Local News
Man Dies in Work Zone Crash North of Litchfeild
Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:11:24 CDT
A suburban Chicago man is dead after a crash in the I-55 work zone north of Litchfield. State Police say 69-year-old David Grapes of Clarendon Hills was northbound in his 2007 Toyota Camry at milepost 54 just before 6pm (Thursday). Investigators say Grapes reached the construction zone that is closed and barricaded... Read more...
Crop Progress and Condition
Wed, 28 Apr 2021 10:18:39 CDT
There were 4.3 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 25, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 45.9 degrees, 9.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.49 inches, 0.45 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Read more...
Power Outage Timetable Released
Tue, 27 Apr 2021 12:19:00 CDT
Power should return by a lunch time after a large chunk of Montgomery County suffered a power outage impacting nearly 6200 customers. Ameren officials are offering an estimated safe power restoration time of 11:45 this morning. An insulator unit malfunctioned, triggering the the outage at 8:30 this morning. Read more...
Massive Power Outage Impacts Most of Montgomery County
Tue, 27 Apr 2021 09:14:21 CDT
Montgomery County has been hit hard by a power outage impacting nearly 6200 customers. An insulator unit malfunctioned, triggering the the outage at 8:30 this morning. Hillsboro, Raymond, Morrisonville, Irving, Taylor Springs are among the towns impacted. Read more...
Virtual Public Meeting Underway for Lake Yaeger Dam Improvement
Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:08:16 CDT
On behalf of the City of Litchfield, in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), we are pleased to invite you to participate in an online public meeting for the Shoal Creek Supplemental Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment for Lake Lou Yaeger Dam. Read more...
Covid Vaccination Clinic Tuesday in Gillespie
Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:50:46 CDT
Macoupin County Public Health Department is holding a drive thru COVID 19 first dose Moderna vaccination clinic on Tuesday, April 27 from 9:15am until 11:15am in Gillespie. There are 200 appointments available for this event. The starting point will be the Gillespie Civic Center parking lot. Read more...
Suspect in High Speed Chase now Charged with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer
Sun, 25 Apr 2021 18:43:40 CDT
The murder suspect accused of leading police on a wild high speed chase from Southern Sangamon County to the I-55 work zone north of Litchfield has made his first court appearance and the legal hot water in his case is now set to boil. 30-year-old Christopher Bolden of Florissant, Missouri in North St. Read more...
Missing Irving Man Found
Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:43:32 CDT
The search for a missing Irving man is over. Leads were hard to come by in the search for 65-year-old Kurt Schmedeke but he was found late this (Friday) afternoon east of Raymond. There’s no word on his condition. Read more...
Suspect in High Speed Chase now Charged with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer
Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:40:32 CDT
The murder suspect accused of leading police on a wild high speed chase from Southern Sangamon County to the I-55 work zone north of Litchfield has made his first court appearance and the legal hot water in his case is now set to boil. 30-year-old Christopher Bolden of Florissant, Missouri in North St. Read more...
Weekly Crop Progress & Conditions Report
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:22:04 CDT
There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 18, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 49.5 degrees, 3.4 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.14 inches, 0.83 inches below normal. Read more...
Details Released on Wednesday's I-55 Chase
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 14:15:54 CDT
State Police are offering initial details on Wednesday's police pursuit of a suspect on Southbound I-55 from Southern Sangamon County to just north of Litchfield. It turns out the suspect fleeing police was in a high stakes escape attempt. Read more...
Food Giveaway in Carlinville
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:13:59 CDT
Central Illinois Foodbank will hold a free Drive-Thru Food Giveaway Friday, April 23rd starting at 1:00pm at the Cross Church in Carlinville. It is open to residents of Macoupin County. There is no registration and there are no financial eligibility requirements. Read more...
Search Intensifies for Missing Irving Man
Tue, 20 Apr 2021 10:09:30 CDT
The search intensifies for a missing Irving man. 65-year-old Kurt Schmedeke was last seen Sunday traveling in a 2007 Nissan pickup truck, with had blue green paint that needed work. His vehicle had a Class B license plate of 6395NR Call the Mont County Sheriff at 217-532-9511 or 911. Read more...
Make Carlinville Beautiful
Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:19:22 CDT
Part of the 36th Governor's Hometown Awards program on Tuesday, April 20th will recognize the organization Make Carlinville Beautiful during a virtual ceremony at 1:00pm. The ceremony is open to the public by going to the website https://youtu.be/pFXJzc2FWIQ. Read more...
Deer Run Mining Map Released
Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:02:55 CDT
While the operators of Hillsboro’s Deer Run Mine have pledged to repair sunken ground along Route 185 and neighboring areas, the question is where will Patton Mining LLC’s future efforts create potential issues next. Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser has a preview. Read more...
Drive Thru Covid Vaccine Clinic in Gillespie
Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:23:10 CDT
Macoupin County Public Health Department will be holding a Drive-Thru Pfizer First Dose Vaccination Clinic this Wednesday, April 21 from 6-7pm in Gillespie.There are 100 appointments available for the clinic. The starting point will be the Gillespie Civic Center parking lot. Read more...
Litchfield Elementary School Moves Closer to Reality
Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:00:18 CDT
The seeds of compromise are bearing some fruit in the plan to build a new Litchfield elementary school. Last week, the school board approved the site for a new grade school as well as a floor plan. Read more...
Homebound Covid Vaccine
Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:38:31 CDT
Macoupin County Public Health Department is preparing a Homebound Covid-19 Vaccination Program. If you or someone you know is unable to leave home, the Health Department is asking you to call 217-839-7710 or email covidvaccine@mcphd.net to be placed on the Homebound Roster for the Covid-19 vaccine. Read more...
Vaccine Clinic Set for Skyview This Weekend
Thu, 15 Apr 2021 09:02:57 CDT
The Skyview Drive-In is once again offering a matinee. Of course that’s not ideal for showing a film. Instead they’re offering a Saturday matinee that calls for a sequel. A Moderna first dose covid 19 vaccination clinic is set for Saturday from 9 to 1. Read more...
Witt Mayor's Race Decided
Wed, 14 Apr 2021 11:41:07 CDT
Your kids may beg to differ, but the most important Easter Egg hunt of the year just happened a week and a half after Easter. That’s because the deadlocked Witt Mayor’s Race between Shawn Cady and Timothy Taylor came down to the name of the winner being drawn from an Easter Egg. Read more...
Demi's Diner Closed for Now After Building Collapse
Wed, 14 Apr 2021 12:01:09 CDT
A tough scene to process this morning in Nokomis as a partial building collapse shortly after midnight has shut down Demi’s Diner for the foreseeable future with major damage to the structure on Route 16. Rubble from the building spilled out onto the eastbound lane of 16. In fact, 16 is closed from State Street to Cedar. Read more...
Weekly Crop Progress & Conditions Report
Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:09:24 CDT
There were 3.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 11, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 59.7 degrees, 11.9 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.81 inches, 1.03 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 6 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Read more...
Witt Mayor's Race Heads to Lottery
Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:38:22 CDT
The Witt Mayor's Race will come down to a lottery. Shawn Cady and Timothy Taylor tied at 75 votes apiece last week. Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser confirms both candidates have agreed to a lottery. A recount would have brought added expense to taxpayers to the county and the candidate seeking it. Read more...
Drive-Thru Covid Vaccine Clinic Still Has Openings
Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:12:35 CDT
Macoupin County Public Health Department is holding a Moderna 1st dose Drive-Thru vaccine clinic on Tuesday, April 13th at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds in Carlinville. The clinic is open to all Illinois residents 18 and older. There are still several spots available. Read more...
Montomgery County Bicentennial is Now Rainproof
Sat, 10 Apr 2021 01:26:52 CDT
The forecast has made planning for the Montgomery County Bicentennial unpredictable just like when the original event was postponed in February due to a cold blast. The forecast has been taking a turn for the worse with more indications of rain. Read more...
Two Seriously Hurt in I-55 wreck near Litchfield
Sat, 10 Apr 2021 01:21:45 CDT
I-55 was a parking lot Friday morning as a work zone crash shut down traffic just north of Litchfield. A three vehicle wreck on Southbound 55 three miles north of Litchfield brought traffic to a standstill. State Police say the three vehicles involved in the crash were southbound at Milespost 55. Read more...
No Decision on Recount in Witt Mayor's Race
Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:52:46 CDT
So you’re thinking two candidates for Mayor of Witt are tied at 75 votes apiece, well what have you got to lose, just call Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leithieser and ask for a recount. Well, it’s not that easy. Candidates have to pay for a recount and only one of Witt’s two precincts could be recounted. Read more...
IL Dept of Labor Urges Drivers to Be Careful During Planting Season
Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:22:18 CDT
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is home to 27 million acres of prime farmland, and as the spring temperatures warm, farmers will be taking their implements and heading to the fields across the state. Drivers and farmers alike are urged to be extra cautious during the hectic planting season. Read more...
Montgomery County Election Results In, Wait Continues in Witt
Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:34:58 CDT
Some nail biters in last night’s election. Incumbent Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty won the Mayor’s race by 14 votes over Alderman Dwayne Gerl. It will take 14 days to make the results official. There are only ten outstanding ballots countywide, 4 of them in Litchfield. Read more...
Montgomery County Election Results In, Wait Continues in Witt
Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:32:48 CDT
With Ag. Read more...
Macoupin Moderna First Dose Clinic April 13
Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:34:14 CDT
Macoupin County Public Health Department is announcing that a Moderna first dose vaccine clinic will be held on Tuesday, April 13 in the Gillespie Civic Center. This clinic is for Macoupin County residents 18 years of age and older only. To register go to the Macoupin County Public Health website- mcphd.net. Read more...
Litchfield Spring Brush Pickup
Tue, 06 Apr 2021 16:10:33 CDT
The City of Litchfield will be having Spring Brush Pickup during the week of Monday, April 12th. The City Street Dept. asks you to have your brush to the edge of your street by 7am on Monday, April 12th. Read more...
Polling Places are Open
Tue, 06 Apr 2021 08:48:55 CDT
The Consolidated Election is underway in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser says most polling places had a slow start as far as turnout. 658 voters cast their ballots in advance of today's election. Polls remain open until 7 p.m. Read more...
Hillsboro City Council Offers Reminder on Waste Disposal Rules
Sat, 03 Apr 2021 09:38:35 CDT
Mike Murphy, Hillsboro's comissioner of public health and safety, is also offering an important reminder of city codes when it comes to the timeframe for placement of residential waste receptacbles. The receptacles, garbage cans, refuse, and refuse containers shall not be set at curbside earlier than 6:00 P.M. Read more...
Local Schools Getting Covid Relief
Sat, 03 Apr 2021 09:35:32 CDT
Newly installed State Senator Doris Turner is passing along good news for local schools. The Springfield Democrat has announced that school districts in Mid Illinois will receive nearly $125 million from federal CoVid relief funds. Turner is encouraging local districts to use the funding to help the most at-risk students. Read more...
Now Showing, the Covid Vaccine
Sat, 03 Apr 2021 09:31:36 CDT
The Litchfield Skyview Drive In is once again open this weekend showing the latest movies from Hollywood but the last drive-in in America on Route 66 has proven to be a retro attraction that doesn't seem ready to pass into the sands of time. It has proven to be a versatile public gathering place in these Covid domianted times. Read more...
Brighton Shooting
Sat, 03 Apr 2021 09:02:37 CDT
A Brighton man is dead following a shooting incident on Thursday in Brighton. According to Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6, Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl requested State Police to investigate a fatal officer-related shooting. Read more...
Illinois Crop Progress and Prospective Planting Report
Fri, 02 Apr 2021 14:28:23 CDT
In the latest Illinois Crop Progress and Condition report. Statewide the average temperature was 45.4 degrees, 5 degrees above normal for the month of March. Precipitation for the month averaged 4.06 inches, 1.31 inches above normal. Read more...
CNB Bank and Trust Donates to Library
Thu, 01 Apr 2021 09:09:54 CDT
A generous donation from CNB Bank and Trust has added to the fundraising efforts of the Carlinville Public Library to pay for a new roof. CNB contrubuted $1,000 to the project during a ceremony at the bank on March 26. Read more...
