Fairfield Rural Fire Department along with mutual aid from Fairfield City Fire, Wayne City Fire Department and Wayne County Ambulance personnel responded to a large structure fire Thursday night just after 8 o'clock at the Chad Chapman residence southwest of Fairfield of IL HWY 15. Fairfield Rural Fire Department Chie...

The Wayne County Board met last (Thursday) night in the upstairs courtroom of the Wayne County Courthouse with 11 members present. A District 5 vacancy was filled by the appointment of TJ Vaughan who was administered his oath of office and seated bringing the total to 12 members in attendance. David Shipley of Midwest...

In a recent development in the murder case of Megan Valentine, her attorney has officially waived her client's right to a speedy trial. During a brief hearing conducted in a Zoom format on Tuesday, attorney Jessica Koester submitted the notice. Megan Valentine is facing charges related to the shooting death of her hus...

31-year-old Jonathan Downen of Benton was arresated Thursday afternoon by the Wayne County Sheriff's Department on a Wayne County warrant for Violation of Pretrial Release on originals charges of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and Obstructing Identification. Downen was transported and lodged in the Wayne Coun...

Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon has confirmed that a missing Benton woman, Jessica A. Powell, has been located and is safe. The 37-year-old was last in contact with a family member on December 29. The sheriff did not disclose the details of where Powell was found.

Drs. Shawnt Tosonian and Abdulmonam Ali pictured with the new robotic lung biopsy system (Photo courtesy of SSM Health) Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon has made a significant investment in minimally invasive technology for lung biopsies, aimed at enhancing patient care in Southern Illinois. The hospital has acqui...

The Illinois Department of Public Health is adding four conditions to the list of medical issues that may be treated with medical cannabis. The four newly approved conditions are endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and female orgasmic disorder. Providers are now able to begin certifying patients with thos...

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area from now until midnight tonight with heavy snow and 4 to 7 inches possible for all of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. Drivers should plan for difficult road conditions, especially on se...

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has indefinitely suspended the nursing license of 38-year-old, Attila J. Caldwell, a former House Charge Nurse at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. This decision comes as Caldwell awaits trial on several drug and firearms charges related to his arrest...

Frontier Community College has released information regarding their event Saturday night. Due to the weather, Marco Romero, Director of Hitting Development for the Chicago Cubs, won't be able to attend the First Pitch Dinner - sponsored by Fairfield National Bank this Saturday at the First Christian Church in Fairfiel...

Frontier Community College has released its academic honor lists for the Fall 2024 Semester. Three lists have been established by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to indicate students who have achieved academic excellence. They are the Chancellor's Honors List, the President's Academic Honors List, and the Dean's Ac...

Hamilton Memorial Hospital District (HMHD) has implemented temporary visitor restrictions effective immediately. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has recommended the restrictions due to the statewide increase in respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. To protect the health and safe...

******Check out the Closings & Delays link on the website for the most current, up-to-date weather related information******

Republic Services has revised their trash pickup day and now will be picking up tomorrow (Friday) instead of Saturday as previously announced. Please make sure your trash container is curbside sometime tonight.

Richland County authorities are currently searching for an escapee. Nathan Ellison was court-ordered to report to the Richland County Sheriff's Office at noon on Tuesday. Upon arrival in the parking lot, he removed his ankle monitor and fled. Ellison was supposed to be transported to the Illinois Department of Correcti...

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) took the oath of office on Wednesday, January 8th, as lawmakers were sworn in during inaugural ceremonies commemorating the 104th General Assembly. Severin began his second term as 116th District State Rep. by thanking his family and constituents. "Taking the oath of of...

Captain Nathan Douglas, Commander of the Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9, announced the outcomes of the Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols conducted in Effingham and Wayne counties throughout December. These patrols aimed to prevent, detect, and enforce violations related to impaired driving and the i...

The Edwards County Farm Bureau Foundation is offering a college scholarship. Applicants must be working towarsds an agriculture related degree in the sophomore, junior or senior level during the 2025-2026 academic year. Applicants may also be working towards a Masters or Doctoral degree in an agricultural field, includ...

Construction is set to begin on a $3.15 million expansion of Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall, which will accommodate Olney Central College's Radiography and Nursing programs. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 2 PM on Wednesday, January 15th. The event will commence with remarks in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing...

Following the recent winter storm, approximately 20 large trees are blocking the road to the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest. Additionally, several other trees are top-heavy and leaning precariously near the roadway. The road itself is icy, creating hazardous conditions. In order to protect the safety of ...