The FCHS Board of Education met last night with 4 members present. Personnel matters dominated board business for the evening. The 2022-2023 budget was adopted. The budget had been open public inspection and comment for the past 30 days. The board granted approval to seek bids for a remodel of the front gym lobby. Board member Matt Rush voted No. In personnel matters: Cassandra Fuller and Chet Snyder were hired as Class of 2026 Sponsors. Tim Ukena was employed as a permanent substitute/ISD teacher. The following Winter Coaches were hired: Head Boys Basketball Coach- Scott McElravy, JV Boys Basketball Coach- Cody Bailey, Freshman Boys Basketball Coach- Nate Neal, Volunteer Boys Basketball- Joe Rogers, Head Girls Basketball Coach Tonya Conrad (Board member Tony Conrad abstained), JV Girls Basketball Coach- Brent Sutton, Girls Basketball Volunteer- Mackenzie Conrad (Board member Tony Conrad abstained), Head Wrestling Coach- Jordan Griffith, Assistant Wrestling Coach- Justin Titzer, Volunteer Wrestling- Lane Harvey, Cheerleading (co-coaches) Daphne Pruitt and DJ Vaughan. On 09/14/22, at 6:43 Fairfield Police arrested Gene R Barton, 60, at 1320 W Delaware Street, Fairfield. Officers received a complain about his actions on the Sav-a-lot parking lot at 709 W Main Street in Fairfield and following an investigation he was arrested. Barton was transported to the Wayne County Jail on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. He was released after posting $120 cash bond. On 09/16/22, at 7:24 PM, Fairfield Police stopped Charles E Newton, 27 of Fairfield, at 34 Ash Street, in Fairfield while riding an off-road motorcycle on SW 7th Street. He was cited and released on a Notice To Appear for Improper Operation of an Off Road Motorcycle, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Driving While License Suspended and the vehicle was towed away. Four people were recently booked into the Wayne County Jail: On 9/14 Wayne County Sheriffs booked Ralph A. McCarthy on a Failure to Appear warrant on a charge of DUI Alcohol. On 9/14 Wayne County Sheriffs booked Levi E. Eads for an arrest warrant issued out of Wayne County on a charge of Aggravated Assault – Offense Based on Use of Firearm, Device, or Motor Vehicle. On 9/14 Fairfield Police booked Gene R. Barton on a charge of Disorderly Conduct – Actions Alarm or Disturb Another Provoking Breach of Peace. On 9/17 Illinois State Police booked Pedro Gomez Tadeo on a charge of Illegal Transportation or Possession of Alcoholic Liquor by Driver in Motor Vehicle, No Valid Drivers License, DUI Alcohol. Iuka Police have arrested 52-year-old Joseph Morrison of Iuka on a felony charge of grooming following his alleged electronic communications with a person he believed was an 11-year-old girl. Morrison was taken into custody at his home Friday during the execution of a search warrant for items allegedly involved in the communications. A group that monitors chat rooms on the internet picked up sexually related conversations Morrison was allegedly having and communicated with him as an 11-year-old girl. As the conversation went on, Morrison also reportedly began communication as his son as well. Morrison had allegedly invited the girl to his home during the conversations. During the execution of the search warrant, electronic devices were allegedly seized. Another search warrant has now been obtained to seek the electronic communications on the devices allegedly made between Morrison and the monitoring group. The investigation by Iuka Police with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff's Department is continuing and other possible charges could be sought later. Morrison is being held in the Marion County Jail pending a final decision on the filing of charges. The Wayne County Historical Society monthly meeting will be Thursday, September 22nd at 6pm at the Fairfield Library meeting room. A short business meeting will be followed by a discussion with Judith Puckett of the Local Landmarks Project and Country Churches Project. Members and guest are welcome. The Fairfield Fall City Wide Yard Sales are scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 24th. Cost is $5 per location, $10 for location and ad. Call the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce at 842-6116 to get on the map. The North Wayne Schools are conducting Child Find/Preschool Screenings for children birth to 5-years-old that are not yet enrolled in public schools and will not be Kindergarten eligible in the fall. The screening checks each child's progress in hearing, vision, speech, language, and coordination skills; giving parents a better understanding of how their child is developing. Head Start personnel may also be present to explain their program and services. The Screening will be held at Johnsonville on September 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., takes about 45-minutes, and is free; but appointments are required. To get more information, or to schedule your child's appointment, call 673-3044. The Wayne City Unit School District #100 will also be conducting free Child Find/Preschool Screenings for children birth to 5-years-old, on September the 29th and 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wayne City Baptist Church. To get more information, or to schedule an appointment call 895-0357. Children under 3-years-old will be screened by Early Intervention, and will not be eligible for Pre-K until they reach the age of 3. CMS/CHS Principal Kevin Bowen (left) and North Wayne Superintendent Adam Ellis (right) proudly display the new American Flag, recently donated to the Cisne Middle School by the Fairfield VFW. The Illinois State Police commissioned 21 new troopers Friday from Cadet Class 135 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The new troopers will report to three ISP patrol districts throughout the state. The 21 newest Troopers have completed a demanding 28-week program of physical and classroom instruction, which included training in Cultural Diversity, Procedural Justice, Domestic Violence, Critical Incident Response, De-escalation Tactics, Firearms, First Responder Certification, Control and Arrest Tactics, Illinois Vehicle Code, Criminal Law, Motor Carrier Safety, Juvenile Law, and more. In addition to the 28-week Academy training, Troopers are required to participate in one-on-one mentoring with Field Training Officers as part of a 14-week field training program, expanding their total training to 40 weeks. Troopers who successfully complete the field training program advance to solo-patrol status. The new officers are assigned to the following areas of the state 15 Cadets will go to the District Chicago, 4 Cadets will go to District 11 in Collinsville, and 2 cadets will go to District 5 in Joliet. Anyone interested in joining the ranks of Illinois State Police is encouraged to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website at illinoistrooper.com for application information. River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 5.94 feet, below the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 5.05 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 6.69 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 7.44 feet. The Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 3.87 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 3.37 feet. Today's Crude Oil Price is $78.73 up $0.68 from Friday. The October Crude Oil price is $86.19 up $0.54 from Friday.