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The first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Montgomery County on Wednesday, Dec. 23 in the auditorium of St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

Ten vaccines were administered on Dec. 23, with clinics for fellow colleagues scheduled Dec. 28-30. COVID-19 vaccines were also administered on Wednesday at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

All of the vaccines were administered smoothly and safely.

The doses, which arrived Wednesday morning, were administered to colleagues providing patient care, all of whom voluntarily consented to receive the vaccine. At this time, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is not requiring its colleagues to receive the vaccination, although they are recommending colleagues receive the vaccine when it is available to them.

HSHS St. Francis Hospital will be following the CDC guidelines to determine during which phases their colleagues will receive the vaccine. Locally, they will work closely with the Montgomery County Health Department as they continue to receive additional doses.

Local hospitals still encourage people to do their part to decrease the number of COVID cases in the area by being diligent with proper hand washing, social distancing, wearing masks and staying home when we are ill.

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A massive fire broke out in downtown Pana on Tuesday morning. Crews from multiple Fire Departments including Christian, Montgomery, Shelby, Macon, and Fayette Counties responded to the 5 alarm fire along with the Chris-Mont EMA.

The fire started on East Second Street at 132 East 2nd Street at 10:01 AM near the Moose Lodge downtown all three buildings that caught fire were unoccupied. All three buildings are reported to be a complete loss. Crews were still battling the fire well into the afternoon. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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The Litchfield Knights of Columbus will be having a Santa Claus Cruise on Sunday, Dec 20th at 2pm, see map above for a detailed route.

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Macoupin/Montgomery Crimestoppers is seeking your help in solving a theft.

On Monday, December 3, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office received a complaint of stolen equipment. The owner of a remote shed on 9th Ave near the Deer Run Mine reported that two pieces of equipment had been stolen. One piece of equipment was a yellow Allmand light tower. The other was an orange Goodwin 6 water pump.

If you have any information that would help solve this crime or any other crime go to Crimestoppers website to email a tip at www.macmontcrimestoppers.com, or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-352-0136.

Any information that leads to an arrest is eligible for up to a $5,000.00 reward. Remember we want your information not your name.

The Montgomery County Health Department is offering free COVID-19 rapid testing through Litchfield Family Practice Center, available on Saturdays and Sundays in December from 1-3 p.m. or until 40 tests have been completed, whichever comes first.

According to the health department, the antigen tests will be done in a first come, first served drive-through format. Those tested will be notified of their results the same day, but the health department cautions that a negative rapid test does not qualify a person for a shortened quarantine period under new CDC guidelines.

Those in line waiting for the free tests should not block any entrances or exits; 3 p.m. is the cutoff and anyone still in line at that time will not be tested. Those with questions may contact the health department at 217-532-2001.