The Wayne County Board met for their regular monthly meeting Thursday evening at the Wayne County Courthouse. Fairfield Park Board President Jay Fyie and Park Board member Linda Monge addressed the board seeking funding for a portion of the cost of the proposed Splash Pad at Leo French Park. Estimated cost of the project is $750,000. The Park Board had originally filed a grant request with the County Board seeking $100,000, but at last nights meeting, both Park Board representatives stated they would certainly take whatever the board saw fit to appropriate. Board member Ronnie Windland stated that the Splash Pad would be used by 95% "City" kids, with rural families not choosing to use it. It was obvious that several board members did not agree with his assumption. In the end, the board is tabling the request for ARPA funds until it becomes clearer as to what repairs have to be made to the courthouse. the request will be addressed at a future meeting. Wayne County Farm Bureau
The Fairfield City Council met in regular session last night and worked through an 8-item agenda. After an Executive Session, the council voted unanimously to sell the former Fairfield Auxiliary Police Building on South 1st St. The minimum bid for the property is $60,000 with a retail buyer preferred. The bid opening is scheduled for the first council meeting in October. Discussion was held concerning the proposed water tower on NW 7th St. It was announced that the cost of the project had blossomed from $1.4 million to $1.8 million. The project is TIF eligible and $200,000 has been pledged from Senator Darren Baileys office. An ordinance was approved allowing city access to utility meters which may be inside fenced properties. An ordinance was passed allowing for the abatement of certain fines imposed in municipal court. The abatement will allow the city to recover some of its costs if the Street & Bridge Dept. has to haul off debris from property cleanup. The airport maintenance a
The Edwards County Coroner's and Sheriff's offices are investigating a fatal accident that occurred late yesterday afternoon between West Salem and the Little Wabash River Bridge. A Lawrence County woman, whose name was not released, lost control of her SUV, overcorrected, and went down a deep embankment and into backwater. The driver was extricated from the submerged vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 continues its death investigation of a Fairfield man found Saturday near the 600 block of Southeast Fourth Street. The 28-year-old man's name was not released, and Wayne County Coroner Carrie Dagg said yesterday ISP should release the information in the near future. Retired Civil Engineer Jerry Quindry is working with the City of Fairfield on ways to combat flooding. While much of the focus is on restoring the reservoir at Lakeside Park, he says there is no single solution to the problem. He also sa