(Litchfield)--A tow truck driver was found dead in his truck at the Coalfield Rest Area. According to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, 26 year old Ryan Dunn of Festus, Missouri was pronounced dead at the scene Monday evening at the northbound rest area.

The Raymond-Harvel Ambulance Service, and Illinois State Police also assisted in the incident. There was no indication of foul play, and toxicology tests are pending.

2014-2015 School Registration Dates
Bunker Hill will hold registration in the Wolf Ridge cafeteria on August 5th from Noon to 7 pm and on August 6th from 9 am to 3 pm

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Carlinville - 9th graders register at the high school on August 14th from 4 pm to 7:30 pm; Sophomores and Juniors register on August 12th from 1 pm to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm

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Gillespie registration at Ben-Gill Elementary School will be on August 4th from 8 am - 4 pm; on August 5th from 10 am - 7 pm; on August 6th from 10 am - 7 pm; and on August 7th from 8 am - 4 pm

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Mt. Olive - registration in the multipurpose room on August 7th from 4 pm to 8 pm; on August 8th from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 4 pm

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North Mac registration is August 4th from 2 pm to 8 pm and on August 5th from 8 am to 1 pm for returning students. Students new to the North Mac schools will register on August 6th from 8 am to 3 pm. Grades 9-12 will register at the high school in Virden. Grades 3-8 will register at the South Campus in Girard. Grades K-2 will register at North Mac Elementary in Virden

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Northwestern registration will be August 5th from 1 pm to 7 pm at the high school in Palmyra

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Staunton registration is July 30th and July 31st. Registration times both days will be from 8:30 am to noon; from 1 pm to 4 pm; and from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. The online portion of registration is available through Skyward Parent Access.

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Southwestern registration will be at the District Office in Brighton on August 4th from Noon to 8 pm and on August 5th from 8 am to 4 pm

(Litchfield)--School registration for the 2014-2015 school year have been released:

Litchfield School District

Pre K Registration:
Wednesday, August 6th from Noon until 5pm at Sihler School

Kindergarten thru 12th Grade
Tuesday, August 5th from 11am until 6pm

Kindergarten: High School Room D102
1st thru the 5th Grade: High School Radius Room
6th thru the 8th Grade: Middle School Cafeteria
9th thru the 12th Grade: High School Conference RoomHillsboro School District

Beckemeyer Pre K and Elementary
Monday, August 4th thru Wednesday, August 6th from 8am until 3pm

Coffeen Pre K and Elementary
Monday, August 11th thru Wednesday, August 13th

Monday, August 11th: 8am - 11:00am and 12:30pm - 4pm
Tuesday, August 12th: 1pm until 6pm
Wednesday, August 13th: 8am until 11am and 12:30pm - 4pm

Hillsboro Junior High School
Tuesday, August 5th thru Thursday, August 7th

Tuesday, August 5th: 11am until 6pm
Wednesday, August 6th: 1pm until 6pm
Thursday, August 7th: 8am until 4pm

Hillsboro High School
Wednesday, August 6th thru Friday, August 6th

Wednesday, August 6th: Noon until 6pm (Freshman and Sophomores)
Thursday, August 7th: Noon until 6pm (Junior and Seniors)
Friday, August 8th: 8am until Noon (New Students)Nokomis School District
Thursday, August 7th thru Friday, August 8th

North Elementary School

Thursday, August 7th: 2pm until 4pm and 5pm until 7pm
Friday, August 8th: 9am until 1pm
Monday, August 11th: 8am until 2pm at the North School Office for new students

Nokomis Junior and High School
Thursday, August 7th thru Friday, August 8th

Thursday, August 7th: 2pm until 4:30pm, and 5pm until 7pm
Friday, August 8th: 9am until 1pm
Monday, August 11th: 8am until 11am at the High School or Junior High Office for new students

(Pana)--Authorities have identified a man who shot and wounded a police officer before being killed by troopers during an exchange of gunfire. The Christian County Coroner's Office says 25 year old Josh Edwards of Pana was killed Tuesday morning at a home in rural Pana.

Illinois State Police say authorities from various agencies responded to a home where someone reported the presence of an armed man. Police say Edwards shot a Pana Police Officer before fleeing to the home's roof. Officers negotiated with him for several hours. He allegedly set the roof on fire before firing at members of Illinois State Police tactical team. Those officers returned fire, killing Edwards.

The wounded Pana Police Officer was listed as being in stable condition with injuries not considered life treatening.

(Dorsey) -- Dorsey Lumber & Supply Company on Route 159 south of Bunker Hill was destroyed by fire on Saturday morning. Fire departments arrived around 1:15 Saturday morning and found the building engulfed in flames. The Dorsey, Bunker Hill, Prairietown and Shipman Fire Departments responded to the fire. The building was destroyed along with a small truck. Dorsey Fire Chief Ben Farnsworth said the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. WSMI will have more on this story as information becomes available.

(Litchfield)--St. Francis Hospital announced their new President and CEO during a news conference Friday. The Hospital Sisters Health System announced the appointment of Patricia Fischer to be St. Francis Hospital's new President and CEO. Fischer currently serves as Vice President of Physician Services at St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton. She succeeds Daniel Perryman who was appointed as President and CEO of St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur.

Fischer stated that her goal is to maintain trust within the hospital and community. She has over twenty years of experience in health care leadership. Her first day will be on August 8th.

(Greenfield) -- A Greene County food processing plant has been shut down by the State for repeated violations of the Illinois Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Following a July 16 administrative hearing Parks Locker Service in Greenfield was ordered to close. In the judge's ruling, which takes effect immediately, Parks Locker Service is to cease "any and all processing and sale of meat or poultry products:. The plant has the right to appeal the decision.

Between March 24 and June 17, Meat and Poultry inspectors found 136 violations inside Parks Locker Service in Greenfield. Management was either unable or unwilling to fix the violations. Most of the violations concerned unsanitary conditions that endangered public safety. Inspectors witnessed water dripping onto meat rails, rust on meat hooks, peeling paint on walls and ceilings in places where meat was stored or processed, as well as holes in floors, walls and doors.

The Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection is responsible for the enforcement of the Illinois Meat and Poultry Inspection Act, which regulates the wholesomeness, labeling and advertising of meat and poultry products. Currently the bureau inspects 243 establishments statewide.

(Raymond)--Police are looking for three men who allegedly posed as a police officer and robbed a man in Interstate 55. State Troopers found the victim bound and gagged on the side of the road near Raymond late Tuesday. The victim says a darked colored SUV pulled up behind him and turned on flashing red lights.

The man says he pulled over and three armed men wearing masks got out of the vehicle and stole 55 hundred dollars from him.

The Macoupin County Public Health Department is offering a Take Charge of Your Health Live Well, Be Well Workshop to help people manage their ongoing chronic health conditions.

Past participants have reported that the workshop has heldped them improve communications with doctors and family, taught them relaxation techniques that help control pain and other symptoms, helped them to set goals to effectively manage their disease, and more.

The workshop is offered free of charge to the community. One workshop will begin on Tuesday, August 5, at the Macoupin County Economic Development Center in Staunton. The Tuesday workshop will meet for six weeks from 6-8:30pm. A second workshop series will begin on Thursday, August 14 at the U of I Extension Office in the Carlinville Plaza. The Thursday workshop will meet for six weeks from 1-3:30pm.

Anyone interested should call 217-854-3223, ext. 225.

The mandatory Illinois Department of Natural Resources Hunter Safety Education course will be held in Carlinville on August 15 and 16.

The class will be held in the Macoupin County Farm Bureau Building on North Broad Street in Carlinville. Sign-in will begin at 5pm on August 15. Classes will be held from 5:30-9:30pm on Friday the 15th and 8am until 4:30pm on Saturday the 16th. Students should register in advance by calling the Carlinville Police Department at 217-854-3221.

It is the policy of the Department that youth under the age of ten must be accompanied to and during the safety education courses by an adult or guardian at least sixteen years of age.

The Illinois hunter education program consists of a minimum of 10 hours of instruction. The course covers the basics of hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation and identification, firearms and ammunition, field safety, wildlife management, first aidd, archery, muzzle loading and state regulations.

The mandatory Illinois Department of Natural Resources Hunter Safety Education course will be held in Carlinville on August 15 and 16.

The class will be held in the Macoupin County Farm Bureau Building on North Broad Street in Carlinville. Sign-in will begin at 5pm on August 15. Classes will be held from 5:30-9:30pm on Friday the 15th and 8am until 4:30pm on Saturday the 16th. Students should register in advance by calling the Carlinville Police Department at 217-854-3221.

It is the policy of the Department that youth under the age of ten must be accompanied to and during the safety education courses by an adult or guardian at least sixteen years of age.

The Illinois hunter education program consists of a minimum of 10 hours of instruction. The course covers the basics of hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation and identification, firearms and ammunition, field safety, wildlife management, first aidd, archery, muzzle loading and state regulations.

(Litchfield)--A new Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce was crowned during ceremonies held Friday night in Litchfield. Miss Jenna Henske was crowned as the new queen. Henske is the 17 year old daughter of Tonya Hoos and Jason Hoos and Scott Henske. She was also named Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic.

First runner up went to Miss Bailey Flemming. Flemming is the 17 year old daughter of Dan and Heather Flemming. 2nd runner up went to Miss Kaitlyn Jett; the 17 year old daughter of Cherri and Andrew White and Brian and Melanie Jett.

(Hillsboro)--An underground fire has shut down production of the Deer Run Mine in Hillsboro. According to Forsight Energy's website, the fire was discovered Tuesday evening. Two holes have been drilled into the mine with water being pumped into the affected area. The extent of any damage to the mine will not be determined until carbon monoxide levels return back to normal, and mine officials deem it safe to enter the mine.

All of the company's underground employees at the mine were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.

(Litchfield)--An alleged armed robbery resulted in the search of three residences and the arrests of seven individuals. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, three individuals from Springfield reported that they had been robbed. The victims stated that they were at a residence on Washington Road in Litchfield to look at a vehicle that was for sale. Three armed white males ordered the individuals out of the vehicle. Two individuals allegedly fired their weapons into the air or ground. The victims were then released after a female suspect took miscellaneous items from the victims, and a male suspect took one thousand dollars in cash.

On July 13th, the Sheriff's Office and the Litchfield Police Department went to the residence on Washington Road and placed three individuals into custody. They were 50 year old Truman Seago, 46 year old April Barnes, and 24 year old Brittany White.

Later that evening, the Sheriff's Office, Litchfield Police Department, Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Special Response Team conducted searches of residences in the seven hundred block of West Corwin, the eight hundred block of East Edwards, and the eight hundred block of South Chestnut.

Reportedly as officers arrived at the residence on Corwin Street, someone inside the residence set the house on fire. Four suspects exited the building. Officers arrested 49 year old Lloyd Perkins. He was cited with armed robbery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. 29 year old Meghan Finley of Litchfield was also taken into custody for retail theft.

A search of the residence in the eight hundred block of South Chestnut resulted in the arrest of 41 year old Albert Buffington of Litchfield. Buffington was cited with armed robbery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

A search of the residence in the eight hundred block of East Edwards resulted in the arrest of 41 year old John Orzel the Second. Orzel was cited with armed robbery. Bond for Perkins was set at five hundred thousand dollars. Buffington's bond has been set at four hundred thousand dollars. Orzel is being held on three hundred thousand dollars.

(Alhambra)--After a heavy federal and local police presence in Livingston on Thursday, child pornography charges have been filed in federal court in East St. Louis against a rural Alhambra man. 34 year old Robert Godsey was arrested at his home in a raid by federal and local authorities. The Department of Homeland Security, the Customs and Border patrol, Madison County Sheriff's Office, along with the Alton Police Department executed the raid. Godsey has been charged with three counts of distribution, receipt, and possession of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Special Agent John Taylor of the Department of Homeland Security stated that Godsey's e-mail address appeared in Detroit in another investigation. During the raid authorities seized a notebook computer, and two hard drives. Godsey admitted that he had been collecting child pornography for many years, and trades the pornography using the e-mail account that federal authorities had been tracking. Godsey estimated that he had approximately 600 videos and over one thousand images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on the notebook computer.

Godsey, who as assigned a public defender, waived his rights to a preliminary hearing.

(Litchfield)--The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has released more information regarding a boating accident that happened on July 4th at Lake Lou Yeager. According to the Department of Natural Resources, 35 year old Toby Elliott of Bunker Hill was attempting to pilot his boat out of a swimming area of the lake when 35 year old Nathan Grant of Glen Carbon swam into the path of Elliott's boat.

Elliott reportedly did not see Grant until he was almost on top of him, and attempted to accelerate to avoid an accident. Grant was pulled under Elliott's boat and suffered a severe cut to his arm. Grant was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield for treatment.

Elliott was cited with careless operation of a water craft, and for not having an emergency cut off lanyard.

(Hillsboro)--Authorities are investigating the drowning death of a 2 year old, who died in a residential pool on the Montgomery County Trail. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, 911 received a phone call about an unresponsive two year old Sunday afternoon in rural Irving.

Authorities from the Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Area Ambulance, and the Witt Fire Department responded to the residence on the Montgomery County Trial. Reportedly family members performed CPR prior to authorities arriving.

Two year old Dreanna Iovito was taken by ambulance to Hillsboro Area Hospital where she was pronounced dead at the scene by Montgomery County Coroner Rick Broaddus.

The incident remains under investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff's and Coroner's Office.

--Gillespie-- According to the Illinois State Police the gold Ford pickup truck, which was at the center of multiple reports of attempted child abductions in the Gillespie and Benld areas over the July 4th weekend, has been located. On Tuesday, the pickup truck was located and a person of interest in the case has been identified and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. WSMI News will have more information on this story as it becomes available.

A new Miss Virden will be selected Friday night during the Virden American Legion 4th of July Celebration.

This years contestants in the Queen Pageant are Brooke Loy, Brianna Loy, Emily Bergman, Macanzie Vivin, Kaley Perrine, Macala Butler, Miranda Bearden, and Elizabeth Langstrom. The retiring Queen is Olivia Langheim.

The Queen Pageant begins at 7:00pm on the Virden Square.

(Hillsboro)--The Hillsboro Independence Day celebration will be held July 3rd and the 4th. Activites include:

Thursday, July 3rd

6:30pm--Firecracker Pageant on the 4th of July Stage (the movie Frozen will be shown following the pageant)

Friday, July 4th

8am--Biathlon at the Montgomery County Courthouse (Registration will start at 6:30am)

8am until 10am--Fishing Contest at the Boat Dock of Old Hillsboro Lake (Registration at 7:30am)

11:00am--Mini Biathlon at the Lincoln Plaza (Registration at 10:30am)

4:30pm--The Mighty Crush 3 on the 4th of July Stage

5:15pm--Jonathan Simburger and Melissa Jagosh on 4th of July Stage

5:45pm--Welcome Introductions

6:00pm--Kenzie Howell on the 4th of July Stage

7pm--Old Salt Union performs on the 4th of July Stage

9:15pm--Fireworks Display

Carlinville native Kelsey Card has earned a place on the U.S. national team after her record setting performances last week at the USA Outdoor Championship in California. Kelsey is a member of the University of Wisconsin Track and Field team. She finished 4th in the shot with a school record throw of 58-feet, 3 and three quarters inches. She was sixth in the discus with a school record throw of 191 feet, 7 inches. With those top six finishes, she will be a member of the Under-23 U.S. national team that will compete in the North and Central American and Carribean Championships set for August 8th- 10th in British Columbia. A 2011 graduate of Carlinville High School, Kelsey was the state champion in the shot and discus six straight years. In 2006 and 2007 she was the Illinois Elementary School Association champion and from 2008 to 2011 she was the Illinois High School Association State champion in both events. .