Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released her annual Safe Shopping Guide this week. The guide highlights hazardous toys and other children's products and household items recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission over the past year. Madigan says they released the first guide in 2007, in response to the amount of recalls of children's toys and other products that happened that year.

"Every single year there are, unfortunately, a lot of items that are toys and children's products that are recalled. So what we try to do is we use the holiday shopping season as a good time to alert parents to make sure that they don't have any of these items in their homes, if they have children, and when they're out shopping to make sure they're not purchasing items that might harm their children and make the holiday a less than safe and happy time."

Madigan says the guide is separated into categories including toys, cribs and other furniture and clothing.

"Believe it or not, there's a lot of items of clothing for kids that are recalled. One of the things that is most common, at least this year, (is) a lot of hoodies where there is still a drawstring and unfortunately that poses a strangulation hazard, so a lot of those items end up recalled. So really what we do, though, is try to make (the guide) easy and accessible. So any item that is either a toy or intended for use by a child or with a child is going to be in this guide."

In addition to the recalled items, the guide also includes a new section which addresses online safety with children. Madigan says with the growing number of internet accessible devices purchased for children, she wanted to focus on how to promote their safe use.

"As the Attorney General, unfortunately, I see everything that children face online, whether it's cyber bullies or predators or it's apps that actually invade their privacy and are used by identity thieves to take that information from them and their families. I decided, because we are oftentimes, unfortunately, in this position of responding after there's been a problem, one of the better things to do is be proactive and make sure that parents are buying appropriate devices for their children, have ways to set some controls on that, talk with their kids about what they're doing online and then making sure they're actually monitoring what's taking place. So we've included a lot of information about what kids are doing online and ways for you to engage in a conversation with your child about that and to make sure that hopefully they will be safe and civil while they're on these devices that are obviously very popular requests from kids during the holiday season.

The 2015 Safe Shopping Guide can be found here: Shopping GuideThomack 11/27/15

Salvation Army volunteers will be ringing bells at serveral location in Carlinville from now until Christmas Eve.

The Carlinville Good Samaritan Ministry is in charge of the campaign. This year's goal is $35,000 of which 85% will remain in the Carlinville community, the balance of 15% is used by the nationa Salvation Army to respond to major disasters nationwide. Last year nearly $27,000 was given to about 150 families to assist with gas, electric, and water bills. A person may only receive assistance once a year in order to allow help to more people.

When you see one of the bell ringers, you are asked to give what you can to help with the campaign. If you would like to mail a donation make the check payable to Salvation Army and mail it to Ray Jordan, 27 Cottonwood Drive, Carlinville, IL 62626.

For more iinformation, contact Larry Rogers at 217-416-0515 or Ray Jordan at 940-453-3013.

Do you hear what I hear? That's the sound of turkeys thawing all over Montgomery County. University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Lisa Peterson says she's received many calls from cooks needing help with their Thanksgiving dinner. She says one important thing to remember about cooking turkey is to NOT wash it before you cook it.

"Because when you wash them, you're spreading that bacteria and washing the turkey actually doesn't remove the harmful bacteria. If there's harmful bacteria in there, it's going to be on the inside of the turkey, we're not going to be able to wash it off. That's why it's so incredibly important that our turkey reaches about 165 degrees when we're cooking. A lot of them come with those little pop-up tabs, but it's always a good idea to have a food thermometer and go to the innermost part of that turkey thigh."

Peterson says it's also a good idea to check your refrigerator and oven temperatures before the holidays to make sure everything is accurate. More turkey tips can be found on the U of I Extension's website: Turkey for the HolidaysThomack 11/25/15

The Unit Seven Fire Protection District in Gillespie is alerting the public of scam.

Reportedly, phone calls have been received in the area soliciting donations for a new tanker truck for the fire district. According to the Fire Protection District, the phone calls are a scam and no one should donate any money to anyone who calls.

If you receive such a call, report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Last week, authorities intercepted nearly a pound of heroin headed from Chicago to St. Louis on I-55 near Litchfield. According to a press release from the Illinois State Police, a man transporting heroin was stopped Tuesday night (11/17), for speeding in Montgomery County. The motorist, who resides in the Chicago area, allegedly was in possession of 439 grams of heroin and 42 grams of cannabis, when he was pulled over for speeding. The man initially fled the traffic stop in his car, but eventually pulled over a couple miles down the interstate. The trooper who stopped the motorist suspected something may have been discarded from the vehicle during the chase and requested a K9 Unit to help search the two miles of interstate. The drugs, in ziplock and vacuum sealed bags, were found by a Montgomery County Sheriff's Office K9 along the shoulder and right ditch of the interstate, just a half mile from where the individual was first stopped. Montgomery County State's Attorney Chris Matoush officially charged the motorist with possession of heroin, possession of cannabis, speeding 11 to 14 mph over the limit, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer and failure to signal when required. The defendant was ordered held by Judge Roberts on $150,000 bond and, if convicted, faces up to a maximum of 40 years in prison.Thomack 11/23/15

On Friday, around 5:50pm, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call concerning an armed suicidal subject shooting a gun in a residence in Coalton. According to a press release from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Nokomis Police, the Sheriff's Office and the Illinois State Police responded. Upon arrival, officers heard gunshots coming from within the residence. Twenty-seven-year-old Jacob A. Dean was reported to be alone inside his residence. Officers established a secure perimeter and made phone contact with Dean who refused to leave the residence. Dean continued shooting and fired multiple gunshots through windows and toward law enforcement officers. Officers did not return gunfire and no officers were injured during the incident. At 7:10pm, Dean exited the residence, requesting help due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg. Dean was secured by law enforcement officers and the Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service responded to the scene. Dean was transported to the Hillsboro Area Hospital and later transferred to St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Criminal charges against Dean are pending.Thomack 11/17/15

The Hillsboro Board of Education will hold another special meeting regarding the future of the facilities on the high school campus. At 4pm today (11/16), at the Hillsboro Unit Office, a Building and Grounds Committee meeting will take place. According to a press release from the school, while it is a public meeting, it is not intended to be a forum for discussion. It is a working meeting of the committee and FGM Architects in preparation for the special board meeting on Wednesday. The public can be fully engaged in discussion at the public meeting on Wednesday. That meeting takes place at 6:30pm at the Hillsboro Junior High Cafeteria. Thomack 11/16/15

The senior Christmas dinner for Beld Senior citizens will be held the first week of December. Sponsored by Build Benld the free 4th Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner will be held Sunday, December 6 in the Benld Civic Center.

Current senior citizens of Benld age 60+ can sign up for the dinner at the Benld City Office, Cahokia Township Office, Benld Public Library or they can call Gina Mendenhall at 217-835-1200. Seniors must sign up by Monday, November 30.

The Benld Civic Center will open at 11:30am on Sunday, December 6 and dinner will be served at noon. Meals will be delivered to senior's who are homebound.

Blackburn College and the American Legion Post 554 will honor United States military veterans on Wednesday, November 11 at 11am at the annual Veterans Day Convocation in Clegg Chapel. The convocation is open open to Blackburn faculty, staff, students, and all members of the community. This year's convocation speaker is Colonel Dan J. Reilly.

A thank you lunch will be provided free for veterans following the convocation.

The Guy Baird Post #554 in Carlinville will feature the "Old Timers" night meal of soup and chili at its open house on Wednesday, November 11th.

The open house is open to all veterans whether they are currently members of the post or not. Doors open at 5pm with a meal at 7pm. All veterans are invited.

Post also has a new and expanding Sons of the American Legion Squadron. All male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of American Legion members or male descendants of veterans who died during war time service are eligible for membership.

Tos RSVP or to ask further questions about the American Legion or Sons of the American Legion contact Post Adjutant Mike Vance at 217-851-2437.

The Guy Baird Post #554 in Carlinville will feature the "Old Timers" night meal of soup and chili at its open house on Wednesday, November 11th.

The open house is open to all veterans whether they are currently members of the post or not. Doors open at 5pm with a meal at 7pm. All veterans are invited.

Post also has a new and expanding Sons of the American Legion Squadron. All male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of American Legion members or male descendants of veterans who died during war time service are eligible for membership.

Tos RSVP or to ask further questions about the American Legion or Sons of the American Legion contact Post Adjutant Mike Vance at 217-851-2437.

Carlinville Rotary's 76th annual Halloween Parade was held Saturday, October 31 and the 2015 Rotary Queen was crowned.

This years Queen is Maggie Nicholson, daughter of Steve and Katie Nicholson. She was escorted by Matthew Bolomey, son of Jeff and Cathy Bolomey.

Runner-up was Ashley Campbell, daughter of Doug and Paula Campbell. She was escorted by Michael Bolomey, son of Jeff and Cathy Bolomey, son of Jeff and Cathy Bolomey.

2nd Runner-up was Baylee Hughes, daughter of Alan and Jami Hughes. She was escorted by Jake Cater, son of Kelly McLaughlin and Todd Cameron.

Around midnight today, the Litchfield Police responded to a fire alarm and ended up in a car chase. According to a press release from the Litchfield Police Department, police were called to the Super 8 Motel for an activated fire alarm. While officers were at the scene, members of the Super 8 management observed a suspicious individual along the north side of the building. When management asked the individual to stop to talk to them, the individual, an adult, white male, began running toward a parked vehicle. The man entered the vehicle and began backing out, nearly striking two employees. As an officer approached the vehicle and asked the man to stop, he drove toward the officer, almost hitting him. The man then drove toward another officer who fired a shot into the vehicle's front driver's side wheel in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued driving and police began pursuing. The man drove west on Route 16 into Macoupin County, then north onto county roads in the area of Hornsby. The police eventually stopped pursuit due to weather conditions and erratic driving by the suspect. The suspect's vehicle was a silver or grey, four-door passenger vehicle, possibly a Nissan or Hyundai. Anyone with information regarding this incident or suspect can contact the Litchfield Police Department at (217) 324-5991 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-352-0136 or at info@macmontcrimestoppers.comThomack 11/3/15