Area briefs: Eldorado Christmas party on Saturday; Eldorado city council changes meeting date

<b>Fowler and Santa host Eldorado party</b>

State Sen. Dale Fowler will host a Community Christmas with Santa event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 in Eldorado.

The event will feature free pictures with Santa and his elves, coloring books and cookies and cocoa. Santa will also hand out candy canes. Free. Come to downtown Eldorado.

<b>Eldorado city council changes meeting date</b>

The final Eldorado City council meeting for 2021 is moving to an earlier date, according to City Clerk Stacy James. The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at City Hall. The meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 28.

<b>32 more residents test COVID-positive</b>

The Egyptian Health Department was notified on Monday, Dec. 13, of 32 residents in Saline, White and Gallatin counties who tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

Saline County: 10 females and 5 males. Females: Two under 10; one teenager; three in their 20s; one in his 30s; two in their 40s and one in her 60s. Males: one teenager; two in their 30s; one in his 40s and one demographic unknown - case status in progress.

Gallatin County: Two females, one under 10 and one in her 50s; and three males, one teenager, one in his 20s and one in his 50s.

White County: Seven females and five males. Females: Two teens; one in her 30s; one in he 40s; two in their 50s and one demographics unknown - case status in progress. Males: Two teens; two in their 20s and one in his 40s.

To date, Saline County has had a total of 5,008 lab-confirmed positives, including 74 deaths. White County has had 3,243 lab-confirmed positives, including 33 deaths. Gallatin County has had a total of 947 lab-confirmed positives of COVID-19, including 10 deaths.

<b>ISP to do night patrol in Wayne County</b>

Illinois State Police will conduct a Nighttime Enforcement Patrol in Wayne County this month, looking to detain impaired drivers and stop those who are unrestrained by seat belts.

The patrol will be held from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. but the date remains secret.

According to the ISP District 19 commander, Capt. Nathan Douglas, the number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at night, and combined with impaired driving means even more traffic deaths during these critical hours.

Officers will enforce: Driving Under the Influence; Safety Belt and Child Restraints; Speeding; Distracted Driving; and any Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.

This patrol is funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.