The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from noon today until 11 p.m. Wednesday for portions of south-central, southwest, and west-central Illinois. The jet stream is going to be pushing into the upper Midwest which will keep storms and cooler temperatures to our north. This will allow dangerous heat to build into our region. Heat indices could reach between 100 and 105 today, with index values possibly reaching around 110 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911. Heat may also continue Thursday and Friday in some areas, so please continue to monitor the forecast for updates over the next several days. The City of Fairfield will hold a Legislative Committee Meeting on Wednesday, July 6th at 4:00 p.m. at Fairfield City Hall, to discuss Concerning Mobile Home Age Limits. The City of Fairfield says Sunrise Sanitation trash routes will be on a one-day delay this week. There will be no service today in observance of Independence Day. The City of Fairfield along with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Independence Day Fireworks Festival at Southwest Park last night. In other area 4th of July Celebrations, Hamilton County will hold their 4th of July Fireworks Celebration on Monday, July 4th at Dusk at the McLeansboro Reservoir. Carmi's Fireworks will be held at dusk at the White County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 4th. Flora will have set off their Fireworks at dusk at Charley Brown Park on Monday, July 4th. Last week the Wayne County Sheriff's Office along with the Wayne City Police Department conducted a search warrant on a residence in Wayne City. An investigation was conducted on the residence for distribution of fentanyl in Wayne County and a search warrant was obtained. During the execution of the search warrant numerous items were seized; approximately 100 capsules of suspected Fentanyl, a plastic bag containing suspected Fentanyl, methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic bags, and numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia. Arrested During the search was 34-year-old Brittany L. Trotter of Wayne City. Trotter is charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Marion County Coroner's Office has released the name of the drowning victim in Raccoon Lake and more information about the incidents leading up to the drowning. Coroner Troy Cannon identifies the victim as 12-year-old Kaitlynn Rohrscheib of Centralia. Cannon says Rohrscheib and her thirteen-year-old brother walked from their home on 7th Street to go fishing at Raccoon Lake. At some point, Kaitlynn reportedly complained about the heat and entered the water to swim and cool off. She later entered the water a second time, and lost her footing, falling into the water and slipping under the surface. Cannon says the boy, unable to retrieve her, ran a considerable distance to summon help. 911 was called, and Centralia Police, Centralia Fire and EMS, and Lifestar EMS immediately responded to the scene. Cannon reports officers of the Centralia Police Department were able to locate and retrieve the girl from the water and with others on the scene, began resuscitation efforts. She was transported to St Mary's ER where resuscitation efforts continued, but those efforts were unsuccessful, and she was eventually pronounced deceased about an hour after the incident. Cannon says foul play is not suspected in this case, but the investigation continues. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is also investigating, due to the ages of those involved and the circumstances precipitating the incident. The Sutherland/Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia is assisting the family with arrangements. Olney Central College Professor Laurel Cutright is serving as the 48th president of the Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges. Cutright was sworn into office following a one-year term as the organization's president-elect. A member of the association for 21 years, Cutright has served three terms on the IMACC Board of Directors. Cutright is the 3rd OCC professor to hold the position. Past presidents from OCC include Lisa Benson and retired faculty member Otis D. Shouse, who was a charter member of IMACC. Founded in 1975, IMACC is a collection of community college mathematics professionals who attend to the ever-changing education needs of students and is a leading voice in forming policy and curriculum in Illinois mathematics education. As president, Cutright will be watching for any potential legislation that could impact mathematics education at the community college level. Other responsibilities include planning and overseeing IMACC's annual three-day conference, which is typically held in late March. Cutright will schedule guest speakers and organize the event's breakout sessions. Cutright also will serve as IMACC's delegate to the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges' conference in Toronto, Ontario this fall and in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2023. Rend Lake College was awarded a $5 million grant from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to construct a new manufacturing academy. This project is funded under EDA's American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program. Grant awards under this program help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. This grant will expand manufacturing workforce training opportunities in a region that the declining use of coal has impacted. The EDA investment will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds to support the programming necessary to address current skill gaps and the retirement-induced staffing crisis. Illinois residents will be saving when shopping this summer as the state of Illinois has temporarily frozen the state's grocery tax due to rising inflation. The Illinois Family Relief Plan which was signed in April, is now in effect. The plan totals an estimated $1.83 billion in relief, including income and property tax rebates. Taxes suspended or reduced include the 1% sales tax on groceries which is suspended through June 30, 2023. The state's normally scheduled increase in the motor fuel tax is being delayed to January 2023. There will also be a Sales tax holiday for qualified clothing and school-related items, reducing the tax from 6.25% to 1.25% for a 10-day window from August 5th to 14th. In addition, the plan permanently expands the state's earned income credit from 18% to 20% of the federal credit, while expanding the number of households covered. The State of Illinois is also providing property tax rebates for eligible homeowners in an amount equal to the property tax credit they qualified for on their 2021 Illinois tax returns, up to a maximum of $300. The rebate is not allowed if a taxpayer's adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds $500,000 for returns with a federal filing status of married filing jointly, or $250,000 for all other returns. Income and property tax rebates will be automatically issued to all of the estimated 6.2 million taxpayers who qualify u