Local News
Free Seniors Fraud Seminar
Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:40:08 CDT
A free Seniors Fraud Seminar will be held in Gillespie on Monday, May 1st. Attendees will learn how to protect themselves and family members from scam artists and fraudulent businesses. Information will be presented on identity theft, how to check credit reports and how to file a consumer fraud complaint. Read more...
Annual Montgomery CEO Trade Show is May 2
Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:05:16 CDT
The Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities Board of Directors is inviting the public to attend the second annual Montgomery CEO Trade Show. The program is the culminating activity of a year-long entrepreneurship course open to Montgomery County High School Seniors. Read more...
Ryan Payne Arrested for Alleged Arson
Thu, 20 Apr 2017 08:54:28 CDT
Authorities have now arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the fire that occurred at Payne's Tire and Auto in Hillsboro last year. Ryan Payne (pictured at right), 38, of Hillsboro, was arrested by Bond County Sheriff's officials Tuesday evening during a traffic stop. Read more...
County Board Approves CBA with Sheriff's Dept.
Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:21:19 CDT
The Montgomery County Board approved a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Sheriff's Department Fraternal Order of Police at their meeting April 11. The board met during closed session towards the beginning of their meeting to discuss the matter. Read more...
3 Arrested for Drugs and Weapons in Litchfield
Tue, 18 Apr 2017 10:13:23 CDT
Three Hillsboro residents were arrested in Litchfield last Thursday evening on drugs and weapons charges. At 9:20 p.m. Thursday, April 13, a Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation at the intersection of Union Avenue and Van Buren Street. Read more...
Macoupin County Tails Fundraiser
Tue, 18 Apr 2017 09:56:45 CDT
Macoupin County Tails will hold their 10th Annual Benefit Banquet and Auction on Saturday, April 22, in the Bates building on the Macoupin County Fair grounds. Doors will open at 5:00pm and a cater meal by Jo Danni's catering will be served at 6:00pm. Musical entertainment will be by the Glendale Riders. Read more...
Police Searching for Hillsboro Man Accused of Arson
Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:44:40 CDT
Police are searching for a Hillsboro man accused of arson in connection with a business fire last year. Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for Ryan Payne, 38, of Hillsboro, and William Hirsch, 50, of Coffeen. Hirsch was taken into custody for the warrant at Payne's Tire and Auto in Hillsboro on Wednesday at noon. Read more...
Macoupin County Little Miss Pageant
Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:06:27 CDT
The Macoupin County Fair is looking for 5 and 6 year old girls in the Macoupin County area to participate in the 2017 Little Miss Macoupin County Fair Pageant. This years pageant will take place on Thursday, July 6 at 7pm. Children may not be younger than 5 or older than 6 years of age by the pageant date in order to be eligible. Read more...
Katie Wilson Visits with Local Beekeeper
Wed, 12 Apr 2017 13:42:50 CDT
What's all the buzz about? Katie Wilson spent the day with local beekeeper, Ron Niehaus, of rural Fillmore. Ron has hives throughout the WSMI listening area and sells his local honey at Sullivan's Drugs locations. Local honey has many benefits, including relief from allergy symptoms. Read more...
Litchfield Chamber To Resume Farmers Markets
Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:10:49 CDT
The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce has announced that their annual Farmers and Community Market will open again on Friday, April 14. The market will be held every Monday and Friday afternoon beginning at 2 on the north side of Library Park. Read more...
High Speed Rail Public Meeting
Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:00:09 CDT
The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a public meeting Wednesday, April 12, to discuss the upcoming construction schedule for the Chicago-to-St. Louis high speed rail program. Read more...
Litchfield Spring Clean Up Announced
Mon, 10 Apr 2017 08:28:29 CDT
The City of Litchfield has announced that they will host a Spring Clean Up during the week of April 24. Items to be picked up may not be placed in the boulevard any earlier than Monday, April 17, as it may be subject to a code violation and a citation. Read more...
Macoupin County Fatal Accident
Sat, 08 Apr 2017 09:35:40 CDT
One person is dead following a single vehicle accident Friday north of Modesto. According to Illinois State Police, 27 year old Mason Dougherty of Kane was driving a 2003 Chevrolet SUV southbound of Rt. 111 when the vehicle left the roadway at 8:30am. The vehicle struck a utility pole and rolled over before coming to rest. Read more...
Macoupin Consolidated Election
Wed, 05 Apr 2017 09:27:48 CDT
Voter turnout in Macoupin County was just short of 25% in Tuesday's Consolidated Election. All results from the election are unofficial until canvassed and write in votes for various offices will not be available until Friday, April 7, 2017. Read more...
Montgomery County Election Results
Wed, 05 Apr 2017 07:44:59 CDT
Tuesday's Consolidated Election saw two different tax questions in Montgomery County receive very different results. Read more...
Litchfield Ag Teacher Not Retained
Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:20:41 CDT
The Litchfield School Board elected not to re-hire the high school agriculture teacher during a special board meeting that was held last Thursday. After returning from closed session, the board voted to approve a resolution of non-reemployment for David Belusko for the 2017-2018 school year. The motion carried unanimously. Read more...
Mark Brazel Joins Race for Montgomery County Sheriff
Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:46:34 CDT
Another candidate has joined the race for Montgomery County Sheriff in 2018. Mark Brazel, a 22-year veteran of law enforcement, has announced his candidacy for the position, joining current Montgomery County Undersheriff Rick Robbins and Deputy Scott Woods. Read more...
April Fool's Joke with Terry Todt
Sat, 01 Apr 2017 14:09:45 CDT
Terry Todt and Tim Mize play an April Fool's joke that left some wondering if Terry is leaving WSMI. He's not it was just a joke. Listen to the bit here..... Read more...
Greene County Health Fair
Wed, 22 Mar 2017 09:49:25 CDT
The Greene County Health Department, in cooperation with Boyd Healthcare Services, Knights of Columbus, Lions Clubs of Greene County, Greene County Farm Bureau, Gable Family Pharmacy and Pharmacy Plus, is sponsoring a Health Fair for people of all ages on Wednesday, March 29, from 7:00am until Noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall... Read more...
2 Cited for Retail Theft at Hillsboro IGA
Wed, 22 Mar 2017 08:54:11 CDT
Two people were cited for retail theft at IGA in Hillsboro on Monday morning. At 9:06 a.m., the Hillsboro Police Department was requested to respond to the grocery store in reference to a shoplifter they had detained. After speaking with management, officers cited Kimberly Deck, 40, of Witt, with Retail Theft. Read more...
Public Safety Tax Discussed at County Board Meeting
Mon, 20 Mar 2017 09:50:00 CDT
The Montgomery County Board discussed the proposed Public Safety Sales Tax at their meeting Tuesday morning, ahead of the Consolidated Election in April. Read more...
Blackburn Board of Trustees
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 10:52:26 CDT
Mayor Deanna Demuzio of Carlinville has been elected to a three-year term on the Blackburn College Board of Trustees. A member of the Board since 2005, she will continue in her role as board member until February 2020. Read more...
Green Makes History with Hillsboro Police
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:08:45 CDT
History was made at the Hillsboro City Council meeting Tuesday evening. Vonna Green was sworn in as a new part-time police officer and, according to Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham, she is the first sworn female in the department's history. Read more...
2 Charged After Drug Bust and Fight with Deputy
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 11:36:24 CDT
A Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff suffered minor injuries after an altercation at a drug bust on Thursday afternoon. At approximately 12:10 p.m. Thursday, March 9, a Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff on patrol northwest of Raymond observed Regina Burks, 42, in her yard. The deputy knew Burks was wanted on a felony drug warrant. Read more...
Mobile Vet Center Coming to Carlinville
Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:34:53 CST
The Mobile Vet Center is coming to Carlinville on Wednesday, March 15th from 9am until 3pm at 220 North Broad Street behind the Farm Bureau building. MVC Outreach Staff consists of outreach specialists and readjustment counselors. Read more...
Mini Miner and Little Miss Meeting
Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:09:52 CST
An informational meeting concerning the Black Diamond Day's Mini Miner and Little Miss contest will be held Monday, March 13 at 6:30pm in the Gillespie Civic Center. Parents considering their child's participation in the Mini Miner and Little Miss pageant are encouraged to attend the meeting. Read more...
Litchfield Alderman Candidate Withdraws
Thu, 09 Mar 2017 08:17:12 CST
A Litchfield candidate for alerman has withdrawn his name from the race, leaving his ward with one candidate running uncontested. According to the Montgomery County Clerk's Office, Charles James Randle withdrew his candidacy on Tuesday for Litchfield Alderman serving Ward 2 for the April 4, Election. Read more...
IRS Scam Reportedly Hits Montgomery County
Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:13:53 CST
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office was recently notified of a new IRS scam being perpetrated in the area. According to the Sheriff's Office, the scammer will call and claim to be from the IRS and inform the victim that he or she has won a $9000 grant that does not need to have taxes paid on it. Read more...
Litchfield Woman Dies in ATV-Train Collision
Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:45:23 CST
A Litchfield woman has died after her ATV struck a train on Saturday afternoon. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call was received Saturday, March 4, at 1:59 p.m. in reference to an ATV hitting a train at a private railroad crossing on South Clinton Street, near the southwest edge of Litchfield. Read more...
Morrisonville Man Arrested After 30 Cannabis Plants Seized
Fri, 03 Mar 2017 11:00:28 CST
A Morrisonville man was arrested after 30 cannabis plants were seized in Christian County. According to the Christian County Sheriff's office, Nathan Pinnell, 33, was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver over 500 Grams. The charge is a Class 2 Felony. Read more...
Man with Loaded Firearm Arrested
Thu, 02 Mar 2017 08:24:07 CST
A Standard City man was arrested in Hillsboro Tuesday evening after a loaded firearm was discovered in his vehicle. According to the Hillsboro Police Department, James Davidson, 61, was stopped at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday at Springfield Road and Oak Street for a traffic violation. Read more...
Hillsboro to Host Public Meeting on Eagle Zinc Cleanup
Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:15:46 CST
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is hold a public meeting to share information about the next phase of the Eagle Zinc cleanup project in Hillsboro. The Eagle Zinc site closed in 2003. Read more...
Fatal Crash Near Bunker Hill
Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:38:02 CST
One person is dead following a collision between a law enforcement vehicle and an ATV Tuesday night north of Bunker Hill. According to Illinois State Police, 42 year old Michael Cathorall of Bunker Hill was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at 9:43pm by the Macoupin County Coroner. Read more...
