Lets get this out there for your information and personal decision making for this afternoon and tonight.

NWS has issued  a High Risk Event for this afternoon and ESPECIALLY EARLY EVENING. The last time this was issued in Illinois, the result was a long track tornado that affected Washington, IL (EF3/EF4). The main damages could come from high winds, LONG TRACK Tornadoes and large hail.  It's been over two years since there has a high risk event warning in the country.  

The main event of importance will come from the second wave at 6-8PM. This wave could produce long track tornadoes

The main area that could be affected is from I55 to I57.

The storms will be moving between 60-70MPH So warnings will be issued quickly and you will have to ACT QUICKLY!!! Monitor your phones closely and if you hear the siren act quickly to get to a safe area in a basement or interior room.

The NWS, IEMA and your local emergency management agencies are taking this very seriously and you should as well
 

A tragic scene Monday as witnesses look on. A Litchfield man is dead after being struck by a train early Monday afternoon.  At approximately 12:51 p.m., the Montgomery County 911 system received a report of a pedestrian struck by a train.  

The Litchfield Fire Department and Police Department were dispatched and immediately responded to the east set of tracks on Sargent Street.  

Upon the arrival of First Responders, it was determined the pedestrian had suffered a fatal injury and the Montgomery County Coroner's Office was contacted.  

Witnesses, on scene, advised they observed a male subject cross the tracks on a bicycle. Witnesses indicated they believed the subjects hat had fallen off and that the subject stopped and dismounted his bicycle and attempted to retrieve the hat and in the process was struck by the train.  

Contact was made with Norfolk Southern Railroad and they are assisting with the, on- going, investigation.  

The subject was identified as 59-year-old Billy J. Malloy of Litchfield.  

The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s award winners, who will be honored at the Chamber Banquet March 31st.  The Citizen of the Year is Jon Magnuson of Beacon Church.  He’s had a lot to say about the struggles with  mental health and addiction and has been a fierce advocate for those seeking a glimmer of hope.  Madison Park Elementary Kindergarten teacher Penny Niemann is the educator of the year.  Gudgel Ranch Salooon is the rising star winner.  Cody Younker a force to be reckoned with in Litchfield Wrestling will receive the special recognition honor and the business of the year is United Builders.   Find out more about tickets here:  https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ej58oa1oa55b2ffe&oseq=&c=&ch=

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Montgomery County 911 received a call of a suspected body near 781 City Lake Road in Old Lake Hillsboro. The Hillsboro Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police responded, and requested the services of the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department Dive and Rescue Team for a body recovery, and also the Montgomery County Coroner's Office. A body was recovered and identified as Robert Miles Harris, 56, of Hillsboro. Harris was pronounced deceased at the scene by Montgomery County Coroner Randy Leetham at 10:20 a.m. A search warrant for a nearby vehicle was obtained through the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. The warrant was obtained and executed; and a note was recovered from inside the vehicle. There were no indications of a criminal element involved with the death. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled for Friday, March 3, and the investigation continues by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office and the Hillsboro Police Department.