Recently, with the support of the Litchfield City Council and Administration, the Litchfield Fire Department was able to purchase a new CPR machine.

In order to save lives of sudden cardiac arrest patients and avoid neurological damage, a steady supply of oxygen is needed to the heart and brain. Life-saving circulation can be created thru effective chest compressions. The new machine the department purchased is a tool that standardizes chest compressions using the latest scientific guidelines. It also frees up rescuers to focus on other life-saving tasks.

The Department has already put this piece of equipment to good use. A patron at a local business went into cardiac arrest recently, and the ambulance crew responded and found the person not breathing and without a pulse with a bystander providing CPR. The machine was deployed and the crew was able to successfully revive the patient before arrival to the Emergency Department.

The patient was treated and discharged at a later date.

The Fire Department thanks the unnamed bystander for their efforts in helping to save a life.

Some counterfeit bills are being circulated in Litchfield according to the Litchfield Police.

According to Sgt. Christopher Robinson, the $100 bills have been discovered by a half dozen businesses on the west side of town, and are described as older looking bills. Authorities are encouraging businesses to be vigilant and keep an eye out for the suspicious bills. The suspect at this time has only been described as female.

Those who come across a counterfeit bill, or suspect they have discovered one, should keep it and contact the Litchfield Police Department immediately at 324-5991.

July 11 was reorganization day at the Montgomery County Board meeting.

Going into the meeting, the board had two vacant seats and was in need of a Chairman after the passing of former chairman Roy Hertel. Evan Young, who was the Vice Chairman, had been serving as the interim chair going into the meeting. The board unanimously approved the removal of his interim title and made him the official County Board Chairman. Young, who didn't have much to say after the vote, said the experience was humbling.

Along with Young's appointment, the board also approved Megan Beeler as Vice Chairman. The two vacant seats on the board were filled by Mark Hughes of Hillsboro and Sandra Johnson of Nokomis. Hughes fills the seat in County Board District Six, while Johnson fills the seat in District Two.

The board members weren't the only ones making moves, as State's Attorney Chris Matoush announced his resignation after being selected as an associate judge with the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Matoush said that he has enjoyed working with each of the county board members as well as people within the sheriff's department since 1999, when he started working for the State's Attorney's office. He will officially join the judicial district on August 1.

Replacing Matoush as the State's Attorney will be Waggoner native Bryant Hitchings. Hitchings was appointed by the Montgomery County Democrat Central Committee, and was approved unanimously by the board. He has previously served as the Coles County State's Attorney, in addition to working in a private practice in Mattoon.

The next Montgomery County Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, at 8:30 a.m. on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro.

The Macoupin County Courthouse elevator will be closed for upgrades beginning Monday, July 17. The project is expected to take seven to nine weeks to complete and will be the first major upgrade on the elevator since it was installed in 1976.

While the elevator is upgraded, the first and second floor of the Courthouse will be only accessible by the stairs. Anyone visiting the Courthouse who believes they will be unable to climb the stairs is asked to tell the Court Security who will help make accommodations.

All are reminded many services at the Courthouse can be completed either online or through mail. The county's website is www. macoupincountyil.gov and the phone number is 217-854-3214.