53-year-old Enfield resident, Jerry Lee Young died at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at his home. He was a laborer.

Survivors include his parents, Bobby and Phyllis Austin Young; a brother, Billy and wife Cheryl Green of Hinesville, Arkansas; sisters, Sharon and husband Larry Frazier of Keenes, Connie Glass of Hawaii and Bobbie Swan of Mount Vernon.

Mr. Young’s remains have been cremated and a service will be conducted at a  later date.   The Richardson Funeral Home of Wayne City is in charge of all the arrangements.

Interstate 64 westbound at the exit ramp to Illinois Route 37 in Jefferson County was closed early this morning after a semi hauling a hazardous material rolled onto its side.  The material was identified as Ethanol.  As a precaution, police sealed off a 1000-foot area around the scene until the tanker was uprighted.  I-64 eastbound traffic was diverted at the southbound I-57 I-64 split, while westbound I-64 traffic was being diverted off the interstate at the Belle Rive exit at mile marker 89.  Police said a HAZMAT team from the Mt. Vernon Fire Department was called to the scene.  The driver of the semi was not identified.

The Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation has pledged $100,000 for the new Kitchen and Dining Room project at the hospital.  In addition, the Foundation has released $42,475 of restricted funds that were given to the Foundation specifically for the hospital’s new project that were donated through the Foundation’s annual Giving Campaign which is held each November.  The first step in starting the project has been completed with the move of the Business and Health Information Offices into remodeled suites within the Mattie B. Rinard Building.  Final design plans are being made for the project to move into the next phase of construction. (Pictured is CEO Katherine Bunting-Williams accepting the donation, along with Foundation members Keith Baumann, Treasurer; Charlotte St. Ledger, Pat Kenshalo, Lisa Konopasek, Richard Davis, Judy Griswold and Mike Copeland)

33-year-old Michael T. Walker of Fairfield was jailed Thursday afternoon on a failure to appear warrant out of Edwards County for domestic battery, and a body attachment out of Richland County for failure to appear in court.  Total bond on the warrants was $325 cash.

Reports out of Effingham, IL say the southern Illinois man accused of killing his niece is no longer opposed to spending the rest of his life in prison.  Justin DeRyke withdrew his motion to have the life sentence overturned.  He was sentenced in March of last year after pleading guilty to stabbing seven-year-old Willow Long and later dumping her body near the Little Wabash River in Watson, IL last September.  DeRyke said he stabbed the girl to death to put her out of her misery after she fell on a pile of brush, causing a stick to lodge in her throat.

42-year-old Scott D. Land of Cisne was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a DUI charge.  Police found Land passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle with a can of industrial strength aerosol dust off up to his face.  Police stated that as they were taking pictures of Land with the can of aerosol up to his face, he woke up and sprayed the substance into his mouth and shouted “Yahoo!” before a deputy grabbed the can and threw it to the ground.  Land refused to submit to a blood or urine analysis and was jailed on the DUI charge.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations have revoked the CPA license of 54-year-old Kevin Williams of Mt. Carmel, IL and ordered that he pay a $40,000 fine.  The disciplinary action comes after Williams was convicted in federal court of wire fraud and money laundering.  He is currently serving a ten-year federal sentence for swindling an elderly Wabash County woman.  He was ordered to pay the victim $1.7 million in restitution.

Wayne County Supervisor of Assessments Shirley Walters has announced that the 2013 Wayne County Board of Review is in session.  Complaints to the board need to be filed at her office, and the final date to file a complaint is July 7th.  Members of the board include Martin MacDavid, Allen Endsley, James Elliott and Shirley Walters.

The Wayne County Golf Course will be hosting the 5th annual McDonalds of Fairfield Junior golf tournament this Thursday, June 5th.  The tournament is open to boys and girls in five age groups.  The registration fee includes a gift bag and a free practice round.  Lunch will be provided for golfers and adults who accompany them.  The entry form is avaialbe at  www.waynecountygolf.com   and must be mailed by Saturday, May 31st.  More information is available by calling 842-7222.

97-year-old Albion resident, Robert L. Evans, died Wednesday, May 28 at River Oaks Health Campus in Princeton, IN.  He was a WW II Veteran, serving in Normandy, present at D-Day plus 2.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.  He worked for many years in the oil and gas industry.

Surviving are his wife Carolyn of Albion; one daughter, Sandi (Joel) Evans-Jaffe of Houston, TX; one son, Bob of Vincennes, IN; and one grandson, Robert Todd Evans of Houston, TX; and several nieces and nephews, along with Carolyn’s children, Telia (Lonnie) Trout of Browns and Chad (Julie) Evans of Grayville; and grandchldren, Tyler, Jaden and Hanna; one cousin, Geroge T. Fawkes of Bayview, ID/Arona, Italy; and a host of friends, both locally and across the United States.

Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and a graveside service for Robert L. Evans will be held  at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at Bellmont Cemetery in Bellmont, IL, with military honors at the gravesite.

Memorials may be made to his wife Carolyn in his memory, and will be accepted at the Ingram Funeral Home in Albion, which is in charge of the arrangements.

The Wayne County Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded five $500 scholarships to Wayne County students majoring in an ag-related field of study.  The Young Leader Committee also awarded two additional $500 scholarships.  The recipients of the Wayne County Farm Bureau Foundation scholarships are Bryan Bailey of Mt. Erie, Morgan Doggett of Mill Shoals, Erin Smothers of Fairfield, and Ethan Spicer and Kelci White both of Wayne City.  The Young Leader Committee scholarship recipients are Haden Smith and Michaela Smith both of Wayne City.  The foundation has awarded 52 scholarships since 2005 totalling $26,000.

57-year-old Donald L. Weyer of Jasper, IN escaped injury Friday morning when the 2015 Freightliner he was driving overturned on its side as he was attempting to exit I-64 onto Illinois Route 37.  State police said the tank containing Ethanol developed a small leak due to the crash, which resulted in the closing of I-64 and Route 37 near the crash scene for several hours Friday morning.  Hazardous material clean-up crews were called in to clean up the spill.  Weyer was cited by police for driving too fast for conditons.

71-year-old Mary J. Sheldon of Harrisburg, IL was cited for improper turning following an accident late Friday afternoon on Illinois Route 13 at Cottage Grove Road in Saline County.  State police said Sheldon was stopped on the westbound shoulder of Route 13 and attempted to make a left turn across both lanes of traffic, causing her pickup truck to be hit by a semi, driven by 35-year-old Bobby J. Owen of West Frankfort, IL.  Sheldon was taken to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries.  Owen refused treatment at the scene.

The Illinois Legislature sent a new state budget to Governor Pat Quinn Friday that is being called “incomplete” and puts off tough decisions about cutting spending and finding new sources of revenue.  Senate Democrats approved the nearly $36 billion bill spending plan passed by the House earlier this week.  The spring session is scheduled to close today.

The Wayne County Golf Course is hosting the 5th annual McDonalds of Fairfield Junior golf tournament this Thursday, June 5th.  The tournament is open to boys and girls ages seven to 18 with several age categories and registration fees, which include a gift bag and a free practice round.  Lunch will also be provided for golfers and adults who accompany them.  Entry forms need to be mailed to the golf course by today.  Starting Sunday players will need to complete the entry form and register in person at the course.  More information is available by calling 842-7222.

71-year-old Grayville resident, Norman Julian Bisch, died Friday, May 30 at his home.  He was a carpenter, Vietnam-era Army Veteran, lifetime member of the VFW and member of the American Legion.

Surviving are his wife Coletha “Deanne” Bisch; four sons, Norman Bisch of Texas, Lester (Terri) Garman of Crossville, Donald Garman, Sam (Crystal) Garman all of Grayville; two daughters, Deborah (Kelly) Hughes of Palestine, TX and Shana (Richard) Reed of Grayville; three brothers, Joe (Betty) Bisch, Gary (Jeanellen) Bisch all of Grayville, James (Laura) Bisch of Urbana, IL; one sister, Patricia (Darvin) Smith of Florida; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Norman’s wishes, his remains were cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.  Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville is in charge of the arrangements.

Frontier Community College’s summer session begins this Thursday and runs through July 31st.  Courses will be offered in several areas and subjects, including drama performance, water aerobics, basketball, food sanitation, and CNA training, as well as kids classes during June.  Registration is currently underway, with a summer tuition special of $35 per semester hour being offered, with some restrictions.  A PM Tuition Reduction is available for classes starting after 6 p.m. and senior adults 60 and older are only required to pay fees as tuition is waived.  More information is available by calling the college.

12-year-old Chloe Stirling of Troy, IL expressed her thanks to Illinois lawmakers by sending them cupcakes and a thank-you letter to the statehouse Friday morning.  Chloe baked over 100 cupcakes for state representatives and senators who passed a bill that will allow her to use her oven again.  Her business had been shut down last December because she had been making cupcakes out of her uninspected home kitchen.  A new bill awaiting Governor Pat Quinn’s signature would allow her and others to sell foods out of their home, as long as they don’t make over $1000 a month.

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal in conjunction with the National Safety Council, is highlighting fire safety education as part of the annual observance of National Safety Month during June.  During the month, both agencies are reminding the public of safety tips in six areas: fire safety, prescription drug abuse, slips and falls, safety in public places, driving safety and summer safety.  They said that in 2013 Illinois fire departments reported responding to nearly two million incidents, of which about 50,000 were fire-related and just over 794,000 involved emergency medical services.

Hydrant flushing begins Monday for customers of the New Hope Waterworks.  Employees will be flushing the hydrants through June 30th.  The process is performed twice a year in the spring and fall to keep the water supply safe and clean.  Residents may notice a dip in water pressure and some discoloration of water during the flushing process.

The Business of the Day Promotion starts today on WFIW-FM.  Each day through June 30th an area business will be featured as the Business of the Day.  Listeners are being invited to keep track of each day’s business and send the list in at the end of the month.  A drawing will be held for a shopping spree of $200, $100 or $50 at any one of the Business of the Day sponsors.  The drawing will take place on July 7th.

Officials with Woolsey Operating Company of Kansas formally signed an agreement this morning that will allow the firm to establish their Southern Illinois headquarters on 20 acres of land south of Fairfield.  Woolsey has plans to drill as many as 15 vertical wells to the Knox formation at a depth of 8,000 feet. They are in the process of drilling their 7^th well. The firm also has plans to complete 3-D seismic studies of 230 square miles within the Illinois Basin.  Pictured above is Fairfield Mayor Chuck Griswold (center) preparing to sign the agreement that will bring Woolsey Operating to Fairfield. (pictured left is owner Wayne Woolsey – Fairfield City Attorney Mike Molt right)

The Fairfield Community High School varsity scholastic team finished the National Academic Championship Tournament in Washington, D.C. with a record of 2-4.  FCHS claimed victories over Richlands, NC and Alden, NY. The team is coached by Tammy Austin. The team was also accompanied by retired FCHS instructor Pam Robbins.

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 13,513 wild turkeys during this year’s spring Turkey Season, including the youth season.  In Wayne County, 299 turkeys were harvested, down from 333 last year.

An environmental group says Illinois lawmakers have passed a commonsense plan to protect three more animal species slowly returning to the state. The Senate voted Friday to add black bears, grey wolves and mountain lions to the protected species list.  Researchers at Southern Illinois University say that about 7 grey wolves, four mountain lions and two black bears have been spotted in the state since 2000.

Frontier Community College’s summer session begins this Thursday and runs through July 31.  Several courses will be offered in several areas of instruction, including drama, water aerobics, basketball, food sanitation, painting and CNA training.  Call the college to sign up.

64-year-old Geff resident, Sharon Kay Middleton died at 6:40 a.m. Saturday, May 31 at her home.

Survivors include her mother, Virginia Webb Harrell of Geff; her husband, William “Joe” Middleton of Geff; daughters, Tina Middleton West and Jackie Middleton, both of Geff; sons, Joseph William and wife Dusty Middleton and Jerome William Middleton, all of Geff; a brother, Dean Webb of Geff; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

The body is to be cremated and no services will be held.

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

81-year-old Fairfield resident, Clarence Buchanan died at 7:59 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He was a farmer. Mr. Buchanan served on the Fairfield and Boyleston school boards, and Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Board.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Buchanan;  a son, David and wife Gale Buchanan of Fairfield; daughters, Linda and husband Donnie Miller of Wayne City and Janice and husband John Jones of Fairfield; a brother, Frank and wife Joyce Buchanan of Fairfield; 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services for Clarence Buchanan will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at the Archie L. Sanders Chapel at Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City with burial in Thomason Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 Wednesday evening, June 4 at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City.

Memorials may be made to Thomason Cemetery and will be accepted at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City.

88-year-old former McLeansboro resident, Marcella Florence Miller of Evansville, IN died at 2 a.m. Monday, June 2 at River Pointe Health Campus in Evansville. A homemaker, she formerly worked as a seamstress at Elder Manufacturing in McLeansboro. She was a member of St. Clement’s Catholic Church in McLeansboro.

Survivors include two daughters, Barbara (Robert) Ewin of Evansville, IN and Lisa (Robert, Jr.) Hut of Rye, NY; five grandchildren, Mark (Chelsee) Miller of McLeansboro, Megan Miller of San Diego, CA, Kelly and Kortney Ewin of Evansville, IN and Katherine Hut of Rye, NY; two great grandchildren, Lesley Miller of San Diego, CA and Corbin Goodwin of Evansville, IN; a daughter-in-law, Andrea Miller of McLeansboro and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marcella Florence Miller will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in McLeansboro with burial in St. Clement’s Cemetery in McLeansboro.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 Friday evening, June 6 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diebetes Research Foundation; Dysautonomia International or St. Clement’s Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeahsboro, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

98-year-old Albion resident, Fannie B. Collins died at 3:25 a.m. Monday, June 2 at Rest Haven Manor in Albion. She had worked in the coil plant during WW II and the garment factory for over 30 years. She was a member of the Samaria Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include four daughters, Joan (Don) Mosson of Albion, Jean Hudson of Lewis Center, OH, Sue (Ron) Cullison of Albion and Judy (Gary) Doty of Albion; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services for Fannie B. Collins will be 10 a.m. Wednesday June 4 at the Samaria Baptist Church Cemetery at Albion.

There will be no visitation. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Samaria Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or the Edwards County Senior Citizens Center and will be accepted at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

71-year-old Fairfield resident, Mac Wilson died at 12:32 Monday morning, June 2 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

Services for Mac Wilson are pending at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

The Albion City Council voted Monday night to build a new fire station at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets.  Shores Construction of Centralia was the low bidder on the project. With change orders, the price for the pre-engineered steel structure will be $799,380.  Construction is set to begin as soon as the city attorney reviews the paperwork for the project.

Woolsey Operating Company of Wichita, Kansas is completing its 7^th test well in Southern Illinois.  The firm signed an agreement Monday to locate its Illinois Basin headquarters on 20 acres of land south of Fairfield. Owner Wayne Woolsey says he plans to drill as many as 15 wells to the Knox Formation at a depth of 8,000 feet. His target formation is the New Albany Shale at a depth of between 4,500 and 5,000 feet.  Secondary source formations will be tested below the New Albany formation.

Woolsey Operating has launched 3-D seismic studies on 57 square miles of Wayne County farmland.  The Kansas-based firm is searching for untapped oil and gas reserves in the area.  The firm has plans to eventually test 230 square miles of land.

21-year-old Harley W. Lewallen of Carmi has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.  He will also have to serve another year of parole once he gets out of jail.

Joseph L. Allen, 35 of Carmi has been sentenced to 2 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.  He will have to serve another year of parole once he gets out of jail.

Friends of the Fairfield Public Library will conduct a porkburger sale this Friday on Main Street in front of the Wayne County courthouse.  Serving will start around 9:45 a.m.

A Wayne County Grand Jury has returned a two-count indictment against Fairfield Community High School teacher and track coach Timothy Going.  Going faces a class-1 felony charge of burglary and a class-3 felony charge of unlawful video recording and live video transmission.  Going, 43, is accused of placing a motion-activated camera in the girl’s locker room at FCHS last month.  A motion for a reduction of Going’s $250,000 bond is expected to be argued during a hearing next Monday.

46-year-old Marcie Galiher of Fairfield was arrested early this morning on a charge of unlawful use of emergency services.  Galiher is accused of dialing 911 around 12:30 this morning to report her house was on fire.  When emergency personnel arrived, there was no sign of fire or anything else wrong at Galiher’s home on W. King Street.

A minor traffic accident at McDonald’s in Fairfield landed a Christopher, IL man in jail Tuesday afternoon.  54-year-old Ronald D. Rone was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and for being in possession of a controlled substance.  He was arrested around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon.

55-year-old Melvin S. Arrington of Bone Gap has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to a class-2 felony charge of aggravated drunk driving.  He will have to serve another two years of parole once he gets out of jail.  Edwards County State’s Attorney Michael Valentine prosecuted the case.

A Federal Grand Jury has returned an indictment against a Cairo, IL man accused of killing two employees during a botched bank robbery last month. 29-year-old James Nathaniel Watts has been indicted on charges of attempted Armed Bank Robbery resulting in death.  U.S. Attorney Steven R. Wigginton says the indictment also contains special findings rendering Watts eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted by a jury.

69-year-old Hartford, Iowa resident, Steven Charles Eckert died January 30 in Hartford, Iowa.

Survivors include two sons, Charles and Steven Eckert, Jr.; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and three brothers, Ken, Stan and Roger Eckert.

Graveside services for Steven Charles Eckert will be 12 noon Saturday, June 7 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Dahlgren.

There will be no visitation. Those attending the service should go directly to the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and will be accepted at the Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

Forecast severe weather missed the Wayne County region Wednesday evening. Most of Southern Illinois was placed under a tornado watch until 8 o’clock last night.  Gallatin and Saline Counties received heavy rains and some wind damage.

Minor flooding is forecast along the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel. The stage this morning was 10.25.  The river is forecast to crest at 19.4 feet Sunday – slightly above the 19 ft. flood stage.

Illinois members of Congress are increasing their scrutiny of veteran’s hospitals in the state.  Officials say they have found instances of 90 day waits at the VA hospitals in Marion and St. Louis.

The Wilson County, Tennessee trial of suspected serial killer Bruce D. Mendenhall of Albion has been delayed again.  Mendenhall is  scheduled to be back in court on August 18.  He is awaiting trial on charges he murdered 48-year-old Symantha D. Winters of Lebanon, TN.

Two area bridges are slated for replacement as part of a $17 million state highway project.  A bridge over Deer Creek southeast of Cisne will be replaced. And, a bridge five miles southeast of Burnt Prairie over Limekiln Creek will also be replaced.

The Fairfield City Band will be in concert tonight on the lawn of the Wayne County Courthouse. The performance will begin at 7 p.m.  The band will be under the direction of David Kosmatka.

Two area residents were seriously injured Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle rollover accident in rural Edwards County. The injured have been identified as Kenneth Bryant, 40 of Albion and Ashley Roosevelt, 30 of Grayville. The accident happened on the West Village blacktop near the westbound curves. Both victims were airlifted from the scene to an Evansville hospital.

Ill. Rt. 1 was shut down for a time Thursday afternoon when a large truck being towed by a wrecker separated and overturned. The crash happened on Rt. 1 north of White County Road 2400 N.  The driver of the wrecker, Gerald W. Foster, 60 of Noble was not hurt. The vehicle he was towing, a 1984 International truck owned by Westar Energy of Mt. Carmel was heavily damaged.  Rt. 1 was also damaged.  Ill. Dept. of Transportation workers were called to make repairs.

U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart visited the V.A. Medical Center in Marion Thursday.  Enyart was investigating reports that veterans have had to wait 90 days or longer to get an appointment.  The Marion facility has more than 1,400 full time employees.  Enyart says the facility needs at least 100 more medical professionals.

Fifteen Illinois residents face federal charges for allegedly defrauding the Medicaid home services program in Illinois by filling out bogus time sheets. Locally, Margaret Teriet of Mt. Vernon and Jody Wooters of Centralia were indicted by the feds.

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation that requires teaching CPR and other safety skills to all Illinois High School students.  The law also requires students to get trained on automated external defibrillators – or AED’s. The governor says it is a common sense law that will help students in case of an emergency.

72-year-old Bluford resident, Hughston Frank Chapman did at 1:18 a.m. Thursday, June 5 at his home.  A U.S. Army veteran, he was a retired steel mill worker.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; four sons, Scott Chapman of Rock Island, IL, Vincent Chapman of Wayne City, Frankie Chapman of Morrison, IL and Adlai Chapman and companion Ginger of Pinkneyville, IL; a brother, Herman and wife Virginia Chapman of Colorado; 9 grandchildren, Kelly, Matthew, Tyler, Morgan, Dustin, Haedyn, Joshlyn, Jessie and Jody Chapman and one great-grandchild, Tyvic.

Funeral services for Hughston Frank Chapman will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 9 at Ten Post Oak Church with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. Monday until the time of service at the Ten Post Oak Church.

Memorials may be made to the Ten Post Oak Church and will be accepted at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City, which is in charge of all the arrangements.

A small kitten has been found behind Cross Fit Gym.  It is very small, tan in color with blue eyes.  If this kitten belongs to you or you know someone who has lost it, please call 618-842-4121.

The Fairfield Retail Merchants are planning a promotion in conjunction with the unearthing of two time capsules on the court house lawn in Fairfield on Saturday, June 21st.  Various civic groups will be selling baked goods and concessions starting at 10 a.m. around the courthouse square.  The Wayne County Historical Society will be providing pamphlets for a “walking tour” of downtown Fairfield and will be displaying large photographs of Fairfield’s past in many stores.  The city will begin digging for the time capsules around 1 p.m. with the items to be revealed to the public around 2 p.m.  The items will then be displayed at the Hanna House Museum June 28th through October 25th during regular museum hours.

The Fairfield City Council meets Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m.  Items on the agenda include a garbage rate increase and the sale of excess real estate.  A committee report is also listed concerning a multi-use vehicle for the city fire department, and the awarding of bids for repairs to the Chamber of Commerce building.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to travel to Troy, IL next week to visit Chloe Stirling, who had her homemade cupcake business shut down in January by the Madison County Health Department, saying she was out of compliance with health regulations for food.  Lawmakers have since passed a bill that overrides the local rules and sets standards for selling baked goods made at home.  Governor Quinn is expected to sign the bill at Stirling’s home on Tuesday.

Fifteen people, including two from south-central Illinois, are facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding the Medicaid home services program in Illinois by filling out bogus time sheets.  The charges were announced Thursday in Springfield.  Among those charged are 46-year-old Jody R. Wooters of Centralia, IL and 31-year-old Margaret Teriet of Mt. Vernon, IL.  The home services program allows people with disabilities to hire assistants to perform household tasks and help with personal care, and submit time sheets twice a month for payments.

Armadillo sightings have been confirmed in southern Illinois.  A report says the mammal has been slowly expanding its range northward, with confirmed sightings in southern Illinois and southern Indiana as recently as last year.  Wildlife experts said most of the sightings have been in the form of roadkill.  The report said the armadillos have been making steady progress northward from Central America to Mexico, Texas and the southeastern United States since the late 1800s.