The Edwards County School Board met in regular session Monday night. The board under the spotlight heard from Mrs. Gerlach and Mrs. Ellis from the Albion Grade School. The first topic of discussion was tracking the recent Iditarod and even being able to zoom with the member of the support crew for that event. The second topic was the Albion Grade School PTO Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser scheduled for March 31st at the House of Prayer in Albion. The fundraiser is to obtain funds for new playground equipment at the k-12. So far, the PTO raised nearly $12,000 and an additional $6,000 is needed to purchase a large piece of playground equipment. The board approved 24 new textbooks for the Earth Science class at a cost of $3219.78 from McGraw Hill Publishing. Mr. McDowell made a presentation to the board concerning adding a golf program at the high school. Currently, he has 10 boys and 13 girls that are interested in being on a golf team. McDowell's proposal is to use the Fairfield Golf C
The Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 board of education is set to meet this evening at 7 in the K-12 Band/Music Room. Items on the agenda under Unfinished and Old Business include a motion to approve textbook adoptions, and a discussion regarding the addition of High School Golf. Under new business, motions are expected to approve field trips to Blue Spring Caverns for the West Salem Grade School Honors and Student Council to Bedford, Indiana on May 9th, the Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods April 24th for the Edwards County High School Science Club, and to Holiday World May 18th for the Albion Grade School Band and Choir. Discussion of maintenance items is also on the agenda, including parking lot repairs at the Albion Grade School, and playground updates at Albion and West Salem grade schools. Several personnel items are also expected to be addressed at tonight's meeting.
An orientation meeting for parents and eighth grade students of Albion Grade School and West Salem Grade School who will entering Edwards County High School next fall will take place this Wednesday. The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Edwards County High School. Principal Dale Schmittler, will review important rules for high school students while guidance counselor Kelley Biggs, will discuss course requests and graduation requirements. Nurse Erica Anderson will explain the health requirements for high school. At the meeting, parents will receive more detailed information about courses and scheduling. Immediately following the meeting, the high school will hold an open house. This will be an opportunity to meet the ECHS staff and see the classrooms. Eighth Graders and their parents are urged to attend.
Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a deer collision early Tuesday morning near County Road 1549 North. They say the 2015 Chevy Silverado driven by 62 year old Jerry Brock of Fairfield had to be towed from the scene following the accident. More than $1,500 in damages are estimated. Rinard resident Cody R. McKinney pled guilty in Wayne County court Tuesday. McKinney pled out to a charge of Possession of Less than 5 Grams of Meth. Charges of Driving on a Suspended License and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle were dismissed as per the plea deal. He was given a year of probation and sentenced to 58 days behind bars which he'll be serving concurrently with a sentence handed down out of Clay County. Additionally, McKinney will be expected to pay $2,635 in fines and court costs. The original arrest in Wayne County happened back in February. McKinney is expected to report to jail on January 16th. The family of slain Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley will be given the honor
Fairfield Mayor Mike Dreith has announced his nomination for the city's Police Chief. He says he intends to nominate former Fairfield police officer and mayor Brent Maguire at tomorrow's city council meeting. The 48-year-old Maguire served as mayor from 2017 to 2020 and was a police officer from 1997 to 2011. He defeated four people to become mayor by a wide margin but resigned his seat in August 2020 to accept a lecturer position in criminal justice at Oakland City University. The Fairfield City Council will meet tomorrow at 6 at City Hall. Outside of appointments, aldermen are anticipated to award a bid for the new water tower; they are also scheduled to discuss an ordinance setting fees for the new Class Q Liquor License established earlier this month. Other agenda items include approving the FOP Contract, seeking bids for a salt storage shed, and an ordinance authorizing the sale of property. Edwards County Schools held their graduations on Saturday. For ECHS, Rylan Robb