In a bizarre chain of events, the Village of West Salem is without a mayor and is also down one board member. However, Fire Chief Harvey Fenton who was fired last week by Mayor Dan Baker was reinstated by the Village Board at a special meeting that had been called for 5pm Monday night by then Mayor Baker, prior to him resigning earlier Monday citing concerns over the safety of village employees. A crowd of 100 concerned citizens attended the meeting held at the firehouse due to the size of the crowd. Board member Jeff Bradham was elected by the board to serve as member in charge for Monday night's meeting. Bradham told the group that all OSHA requirements had been met and a release was sent October 11th just hours before the firing of Chief Fenton. The vote was unanimous to reinstate Fenton as Fire Chief, however when board member Misty Mewes was asked for her vote she resigned from the board. A special meeting has been called for 6:30pm Thursday to appoint a mayor to serve until
Wayne County Treasurer Donna Masterson reports that over 71% of Wayne County Property Taxes have been now collected. The total amount collected to date is $14,159,379.95. Total taxes due for collection equal $20,055,049.66. The second tax due date is scheduled for December 9th, with Certified Letters to be sent on January 6, 2023. The annual Tax Sale will be held on February 8, 2023, with the Sealed Bid Auction to be held on December 16, 2023. Friends of the Fairfield Public Library will conduct their semi-annual bake sale today from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the library on the corner at 300 SE Second Street. During the bake sale, there will also be hundreds of books available for $1 each, according to Librarian Michelle Conard. Annual dues for Friends of the Library are $12 for an individual, $20 for a family, and $30 for non-profit organizations as well as businesses and professional offices, and they made be paid during the sale. All proceeds from dues and fundraisers the Friends cond
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 th
Fairfield Water Dept employees will continue flushing hydrants throughout the city today and tomorrow. This 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 recomme
Jury selection in the Brody Murbarger case concluded yesterday with the selection of the final two jurors and two alternates, prior to the murder trial, which started at 1:30pm and ran through 4:00pm. Murbarger is accused of the disappearance and murder of Megan Nichols on July 3, 2014. Murbarger was arrested on October 8th of 2020 in Evansville, IN after being indicted by a Wayne County Grand Jury. Nichols body was found Southern Wayne County in December of 2017 and taken to Bloomington for autopsy, before being taken to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia to confirm the identity of the remains. The trial continues today in Wayne County Circuit Court. The case is being presided over by Wayne County Circuit Judge Michael J. Molt. The Defense is being represented by Christian Baril. Prosecuting the case are Assistant Attorneys General Michael Falagario, Myra Yelle-Clark, and Wayne County States Attorney Kevin Kakac. The City of Fairfield, in cooperation with the Wayne County Health Depart