The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and Fusion Coffee will conduct a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today to celebrate Fusion Coffee's grand opening. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at 207 East Main in Fairfield. Those planning on attending are encouraged to bring a business card to be entered into a drawing for Chamber Bucks from the Chamber. There will also be live music at today's event. You can also go to Fusion Coffee on Facebook, like and share, for a chance to win a bag of coffee or a gift certificate. State Representative Adam Niemerg of Dietrich has filed legislation to suspend the Illinois motor fuel tax for the next four months. House Bill 5732 would include the sales of motor fuel, gasohol, majority blended ethanol fuel, biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Representative Niemerg said with the continued economic stress being felt by families, schools, hospitals, factories, and small businesses, he would be open to expanding the suspension to more than four months. The General Assembly is scheduled to meet again in Veto Session in November. The Wayne County Sheriff's Merit Commission is accepting applications through 5 p.m. December 2nd for the position of Deputy Sheriff. Starting pay is $21.57 per hour. The physical and written testing dates will be announced after the application process concludes. The Sheriff's Office continues to accept applications for lateral transfer for Deputy Sheriff. Full time certified law enforcement officers are eligible for a lateral transfer of up to 10 years seniority towards payroll. The Sheriff's Office will also be accepting applications for the position of a full-time and part-time Correctional Officer. Starting pay is $19.14 an hour, and if you have already returned an application for Correctional Officer this year you will not need to complete another and will remain on the eligibility list. Those interested can pick up applications at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Wabash Area Development, Inc. as administrator of the Home Energy Assistance Program in Edwards, Hamilton, Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White counties are currently taking applications for the LIHEAP energy assistance program to assist low-income households with their heating costs and utility bills. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2023. Applications are being accepted at the county outreach offices in the counties served. For outreach locations and schedules, call 963-2387. Media reports say a Jasper County Health Department employee has been charged for allegedly creating false records and billing the State of Illinois for over $10,000 of work not done. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged 31-year-old Hillary Robertson of Effingham in Jasper County Circuit Court with a felony count of Vendor Fraud. punishable by up to seven years in prison, and one count of Official Misconduct, punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of Forgery, punishable by up to five years in prison. Illinois State Police investigated the case. Area river stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 5.2 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 4.09 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 3.24 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 4.91 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 2.26 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. The area has a decent chance of rain this coming Tuesday, according to the current weather forecast.