The latest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health indicates a total of 1,482,369 cases of the coronavirus in the state along with 23,699 deaths. The Wayne County Health Department reported a total of 2162 cases in the county, with 61 cases recorded from August 16th through 19th. The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department indicated 70 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday. Franklin County had 32 new cases Saturday to bring its total to 5807 and 76 total deaths. Williamson County had 38 new cases Saturday to bring its total to 9685 cases and 135 deaths. Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded FY21 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants totaling $18.1 million to 638 public libraries serving nearly 12 million patrons around the state. The money helps libraries provide large print material for aging persons, new computers, iPads and printers, and Audiobooks and eBooks, as well as other services. Among the grant recipients is the Fairfield Public Library, in the amount of $7602, the Wayne City Kissner Public Library, in the amount of $1500, and the Albion Public Library, in the amount of $2932. Students at Benton Consolidated High School will have to wear masks again after their school board met and approved a revised Return to Learning Plan. It requires masks for all students, staff and visitors while indoors and on busses. Benton was one of nearly 30 schools placed on probation by the Illinois State Board of Education for not complying with the mask mandate. The Benton grade school plans to revisit their Return to Learning Plan at their board meeting Monday. as their plan was originally approved before the state issued its mask mandate. Several parents in the district said they support masks, but say it should be up to them, not the state. Rain Saturday forced the postponement of the Volunteers for a Progressive Fairfield's movie at Leo French Park. The event has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday, August 28th. Area river stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 18.78 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 5.92 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 17.83 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 9.11 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 3.96 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Mainly dry and hot weather is expected this week, with small chances for rain by midweek.