Fairfield's annual Christmas parade is set for this evening beginning at 5 p.m. The parade will follow the usual parade route through Fairfield. The family of slain Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley will light the official Christmas Tree on the courthouse square prior to the parade at 4:45 p.m. Lineup for the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The parade will be broadcast on WFIW. Hal Bryant will serve as the parade marshal for this year's parade. Hal is the retired building trades instructor at Fairfield Community High School. 37-year-old Carolyn Hatcher of Sims pled guilty before Judge Molt in Wayne County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon. Hatcher was originally arrested on a Class 3 felony charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine this past February. As part of the guilty plea, a charge of driving on a suspended license was dismissed. Hatcher was sentenced to two years probation, and was ordered to pay $1400 in fines and court costs. A recent blood drive at the Community of Christ Church in Fairfield on November 16th resulted in 60 pints of blood being collected. Winners of $25 Uniquely Rustique cards were Ramona McGill and Raychel Simms of Fairfield. Terise Risinger was recognized for being a first time donor. Tena Young was recognized for donating 1 gallon of blood through the years, Matt Rush two gallons, Timothy Sullivan three gallons, Cinnamon Willett five gallons, Tom Walters ten gallons and Max Green 17 gallons. The next drive at the Community of Christ Church will be on January 11, 2023. Donors can schedule an appointment online at redcross.org Edwards County Circuit Clerk Margaret Branum has announced that prospective jurors for the jury trial set to start December 6th need not appear for jury service. The notice also applies to those summoned for petit jury service on December 6th and 7th at the Edwards County Courthouse in Albion. Branum indicated if their presence is required at a later date, they will be notified at that time. Illinois State Police are conducting a death investigation in Neoga, IL. According to a Facebook post Friday by the Illinois State Police District 12 post, headquartered at Effingham, IL, Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 was requested by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office to conduct the investigaiton. At approximately 11:45 a.m. on November 30th, 33-year-old Levi C. Connour and 40-year-old Jennifer R. Morecraft were found dead at a residence near County Road 1200 North in Neoga, IL in Cumberland County. The official cause and manner of death is expected to be released by the Cumberland County Coroner's Office once an autopsy is conducted and a toxicology report is received. Area river stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 5.55 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is an even five feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 3.59 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.07 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 3.21 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Several chances for rain are in the forecast the next several days.