At the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting held in Chicago, two local county Farm Bureaus were recognized with the prestigious Pinnacle Award for excellence in programming and services to their members. The Edwards County Farm Bureau was recognized with the award for Membership Group 1 and the Wayne County Farm Bureau was recognized in Membership Group 2. The Pinnacle Award is presented to the top county Farm Bureau in each membership group for their outstanding programming activities. It is the highest-level award given by the organization and recognizes overall program excellence, planning, and implementation, as they relate to the county Farm Bureau's goals and priorities. The Wayne County Farm Bureau was also recognized with the Liberty Bell Award for exceptional advocacy at the local, state, and national legislative levels. In addition, the White County Farm Bureau was awarded the Liberty Bell for Membership Group 1. The Illinois Farm Bureau has five membership groups based o
A 37 year old Sims woman pled out before Judge Molt in Wayne County Court Thursday. Carolyn Hatcher was originally arrested on a Class 3 Felony charge of Unlawful Possession of Meth back in February of this year. As per her plea deal, in exchange for her guilty admission, prosecutor Kevin Kakac dismissed a charge of Driving on a Suspended License Hatcher incurred while out on bail in August of this year. For her crime, Hatcher received only 2 years of probation. According to court documents, Hatcher was originally expected to pay upwards of $4,600 in fines and court costs. After being credited $400 for bond and 20 days at $30 per day worth of time served, plus a waiver of $2,215 court assessment, Hatcher will owe $1,400 in fines and court costs. Another day, another deer collision in Wayne County. The latest occurred around 6pm Wednesday night on Illinois 15 near County Road 800 East according to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. 48 year old Sara Wright of Rinard struck the anima
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
Crimestoppers is offering a reward for the person or persons who entered a construction trailer on I 64 a lock was cut iff and taken from the trailer concrete chop saw, echo generator, predator generator, still backpack blower, and the security camera call or text crimestoppers at 618 842 9777. The family of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley will be in charge of lighting the official Christmas tree on the courthouse square prior to Saturday's Christmas Parade in Fairfield. The lighting will take place at 4:45 p.m. The Riley family, along with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department will also be collecting donations at the Festival of Lights in Leo French Park on December 7, in honor of Riley. The money that is raised will be used to select a display for the Festival of Light to honor Deputy Riley. Save the Date! On December 14th from 5-7 pm the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Chamber Mixer sponsored by CSI Insurance who will be celebrating 70 years of serving Fairfie
Fairfield Memorial Hospital honors an employee each month who has been nominated by their peers for providing extraordinary patient care and customer services within and outside of the Hospital. Angela Bruns, who works as a Patient Access Specialist in the Urgent Care Department at Fairfield Memorial Hospital, was selected as the November 2022 Employee of the Month. Angela has been with Fairfield Memorial Hospital since August of 2021. Angela strives for excellence in customer service and is a role model for displaying credo behaviors set forth as a Fairfield Memorial Hospital standard. "Angela is highly skilled in all phases of her position as a patient access specialist. She is highly efficient in her role by registering appointments, labs and radiology tests. While also verifying insurance, demographics and healthcare needs. She greets each patient with a warm welcome and makes them want to keep coming back to utilize the Urgent Care Services. Fairfield Memorial is fortunate to