Hallmark announced Carlinville, IL as the grand prize winner of the inaugural Merriest Christmas Towns Contest. With Hallmark executives and beloved Countdown to Christmas stars Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Brendan Penny in tow, the announcement was revealed at the town’s courthouse followed by a fully produced, surprise event filled with holiday music, festive activities, and all the people that make the town so special.

Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns Contest is the first-ever contest of its kind where fans nominated their towns to be recognized as a Hallmark Christmas Town, with one winner earning the grand prize of having a Hallmark Christmas movie filmed in the place they call home. The Hallmark holiday movie to be filmed in Carlinville, IL will be announced at a later date.

“We knew instantly that Carlinville captures the widely adored Hallmark charm that brings our fans such joy and warmth year-round, and the scores of fans who voted for this cozy town clearly agree,” said Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Media’s Head of Programming. “It will set the stage for the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie and even better, we’re confident that we will create meaningful connections with the wonderful people of Carlinville while making it.”

“What makes Carlinville so special is the people who call it home. From our charming historic downtown and beloved holiday traditions to the warmth and community spirit of our residents, Carlinville truly embodies the magic of a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Doug Downey, Mayor of Carlinville. “Being named Hallmark’s Merriest Town is an incredible honor, and we hope this recognition brings new visitors, opportunities and excitement to our community for years to come.”

There has been a lot of concern about dry conditions and ground fire potential.  That concern proved valid today in a big way with a large ground fire that took root near the launching point of the massive 2020 wildfire.  A fire this afternoon was fenced into a roughly one square mile area east of East 14th and N 4th Ave northeast of Donnellson, and southwest of Coffeen along the Railroad Tracks. Roughly 200 acres were  affected. The fire struck in an area of mostly bean stubble but did get into about 40 acres of standing corn and burnt it.  

Witt, Coffeen, Fillmore,Taylor Springs and Hillsboro firefighters were there along with several other departments from out of county. 

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Stephanie Hall, MSN-HCNA, RN, has been named the Chief Administrative Officer of HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, effective Nov. 9, 2026.

In this role, Hall will be responsible for overseeing nursing, operations and other organizational functions of St. Francis Hospital, a critical access hospital in Montgomery County.

Hall has more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in healthcare. She currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Clinical Services at Marshall Browning Hospital, a critical access hospital in Du Quoin, where she is the executive over nursing, clinical services and daily operations across inpatient and outpatient settings. Prior to that, she was Nurse Manager and Assistant Health Center Manager at Shawnee Health Service in Carbondale, where she ran daily operations across four outpatient sites. She also served as District Registered Nurse for Carterville Unit 5 School District, overseeing all nursing staff, health policies and programs.

Hall earned her Master of Science in nursing, with a focus on Healthcare Administration and Nursing Administration, and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.