmuhs.

Lincoln Elementary School in Marion will use a $1.2 million grant to build an above ground “safe room”.  The structure will accommodate 600 people during tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.  The school district already has a similar room at the Adams Grade School near Creal Springs.

Some of Illinois’ largest public labor unions have filed suit challenging the state’s new pension reform law.  The lawsuit argues the pension bill approved by the Legislature violates a clause in the state constitution that states pension benefits may not be “diminished or impaired”.

Wayne County Golf Course volunteers will be grilling pork burgers and pork chops this Saturday on Main Street in front of the Wayne County Courthouse. Proceeds will help the golf course with ongoing maintenance projects, including recovery from damage caused by the November, 2013 tornado.

Tom Ulrich, world-renowned wildlife photographer is returning to Fairfield in March.  Ulrich will be in Fairfield Thursday and Friday, March 20, 21 at the First Christian Church in Fairfield.  Ulrich’s show will feature photos from his travels throughout 2013, including the birds of Florida, the bird migration of South Texas, National Parks of the west and the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Warren W. Amos, 56, of Grayville, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.  Warren was a member of the United Auto Workers and worked at Pittsburg Glass Works in Evansville. He was a Vietnam era Air Force veteran and a member of the VFW.

Survivors include his wife, Joni Amos; father Louis Amos; sons Warren “Willie” Amos, Jr., Joseph Amos; daughter Lisa Bryant and her fiancé Curtis Fluty; all of Grayville; brothers Louis E. (Collien) Amos of Keensburg, Illinois, Lyndon B. (Peggy) Amos of Fairfield, Illinois; sister Roseanna (Steve) Greathouse of West Salem, Illinois; grandchildren Ashton and Shyann.

Visitation and funeral are Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville. Visitation is at 10 am and funeral is at noon. Burial with military rites will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville.

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99-year-old Carmi resident, Lois S. Williams, died Wednesday, January 29 at Heritage Center in Evansville, IN.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi.

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The Fairfield Community High School varsity scholastic team went 3 – 0 in a Southern Illinois Academic Conference meet Thursday night in Mount Vernon. Fairfield defeated Murphysboro, Herrin and Centralia.  FCHS moves to 17 – 6 on the year.

34-year-old Terry A. Owen of Fairfield was arrested Thursday on a preliminary charge of domestic battery. Owen is accused of striking his wife, 28-year-old Ashley M. Owen during an altercation at the couple’s home on E. Johnson Street.

White County Sheriff Doug Maier is warning area residents about a new telephone scam involving a home security system firm. The scam artists are telling residents that the sheriff has contracted with them to install a free home security system. Sheriff Maier says he has no contract with any security firm, adding that the callers are nothing but scam artists.

Sen. Dick Durbin is urging regulators to investigate a deadly crash in Illinois this week that involved a truck driver who is accused of remaining at the wheel of a truck for more than 35 hours with less than 4 hours of rest.  The accident killed an Illinois Tollway worker and critically injured a trooper.

Two Republican candidates for statewide office are dipping into their own pockets to finance their campaigns.  Candidate for Governor Bruce Rauner has kicked in a million dollars of his own money to run for office. State Senator Jim Oberweis has loaned himself a half million dollars for his U.S. Senate campaign.

The post Headlines for Friday, January 31, 2014 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.

In Edwards County Circuit Court Friday, 55-year-old James H. Catt was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a conviction of domestic battery.  He was also ordered to serve four years mandatory supervised release following his prison sentence.  The offense occurred, according to court records, on April 14th of last year.  Catt was given credit for two days spent in jail following his arrest, and was ordered to pay court costs.

38-year-old Troy J. Brittingham of Cave In Rock, IL was injured late Friday morning in an accident involving a semi and a grain truck in Hamilton County.  State police said a semi driven by 33-year-old Bryan A.  Henderson of McLeansboro was northbound on Illinois Route 142 approaching the intersection with Hamilton County road 1000 North preparing to make a turn onto county road 1000 North.  Brittingham was traveling northbound in the right lane, and as Henderson was turning right onto county road 1000 North, the right front corner of Henderson’s grain truck hit the left rear wheel of of the semi hauling propane.  The collision caused the propane truck to overturn on its side.  Brittingham was taken to Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro where he was treated and released.

47-year-old Kirk E. Mason of Grayville has been formally charged with possession of a firearm without a FOID card, a Class 3 felony, reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, in connection with an incident last weekend in which he is accused of barricading himself inside his home.  He is also accused of firing a pistol during the standoff, endangering Rhonda K. Gibson.  The incident happened last Sunday  Bond on Mason was set at $7500 cash.

Wayne County’s unemployment for December was 8.7 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.  The figure is unchanged from December of 2012.  Edwards County’s December rate was 9.1 percent, up from 8.8 percent in December of 2012.  The IDES said unemployment rates “moderately increased” throughout southern Illinois compared to a year ago, with labor market conditions stable at the end of last year.

Baldwin Technology Co. Inc., a portfolio company of Forsyth Capital Investors, has purchased Fairfield-based Web Printing Controls Co. Inc., a manufacturer of realtime closed loop automation equipment.  The acquisition closed January 17th.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.  Web Printing’s 35 associates will be retained by Baldwin.

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75-year-old Fairfield resident, Donald Ray Ewing, died Friday, January 31 at Way-Fair Nursing Home in Fairfield.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

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A few rounds of wintry weather are possible in the region this week.  A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued from noon today until 3 a.m. Monday.  Forecasters say some parts of the area could see a little snow this afternoon, with heavier amounts likely to our south, where a couple of inches is possible.  A few slick spots developed on some streets and roadways overnight in Fairfield as temperatures dropped below freezing.  Another round of wintry weather is possible on Tuesday, which could result in a mix for the area, and another round of snow is possible Friday and Saturday.

The Fairfield Community High School Varsity Scholastic Team captures second place in the Eastern Illinois University Honors Tournament on Saturday, with senior Kyle Ellis named to the All-Tournament team.  FCHS claimed wins over Windsor, Marshall, Neoga, Casey-Westfield, and Charleston and fell to Salem and Cumberland.  Kyle Ellis led the tossup scoring with 31.  FCHS is now 23 and 8 on the year, and will be in action again February 15th at home in the Masonic Sectional.

The Edwards County High School board is set to meet in special session this Thursday night at 6 p.m.  Action is expected on amending the school calendar reflecting the district’s proposal to modify a school holiday.  Approval is also expected to be given for the Edwards County High School baseball and softball camp.  Personnel matters include the hiring of an Auto/Ag Mechanics instructor for the coming school year.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is making it easier for low-income state residents to get propane to heat their homes.  Quinn announced Friday that participants in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be eligible for an additional $1000 to help buy propane for heat.  The announcement is part of a group of wide-ranging measures designed to get propane into the state as quickly as possible after prices for the fuel doubled because of recent shortages.

Wayne County’s unemployment for December was 8.7 percent, the same as December of 2012.  Edwards County’s December rate was 9.1 percent, up from 8.8 in December of 2012.  The IDES said labor market conditions were stable at the end of last year, and that unemployment rates moderately increased in southern Illinois compared to a year ago.

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