Jury deliberation is tentatively expected to begin later today, as Testimony is wrapping up at the Wayne County Courthouse in the first-degree murder trial of Brodey I. Murbarger. Murbarger, 26, is accused of the disappearance and murder of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Faifield on July 3, 2014. Murbarger was arrested on October 8th of 2020 in Evansville, IN after being indicted by a Wayne County Grand Jury. The State moved to dismiss one of the charges against Murbarger as the trial got underway. The Class-3 felony charge of concealment of a homicidal death was dismissed without prejudice and without objection. That charge alleged that Murbarger, with knowledge that Megan P. Nichols had died by homicidal means, knowingly concealed the death of Megan P. Nichols by causing her body to be buried in a shallow grave in a remote area of Wayne County." Murbarger is standing trial for three counts of first-degree murder in the death of Nichols, who went missing on the evening of July 3, 2
The Wayne County Board met last night and approved a new contract with the Wayne County Humane Society. The updated language calls for the society to handle after-hour bite calls. County Highway Engineer Dennis Seidel reported bid letting will take place next Friday for proposed work at the Enterprise Road/161 intersection north of Fairfield, and Jill Short, representing the Wayne County Housing Authority, made a request to reduce that organization's payment. The matter was tabled, pending further board study. The Fairfield Park Board met last night and authorized the formation of a separate, small checking account for electronic payments at the pool via PayPal or Venmo. Electronic payments do have transaction fees, and the board discussed adding a small park transaction to set fees to recoup those losses. Members agreed electronic payment is quickly becoming the norm across the country, and they felt it was best to follow the trend. In reports, Superintendent Chris Jenkins said L
The Wayne County Quilts of Valor Chapter and FNB will hold a ceremony for Vietnam War veterans Saturday at 2 at the Fairfield First Christian Church. Lisa Konopasek says about 35 veterans are set to be honored who physically served in Vietnam, and the group will also honor one World War II veteran. All veterans who will be honored Saturday have been contacted by phone and by mail; anyone who has not been contacted by Saturday will be honored at a later ceremony. The Fairfield Community High School Board of Education will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 in the school study hall. Members are scheduled to approve the purchase of shades in order to make an additional classroom in the former computer lab on the third floor. They are also set to approve a resolution to purchase real estate at 301 West King Street and to accept the resignation of Registrar Theresa Baker. The Fairfield Park Board will meet tonight at 5. Following reports, the board could discuss any updates on its splash p
Fairfield Businessman Gary Carter says he has received notice of a hearing date for his appeal to be put back on the ballot for the upcoming primary election. The hearing will take place Monday at 10 a.m. in Sangamon County Circuit Court. Carter says he hopes the judge will rule quickly and allow him to continue with his campaign; he thanked his supporters for their encouragement and asked them to continue their prayers for a right decision to be made. The Wayne County Farm Bureau is accepting applications for the 2022 Wayne County Farm Family of the Year. Nominees must reside in and be involved in the production of ag products in Wayne County; the family selected for the recognition will receive a framed aerial photo of their farm, a $100 gift card to a local restaurant of their choice, and a complimentary membership in the county farm bureau for 2023. The selection committee will be comprised of three county farm bureau leaders from outside of Wayne County, and the deadline to submit
40-year-old Mt. Vernon resident Eric W. Jones and 34-year-old Missouri resident Zachary J. Wheeler were arrested Monday by Wayne County deputies and Fairfield police. Jones was wanted on a Wayne County failure to appear warrant for battery, and Wheeler was arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession and possession with intent to deliver between 15 and 100 grams of methamphetamine. Wheeler was also wanted on two active Missouri warrants. The two were taken to the Wayne County Jail. Wayne City police arrested 32-year-old Wayne City resident Michael R. Smith yesterday on a Wayne County failure to appear warrant for unlawful restraint, obstructing justice, possession of meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the jail and held, pending the posting of $7,520 bond. The City of Fairfield is still accepting police officer applications; applications are available at City Hall and must be returned by 4 p.m. tomorrow. 29-year-old Evansville, Indiana,