The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a flood warning for the Little Wabash River at Clay City. Officials say that the river is expected to crest at 19.2 feet on Saturday. Flood Stage is 18 feet. As of this morning, the gauge at Clay City is reading 6.9 feet. Keep tuned to WFIW and WOKZ for the latest in River Information.
The Fairfield High School board of education is set to meet this Thursday night at 6 in regular session at the FCHS Study Hall. Items on the board agenda include an update on the Gym Lobby Project. An executive session is scheduled for the annual evaluation of the district superintendent, and the consideration on hiring a part-time custodian and a full-time substitute teacher. The board is also expected to present a tentative date for the FCHS graduation and prom. The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting a total of 3,981,275 cases of the coronavirus in the state, along with 35,814 total deaths since the pandemic began in early 2020. The county case numbers over a one-week period were not immediately available, however information from the Centers for Disease Control tracker showed Wayne County with two new hospitalizations during a one-week period ending this past Thursday. Wayne County was also reported to be at the medium transmission level for COVID-19. The Marion Count
Brody I. Murbarger appeared in Wayne County Court on Friday. In front of packed courtroom Defense Attorney Christian Baril moved for a Motion for a Judgment of Acquittal or a new trial; stating that his client was unable to receive a fair and impartial verdict in Wayne County. Among the several reasons for the motion, Baril cited local and national media coverage, social media, and rumor; claiming Murbarger was convicted of murder in the public eye prior to jury selection. Other reasons included witness testimony being hearsay evidence, causing a bias among the jury. The defense also argued that text messages read in court held no relevance to the case, serving only to further bias the jury. Appearing in court for the State of Illinois, Michael Falagario, along with Myra Yelle-Clark, argued that jury selection was properly handled by the judge, stating that out of over 50 potential jurors interviewed 14 impartial jurors were selected. It was also argued that the testimony heard in the
The annual dinner meeting of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce is set for Monday, March 13th. During the meeting the Business of the Year and Community Service Award will be presented. Nominations for recipients of the awards are being accepted through January 31st at the Chamber office. Nominations can also be made by calling (618) 842-6116 or by writing the to the Chamber at 121 East Main in Fairfield or through the Chamber's Facebook page. Last year's Business of the Year was La Fuente and the Community Service Award went to Tim McBride. Some blood drives are scheduled in the region this coming week. The next drive at the Community of Christ Church in Fairfield is set for Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. in the church's Family Life Center. Other drives will take place March 15th, May 17th, July 19th, which is the Donorama, September 20th and November 15th. A drive will be held at the Wabash County Health Department in Mt. Carmel this Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m
The Fairfield Lions Club will be collecting Christmas lights today that no longer work. The collection site will be set up at the west side of the Cornerstone Community Church in Fairfield from 9 a.m. til noon. Along with the Christmas lights the club will be accepting donations of eyeglasses, hearing aids, empty ink cartridges (no laser printer cartridges), cell phones, soda tabs, and keys. The items will be recycled with proceeds used to help fund the Lions Club programs throughout the state. Wayne County Sheriff Chris Otey reports the arrest of a Cisne man earlier this week on various charges. According to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office Facebook post, this past Wednesday, Wayne County Sheriff's Office personnel arrested 41-year-old Robert J. Seymore on preliminary charges of burglary and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. An investigation revealed Seymore was also wanted out of Clay County on a warrant for burglary, and as the investigation continued, deputies learne