The Illinois Supreme Court has denied 39-year-old Danny K. Coston’s appeal of his 53 year prison sentence for the August 2012 slaying of 22-year-old Jacob Wheeler of Centerville, IL and his girlfriend, 17-year-old Jessi Evans of Norris City. Coston, of Centerville, IL is being held at the maximum security prison at Statesville, IL and is not eligible for parole until January 25, 2063. Late last year the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Mt. Vernon, IL denied an appeal of his sentence. On Friday the Illinois Supreme Court denied Coston’s petition for leave to appeal the case further.
43-year-old William Hayes of Bluford was taken into custody Friday morning after leading police on a chase through parts of Jefferson County. Jefferson County Sheriff’s police say a deputy passed Hayes on Illinois Route 15 near Falcon Lane and knew his license was revoked. As the deputy attempted a traffic stop, police say Hayes allegedly fled from police at speeds over 100 mph. Hayes was stopped at the intersection of Fairfield Road and Campground Road in Mt. Vernon. A search of his vehicle revealed a suspected crack pipe and a pill bottle containing suspected crack cocaine. Hayes was jailed on charges of possession of a controlled substance and driving revoked.
Wayne City High School Senior Vanessa Schumm has been named a national semifinalist in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Schumm is the daughter of John and Janet Schumm of Wayne City and plans to operate her own pharmacy. She was one of only 69 students selected in Illinois. Schumm is a four-year member of the Wayne City FFA and is editor of the school’s yearbook.
The Albion Moose Family Center #621 has notified Fairfield Community High School that the Deceased Pilgrim Memorial Scholarship is now available for FCHS seniors. Recipients will be chosen based on their skills in leadership, citizenship, extra-curricular activities, GPA, Moose affiliation and a 500-word essay. The scholarship is worth $2000 and interested students can contact Lori Robson, Guidance Counselor at FCHS for more information. The application deadline is April 7th.
The Wayne County Farm Bureau has announced the creation of the Community Impact Grant Program, which seeks to identify various projects that will improve communities. Proposals will be accepted through March 31st with grant awards announced April 15th. Grant applications are available on the Wayne County Farm Bureau’s website at www.waynecfb.com
Wayne County’s unemployment rate for December was 6.5 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Edwards County’s rate was 6.6 percent. Area December rates ranged from 8.5 percent in Alexander County to 4.4 percent in Clinton and Moultrie counties. The IDES says unemployment rates for all southern Illinois counties are lower compared to a year ago, and that December rates fell in every metropolitan area in the state for the 9th straight month. The IDES identifies the unemployment rate as those who are out of work and are actively seeking employment.
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