The Federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former Fairfield City Police officer Justin Titzer against the City of Fairfield, The Fairfield Police Chief and others, is headed to mediation. In an order signed August 22 by Federal District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn, Titzer's lawsuit was identified as a "Non-Exempt Civil Case" subject to automatic referral into the Court's Mandatory Mediation Program. In the judges's order, attorneys for both sides were directed to review the Court's Mandatory Mediation Plan prior to a scheduled discovery conference. Each party will have 28 days from the discovery conference to select a mediator and file a stipulation with the court regarding their selection. The mandatory two-hour mediation session will be completed no later than 30 days after the discovery cut-off date. Additionally, the mandatory mediation proceedings shall be completed no later than 15 days after the discovery cut-off date. The basis of the lawsuit dates to October 2, of 2021 when Fairfield Police Sergeant Silas Eckelberry responded to a complaint at the Victoria Greer residence in Fairfield. According to the lawsuit, Eckelberry allegedly struck Greer in the throat with a metal flashlight. The lawsuit alleges that Greer went to the Emergency Room of a local hospital to seek treatment for her injuries. On October 5, Officer Titzer was dispatched to Greer's home to investigate an unrelated matter. Greer told Sgt. Titzer that Eckelberry had struck her in the throat with his flashlight during the October 2 incident. Sgt. Titzer recommended Greer contact the Fairfield Police Department and file a complaint. October 26, 2021, the Fairfield Police Department placed Titzer on administrative leave pending an "investigation into violations of Department Policies and Procedures". On that same day, the Department cleared Sgt. Eckelberry of any wrongdoing in the October 2 incident. Sgt. Titzer contacted the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and the FBI to request an impartial review into possible unreasonable use of force during the October 2 incident. On February 22 of this year, Officer Titzer was interrogated and given a Notice of Investigatory Interview by the department. The notice stated that Sgt. Titzer was being investigated specifically for contacting State and Federal agencies regarding the unlawful use of force allegations. Titzer's suit alleges the City of Fairfield, Chief Fulkerson and Assistant Chief Colclasure retaliated against him in violation of Illinois' Whistleblower Act and his right to free speech. Titzer is a decorated US Marine Corps veteran and has served with the Fairfield City Police Department since 2012. Titzer is seeking damages, back pay, front pay, pre-judgment interest, lost future wages and future pecuniary damages as well as damages for emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment. Sean Adam Curtiss, 42 of Altamont made his first appearance in Edwards County Circuit Court Tuesday morning on charges related to an alleged shooting incident earlier this month. Curtiss is currently charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was allegedly involved in an incident August 21 in which a former Carmi woman, Malinda Williams was shot. After the incident, Williams was taken to the hospital in Mount Carmel and later airlifted to a trauma center in Evansville. Investigators have initially described the shooting as "likely accidental. In Edwards County Circuit Court Monday, a judge found probable cause in case and set Curtiss' bond at $50,000 and set the matter for a preliminary hearing on September 13. The judge appointed Public Defender Brian Shinkle to represent the defendant. Court records reveal that Curtiss could not legally possess a firearm based upon a 2008 conviction in Jasper County, of being in possession of meth precursors. At the time of his arrest in the shooting incident, Curtiss was wanted on an active Effingham County warrant for failure to appear in court on two felony driving suspended charges. If convicted on the Class-2 felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Curtiss could draw a sentence of between 3-14 years in prison. According to Edwards County State's Attorney Eric St. Ledger the case remains under investigation. The Grayville Senior Citizens will be serving Chicken & Noodles with mashed potatoes, green beans, slaw, dessert, and drink, on Friday, September 2; serving begins at 5pm. On Saturday they will be having luncheon from 11am to 1 pm, serving ham salad or bologna salad sandwiches, chips, dessert, and drink. All meals are by donation. All are welcome, bring your friends and come in and visit. It's cool inside! Officials with Ameren Illinois is warning of calls attempting to scam customers with a disconnect threat if they do not make a payment. Ameren Illinois spokesman Brian Bretsch says Ameren will never request immediate payment through a cash app or money card. Common red flags of utility scams include unsolicited requests for personal information, requests to pay with prepaid credit cards, calls originating from a non-Ameren phone number, and offers that seem too good to be true. Contact Ameren at 1-800-755-5000 with any questions or if you feel you've been the victim of an attempted or successful scam. The State DNR's statewide dove hunting season begins today. With a daily limit of 15 birds, the possession limit is at 45 doves. Hunting is open each day from sunrise to sunset now thru mid-November, plus a few more days from late December thru the first week of January. Also continuing is the statewide squirrel hunting season which began on August 1st. For more information, go to the State DNR website, at www.dnr.state.il.us.gov. This year's Illinois State Fair appears to have been a huge success, although official attendance numbers are not yet available. The State Ag Department says there were nearly 4,500 youth exhibitors that showed livestock, 4-H projects, and arts & crafts projects, a higher number compared to past years. Plus the Governor's Sale of Champions raised more than $220,000 for youth livestock exhibitors and the 4-H and FFA organizations, also a higher number than in years past. Most all food vendors reported record sales and it was noted the Illinois Specialty Growers Association sold 3,459 apple cider slushies made from 445 gallons of cider, over 4,200 peaches, and over 2,100 slices from 425 whole watermelons. The 100th Annual Du Quoin State Fair is still going on. Today is Sponsor Appreciation Day with activities for the kids and Lainey Wilson on stage with Calista Clark and Ashland Craft, plus Head East at the RollnUp Beer Tent at 10:00. Friday is Illinois Tourism Day with bull riding at 7:00 and comedian Jeff Foxworthy on stage at 7:30. Saturday is SIU / College Day / and Coal Heritage Day with horse pulling, livestock shows, the Whippoorwill Rodeo at 4:00, Demo Derby at 6:00, and USAC Silver Crown car racing at 8:15. Sunday is Fire Responder Day with free admission for all police officers, firefighters, and EMT's who show their badge, plus a car show, the Illinois Products Expo, pedal pull competition, more rodeo action, a talent contest, and ARCA Racing at 8:05 that night. The final day of the fair will be Monday. Plenty of carnival rides, games, and fair food concessions each day and night on the fairgrounds. For grandstand ticket sales, go online to ticketmaster.com. For more information on scheduled events visit the Du Quoin State Fair Facebook page. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White tested negative for the COVID-19 virus and has returned to work at the James R. Thompson Center. Last week, Secretary White tested positive for the virus. He experienced mild symptoms and worked from home while in quarantine. White is double vaccinated and twice boosted. The state has announced the second round of applications for taxpayer-funded electric vehicle rebates will begin November 1st. This follows the first round of applications which will close September 30th. The rebates