The Winners of the annual Voice of Democracy, Patriot's Pen Essay and Young American Patriotic Art Contests in Litchfield were announced this week by Litchfield VFW representative Dave Darte.

In the Voice of Democracy contest at the gigh school, Caleb Jurgena took home the first place prize and was awarded $500. Finishing second and receiving $200 was Bethany Seely. Blake Reents finished third and received $100. All three also received medals and a certificate.

In the Patriot's Pen essay contest at the junior high level, Camden Quarton was named the first place winner and received $100. Carly Favre finished second and received $50, and Hunter Hancock took third and received $25. All three received medals and certificates as well.

In the past, the first place winners of both the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests advanced to the District 12 level of judging. This year, however, Darte said the top three finishers in both contests will advance to the next level.

First place winner of the Patriotic Art Contest at the high school was Raven Campbell. Rayne Blevins finished second, and Mathew Leitchuh third.

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The Illinois Corn Growers Association elected Keith Sanders, Secretary, Bill Leigh, President, and Randy DeSutter, Vice President during their annual meeting, November 26, 2019. Not pictured: Matt Rush, Treasurer.BLOOMINGTON, Ill.Bill Leigh, a farmer from Minonk, IL, has been elected president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) for 2019-2020 at their re-organizational meeting, which was held today immediately following the organizations annual meeting.

Leigh has served on the ICGA board for six years, most recently as vice president. He will continue his role as District 4 Director for the duration of his term as president, serving members in Bureau, Lee, Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside Counties. Leigh was also re-elected to a third term serving District 4.

Joining Leigh in leadership roles are Vice President Randy DeSutter of Woodhull, Treasurer Matt Rush of Fairfield, and Secretary Keith Sanders of Vandalia.

The Exports Committee will be led by Chairman Mike Homerding of Plainfield and Vice Chairman Kate Danner of Aledo. Elected to lead the Industrial Committee were Marty Marr of New Berlin and Vice Chairman Terry Smith of Clayton. Grassroots Committee leadership for the coming year are Chairman Ted Mottaz of Elmwood and Vice Chairman Sarah Hastings of Sidney.

In addition to Leigh, five other directors were re-elected and will continue in their positions as directors. They are Mike Homerding for District 1, Marty Marr for District 10, and Matt Rush for District 13. Reelected At-Large Directors include Kate Danner of Aledo and Dave Rylander of Victoria.

The newly elected director of District 7, serving Dewitt, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, and Woodford Counties is Mark Bunselmeyer of Maroa.

Illinois Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, including by maintaining a high profile on issues in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL. They aim to create and maintain opportunities for Illinois corn farmers to capture more value for their product. In order to fulfill this mission, the organization conducts governmental affairs activities at all levels, market development projects, and educational and member service programs. For further information regarding their work and involvement, visit their website www.ilcorn.org.

There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 24, 2019. Statewide, the average temperature was 39.4 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.63 inches, 0.03 inches below normal.
Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 3 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 6 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Corn harvested for grain was at 88 percent, compared to 100 percent last year and 99 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean harvest was 95 percent complete, compared to 99 percent last year and 100 percent for the 5-year average. Winter wheat emerged was at 91 percent, compared to 86 percent last year and 90 for the 5-year average.
This is the final Illinois weekly Crop Progress and Condition report for 2019. The National weekly Crop Progress report which includes State level estimates will continue due to delays in harvest progress this season. Monthly reports will be released January through March, with weekly reports resuming in April 2020. Thank you to all of our reporters for their hard work this year.

Audio: Mark Schleusener, State Statistician with the National Ag Statistics Service.

The Montgomery County Recycling Facility in Hillsboro will be closing for good at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25.

According to County Board Administrator Christine Daniels, the facility can no longer accept recycled materials after that deadline. Its closure is a result of the County Board voting to cease funding the recycling program. The program faced a yearly deficit of around $100,000, according to Finance Committee Chair Megan Beeler. The board voted to shut down the program in October.

One private company is already offering curbside pickup of recyclable materials in certain municipalities. They charge $13 per month for a 65-gallon recycling toter that is picked up twice a month. Rural pickup is not currently offered by the company, but it's possible it will be offered in the future.

Everything related to the Montgomery County Recycling Program will be shut down when the new Fiscal Year ends on Nov. 30.

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Pictured is Litchfield FFA Members, Litchfield Advisor Matt Belusko, and representatives of Sloan Implement Company in Litchfield.

The Litchfield FFA Chapter's Plot was harvested on Wednesday evening, November 20th. The plot is located near Sloan Implement Company, South of Litchfield along Route 66. Plot Manager Vance Steward explains how the plot performed this year after an extremely wet year. Clayton Walch also explains his efforts with the plot as well.

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Four people were killed Saturday night on Route 185 near Coffeen. Two 14 year old girls from Vandalia and a couple from Sullivan were killed, when their Toyota Sienna was hit head-on by a Ford F-150 around 6:20 Saturday night, as they returned home from Vandalia's playoff football game at Williamsville.

Police said the truck, driven by a 17 year old Harvel resident, was traveling west on 185 and crossed the center line hitting the east bound Toyota head-on. The driver of the truck sustained life threatening injuries and was transported by ARCH helicopter to a local hospital.

72 year old Jackolyn Protz and 73 year old William Protz of Sullivan were killed along with their granddaughter Jenna Protz and her friend Holly Lidy. The Protz's son, Randy, is the principal at Vandalia High School.The State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating and no further information is available at this time.

Illinois State Police District 18 troopers were busy on Monday, Nov. 11, handling a number of accidents caused by the inclement weather.

According to Master Sgt. David Brunnworth, troopers responded to 15 accidents on Monday, including one that was fatal. That accident occurred at 2:38 p.m. on U.S. Route 67 north of Cain Street in Roodhouse.

A southbound pickup truck crossed into the northbound lane of traffic and struck a car head-on. Samantha Wilson, 49, of Jacksonville, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jezlynee Wilson, 23, of Jerseyville suffered minor injuries, and three others reported no injuries.

Troopers also responded to a total of 50 calls for service throughout the five counties in the district and 32 motorist assists. ISP District 18 serves Montgomery, Macoupin, Jersey, Greene and Calhoun counties.

A Raymond woman was killed in a two-vehicle accident in Fayette County on Monday, Nov. 11.

Kimberly Ann Hopper was pronounced dead on Monday by the Fayette County Coroner's Office. She was 44.

According to the Illinois State Police, Hopper lost control of the car she was driving due to the poor road conditions and drove into the oncoming lane of traffic on Route 185 in Fayette County. The vehicle then struck a semi that was being driven by 52-year-old Kenneth Dothager of Shobonier.

A 10-year-old Raymond girl was a passenger in Hopper's vehicle at the time of the accident. She was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries.

The incident occurred at 12:28 p.m. on Route 185 near Shafter.

The Montgomery County Board approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2020 on Tuesday, Nov. 12, which included a deficit of nearly $3 million before dipping into the county's reserves.

Expenditures for the fiscal year, according to the approved budget, are $24,038,131. Revenues for the county will total $21,044,190. That makes the deficit a total of $2,993,941.

According to Finance Committee Chair Megan Beeler, the board will be spending down reserves throughout the county in order to offset the deficit. That includes spending nearly $800,000 from the General Fund reserves.

The budget includes the removal of revenues from the County Emergency Management Agency, after the board approved to consolidate emergency management efforts with Christian County. EMA expenses for Montgomery County for FY 2020 will total $12,357, as Beeler said Christian County will be paying the brunt of the emergency management budget. A motion to approve the budget passed, 20-1, with Glenn Bishop voting no.

The next Montgomery County Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m.

Volleyball Sectional Championships

1A

At Lincolnwood
Greenfield-NW def Waterloo Gibault: 19-25, 25-20, 25-19

At Athens
Athens def Lewistown: 25-23, 25-19

At Windsor
Altamont def Windsor Stew Stras: 25-16, 25-122A

At Pleasant Plains
St. Teresa def Downs Tri-Valley: 25-11, 25-16

At Trenton Wesclin
Breese Mater Dei def Pinckneyville: 25-18, 25-10

At Salem
Fairfield def Massac County: 25-17, 25-23

At Watseka
St. Joe-Ogden def Herscher: 25-19, 12-25, 25-233A

At Mahomet Seymour
Normal U. High def Rochester: 25-22, 25-18

At Waterloo
Centralia def Waterloo: 27-25, 25-10

Boys Soccer

2A Super-Sectionals

At Glenwood
Triad 3, Morton 1

At Grayslake Central
Crystal Lake South 2, Nile Notre Dame 0

At Lewis University in Romeoville
Burbank St. Laurence 3, Chicago Noble/Muchin 0

At Sterling
Lisle Benet Academy 2, Peoria Notre Dame 03A

At Bradley Bourbonnais
Edwardsville 3, New Lenox Lincoln Way West 2

At Hoffman Estates
West Chicago 2, Algonquin Jacobs 0

At Barrington
Chicago St. Patrick 5, Palatine Fremd 3

At Lewis University
Berwyn-Cicero Morton 4, Naperville North 3
- Morton won on PKs 3-1

A man from Clinton, MO, was arrested on Monday, Nov. 4, after leading police on a high-speed pursuit beginning in Montgomery County.

Christopher S. McCartney, 35, was arrested in Greenville by Bond County Sheriff's Deputies and Illinois State Police Troopers.

According to the State Police, Montgomery County Deputies attempted to stop McCartney in a pickup truck at 1:40 p.m. on Monday for suspicious activity and reckless driving. McCartney, however, allegedly refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.

ISP District 18 Troopers joined the chase due to the suspect's reckless and erratic driving. The vehicle traveled through Montgomery, Macoupin and Bond Counties before Bond County Deputies picked up the pursuit near Greenville where spike strips were successfully deployed. The vehicle traveled through several streets in Greenville before becoming disabled on Illinois Route 140 east of town.

McCartney is in custody and formal charges are pending in Montgomery and Bond Counties. No additional information is being released at this time.

Volleyball Sectional Semifinals

1A

At Lincolnwood

Waterloo Gibault def Lincolnwood: 25-18, 25-18

Greenfield-NW def New Athens: 25-23, 25-7At Athens

Athens def Mendon Unity: 28-26, 25-18

Lewistown def Jacksonville Routt: 25-21, 25-22At Windsor

Windsor Stew Stras def Toledo Cumberland: 25-13, 25-20

Altamont def Kansas: 22-25, 25-23, 25-162A

At Salem

Fairfield def Pana: 25-21, 25-20

Massac County def Shelbyville: 25-6, 25-14At Pleasant Plains

St. Teresa def QND: 25-8, 25-23

Downs Tri-Valley def Macomb: 25-19, 25-13At Trenton Wesclin

Breese Mater Dei def Freeburg: 28-26, 25-13

Pinckneyville def Breese Central: 25-22, 23-25, 25-193A

At Mahomet Seymour

Rochester def St. Thomas Moore: 25-18, 25-23

Normal U. High def Mahomet Seymour: 25-23, 25-16At Waterloo

Centralia def East St. Louis: 25-16, 25-17

Waterloo def Charleston: 25-21, 25-234A at OFallon

Belleville Althoff def Edwardsville: 25-22, 25-21

Minooka def Normal Community: 25-12, 25-15

Candidates interested in running for county offices to be nominated in the March General Primary may soon file petitions in the Montgomery County Clerk's Office.

According to County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser, the filing period for submitting completed nominating papers and petitions will be from Monday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 2. Filers are reminded that county offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

County offices to be nominated by the Democratic and Republican Parties in the Primary election include State's Attorney, Circuit Clerk and Coroner, as well as 11 county board seats in all seven county board districts. The primary will also nominate federal offices of U.S. President, Senator, Representative in all 18 districts, and State Representatives in all 118 districts in the General Assembly.

The Primary is March 17, 2020, and the General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Anyone needing further information about the upcoming elections is encouraged to contact the County Clerk and Recorder's Office in person at the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro, by email at sandyl@montgomeryco.com, or by calling 217-532-9530.

Football Playoffs 1st Round

1A

Central A&M 55, Havana 20

Athens 42, Casey Westfield 7

Carrollton 24, Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond 15

Camp Point Central 40, Salt Fork 7

Argenta-Oreana 42, North Greene 0

Fisher 26, Toledo Cumberland 14

Arcola 42, Oakland Tri-County 19

Freeport Aquin 55, Fulton 38

Lena-Winslow 46, Aurora Christian 8

Forreston 42, Ottawa Marquette 7

Morrison 58, Cambridge Ridgewood 6

Orangeville 32, Chicago Hope 0

Kirkland Hiawatha 44, Abingdon Avon 6

Stockton 20, Princeville 72A

Pana 46, Red Bud 12

Auburn 19, Chester 0

Maroa-Forsyth 41, Sesser Valier 0

St. Teresa 52, Hamilton County 7

Tuscola 42, Flora 14

Nashville 35, Villa Grove Heritage Coop 0

Clifton Central 62, Mendon Unity 28

Gibson City Melvin Sibley 48, Rushville Industry 0

Bismarck Henning 41, Eldorado 22

Sterling Newman Central Catholic 28, Orion 13

Watseka 19, Tremont 8

Aledo Mercer County 41, Palos Heights Chicago Christian 0

Elgin St. Edward 24, Chicago Orr 18

Knoxville 66, Rockford Christian 133A

Mt. Carmel 35, Carlinville 7

Vandalia 7, North Mac 0

QND 42, Greenville 32

Williamsville 54, St. Joe-Ogden 26

DuQuoin 28, Monticello 25

Beardstown 31, Newton 6

Fairfield 36, Alton Marquette 8

Breese Mater Dei 56, West Frankfort 0

Paxton Buckley Lola 46, Chicago Carver 6

Spring Valley Hall 20, Peotone 0

Byron 50, Rock Island Alleman 28

Durand Du-Pec Coop 44, Chicago Harlan 12

Eureka 58, Chicago Dunbar 84A

Murphysboro 20, CM 14

Columbia 56, Roxana 28

Chillicothe IVC 31, Taylorville 22

Effingham 55, Breese Central 13

Tolono Unity 42, Clinton 14

Benton 8, Salem 7

Elmhurst IC Catholic 28, Chicago Sullivan 0

Coal City 49, Chicago Phoenix 0

Genoa Kingston 44, North Chicago 0

Kewanee 50, Chicago Agricultural Science 0

Bishop McNamara 34, Paris 14

Richmond Burton 56, Chicago Urban Prep 6

Stillman Valley 32, Dixon 6

Wheaton St. Francis 45, Chicago Clark 05A

Rochester 68, LaSalle Peru 26

SHG 43, Morris 35

Mt. Zion 31, Decatur MacArthur 30 OT

Highland 21, Cahokia 20

Triad 55, Marion 28

Mascoutah 40, Carbondale 28

Oak Park Fenwick 21, Chicago Payton 17

Auroa Marmion Academy 41, Chicago Amundsen 12

Kankakee Sr. 30, Peoria Notre Dame 23

Lombard Montini 56, Elmwood Park 6

Joliet Catholic 42, Morton 7

Rockford Boylan Catholic 49, Chicago Hyde Park 0

Sycamore 59, Evergreen Park 76A

Glenwood 56, Danville 20

East St. Louis 44, Chicago Morgan Park 0

Lemont 52, Springfield High 14

Antioch 57, Chicago Mather 0

Cary Grove 41, Chicago St. Ignatius 13

Chicago Simeon 34, Lake Villa Lakes 3

Chicago Kenwood 20, Riverside Brookfield 14

Crete Monee 50, Midlothian Bremen 14

Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 51, Grayslake North 6

Deerfield 35, Crystal Lake South 0

Rock Island 28, Dunlap 18

New Lenox Providence Catholic 19, Normal Community West 147A

Batavia 49, South Holland Thornwood 8

Chicago Phillips 30, Lincoln Way West 24

Harvey Thornton 35, Pekin 19

Nazareth Academy 47, Libertyville 6

Rockton Hononegah 43, Fox Lake Grant 17

Rolling Meadows 33, Chicago Lincoln Park 12

Lake Zurich 14, Tinley Park Andrew 78A

Flossmoor Homewood 53, Chicago Curie 6

Glenbard West 48, Downers Grove South 2

Gurnee Warren 49, Plainfield East 7

Bolingbrook 42, Hinsdale Central 13

Huntley 48, Chicago Taft 6

Naperville Neuqua Valley 44, Hoffman Estates Conant 6

Niles Notre Dame 23, Barrington 21

Wilmette Loyola Academy 14, Maine South 6

South Elgin 35, Oswego East 8Boys Soccer

1A State Championship
Chicago University 2, Alton Marquette 1

3rd Place
QND 2, North Shore Country Day 0
Cross Country Sectionals

1A at Effingham St. Anthony

Champion: Lydia Roller (Staunton 17:48)

Advancing to state

Caroline Quarton (Litchfield 19:45)
Riley Vickrey (Marquette 19:13)

Advancing Teams

Monticello, Tolono Unity, St. Joe-Ogden, St. Thomas Moore, Urbana University Elmwood Sectional

Champion: Anna Perry (Eureka 17:41)

Advancing to state

Caroline Jachino (Pleasant Plains 18:27; 7th)
Megan Derrick (Pleasant Plains 19:09)
Mikayla Hady (SHG 19:04)

Advancing Teams

Williamsville, Normal U. High, Eureka, Stanford Olympia & Tremont
- Caroline Gwaltney (3rd 18:02)Benton Sectional

Champion: Amelia McLain (Benton 16:46)

Advancing Teams
Roxana, Mater Dei, Benton, DuQuoin & Freeburg2A at MacArthur

Advancing to state

Colleen Zeibert (Rochester 2nd; 18:35)

Advancing Teams

Glenwood, Highland, Mt. Zion, Carbondale & Mascoutah 3A at Normal Community

Advancing Teams

Edwardsville & OFallonBoys Cross Country

1A at Elmwood

Champion: Noah McIntyre (Athens 15:11)

at Benton

Advancing to state

Carlos Ruvalcaba (Roxana 15:17)

Advancing Team Father McGivney 2A at MacArthur

Advancing to state

Chris Cherry Taylorville
Matt Herron Rochester

Advancing Teams

Glenwood, Springfield High & Triad

3A at Normal Community
Edwardsville advanced to state