40-year-old Ray E. Tate, Jr., appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court for arraignment yesterday afternoon. He faces 38 counts in connection to the death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley in December: 36 counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Tate pleaded not guilty to all counts, and a pre-trial conference in the case was set for March 15th at 2 p.m. at the Wayne County Courthouse. Governor J.B. Pritzker says Illinois is on track to lift the state's indoor mask mandate on February 28th. No masks will be needed in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores at that time thanks to a rapid decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations. He says the state will seek to keep the mandate in place for Illinois schools. Any federal or local mask mandates will continue to apply, so they will still be required in places like mass transit, healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, prisons, and daycares. The
40-year-old Ray E. Tate, Jr., appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court for arraignment yesterday afternoon. He faces 38 counts in connection to the death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley in December: 36 counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, and one […]
Talks have swirled in Fairfield about the possible merging of the county Sheriff's Department and the city Police Department into one body in recent days. However, Fairfield Mayor Mike Dreith says he does not support that course of action. He says it has been tried in Edwards and Hamilton counties, but it failed, in part due to a lack of control by the City. He says the change likely wouldn't significantly increase public safety or decrease the cost to taxpayers. The City of Fairfield will soon have two officers leave its police department. Jeff Taylor will retire from his position on Friday after more than 22 years on the force, and Joshua Manahan will end his employment next Monday after more than seven years of work. Three individuals are to be brought before the City Council tomorrow for approval of employment in the police department. The three all satisfied the requirements of the Police and Fire Commission and are next in line on the city eligibility list, though they
Wayne County Covid-19 Update 12-27-2021 through 12-30-2021 81-New Cases Reported 3607-Overall Total Wayne County Covid-19 Cases to Date 156-Current Total of Wayne County Residents Isolating 1-Covid-19 Related Deaths Reported 66-Overall Total reported Wayne County Covid-19 Related Deaths ( 2 positive cases previously reported upon further investigation were transferred to other counties/states so an adjustment has been made to our overall cases number to reflect the same) Several hundred people and several law enforcement and first responder agencies participated in a Memorial Walk last night for fallen Deputy Sean Riley at the Wayne County Courthouse and Jail. Pastor Phillip Trent spoke at the conclusion of the event and praised individuals and the community alike for their support of the Riley family in this time, and he called on the area to continue to make a daily choice for good. He also thanked area law enforcement agencies for their support in this time, allowing county deputie
Wayne County Covid-19 Update from 12-27-2021 through 12-30-2021 reports 81-New Cases, 3607-Overall Total Wayne County Covid-19 Cases to Date. 156-Current Total of Wayne County Residents Isolating with 1-Covid-19 Related Deaths Reported, 66-Overall Total reported Wayne County Covid-19 Related Deaths. ( 2 positive cases previously reported upon further investigation were transferred to other counties/states so an adjustment has been made to our overall cases number to reflect the same) Several hundred people and several law enforcement and first responder agencies participated in a Memorial Walk last night for fallen Deputy Sean Riley at the Wayne County Courthouse and Jail. Pastor Phillip Trent spoke at the conclusion of the event and praised individuals and the community alike for their support of the Riley family in this time, and he called on the area to continue to make a daily choice for good. He also thanked area law enforcement agencies for their support in this time, allowing co