A Hillsboro man was arrested September 23, for Reckless Driving, and Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer.

Devon McBrain, 22, was arrested after he allegedly took off in his truck at a high rate of speed on Main Street in Taylor Springs Saturday morning while Taylor Springs Police were on patrol. According to the police, the officer activated his lights and siren and began a pursuit, while the truck continued to speed away heading east on Main Street. McBrain also allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of Main and Spring.

During the pursuit, McBrain's truck turned a corner too fast at Spring and Miller Branch Trail and hit the ditch. The 22-year old was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail. His truck was towed from the scene.

The Hillsboro City Council approved two facade grants for separate applicants at their meeting Tuesday evening.

One of the grants was for Ken Meade studios. Mayor Brian Sullivan said Mr. Meade has put a lot of work into his building and, as part of the agreement, the grant will be available for up to $2000. The other grant that was approved was for Tony Marcolini, who was in attendance. Marcolini said he is attempting to restore the storefront on Main Street between Century 21 Realty and the Hillsboro Moose Lodge. The grants for both applicants were approved.

The council also approved an amendment of the Right-of-way and Easement grants between the city and Nustar Pipeline Operating Partnership. The amendment came at the request of city attorney Kit Hantla for clarification of the language in the agreement.

Also at the meeting, Michael Fuller was appointed to the Hillsboro Library Board on Mayor Sullivan's recommendation. Commissioner Don Downs said that Fuller is a good person who has been good for the community, as he has assisted with Imagine Hillsboro.

The next Hillsboro City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, at 7 p.m.

Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser recently announced that couples seeking to obtain a marriage license in the county may now utilize a new, free optional service on the County Clerk's website to pre-register online to save time, add convenience and increase accuracy.

Leitheiser stated the advantage of online pre-registration will allow couples to provide their information to the county clerk from the comfort of their own home and contact family members if needed. Once the couple completes their pre-registration online, the County Clerk's office receives it thru a secured email and enters the data into the office's Marriage License software system prior to the couple's visit, saving time at the office.

Couples obtaining Marriage Licenses will still need to appear in person to officially apply for their license since they must provide Photo ID documentation and sign marriage license paperwork witnessed by office staff before the Marriage License can be issued. She added that this new service is strictly optional and couples may still apply in person if they prefer.

According to Leitheiser, this new service is available at no additional cost to county taxpayers because it was made possible by Montgomery County Information Technology staff as part of their regular county duties.

For questions about County Clerk services, residents may call 532-9530.

One person was killed and four children were injured during a traffic accident on I-55 near Springfield Sunday evening.

According to the State Police, an SUV was traveling north on the interstate at mile marker 95 when witnesses said it appeared to swerve left and abruptly back to the right. The SUV entered the ditch to the right, rolled and struck two trees.

The driver of the vehicle was ejected and fatally injured. Two infants were fastened in child safety seats and had to be extricated. Two other child passengers were also ejected. All four passengers were taken to Saint Johns Hospital in Springfield.

The driver and the two children not in child safety seats were not wearing seat belts. The right lane of I-55 was shut down for approximately 45 minutes.

On Saturday, Montgomery County Animal Control will host an open house at their facility near the Knights of Columbus hall in Hillsboro.

During the open house, there will be reduced adoption fees for pets, information on volunteering, and educational materials for kids. They will also award door prizes and serve pork patties, hot dogs and lemonade.

The open house will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Montgomery County Animal Control is located at 11252 North 9th Avenue in Hillsboro.

Carlinville Lake Two has been closed to recreational activities.

During the Carlinville City Council meeting it was announced that fishing, boating and all recreational activities have been suspended due to low water levels at the lake. The closure is until further notice.

On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis announced that the city of Litchfield has been awarded a $2.1 million infrastructure investment grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

"Litchfield and Central Illinois have a strong workforce, advantageous location, and transportation systems necessary to bring jobs and prosperity to the region," Congressman Davis said.

"Elected officials and staff have been working on this project for 10 years," said Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty. "We are excited to partner with the EDA on the project promoting growth, and excited to be able to provide job opportunities for future generations and to provide economic vitality within the region."

The award, which will be matched with local funds, will support the creation of a third industrial park for the city. The funds will be used to support the expansion of infrastructure across I-55 for the new industrial park, which is expected to create 600 light manufacturing jobs for the region.

A Pawnee man was injured during an accident Monday evening after attempting to tow a vehicle on Interstate 72.

According to the State Police, Matthew Edwards of Pawnee, was loading a disabled vehicle onto a tow truck when, for unknown reasons, a car crossed the white fog line and struck the rear of the tow truck and then Edwards, who was standing along the driver's side of the truck.

Edwards, 43, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The driver of the car who hit the tow truck, identified as Erdogan Kurap, 64, of Herscher, was cited for improper lane usage and failing to yield to a stationary authorized emergency vehicle.

The accident occurred Monday at 6:19 p.m. at milepost 78 near Alexander.

A Keyesport man was arrested Sunday afternoon in Taylor Springs for assault.

According to the Taylor Springs Police Department, Charles Compton, 40, was arrested for Assault and Criminal Trespass to Land at 1 p.m. Sunday. While on patrol at 3:18 a.m. Sunday, Taylor Springs Officer Warren Hall was confronted by Alex Wertzel, who is the owner of a local bar and grill. Wertzel told Hall that he wanted to press charges against Compton after being assaulted. Compton was employed by a construction company Wertzel had recently fired.

Officer Hall was unable to find Compton Sunday morning and took written statements from witnesses at the scene. On Sunday afternoon, Hall received a call from Wertzel saying he had just located Compton looking in the front window of their establishment. Hall responded to the scene and found Compton walking down one of the side streets next to the bar.

Compton was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail where he is awaiting bond.

Two people were injured in an automobile accident Wednesday afternoon on Route 16 in Litchfield.

According to State Police Trooper Heath Bryan, a car driven by Richard Collis of the United Kingdom, was exiting the southbound ramp from Exit 52 off Interstate 55, when he failed to yield and pulled out in front of a westbound car, driven by Charlene Taylor, 75, of Gillespie.

Taylor's car was unable to avoid Collis's vehicle, and struck the car on the driver's side. Collis, 26, and his passenger, Sophie Nash, 31, of the United Kingdom, were each taken to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield by the Litchfield Fire Department with non-incapacitating injuries.

Route 16 was down to one lane for approximately one hour while the road was cleaned and vehicles were removed. The accident occurred at around 2:39 p.m. Wednesday.

At their meeting Wednesday evening, the Macoupin-Montgomery Crimestoppers awarded $200 to a person who provided information about meth sales in Gillespie in July.

When authorities made the arrest, they discovered the alleged perpetrator was a felon in possession of stolen weapons. His girlfriend was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly lying about his whereabouts.

The volunteers at Bremer Sanctuary in Hillsboro are inviting the public to join them for their 40th anniversary celebration next weekend.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, the volunteers will present a variety of activities on the grounds. Presenters from the local and state area will present programs for visitors of all ages.

Treehouse Wildlife Center from Dow will feature four birds not able to be released, including raptors such as hawks and owls with information on the birds' natural history. All birds will be perched for photos.

Tony Rothering, who is a licensed bird bander from the Lincoln Land Association, will set a number of mist nets throughout the west prairie to capture birds for banding. A demonstration net will give kids an opportunity to toss play birds into the net to show them how live birds can be captured and released.

Bremer volunteers will be available to lead trail hikes, wagon rides, and to discuss how the property has evolved from 1977 to the present.

There is ongoing pipeline construction on the property necessitating the closure or restriction on some of the trails. Caution should be used by all visitors and everyone is asked to not go beyond the unrestricted trails.

A pair of Taylor Springs residents were arrested for Domestic Battery on Friday evening.

According to the Taylor Springs Police Department, Elizabeth Chesney and Lance Hampton were each arrested for Domestic Battery after authorities were dispatched to a residence on Water Street in Taylor Springs at approximately 10:11 p.m. Friday.

According to the police report, Officer Warren Hall arrived at the residence and observed broken window glass all over the porch and jagged glass still in the window with a great deal of blood on the glass, as well as drops of blood all over the front porch.

When Hall entered the residence, Chesney, 41, stated that her boyfriend, Lance Hampton, grabbed her by the throat and threw her up against the wall. Officer Hall told Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies and the Hillsboro Police, who were in route to the scene, to be on the lookout for Hampton, 52, who was missing and bleeding heavily after Chesney's cousin pushed him into a window.

Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies and Hillsboro Police officers found Hampton a block from the residence on Bell Street. Officers stated that Hampton smelled of alcohol and had glass in both arms. They were also informed by a witness that Chesney started the altercation in their garage. The witness said that Chesney hit Hampton in the head twice and then Hampton left.

Both Chesney and Hampton were taken to the Montgomery County Jail on charges of Domestic Battery.

Montgomery County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser has announced that candidates interested in running for county offices to be nominated or elected in the March 20, 2018, General Primary Election may receive petitions from the Montgomery County Clerk's Office.

The petition circulation period is underway and the filing period for submitting completed nominating papers and petitions for county offices with the County Clerk and Recorder's office will be from Monday, November 27, through Monday, December 4.

County offices to be nominated in the March 20, General Primary Election include a 2 year unexpired term for State's Attorney, County Sheriff, County Treasurer, County Clerk and Regional Superintendent of Schools, as well as 11 of the 21 County Board seats in all seven County Board districts.

In Montgomery County, the Primary will also nominate the Federal office of U-S Representative in the 13th U.S. House of Representative District and the State offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, State Senator in the 48th Legislative District, State Representative in the 95th Representative District, and judges if required by vacancy.

The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Anyone needing further information about the upcoming elections is encouraged to contact the County Clerk and Recorder's office at the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro or call 217-532-9530.

The Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum in Nokomis will welcome six new honorees during an induction ceremony Saturday evening.

Former major league baseball players Gary Gaetti, Jason Isringhausen and Kirk Rueter; along with former minor leaguer Mick Fieldbinder, longtime coach Roger Kratochvil and WSMI's own Terry Todt will be honored during the ceremony. Rueter, Fieldbinder and Kratochvil will be in attendance along with several current honorees.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Nokomis Memorial Park House with a catered meal, followed by the induction ceremony.

The BRS Baseball Museum honors approximately 110 people encompassing a 60-mile radius from Nokomis who have contributed significantly to the game of baseball. Among those are museum namesakes Jim Bottomley, Red Ruffing and Ray Schalk all members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and all of whom have ties to either Nokomis itself or Montgomery County.

For more information about the museum or the induction ceremony, call 217-710-8629, email info@brsmuseum.org, or visit the museum's website at brsmuseum.org.

The city of Litchfield has announced that due to the overwhelming vendor response for the Pickers Market this weekend, the city will be closing some additional roads Sunday.

From 4 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the roads that will be closed include Monroe Street from Route 16 to Ryder Street, State Street from Route 16 to the south end of the Brown Shoe Apartments, Kirkham Street from Monroe to Madison, Ryder Street from Monroe to Madison, and Edwards Street from Monroe to Madison. The road closures will apply to the market this Sunday as well as the final Pickers market of the season on October 8.

To prevent vehicles from being towed at the owner's expense, individuals may move their vehicle to one of the nearby city parking lots.

The market will be held Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Litchfield. Entertainment will be provided by Kyle Yap from 9 to 11:30, and Hunter Sharp from noon to 3. For more information, visit the Litchfield Pickers website at visitlitchfield.com/events/litchfieldpickersmarket.

Ameren Illinois is providing grants to non-profit organizations who are experiencing difficulty paying their electric bill. The funds are administered through the Energy Assistance Foundation and are available to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations that have an active Ameren Illinois electric account.

Assistance will be provided to qualifying organizations in the form of a one-time grant that is applied directly to the organizations electric account. Grant amounts are based on the number of eligible applicants that apply and applications must be postmarked by September 29, 2017 for consideration.

For applications, nonprofits can go to www.amerenillinois.com.

The city of Litchfield will be partnering with Racemaker productions for the eighth annual Litchfield TriathLou. The race will take place on Sunday starting at Lake Lou Yaeger's Marina 1. During the event, the city will welcome runners from across the country competing in sprint, Olympic, and half distance races.

The course will traverse the area around Lake Lou Yaeger. Marina 1 will be closed during the event, as will the intersection of Arrowhead Road and Beach House Trail. All other roads will remain open, but the city asks that the public use extreme caution when traveling in the area. Police will be present at the main intersections to assist vehicles while ensuring the safety of the race participants.

For more information about the event, log on to visitlitchfield.com, like the Visit Litchfield Facebook page, or call 324-8147.

A motor vehicle burglary investigation in Hillsboro led to the discovery of synthetic cannabis on Thursday.

At 2:08 p.m. on August 31, Hillsboro Police began investigating a burglary to a motor vehicle at Hillsboro Area Hospital. Officers reviewed security camera footage and recognized the suspect, later identified as Dakota Riley of Hillsboro.

Riley, 18, was taken into custody minutes later for Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle, and Theft. When police found Riley, there was synthetic cannabis in plain sight as well as smoking devices. He and a second male, Brendon Flack, 18, of Hillsboro, were cited under the city code for Possession of Synthetic Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Each citation carries a fine of $250 if found guilty. Riley was booked into the Montgomery County Jail for the Criminal violations. The ordinance violations will be turned over to the City Attorney's office for prosecution.

Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham has commended an off-duty conservation policeman, an off-duty fireman and another witness after assisting in the arrest of a man allegedly driving under the influence.

On August 29, Hillsboro Police responded to an accident at the intersection of Rountree and Tremont. A red pickup truck had hit a power pole and a stop sign. Minutes before the accident, Montgomery County 911 and the Hillsboro Police Department had received calls of a red truck driving recklessly near Central Park on Wood Street.

While officers were responding to the scene, the subject, identified as John Jagosh of Hillsboro, attempted to leave. The truck had severe damage to one of the front wheels and was not drivable. Jagosh, 58, continued to accelerate the truck and spun the tread off the tires before the vehicle was turned off.

Off-duty Conservation Police Officer Matt Lentz, off-duty Springfield Fireman Drew Peterson and a witness at the scene struggled with the subject, and were able to remove the keys from the truck. The individuals held the doors closed on the truck to keep Jagosh there until police arrived and took him into custody.

Jagosh was arrested and cited for Driving Under the Influence, Improper Lane Usage, Reckless Driving and Criminal Damage to Property. He had been out on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Montgomery County Animal Control arrived and took custody of two dogs Jagosh had riding in the truck with him. He also had several knives and a club in close proximity to the driver's door.

The truck was towed from the scene. Chief Leetham thanked the three citizens who jumped into action to help safely resolve the issue.

A motor vehicle burglary investigation in Hillsboro led to the discovery of synthetic cannabis on Thursday.

At 2:08 p.m. on August 31, Hillsboro Police began investigating a burglary to a motor vehicle at Hillsboro Area Hospital. Officers reviewed security camera footage and recognized the suspect, later identified as Dakota Riley of Hillsboro.

Riley, 18, was taken into custody minutes later for Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle, and Theft. When police found Riley, there was synthetic cannabis in plain sight as well as smoking devices. He and a second male, Brendon Flack, 18, of Hillsboro, were cited under the city code for Possession of Synthetic Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Each citation carries a fine of $250 if found guilty. Riley was booked into the Montgomery County Jail for the Criminal violations. The ordinance violations will be turned over to the City Attorney's office for prosecution.

Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham has commended an off-duty conservation policeman, an off-duty fireman and another witness after assisting in the arrest of a man allegedly driving under the influence.

On August 29, Hillsboro Police responded to an accident at the intersection of Rountree and Tremont. A red pickup truck had hit a power pole and a stop sign. Minutes before the accident, Montgomery County 911 and the Hillsboro Police Department had received calls of a red truck driving recklessly near Central Park on Wood Street.

While officers were responding to the scene, the subject, identified as John Jagosh of Hillsboro, attempted to leave. The truck had severe damage to one of the front wheels and was not drivable. Jagosh, 58, continued to accelerate the truck and spun the tread off the tires before the vehicle was turned off.

Off-duty Conservation Police Officer Matt Lentz, off-duty Springfield Fireman Drew Peterson and a witness at the scene struggled with the subject, and were able to remove the keys from the truck. The individuals held the doors closed on the truck to keep Jagosh there until police arrived and took him into custody.

Jagosh was arrested and cited for Driving Under the Influence, Improper Lane Usage, Reckless Driving and Criminal Damage to Property. He had been out on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Montgomery County Animal Control arrived and took custody of two dogs Jagosh had riding in the truck with him. He also had several knives and a club in close proximity to the driver's door.

The truck was towed from the scene. Chief Leetham thanked the three citizens who jumped into action to help safely resolve the issue.