With no significant rainfall in the region for the past several weeks, abnormally dry and drought conditions are making a return to the state of Illinois. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map from Thursday, all of southern Illinois is at least in Abnormally Dry conditions, including Wayne and surrounding c...

A plane crash landed in Jefferson County Friday morning. Illinois State Police said the crash occurred around 8:20 Friday morning on I-64 at the 80-mile marker in Mt. Vernon, IL. State police said the plane experienced mechanical issues, causing the plane to crash and hit a guardrail. No injuries were reported, and n...

A Centralia woman has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with a car-pedestrian accident that occurred Thursday at the Dollar General in Dix. Reports from Marion County say the charges were filed against 54 year old Melissa Howes. She's accused of pushing her husband, 49 year old Jeffrey Howes, to the...

This (Friday) morning in Wayne County Circuit Court, Judge Denton Aud sentenced 41-year-old Jason Hammock of Olney to natural life in prison. Hammock was found guilty on July 10th on two counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, both under the age of 13 and both Class X felonies. A jury of 3 women and...

Though convicted killer Ray Tate's court proceedings have concluded in Wayne County, his legal troubles are just beginning in Clinton County. Tate is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the December 29, 2021, murder of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley. He now faces 30 Class-X...

Several guilty pleas were handed down in Wayne County Circuit Court Thursday. 48-year-old Albion resident, Shelly M. Best pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 18 months probation. Best is currently serving time in the Illinois Department of Corrections and upon release from IDOC, ...

Construction has begun on a six-mile section of Route 45 south of Fairfield. The $3.1 million project entails replacing shoulders, applying hot mix asphalt, installing concrete gutters, and adding pavement markers. Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to be completed by November 8. Motorists traveling between...

Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies make a couple of arrests Thursday. 50-year-old Ronald Baker of Fairfield was taken into custody on a Wayne County warrant for Unlawful Restraint, Obstructing A Peace Officer and Disorderly Conduct. Baker was transported and booked into the Wayne County Jail pending a court appearance. ...

Raylen James Marketing and WFIW-FM 104.9 are proud to announce a partnership for the Mule Nation 2024 Football season. All varsity Mule Nation Football broadcasts this season will be carried on WFIW-FM 104.9. As always, you may watch RJ Marketing's Mule Nation video broadcasts at YouTube.com/@mulenation and, in addit...

The Wayne County Corn/Soybean Yield Tour wrapped up on Tuesday, September 3rd, featuring eight teams that meticulously surveyed the four quadrants of Wayne County, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1983. These teams assessed the yields of 10 corn and soybean fields, providing farmers with crucial data to refine...

High school football scores from Friday: Fairfield 28 Eldorado 20 Johnston City 56 Edwards County 0 Carmi-White County 52 Hamilton County 29 Flora 27 Christopher-Ziegler-Royalton 24 Benton 56 Salem 0 Mt. Vernon 31 Carbondale 20 Olney 24 Mattoon 22 Effingham 26 Mt. Carmel 22 Paxton 42 Newton 7 Du...

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Fairfield Mules hosts the Eldorado Eagles tonight at 7pm at The Train Yard. Mules picked up a forefeit win last week over Vienna/Goreville. Eldorado beat Edwards County last week, 22-20. OTHER GAMES: Week #2 (September 6th-7th) Black Diamond Conference: Johnston City vs Edwards County Carmi vs Ham...

FAIRFIELD JR MULES FOOTBALL UPDATE: There's been a schedule change for Fairfield Jr. Mules Football this Saturday. Due to track construction at Christopher, Jr. Mules will be at HOME and also note game time changes with Christopher. There will be a short 5th/6th scrimmage for players who may not play often as the 3rd/4...

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL FROM TUESDAY: Wayne City over Webber in 2 sets, Edwards Co over Massac Co in 2 sets Effingham over St Anthony in 2 sets Grayville over North Clay in 3 sets Harrisburg over Eldorado in 2 sets Johnston City over Christopher/Zeigler Royalton in 2 sets Mt Carmel over Oblong in 2 sets Nashville over B...

HIGH SCHOOL JV FOOTBALL SCORES FROM MONDAY: Fairfield 34, Vienna-Goreville 20 Flora 28, Carmi 16 Mount Carmel 14 Eldorado 6 (Final OT) Benton 26, Carterville 18 Carbondale 27, Murphysboro 14 Centralia 24, Salem 0 Johnston City 48, Christopher/Zeigler Royalton 0 Marion 28, Herrin 14 Red Bud 21, Pinckneyville 14 **** Hav...