White County Circuit Judge T. Scott Webb has again ruled Illinois’ FOID card is unconstitutional, setting the stage for the state Supreme Court to again examine the matter. In 2017, Vivian Brown was charged with violating the FOID card law by owning a rifle without a card; White County sided with her then, but, after an appeal to the Supreme Court, it opted not to make a decision last year.
The USDA has released Illinois county estimates for the 2020 hay harvest. Wayne County was estimated to have harvested 5,550 acres of non-alfalfa hay totaling 9,900 tons. Yield per acre was 1.8 tons. Edwards County harvested 2,300 acres for 5,700 tons, an average of 2.5 tons per acre. White County had 1,570 acres harvested for 3,030 tons. Statewide, Illinois farmers harvested 270,000 acres of non-alfalfa hay for 621,000 tons. Average statewide yield per acre was 2.3 tons.
The Wayne County Board met last night and heard an update from County Highway Engineer Dennis Seidel about possible safety measures at the intersection of Enterprise Road and Route 161. He said he has met with various entities about possibilities, including implementing a four-way stop, but he doesn’t want to create another problem while attempting to fix another, as sight distance is key in placing stop signs. He anticipates more information in the next week. At the conclusion of the meeting, Royce Carter announced he would resign from the board, effective immediately, as he has moved out of the area. He thanked fellow board members, office holders, and voters for their trust and cooperation over the years, and a reception was held in his honor.
The City of Fairfield and Wayne-White Electric Cooperative have reached an agreement on an Electric Operations and Maintenance Contract. The two entities say, beginning January 1, 2022, the co-op will provide all new construction, system improvements, and maintenance on the City’s electric system, and it will also send and collect the electric bill. The agreement is dependent upon Hoosier Energy purchasing the 138 KV and 69 KV transmission systems, and the City Council intends to discuss and vote on the contract at its meeting this coming Tuesday.
35-year-old Fairfield resident Jeremy M.T. Ralston was sentenced yesterday in Wayne County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty last March to a Class 2 felony count of delivery of less than five grams of meth, and he was sentenced to two years probation, plus time served. Several other cases against him were dismissed per his plea, and Ralston was ordered to pay $4,911 in fines and court costs, including $1,000 in restitution to Gerald Taylo