Today is the deadline for payment of the first installment of Wayne County Real Estate Taxes. Taxes can be paid today in person at the office of Wayne County Treasurer Donna Masterson between the hours 8am and 4pm. If you need to make your payment outside of business hours, you may use the drop box on the west side of the courthouse. For more information contact the Treasurer's Office at 842-5087. Taxes can also be paid at any of the following banking locations throughout the county: First Financial, Cisne Trust, Mt. Erie Banking Center, People's National Bank, and Fairfield National Bank's Fairfield and Wayne City Branches. Fairfield Water Dept employees will be flushing hydrants in the 4th Ward today, to include all outlying areas, being Walmart, Petroleum Blvd., Brach Oaks, Highway 45 South, Highway 15 East to City's Old Filter Plant. This will conclude the schedule hydrant flushing announced this week. Flushing of hydrants is done each spring and fall to test the hydrants and help keep your water supply clean and pure. The City of Fairfield is required by ILL EPA to inform residents of the possible lead content in the water supply during hydrant flushing. While flushing the hydrants, you may notice that your water may be temporarily discolored. While flushing occurs, you may also experience a dip in water pressure, and it might affect the lead plumbing in and outside your home, if your home is equipped with lead plumbing. If your water is discolored, it does not mean it is unsafe to drink. It just means there is a temporary increase in the concentration of iron within the water. While lines are being flushed, residents are urged to check for discoloration of your water before doing laundry or similar activities. It is also encouraged you flush your line at the kitchen tap for 1-5 minutes as recommended by the EPA. The city will have Lead Information Sheets available at City Hall and the Water Dept. upon request. For questions or to obtain more information call the Water Department during regular business hours, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Tonight is Homecoming for the Fairfield Mules, as they head into action against the Hamilton County Foxes. The Homecoming court for the 2022-2023 school year is as follows: The Freshmen attendants are: Gracie Atwood (daughter of Paul and Courtney Atwood), and Jayden Easton (daughter of Nikki and Nathan Easton). Sophomore attendants are: Cori Sutton (daughter of Brent and Karen Sutton), and Kortlyn Cronovich (daughter of Nick and Stephanie Crnovich). The Junior attendants are: Lorann Garrett (daughter of Jamey and Marcia Garrett), and Emersyn Robbins (daughter of Curt and Stacey Robbins). Senior Queen Candidates are: Chelsea Cuff (daughter of Ann and Scott Cuff), Elyiah Taylor (daughter of Ely and Jamie Taylor), and Kylie White (daughter of Keith and Casey White). Senior King Candidates are: Luke Duckworth (son of Ryan Duckworth and Amy Duckworth), Jonathon Paul (son of William and Kristi Paul), and Luke Sork (son of Stephen and Amy Sork) and Jevon Sork. Senior Escorts are: Jonah Easton (son of Patrick and Chasity Suddarth), Eric Rodgers (son of Andy and Kim Rogers), Hayden Hodges (son of Jamey and Heidi Hodges), Brandon Wood (son of Thomas and Deanna Swift and Brandon and Chasity Fry), Kaleb Gonzalez (son of Heather and Jon Sargent), Griffen Hinkle (son of Lance and Kim Hinkle), and Galen Todd (son of Jim and Shaylene Todd). The Flower Girl and Crown Bearer are: Phoenix Thomason (daughter of Anthony and Alana Like), and Jace Bridgeman (son of Bobby and Rhiannon Bridgeman. The crowning of the Homecoming Queen will be held during halftime of the football game. The Homecoming Parade is set to take place downtown on Saturday starting at 2:00pm. If you're not able to attend this year's Homecoming Parade, you can watch it live streaming through our website at wfiwradio.com. Edwards County Treasurer Debbie Smith has announced that the 2021 payable 2022 Real Estate Taxes have been mailed. The Tax extension amounts to $6,490,579.88, with the due dates set for Friday, October 28th and Monday, November 28. Payments may be made in person, by mail, or in the drop box located in front of the Cell Tower on the northeast side of the Courthouse (Sheriff's side). Anyone who uses the drop box should include a daytime phone number on their information. Those who wish to pay online using a credit or debit card may go to www.govtechtaxpro.com which will add a 2.5% fee that goes to the credit card company. The instructions are listed on the back of the tax bills on how to pay online. The Mobile Home Tax due date was July 29, 2022. Unlike Real Estate taxes, the late fee is $25.00 per month on each month delinquent effective July 30th. As of September 30th, the late increased to $75.00. For additional information call the Edward's County Treasurer's office at 445-3581. As a follow up to a story ran earlier in the week about the special meeting of the Grayville Board of Education on Monday regarding a recent incident at the high school. Grayville School has now issued a statement regarding the inappropriate conducted search of a female student. The statement, received by our sister stations WRUL-WROY in Carmi, reads as follows: "On Thursday, September 29, 2022, Grayville CUSD #1 was engaged in a student disciplinary investigation. During this investigation, administration believed the student could have concealed evidence on the body. This evidence, if discovered, would have confirmed a violation of both school policy and state law. As the investigation progressed, the school administrator called the student's mother. During the ensuing conversation, the administrator explained to the mother where items can often be concealed on the body. During this conversation, the parent told the administrator she wanted them to search the student's body. Administration was extremely grateful for the mother's cooperation and for her support in a potential disciplinary matter concerning her child. Administration relayed mother's request to two female employees of the school. The instructions for conducting the search were vague and lacked specific direction. The district employees instructed to perform the search were untrained to search students and should not have been directed to conduct a student search. Admittedly, the search was intrusive, but the student never removed her undergarments. District personnel conducting the search never physically touched the student. The District acknowledges this type of student search should not have been conducted. The Grayville School District is extremely sorry for the embarrassment and stress this event has caused the student and her family. The School District is equally sorry for placing this student in a very uncomfortable situation. Administration accepts full responsibility for this incident. Administration also apologizes to the two school employees who were directed to conduct the search, a search that all parties agree the two employees should never had been in. Administration should have exercised better judgement and provided better direction. The School District's top priority is to maintain a learning environment where all students feel safe and secure. This includes safeguarding our students' rights and freedoms. This must remain foremost in everything that we do. The parents and guardians of our School District entrust their children to us on a daily basis. We assure you, we will do what is necessary to regain and preserve this trust. The children in our school deserve and should expect the best from all of us every day at Grayville C.U.S.D. #1. This will be accomplished by a complete review of current district policies and procedures, as well as state laws, and continuing education for all staff with periodic review. There have been many comments and accusations made on social media regarding this incident. Many of them are factually inaccurate and contain incorrect and misleading information. The parents in this case have asked the School District to reach out to the public and request those that