(St. Jacob)--Two people were killed in a single vehicle accident Monday morning in St. Jacob. According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to an accident in the eleven hundred block of Ellis Road. Upon arrival the bodies of 27 year old Ryan Junker of St. Jacob, and 24 year old William Dittmar of Worden were pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison County Coroner's Office.

According to the coroner's office, both individuals were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, and were ejected from their vehicle. The accident remains under investigation by the Madison County Coroner's and Sheriff's Office.

(Collinsville)--Three people were killed in a two vehicle accident Thursday evening on Interstate 70. According to State Police, vehicles driven by 40 year old Dennis Nagle of Missouri, and 41 year old Suzette Lee of Mulberry Grove were eastbound on the interstate.

A deer crossed the roadway ahead of Lee's vehicle. Lee slowed down to miss the first deer, when a second deer entered the roadway at which Lee stopped her vehicle. Nagle was unable to stop in time, striking Lee's vehicle.

Lee and two passengers, 8 year old Lillian Lee and 6 year old Vivian Lee, were taken to Greenville Hospital where they were pronounced dead. Nagle was taken to Greenville Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

(Hillsboro)--The body of a missing 38 year old Livingston man was found Tuesday morning by Montgomery County authorities. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, around 8:30 Montgomery County Communications received a phone call about a subject that was found deceased. Deputies responded to the rural intersection of Niemanville Trial and Bodner Avenue where the body of 38 year old Christopher Kostadin was located.

Kostadin has been reported missing by Livingston Police since late June. His vehicle was found on June 22nd a few miles from where his body was located. Law enforcement including the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and Livingston Police Department assisted in the search.

An investigation is ongoing by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, and the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

(Litchfield)--One person was injured in a single vehicle accident on July 12th on Route 108, one mile east of County Line Road. According to information released this week by State Police, a vehicle driven by 47 year old Patrick Lyerla of Carlinville was westbound on Route 108 when he left the road, striking a tree.

Lyerla was taken by Raymond-Harvel Ambulance to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Lyerla was cited with DUI, improper lane usage, illegal transportation of alcohol, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

The 2012 Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen is Chloe Walton of Carlinville.

1st Runner Up - Kristen McDowell of Staunton
2nd Runner Up - Catie Witt of Carlinville
3rd Runner Up - Carrie Grandidier of Mt. Olive
4th Runner Up - Darci Bilbruck of Carlinville
Miss Congeniality - Catie Witt of Carlinville
Peoples Choice Award - Katy Erwin of Shipman
Kay Kalaher Award - Kylie Frensko of BenldThe 2012 Junior Miss is Sarah Watson of Girard

1st Runner Up - Brenda Barnes of Girard
2nd Runner Up - Allie Driscoll of Modesto
3rd Runner Up - Amethyst Sidener of Virden
4th Runner Up - Samantha Park of Carlinville
Miss Congeniality - Maya Marcacci of Benld
Peoples Choice Award - Emily Harszy of Gillespie

(Coffeen)--Authorities are investigating the death of a 52 year old Coffeen woman. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a residence in the four hundred block of Stoddard Street in Coffeen.

Upon arrival, the body of 52 year old Annetta Kuhl-Middleton was found inside the residence. She was pronounced dead by Montgomery County Coroner Rick Broaddus. The incident remains under investigation by the Montgomery County Coroner's and Sheriff's Office.

The 2012 Little Miss and Mister Pageant was held Monday night at the Macoupin County Fair.

The new Little Miss is Charlie Harding. First runner up was Alyssa Carriker and second runner up was Emily Raab.

The new Little Mister is Kolton Lowry. First runner up was Houston Turley and second runner up was Connor Costello.

The Macoupin County Fair Queen's Pageant is Tuesday at 7:30pm

(Hillsboro)--The Macoupin Montgomery County Crimestoppers is seeking information regarding two thefts that happened on a construction site on the east side of Coffeen near Route 185.

The thefts occurred within the past couple of weeks. According to Crimestoppers, a black harrow and several gallons of diesel fuel were taken. Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-352-0136, or you can submit your tip online at macmontcrimestoppers.com.

(Hillsboro)--Two people were seriously injured in a two vehicle accident Thursday afternoon on Route 16, east of Route 127. According to State Police, a vehicle driven by 31 year old Jerry Jett the Second of Hillsboro was eastbound on Route 16. Another vehicle, driven by 47 year old Benjamin Bishop of Litchfield was westbound.

Jett reportedly crossed the center line, striking Bishop's vehicle head on. Jett was taken to Hillsboro Area Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Bishop was airlifted by ARCH Helicopter to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Hillsboro)--The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has awarded four million dollars in grants that will held 120 city and county emergency management agencies throughout the state to support local disaster preparedness efforts.

The Emergency Management Performance Grants are funded through a grant that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency receives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds can be used for day to day operations of local emergency management programs.

Locally, Montgomery County received over twenty one thousand dollars; Macoupin County received over twenty five thousand dollars; Christian County received seventy five hundred dollars; Fayette County received seventeen thousand dollars; and Sangamon County received fifty five thousand dollars.

(Hillsboro)--During the Montgomery County Board meeting Tuesday morning, Finance Committee Chairman George Blankenship reported that Bois D'Arc Township dropped to under one thousand residents during the last census. As a result, the township will be combined with tax assessment districts in Harvel, Pitman and Zanesville Townships. The consolidation must be complete by September 15th.

Polling Place Changes

The Montgomery County Board approved two polling place changes. Under the changes, North Litchfield 2, 3, 5, and 6 would be voting at the east entrance of the First Baptist Church in Litchfield. South Litchfield 2 and 3 would now vote at the Litchfield Community Center. As a result of the change, the west entrance of the First Baptist Church and the Faith Lutheran Church will no longer be used as a polling place.

Gaming Machines

The Montgomery County Board also had a long discussion regarding gaming machines in unincorporated areas in the county. According to Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser, one out of the seven businesses eligible have expressed interest in bringing back gaming machines. The County Board voted 12 to 8 to allow gaming machines in the establishments.

Budget Hearings

Finance Committee Chairman George Blankenship also announced that budget hearings have been scheduled for July 25th, 27th and 30th. Blankenship says a truth in taxation hearing will be determined following the hearings.

Frank Schwab, Executive Director for the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced that Illinois Valley has been designated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to operate a limited Summer Energy Assistance Program in the counties of Macoupin, Greene, Jersey and Calhoun. The program is designed to help income eligible households maintain electrical service during the summer.

This program provides one-time payments for income-eligible homeowners and renters in the form of credit of $150.00 to electric providers to help pay energy costs. Eligibility for the Summer program is limited to households that contain a member who:

is 60 years of age or older

has a child under the age of 5

has a documented medical condition necessitating an airconditioned enviroment

is receiving Social Security Disability or can document a pending application

or has income equal or less than 150 percent of the poverty level as defined in the 2012 HHS
poverty guidelines.

The agency will accept calls for applications immediately. The program will end on July 27, 2012.

Call the local agency office in your respective county to make an appointment for your application to be taken.

(Hillsboro)--A 50 year old Hillsboro man has been arrested following an alleged attempted robbery of a fireworks stand in the one hundred block of East Fairground. According to Hillsboro Police Chief Gary Satterlee, Marvin Beck was captured Monday evening by the old water plant.

Beck was taken to Hillsboro Area Hosptial for evaluation. He is currently in custody in the Montgomery County Jail awaiting formal charges.

Chris Kostadin a resident of Livingston, Illinois is 38 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Friday, June 22, His vehicle was found abandoned on Hughes Road near North First Avenue in Sorento. Residents around the area sighted a man fitting Chriss description, however no one has seen him since Saturday June 23 at 9:30pm.

Anyone with information that might help locate Chris is urged to call the Livingston Police Department at 618-637-2300 or 618-407-3220 or the Madison County Sheriff's Department at 618-692-4433 (communications), 618-692-0871 (investigation) or 618-296-3000 (anonymous tip line).

Around 2 pm on Monday 50 year old Marvin Beck of Hillsboro allegedly attempted to rob the fireworks stand located at 104 E Fairground in Hillsboro. As of right now Beck remains at large. According to Hillsboro Police Chief Gary Satterlee Beck, a registered sex offender, should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Marvin Beck is asked to call the Hillsboro Police or 911

Each year the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade marches proudly through Springfield to mark the unofficial start of the ten-day annual showcase of Illinois agriculture. Those interested in participating in this years parade and Marching Band Competition must act soon; the deadline to enter is July 6.
All entries must complete an application to participate. The application includes a description and drawing or photograph of the proposed entry. A committee then will screen the applications and select parade entrants based upon their entertainment value and conformance to the theme of the fair, which this year is Family Fun for Everyone.
After the parade, the fair will recognize the most creative participants with awards and cash prizes. The most prestigious award is the Governor's Sweepstakes Award, which is open to all float entries. The winner will receive $300.
In addition, there will be separate judging categories for commercial and non-commercial entries, with first place receiving the Grand Marshal's Award, second place receiving the Director's Award and third place receiving the Illinois State Fair Award. The winners will receive $150, $50 and $25, respectively.
The parade will take place on Preview Day, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. Participants are prohibited from throwing materials, including candy, during the parade. However, up to eight individuals may walk alongside a float to distribute materials by walking to the curb and handing them out.
For a complete list of judging criteria, the parade rules and regulations and a parade application, visit www.illinoisstatefair.info or call (217) 782-0777.

A Saturday night boat/swimmer accident happened on Lake Lou Yeager in Litchfield. Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson has more.