The Fairfield City Council met last night and tabled the vote on a potential business district. Another vote will be scheduled in June, within 90 days of the public hearing held on the matter before the March 8th council meeting. With the delay, should the district be approved later this year, the one-percent sales tax increase wouldn't take effect until next year. Alderman Tyler Lampley initially motioned to vote on the matter last night, but that motion died for lack of a second. Alderman Gary Moore then motioned to table the matter for a year, saying it isn't the right time to increase taxes. That motion was seconded by Alderman Dewey Eckleberry, but it failed on a 3-4 vote; aldermen Moore, Eckleberry, and Jerry Lisenbee voted yes, and aldermen Lampley, Clifford Reever, Cody Attebery, and Terry Stahl voted no. Alderman Eugene McGill was absent. Atteberry then motioned to vote again within 90 days of the public hearing, and that motion passed 4-3 with the same voting blocs. In other action at last night's council meeting, aldermen approved an agreement with IDNR for $450 annually for gas and water line easements through Atkinson Forest. They also approved the sale of approximately $66,400 in tools and excess inventory to Wayne-White, and they approved the sale of used airpacks to the Strasburg Fire Protection District. About 10 will be sold for $100 each. In his report last night, Mayor Dreith said the USDA and NRCS report they are close in submitting a preliminary feasibility report on flooding problems along Johnson Creek in Fairfield. Early data indicates 55 percent of the watershed, or about 3,200 acres, is now residential property. He said in February FEMA had revised the flooding risk map along the creek. The Illinois State Police has activated an Endangered Missing Person Advisory. The Breese Police Department is asking for assistance in locating 72-year-old Olivia Salanik. She is driving a black 2011 Chevrolet Impala with Illinois license plate WALUNA2 and has a condition placing her in danger. She is described as a 5'2" woman with brown hair and weighing 105 pounds. Anyone with information should contact 911 or the Breese Police Department at (618)594-4555. Olivia-Salanik The IDPH reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Wayne, Edwards, Hamilton, Marion, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence counties yesterday. Wabash County added three cases on the state website, and White and Jefferson counties added one. As a state, Illinois announced 1,442 new cases and 44 additional deaths. Statewide totals sat at 3,057,078 cases and 33,260 deaths. The Southern Region had a seven-day positivity rate of 1.6 percent on the 19th, unchanged from the 18th. River stages as of early this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 18.75 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 10.58 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 16.98 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 12.54 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 20.73 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 15.25 feet. Today's crude oil price is $104.75, down $0.25 from yesterday. The May crude oil price is $110.32, up $0.52 from yesterday morning. "Morning Coffee" will feature Mark Turner and Jeremy Smith. "Morning Coffee" is between 8-9 a.m. on 104.9 weekdays. To listen to a podcast of Morning Coffee and Community Connection, click on "About Us" on the top right of wfiwradio.com. Then, from the dropdown, make your choice of program.