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Local News Archives for 2023-04

Hillsboro Manhunt Ends in Arrest After Domestic Incident

On Wednesday April 26, 2023 approximately 9:46am Hillsboro Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic on Hiltop Dr. in Hillsboro. Officers arrived and learned the grandmother at the residence had been stabbed in the head with scissors. Officers entered the residence to attempt to locate the suspect. Montgomery County Sheriff’s K9 “Flex” was used to search portions of the residence. The suspect was not located inside the residence. K9 “Flex” and a team of officers began tracking the suspect from scene into the wooded area near the residence. Due to the close proximity of Hillsboro High School, administrative staff was notified of the situation. Hillsboro Area Ambulance transported the female for treatment and she was later released. Additional police staff was called in for duty to assist in the manhunt. Montgomery County EMA was contact for the use of their drone to assist in searching the wooded area. Officers were stationed around HHS and Hillsboro Area Hospital for security. The initial search did not result in locating the suspect. A second attempt was initiated and the K9 team began an area search for the suspect in the woods behind HHS and Hillsboro Area Hospital. Subsequently a Hillsboro Police Officer located the suspect walking on the railroad track near the intersection of E. Tremont St and Railroad St approximately 11:45am. Tobey A. Wright 24 of Hillsboro was taken into custody. Wright was transported to Montgomery County Jail where he was booked into jail on charges of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Interfering with Report of Domestic Violence. 

I-55 moving again through Litchfield after wreck involving semi and dump truck

I-55 was shut down in both directions between mile markers 52 and 60 (Route 16 and 108 exits) early this morning after a messy wreck involving a semi and a dump truck.   State Police report the driver of tractor trailer rear ended a dump truck at mile marker 56, between the Carlinville and Litchfield/Gillespie exits.  The impact caused both vehicles to veer left into the median where the dump truck rolled over on its side.  The tractor trailer caught fire in the cab area.  Both drivers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.  The Litchfield Fire Department reported a semi-tractor fully involved and the dump truck spilled on the roadway.  Due to water supply issues, Raymond-Harvel FPD was requested mutual aid for an engine and a tender. Approximately 6000 gallons of water were used to bring the fire under control . The semi-trailer was heavily involved in fire as well and the contents werewacked tightly together in the trailer making it difficult for fire crews to reach the seat of the fire. The fire was brought under control after close to 3 hours and Raymond fire units were cleared from the scene. All of LFD units were cleared except for 802 which remained on scene to aid in the dismantling of the trailer and fully extinguishing the contents before it was removed from the interstate.  The Litchfield Fire Dept reminds drivers on the interstate to keep their focus on the roadway in front of them, especially at night, and to be cognizant of surrounding vehicles and the possibility of disabled vehicles in the roadway or on the shoulder. Highway speeds do not leave sufficient time to react to an accident or slow-moving vehicle. Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you to ensure there is ample time make a defensive move in the event something should happen. 

 

Deadline Approaching for Veteran Names to be Added to Litchfield, Hillsboro Memorials

Montgomery County Recorder Sandy Leitheiser reminds war veterans with ties to Litchfield and surrounding area as well as Hillsboro area veterans within the boundaries of the Hillsboro School District have until Friday, May 12 th to have their names added to the respective memorials in time for Memorial Day.  So far, Michael Christopher Simpson and Howard D. Odle are scheduled to be added to the Litchfield Veterans Memorial.  Two names have been submitted to date for Hillsboro: Gary Dean Lamb, Sr. and Cecil E. Bourland. Names should be submitted to the Recorder’s office located on the 1 st floor of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro by May 12 th to add them to the Memorial stones by Memorial Day, 2023. Those with questions about the Litchfield Veterans Memorial are encouraged to call Litchfield Area Veterans Memorial Committee representative Ray Kellenberger at 217-324-5796 or email him at rdk436@yahoo.com. Anyone with questions about the Hillsboro Veterans Memorial is encouraged to call Committee Representative Willie Cobetto at (217) 556-0040. 

Dean of the Montgomery County Board Passes Away

A lifetime of service has come to close in Nokomis.  A fixture on the Montgomery County Board, Gene Miles, has passed away at the age of 81.     Miles spent 8 years on the Nokomis City Council before joining the County Board for 16 years.  He also was the owner and operator of Miles Ford in Nokomis up until last decade.  Services are set for Saturday at St. Louis Catholic Church in Nokomis. 

Anhydrous Ammonia Situation in Irving Contained, Odors Remain Due to Weather Conditions (Monday April 17th 11pm)

Montgomery County EMA and the Witt Volunteer FIre Department among others have handled an anhydrous ammonia leak in Irving. The situation is contained but odors remain because of lack of wind and low humidity and respiratory sensitive residents should call 911 if they encounter any issues. More from Montgomery County EMA's Joe Gsparich. https://soundcloud.com/shawn-balint/anhydrous-ammonia-leak-in-irving-appears-contained-odor-lingers

Interim Label is Gone for Hillsboro Area Hospital CEO

Both sides have taken a test drive and Hillsboro Area Hospital officials have decided that interim CEO Michael Alexander shouldn’t be a rental. Alexander, who has had the task of filling the shoes of 29-year CEO Rex Brown, has been appointed by the H-A-H Board of Directors as the permanent CEO, effective April 17th. Alexander came to Hillsboro with more than three decades of senior executive experience for critical access and larger hospitals across the country. Board of Directors Chairman Earl Flack says “We are pleased that Mike will be joining the Hillsboro Area Hospital team as the CEO as we enter a new chapter of leadership,” said Earl Flack, HAH Board Chairman. “Mike quickly demonstrated both his leadership and engagement within the hospital, and we look forward to working with him in continuing to serve the healthcare needs of our community.”  

 

Illinois Dept of Corrections Holding Hiring Event

The Illinois Department of Corrections is in hiring mode.  If you've ever thought of pursuing a paycheck from Graham, Taylorville or Vandalia Correctional Centers, or elsewhere, a Friday event could be the pathway.  The IDOC will hold a hiring event Friday from 10 to 2 at the Salvation Army Center at 1600 ClearLake, just east of Downtown Springfield.    IDOC is looking for Corrections Guards, Nurses, Wardens, Office Associates, Social Workers and more.

Fatal Crash on Route 29 Claims Life of Pana Man

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE

FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH 

 

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police Troop 6

  

WHAT:                       Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

  

WHERE:                     Illinois Route 29 between East 900 North Road and North 1900 East Road, near Owaneco, Christian County

 

WHEN:                        April 1, 2023 at approximately 5:20 p.m.                    

  

VEHICLES:                Unit 1 – 2003 Black Dodge Caravan

                                    Unit 2 – 2020 White Ford Eco Sport

                                   

DRIVERS:                   Unit 1 – Scott McDonald, 50-year-old male from Pana, IL

                                    Unit 2 – Susie Brun, 64-year-old female from Assumption, IL

 

PASSENGER:             Unit 2 – Karen Lacefield, 49-year-old female from Minier, IL

                                   

PRELIMINARY:        The preliminary investigation indicates the following:  Unit 1 was traveling north on Illinois Route 29 at the above location and time. Unit 2 was traveling south at the same location. Unit 1 driver attempted to pass another vehicle and struck Unit 2 head-on.

 

                                    Unit 1 driver was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver and passenger of Unit 2 were transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.                                 

This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available.

 

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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